JP2009017128A - Camera support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly turn a camera in a pan direction. <P>SOLUTION: A camera support device 1 includes: a pan handle 5 for performing the pan direction operation of a video camera 100 attached to a camera platform 4; and an operation part 10 being arranged in the distal end of the pan handle 5 and turning the camera platform 4 at least in the pan direction. The operation part 10 includes a remote operation part 13 for remotely controlling the video camera 100 attached to the camera platform 4. The operation part 10 is formed to have a substantially flat spherical shape, and performs an operation to turn the camera platform 4 with the video camera 100 attached thereto in the pan direction in a state where an operator positions a thumb on the upper surface of an outer case 10a with the remote operation part 13 arranged therein and also puts four fingers excluding the thumb and a palm onto the lower surface of the outer case 10a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera support device such as a tripod to which a still camera, a video camera, or the like is attached.

  Patent Document 1 describes a camera support device to which a video camera such as a tripod is attached. In the camera support device of Patent Document 1, a substantially cylindrical grip is formed on the other end of the pan handle, and a shooting button and a zooming button are provided on the upper surface of the grip to operate the pan handle. The user can grip and rotate in the pan direction, and can operate the shooting button and zooming button while holding the grip.

  However, since this camera support device is to rotate the pan direction by grasping the grip portion of the pan handle, when the video camera is rotated largely to the right or left from the front of the operator, that is, in the pan direction. The operator is in a state in which the operator's hand is twisted with respect to the pan handle, and is in a state in which it is difficult to grip the grip portion of the pan handle, making it difficult to perform a rotation operation in the pan direction. In order to eliminate such a difficult-to-operate state, the operator changes the grip part of the pan handle from the forward hand to the reverse hand, from the reverse hand to the forward hand, from the right hand to the left hand, or from the left hand to the right hand.

  However, if the grip portion of the pan handle is changed during shooting, the video camera cannot be continuously rotated in the pan direction at the changed portion. In addition, when the grip portion is changed, the video camera attached to the camera platform may vibrate. If this vibration occurs during recording, the video data will be recorded on the recording medium in a blurred state. Such a problem is conspicuous in video cameras that record moving images that are temporally continuous compared to still cameras that record still images. Some camera support devices such as tripods have been reduced in weight in consideration of portability when not in use. However, when the weight is reduced, vibrations are generated when the pan handle is changed. It is easy to generate.

Japanese Patent No. 3387164

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera support device that can smoothly rotate in the pan direction without vibrating the camera.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a camera support device that can easily perform shooting and zooming operations while rotating in the pan direction.

  A camera support device provided with a pan handle for performing an operation in a pan direction of a camera attached to a pan head according to the present invention is provided at a tip portion of the pan handle, and rotates the pan head at least in the pan direction. And a remote operation unit that is provided in the operation unit and remotely controls a camera attached to the pan head. And the said operation part is formed in the substantially flat spherical shape.

  According to the present invention, since the operation portion is formed in a substantially flat spherical shape, the thumb is positioned on the upper surface provided with the remote operation portion by the operator's hand from the side opposite to the pan handle, and the thumb is Hold the four fingers and palm except the thumb on the bottom surface, and slide the control unit against the four fingers and palm except the thumb to rotate the camera-mounted head in the pan direction. Can do. Therefore, regardless of the position of the pan handle, the operation unit can rotate the pan head with the pan handle attached to the camera in the pan direction with the same feeling of operation, and even when it is largely rotated in the pan direction. This eliminates the need for the operator to change hands. Therefore, even if the camera is rotated in the pan direction during shooting, the occurrence of vibration can be prevented, and video and image data can be prevented from being recorded in a blurred state.

  Hereinafter, a camera support device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a camera support device 1 to which the present invention is applied is, for example, a tripod to which a video camera 100 is attached, and a video supported on a camera platform by moving a pan handle in a tilt direction or a pan direction. The camera 100 can be operated in the pan direction and tilt direction, and the video camera 100 can be started and stopped, and the angle of view can be adjusted with one hand using the buttons provided on the pan handle. Specifically, the camera support device 1 includes three support legs 2, 2, 2 that can be extended and contracted, and a leg base 3 in which upper ends of the support legs 2, 2, 2 are rotatably connected. The camera 100 includes a pan head 4 that rotates in the pan direction and the tilt direction, and a pan handle 5 that is connected to the pan head 4.

  The pan / tilt head 4 has a camera mounting portion 4a to which the video camera 100 is mounted, can rotate in the pan direction around the pan rotation axis, and can rotate in the tilt direction around the tilt rotation axis. Yes. The camera mounting portion 4a of the camera platform 4 is configured such that the bottom surface portion of the video camera 100 is fixed by positioning pins or mounting screws.

