JP2000112048A - Rotational angle setting device for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make accurately and easily settable the rotational angle of a camera in the case of performing a panoramic photographing of 360 deg., for example. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a stator 3 fixed on the tripod side, and a rotor 4 attached concentrically with the stator 3 so as to realize a plane rotation with respect to the stator 3, and realizing the attachment of the camera. Recessed parts a1,..., a4, a5,..., b1,... are plurally provided by every previously set rotational angle on each circumferential line L1 or L2 on plural circumferential lines L1 and L2 drawing concentric circles on the cylindrical side surface of the stator 3, and a steel ball 14 engaged with the recessed parts is provided on the cylindrical side surface of the rotor 4. By sliding the steel ball 14 on either the line L1 or L2 and turning the rotor 4 (camera), the steel ball 14 gets in any recessed part on the circumferential line, and the rotation of the rotor 4 is regulated, whereby the rotational angle of the camera is set to a previously set value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a camera rotation angle setting device which can set a plane rotation angle of a camera for each predetermined angle when performing, for example, 360-degree panoramic photography.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a panoramic image of, for example, 360 degrees is to be taken by a camera, the camera is mounted on a tripod, an image is taken with reference to a certain position, and the camera is moved in a horizontal direction by a predetermined angle from that position. In general, shooting is performed by dividing 360 degrees into several parts, such as rotating to perform the next shooting.

[0003] Each rotation angle at this time differs depending on the angle of view of the lens. For example, in the case of a fisheye lens having an angle of view of 180 degrees, 360 ° panoramic imaging can be performed by shooting at a certain position and then rotating the image 180 degrees in the horizontal direction as it is. Further, with a lens having an angle of view of 120 degrees, a panoramic image of 360 degrees can be obtained by taking an image every 120 degrees.

Conventionally, when such photographing is performed, the photographer rotates the camera on the tripod horizontally at a predetermined angle, positions each time, and fixes the camera so that it does not move. It is common to do.

[0005]

However, as described above, if the photographer sets the predetermined angle by himself, it is difficult to set an accurate angle, and it takes time and effort.

Some tripods are provided with an angle display plate. In the case of such an angle display plate, positioning can be performed by relying on the angle of the angle display plate. However, still, it is necessary to adjust the angle and fix the camera each time while carefully watching the angle of the angle display plate. In particular, when it is necessary to divide 360 degrees into six, seven, eight, and nine divisions for photographing, the operation becomes extremely troublesome. However, it is difficult to set an accurate angle.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a simple method of setting each angle when shooting is performed by dividing all angles to be photographed into several angles, such as when performing wide-angle panoramic photographing with a camera. It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera rotation angle setting device that can be accurately performed by simple operations.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a camera rotation angle setting device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a stator and a stator, which are concentric with the stator so as to enable plane rotation with respect to the stator. Attached, and has a rotor capable of mounting the camera, on either one of the stator and the rotor, assuming a plurality of circumferential lines drawing concentric circles, on each of these circumferential lines, A concave portion is provided for each rotation angle set in advance for each circumferential line, and an engaging member engageable with the concave portion is provided on the other side, and any one of the circumferential lines on each circumferential line is provided. An engaging member position setting means for setting the position of the engaging member so that the engaging member can be engaged with the concave portion is provided. When the rotor rotates, the engaging member moves on the circumferential line at which the engaging member is sliding. No Re of the rotation of the rotor by entering the recess regulated for each recess, thereby being possible to set the rotation angle of the rotor.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the rotation angle setting device for a camera described above, the rotor and the stator each have a cylindrical portion, the outer surface of one cylindrical portion and the inner surface of the other cylindrical portion face each other, and the rotor is flat with respect to the stator. The concave portion is provided so as to be rotatable and slidable in the vertical direction, and the concave portion is provided on one of the outer surface of one cylindrical portion and the inner surface of the other cylindrical portion, and the inner surface or outer surface of the cylindrical portion. The engaging member is formed on each of the circumferential lines divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, and the pressing force in the concave direction by the elastic member is applied to the cylindrical portion side different from the cylindrical portion provided with the concave portion. Provided in a given state, the engaging member position setting means provides a plurality of notch grooves in the vertical direction at intervals corresponding to the intervals of the respective circumferential lines on one of the rotor and the stator side, and on the other side Do not provide a locking member By sliding the rotor in the vertical direction with respect to the stator, the locking member is locked in one of the notch grooves, whereby the engaging member faces one of the respective circumferential lines. It is possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the camera rotation angle setting device according to the first aspect, the rotor and the stator are configured such that the rotor is concentrically overlapped on the stator, and the rotor is fixed to the stator. Is provided on one side of the contact surface between the stator and the rotor, and an engaging member is provided on the other side, and the concave portion has a plurality of circles having different radii that form concentric circles around the rotation center axis of the rotor. Provided on the line, the engaging member is provided for each circumferential line,
Each is supported by an elastic member, and the engaging member position setting means is capable of engaging only one of the engaging members with a concave portion on a certain circumferential line by receiving the elastic force of the elastic member. Each engaging member provided for each circumferential line can be moved up and down.

