JP2004333722A

JP2004333722A - Camera support device

Info

Publication number: JP2004333722A
Application number: JP2003127746A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hirohisa Kubota; 浩久久保田
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2003-05-06
Filing date: 2003-05-06
Publication date: 2004-11-25

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera support device advantageous in terms of the improvement of operability while realizing the simplification of constitution. SOLUTION: By pulling an operation lever 2004 so as to release locking with the engaging part 1208 of a support shaft 1206 by a pawl 1806, and moving a panning bar 16 while holding it with a hand, the attitude of a camera 2 is easily and freely changed. By releasing a finger from the lever 2004 so that the pawl 1806 is engaged with the engaging part 1208 by the energizing force of an energizing member 1804 and locks the rotation of a bearing part 1404 on the support shaft 1206, the state of the camera changed to desired attitude is easily and surely fixed. Since the bearing part 1404 is held by a holding means 22 even when the lever 2004 is pulled to release the locking with the support shaft 1206 by the pawl 1806, a camera base 14 and the camera 2 are prevented from falling down suddenly with the support shaft 1206 as a fulcrum in releasing the locking. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明はカメラ支持装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
三脚上でカメラの姿勢が変えられるように該カメラを支持するカメラ支持装置がある（例えば特許文献１）。
このカメラ支持装置は、図７に示すように、三脚４の上部に着脱可能に取着される固定ベース１０２と、カメラ２に雄ねじ１０３を介して着脱可能に取着されるカメラ台１０４と、固定ベース１０２に設けられた支軸１０６と、カメラ台１０４に設けられ支軸１０６により回転可能に支持される軸受部１０８と、カメラ２に対して撮影開始や撮影停止を指令するための操作スイッチ１１１が設けられたパン棒１１０とを有して構成されている。
また、カメラ台１０４には、支軸１０６の外周面に沿って延在しその先部とカメラ台１０４との間に隙間が確保された締め付け片部１０９が設けられている。締め付け片部１０９の先部に設けられたねじ挿通孔にはパン棒１１０の先部が挿通され、該パン棒１１０の先端に形成された雄ねじ１１０Ａがカメラ台１４に設けられた雌ねじに螺合されている。そして、パン棒１１０を回転操作することで雄ねじ１１０Ａを雌ねじに対して弛緩緊締させ、これにより締め付け片部１０９を弾性変形させ、締め付け片部１０９による支軸１０６への締め付け力が調整できるようになっている。
したがって、パン棒１１０によって締め付け力を緩めた状態で軸受部１０８を支軸１０６上で回転させることでカメラ２の姿勢を変化させ、所望の姿勢となった状態でパン棒１１０によって強く締め付けることで軸受部１０８を支軸１０６上でロックしている。
【０００３】
また、固定ベースの上にカメラ台を揺動可能に設けるとともに、カメラ台を固定ベース上にロックする多数の部材からなるロック機構と、そのロックを簡単な操作で解除できるように構成された多数の部材からなるロック解除機構を設けたカメラ支持装置が提供されている（例えば特許文献２）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平７−６３２９８号公報
【特許文献２】
特公平５−９６７７号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前者のカメラ支持装置では、カメラの姿勢を変える毎にパン棒１１０を回転操作する必要があり操作が煩雑である不具合があった。また、パン棒１１０を回転することで操作スイッチ１１１の位置が操作しずらい位置に移動してしまう不具合があった。
また、後者のカメラ支持装置では、簡単な操作でロックを解除できる反面、ロック機構およびロック解除機構が複雑なため、コスト高になる不具合があった。また、ロックが解除された状態ではカメラ台の動きを規制しないため、ロック解除時にカメラおよびカメラ台がそれらの自重により急に倒れてしまう不具合があった。
本発明は前記事情に鑑みなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、構成の簡素化を図りつつ操作性を向上する上で有利なカメラ支持装置を提供することにある。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、前記目的を達成するため、三脚上でカメラの姿勢が変えられるように該カメラを支持するカメラ支持装置であって、前記三脚の上部に着脱可能に取着される固定ベースと、前記カメラに着脱可能に取着されるカメラ台と、前記固定ベースに設けられた支軸と、前記カメラ台に設けられ前記支軸により回転可能に支持される軸受部と、前記カメラ台から突設されたパン棒と、前記支軸上での前記軸受部の回転をロックするロック手段と、前記ロック手段によるロックを解除するロック解除手段と、前記カメラ台に設けられ、前記カメラが前記カメラ台に取着されかつ前記ロック手段のロックが解除された状態で、前記カメラおよび前記カメラ台の自重によって前記軸受部が前記支軸上で回転しない程度の力で、かつ、前記パン棒に所定の力が加えられたときに前記軸受部が前記パン棒の動きに追従して前記支軸上を回転する程度の力で該支軸を保持する保持手段とを備えることを特徴とする。
そのため、ロック手段のロックを解除してパン棒を手で持って動かすことによりカメラの姿勢を容易かつ自由に変えることができ、また、ロック手段により支軸上での軸受部の回転をロックすることで所望の姿勢に変えたカメラの状態を容易かつ確実に固定することができる。
また、ロック解除手段によってロックを解除しても保持手段によって軸受部が保持されているので、ロック解除時にカメラ台やカメラがそれらの自重により支軸を支点として急に倒れることがない。
【０００７】
また、本発明は、三脚上でカメラの姿勢が変えられるように該カメラを支持するカメラ支持装置であって、前記三脚の上部に着脱可能に取着される固定ベースと、前記カメラに着脱可能に取着されるカメラ台と、前記固定ベースに設けられた支軸と、前記カメラ台に設けられ前記支軸により回転可能に支持される軸受部と、前記カメラ台に設けられ、前記支軸の挟持を可能とした挟持手段と、前記挟持手段に連結され前記挟持手段による前記支軸の挟持力を変化させる駆動手段と、前記カメラ台から突設されたパン棒と、前記駆動手段による前記挟持力の変化を制御する制御手段とを備えることを特徴とする。
そのため、本発明によれば、操作部材を操作して挟持手段による支軸の挟持力を下げた状態としパン棒を手で持って動かすことによりカメラの姿勢を容易かつ自由に変えることができ、また、操作部材を操作することにより挟持手段による支軸の挟持力を上げた状態として支軸上での軸受部の回転を不能とすることで所望の姿勢に変えたカメラの状態を容易かつ確実に固定することができる。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明によるカメラ支持装置の実施の形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１は第１の実施の形態におけるカメラ支持装置の縦断面図、図２は図１のＡ矢視図である。
カメラ支持装置１０が取着される三脚３０は、図１に示すように、３つの脚体３００２と、これら３つの脚体３００２の上端を揺動可能に連結する脚台３００４とを備えている。
脚台３００４の上面には、カメラ支持装置１０を着脱可能に取着する取着手段が設けられ、この例では取着手段が雄ねじ３００６で形成されている。
図１、図２に示すように、カメラ支持装置１０は、固定ベース１２、カメラ台１４、パン棒１６、ロック手段１８、ロック解除手段２０、保持手段２２などを備えて構成されている。
【０００９】
固定ベース１２は、円盤部１２０２と、円盤部１２０２の上面中央から上方に突出する突出部１２０４を備えている。
円盤部１２０２の下面の中心に雌ねじが形成され、該雌ねじに脚台３００４の雄ねじ３００６が螺合されることによって固定ベース１２は脚台３００４に着脱可能に取着されている。
突出部１２０４の上部には、水平方向に延在する金属製の支軸１２０６が設けられ、支軸１２０６は長手方向の中央部が突出部１２０４に固定され、長手方向の両端が突出部１２０４の両側に露出している。
突出部１２０４から露出する支軸１２０６の部分の外周面には複数の凹凸からなる係合部１２０８が設けられている。
【００１０】
カメラ台１４は、図１に示すように、中空状に形成された本体１４０２と、図２に示すように、本体１４０２の下部に設けられた軸受部１４０４とを備え、軸受部１４０４の下部には突出部１２０４が挿入される凹部１４０５が形成されている。
本体１４０２の上面には、カメラ２を着脱可能に取着するための雄ねじ１４０６が形成され、この雄ねじ１４０６がカメラ２の底面の雌ねじに螺合することでカメラ２がカメラ台１４に取着されている。
軸受部１４０４は、支軸１２０６が回転可能に挿通される軸受孔１４０６を有している。
本実施の形態では、図１に示すように、軸受部１４０４の上部に、軸受部１４０４の外部から軸受孔１４０６に至るスリット１４０７が形成され、軸受部１４０４を構成する壁部が、支軸１２０６の外周面の半周以上にわたって延在し軸受孔１４０６の径方向に弾性変形可能な締め付け片部２２０２として形成され、軸受孔１４０６はこの締め付け片部２２０２の内周面を含んで構成されている。なお、締め付け片部２２０２の先部とカメラ台１４との間にはスリット１４０７による隙間が確保されている。
締め付け片部２２０２の先部にはねじ挿通孔が設けられ、このねじ挿通孔を挿通する雄ねじ部材２２０６が、締め付け片部２２０２の先部に臨む臨むカメラ台１４箇所の雌ねじ２２０４に螺合され、したがって雄ねじ部材２２０６の弛緩緊締により、締め付け片部２２０２が弾性変形し軸受孔１４０６の直径の寸法が変化するように構成されている。
【００１１】
パン棒１６は、本体１４０２から斜め下方に突出するように固定されており、該パン棒１６を把持して操作することで、カメラ台１４は支軸１２０６の周方向、本例では上下方向（チルト方向）に揺動される。なお、本実施の形態では、カメラ台１４とパン棒１６は合成樹脂で型を用いて一体に成形されている。
パン棒１６は、本体１４０２から突出する中空の小径部１６０２と、小径部１６０２に連なる中空の大径部１６０４とを有している。
大径部１６０４の上面には、カメラ２の撮影動作を制御する１つあるいは２以上のリモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６が配設されている。
このリモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６は、例えば、カメラ２がビデオカメラの場合、カメラ２に対して撮影開始および撮影停止を指令するための撮影開始／停止スイッチ、カメラ２の撮影光学系のズーミング動作を指令するためのズーミングスイッチなどである。
リモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６は、パン棒１６から露出する不図示のケーブルを介してカメラ２の制御部に着脱可能に接続され、リモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６によって生成された制御信号がカメラ２の制御部に伝達されるように構成されている。なお、本体１４０２およびパン棒１６に、本体１４０２の上面にねじで取着されたカメラ２の接片とリモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６との間を接続するようにケーブルを設けておき、カメラ２が本体１４０２の上面に取着された状態でリモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６とカメラ２の制御部が接続され、リモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６によって生成された制御信号が前記制御部に伝達されるように構成してもよい。
【００１２】
ロック手段１８は、支軸１２０６上での軸受部１４０４の回転をロックするものであり、本実施の形態では、本体１４０２に軸１８０２を支点として揺動可能に配設された爪１８０６により構成されている。この爪１８０６はコイルスプリングなどによって構成される付勢部材１８０４により常時係合部１２０８に係合する方向に付勢されている。
ロック解除手段２０は、ロック手段１８によるロックを解除するものであり、本実施の形態では、大径部１６０４に軸２００２を支点として揺動可能に配設された操作レバー２００４と、爪１８０６と操作レバー２００４との間を連結し操作レバー２００４の揺動操作により爪１８０６を揺動させるリンク２００６とで構成され、操作レバー２００４の下部は大径部１６０４の下面の下方に突出している。
【００１３】
次にカメラ支持装置１０の使用方法について説明する。
カメラ台１４に対するカメラ２の取着は、ロック手段１８によって軸受部１４０４の支軸１２０６上での回転がロックされている状態で、雄ねじ１４０６をカメラ２の雌ねじに螺合することによって行なわれる。
次に、操作レバー２００４を付勢部材１８０４の付勢力に抗して手前に引くと、リンク２００６によって爪１８０６が係合部１２０８から外れ、ロック手段１８のロックが解除される。
この状態で、雄ねじ部材２２０６を締め付ける方向あるいは緩める方向に回転操作し、締め付け片部２２０２が支軸１２０６に与える締め付け力を調整し、カメラ２およびカメラ台１４の自重によって軸受部１４０４が支軸１２０６上で回転しない程度の力で、かつ、パン棒１６にユーザーの力が加えられたときに軸受部１４０４がパン棒１６の動きに追従して支軸１２０６上を回転する程度の力で支軸１２０６を保持するように設定する。したがって、本実施の形態では、上述の力で支軸１２０６を保持する保持手段２２が、これら締め付け片部２２０２、雌ねじ２２０４、雄ねじ部材２２０６などで構成されている。
【００１４】
カメラ２を所望の姿勢とする操作は次のように行なわれる。
まず、パン棒１６を把持する指で操作レバー２００４を手前に引いてロック手段１８のロックを解除した状態とし、パン棒１６に上下方向の力を加えると、支軸１２０６上を軸受部１４０４が回転し、カメラ台１４およびカメラ２がパン棒１６の動きに追従して上下に揺動され、いわゆるチルト操作が行なわれる。
カメラ２が所望の姿勢となったならば、操作レバー２００４から指を外す。これにより、付勢部材１８０４の付勢力によって爪１８０２が係合部１２０８に係合し、支軸１２０６上での軸受部１４０４の回転が阻止されたロック状態となり、カメラ台１４およびカメラ２の姿勢が固定される。
【００１５】
次にカメラ支持装置１０の効果について説明する。
操作レバー２００４を操作してロック手段１８のロックを解除してパン棒１６を手で持って動かすことによりカメラ２の姿勢を容易かつ自由に変えることができ、また、操作レバー２００４から指を離すだけで、ロック手段１８が働き支軸上での軸受部の回転が阻止されるため、操作レバー２００４により所望の姿勢に変えたカメラ２の状態を容易かつ確実に固定することができる。
したがって、カメラ２の姿勢を変える際の操作性を向上させる上で有利となる。
また、ロック解除手段２０によってロックを解除しても保持手段２２によって軸受部１４０４が保持されているので、操作レバーの操作時に、パン棒１６自体やカメラ２、カメラ台１４を手で保持していなかったとしても、カメラ２およびカメラ台１４の自重によって支軸を支点としてカメラ２が急に倒れることがなく、カメラ２の姿勢を変える際の操作性を向上させる上で有利となる。
また、パン棒１６はカメラ台１４と一体に形成され、パン棒１６はその延在方向を中心として回転しないので、リモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６を常にユーザーから視認しやすい方向に臨ませた状態とすることができ、リモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６を容易かつ確実に操作する上で有利となる。したがって、カメラ２の撮影開始や撮影終了、ズーミングなどの動作は、ロック手段１８によってカメラ２の姿勢を固定した状態でも、あるいは、パン棒１６によってカメラ台１４を上下方向に動かしながらでも、リモートコントロールスイッチ１６０６を操作することで容易かつ確実に行なわれる。
また、ロック手段１８、ロック解除手段２０、保持手段２２はそれぞれ少ない部材で構成されているため、カメラ支持装置１０の簡素化を図る上で有利である。
【００１６】
次に、第２の実施の形態について説明する。
図３は第２の実施の形態におけるカメラ支持装置の縦断面図、図４は図２のＡ矢視図である。
以下の説明では、第１の実施の形態と同様の部材および部分には同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。
第２の実施の形態では、ロック手段の構成が第１の実施の形態と異なっており、その他の点は第１の実施の形態と同様である。
第２の実施の形態のロック手段１８Ａは、本体１４０２に軸１８０２を支点として揺動可能に支持されたブレーキレバー１８０７により構成されている。
ブレーキレバー１８０７には支軸１２０６の外周面に臨む箇所に摩擦係数の高いブレーキシュー１８０７Ａが設けられており、ブレーキレバー１８０７は、付勢部材１８０４によってブレーキシュー１８０７Ａが常時支軸１２０６の外周面に圧接する方向に付勢されている。
ロック解除手段２０Ａは、大径部１６０４に軸２００２を支点として揺動可能に配設された操作レバー２００４と、ブレーキレバー１８０７と操作レバー２００４との間を連結し操作レバー２００４の揺動操作によりブレーキレバー１８０７を揺動させるリンク２００６とで構成され、操作レバー２００４の下部は大径部１６０４の下面の下方に突出している。
【００１７】
第２の実施の形態では、操作レバー２００４を付勢部材１８０４の付勢力に抗して押圧すると、リンク２００６によってブレーキレバー１８０７が揺動されてブレーキシュー１８０７Ａが支軸１２０６の外周面から離れ、ロック手段１８Ａのロックが解除される。
この状態で、第１の実施の形態の場合と同様に、雄ねじ部材２２０６を回転操作することによって締め付け片部２２０２が支軸１２０６に与える締め付け力を調整し、保持手段２２が支軸１２０６を保持する力を設定する。
また、第２の実施の形態において、カメラ２を所望の姿勢にする場合には、パン棒１６を把持する指で操作レバー２００４を押圧してロック手段１８Ａのロックを解除した状態とし、パン棒１６に上下方向の力を加えると、第１の実施の形態と同様に、支軸１２０６上を軸受部１４０４が回転し、いわゆるチルト操作が行なわれる。
カメラ２が所望の姿勢となったならば、操作レバー２００４から指を外す。これにより、付勢部材１８０４の付勢力によってブレーキシュー１８０７Ａが支軸１２０６の外周部に圧接され、支軸１２０６上での軸受部１４０４の回転が阻止されたロック状態となり、カメラ台１４およびカメラ２の姿勢が固定される。
このような第２の実施の形態のカメラ支持装置１０Ａによっても、第１の実施の形態と同様な効果が奏される。
【００１８】
次に、第３の実施の形態について説明する。
図５は第３の実施の形態におけるカメラ支持装置の縦断面図、図６は図２のＡ矢視図である。
第３の実施の形態では、駆動手段によって支軸の挟持力を変化させるようにした点が第１、第２の実施の形態と異なっており、その他の点は第１、第２の実施の形態と同様である。
図５、図６に示すように、カメラ支持装置１０Ｂは、固定ベース１２、カメラ台１４、パン棒１６、挟持手段２４、駆動手段２６、制御手段２８などを備えて構成されている。
カメラ台１４には、第１の実施の形態と同様に、締め付け片部２２０２、雌ねじ２２０４、雄ねじ部材２２０６が設けられ、これら締め付け片部２２０２、雌ねじ２２０４、雄ねじ部材２２０６によって、支軸１２０６の挟持を可能とした挟持手段２４が構成されている。
【００１９】
さらに、締め付け片部２２０２が雄ねじ部材２２０６に臨む箇所には、取付片１４０８が突設され、該取付片１４０８上に例えばギアドモータから構成されたモータ２６０２が配設され、該モータ２６０２の出力軸が雄ねじ部材２２０６に連結されている。そして、モータ２６０２の回転駆動力により雄ねじ部材２２０６が回転されることによって挟持手段２４による支軸１２０６の挟持力が変化されるように構成されている。
したがって、第３の実施の形態では、モータ２６０２によって、挟持手段２４に連結され挟持手段２４による支軸１２０６の挟持力を変化させる駆動手段２６が構成されている。
パン棒１６の大径部１６０２には、制御回路２８０４および操作スイッチ２８０６（特許請求の範囲の操作部材に相当）が設けられている。
制御回路２８０４は、操作スイッチ２８０６のオン・オフ信号に従ってモータ２６０２を駆動する駆動信号を生成し、該駆動信号をリード線を介してモータ２６０２に供給することによりモータ２６０２の出力軸の回転方向および回転量を制御するように構成されている。
操作スイッチ２８０６は、例えば押ボタンスイッチで構成され、大径部１６０２の上面に配設されており、押圧操作に応じてオン信号、オフ信号を制御回路２８０４に与えるように構成されている。
したがって、第３の実施の形態では、制御回路２８０４と、操作スイッチ２８０６とによって駆動手段２６による挟持力の変化を制御する制御手段２８が構成されている。
【００２０】
第３の実施の形態では、操作スイッチ２８０６がオフ信号を制御回路２８０４に与えると、制御回路２８０４は、挟持手段２４による支軸１２０６の挟持力が第１の挟持力となるように駆動手段２６の制御を行なう。すなわち、支軸１２０６に働く挟持力が第１の挟持力となるように、モータ２８０４の出力軸の回転量および回転方向を制御する駆動信号をモータ２８０４に与える。
前記第１の挟持力は、カメラ２およびカメラ台１４の自重によって軸受部１４０４が支軸１２０６上で回転しない程度で、かつ、パン棒１６に所定の力が加えられたときに軸受部１４０４がパン棒１６の動きに追従して支軸１２０６上を回転する程度の大きさの挟持力である。
また、操作スイッチ２８０６がオン信号を制御回路２８０４に与えると、制御回路２８０４は、挟持手段２４による支軸１２０６の挟持力が第２の挟持力となるように駆動手段２６を制御する。すなわち、支軸１２０６に働く挟持力が第２の挟持力となるように、モータ２８０４の出力軸の回転量および回転方向を制御する駆動信号をモータ２８０４に与える。
前記第２の挟持力は、支軸１２０６上での軸受部１４０４の回転を不能とし、支軸１２０６上にカメラ台１４をロックする大きさの挟持力である。
したがって、駆動手段２６による挟持力の変化は、該挟持力が第１の挟持力と第２の挟持力とに切り換えられる変化である。
【００２１】
