GB2478320A

GB2478320A - Aerial camera mounting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2478320A
Application number: GB1003515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Tiplady
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-03
Filing date: 2010-03-03
Publication date: 2011-09-07
Also published as: GB201003515D0

Abstract

An aerial camera mounting apparatus comprises an aerodynamically shaped casing 13, 14 adapted for fitment around a strut 11 or other elongate part of an airframe. The casing has means 18 for receiving a standard, non-specialist camera 19 and means 22 for providing an external field of view to the camera apparatus. The casing is attached to the strut by a mounting block 16 having first and second mounting surfaces arranged such that on engagement of the first mounting surface with the strut the second mounting surface is horizontally and vertically aligned to the aircraft centre line so as to provide a mounting surface for receiving and aligning the camera in a desired orientation. The apparatus provides a relatively cheap and easy way of attaching standard consumer cameras to existing aircraft without requiring specialist equipment.

Description

AERIAL CAMERA MOUNTING APPARATUS

[0001] This invention relates to aerial camera mounting apparatus attachable particularly, but not exclusively, to a wing strut of a high wing aircraft.

BACKGROUND

[0002] From the very earliest days of aviation it has been recognised that the use of an airborne observation platform confers many advantages. That in turn led to the early appreciation that aerial photography could make good use of these advantages in areas such as search and rescue, mapping, surveying, news coverage etc. [0003] However effective photography from a moving aircraft presents a number of difficulties including providing a solid platform for the camera apparatus and ensuring that the camera is correctly orientated to obtain accurate distortion free images. In addition it is clearly desirable that the apparatus as a whole should have minimal impact on the structure of the aircraft or its handling characteristics.

[0004] One solution to the problem is to provide specially adapted aircraft in which specialised camera equipment and associated access means are built into the fuselage of the aircraft. Examples of such aircraft are disclosed in US 2,630,983 and in US 2005/0029395.

However the provision of specially adapted aircraft is clearly an expensive solution and, in designing and adapting the aircraft for this specific purpose, their use at other times for other purposes may be compromised.

[0005] Consequently an alternative solution has been sought whereby camera apparatus can be attached to an otherwise conventional aircraft to adapt it for aerial photography use as and when required. Typically the aircraft used for such a purpose are small high wing aircraft which generally have wing support struts extending between the aircraft fuselage and a lower wing surface. These struts provide a possible mounting point for aerial camera apparatus. An example of such apparatus is disclosed in us 4,825,232 which shows a large horizontal mounting plate, to which camera apparatus can be affixed, solidly mounted to the aircraft strut and wing. However this is a substantial structure extending down from the wing strut and as such it inevitably places considerable bending stress, especially when the effect of drag is added at flying speed, on the mounting points, particularly the wing strut in a manner different to the design load of the strut. In addition specialised camera apparatus suitable for use in an exposed environment is required. us 5,426,476 seeks to overcome this problem by mounting camera apparatus directly to the structurally rigid tie down point where the wing strut meets the wing. However while the unusual stress issues posed by the apparatus of US 4,825,232 may be reduced they are still present particularly when the bending moment created by the drag effect of the substantial camera apparatus at flying speed is taken into consideration. The substantial drag will inevitably also impact on the flying characteristics of the aircraft. In addition even the small structural amendments required to the aircraft for attachment of the apparatus to the aircraft may require official approval and potentially a supplemental type certificate (stc) which will increase the cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] In accordance with the present invention there is provided an aerial camera mounting apparatus comprising an aerodynamically shaped casing adapted for fitment around a strut or other elongate part of an airframe, said casing having means therein for receiving an item of camera apparatus and means for providing an external field of view to said camera apparatus.

[0007] By "strut or other elongate part of an airframe" is meant an external, generally cylindrical or tubular, component that is sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the apparatus without unduly affecting the flying characteristics of the aircraft. Examples of such components include wing struts and undercarriage struts, or parts of the landing skid assembly on a helicopter. The word "strut" will be used hereinafter to encompass such structures generally, except where the context requires otherwise.

[0008] Preferably said casing has means for rigidly releasably affixing to the strut comprising a mounting block having first and second mounting surfaces mutually arranged such that on engagement of the first mounting surface with the strut the second mounting surface is horizontally and vertically aligned to the aircraft centre line so as to provide a mounting surface for receiving and aligning the camera apparatus in a desired orientation.

[0009] Preferably said desired orientation will be such that the camera apparatus has a lens vertically orientated during level flight of the aircraft.

[0010] Optionally the camera apparatus can be provided with a pan and tilt mounting to allow adjustment of the camera apparatus to compensate for variations in the angle of flight of the aircraft and/or to allow the camera lens to be orientated other than vertically. The camera apparatus may be moveable in continuous or stepped manner between end stops provided on the pan and tilt mounting. In simple embodiments, the pan and tilt is set and fixed by the user before take off, and is not adjustable during flight. In more complex arrangement, servo motor control may be provided to allow a pilot or passenger to adjust the pan and tilt remotely from the cockpit during flight.

[0011] The casing may be provided with an appropriately sized aperture to allow the required

field of view to the camera apparatus.

[0012] Alternatively a section of the casing, or possibly the entire casing, may be formed of a transparent material such as Perspex or other plastics material.

[0013] The camera apparatus is preferably a 35mm or digital SLR, a compact film or digital camera or a video camera.

[0014] The aerodynamic shape of the casing shields the camera apparatus from slipstream buffeting and any flying dust or debris.