The invention described in claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3.
In the camera rotation angle setting device described above, an angle index plate is provided separately from the rotor and the stator, and a plurality of concentric circles having different radii are assumed on the angle index plate. A plurality of recesses are provided on the line at predetermined rotation angles for each circumferential line, and the angle indexing plate is detachably attachable to one of the rotor and the stator.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the rotation angle setting device for a camera according to any one of (1) to (4), the concave portion provided on each circumferential line includes:
It is provided on a circumferential line obtained by equally dividing 360 degrees for each circumferential line, and the number of divisions differs for each line. The invention according to claim 6 is
5. The camera rotation angle setting device according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion provided in each circumferential line is a circle obtained by dividing 360 degrees at different angles for each circumferential line. 6. It is provided on the peripheral line, and the number of divisions is different for each line.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera rotation angle setting device, wherein the stator is mounted concentrically with the stator so as to enable plane rotation with respect to the stator.
And having a rotor capable of mounting a camera,
Assuming a circumferential line on either one of the stator and the rotor, a concave portion is provided on the circumferential line at a preset rotation angle, and an engaging member engageable with the concave portion is provided on the other side. The rotation of the rotor restricts the rotation of the rotor for each concave portion by the engagement member entering a concave portion on the circumferential line that is sliding at that time, thereby setting the rotational angle of the rotor. Like that.

According to the present invention, when an image to be photographed is divided into several angles and photographing is performed, each angle can be accurately set by a simple operation. By simply turning the camera horizontally, the rotation of the camera is automatically restricted at predetermined angles.

In order to realize this, a stator fixed to the tripod side and a rotor capable of plane rotation with respect to the stator are provided, and when the rotor rotates with respect to the stator, a predetermined rotation angle is set. The rotation is restricted each time, for example, an engaging member (for example, a steel ball or the like) to which a pressing force is applied by an elastic member is inserted into the concave portion to further restrict the rotation.

Each of the rotation angles that regulates the rotation of the camera can be determined by selecting one of a plurality of types of rotation angle setting modes. Setting is possible. For example, if the rotation angle setting mode is set every 180 degrees, the rotation of the camera is restricted every 180 degrees.
If you set the rotation angle setting mode for every 120 degrees, the rotation of the camera is regulated every 120 degrees, and the rotation angle setting according to the situation becomes possible, for example, the camera can be taken every 120 degrees. Mode. Switching between these modes can be performed by a simple operation, and can be selected according to the shooting situation at that time.

This makes it possible for a photographer to automatically set an accurate angle and to easily perform panoramic photography with a very simple operation of simply rotating the camera in a predetermined direction without performing a complicated angle adjustment operation. Can be done.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Here, the first and second embodiments will be described.

First, an example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, 1
In order to enable shooting at every 80 degrees and shooting at every 40 degrees, there are two rotation angle setting modes: a 180-degree rotation angle setting mode that divides 360 degrees into two, and a 40-degree rotation angle setting mode that divides 360 degrees into nine. This is a camera tripod rotation angle multi-stage switching device capable of selecting one of the two rotation angle setting modes.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a first embodiment of a camera tripod rotation angle multi-stage switching device (hereinafter referred to as a rotation angle setting device) of the present invention. This rotation angle setting device is roughly divided into a tripod mounting base 1 for fixing to a tripod base (not shown), and the tripod mounting base 1.
And a rotor 4 attached to the stator 3 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction and slidable in the vertical direction. The tripod mounting base 1 is provided with a screw hole 1a for screwing a mounting screw provided on the tripod base, and an upper end of the rotor 4 for mounting a camera (not shown) for mounting a camera (not shown). A screw hole 4a is provided.

The stator 3 comprises a cylindrical base 5 and a cylindrical shaft 6 projecting above the base 5 and having a smaller diameter than the base 5.

The rotor 4 is attached to the stator 3 so as to cover the stator 3 from above.
The inside is formed with a space that can accommodate the stator 3. The rotor 4 is movably supported on the stator 3 by shoulder bolts 7. That is, the rotor 4 is attached to the shoulder 3 by the shoulder bolt 7.
And can be slid vertically along the shoulder bolt 7 (in the direction of the arrow xx ′ in the figure).

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the rotor 4 is not slid in the vertical direction along the shoulder bolts 7. From this state, the rotor 4 can be slid in the vertical direction. The possible range is the upper end surface 8a of the shoulder 8 provided on the rotor 4 for supporting shoulder bolts.
Is a range d until it contacts the lower surface 7a of the head of the shoulder bolt 7. That is, the rotor 4 can slide vertically with respect to the stator 3 within the range of d.
FIG. 2 shows a state where the rotor 4 slides vertically with respect to the stator 3 by d.

The rotor 4 has a rotor 4 on its side.
And a coil spring 11 as an elastic member for applying a pressing force to the pin 10 in the direction of the center of the rotor 4, A holding plate 12 fixed to the holding plate 10 for holding the coil spring 11; and a knob 1 fixed to the holding plate 12 for pulling the pin 10 in the horizontal direction (direction for pulling the pin 10 out) against the extension of the coil spring 11.
3 are provided.

Further, on the side surface of the rotor 4, a steel ball supporting hole 15 for supporting a steel ball 14 as an engaging member is provided, and a pressing force is applied to the steel ball 14 in the direction of the center of the rotor 4. The leaf spring 16 to be provided is fixed by a bolt 17.