第３の実施の形態において、カメラ２を所望の姿勢にする場合には、パン棒１６を把持する指で操作スイッチ２８０６を押圧操作してオフ信号を制御回路２８０４に与えると、モータ２６０２が回転駆動することにより雄ねじ部材２２０６が回転され、締め付け片部２２０２が支軸１２０６に与える挟持力が第１の挟持力に設定される。この状態で、パン棒１６に上下方向の力を加えると、第１の実施の形態と同様に、支軸１２０６上を軸受部１４０４が回転し、いわゆるチルト操作が行なわれる。
カメラ２が所望の姿勢となったならば、操作スイッチ２８０６を押圧操作してオン信号を制御回路２８０４に与えると、モータ２６０２が回転駆動することにより雄ねじ部材２２０６が回転され、締め付け片部２２０２が支軸１２０６に与える挟持力が第２の挟持力に設定される。これにより、支軸１２０６上での軸受部１４０４の回転が阻止されたロック状態となり、カメラ台１４およびカメラ２の姿勢が固定される。
このような第３の実施の形態のカメラ支持装置１０Ｂによっても、第１、第２の実施の形態と同様な効果が奏される。
【００２２】
なお、上述した各実施の形態では、カメラ支持装置が水平方向に延在する支軸１２０６上で軸受部１４０４が上下方向に回転する構成として説明したが、カメラ支持装置を鉛直方向に延在する支軸上で軸受部が水平方向（パン方向）に回転する構成とすることも無論可能である。
また、カメラ２の姿勢を２本の支軸を支点として上下方向および水平方向の２方向に変化させるカメラ支持装置では、各支軸を介してそれぞれ本発明を適用すればよい。
【００２３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、構成の簡素化を図りつつ操作性を向上する上で有利なカメラ支持装置を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】第１の実施の形態におけるカメラ支持装置の縦断面図である。
【図２】図１のＡ矢視図である。
【図３】第２の実施の形態におけるカメラ支持装置の縦断面図である。
【図４】図３のＡ矢視図である。
【図５】第３の実施の形態におけるカメラ支持装置の縦断面図である。
【図６】図５のＡ矢視図である。
【図７】従来のカメラ支持装置の構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１０、１０Ａ、１０Ｂ……カメラ支持装置、２……カメラ、１２……固定ベース、１４……カメラ台、１６……パン棒、１８、１８Ａ……ロック手段、２０、２０Ａ……ロック解除手段、２２……保持手段、２４……挟持手段、２６……駆動手段、２８……制御手段、３０……三脚、１２０６……支軸、１４０４……軸受部。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera support device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a camera support device that supports a camera so that the posture of the camera can be changed on a tripod (for example, Patent Document 1).
As shown in FIG. 7, the camera support device includes a fixed base 102 detachably attached to an upper portion of the tripod 4, a camera base 104 detachably attached to the camera 2 via a male screw 103, A support shaft 106 provided on the fixed base 102, a bearing portion 108 provided on the camera base 104 and rotatably supported by the support shaft 106, and an operation switch for instructing the camera 2 to start or stop shooting. And a bread bar 110 provided with a pan 111.
Further, the camera stand 104 is provided with a fastening piece 109 extending along the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 106 and having a gap secured between the tip and the camera stand 104. The tip of the pan bar 110 is inserted into a screw insertion hole provided at the tip of the fastening piece 109, and a male screw 110 A formed at the tip of the pan bar 110 is screwed into a female screw provided on the camera base 14. Have been. Then, by rotating the pan bar 110, the male screw 110A is loosely tightened with respect to the female screw, whereby the fastening piece 109 is elastically deformed, and the fastening force of the fastening piece 109 to the support shaft 106 can be adjusted. Has become.
Accordingly, the posture of the camera 2 is changed by rotating the bearing unit 108 on the support shaft 106 in a state where the tightening force is loosened by the pan bar 110, and the camera 2 is strongly tightened by the pan bar 110 in the desired posture. The bearing 108 is locked on the support shaft 106.
[0003]
Further, a camera base is provided on the fixed base so as to be swingable, and a lock mechanism including a number of members for locking the camera base on the fixed base, and a plurality of lock mechanisms configured to be able to release the lock by a simple operation. There is provided a camera support device provided with a lock release mechanism composed of the above members (for example, Patent Document 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-63298 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-9677
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the former camera support device, it is necessary to rotate the pan bar 110 every time the posture of the camera is changed, and the operation is complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the position of the operation switch 111 is moved to a position where it is difficult to operate by rotating the pan bar 110.
Further, in the latter camera support device, the lock can be released by a simple operation, but the lock mechanism and the lock release mechanism are complicated, so that there is a problem that the cost is increased. Further, since the movement of the camera base is not restricted in the unlocked state, there is a problem that the camera and the camera base suddenly fall due to their own weights at the time of unlocking.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera support device that is advantageous in improving operability while simplifying the configuration.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention, in order to achieve the object, a camera support device that supports the camera so that the posture of the camera on a tripod can be changed, a fixed base detachably attached to the upper part of the tripod, A camera base detachably attached to the camera, a support shaft provided on the fixed base, a bearing provided on the camera base and rotatably supported by the support shaft, and a projection protruding from the camera base. A pan bar, a lock unit for locking the rotation of the bearing unit on the support shaft, a lock release unit for releasing the lock by the lock unit, and the camera base, wherein the camera is provided with the camera. With the camera and the camera base being attached to the platform and the locking means being unlocked, the weight of the camera and the camera base is such that the bearing does not rotate on the support shaft, and is applied to the pan bar. The bearing portion when the force is applied is characterized in that it comprises holding means for holding the support shaft in the degree of force to rotate the upper support shaft in accordance with a movement of the pan rod.
