GB2160995A - Optical instrument stabiliser - Google Patents

Optical instrument stabiliser Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2160995A
GB2160995A GB08416716A GB8416716A GB2160995A GB 2160995 A GB2160995 A GB 2160995A GB 08416716 A GB08416716 A GB 08416716A GB 8416716 A GB8416716 A GB 8416716A GB 2160995 A GB2160995 A GB 2160995A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
stabiliser
instrument
optical instrument
masses
optical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08416716A
Other versions
GB8416716D0 (en
Inventor
Francis Albert Shaw Innes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB08416716A priority Critical patent/GB2160995A/en
Publication of GB8416716D0 publication Critical patent/GB8416716D0/en
Publication of GB2160995A publication Critical patent/GB2160995A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F16M13/04—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains, e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
    • F16M11/08—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting around a vertical axis, e.g. panoramic heads
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
    • F16M11/2021—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a horizontal axis
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/64—Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image
    • G02B27/646—Imaging systems using optical elements for stabilisation of the lateral and angular position of the image compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G12—INSTRUMENT DETAILS
    • G12B—CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF INSTRUMENTS, OR COMPARABLE DETAILS OF OTHER APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G12B5/00—Adjusting position or attitude, e.g. level, of instruments or other apparatus, or of parts thereof; Compensating for the effects of tilting or acceleration, e.g. for optical apparatus
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/04—Balancing means
    • F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Accessories Of Cameras (AREA)

