DE202005010931U1 - Tripod mounting for small digital cameras comprises mounting plate whose base fits into seating attached to inner surface of shell which forms section of sphere and can slide over second shell with threaded bore for attachment to tripod - Google Patents

Abstract

The tripod mounting for small digital cameras (8) comprises a mounting plate (1) whose base fits into a seating attached to the inner surface of a shell (22) which forms a section of a sphere. This can slide over a second shell (32) which has a threaded bore (36) for attachment to the tripod.

Description

The invention relates to a camera holder ( 1 ) for a tripod with a threaded pin, which can be screwed through an opening of a support plate in the tripod thread of a camera, in particular a small digital camera, and with a mother thread arranged on the underside, in which the threaded pin of the mounting plate of the tripod can be screwed.

Out DE 203 12 747 U1 already a tripod head for vertical attachment of an analog or digital miniature camera is known. This tripod head is provided with a device with which the camera can be set with the nodal point of their lens system on the axis of rotation of the tripod head.

there is under nodal point at a lens the one thought up, up to understand the optical axis of the objective, in where the incoming rays of light intersect before being on the Image sensor or hit the film.

at this known device is a vertical, i. parallel to Rotational axis of the tripod, extending camera mounting plate provided as a support plate, the several horizontal, one above the other Slits has. Through these slots can optionally be a threaded bolt or a fixing screw passed and into the tripod socket A camera can be screwed to the camera in vertical position on this carrier plate at different heights and in relation to the axis of rotation of the tripod in different To attach horizontal positions. This carrier plate is on attached to a horizontal rail, which is diametrically opposed to the axis of rotation the tripod horizontally adjustable in the turntable of the tripod stored is.

With Using this device it is possible to use the nodal point of the camera lens to align with the axis of rotation of the turntable or tripod. Indeed it is only in the vertical position of the camera, i. possible in one location, in which is the tripod thread on a vertical side surface of Camera is located. That means that with normal cameras, where This tripod thread usually in the lower base of the Camera is vertical orientation of the axis only vertical format Recordings can be made. Besides that is it difficult with the help of one in one of several horizontal slots the carrier plate guided fastening screw set a camera exactly to the nodal point of your lens.

Around in the direction of the slots of the support plate a larger adjustment to enable as the length corresponds to the slots, is the support plate itself to the rail in the horizontal direction transversely to the longitudinal profile of the rail adjustable. These are several locking screws through holes in the support plate are screwed into a horizontal arm of the rail, provided.

With This known device, it is not possible, optionally upright or take wide-format panoramic shots.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a simple and inexpensive to produce Camera holder of the type mentioned above, with the one digital photographic camera, in particular of a small type easy way and so safely set and guided manually can make that their nodal point regardless of their respective pivotal position located in the axis of rotation of the turntable of a tripod, so that Parallax errors in panoramic photography can be avoided.

Is solved this object according to the invention by that the carrier plate arranged in the cavity of a hollow ball portion forming a first shell body is, with its spherical segment-shaped outer surface in the matching spherical segment-shaped inner surface of a second shell body leading is movably used, wherein the shell body on the underside of the radial running to the inner surface Nut thread for having the threaded mandrel.

With Help inventively provided spherical segment shell body can be one Camera in horizontal position, i. with tripod thread underneath, attach and horizontally in such a predetermined Verti kalposition adjust in a simple way so that the nodal point of her Lens, which is also referred to as the focal point of the lens could, exactly located on the rotation axis of the turntable of the tripod, so that with even angle adjustments the turntable and / or mounted on the support plate camera error-free panoramic shots can be made. There is a possibility, the entire camera holder with the turntable of the tripod about the vertical axis to turn or the first shell body in the second shell body at a standstill Turntable of the tripod in the horizontal or with any Tilt to turn.

modern Digital cameras are also for Panoramic images programmable and show on the monitor respectively the edge of the already recorded image, to which the next Connect picture should, so that image gaps can be avoided.

