GB2507054A

GB2507054A - Hand held suspended camera support

Info

Publication number: GB2507054A
Application number: GB201218579A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Bicknell; Brian Dion
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-16
Filing date: 2012-10-16
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-16
Also published as: GB201218579D0; GB2507054B

Abstract

A hand held camera support which includes handle 1 suspending a base plate 3 using strap 2. With the camera fitted to the base plate 3 the camera strap 8 may be located into slot 4 of the handle 1, alternatively a second strap (13, fig 4) may be attached to the base plate 3. A remote camera triggering device may be attached to handle 1 at location 6. A screen showing an image from the camera may also be attached to the handle 1. The distance between the handle 1 and the base plate 3 may be adjustable. The base plate 3 may have a plurality of stabilising feet, which may be adjustable.

Description

Hand held suspended camera support The present invention relates to a hand-held device which suspends a camera from a handle.

When using a camera it is often useful to take a picture from a low level position, sometimes even over water. Conventionally this requires the user to either lay down on the ground or crouch, either holding the camera in their hands or by using a low level tripod to assist in taking the picture. Laying or crouching down is quite often not desirable due to ground conditions or if the person using the camera has mobility issues.

To overcome these issues the present invention proposes to mount the camera to a base plate, the base plate is suspended below a handle preferably by means of a strap.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a hand-held device for suspending a camera, which includes an elongate member (handle), a first suspension means and a plate. The elongate member has end regions adapted for receiving the suspension means. The plate has a rear region adapted for attaching a camera body and a front region adapted for receiving the first suspension means. The plate and the elongate member are thus connected. In use, a user attaches a camera body to the rear region, and also attaches to another end region of the elongate member a second suspension means for suspending the rear region of the plate from the elongate member, so that when the user holds the elongate member, the camera is suspended below the elongate member. This means that the user can hold the elongate member with the camera suspended below at the level required without the need to lay or crouch down. The user can angle and move the camera in different directions by manipulation of the elongate member. The ability to hang the camera over fences, hedges and over water is also very useful.

Preferably, the second suspension means is a strap able to be attached to the camera body. This means that the device may make use of the original camera strap to provide support of the camera at one end of the elongate member, this strap would push easily into a slot at one end of the elongate member.

Preferably, the plate comprises a rear region adapted to receive the second suspension means, and the second suspension means is an integral part of the device, which means that the front and rear regions of the plate are connected to the end regions of the elongate member. This means that the device does not require the original camera strap to support the camera in a suspended position.

Preferably, the suspension means comprise a strap. Flexible straps can be attached between the elongate member and the plate.

Preferably, a distance between the elongate member and suspended plate is adjustable. Thus the strap length is adjustable.

Preferably, the elongate member allows attachment of an actuator for the camera. Preferably, the actuator is integral with the elongate member. This means that with little effort the user can very quickly take low level pictures using such a camera actuating device.

Preferably, the elongate member allows the attachment of a screen showing an image from the camera. Preferably, the screen is integral with the elongate member.

This means that the user can see the picture the camera will be taking.

Preferably, the plate is fitted with a plurality of stabilising feet. Preferably, the feet are adjustable. This means that the device can be lowered so as to sit on the ground in a stable manner.

Preferably, the elongate member comprises a wrist safety strap. This means that the user is prevented from accidentally dropping the device.

Preferably, a lens of the camera extends over all or part of the front region.

Preferably, the first suspension means comprises two parts, one part attached between the elongate member and one side of the front region, the other part attached between the elongate member and another side of the front region.

Preferably, the second suspension means comprises two parts, one part attached between the elongate member and one side of the rear region, the other part attached between the elongate member and another side of the rear region.

The user if required can still use the camera in a conventional manner (hand held) without the need to detach the camera from the device.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the hand held camera support without camera mounted; Figure 2 shows the hand held camera support with camera mounted; Figure 3 shows base plate of hand held camera support; Figure 4 shows an alternative base plate and handle when not using the original camera strap; and Figure 5 shows a side view of handle.

Figure 1 shows a hand-held device 100 for suspending a camera. The device includes a elongate member 1 connected via first suspension means 2 to a plate 3.

Elongate member 1 has end regions A and B adapted for receiving the suspension means. The plate has a rear region D adapted for attaching a camera body and a front region C adapted for receiving the first suspension means. Plate 3 and elongate member 1 are thus connected.

In use, as best shown in Figure 2, camera 110 is attached to plate 3, and is suspended from elongate member 1 by a second suspension means 18, in this example a standard camera strap. Strap 18 is fitted through slot 4 located in end region B of elongate member 1.

Figure 3 shows plate 3 having a camera attachment screw 9. Slots 10 and 11 in front region C are location points for first suspension means 2. A rubber grip pad 12 is located in rear region D, and this helps the secure attachment of the camera.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment where the second suspension means takes the form of an additional strap 13 fitted between end region B of elongate member 1 and location points 16 & 17 in rear region D of plate 3. In the example shown, second suspension means 13 comprises two parts, one part attached between elongate member fixing 14 and plate tixing 17, and the other part attached between elongate member fixing 15 and plate fixing 16. Second suspension means 13 can also be of one part, and feed through slot 4 in elongate member 1 analogously to the camera strap.

Figure 5 shows a side on view of handle 1 indicating slot 4.

Both suspension means can have adjusting means 120 for adjusting their length. This may be in the form of a buckle or other adjuster. This allows the suspension means to be adjusted so that the camera is either inclined at a user selected angle or is level. It also allows for a distance between elongate member 1 and plate 3 to be adjusted according to how far beneath the elongate member the user wishes to deploy the camera.

The user may also adjust the inclination of the camera by tilting end regions A and B relatively to each other, or by rotating elongate member 1 clockwise or anticlockwise.

There is a safety wrist strap 5 fitted to elongate member 1 to prevent the accidental dropping of the camera and support.

Feet 7 & 8 are fitted to further stabilise the camera support in conjunction with camera attachment screw 9 when sitting directly on the ground.

On elongate member 1 there may be an area provided 6 to allow for the attachment of an independent camera actuating device and/or camera viewing screen. This area 6 may be fitted with an integral camera actuating device and/or camera viewing screen.

Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the suspension means can be straps as shown, or they can be a cord a wire or combination.