Abstract

An optical instrument stabiliser, i.e. a device for reducing the level of unwanted angular movement in hand-held devices such as cameras and binoculars, consists of two or more masses 10 rigidly connected to a mounting 13 having provision for attachment to the instrument. The separation of the masses from the instrument and each other is such as to substantially increase the moment of inertia, and hence the resistance to angular acceleration, about any axis through the instrument. The disposition of the masses 10 is also such that two or more may be in contact with the person of the operator in order to damp out any remaining vibration. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Optical instrument stabiliser This invention relates to a stabilising device for use with portable cameras, binoculars, telescopes or other hand-held optical instruments.
The effectiveness or convenience in use of well known hand-held optical instruments such as cameras, binoculars, or telescopes may be impaired by the presence of angular vibration created by the internal mechanism of the instrument, or by involuntary movement of the hands of the operator. Such vibration may cause appreciable apparent linear vibration of objects in the field of view of the instrument with respect to the axis of its optical system, and hence may reduce the effective resolution of the optical system below that which would be achieved if no vibration were present.
Conventional means of reducing the angular vibration of optical instruments include the use of well known devices such as tripods, monopods, clamps and shoulder supports, which restrict the freedom of use of the instrument when so equipped.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of reducing the angular vibration of hand-held optical instruments, while permitting such movement of the instrument as may be required by the operator.
According to the present invention, there is provided an optical instrument stabiliser comprising a mounting having provision for attachment to an optical instrument, the mounting being connected by an optionally adjustable and lockable rigid member or members to two or more masses, the disposition of the said rigid member or members being such that the effect of the masses attached thereto is to substantially increase the polar moment of inertia of the system consisting of optical instrument and stabiliser above that of the instrument alone, and also such that at least two of the said masses may be in contact with the person of the operator when the instrument is in use.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a frontal view of the stabiliser; Figure 2 is a side view of the stabiliser.
Referring to the drawing, the stabiliser comprises two masses 10 mounted on legs 11 terminating in a block 1 2 held in a mounting 13 by a bolt 14 and locking nut 15. The locking nut 1 5 is provided with an operating lever 16. A screw 18 fixed in a knob 17 passes through a hole in the mounting to permit attachment via the screw to the body of an optical instrument.
The length of the legs 11, and their included angle, are such that the separation of the masses 10 from each other and the body of the optical instrument to which the mounting 1 3 is attached results in a substantial increase in the moment of inertia about any axis through the centre of mass of the optical instrument. The angular acceleration of the system comprising optical instrument and stabiliser, about any axis, due to a disturbing torque about that axis, is correspondingly reduced.
The length and included angle of the legs 11 are also such that they may be locked in position by the nut 1 5 so that both masses 10 come in contact with the shoulders, chest or arms of the operator when the optical instrument is in use. This contact has the effect of damping the remaining vibration in the system.
The dimensions of the stabiliser are to some extent determined by the size and shape of the optical instrument to which it is to be attached, and by those of the human body.
The length of the legs on a typical stabiliser will be between 1 50 and 300mm, and their included angle will be between 30 and 60 degrees. Both the length and the included angle of the legs may optionally be made adjustable to suit different operators and to improve portability, provided that the legs can be rigidly locked in the operating position.
Each mass will be at least 50 grams.
1. An optical instrument stabiliser comprising a mounting having provision for attachment to an optical instrument, the mounting being connected by an optionally adjustable and lockable rigid member or members to two or more masses, the disposition of the said rigid member or members being such that the effect of the masses attached thereto is to substantially increase the polar moment of inertia of the system consisting of optical instrument and stabiliser above that of the instrument alone, and also such that at least two of the said masses may be in contact with the person of the operator when the instrument is in use.
2. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in claim 1 wherein two masses are connected by rigid legs to a common mounting.
3. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the mounting has provision for adjusting the angular relationship of the legs to the intrument.
4. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in Claim 3 wherein provision is made for adjusting the length of the legs so that the masses may still be rigidly located relative to the instrument during operation.
5. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in Claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the length of the legs in the operating position is
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Optical instrument stabiliser This invention relates to a stabilising device for use with portable cameras, binoculars, telescopes or other hand-held optical instruments. The effectiveness or convenience in use of well known hand-held optical instruments such as cameras, binoculars, or telescopes may be impaired by the presence of angular vibration created by the internal mechanism of the instrument, or by involuntary movement of the hands of the operator. Such vibration may cause appreciable apparent linear vibration of objects in the field of view of the instrument with respect to the axis of its optical system, and hence may reduce the effective resolution of the optical system below that which would be achieved if no vibration were present. Conventional means of reducing the angular vibration of optical instruments include the use of well known devices such as tripods, monopods, clamps and shoulder supports, which restrict the freedom of use of the instrument when so equipped. It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of reducing the angular vibration of hand-held optical instruments, while permitting such movement of the instrument as may be required by the operator. According to the present invention, there is provided an optical instrument stabiliser comprising a mounting having provision for attachment to an optical instrument, the mounting being connected by an optionally adjustable and lockable rigid member or members to two or more masses, the disposition of the said rigid member or members being such that the effect of the masses attached thereto is to substantially increase the polar moment of inertia of the system consisting of optical instrument and stabiliser above that of the instrument alone, and also such that at least two of the said masses may be in contact with the person of the operator when the instrument is in use. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a frontal view of the stabiliser; Figure 2 is a side view of the stabiliser. Referring to the drawing, the stabiliser comprises two masses 10 mounted on legs 11 terminating in a block 1 2 held in a mounting 13 by a bolt 14 and locking nut 15. The locking nut 1 5 is provided with an operating lever 16. A screw 18 fixed in a knob 17 passes through a hole in the mounting to permit attachment via the screw to the body of an optical instrument. The length of the legs 11, and their included angle, are such that the separation of the masses 10 from each other and the body of the optical instrument to which the mounting 1 3 is attached results in a substantial increase in the moment of inertia about any axis through the centre of mass of the optical instrument. The angular acceleration of the system comprising optical instrument and stabiliser, about any axis, due to a disturbing torque about that axis, is correspondingly reduced. The length and included angle of the legs 11 are also such that they may be locked in position by the nut 1 5 so that both masses 10 come in contact with the shoulders, chest or arms of the operator when the optical instrument is in use. This contact has the effect of damping the remaining vibration in the system. The dimensions of the stabiliser are to some extent determined by the size and shape of the optical instrument to which it is to be attached, and by those of the human body. The length of the legs on a typical stabiliser will be between 1 50 and 300mm, and their included angle will be between 30 and 60 degrees. Both the length and the included angle of the legs may optionally be made adjustable to suit different operators and to improve portability, provided that the legs can be rigidly locked in the operating position. Each mass will be at least 50 grams. CLAIMS
1. An optical instrument stabiliser comprising a mounting having provision for attachment to an optical instrument, the mounting being connected by an optionally adjustable and lockable rigid member or members to two or more masses, the disposition of the said rigid member or members being such that the effect of the masses attached thereto is to substantially increase the polar moment of inertia of the system consisting of optical instrument and stabiliser above that of the instrument alone, and also such that at least two of the said masses may be in contact with the person of the operator when the instrument is in use.
2. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in claim 1 wherein two masses are connected by rigid legs to a common mounting.
3. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the mounting has provision for adjusting the angular relationship of the legs to the intrument.
4. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in Claim 3 wherein provision is made for adjusting the length of the legs so that the masses may still be rigidly located relative to the instrument during operation.
5. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in Claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the length of the legs in the operating position is between 1 50 and 300 millimetres.
6. An optical instrument stabiliser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each mass is at least 50 grams.
7. An optical instrument stabiliser substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.
GB08416716A 1984-06-30 1984-06-30 Optical instrument stabiliser Withdrawn GB2160995A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08416716A GB2160995A (en) 1984-06-30 1984-06-30 Optical instrument stabiliser