Therefore, the posture of the camera can be easily and freely changed by unlocking the locking means and moving the pan bar by hand, and the rotation of the bearing on the support shaft is locked by the locking means. Thus, the state of the camera, which has been changed to the desired posture, can be easily and reliably fixed.
Further, even if the lock is released by the unlocking means, the bearing portion is held by the holding means, so that the camera stand and the camera do not suddenly fall around the support shaft by their own weight at the time of unlocking.
[0007]
Further, the present invention is a camera support device that supports the camera so that the posture of the camera can be changed on a tripod, and a fixed base detachably attached to an upper portion of the tripod, and a detachable base attached to the camera. A camera base mounted on the fixed base, a support shaft provided on the fixed base, a bearing portion provided on the camera base and rotatably supported by the support shaft, and a support shaft provided on the camera base. A holding means connected to the holding means, a driving means for changing the holding force of the support shaft by the holding means, a pan stick protruding from the camera base, and Control means for controlling a change in the holding force.
Therefore, according to the present invention, the posture of the camera can be easily and freely changed by operating the operating member to reduce the holding force of the support shaft by the holding means and moving the pan bar by hand, Also, by operating the operating member, the holding force of the support shaft by the holding means is increased, and the rotation of the bearing unit on the support shaft is disabled. Can be fixed to
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a camera support device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera support device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the tripod 30 to which the camera support device 10 is attached includes three legs 3002 and a footrest 3004 that swingably connects the upper ends of the three legs 3002. .
Attachment means for detachably attaching the camera support device 10 is provided on the upper surface of the footrest 3004. In this example, the attachment means is formed by a male screw 3006.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera support device 10 includes a fixed base 12, a camera base 14, a pan bar 16, a lock unit 18, a lock release unit 20, a holding unit 22, and the like.
[0009]
The fixed base 12 includes a disk part 1202 and a protruding part 1204 that protrudes upward from the center of the upper surface of the disk part 1202.
A female screw is formed at the center of the lower surface of the disk portion 1202, and the male screw 3006 of the footrest 3004 is screwed into the female screw, whereby the fixed base 12 is detachably attached to the footrest 3004.
A metal support shaft 1206 extending in the horizontal direction is provided on the upper portion of the protrusion 1204, and the support shaft 1206 has a central portion in the longitudinal direction fixed to the protrusion 1204, and both ends in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 1204. Exposed on both sides.
An engaging portion 1208 having a plurality of irregularities is provided on an outer peripheral surface of a portion of the support shaft 1206 exposed from the projecting portion 1204.
[0010]
The camera base 14 includes a main body 1402 formed in a hollow shape as shown in FIG. 1 and a bearing 1404 provided at a lower portion of the main body 1402 as shown in FIG. A recess 1405 into which the protrusion 1204 is inserted is formed.
On the upper surface of the main body 1402, a male screw 1406 for detachably attaching the camera 2 is formed, and the male screw 1406 is screwed into a female screw on the bottom surface of the camera 2, whereby the camera 2 is attached to the camera base 14. ing.
The bearing portion 1404 has a bearing hole 1406 through which the support shaft 1206 is rotatably inserted.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a slit 1407 extending from the outside of the bearing 1404 to the bearing hole 1406 is formed above the bearing 1404, and the wall constituting the bearing 1404 is formed by a support shaft 1206. Is formed as a fastening piece 2202 that extends over half the circumference of the outer peripheral surface and is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the bearing hole 1406. The bearing hole 1406 includes the inner peripheral surface of the fastening piece 2202. Note that a gap is provided by the slit 1407 between the tip of the fastening piece 2202 and the camera base 14.
A screw insertion hole is provided at the tip of the fastening piece 2202, and a male screw member 2206 inserted through the screw insertion hole is screwed with a female screw 2204 at 14 places on the camera table facing the tip of the fastening piece 2202, Therefore, the tightening piece 2202 is elastically deformed by the loosening and tightening of the male screw member 2206, so that the diameter of the bearing hole 1406 is changed.
[0011]
The pan bar 16 is fixed so as to protrude obliquely downward from the main body 1402. By operating the pan bar 16 by gripping the pan bar 16, the camera stand 14 is moved in the circumferential direction of the support shaft 1206, in the vertical direction in this example ( (Tilt direction). In the present embodiment, the camera stand 14 and the pan bar 16 are integrally formed using a synthetic resin mold.