The steel ball 14 has a spherical surface exposed and projected from the steel ball supporting hole 15. The spherical surface exposed to the outside of the rotor 4 is pressed by the above-described leaf spring 17, and a pressing force toward the center of the rotor 4 is applied to the steel ball 14.

Next, the stator 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6 in addition to FIGS. As described above, this stator 3 is mounted on the tripod mounting base 1 with the bolts 2.
And is in a non-movable state with respect to the tripod. As described above, the stator 3 includes the cylindrical base portion 5 and the cylindrical shaft portion 6 formed concentrically and protruding above the base portion 5.

The shaft portion 6 is provided with two notched grooves 18 and 19 along the circumferential direction. Hereinafter, the notch groove 18 is referred to as a first notch groove 18 and the notch groove 19 is referred to as a second notch groove 19. These first and second cutout grooves 18 and 19 are for engaging a pin 10 provided on the rotor 4 side. The first and second notched grooves 18 and 19, the pin 10 on the rotor 4 side, the coil spring 11, the holding plate 12,
The knob 13 constitutes a mechanism for holding the rotor 4 in a vertical position with respect to the stator 3. With this mechanism, the vertical position of the steel ball 14 can be set. And is referred to as a steel ball position setting unit 9.

That is, when the rotor 4 is not slid in the vertical direction with respect to the stator 3, the first notch groove 18 and the pin 10 are opposed to each other. Is the first notch groove 1
8 is engaged. Thereby, the steel ball 14 is in the position as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in a state where the rotor 4 slides vertically with respect to the stator 3 by d, the second
The notch groove 19 and the pin 10 face each other, and the coil spring 12
The pin 10 engages with the second notch groove 19 due to the extension force of the pin. For this reason, as shown in FIG.
It will be located vertically above by d. This operation will be described later in detail.

As described above, the rotor 4 can be set in two stages in the vertical direction with respect to the stator 3. That is,
A state where the pin 10 is engaged with the first notch groove 18 (referred to as a lower position setting state) and a state where the pin 10 is engaged with the second notch groove 19 (referred to as an upper position setting state). Can be set to either. in this way,
In the lower and upper position setting states, the vertical movement of the rotor 4 with respect to the stator 3 is restricted (movement in the rotational direction is possible).

In order to set the lower and upper positions, the knob 13 is pulled to disengage the pin 10 from the first or second notch groove 18, 19, and the rotor 4 is moved vertically. If you move the knob up and down and return the knob 13,
The pin 10 is engaged with the corresponding notch groove and the state is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion 5 of the stator 3 has recesses a1 to a9 (in FIG. 3, recesses a1, a4, and a5) in which the spherical surface of the steel ball 14 enters the side surface.
Only is shown) and a concave portion b1 is provided.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into two and the rotation angle setting mode for every 40 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into nine. Either of the two rotation angle setting modes can be selected. That is, here, when the rotor 4 is set to the lower position setting state with respect to the stator 3, the concave portions a1 and b1 for the rotation angle setting mode of two divisions.
And concave portions a1 to a9 for a rotation angle setting mode of nine divisions when the upper position is set.

That is, the base portion 5 assumes two-stage circumferential lines L1 and L2 on its side surface. The circumferential line L1 is provided with nine concave portions a1 to a9 each of which is 40 degrees.
In the circumferential line L2 existing in the lower part of 1, two concave portions a1 and b1 each provided by 180 degrees are provided. But,
One recess a1 of two recesses a1 and b1 for two divisions
In addition, one of the nine concave portions a1 to a9 for nine divisions can be located at the same position in the circumferential direction, so that the concave portion a1 can be shared for nine divisions and two divisions.

As a result, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, concave portions a1, a2,
..., a9 are provided on the circumferential line L1 at intervals of 40 degrees,
Among them, the concave portion a1 is formed as a vertically long concave so that it can be shared with one of the concave portions for dividing into two. Therefore, the other concave portion for dividing into two (hereinafter referred to as concave portion b1) may be provided on the circumferential line L2 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4) at a position 180 degrees with respect to the vertically long concave portion a1.

FIG. 5 shows the shapes of the recesses a1 to a9 and the recess b1 and their positional relationship in the vertical direction.
As can be seen from FIG. 5, the concave portion a1 has nine
It is a vertically long recess so that it can be shared for division and is provided over the circumferential lines L1 and L2 of the base 5. Also, since the recesses a2 to a9 are recesses dedicated to 9 divisions, they are provided on the circumferential line L1 of the base 5, and the recess b1 is a circumferential line L one step lower than the recesses a2 to a9.
2 is provided.

The recesses a2 to a9 and the recess b1 may be circular recesses having a diameter enough to accommodate the spherical surface of the steel ball 14, but are slightly elongated in the vertical direction with some clearance in the vertical direction. And The interval between the circumferential line L1 and the circumferential line L2 is the same as the center distance between the first notch groove 18 and the second notch groove 19 provided in the shaft portion 6, and in this case, the rotor 4 is a vertical slidable distance d.

FIG. 6 is a view of FIG. 3 as viewed from the direction of arrow A. From this direction, the recesses a4, a5, a6, a7 and the recess b1 can be seen.

Next, a specific operation example of such a configuration will be described.

First, such a rotation angle setting device is mounted on a tripod. Attachment to the tripod is performed by screwing a mounting screw provided on the tripod side into a screw hole 1a on the tripod mounting base 1 side. Then, a camera (not shown) is attached to the rotation angle setting device.