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08416716A GB2160995A (en) 1984-06-30 1984-06-30 Optical instrument stabiliser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8416716D0 GB8416716D0 (en) 1984-08-01
GB2160995A true GB2160995A (en) 1986-01-02

Family

ID=10563249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08416716A Withdrawn GB2160995A (en) 1984-06-30 1984-06-30 Optical instrument stabiliser

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2160995A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003075075A2 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-12 Terence John Quinn Stabilizing device
WO2007039000A1 (en) * 2005-09-26 2007-04-12 Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A. Monopod support fluid damping especially for video filming

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB226163A (en) * 1923-12-15 1925-05-14 Schneider & Cie An arrangement for ensuring the fixity of the eye piece and the stability of the line of sight with regard to the vertical in sighting apparatus on board vessels
GB1333591A (en) * 1971-01-19 1973-10-10 British Aircraft Corp Ltd Stabilisation of optical sighting systems
GB1349438A (en) * 1971-12-07 1974-04-03 Hartley Lw Builders level
GB1516799A (en) * 1976-12-17 1978-07-05 Essilor Int Levels
GB2036998A (en) * 1978-11-23 1980-07-02 British Aerospace Line of sight stabilisation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB226163A (en) * 1923-12-15 1925-05-14 Schneider & Cie An arrangement for ensuring the fixity of the eye piece and the stability of the line of sight with regard to the vertical in sighting apparatus on board vessels
GB1333591A (en) * 1971-01-19 1973-10-10 British Aircraft Corp Ltd Stabilisation of optical sighting systems
GB1349438A (en) * 1971-12-07 1974-04-03 Hartley Lw Builders level
GB1516799A (en) * 1976-12-17 1978-07-05 Essilor Int Levels
GB2036998A (en) * 1978-11-23 1980-07-02 British Aerospace Line of sight stabilisation

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003075075A2 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-12 Terence John Quinn Stabilizing device
WO2003075075A3 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-11-06 Terence John Quinn Stabilizing device
WO2007039000A1 (en) * 2005-09-26 2007-04-12 Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A. Monopod support fluid damping especially for video filming
US8028963B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2011-10-04 Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A. Monopod support especially for video filming

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8416716D0 (en) 1984-08-01

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)