The bread bar 16 has a hollow small diameter portion 1602 protruding from the main body 1402 and a hollow large diameter portion 1604 connected to the small diameter portion 1602.
One or more remote control switches 1606 for controlling the photographing operation of the camera 2 are arranged on the upper surface of the large diameter portion 1604.
When the camera 2 is a video camera, for example, the remote control switch 1606 instructs the camera 2 to start and stop shooting, and instructs the camera 2 to perform a zooming operation of the shooting optical system. Zooming switch for the camera.
The remote control switch 1606 is detachably connected to the control unit of the camera 2 via a cable (not shown) exposed from the pan bar 16, and a control signal generated by the remote control switch 1606 is transmitted to the control unit of the camera 2. It is configured to: Note that a cable is provided on the main body 1402 and the bread bar 16 so as to connect between a contact piece of the camera 2 attached to the upper surface of the main body 1402 with a screw and the remote control switch 1606, and the camera 2 is connected to the main body 1402. The remote control switch 1606 may be connected to the control unit of the camera 2 in a state where the remote control switch 1606 is attached to the upper surface of the camera, and the control signal generated by the remote control switch 1606 may be transmitted to the control unit.
[0012]
The locking means 18 locks the rotation of the bearing 1404 on the support shaft 1206, and in the present embodiment, is constituted by a pawl 1806 that is swingably disposed on the main body 1402 with the shaft 1802 as a fulcrum. ing. The claw 1806 is constantly urged by an urging member 1804 formed of a coil spring or the like in a direction in which the claw 1806 is engaged with the engagement portion 1208.
The lock releasing means 20 is for releasing the lock by the locking means 18, and in the present embodiment, the operating lever 2004, which is swingably disposed on the large diameter portion 1604 with the shaft 2002 as a fulcrum, a claw 1806, A link 2006 connects the operation lever 2004 and swings the pawl 1806 by swinging the operation lever 2004. The lower portion of the operation lever 2004 protrudes below the lower surface of the large diameter portion 1604.
[0013]
Next, a method of using the camera support device 10 will be described.
The attachment of the camera 2 to the camera base 14 is performed by screwing the male screw 1406 into the female screw of the camera 2 while the rotation of the bearing 1404 on the support shaft 1206 is locked by the locking means 18.
Next, when the operation lever 2004 is pulled forward against the urging force of the urging member 1804, the pawl 1806 is disengaged from the engaging portion 1208 by the link 2006, and the lock of the lock means 18 is released.
In this state, the male screw member 2206 is rotated in a tightening direction or a loosening direction to adjust the tightening force applied by the tightening piece 2202 to the support shaft 1206, and the bearing portion 1404 is rotated by the own weight of the camera 2 and the camera base 14. The support shaft 1400 is rotated by a force that does not rotate on the support shaft 1206, and that the bearing portion 1404 rotates on the support shaft 1206 following the movement of the pan bar 16 when a user's force is applied to the bread bar 16. 1206 is set. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the holding means 22 for holding the support shaft 1206 by the above-mentioned force is constituted by the fastening piece 2202, the female screw 2204, the male screw member 2206, and the like.
[0014]
The operation of setting the camera 2 to a desired posture is performed as follows.
First, the operation lever 2004 is pulled toward the user with the finger gripping the bread bar 16 to release the lock of the locking means 18, and when a vertical force is applied to the bread bar 16, the bearing 1404 moves on the support shaft 1206. The camera base 14 and the camera 2 rotate up and down following the movement of the pan bar 16 to perform a so-called tilt operation.
When the camera 2 takes a desired posture, the finger is removed from the operation lever 2004. Thereby, the pawl 1802 is engaged with the engaging portion 1208 by the urging force of the urging member 1804, and the rotation of the bearing portion 1404 on the support shaft 1206 is prevented. Is fixed.
[0015]
Next, effects of the camera support device 10 will be described.
The posture of the camera 2 can be easily and freely changed by operating the operation lever 2004 to release the lock of the lock means 18 and holding the pan bar 16 by hand, and then release the finger from the operation lever 2004. Only by this, the locking means 18 operates to prevent rotation of the bearing on the support shaft, so that the state of the camera 2 changed to a desired posture by the operation lever 2004 can be easily and reliably fixed.
Therefore, it is advantageous in improving operability when changing the posture of the camera 2.