In one embodiment of the camera holder according to claim 2 can also be ensured that the nodal point of the camera is at any rotational position and inclination in the same place, so its position does not change when the camera with the first shell body on which it is firmly mounted in the second shell body pivoted and / or tilted.

With The embodiment according to claim 3 can also be different Cameras in a simple way in the direction of the optical axis on the Set nodal point so that this coincides with the vertical axis of rotation of the turntable.

at modern cameras, especially compact cameras, the distance between nodal point and tripod thread usually indicated, so that according to claim 4 by means of a scale and a reference mark on the carriage and on the guide base makes the exact adjustment easy.

The Embodiment according to claim 5 also allows a setting of the nodal point transverse to the optical axis of the camera.

claim 6 relates to a simple device for fixing the camera on the carrier plate.

The Design according to claim 7 allows with a simple Adjusting a radial adjustment of the carrier plate, so that too Cameras with different distances between camera base (Tripod thread) and optical axis easily and safely adjusted can be that yourself the nodal point is located in a plane of the center of curvature of the shell body.

With the embodiment according to claim 8 is reached a certain distance the shell body from the turntable of the tripod, which facilitates handling.

Of the according to claim 9 and 10 optionally provided centering pins facilitates the exact guide the one on the first shell body sitting camera both in the horizontal position and in the vertical position the camera when it is pivoted exactly about the vertical axis of rotation shall be.

Around in particular with manual adjustment of the first shell body in second shell body an uninterrupted management contact between the two shell bodies too ensure is the embodiment provided according to claim 11, wherein the embodiments according to the claims 12 and 13 represent particularly advantageous embodiments.

Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of claims 14 and 15th

Based the drawing figures, the invention is explained in more detail below. It shows:

1 a camera holder in plan view with mounted camera;

2 a section II-II 1 ;

3 a section III-III off 1 ;

3a an enlarged section IIIa 3 ;

3b an enlarged section IIIb 3 ;

4 the camera holder of the 1 in plan view without camera;

5 the first shell body without camera in the sectional view of the 2 ;

6 the first shell body without camera in the sectional view of the 3 ;

7 the second shell body without camera in the sectional view of 2 ;

8th the second shell body without camera and without centering in the sectional view of 3 ;

9 the second shell body of the 8th in plan view;

10 the centering pin as a single part;

11 the camera holder of the 5 to 9 mounted in sectional view on the turntable of a tripod, and

12 the support plate in section with height-adjustable support pin.

The in the 1 to 12 The camera holder shown in the drawing has a horizontal support plate in its normal position 1 on a carriage 2 is fixed and together with this forms a made of dimensionally stable plastic component. By means of a so-called dovetail guide 3 is the carriage 2 on a guide base 4 transverse to a plane of symmetry 6 ' ( 1 ) slidably mounted and by means of a clamping screw 5 ' can be fixed in any displacement position.

The back of the carriage 2 arranged carrier plate 1 is with a long hole 5 out formed breakthrough provided. This slot 5 is perpendicular and symmetrical to a vertical plane of symmetry 6 to which the optical axis 15 of the lens 8th' one on the carrier plate 1 mounted camera 8th to align.

By means of a vertical support pin 7 can the camera 8th , in particular a digital compact camera, with its lower side tripod thread 9 ( 3b ) on the carrier plate 1 be attached. The carrier pin 7 has for this purpose at its upper end a threaded pin 10 , which is a circular knurled on the circumference carrier disc 11 surmounted and in the tripod socket 9 firmly screwed, so the camera 8th with its underside on the upper end face of the carrier disc 11 seated.

At a certain vertical distance from the carrier disk 11 is the carrier pin 7 with a support flange 12 provided on the top of the carrier plate 1 seated. To the support flange 12 closes a second downward threaded pin 13 on, the slot 5 the carrier plate 1 protrudes downwards. By means of a lower side on the carrier plate 1 adjacent knurled nut 14 on the threaded pins 13 screwed on, the carrier pin can 7 with the screwed on camera 8th on the carrier plate 1 be fixed. Due to the design of the breakthrough as a slot 5 it is possible to mount the camera on the carrier plate 1 in the transverse direction to the plane of symmetry 6 align so that its optical axis 15 exactly in the plane of symmetry 6 lies.