First, an example of performing 360-degree panoramic photography using a fish-eye lens having a 180-degree angle of view will be described. In this case, since the image is taken by dividing 360 degrees into two, the rotor 4 is set in the lower position setting state with respect to the stator 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the pin 10 is engaged with the first cutout groove 18 by operating the knob 13. As a result, the steel ball 14 on the rotor 4 is located at a position facing the circumferential line L2 provided on the base 5 of the stator 3, and the rotation angle setting mode is set every 180 degrees.

In this state, first, in order to set the initial position, the camera is rotated so that the steel ball 14 provided on the rotor 4 is engaged with one of the concave portions a1 and b1 provided on the stator 3 side. Combine. Here, it is assumed that the steel ball 14 has entered the concave portion a1. Photographing is performed in this state, and then photographing is performed with the camera rotated 180 degrees in the horizontal direction.

This can be done by rotating the rotor 4 with respect to the stator 3 by 180 degrees. When the rotor 4 is rotated with respect to the stator 3, the steel ball 14 on the rotor 4 eventually enters the concave portion b1 provided on the stator 13, and further rotation of the camera is restricted at that position. Hold that position as long as no force is applied. This state is a state in which the rotor 4 has been rotated in the horizontal direction by 180 degrees from the initial position (a state in which the steel ball 14 is in the recess a1). If photographing is performed in this state, it is possible to perform photographing in a state where the camera is accurately turned 180 degrees in the horizontal direction from the initial position.

Next, a description will be given of an example in which photographing is performed as a rotation angle setting mode for every 40 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into 9 parts. First, the rotation angle setting mode is set every 40 degrees. At this time, if the rotation angle setting mode is the rotation angle setting mode every 180 degrees, the mode is changed to the rotation angle setting mode every 40 degrees.

To do this, pull the knob 13 and
The engagement of the pin 10 with the first notch groove 18 on the stator 3 side is released. Then, when the rotor 4 is pulled upward, the pin 10 eventually enters the second notch groove 19 due to the tension of the coil spring 12, and in this state, the vertical movement of the rotor 4 is regulated. FIG. 2 shows this state, and the state of FIG. 2 is a rotation angle setting mode for every 40 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into 9 parts.

In this state, first, in order to set the initial position, the camera is rotated so that the steel ball 14 provided on the rotor 4 side is engaged with any of the concave portions a1 to a9 provided on the stator 3 side. Combine. In this case, the steel ball 14 is
It is assumed that it has entered.

When shooting is performed with this state as a base point, and then the camera is rotated in the horizontal direction, the steel ball 14 enters the next concave portion a2, and further rotation of the camera is restricted at that position. Hold that position unless you apply excessive force. This state is a state in which the steel ball has been rotated by 40 degrees from the initial position (a state in which the steel ball 14 has entered the concave portion a1). If the photographing is performed in this state and the camera is rotated again, the steel ball will be in the concave portion a3. Get in. In this way, every time one photographing is completed, if the camera is rotated, the steel balls 14 are sequentially inserted into the recesses a1, a2, a3,. Since the state is maintained, it is possible to perform the shooting with the image rotated by exactly 40 degrees.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into two and the rotation angle setting mode for every 40 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into nine. Settings can be made, and switching between the two can be performed by almost one-touch operation. After setting the rotation angle setting mode, just turning the camera will restrict the rotation of the camera for each set angle Therefore, if shooting is performed at that position, shooting at each set angle can be performed accurately.

In the first embodiment described above, the rotation angle setting mode is a rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees and a rotation angle setting mode for every 40 degrees. It is not limited to the type, and the shaft portion 6 of the stator 3 is further provided with a plurality of third, fourth,... , L4, ..., three or more rotation angle setting modes can be set by providing a plurality of concave portions at different intervals on the circumferential lines 3, 4, ..., respectively. It becomes possible. For example, if it is added to the example of the first embodiment described above,
Various rotation angle setting modes can be set, such as a rotation angle setting mode every 60 degrees and a rotation angle setting mode every 120 degrees.

In the example of the first embodiment described above, in the case of the rotation angle setting mode such as nine divisions,
It is also possible to use every other recess or every two recesses. For example, in the case of 9 divisions, 1
For example, setting the rotation angle of 80 degrees for every two or setting the rotation angle of 120 degrees for every two
An angle setting that is a multiple of 0 degrees can be set.

Further, the angles between the concave portions need not be equal intervals. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the interval between the concave portions a1 and a2 is 30 degrees, and the interval between the concave portions a2 and a3 is 50. It is also possible to make the angle between the adjacent concave portions different, such that the interval between the concave portions a3 and a4 is 70 degrees.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, a concave portion is provided on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion on the stator 3 side, and the rotor 4
Although the steel ball 14 as an engagement member is provided on the side,
Conversely, a concave portion may be provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion on the rotor 4 side, and a steel ball 14 as an engaging member may be provided on the stator 3 side. Further, the rotor 4 may be configured to be rotatable with respect to the stator 3 and to be slidable in the vertical direction with the rotor 4 housed in the stator 3.

