EP1409916A1

EP1409916A1 - Balance system with roll handle for hand-held cameras

Info

Publication number: EP1409916A1
Application number: EP02754949A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christoph F. Bruggaier
Original assignee: Sachtler GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Sachtler GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2001-07-26
Filing date: 2002-07-26
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: DE10136341A1; WO2003010465A1; US20040233389A1; JP2004536267A

Abstract

A balance system (1), for hand-held cameras (9), comprises a balance arm (2) and a handle (3). The balance arm (2) may be connected to a camera retaining mechanism (10) and may be swivelled, relative to the handle (3), about a swivelling axis (S) and tilted about a tilting axis (N), running essentially perpendicular to the swivelling axis (S). The balance arm (2) may furthermore be rotated about a roll axis (R) relative to the handle (3), which also runs essentially perpendicular to the swivelling axis (S) in the case of a non-tilted camera (9). The balance arm (2) may thus be rotated in an unrestricted manner about the roll axis (R) relative to the handle (3).

Description

Balance system with roll handle for hand-held cameras

Technical field

The present invention relates to a balance system for hand-held cameras according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such balance systems are used for balancing manually guided video and film cameras, with a handle being provided for guiding the camera with one hand. The balance system is designed to prevent tilting and tilting movements from being transferred from the handle to the camera, because it should always ensure that the camera remains in the same orientation and that the camera cannot be tilted or tilted. For this purpose, the balance system is designed so that the camera can execute a pendulum movement with respect to the handle. Counterweights are used to balance the camera and are attached to one end of a compensating arm which is attached to the camera body at its other end. With a suitable choice and positioning of the counterweights, the arrangement of balance arm and counterweights balances the camera so that tilting or tilting movements are not transferred from the handle to the camera. State of the art

Such balance systems for guiding common film and video cameras are known in the prior art. For example, US Pat. No. 4,946,272 describes such a balancing system, the balancing arm of which is curved. At one end the balance arm is connected to a camera holding mechanism on which a film or video camera or other equipment to be balanced can be attached, and at the other end of the balance arm the counterweights can be attached. The entirety of the camera, camera holding mechanism, arch-shaped balancing arm and counterweight is connected to a handle via a ball joint, so that the handle can be tilted and tilted without the camera following these movements.

However, a handle for guiding a camera should not only decouple the camera as completely as possible from movements of the cameraman's hand and thus of the handle, which should not be transferred to the camera. It should also be possible to pivot the camera around the handle (around a pan axis that runs vertically through the camera), to tilt (around a tilt axis perpendicular to it and perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera) and to roll (to move one through roll axis running through the cameraman’s arm), in order to generate conscious pan, tilt and roll movements of the camera during filming.

In these known balance systems with ball joint, the camera can be rotated around the pivot axis without restriction and also several times in succession. However, the ball joint only allows rotation around the tilt axis and the roll axis in a limited range. In particular, the rotation of the camera about the roll axis, which runs through the arm of the cameraman, is initially only possible to the extent that how it allows the ball joint to move until it hits its stop. From this angle of rotation, the cameraman has to turn his arm for a further rotation of the camera about the roll axis, which makes the camera operator restless; in addition, the rotatability of the cameraman's arm is of course also limited. This results in a very limited range of rotation around the roll axis; in particular, multiple rotations of the hand-held camera around this roll axis (so-called barrel travel) are not possible.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a balance system for hand-held cameras, which allows greater freedom of movement for the camera.

This object is achieved by a balance system according to claim 1.

Accordingly, a balance system for hand-held cameras has a compensating arm and a handle, the compensating arm being connectable to a camera holding mechanism and pivotable with respect to the handle about a pivot axis and tiltable about an axis which is essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis. The compensating arm can also be rotated with respect to the handle about a roll axis which also extends essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis. According to the invention, the compensating arm can be rotated about this rolling axis without restriction with regard to the handle.

