GB2203637A

GB2203637A - Camera mast

Info

Publication number: GB2203637A
Application number: GB08708447A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mcewan Flynn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-08
Filing date: 1987-04-08
Publication date: 1988-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-08
Also published as: GB2203637B; GB8708447D0

Abstract

A lightweight, portable camera support consisting of a head 1 capable of accepting a pan and tilt or ball and socket head 2 and a sectional centre column 5 supported by three or more independently tensionable guy lines 4 which may be attached to a variety of ground anchors. Whilst being primarily intended for use on natural surfaces the camera mast could be provided with a base arrangement which would make it suitable for use on artificial surfaces such as concrete without the need for ground anchors. <IMAGE>

Description

Camera Mast This invention relates to a very lightweight, portable camera support, In order to achieve high quality photographs under lighting conditions other than bright sunlight, in winds higher than a light breeze or when using a long lens in any conditions, it is necessary to use some form of additional camera support. For decades the almost universal choice for this support has been the folding tripod. It provides in greater or lesser degrees (depending on design) rigidity and portability. However, in order to achieve an acceptable degree of rigidity th tripod has to be of sturdy construction with a minimal number of sections to the legs 2nd is therefore general,, rather large, heavZr and cumbersome.

Some light weigh camera supports are available but all sacrifice rigidity or portability in order to achieve this and in sore cases actually aggravate the problems they ar intendec to solve.

This invention consists of a central supporting column (with ground spike and weight spreading disc) made from a lightweight material and being sectional to allow for mobility and height adjustment. A head capable of accepting a pan and tilt or ball and socket head. Three or more guy lines attaching to the head in such a manner as to allow for individual tensioning. Spring clips or similar attached to the bottom end of the guy lines to allow the use of a variety of ground anchors, e.g. pegs,snow anchors (deadmen), ice screws.

Although primarily intended for use on natural surfaces it could be adapted for artificial surfaces by providing a suitable base arrangement.

secific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : igre 1 shows a general arrangement of the camera mast.

Figure 2 shows the method of connecting the column sections.

Figure 3 shows a spring clip attachment.

- igure 4 shows the head viewed from the front and below showing the column and one tensioner in position.

Figure 5 shows, in isometric section, a self locking tensioning device which attaches pivotally to tht head.

Figure o shows 2 plan and elevation of 2 base which would ale artificial surface use Referring to the drawings the camera mast comprises a sectionl alloy centre column 5 with a detachfUle ground spike and weight spreadin disc 7. A head 1 to which a pen and tilt ead 2 may be fitted (by.provision of 2 suitable screw securely anchored) and to which self locking cam act Ion tensioning devices 3 are pivotally mounted using sins or bolts 10.Three nylon cord guy lines 4 pass through the pensioners 3 which when closed clamp the cords 4 by means of cams 9 mounted on pivot pins or bolts 10 and will only allow one way travel of the cords 4. Spring clips 8 are secured to the bottom ends of the guy lines 4 allowing various ground anchors to be fitted.

To allow for artificial surface use where it would be impractical to drive in anchors e.g. concrete, a base 11 could be provided where the column 5 could be securely seated in a socket 13 and the spring clips 8 attached to 'D' rings 12 allowing the whole assembly to be tensioned.

The various components may be varied in size and strength etc to allow for different weights and sizes of camera etc.

The camera mast is erected by (A) pushing the ground spike 6 through the disc 7 into the ground, after selecting and joining the appropriate column sections for the required height, ensuring that the column 5 is at approximately the angle desired. Or (B) fitting the column 5 into the socket 13 in the centre of the. base 11. Once the column 5 is erected as in either (A) or (B) the head 1 complete with tensioners 3 and guy lines 4 is fitted. The tensioners 3 are then released and the guy lines extended as required and attached to either the chosen ground anchors or the base 'D' rings 12 using the spring clips 8. 'h ground anchors are tn secured (if applicable). The tensioners are no closed and the guy lines tensioned as required by pulling downwards on the fre ends until the head is secured in the desired position.

Claims

1 h lightweight camera support comprising a centre column, a head capable of accepting a Dan and tilt or ball and socket head and supported by three or more tensionable guy lines to which z variety of ground anchors may be fitted.

2 A lightweight camera support as claimed in clam 1 wherein the centre cclumn is sectional to allow for portability and height adjustment.

3 A libhtweight camera support substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings.

3 A lightweight camera support as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the guy lines are tensioned by devices pivotally mounted tc the head.

4 @@lightweight camera support as claimed in clairs 1, 2 or 3 wherein a base is 5 ovlded to allow for artificial surface e.

5 A lightweight omCJra support substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1 A lightweight camera support comprising 2 sectional centre column, a head capable of accepting a pan and tilt or ball and socket head and supported by three or more independently tensionable and length adjustable guy lines to which a variety of ground anchors may be fitted.

2 A lightweight camera support 2s claimed in claim 1 wherein the guy lines sre tensioned and length adjusted by devices pivotally mounted to the head.