Further, even if the lock is released by the lock release means 20, the bearing 1404 is held by the holding means 22. Therefore, when the operation lever is operated, the pan bar 16 itself, the camera 2, and the camera stand 14 are held by hand. Even if the camera 2 is not provided, the camera 2 does not suddenly fall around the support shaft due to the weight of the camera 2 and the camera base 14, which is advantageous in improving operability when changing the attitude of the camera 2.
Further, since the pan bar 16 is formed integrally with the camera base 14 and the pan bar 16 does not rotate around its extending direction, the remote control switch 1606 should always face the user in a direction that is easily visible from the user. This is advantageous in that the remote control switch 1606 can be easily and reliably operated. Therefore, operations such as the start of shooting, the end of shooting, and zooming of the camera 2 can be performed by remote control even when the posture of the camera 2 is fixed by the locking means 18 or while the camera base 14 is moved up and down by the pan bar 16. The operation is easily and reliably performed by operating the switch 1606.
Further, since the lock means 18, the lock release means 20, and the holding means 22 are each composed of a small number of members, it is advantageous in simplifying the camera support device 10.
[0016]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the camera support device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a view as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.
In the following description, the same members and portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
In the second embodiment, the configuration of the locking means is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment.
The locking means 18A of the second embodiment is constituted by a brake lever 1807 which is swingably supported on a main body 1402 with a shaft 1802 as a fulcrum.
The brake lever 1807 is provided with a brake shoe 1807A having a high coefficient of friction at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 1206. The brake shoe 1807A is always attached to the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 1206 by the urging member 1804. It is biased in the pressing direction.
The unlocking means 20A connects the operation lever 2004, which is swingably disposed on the large diameter portion 1604 with the shaft 2002 as a fulcrum, and the brake lever 1807 and the operation lever 2004, and is operated by the swing operation of the operation lever 2004. A link 2006 for swinging the brake lever 1807 is provided, and a lower portion of the operation lever 2004 protrudes below a lower surface of the large diameter portion 1604.
[0017]
In the second embodiment, when the operation lever 2004 is pressed against the urging force of the urging member 1804, the brake lever 1807 is swung by the link 2006, and the brake shoe 1807A is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 1206, The lock of the lock means 18A is released.
In this state, similarly to the case of the first embodiment, by rotating the male screw member 2206, the tightening force applied by the tightening piece 2202 to the support shaft 1206 is adjusted, and the holding means 22 holds the support shaft 1206. Set the power to do.
Further, in the second embodiment, when the camera 2 is in a desired posture, the operation lever 2004 is pressed by a finger gripping the pan bar 16 to release the lock of the locking means 18A. When a vertical force is applied to the shaft 16, the bearing 1404 rotates on the support shaft 1206, as in the first embodiment, and a so-called tilt operation is performed.
When the camera 2 takes a desired posture, the finger is removed from the operation lever 2004. As a result, the brake shoe 1807A is pressed against the outer periphery of the support shaft 1206 by the biasing force of the biasing member 1804, and the rotation of the bearing portion 1404 on the support shaft 1206 is prevented, so that the camera stand 14 and the camera 2 are locked. Is fixed.
According to the camera support device 10A of the second embodiment, effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0018]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the camera support device according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the holding force of the support shaft is changed by the driving means, and the other points are different from the first and second embodiments. Same as the form.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the camera support device 10 B includes a fixed base 12, a camera stand 14, a pan bar 16, a holding unit 24, a driving unit 26, a control unit 28, and the like.
Similar to the first embodiment, the camera stand 14 is provided with a fastening piece 2202, a female screw 2204, and a male screw member 2206. Is constituted.
[0019]
Further, a mounting piece 1408 is provided at a position where the fastening piece 2202 faces the male screw member 2206, and a motor 2602 composed of, for example, a geared motor is provided on the mounting piece 1408. The output shaft of the motor 2602 is It is connected to a male screw member 2206. Then, the configuration is such that the pinching force of the support shaft 1206 by the pinching means 24 is changed by rotating the male screw member 2206 by the rotational driving force of the motor 2602.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, a driving unit 26 that is connected to the holding unit 24 by the motor 2602 and changes the holding force of the support shaft 1206 by the holding unit 24 is configured.
