FR2628180A1 - Film or TV camera operator harness support - is fitted to person's back and allows complete flexible movement of body whilst allowing two assistants to hold on - Google Patents

Abstract

A harness is fitted to a cameraman so that he is free to move but is prevented from losing balance by attachments to his back. Two handholds, one on each side, are attached to a waistband. A bracket is fitted to the back of the harness at about shoulder height. The bracket protrudes away from the cameraman at right angles and is fixed to a bar by a two way joint one of which is a ball and socket joint. The other joint is made to the bar so that the first joint is off centre and can be easily moved but when not being moved is held in position by gravity. The ends of the bar and the waistholds are grasped by two assistants to keep the cameraman from falling about. ADVANTAGE - Allows unrestricted safe movement of cameraman.

Description

() FRENCH REPUBLIC Publication no .: 2,628,180 (to be used only for

  the NATIONAL INSTITUTE reproduction orders)

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

  INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY National registration number 88 027 I 1 PARIS

  (Int CI4: F 16 M 13/04; G 03 B 15/00, 17/56.

  A1 PATENT APPLICATION

  È Filing date: March 3, 1988. QJ Applicant (s): BLANCHET Vincent Evart. FR.

) Priority:

  () Inventor (s): Vincent Evart Blanchet.

  - Date of public availability of the

  application: BOPI "Patents" n 36 of September 8, 1989.

  ) References to other national documents appearing

  rented: (rt Holder (s): (Agent (s)

  _ Mobile shooting stabilizer for cinema or video.

  (The invention relates to a device for smoothly moving sc a shooting operator holding his camera 41E and mounted on roller skates., It consists of two handles 3 at hip height. E '/ A bracket 5 part of the height of the shoulders A bar 4 is attached to the bracket 5 by means of two articulations 1 IAtrNAT and 2. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for! ZE DE tlATAJO carry out displacements of cameras (traveling) natural decorations I eJ1 * 'i1 = oe N oe lL m, IAO a fel-, loilA I'IMOOIM; IlI N & TIT'NALE 27. rue de le Convention - 75732 PARIS CEDEX 15 i The present invention relates to a device for stabilizing mobile shooting. Since his first shoots (Lumière cameraman filming from a gondola in Venice, Méliès' special effects for

  his "big head") the cinematographer has; felt the need to

  place the camera while it is rotating, which is called a tra

  Veling video has the same need today.

  velvety pleasing to the eye of the beholder, we seek & that no parasitic movement comes to disturb the main movement of

  moving the camera. There are two kinds of movements

  sites that are all the more disturbing the more abrupt they are

  l) unwanted changes in camera azimuth (panorami-

  that) vertical or horizontal 2) movements of the camera out of the direction of traveling (main movement), without modification of the lateral or vertical axis of shooting. (an oscillation in the axis of shooting is hardly visible if its amplitude is not too large) In reality it is often combinations of 1) and 2)

  In addition, sudden variations in the movement must be avoided.

main displacement ment.

  The invention achieves this result while being more

  light and quick to use anywhere and anytime

  and is particularly suitable for filming in natural surroundings

  rel. We will describe the procedures for monitoring the

  characters filmed, whether they walk or run, except

  sion of processes using motorized vehicles such as cars, helicopters, motorcycles etc. -Travel travel on rail, with or without crane.A wheeled cart

  is pushed by the machinists on previously ins-

talled in the desired location.

  Disadvantages: long and costly installation. Does not go everywhere (doors). Rails visible during rear travelings, and

  obstructing the movement of the actors.

  -Travel carts on rubberized wheels (dollies, ele-

  macks etc.) The surface on which they move must be perfectly flat and smooth.

at the studio.

  -The Steadicam. It is an articulated arm which absorbs movements

  parasites of the operator's walking or running Very efficient

  cace in subjective camera effects, rapid movements

of, the stairs.

  Disadvantages: Less effective in slow movements (movement-

  parasites of rolling and pitching giving a cha-

  missed in the picture) .A rough frame, the camera is far from o

  operator who controls the image by a video monitor, instead of the viewfinder. Not everyone is able to use the process

  because of the force exerted on the spine of the o

  operator (twice the weight of the camera with a lever arm

  60 cm), you need an exceptional physical and muscular form-

  the. The operator is equipped either with modern roller skates (with polyurethane wheels) or with special process skates, with wheels fitted with low pressure tires. He has the camera on his shoulder (direct aim) or by hand ( video sight). It can take all postures between standing and squatting. It is towed

  (traveling back to side) or pushed (traveling front to side-

  ral), via a harness whose characteristics

constitute the invention.

  Irregularities of the ground of large amplitude and / or low to medium frequency will be absorbed by the legs slightly

  deflected from the operator.

  tude and those of high frequency will be absorbed by the

  the ankles of the operator (roller) and the low pressure tires of the special pads. So that stability

  camera movement is unaffected by varia-

  the rolling resistance of the ground, the operator is held at two points by each of the two people who push or pull it. On the one hand at the height of the pelvis a belt provided with handles provides the motor skills of the system. On the other hand in the middle of the shoulder, the operator has a support point connected to

  a bar held by the push-tractors.

  It is this double hold on the hips and shoulders which gives the operator stability and allows freedom of movement.

  his legs to absorb the irregularities of the ground.

  The means which allows the shoulder support bar, held by two people walking or running, not to come in any way

  disturb the stability of the camera by parasitic movements

  tes, is a double articulation of the fixing of this bar on the shoulder support: * / in the axis of the shoulder support. i / along a vertical axis perpendicular to the shoulder support as well as '' at the helm (see Fg.l) .The same effect can be obtained with a gimbal

  or a ball which would give the bar complete freedom of rotation

  re. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the axis f / is slightly off-center with respect to the bar, which means that the latter, by simple gravity effect, takes up a position

  vertical at rest, preventing the operator from hanging people

nes or objects.

) 2 6 2 2628 180

Claims (3)

  1) Device for pushing or pulling a person without desi-   balance characterized in that it comprises handles (1) at the level of the pelvis of the person and at shoulder height, a bracket (2), linked to a bar (3) by a double articulation, one in the stem axis (4), the other perpendicular to the stem and the bar (5).   2) Device according to claim i characterized in that the articulation in the axis of the bracket (4) is offset from the middle of the bar (3) keeping it vertically by gravity effect.   3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the articulation between the bracket (2) and the bar (3) is a ball joint. 1/1 3) 2) N "! I - 4)) / L ,, I T /