As the 2 and 3 show that has in the optical axis 15 the camera 8th lying nodal point N from the bottom of the camera 8th a vertical distance a1 and from the axis 9 ' of the tripod thread 9 a lateral distance a2 and an axial distance a3.

at Most cameras on the market vary in size. When the camera holder for several cameras with different dimensions a1, a2 and / or a3 can be used should be, it is necessary to adjust accordingly provided. This includes also an adjustment the distance a1.

This is how 12 shows a simple solution in it, the lower threaded pin 13 of the trunnion 7 to the vicinity of the carrier disk 11 to extend and the support flange 12 through a second knurled nut 14 to replace. In this embodiment, there is the possibility of the distance a1 of the carrier disk 11 from the carrier plate 1 to vary.

To the respective position of the carriage 2 on the guide base 4 To control and to be able to adjust more precisely are the positioning slides 2 and the guide socket 4 with a scale 16 ( 1 and 4 ) and with a reference mark 17 Mistake.

With the help of these adjusting devices, the camera can be 8th both in height, as well as in the transverse direction and in the longitudinal direction to the plane of symmetry 6 adjust so that their nodal point N, on the optical axis 15 lies exactly in the vertical axis of rotation 20 according to 11 on the mounting plate 21 of the turntable 21 ' camera mount mounted on a camera tripod. However, the adjustability of a1 is only of interest and useful if the possibility should be given to produce optionally also panoramic panoramic images, when taking the camera 8th , as in 11 shown, is in a vertical position.

If, on the other hand, the camera holder is designed and usable only for cameras with identical dimensions a1, a2 and a3, these adjustment options and the threaded pin can be dispensed with 10 for the tripod thread 9 the camera 8th stationary directly on the guide base 4 to be ordered. A carriage with transverse slot 5 is then superfluous. Such a simplified camera holder can be produced very inexpensively.

The guide socket 4 on which the carriage 2 with the carrier plate 1 in the direction of the plane of symmetry 6 is adjustable, also consists of dimensionally stable plastic and is an integral part of a hollow ball portion forming a first shell body 22 , As is readily apparent from the drawing figures 1 to 8, there is the carrier plate 1 in the cavity 23 this first shell body 22 , whose center of curvature M with correct setting of the camera 8th on the optical axis 15 or in Nodalpunkt N is located.

How best that 5 to 8th can be seen, the shell body extends 22 in the transverse direction to the dovetail 3 extending direction over a central angle α of 170 ° to 180 ° and in the direction of the dovetail guide 3 via a central angle α1 of 90 ° to 100 °, the dimensions depending on the design of the camera 8th and intended use of the camera holder may vary. The shell body 22 thus preserves the shape of a melon carving cut out of a spherical melon and freed from its fruit pulp.

With the shell thickness d of about 1.5 to 3 mm, the radius R of the outer surface 23 of the first shell body when used for digital compact cameras are 70 mm to 80 mm.

As the 1 . 3 such as 5 and 6 show is the axis of symmetry 24 of the shell body 22 opposite the vertical plane of symmetry 6 of the guide socket 4 and the carriage 3 offset by about 25 ° amounting central angle δ, so that the right upper end edge 25 above the horizontal plane 27 the center of curvature M is located and the lower left end edge 26 below this horizontal plane 27 lies ( 5 ), When the shell body in its horizontal position according to 2 and 5 located.

The underside is the shell body 22 with a blind hole 28 provided in both the plane of symmetry 6 as well as in the right-angled plane of symmetry 6 ' ( 6 ) lies. This blind bore serves for centering receiving an optionally usable centering pin 29 who in 10 is shown as a single part.

At the height of the horizontal plane 27 and thus at an angular distance α3 of 90 ° from the blind bore 28 has the shell body 22 a second hole 30 at the same time in the plane of symmetry 6 ' lies. Also this hole 30 serves for centering the centering pin 29 ,

The symmetry planes 6 and 6 ' are perpendicular to each other, and intersect at the center of curvature M or in the central vertical axis A (FIG. 4 and 9 ) of the second shell body 32 , on which with correct adjustment of the camera also their Nodalpunkt N lies.

