JP4150304B2 - Video camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video camera, and more particularly to a video camera of a type that performs a shooting operation while supporting a video camera body integrally provided with a lens unit, a recording / playback unit, a viewfinder, and the like with one hand.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a video camera in which a lens unit, a recording / reproducing unit, a viewfinder, and the like are integrally provided is known.
As this type of video camera, there is a so-called shooting type video camera that supports the video camera body with one hand and can perform shooting operations such as start / stop, zoom in / zoom out, etc. with the finger of the supporting hand. It has been.

  This shooting type video camera is provided with a movable mechanism for moving the screen monitor with respect to other parts of the video camera body such as a lens unit, a VTR unit (corresponding to a recording / reproducing unit described later), and the like. By using this movable mechanism, the orientation of the screen monitor is appropriately positioned with respect to the other part of the video camera body, so that shooting can be performed in various postures while looking at the screen monitor regardless of the viewfinder. .

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a typical shooting posture by a shooting type video camera in which the screen monitor is movable.
In the above-described shooting type video camera 101, the video camera main body 102 is shown while looking at the viewfinder 114 shown in FIG. 10A or looking at the screen monitor 116 whose screen orientation is adjusted to the opposite direction Y to the shooting direction X. Normal posture shooting in which the height position h of the photographer 200 is supported by the photographer 200's own face height position hf, and the orientation Y of the screen monitor 116 is normally set to shoot a high angle as shown in FIG. The height position h of the video camera body 102 is supported at a height position hh higher than the face height position hf of the photographer himself 200, and the screen monitor 116 is looked up. High-angle shooting in which the camera is taken while looking into the camera, and the orientation Y of the screen monitor 116 for shooting a low angle as shown in FIG. The low-position shooting in which the height position h of the video camera main body 102 is supported at a height position hl lower than the height position hf of the photographer 200 itself, and the camera is viewed while looking down at the screen monitor 116. Is done.

  That is, the screen monitor 116 having a movable mechanism is adjusted by rotating the orientation Y of the screen monitor 116 with respect to the main body support portion 103 provided with a lens unit or the like in accordance with the eye height position hf of the photographer 200. In addition to the normal posture shooting shown in FIG. 10A, the shooting-type video camera 101 equipped with can perform high posture shooting and low posture shooting as shown in FIGS. 10B and 10C.

  However, in the above-described shooting-type video camera 101, in any of the normal posture shooting, the high posture shooting, and the low posture shooting, any screen other than the screen monitor 116 is shown as shown in FIGS. The other part of the video camera main body 102 such as the lens part and the VTR part, that is, the posture of the main body support part 103 for supporting the video camera main body 102 when the photographer 200 is shooting, It does not change depending on the relationship with the optical axis direction of the lens unit.

  Therefore, in the conventional shooting type video camera 101, when the shooting direction X is the same direction, the posture of the main body support unit 103 is not changed even when the shooting posture changes between normal posture shooting, high posture shooting, and low posture shooting. Since the photographer 200 does not change, the gripping state of the main body support portion 103 for supporting the video camera main body 102 is related to the ease of bending of the elbows and wrists and the ease of maintaining the posture of these portions. It varies greatly depending on the shooting posture.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a gripping state of the main body support by the photographer in normal posture shooting and low posture shooting.
In FIG. 11, the screen monitor 116 (not shown in the figure because it is located on the back side in FIG. 11) includes a lens unit 110, a VTR unit 112, and a viewfinder 114. The gripping state of the main body support unit 103 will be described using a video camera 101 that can be pivotally adjusted with respect to the 103 as an example.

FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of a gripping state of the main body support portion in the case of normal posture shooting.
In the case of normal posture shooting, from the lower side in the vertical direction zz of the main body support portion 103 perpendicular to the shooting direction X, that is, the optical axis direction xx of the lens portion 110, to the upper surface 103A of the main body support portion 103. The video camera main body 102 is supported at the face height position hf as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of a gripping state of the main body support portion in the case of low-position shooting.
In the case of low-profile shooting, the rear side of the main body support unit 103 along the shooting direction X, that is, the optical axis direction xx of the lens unit 110, on the viewfinder 114 side opposite to the side where the lens unit 110 is provided. From the rear surface 103D side, a finger other than the thumb is hung on the front surface 103B on the lens unit 110 side on the front side of the main body support unit 103, and the height position hl lower than the face height position hf is changed to FIG. Support as shown in (c).

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the horizontal surface 103E of the main body support portion 103 to which the palm of the photographer supporting the video camera main body 102 is addressed, regardless of the difference in the shooting posture, The strap member 130 is mounted on both ends of the strap member 130 attached to a locking member 131 made of pins or the like.

  Thus, when the photographer supports the video camera main body 102, a hand and a finger are inserted between the lateral surface 103 </ b> E of the main body support portion 103 and the strap member 130 regardless of the difference in the photographing posture. A finger other than the thumb is hung on the upper surface 103A or the front surface 103B of the main body support portion 103, the palm is directed to the lateral surface 103E of the main body support portion 103, and the back of the hand is pressed by the strap member 130 while the main body support portion 103 is held.