[0015] The rigid mounting of the casing around the strut provides a steady mounting platform for the camera apparatus.

[0016] Control of the camera apparatus is preferably provided via a wireless or wired link to a laptop PC or other computer apparatus in the aircraft. In simpler embodiments, the camera apparatus may be operated using an existing self-timer, or may be provided with a mechanical remote shutter release arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of camera mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention attached to an aircraft wing strut; Figure 2 is a front view of an aircraft fitted with the camera mounting apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the camera mounting apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an exploded diagrammatic view of an alternative embodiment of camera mounting apparatus; Figure 5 is a view of an aircraft from below illustrating the horizontal alignment of a mounting block of a camera mounting apparatus of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a front view of the aircraft of Figure 5 illustrating the vertical alignment of a mounting block of a camera mounting apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] A camera mounting apparatus in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in Figure 1 and 2. The apparatus 10 is shown mounted to a wing strut 11 of a high wing plane 12. Referring now to Figure 3 the apparatus 10 has an outer casing made up of a front nose cone 13 and a rear tail cone 14 which combine to form an aerodynamic teardrop shaped whole. The apparatus 10 is mounted on the wing strut 11 by way of a cone mount plate 15 which is fixed to a cone mounting block 16 (comprising a front section 16a and rear section 16b) by way of stud fasteners 17. A camera mount plate 18, to which a conventional 35mm film or digital SLR camera 19 is mounted by a standard tripod mount 20, is fixed to the cone mount plate 15 by way of rubber isolating pins 21. The rear tail cone 14 has a camera lens opening 22 which aligns with the camera 19 on assembly of the apparatus 10.

[0019] The mounting block sections 16a and 16b are made from any type of solid plastics, nylon, aluminium or other suitable material, are shaped to correspond to the section of the wing strut 11 and have a rear face 16c angled so as to be aligned both vertically and horizontally with the aircraft centre line as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6. The cone sections 13 & 14 are made from glass fibre, GRP, Kevlar, aluminium or any other suitably mouldable material and can be of varying diameter but a diameter of 250-400mm is appropriate for use with a wide range of standard camera types.

[0020] In use the apparatus 10 is attached to the wing strut 11 at any point along its length that suits the user. The aerodynamic shape of the apparatus minimizes the drag and hence any effect on the aircrafts handing. In addition as the apparatus 10 fits evenly around the strut 11 it provides a steady platform for the camera equipment and unusual stresses and bending moments on the strut are minimized. The camera equipment is protected against flying debris and slipstream buffeting and, because of the arrangement of the mounting block 16 will be pointing in the desired direction during level flight of the aircraft. The apparatus has no moving parts so does not require power from the aircraft, and as the apparatus is designed to take standard camera equipment, no specialised camera equipment is needed. The operation of the camera can be carried out from a laptop PC or similar computer apparatus in the aircraft interior by a simple wired or wireless link requiring no modifications to the aircraft.

[0021] The apparatus thus allows a standard, unmodified, aircraft to be easily used for aerial photography purposes such as terrain mapping, survey work, evidence gathering, panoramic photography, search and rescue and other such purposes without the need for specially adapted aircraft or photography equipment. Any type of conventional camera or video equipment can be used in place of the SLR camera shown.

[0022] Referring to Figure 4 a modified version of the standard apparatus is shown in which the camera mounting plate 18 is replaced with a pan & tilt mounting plate 23. This is particularly useful for use with compact cameras and camcorders. The mounting plate 23 can be provided with its own power supply and controlled from the computer apparatus or a joystick in the aircraft interior. As the mounting plate 23 results in the camera viewing angle varying the rear cone 14 can be provided with a larger lens opening 24 or substituted with a clear Perspex or similar material dome 25 which provides enhanced protection to the camera apparatus.

[0023] A further advantage of the camera mounting apparatus described is that it is easily removable from the aircraft. Since no modification to the structure or control systems of the aircraft is required there is no need for costly approvals and supplemental type certificates as normally required for aircraft modifications.

[0024] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0025] Features, integers and characteristics described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An aerial camera mounting apparatus comprising an aerodynamically shaped casing adapted for fitment around a strut or other elongate part of an airframe, said casing having means therein for receiving an item of camera apparatus and means for providing an externalfield of view to said camera apparatus.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing has means for rigidly releasably affixing to the strut comprising a mounting block having first and second mounting surfaces mutually arranged such that on engagement of the first mounting surface with the strut the second mounting surface is horizontally and vertically aligned to the aircraft centre line so as to provide a mounting surface for receiving and aligning the camera apparatus in a desired orientation.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said desired orientation is such that the camera apparatus has a lens vertically orientated during level flight of the aircraft.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a pan and tilt mounting to allow adjustment of the camera apparatus to compensate for variations in the angle of flight of the aircraft and/or to allow the camera lens to be orientated other than vertically.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the camera apparatus is moveable in continuous or stepped manner between end stops provided on the pan and tilt mounting.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the pan and tilt is configured to be set and fixed before take off, and is not adjustable during flight.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, further comprising servo motor control means to adjust the pan and tilt remotely from the cockpit during flight.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the casing is provided with an appropriately sized aperture to allow a required field of view to the camera apparatus.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a section of the casing is formed of a transparent material.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the camera apparatus is a standard 35mm or digital SLR, a compact film or digital camera or a video camera.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising means for effecting a wireless or wired link to a laptop PC or other computer apparatus in the aircraft.
12. An aerial camera mounting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.