The compensating arm and the camera attached to it can therefore be rotated around the handle without restriction. The camera is thus completely decoupled from the arm of the cameraman, so that the rotatability of the arm in no way limits the range of rotation about the roll axis. Rather, it is even possible according to the invention to rotate the camera several times in succession around the roll axis and thus, with simultaneous forward movement of the camera, to carry out the barrel movements described above, which gives the cameraman completely new and effective possibilities in the design of his films using a hand-held camera offers.

The balance system according to the invention is particularly suitable for DV and compact cameras, in which comparatively few cables and electrical connections are used which could interfere with the rolling motion.

Advantageous further developments of the balance system according to the invention result from the subclaims.

The compensating arm can be connected to the handle via a multi-part joint arrangement. For example, there may be three links, a first link which is fixedly connected to the compensating arm being pivotably mounted on a second link, which in turn is tiltably mounted on a third link, which in turn is rotatably mounted on the handle about the roll axis. In this embodiment, therefore, the first and the second link generate the pivoting movement, the second and the third link the tilting movement and the third link and the handle generate the rolling motion of the camera with respect to the handle.

An advantage of this multi-part arrangement is that the rotations around the different axes are decoupled from one another. This is not the case, for example, when using a ball joint that realizes the rotations around all three axes. In particular, in the balancing system according to the invention, the roll axis can run through the center of gravity of the overall system consisting of balance arm, camera and possible counterweights, whereas the Roll axis in the known systems with ball joint always runs above this center of gravity.

In the multi-part joint arrangement, at least two of the links can then be locked against one another. For example, it is possible to switch off the rotation about the pivot axis and to tilt and / or roll the camera at a fixed pivot angle. Likewise, for example, the camera can be pivoted at a fixed tilt and / or roll angle. This results in a variety of possible movements of the camera with respect to the handle.

In an advantageous embodiment of the balance system according to the invention, the compensation arm for the unrestricted rotation about the roll axis is connected to the handle via a roller bearing arrangement, the handle forming the shaft of the roller bearing arrangement and the compensation arm being connected to the hub of the roller bearing arrangement. In the case of the multi-link joint arrangement, the handle can then be rotatably mounted on the third link via a roller bearing arrangement about the roll axis, the third link forming the hub of this roller bearing arrangement and the handle forming the shaft of this roller bearing arrangement. In this way, the unlimited and multiple rotation of the compensating arm with the camera around the handle can be realized in a structurally simple manner.

The compensating arm can, for example, be designed in an arc shape. It can preferably be folded into a transport position.

In the arcuate configuration, the compensating arm then extends from the camera in an arc to a point which is essentially below the camera. At least one counterweight can be attached to the balance arm at this lower point or at another point to balance the weight of a camera attached to the balance arm. Instead of or in addition to the counterweight, a monitor or other accessories can also be attached to the compensating arm, so that a balanced overall system results.

The camera can be attached to a camera holding mechanism, which in turn can be attached to the compensating arm. The camera holding mechanism preferably consists of a base which is fixedly connected to the compensating arm and of an attachment plate to which the camera can be attached and which can be displaced with respect to the base by means of adjusting screws in the right / left and / or in the forward / backward direction , In this way, the center of gravity of the camera can be shifted with respect to the handle, which is also connected to the compensating arm, in such a way that an axis running vertically through the center of gravity of the camera runs through the handle.

To guide the camera, i.e. To generate the tilting, swiveling and rolling movements, a gripping ring can be provided, by means of which the compensating arm and a camera attached to it can be pivoted, inclined and rolled around the handle.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of an embodiment shown by way of example in the drawings.

In detail shows

1 is a perspective view of an inventive balance system with roll handle for hand-held cameras, 2 is a side view of the balance system according to the invention,

3 is an enlarged perspective view of a handle and a joint arrangement of the balance system according to the invention,

4 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle and the joint arrangement,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle and the hinge assembly, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a balance arm and the joint arrangement of the balance system according to the invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

1 shows a preferred embodiment of a balance system 1 according to the invention for hand-held cameras with a compensating arm 2 and a handle 3, which are coupled to one another via a multi-link joint arrangement 4.