In the above-described embodiment, the rotor 4 can be vertically moved with respect to the stator 3 to enable two types of mode settings. Different mode settings can be made possible.
That is, the steel ball supporting hole 15 of the rotor 4 is
1, one is provided at a portion corresponding to L2, and in the state of FIG.
When the steel ball 14 is inserted into the steel ball supporting hole 15 at a portion corresponding to the circumferential line L2, the rotation angle setting mode is set every 180 degrees. In the state of FIG.
Is set in the support hole 15 at the portion corresponding to the rotation angle setting mode for every 40 degrees. In this case, the bolt 1
It is necessary to once remove and re-attach 7.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The rotation angle setting device according to the second embodiment can be roughly divided into a cylindrical stator 31 to which a pedestal (not shown) of a tripod can be attached, and a stator 31 concentric with the stator 31. And a stator shaft 33 fixed to the stator 31 by a fastening screw 32 provided on a side surface of the stator 31, and is rotatably attached to the stator shaft 33 by a screw 34 and a washer 35. And the rotor 36 that is provided.

The rotor 36 has a screw hole 36a for fixing a camera (not shown) on the upper end surface thereof, and an angle indexing plate 37 attached to the lower end surface thereof by means of pins 38. Further, the stator 31 is provided with a screw hole 31a for screwing a mounting screw provided on a tripod pedestal.

The angle indexing plate 37 has a disk shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 8A shows a rotation angle setting mode for every 120 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into three parts, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an angle indexing plate (hereinafter, referred to as an angle indexing plate 37a) that allows selection of any one of two rotation angle setting modes of a 180-degree rotation angle setting mode obtained by dividing 0 degrees into two. . FIG. 8 (B)
An angle indexing plate that allows selection of one of two rotation angle setting modes: a rotation angle setting mode for every 90 degrees that divides 360 degrees into four, and a rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees that divides 360 degrees into two Hereinafter, the angle indexing plate 37
b).

The angle indexing plate 37a is connected to the stator shaft 33.
Assuming a plurality (two in this case) of concentric circumferential lines L11 and L12 centered on the central axis of, the circumferential lines L11 and L12 are provided with recesses at predetermined intervals. That is, concave portions a11, a12, and a13 are provided at intervals of 120 degrees on the outer circumferential in L11, and concave portions b11 and b12 are provided on the line L12 by one.
They are provided at 80 degree intervals.

The angle indexing plate 37b is assumed to have a plurality of (here, two) concentric circumferential lines L21 and L22 centered on the center axis of the stator shaft 33. Recesses are provided at predetermined intervals. That is, on the circumferential line L21, the concave portion a
21, a22, a23, and a24 are provided at 90-degree intervals, and concave portions b21, b2 are provided on the circumferential line L22.
2 are provided at 180 degree intervals.

Such angle indexing plates 37a, 37b
Can be appropriately replaced and attached to the rotor 36. In this embodiment, the case where the angle indexing plate 37a of FIG. 8A is attached will be described.

On the other hand, the stator 31 has a steel ball 39 as a first engaging member which can be engaged with any of the aforementioned concave portions a11, a12 and a13 provided on the rotor 36 side, and concave portions b11 and b12. There is provided a steel ball 40 as a second engaging member capable of engaging with the second member. These steel balls 39, 40 are supported by coil springs 43, 44 provided in the steel ball support tubes 41, 42 such that a part of the spherical surface is exposed at the tip of the steel ball support tubes 41, 42, respectively. ing.

The steel ball support cylinders 41 and 42 can be vertically moved by turning a switching shaft 45 as a steel ball position setting means, and one of the steel balls is moved upward. When it is located, the other steel ball is located below. That is, the switching shaft 45 has two eccentric shafts 46 and 47 at its shaft portion. The eccentric shaft 46 moves the steel ball support cylinder 41 up and down, and the eccentric shaft 47 moves the steel ball support shaft 42 up and down. When one steel ball support cylinder is located above,
The other steel ball support cylinder is located below.

This operation can be performed by rotating the switching shaft 45. For example, when the steel ball support cylinder 41 is located above and the steel ball support cylinder 42 is located below, the switching shaft 45 is rotated by 180 degrees by a driver or the like to reverse the state. As a result, the steel ball support cylinder 42 is located above and the steel ball support cylinder 41 is located below this time.

When the steel ball support cylinder (hereinafter referred to as a steel ball support cylinder 41) is positioned upward, the steel ball 39 is pressed by the angle index plate 37a, and the coil spring 43 is compressed. Become. On the other hand, in a state where the steel ball support cylinder (referred to as the steel ball support cylinder 42) is located below, the steel ball 40 is in a non-contact state or a state of lightly contacting the angle index plate 37a, The coil spring 44 is not in a compressed state. Therefore, only when the steel balls 39 and 40 are compressed by the coil springs 43 and 44, the steel balls 39 and 40 function effectively as engagement members.

Next, a specific operation example with such a configuration will be described.

First, such a rotation angle setting device is mounted on a tripod. The mounting on the tripod is performed by changing the mounting screw provided on the tripod side to the female screw 3 provided on the stator 31 side.
This is carried out by screwing into 1a. Then, a camera (not shown) is attached to a camera attachment screw hole 36 a provided on the upper end surface of the rotor 36 by a screw.