  The pan handle 5 is provided to perform the pan operation and tilt operation of the pan head 4 as described above, and an operation unit 10 that is operated by an operator is provided at the tip of the main rod 5a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the operation unit 10 is formed by a synthetic resin having a relatively high mechanical strength so that the entire outer casing 10 a has a substantially flat spherical shape. And the outer casing 10a which comprises this operation part 10 has the operation recessed part 11 formed in the upper surface used as the operation surface which an operator performs remote operation. The operation recess 11 is a recess extending from the center of the upper surface of the outer casing 10a to the end opposite to the mounting portion of the main rod 5a, and this recess is opposite to the mounting portion of the main rod 5a. The width is increased in order toward the end portion on the side, and the end portion on the side opposite to the attachment portion of the main shaft 5a is opened.

  The side surface of the operation recess 11 is formed with a gentle inclined surface or curved surface. Further, the operation concave portion 11 is formed on the first plane 12a forming the bottom surface and at a position higher than the first plane 12a and inside the first plane 12a of the outer casing 10a, that is, on the center side. And a second plane 12b. As the remote operation unit 13, a photographing switch 14 is provided on the first plane 12a, and a zoom switch 15 is provided on the second plane 12b.

  The photographing switch 14 is formed at a substantially central portion of the first plane 12a, and performs remote operation of starting and stopping photographing of the video camera 100 attached to the camera attachment portion 4a of the pan head 4. The photographing switch 14 is constituted by, for example, a circular push button, and starts recording when pressed for the first time, and stops recording when pressed for the second time. Note that the video camera 100 may perform the recording operation while the photographing switch 14 is pressed by the operator. The photographing switch 14 is formed with a substantially ring-shaped depression 13a in the periphery thereof, and the top surface thereof is formed at the same height as the first plane 12a while not being pressed. Yes. Thereby, the imaging | photography switch 14 can identify a place, without an operator visually observing now by being formed inside the hollow part 13a. Further, the shooting switch 14 is formed so that its top surface is substantially the same height as the first plane 12a, so that the shooting switch 14 is prevented from being accidentally pressed and recorded. ing.

  The zoom switch 15 is formed on the second plane 12b, and performs a remote operation to move the zoom lens of the video camera 100 attached to the camera attachment portion 4a of the camera platform 4 in the tele (T) / wide (W) direction. . The zoom switch 15 is a lever switch, for example, and is formed so that the operation direction is the arrow direction in FIG. The zoom switch 15 can move the zoom lens of the video camera 100 in the tele direction when it is slid or tilted forward, that is, on the main shaft 5a side (T direction in the figure). When it is slid or tilted in the (W direction in the figure), the zoom lens can be moved in the wide direction. The zoom switch 15 controls the video camera 100 so that the moving speed of the zoom lens in the tele direction or the wide direction increases as the slide amount or the tilt amount increases. The zoom switch 15 may be a rotary switch called knurling.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the photographing switch 14 and the zoom switch 15 constituting the remote control unit 13 as described above are provided within a range in which an operator can operate by bending and extending the thumb while touching the outer casing 10a. It has been. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the zoom switch 15 is provided closer to the main end 5a than the shooting switch 14, so that, for example, the shooting switch 14 is operated to start recording and then continuously. In addition, the zoom switch 15 can be operated to adjust the angle of view.

  The operation signal generated by the remote operation unit 13 is transmitted to the video camera 100 attached to the camera platform 4 by wire or wireless.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of substantially concentric convex portions 16 are formed in a substantially annular shape on the hemispherical lower surface of the outer casing 10a. The convex portion 16 makes the outer casing 10a easy to slide with respect to attached hands, for example, four fingers and palms other than the thumb, when the operator performs an operation, and makes it easy for the operator to operate in the pan direction. Yes. In addition, you may comprise this convex part 16 by a recessed part.

  A central recess 17 may be provided at the center of the hemispherical lower surface of the outer casing 10a. When the operator places his / her hand on the lower surface of the outer casing 10a, the operator can easily operate the pan in the pan direction by hooking any finger other than the thumb.