This centering pin 29 can optionally in the vertical central bore 31 one as a guide element for the shell body 22 serving second shell body 32 be used to the first shell body 22 either in his in 2 illustrated horizontal position or in his in 11 shown vertical position to be fixed so that it is about the vertical axis of the centering pin 29 is rotatable.

The second shell body is also formed as a hollow ball section, but with one in both sectional planes II-II and III-III of 1 symmetrical shape. In the sectional plane II-II it extends over a central angle β of about 140 ° is 150 ° and in the sectional plane III-III over a central angle β1 of about 65 ° to 75 °. The radius R of its inner surface is exactly the same size as the outer radius R of the first shell body 22 so that the two ball section surfaces 23 and 33 exactly match and lead each other so that rotational movements or inclination movements of the one relative to the other always done concentric to the common center of curvature M.

Without using the centering pin 29 can the first shell body 22 in the second shell body 32 tilt and twist manually as desired. If the centering pin 29 is used, the first shell body can be 22 with the attached camera 8th each pivot only about the vertical axis of the centering.

To work with the camera holder in the 11 shown camera position to make panoramic pictures in portrait format, it is necessary that the radius of curvature R is equal to the distance of the outer surface 23 of the first shell body 22 from the nodal point N of the camera, ie the center of curvature M and the nodal point N must be at least on the same axis, namely on the optical axis 15 the mounted camera 8th , lie. If also optional panoramic pictures in portrait format 11 should be feasible, the center of curvature M and Nodalpunkt N must coincide.

In the center of its bottom has the second, also made of plastic shell body 32 whose shell thickness d1 can be equal to or greater than the shell thickness d of the first shell body 22 , a preferably cylindrical base 34 with a plane lower end face 35 , In this lower end face 35 is like the tripod thread 9 as a threaded bore formed tripod thread 36 whose axis 37 runs exactly radially to the center of curvature M.

In this tripod thread 36 is the threaded pin 38 of the turntable 21 a camera tripod screwed to the shell body 32 on it instead of the camera 8th to fix.

Thus, with the simple camera holder according to the invention, it is possible to carry out gapless panoramic images both in landscape format and in portrait format easily and reliably. The position of the first shell body 22 for the production of panorama pictures in portrait format is in 11 shown. The centering pin 29 is engaged with the hole 30 But that does not necessarily have to be the case. This portrait position can also be done without the centering pin 29 to get voted.

In the in the 2 . 3 and 3a illustrated embodiment, the two shell body 22 and 32 connected by magnetic force, ie they are held together adhesive.

In order to achieve this magnetic adhesion, are in the second shell body 32 around the base 34 around several, preferably four, flat permanent magnets 40 in pocket-shaped cavities 41 embedded, whose magnetic fields act in the region of the resting first shell body. Here is the first shell body 22 with a ferromagnetic insert 42 in the form of a ball mig arched metal plate, which extends over most of its extension. Due to the magnetic adhesive forces can between the two shell bodies 22 and 32 increased static friction is generated, which is capable of a manually set position of the first shell body 22 in the second shell body 32 to keep. Due to the magnetic attraction forces, the two shell bodies 22 and 32 Also better kept in mutual contact during the manual adjustment operations, so that the handling is improved or facilitated overall.

Instead of the shell body made of dimensionally stable plastic 22 embedded insert 42 would also be the inner surface of the shell body 22 Covering support of sheet steel conceivable.

In principle, it is also possible to design the camera holder according to the invention so that the arrangement of a hole formed as a bore for the threaded pin in the carrier plate is designed for a specific type of camera and the carrier plate 1 immovable in the first shell body 22 is arranged. This would result in a very simple and inexpensive embodiment.