At the upper end 5 of the compensating arm 2, a camera holding device (not shown) can be attached, which in turn serves to hold a film or video camera or another device to be balanced.

In the example shown, the compensating arm is designed to be curved and foldable at a hinge point 6, so that it can be folded up for transport and takes up so much less space than in the illustrated unfolded state. In order to balance the overall system, counterweights 7 are attached to the lower end of the compensating arm 2. Instead of the counterweights 7, a monitor or the like can also be attached to this or another location of the compensating arm 2.

2 shows a side view of the system according to the invention. The three axes that are essential for the movement of the system are clear from this view: the pivot axis S runs vertically through the handle 3 through a camera 9 attached to the compensating arm 2 by means of a camera holding device 10 and preferably through the center of gravity of this camera 9 In this embodiment, the compensating arm 2 with the camera 9 attached to it can be rotated about the pivot axis without restriction. The compensating arm 2 can also be inclined with respect to the handle 3 about an inclination axis N, this inclination being able to be carried out in a range of ± 90 °. The arrangement of compensating arm 2 and camera 9 is also unlimited and can also be rotated several times about a roll axis R. In the position shown, in which the compensating arm 2 and the camera 9 are not inclined about the tilt axis N, the roll axis R also runs perpendicular to the pivot axis S. If the compensating arm 2 is now inclined about the tilt axis N, the angle between the changes Pivot axis S and the roll axis R; the angle between the tilt axis N and the roll axis R also changes when the compensating arm 2 is pivoted about the pivot axis S. The swivel axis S is always perpendicular to the tilt axis N.

The camera 9 is mounted on a camera holding mechanism 10, which in turn is attached to the compensating arm 2. The camera holding mechanism 10 consists of a base 18 which is fixedly connected to the compensating arm and of an attachment plate 21 to which the camera 9 is attached and which is set by means of adjusting screws 19, 20 in right / left and / or in forward / backward Direction with respect to the base 18 is movable. In this way, the center of gravity of the camera 9 can be shifted with respect to the handle 3, which is also connected to the compensating arm 2, such that an axis running vertically through the center of gravity of the camera 9 runs through the handle 3.

As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the joint arrangement 4, which connects the compensating arm 2 to the handle 3, has three links 4a, 4b and 4c in the exemplary embodiment. The first link 4a is connected to the compensation arm 2 and rotatable about the pivot axis S with respect to the second link 4b. The second link 4b in turn can be tilted about the tilt axis N with respect to the third link 4c, which in this embodiment takes over the function of the hub of a roller bearing arrangement. The shaft of this roller bearing arrangement corresponds to the handle 3, so that the compensating arm 2 and the three links 4a, 4b, 4c of the joint arrangement 4 can be rotated around the roll axis R without restriction and several times in succession with respect to the handle 3.

In the embodiment shown, the second link 4b can be locked on the third link 4c by means of a locking screw 8, wherein in the locked position no rotation can take place about the tilt axis N, but a predetermined tilt angle is set.