In addition, in the case of the video camera 101 shown in FIG. 11, a start / stop switch 121 for instructing start / stop of shooting disposed on the rear surface 103D of the main body support 103 on the viewfinder 114 side, Further, the zoom-in / zoom-out switch 123 arranged on the upper surface 103A of the main body support portion 103 for adjusting the focal length is operated with the finger of the hand holding the main body support portion 103.
JP 2001-111877 A

However, the above-described conventional shooting type video camera has the following problems.
First, as shown in FIG. 11, with the downsizing of the video camera main body 102, the area (length, width) of the horizontal surface 103E of the main body support portion 103 where the photographer touches the palm is also reduced. In addition, it has become difficult to secure a sufficient length for the strap member 130 to be inserted through the hand and fingers in a natural appearance.

  In addition, as described above, the gripping direction of the photographer with respect to the main body support portion 103 is different depending on the photographing posture, and the contact position of the finger of the gripped hand on the main body support portion 103 is also different. Depending on the position of the shooting posture, there is no hindrance to gripping the main body support unit 103 in one shooting posture. The problem of not being able to hold down enough has arisen.

  Specifically, in the case of the video camera shown in FIG. 11, since the strap member 130 is installed in the horizontal direction along the optical axis direction xx of the horizontal surface 103E of the main body support portion 103, normal posture shooting is performed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the strap member 130 passes between the thumb of the supported hand and the index finger and extends across the back of the hand, so that the palm is supported by the body support portion 103. The main body support portion 103 of the video camera main body 102 can be firmly held while the back of the hand is pressed by the strap member 130.

  However, in the case of low-position shooting, as shown in FIG. 11B, the grip direction of the main body support portion 103 is different and the finger gripping position of the hand gripped on the main body support portion 103 is also different. It is difficult to use in a state where the back of the hand is straddled between the thumb of the supported hand and the index finger, and the main body support portion 103 of the video camera main body 102 cannot be firmly held.

  In addition, since the positions of the operation switches such as the start / stop switch 121 and the zoom-in / zoom-out switch 123 described above with respect to the gripped hand are also changed, it is difficult to perform the operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video camera that can support the video camera body firmly and without difficulty in the posture regardless of the difference in shooting posture. And

  In order to achieve the above object, a video camera of the present invention includes a first casing provided with a recording / reproducing unit, a second casing provided with a lens unit, and the first casing and the second casing. And a rotation mechanism that integrally connects the second casing so as to be relatively rotatable within a range exceeding at least 90 degrees, and the second casing is provided with a viewfinder portion, and the monitor portion adjusts the screen orientation. It is possible to be provided.

Further, the video camera of the present invention has a first casing provided with a recording / reproducing unit, a second casing provided with a lens unit, and at least 90 degrees beyond the first casing and the second casing. A rotation mechanism that is integrally connected so as to be relatively rotatable within a range, an operation switch that is operated at the time of shooting is disposed in the first casing, and a viewfinder portion is disposed in the second casing. And a monitor unit is provided so that the screen orientation can be adjusted.
And in the video camera of this invention, the said monitor part is provided in the surface on the opposite side to the side opposite to the said 1st casing of the said 2nd casing, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the first casing and the second casing are integrally connected in the thickness direction of each casing via the rotating mechanism to constitute a video camera body. Features.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the width of the video camera main body formed by combining the thickness dimension of the first casing and the thickness dimension of the second casing is other than the thickness dimension of the first casing. Or a height dimension and a length dimension of the video camera body defined by a dimension other than the thickness dimension of the second casing alone.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the center position of the rotation facing surface of the first casing with respect to the second casing, and the center position of the rotation facing surface of the second casing with respect to the first casing; The first casing and the second casing are connected to each other through the rotation mechanism so as to match the rotation center position of the rotation mechanism.

In the video camera of the present invention, the switches are a start / stop switch and a zoom switch.
In the video camera of the present invention, the start / stop switch and the zoom switch are arranged on adjacent side surfaces that are respectively continuous with the rotation facing surface of the first casing with respect to the second casing. It is characterized by that.

  The video camera of the present invention is provided with a recording / playback unit, and includes a box-shaped first casing having a pair of end surfaces and a side surface connecting the pair of end surfaces, a lens unit, and a viewfinder unit. A box-shaped second casing provided with a pair of end faces and a side face connecting between the pair of end faces; an operation switch provided on a side face of the first casing; and the second casing The first casing is configured such that a monitor portion provided with an adjustable screen orientation on one end surface of the first casing and the one end surface of the first casing and the other end surface of the second casing are opposed to each other. The first casing is integrally connected to the second casing so as to be relatively rotatable so that a predetermined portion on the side surface of the lens can be disposed in the same direction and in the opposite direction to the opening of the lens portion. Rotation Characterized in that it includes a structure.