Claims (15)

Camera holder for a tripod with a threaded pin ( 10 ) through an opening ( 5 ) a carrier plate ( 1 ) in the tripod thread ( 9 ) of a camera ( 8th ), in particular a small digital camera, can be screwed in, and with a female thread arranged on the underside ( 36 ) into which the threaded pin ( 38 ) of the mounting plate ( 21 ) of the tripod is screwed, characterized in that the carrier plate ( 1 ) in the cavity of a hollow body portion forming a first shell body ( 22 ) is arranged, which with its spherical segment-shaped outer surface ( 23 ) in the matching spherical segment-shaped inner surface ( 33 ) a second shell body ( 32 ) is movably inserted, wherein the second shell body ( 32 ) on the underside that radially to the inner surface ( 33 ) extending tripod thread ( 36 ) for the threaded mandrel ( 38 ) having. Camera holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the radius of curvature (R) of the spherical segment-shaped outer surface ( 23 ) of the first shell body ( 22 ) and the inner surface ( 33 ) of the second shell body ( 32 ) their distance from the nodal point (N) one on the carrier plate ( 1 ) mounted camera ( 8th ) corresponds. Camera holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier plate ( 1 ) on a carriage ( 2 ), which in turn is mounted on a guide base ( 4 ) transverse to a plane of symmetry ( 19 ) of the first shell body ( 22 ) is guided adjustable and fixable. Camera holder according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjusting slide ( 2 ) and the guide socket ( 4 ) with a scale ( 16 ) and a reference mark ( 17 ) are provided, on which the respective settings are readable. Camera holder according to one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that the opening of the carrier plate takes the form of a plane parallel to the plane of symmetry ( 19 ) of the first shell body ( 22 ) extending slot-shaped opening ( 5 ) having. Camera holder according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that for fixing the camera ( 8th ) on the carrier plate ( 1 ) a carrier pin ( 7 ) is provided, an upper, in the tripod thread ( 9 ) the camera ( 8th ) threaded stud ( 10 ), a carrier disk ( 11 ), one on the carrier plate ( 1 ) seated support flange ( 12 ) and a lower one, the breakthrough ( 5 ) of the carrier plate ( 1 ) projecting second threaded pin ( 13 ), wherein the lower threaded pin ( 13 ) with a against the underside of the carrier plate ( 1 ) tensionable knurled nut ( 14 ) is provided. Camera holder according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower threaded pin ( 13 ) over much of the length of the trunnion ( 7 ) and that the support flange as a knurled nut ( 14 ' ) formed on the lower threaded pin ( 13 ) is adjustable. Camera holder according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second shell body ( 32 ) on the underside with a stand ( 34 ), which in its lower, planar end face ( 35 ) the nut thread ( 36 ) for the threaded mandrel ( 38 ) having. Camera holder according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second shell body ( 32 ) with a vertical axis of rotation lying at the nodal point (N) ( 20 ) coaxial centering pins ( 29 ) is provided. Camera holder according to claim 9, characterized in that the first shell body ( 22 ) with two receiving bores ( 28 . 30 ) for the centering pin ( 29 ), which in the plane of symmetry ( 19 ) of the shell body ( 22 ) are offset by an angular distance (α3) of 90 ° to each other, wherein a receiving bore ( 28 ) the horizontal position and the other receiving bore ( 30 ) the vertical position of one with its nodal point (N) on the carrier plate ( 1 ) on the common center of curvature (M) of the shell body ( 22 . 32 ) aligned camera ( 8th ) fixed. Camera holder according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the two shell body ( 22 . 32 ) are connected by magnetic force, but movable together. Camera holder according to claim 11, characterized in that the second shell body ( 32 ) with a plurality of permanent magnets ( 40 ), which surround the base ( 34 ) are arranged around and that the first shell body ( 22 ) with a ferromagnetic insert ( 42 ) or edition is provided. Camera holder according to claim 12, characterized in that the ferromagnetic input or support at least ( 42 ) extends over half of the shell surface. Camera holder according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the shell body ( 22 . 32 ) consist of dimensionally stable plastic. Camera holder according to claim 3, characterized in that the carrier plate ( 1 ) and the carriage ( 2 ) together form a plastic component.