First, an example in which 360-degree panoramic photography is performed using a fish-eye lens having a 180-degree angle of view will be described. In this case, the image is taken by dividing 360 degrees into two parts.
Is located above. As a result, the steel ball 40 is pressed by the angle index plate 37a,
The coil spring 44 is in a compressed state, and the steel ball 40
Functions effectively as an engagement member. At this time, since the other steel ball 39 is located below, the steel ball 39 does not function effectively as an engaging member. Thus, 360
The rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees is obtained by dividing the degrees into two.

When the camera is rotated in this state, the steel ball 40 is eventually turned into the circumferential line L of the angle indexing plate 37a.
12 into any of the recesses provided on the surface. Here, it is assumed that the steel ball 40 has entered the recess b11. Photographing is performed with this state as an initial position, and then photographing is performed with the camera turned 180 degrees in the horizontal direction. This can be done by rotating the camera. That is, the steel ball 40 enters the next concave portion b12 at a position where the camera is rotated by 180 degrees from the initial position, and further rotation of the camera is restricted at that position, and the position is maintained unless an excessive force is applied. In this state, the camera is in the initial position (steel ball 40
Is in the horizontal direction by 180 degrees from the state in which is inserted into the concave portion b11). Therefore, if photographing is performed in this state, photographing can be performed in a state where the camera is accurately turned 180 degrees in the horizontal direction from the initial position.

By performing photographing by such an operation, it is possible to perform photographing in which 360 degrees are accurately divided into two by 180 degrees.

Next, an example in which the camera is rotated by 120 degrees to shoot an image will be described. In this case, the image is taken by dividing 360 degrees into three parts.
By rotating by 80 degrees, the steel ball support cylinder 41 is positioned upward. Accordingly, the steel ball 39 is pressed by the angle index plate 37a, and the coil spring 43 is compressed. Thus, the steel ball 39 functions effectively as an engaging member. At this time, since the other steel ball 40 is located below, the steel ball 40
Does not work effectively as an engaging member. This gives 3
The rotation angle setting mode is obtained by dividing the 60 degrees into three parts at every 120 degrees.

When the camera is rotated in this state,
Eventually, the steel ball 39 enters one of the recesses on the circumferential line L11 of the angle index plate 37a. Here, it is assumed that the steel ball 39 has entered the concave portion a11. Shooting is performed with this state as an initial position, and then shooting is performed with the camera turned 120 degrees in the horizontal direction. To do this,
All you have to do is rotate the camera.

That is, at a position where the camera is rotated 120 degrees from the initial position (referred to as a second position), the steel ball 39 enters the next concave portion a12, and further rotation of the camera is regulated at that position, and an excessive force is imposed. Hold that position unless you add. This state is a state in which the camera has been rotated in the horizontal direction by 120 degrees from the initial position (the state in which the steel ball 39 has entered the concave portion a11). Therefore, if photographing is performed in this state, photographing can be performed in a state where the camera is accurately turned 120 degrees in the horizontal direction from the initial position.

When the camera is further rotated, the steel ball 39 enters the next concave portion a13 at a position rotated by 120 degrees from the second position (position of the concave portion a12) (referred to as a third position). In that position, further rotation of the camera is restricted and holds that position. In this state, the steel ball 39 is moved 120 degrees from the second position (the position of the concave portion a12).
This is the position rotated in the horizontal direction. Therefore, if photographing is performed in this state, photographing can be performed in a state where the camera is accurately rotated 120 degrees in the horizontal direction from the second position.

By performing photographing by such an operation, it is possible to perform photographing in which 360 degrees are accurately divided into three by 120 degrees.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the rotation angle setting mode for each 180 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into two and the rotation angle setting mode obtained for each 120 degrees obtained by dividing 360 degrees into three parts. Settings can be made, switching between the two can be done with almost one touch operation, after setting the rotation angle setting mode, just rotate the camera,
Since the rotation of the camera is regulated for each set angle,
If shooting is performed at that position, shooting at each set angle can be performed accurately.

Further, instead of the angle indexing plate 37a,
If the angle indexing plate 37b is used, it is possible to set a rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees that divides 360 degrees into two and a rotation angle setting mode for every 90 degrees that divides 360 degrees into four.

In the above-described second embodiment, the types of rotation angle setting modes that can be set in one angle indexing plate 37a or 37b are, for example, every 180 degrees in the case of the angle indexing plate 37a. There are two types of rotation angle setting mode and rotation angle setting mode for every 120 degrees, but consider three or more circumferential lines that draw concentric circles with different radii on one angle indexing plate. If the depressions are arranged at different intervals, three or more types of rotation angle setting modes can be obtained. At this time,
In order to be able to correspond to the switching shaft 45 side, it is possible to cope with such a mechanism by making a steel ball abut on any one of the circumferential lines.

In the second embodiment described above, the concave portions provided on the angle indexing plates 37a and 37b for each circumferential line are independent for each circumferential line. What can be commonly used As described in the first embodiment, a vertically long recess may be used.
For example, the recesses a12 and b12 in FIG.
The recesses a21 and b21 and the recesses a23 and b22 in (B) can be commonly used as vertically long recesses.

Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the steel balls 39, 40 and the steel ball position setting means (switching shaft 45) are provided on the stator 31 side as engagement members, and the rotor 36
The angle indexing plate 37a is provided on the side, but on the contrary, the steel ball 39 as an engaging member is provided on the rotor 36 side.
40 and steel ball position setting means (switching shaft 45) are provided,
An angle index plate 37a may be provided on the stator 31 side. In the above-described second embodiment, the angle indexing plate 37a is provided separately from the rotor 36 and the stator 31.
And a concave portion is provided in the angle indexing plate 37a, but it is also possible to provide the concave portion directly in the rotor 36 or the stator 31.

Each of the above embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. . For example, the stator 3 or the stator 31
May not be fixed to the tripod side of the camera but may be fixed to something other than the tripod of the camera, such as being fixed to a mounting table for photographing. Although a plurality of modes are set, the function may be simplified and only one mode may be set. That is, only one mode is provided by using only one circumferential line and specifying the concave portion to be used. When one circumferential line is used, a plurality of modes can be set by selecting a concave portion to be used and selecting a plurality of types.

In each of the above embodiments, at least two recesses for receiving steel balls are provided. However, when two steel balls are used, when a rotation angle setting mode for every 180 degrees is desired,
This can be achieved by providing only one recess. Similarly, if there are three steel balls and one recess, a rotation angle setting mode for every 120 degrees can be obtained. Also,
When performing continuous 360-degree shooting automatically, the steel ball
This is achieved by using only one recess.

In each of the above embodiments, the rotor 4
And the rotor 36 is manually rotated in the horizontal direction, but by forming a gear on the outer periphery of the rotor 4 and 36 and transmitting the power of the motor to the gear, the rotor 4 and 36 are rotated by the motor. Is also good. In this case, the steel balls 14, 39, 40 are rotated with a strong torque only at the beginning when the steel balls 14, 39, 40 come out of the recesses.
Preferably, when the steel balls 14, 39, 40 enter the next recess, the rotation is stopped. In each of the above-described embodiments, the rotors 4 and 36 are rotated in the horizontal direction.
The rotation may be a so-called plane rotation, and may be a rotation on a vertical plane other than the horizontal plane, or a rotation on another plane.

[0083]

As described above, in the camera rotation angle setting device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotation of the rotor causes the engagement member to slide on any one of the circumferential lines on which the engagement member is currently sliding. Since the rotation of the rotor is regulated for each of the recesses by entering the recesses, thereby setting the rotation angle of the rotor, for example, when panoramic photography is performed by dividing 360 degrees into several parts, An accurate angle setting can be performed only by rotating in a predetermined direction. This eliminates the need for the photographer to perform cumbersome operations for positioning the camera. In addition, an arbitrary rotation angle setting mode can be selected from a plurality of circumferential lines, that is, a rotation angle setting mode.
This makes it possible to perform shooting corresponding to lenses having different angles of view and different rotation angles with one device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a concave portion is formed on each circumferential line divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction on the inner surface or the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the rotor or the stator,
Further, the engaging member is provided in a state where a pressing force in the direction of the concave portion is given by the elastic member, and an engaging member position setting which enables the engaging member to face any one of the respective circumferential lines. Since only the means is provided, the rotation angle can be reliably set with a simple configuration. At this time, the operation performed by the photographer is to select the necessary circumferential line, that is, to perform the setting operation of the rotation angle setting mode, and then simply rotate the camera, and automatically rotate the camera. The rotation of the camera is regulated for each set rotation angle, and an accurate rotation angle is set.
This eliminates the need for the photographer to perform any cumbersome operation for positioning the camera, and also enables accurate setting of the angle of view according to the angle of view of the camera and the purpose of shooting.

The third aspect of the present invention is a modification of the second aspect of the present invention, which also has a simple configuration and allows a reliable setting of the rotation angle. At this time, the operation performed by the photographer is the same as in the second aspect of the invention, in which the setting operation of the rotation angle setting mode is performed, and thereafter, it is sufficient to simply rotate the camera, and automatically by simply rotating the camera. The rotation of the camera is regulated for each of the rotation angles set in, and an accurate rotation angle is set. This allows
The same effect as that of the second aspect can be obtained.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, an angle index plate is provided separately from the rotor and the stator, and the angle index plate is provided with a depression, so that various rotation angles can be set. Angle index plate can be prepared. Thereby, further various angle settings are possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by providing a concave portion by equally dividing 360 degrees for each circumferential line, for example, a rotation angle setting mode every 60 degrees, a rotation every 90 degrees, and the like. In the case of the angle setting mode, the rotation angle can be easily set when photographing is performed at a fixed angle interval, and the number of divisions is different for each circumferential line. A rotation angle setting mode can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing a concave portion by dividing 360 degrees at different angles for each circumferential line, for example, in the first rotation,
A rotation angle of 45 degrees is set, and 90 degrees from that position.
The setting of the rotation angle can be made different every time the camera is rotated, such as setting the rotation angle in degrees, which can be convenient depending on the application.

Further, according to the present invention, the rotation of the rotor restricts the rotation of the rotor for each concave portion by causing the engaging member to enter a concave portion on the circumferential line that is sliding at that time. In this case, the rotation angle of the rotor is set. For example, in the case where 360 ° is divided into several parts to perform panoramic photographing, an operation of simply rotating the camera in a predetermined direction can be performed to obtain an accurate angle. Settings can be made. This eliminates the need for the photographer to perform cumbersome operations for positioning the camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of a camera rotation angle setting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state (upper position setting state) in which a rotor is slid upward with respect to a stator in the rotation angle setting device for the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a stator taken out of the rotation angle setting device for the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a base of the stator in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a shape of a concave portion provided in a base portion of the stator in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view of the stator shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3;

7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a camera rotation angle setting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A is a side sectional view, and FIG. 7B is a plan view.