  The operation unit 10 of the pan handle 5 provided in the camera support device 1 configured as described above is gripped by the operator's hand 101 from the side opposite to the pan handle 5 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the operation unit 10 positions the operator's thumb on the upper surface of the outer casing 10a provided with the remote operation unit 13, and attaches four fingers and palms other than the thumb to the lower surface of the outer casing 10a. In this state, the pan head 4 to which the video camera 100 is attached is rotated in the pan direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the pan handle 5 is in front of the operator, the operation unit 10 has the operator's hand 101 positioned on the extension line of the pan handle 5, and the operator holds the hand 101. The operation can be performed in a natural state without twisting.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the pan handle 5 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 5A in the direction of the arrow P1, the operation unit 10 has a convex portion 16 formed on the lower surface of the outer casing 10a. Then, the pan handle 5 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P1 while sliding in the direction of the arrow P1 with respect to the four fingers and the palm excluding the thumb. Therefore, the operator can rotate the pan handle 5 in the direction of the arrow P1 without causing twisting of the hand 101 that performs the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, even when the pan handle 5 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P2 from the state shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the operation unit 10 protrudes from the lower surface of the outer casing 10a. Since the portion 16 is formed, the pan handle 5 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P2 while sliding in the direction of the arrow P2 with respect to the four fingers and the palm excluding the thumb. Therefore, the operator can rotate the pan handle 5 in the direction of the arrow P2 without causing twisting of the hand 101 that performs the operation in this case as well.

  That is, the operation unit 10 can rotate the pan head 4 to which the video camera 100 is attached by the pan handle 5 in the pan direction with the same feeling of operation regardless of the position of the pan handle 5. Even when the hand is rotated, the operator does not have to change the hand 100. Therefore, the camera support device 1 can prevent the occurrence of vibration even when the video camera 100 rotates in the pan direction while shooting, and can prevent the video data from being recorded in a blurred state. .

  Then, in any of the states shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the operator attaches four fingers and palms excluding the thumb to the lower surface of the outer casing 10a, and the thumb is an operation recess on the upper surface. When the thumb is bent and extended in the state of being positioned at 11, the photographing switch 14 and the zoom switch 15 can be operated smoothly.

  The pan handle 5 having the operation unit 10 as described above can be operated in the pan direction as described above, and can be rotated in the tilt direction by grasping the operation unit 10 or the like. You can also

  Next, a modified example of the operation unit 10 described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Similar to the operation unit 10, the operation unit 20, which is a modification of the operation unit 10, is formed by a synthetic resin having relatively high mechanical strength so that the entire outer casing 20 a has a substantially flat spherical shape. . In the outer casing 20a constituting the operation unit 20, an operation recess 21 is formed on the upper surface serving as an operation surface on which an operator performs remote operation, and the video camera 100 attached to the camera platform 4 is remote. A remote operation unit 22 for performing remote operation is provided.

  A photographing switch 23 constituting the remote operation unit 22 is provided on the bottom surface of the operation recess 21. The shooting switch 23 is configured by a push button, similar to the shooting switch 14 described above. For example, recording is started when pressed for the first time, and recording is stopped when pressed for the second time. Yes. Note that the video camera 100 may perform the recording operation while the photographing switch 23 is pressed by the operator. For example, while the photographing switch 23 is not being pressed, the top surface thereof is positioned lower than the operation recess 21 to prevent erroneous operation.

  A zoom switch 24 is provided around the operation recess 21 by a substantially ring-shaped member. The zoom switch 24 can be rotated by a predetermined amount in both directions with respect to the basic position, and is configured to return to the basic position by a spring force or the like after being rotated. The zoom switch 24 can move the zoom lens of the video camera 100 in the tele direction when rotated in one direction (T direction in the figure), and the zoom lens when rotated in the other direction (W direction in the figure). Can be moved in the wide direction. The zoom switch 24 controls the video camera 100 so that the moving speed of the zoom lens in the tele and wide directions increases as the amount of rotation increases.

  The zoom switch 24 is provided with a plurality of anti-slip projections 24a at equal intervals so that the operator can easily and reliably perform the rotation operation.

  The photographing switch 23 and the zoom switch 24 constituting the remote operation unit 22 as described above are provided within a range where the operator can operate by bending and extending the thumb while putting his hand on the outer casing 20a. The zoom switch 24 is provided closer to the main end 5a than the shooting switch 23. For example, the zoom switch 24 is operated continuously after the shooting switch 23 is operated to start recording. The angle of view can be adjusted.

  The operation signal generated by the remote operation unit 22 is transmitted to the video camera 100 via a connection cord 25 that connects the video camera 100 and the remote operation unit 22. The operation signal from the remote operation unit 22 may be transmitted to the video camera 100 wirelessly.

  A rotating body 26 that is rotatable with respect to the outer casing 10a is attached to a substantially central portion of the hemispherical lower surface of the outer casing 20a. Although not shown, the rotating body 26 is attached to a support shaft provided inside the outer casing 20a. Further, the rotating body 26 is formed with anti-slip recesses 26a radially.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the operation unit 20 configured as described above is held by the operator's hand 101 from the side opposite to the pan handle 5. Specifically, the operation unit 20 positions the operator's thumb on the upper surface of the outer casing 20a provided with the remote operation unit 22, and attaches four fingers and palms other than the thumb to the lower surface of the outer casing 20a. In this state, the pan head 4 to which the video camera 100 is attached is rotated in the pan direction.