The large diameter portion 1602 of the bread bar 16 is provided with a control circuit 2804 and an operation switch 2806 (corresponding to an operation member in the claims).
The control circuit 2804 generates a drive signal for driving the motor 2602 in accordance with the on / off signal of the operation switch 2806, and supplies the drive signal to the motor 2602 via a lead wire to thereby control the rotation direction of the output shaft of the motor 2602 and It is configured to control the amount of rotation.
The operation switch 2806 is formed of, for example, a push button switch, is disposed on the upper surface of the large-diameter portion 1602, and is configured to provide an ON signal and an OFF signal to the control circuit 2804 in accordance with a pressing operation.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, the control circuit 28 controls the change of the holding force by the drive unit 26 by the control circuit 2804 and the operation switch 2806.
[0020]
In the third embodiment, when the operation switch 2806 gives an off signal to the control circuit 2804, the control circuit 2804 controls the driving unit 26 so that the clamping force of the support shaft 1206 by the clamping unit 24 becomes the first clamping force. Is controlled. That is, a drive signal for controlling the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the output shaft of the motor 2804 is given to the motor 2804 so that the holding force acting on the support shaft 1206 becomes the first holding force.
The first pinching force is such that the bearing portion 1404 does not rotate on the support shaft 1206 due to the weight of the camera 2 and the camera base 14, and when the predetermined force is applied to the pan bar 16, The pinching force is large enough to rotate on the support shaft 1206 following the movement of the pan bar 16.
When the operation switch 2806 gives an ON signal to the control circuit 2804, the control circuit 2804 controls the driving unit 26 so that the holding force of the holding shaft 1206 by the holding unit 24 becomes the second holding force. That is, a drive signal for controlling the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the output shaft of the motor 2804 is given to the motor 2804 so that the holding force acting on the support shaft 1206 becomes the second holding force.
The second clamping force is a clamping force large enough to disable rotation of the bearing 1404 on the support shaft 1206 and lock the camera base 14 on the support shaft 1206.
Therefore, the change in the holding force by the driving means 26 is a change in which the holding force is switched between the first holding force and the second holding force.
[0021]
In the third embodiment, when the camera 2 is set to a desired posture, when the operation switch 2806 is pressed with a finger gripping the pan bar 16 and an off signal is given to the control circuit 2804, the motor 2602 rotates. By driving, the male screw member 2206 is rotated, and the clamping force applied to the support shaft 1206 by the fastening piece 2202 is set to the first clamping force. When a vertical force is applied to the pan bar 16 in this state, the bearing 1404 rotates on the support shaft 1206 as in the first embodiment, and a so-called tilt operation is performed.
When the camera 2 is in a desired posture, the operation switch 2806 is pressed and an ON signal is given to the control circuit 2804. When the motor 2602 is driven to rotate, the male screw member 2206 is rotated, and the fastening piece 2202 is rotated. The holding force applied to the support shaft 1206 is set to the second holding force. As a result, the rotation of the bearing 1404 on the support shaft 1206 is blocked, and the posture of the camera base 14 and the camera 2 is fixed.
The camera support device 10B according to the third embodiment has the same advantages as those of the first and second embodiments.
[0022]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration has been described in which the bearing portion 1404 rotates in the vertical direction on the support shaft 1206 in which the camera support device extends in the horizontal direction. However, the camera support device extends in the vertical direction. Of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the bearing part rotates in the horizontal direction (pan direction) on the support shaft.
Further, in a camera support device in which the posture of the camera 2 is changed in two directions, that is, the up and down directions and the horizontal direction with two support shafts as fulcrums, the present invention may be applied via each support shaft.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a camera support device that is advantageous in improving operability while simplifying the configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera support device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera support device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a camera support device according to a third embodiment.
6 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional camera support device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 10A, 10B ... camera support device, 2 ... camera, 12 ... fixed base, 14 ... camera base, 16 ... bread stick, 18, 18A ... lock means, 20, 20A ... lock release means , 22 holding means, 24 holding means, 26 driving means, 28 control means, 30 tripod, 1206 support shaft, 1404 bearing part.