A gripping ring 11 is provided for guiding the camera. The gripping ring 11 also acts as a clamping ring in order to ensure a locking around the pivot axis. The first link 4a can accordingly be fixed by means of the clamping ring 11 relative to the second link 4b, so that the camera can be tilted and / or rolled with a fixed pivot angle. 4 shows the arrangement of the individual joint members and their mounting relative to one another, FIG. 4a being a sectional view along the line DD from the top view in FIG. 4b. The compensating arm 2 and the handle 3 are shown, which are connected to one another via the joint arrangement 4. The first link 4a of the joint arrangement is supported on the second link 4b via a ball bearing 12, wherein the relative rotation of the first 4a and the second link 4b about the pivot axis can be prevented by means of the clamping ring 11. The second link 4b is in turn mounted on the third link 4c via two ball bearings 13, 13 'tiltable about the tilt axis N, for which purpose a connecting pin 14 is also provided. To lock the second 4b with respect to the third link 4c, the locking screw 8 is provided, which can be screwed into a recess in the third link 4c and thus locks the two links 4b, 4c against each other. The third link 4c here is made in two parts and consists of an upper, cylindrical part 4c 'and a lower part 4c ", which is connected to it and has the shape of a circular ring. The lower part 4c" corresponds at the same time to the hub of a roller bearing arrangement 22, the Shaft of the handle 3 forms.

The roller bearing arrangement 22 from the circular ring 4c ", the handle 3 and the roller body 11 is clearer again from FIG. 5, FIG. 5a being a section along the line C-C from the top view in FIG. 5b.

6 finally shows an enlarged plan view of a balance system according to the invention. It can be seen here that the upper part 5 of the compensating arm 2 has a recess 15 in which a connecting element 16 (cf. also FIG. 4a) is slidably arranged, which in turn is connected to the first link 4a of the joint arrangement 4. In this way, the compensating arm 2 can be moved along the recess 15 with respect to the joint arrangement 4 and thus with respect to the handle 3. The Connecting element 16 can then be clamped at the desired point in the recess 15 by means of fastening screws 17.

Claims

claims

1. balance system (1) for hand-held cameras (9) with a compensating arm (2) and a handle (3),

the compensating arm (2) being connectable to a camera holding mechanism (10),

the compensating arm (2) being pivotable with respect to the handle (3) about a pivot axis (S) and tilting about an inclination axis (N) running essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis (S),

and wherein the compensating arm (2) can also be rotated with respect to the handle (3) about a roll axis (R) which, when the camera (9) is not inclined, also runs perpendicular to the pivot axis (S),

characterized in that

the compensating arm (2) can be freely rotated about the roll axis (R) with respect to the handle (3).

2. Balance system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the compensating arm (2) is connected to the handle (3) via a multi-part joint arrangement (4).

3. Balance system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two links of the multi-part joint arrangement (4) can be locked with respect to one another.

4. Balance system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the multi-part joint arrangement (4) has three members (4a, 4b, 4c), a first, Link (4a) fixedly connected to the compensating arm (2) is pivotably mounted on a second link (4b), which in turn is tiltably mounted on a third link (4c), which in turn is mounted on the handle (3) about the roll axis (R) is rotatably mounted.

5. Balance system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the handle (3) via a roller bearing arrangement (22) about the roll axis (R) is rotatably mounted on the third link (4c), the third link (4c) The hub of this roller bearing arrangement (22) and the handle (3) forms the shaft of this roller bearing arrangement (22).

6. Balance system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the compensating arm (2) for the unlimited rotation about the roll axis (R) via a roller bearing arrangement (22) with the handle (3), wherein the Handle (3) forms the shaft of the roller bearing arrangement (22) and the compensating arm (2) is connected to the hub of the roller bearing arrangement (22).

7. Balance system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensating arm (2) is designed in an arcuate manner.

8. Balance system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compensating arm (2) can be folded into a transport position (6).

9. Balance system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one counterweight (7) on the compensating arm (2) can be attached to the weight of a via a camera holding mechanism (10) attached to the compensating arm (2) Compensate camera (9).

10. balance system (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera holding mechanism (10) consists of a fixedly connected to the compensating arm (18) and an attachment plate (21) on which a camera (9 ) can be attached and which can be displaced by means of adjusting screws (19, 20) in the right / left and / or in the forward / backward direction with respect to the base (18).

11. Balance system (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gripping ring (11) is provided, by means of which the compensating arm (2) and a camera attached to it

(9) can be pivoted and tilted around the handle (3).