  As in the case of the operation unit 10, when the pan handle 5 is in front of the operator, the operation unit 20 has the operator's hand 101 positioned on the extension line of the pan handle 5, and the operator The operation can be performed in a natural state without twisting. Further, when the pan handle 5 is rotated to either one, the operation unit 20 is provided with a rotating body 26 on the lower surface of the outer casing 20a, so that it rotates in contact with four fingers and the palm except the thumb. The outer casing 20 a rotates with respect to the body 26. Therefore, the operator can rotate the pan handle 5 without generating twist in the hand 101 that performs the operation. That is, the operation unit 20 can rotate the pan head 4 to which the video camera 100 is attached by the pan handle 5 in the pan direction with the same feeling of operation regardless of the position of the pan handle 5, and greatly increases the pan direction. Even when the hand is rotated, the operator does not have to change the hand 100. Therefore, the camera support device 1 can prevent the occurrence of vibration even when the video camera 100 rotates in the pan direction while shooting, and can prevent the video data from being recorded in a blurred state. .

  The pan handle 5 having the operation unit 20 as described above can be operated in the pan direction as described above, and can be rotated in the tilt direction by grasping the operation unit 20 or the like. You can also.

  In addition, the case where the video camera 100 is attached to the camera platform 4 has been described above with respect to the camera support device 1 including the pan handle 5 provided with the operation unit 10 and the operation unit 20. You may make it attach to the pan head 4.

  In the operation units 10 and 20 described above, the case where the photographing switches 14 and 23 and the zoom switches 15 and 24 are provided as the remote operation units 13 and 22 has been described. However, in the present invention, the remote operation units 13 and 22 are provided. The type of switch that constitutes is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the shooting switches 14 and 23 and the zoom switches 15 and 24, a power button for turning on and off the video camera 100 can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of the camera support apparatus to which this invention was applied. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation part provided in the pan handle of the said camera support apparatus from the upper side. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation part provided in the pan handle of the said camera support apparatus from the lower side. It is a perspective view which shows the state where the user's hand was attached to the operation part. It is a top view which shows the state when rotating the video camera attached to the pan head with the pan handle in the pan direction, and (A) is the pan when the pan handle is in front of the operator. When the video camera attached to the pan head with the handle is rotated in one direction, (C) shows the time when the video camera attached to the pan head with the pan handle is rotated in the other direction. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation part provided in the pan handle used as the modification of this invention from the upper side. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation part provided in the pan handle used as the modification of this invention from the lower side. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the user's hand was attached to the operation part of the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera support device, 2 Support leg, Tripod stand, 4 pan head, 4a Camera mounting part, 5 Pan handle, 5a Main handle, 10 Operation part, 10a Outer casing, 11 Operation recessed part, 12a 1st plane, 12b 2nd plane, 13 Remote operation part, 13a Indentation part, 14 Shooting switch, 15 Zoom switch, 16 Convex part, 17 Concave part, 20 Operation part, 20a Outer casing, 21 Concave part for operation, 22 Remote operation part, 23 Shooting switch , 24 Zoom switch, 24a Non-slip projection, 25 Connection cord, 26 Rotating body, 26a Non-slip recess, 100 Video camera, 101 Hand

Claims (6)

In the camera support device provided with the pan handle for performing the operation in the pan direction of the camera attached to the pan head,
An operation unit provided at a tip of the pan handle and rotating the pan head at least in the pan direction;
A remote operation unit that is provided in the operation unit and remotely controls a camera attached to the camera platform;
The camera support device is characterized in that the operation section is formed in a substantially flat spherical shape.   The camera support device according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion or a convex portion is formed in a substantially annular shape on the lower surface of the operation portion. On the upper surface of the operation portion, an operation concave portion is formed from the substantially central portion to the side opposite to the mounting end of the pan handle,
The operation recess is provided with at least a photographing switch and a zoom switch that constitute the remote operation unit,
3. The camera support device according to claim 2, wherein the zoom switch is provided in the operation recess at a mounting end side of the pan handle from the photographing switch.   4. The camera support device according to claim 3, wherein a concave portion is formed in a central portion of the lower surface of the operation portion.   The photographing switch is provided in a substantially central portion on the upper surface of the operation unit, and a zoom switch is provided around the photographing switch by a rotatable ring member. The camera support device according to 1.   6. The camera support device according to claim 5, wherein a rotating body is provided on a lower surface of the grip portion.

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