8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating an example of an angle indexing plate in the rotation angle setting device of the camera illustrated in FIG. 7; FIG. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of an angle indexing plate capable of setting the rotation angle setting mode. FIG. 8B is a view showing one of the rotation angle setting modes of a rotation angle setting mode obtained by dividing 360 degrees into four and a rotation angle setting mode obtained by dividing the angle into two. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an angle indexing plate in which a mode can be set.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tripod mounting base 3 Stator 4 Rotor 5 Base of stator 3 6 Shaft of stator 3 9 Steel ball position setting means 10 Pin 11 Coil spring 13 Knob 14 Steel ball (engaging member) 16 Plate spring 18 First cutout groove 19 2nd notch groove 31 Stator in 2nd embodiment 33 Stator shaft 36 Rotor 37a, 37b in 2nd embodiment Angle index plate 39, 40 Steel ball (engaging member) in 2nd embodiment 45 Switching shaft (steel ball position setting means) L1, L2 Circumferential line a1 Concave portion commonly provided on circumferential lines L1 and L2 a2 to a9 Concave portion provided on circumferential line L1 b1 On circumferential line L2 Concave portions a11 to a13, a21 to a24 provided on the circumferential line L11,
Recesses provided on L21 b11, b12, b21, b22 circumferential line L12,
Recess provided on L22

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A stator comprising: a stator; and a rotor which is concentrically mounted on the stator so as to enable plane rotation with respect to the stator, and which is capable of mounting a camera. On one side, assuming a plurality of circumferential lines drawing concentric circles, on each of these circumferential lines, while providing a recess for each rotation angle preset for each circumferential line, on the other side, An engagement member engageable with the concave portion is provided, and the position of the engagement member is set so that the engagement member can be engaged with the concave portion on any one of the circumferential lines. Providing member position setting means, the rotation of the rotor causes the engagement member to enter any of the recesses on the circumferential line that is sliding at that time, thereby rotating the rotor for each of the recesses. Regulate,
A rotation angle setting device for a camera, wherein the rotation angle of the rotor is set by this. 2. The rotor and the stator each have a cylindrical portion, and the outer surface of one cylindrical portion and the inner surface of the other cylindrical portion face each other, and the rotor rotates in a plane with respect to the stator. Possible, and provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, the concave portion is on either one of the outer surface of the one cylindrical portion or the inner surface of the other cylindrical portion, and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion or The engaging member is formed on each circumferential line divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction of the outer side surface, and the engaging member is provided on the cylindrical portion side different from the cylindrical portion provided with the concave portion by the elastic member in the concave direction. The engaging member position setting means is provided on one of the rotor and the stator side in a vertical direction at intervals corresponding to the intervals of the respective circumferential lines. Notch groove provided A locking member is provided on the other side, and the rotor is slid in the vertical direction with respect to the stator, whereby the locking member is locked in one of the notch grooves. 2. The camera rotation angle setting device according to claim 1, wherein the member can be made to face any one of the circumferential lines. 3. The rotor and the stator are formed by laminating the rotor on a concentric axis on the stator, and the rotor is provided so as to be rotatable in plane with respect to the stator, and one of contact surfaces between the stator and the rotor is provided. The concave portion is provided on one side, and the engaging member is provided on the other side. The concave portion is provided on a plurality of circumferential lines having different radii that form concentric circles around the rotation center axis of the rotor. It is provided for each circumferential line,
Each engaging member is supported by an elastic member, and the engaging member position setting means can engage only one of the engaging members with a concave portion on a certain circumferential line by receiving an elastic force of the elastic member. 2. The rotation angle setting device for a camera according to claim 1, wherein each engagement member provided for each circumferential line is vertically movable. 4. An angle index plate is provided separately from the rotor and the stator, and a plurality of concentric circles having different radii are assumed on the angle index plate. 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of recesses are provided for each rotation angle preset for each circumferential line, and said angle indexing plate is detachably attachable to one of said rotor or stator. A rotation angle setting device for a camera according to the above. 5. The concave portion provided in each of the circumferential lines is provided on a circumferential line obtained by equally dividing 360 degrees for each of the circumferential lines, and the number of divisions differs for each of the lines. The camera rotation angle setting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The concave portion provided on each of the circumferential lines is provided on a circumferential line obtained by dividing 360 degrees at a different angle for each circumferential line, and the number of divisions for each line is reduced. The rotation angle setting device for a camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rotation angle setting device is different. 7. A stator comprising: a stator; and a rotor which is concentrically mounted on the stator so as to enable plane rotation with respect to the stator, and which enables mounting of a camera. On one side, a circumferential line is assumed, and on this circumferential line, a concave portion is provided at a preset rotation angle, and on the other side, an engaging member engageable with the concave portion is provided; As the engaging member rotates, the engaging member enters the concave portion on the circumferential line that is sliding at that time, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotor for each concave portion, thereby setting the rotation angle of the rotor. A rotation angle setting device for a camera.