Claims

A camera support device that supports the camera so that the posture of the camera can be changed on a tripod,
A fixed base detachably attached to the upper part of the tripod,
A camera table detachably attached to the camera,
A spindle provided on the fixed base,
A bearing portion provided on the camera base and rotatably supported by the support shaft;
A bread stick protruding from the camera stand,
Locking means for locking the rotation of the bearing on the support shaft;
Unlocking means for releasing the lock by the locking means,
Provided on the camera base, the bearing does not rotate on the support shaft due to the weight of the camera and the camera base in a state where the camera is attached to the camera base and the lock means is unlocked. Holding the support shaft with such a force that the bearing portion follows the movement of the bread bar and rotates on the support shaft when a predetermined force is applied to the bread bar. Holding means;
A camera support device comprising:

A holding piece extending from the camera base over a half circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft and having a clearance secured between the tip and the camera base; and a tip of the fastening piece. 2. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a female screw provided at the camera stand location facing the camera; Support device.

The holding means includes: a fastening piece extending from the camera base over a half circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft; a female screw provided at the camera mount where a tip of the fastening piece faces; and 2. The camera support device according to claim 1, further comprising: a male screw member inserted into the female screw through a front end of the portion, and the bearing portion includes the fastening piece.

An engaging portion comprising a plurality of irregularities is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft. The pawl is configured to lock the rotation of the bearing portion by being urged into engagement with the engaging portion, and the unlocking means includes an operating lever swingably supported by the pan bar, the pawl, and the operation member. 2. The camera support device according to claim 1, further comprising a link that connects between a lever and a link that swings the claw by swinging the operation lever.

The locking means is constituted by a brake lever which is swingably supported by the camera base and is urged in a direction of pressing against the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft and presses against the outer peripheral surface to lock the rotation of the bearing portion. The unlocking means connects an operation lever pivotally supported by the pan bar, the brake lever and the operation lever, and swings the brake lever by a swing operation of the operation lever. 2. The camera support device according to claim 1, wherein the camera support device comprises a link.

2. The camera support device according to claim 1, wherein the pan bar is fixed to the camera base, and a remote control switch for controlling a photographing operation of the camera is provided on an upper surface of the pan bar.

2. The camera stand and the pan bar are integrally formed of synthetic resin, and a remote control switch for controlling a photographing operation of the camera is provided on an upper surface of the pan bar. Camera support device.

A camera support device that supports the camera so that the posture of the camera can be changed on a tripod,
A fixed base detachably attached to the upper part of the tripod,
A camera table detachably attached to the camera,
A spindle provided on the fixed base,
A bearing portion provided on the camera base and rotatably supported by the support shaft;
Clamping means provided on the camera base and capable of clamping the spindle,
Driving means connected to the holding means for changing the holding force of the support shaft by the holding means,
A bread stick protruding from the camera stand,
Control means for controlling a change in the holding force by the driving means,
A camera support device comprising:

The driving unit is configured by a motor, the control unit is configured by a control circuit and an operation member, and the motor is configured to change the clamping force by applying a rotational driving force to the clamping unit, The control circuit is configured to control a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the motor, and the operation member is configured to instruct a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the motor by the control circuit. 9. The camera support device according to claim 8, wherein

The camera support device according to claim 9, wherein the operation member is provided on the pan bar.

The change in the holding force by the driving means is a change in which the holding force is switched between a first holding force and a second holding force, and the first holding force is the weight of the camera and the camera base. The bearing portion does not rotate on the support shaft, and when a predetermined force is applied to the pan bar, the bearing portion follows the movement of the pan bar and rotates on the support shaft. 9. The clamping force according to claim 8, wherein the second clamping force is a magnitude which makes the rotation of the bearing portion impossible on the support shaft. Camera support device.

A clamping piece extending from the camera base to at least a half of an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft; a female screw provided at the camera base where a front end of the clamping piece faces; A male screw member that is inserted into the tip of the unit and screwed into the female screw; the driving unit is configured by a motor; the control unit is configured by a control circuit and an operating member; A shaft is connected to the male screw member, the motor is configured to change the pinching force by rotating the male screw member, and the control circuit is configured to control a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the motor. 9. The camera support device according to claim 8, wherein the operation member is configured to instruct a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the motor by the control circuit.