In the video camera of the present invention, the predetermined portion on the side surface of the first casing is a side surface portion defined in relation to the operation switch.
In the video camera of the present invention, the operation switch is at least one of a start / stop switch and a zoom switch.
In the video camera of the present invention, the first casing and the second casing are configured by thin rectangular parallelepiped shapes having substantially the same size as each box shape.

  In the video camera according to the aspect of the invention, the second casing may include a second casing in which a predetermined portion on a side surface of the first casing is disposed in the same direction as the opening of the lens unit. Detection means for detecting a relative rotation state is provided, and when the relative rotation state of the second casing is detected by the detection means, an image photographed by the lens unit is displayed in reverse on the monitor unit. It is characterized by that.

  In addition, the video camera of the present invention includes a camera unit in which an opening of a lens unit is provided on one end side, a viewfinder unit provided on the other end side of the camera unit, and a screen that protrudes and protrudes from the camera unit. A monitor unit provided so as to be freely swingable and capable of rotating the screen direction with the screen appearing with respect to the camera unit, a recording / reproducing unit, and a camera unit are provided. And a main body gripping part integrally connected to each other via a turning mechanism, and the monitor part and the main body gripping part are disposed relative to each other with respect to the camera part. In addition to being configured to be independently rotatable, the main body gripping unit is configured to be capable of arbitrarily adjusting the gripping direction between at least one end side direction and the other end side direction of the camera unit. It is characterized by.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the one end side direction of the camera unit is the opening direction of the opening of the lens unit, and the other end side direction of the camera unit is the opening direction of the viewing window of the viewfinder unit. It is characterized by being.

  Further, in the video camera of the present invention, the camera unit has a relative rotation state of the camera unit in which the gripping direction of the main body gripping unit is disposed in the same direction as the opening direction of the opening of the lens unit. And detecting the relative rotation state of the camera unit by the detection unit, and the monitor unit displays the video image captured by the lens unit in reverse video. .

  Further, the video camera of the present invention is capable of relatively rotating the first casing provided with the recording / reproducing unit, the second casing provided with the lens unit, and the first casing and the second casing. A pivot mechanism that is integrally connected to the first casing, and both ends of the rotating mechanism are locked and installed, the back of the hand addressed to the first casing is inserted, and the posture change of the addressed hand is changed. A strap member for holding down, and a monitor unit provided on the second casing so that the screen orientation can be adjusted, and the rotating mechanism includes an insertion direction with respect to the strap member of the hand addressed to the first casing. The first casing is integrally connected to the second casing so as to be able to rotate forward and backward, with the relative rotation position where the optical axis direction of the lens section intersects at a substantially right angle as a reference position. This The features.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the rotating mechanism rotates the first casing from the reference position state in the forward direction with respect to the second casing, and is determined by the optical axis direction of the lens unit. The photographing direction and the insertion direction of the hand with respect to the strap member are substantially the same direction, and the first casing is rotated in the opposite direction with respect to the second casing from the reference position state, so that the lens portion The first casing is rotated with respect to the second casing so that a photographing direction determined by an optical axis direction and a hand insertion direction with respect to the strap member are substantially opposite to each other.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the first casing is inserted into the strap member with a back of the hand, and a start / stop switch according to the finger position of the hand addressed to the first casing, A zoom switch is arranged.

  In the video camera of the present invention, a viewfinder portion is provided in the second casing in a direction opposite to a photographing direction determined by an optical axis direction of the lens portion lens portion.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the first casing and the second casing are formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape having substantially the same size, and are arranged in the thickness direction of each casing via the rotation mechanism. The video camera main body is configured by being integrally connected.

  Furthermore, in the video camera of the present invention, the first casing and the second casing are characterized in that each edge of the thin rectangular parallelepiped shape substantially overlaps when viewed in the thickness direction in the reference position state.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the width of the video camera main body formed by combining the thickness dimension of the first casing and the thickness dimension of the second casing is other than the thickness dimension of the first casing. Or a height dimension and a length dimension of the video camera body defined by a dimension other than the thickness dimension of the second casing alone.

  In the video camera of the present invention, the center position of the rotation facing surface of the first casing with respect to the second casing, and the center position of the rotation facing surface of the second casing with respect to the first casing; The first casing and the second casing are connected to each other through the rotation mechanism so as to match the rotation center position of the rotation mechanism.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first casing that constitutes the main body gripping part is arranged in parallel to the second casing that constitutes the camera part, and is relatively rotated with respect to the second casing. By being configured to be integrally connected, the angle between the forearm of the hand that supports the video camera body and the palm (the angle at which the wrist is bent) when the photographer shoots in any shooting posture ) In the vicinity of 180 degrees, it is possible to ensure a natural gripping posture (supporting posture) of the video camera body.

  In any shooting posture, the positional relationship of the operation switches such as a start / stop switch and a zoom switch that are operated at the time of shooting with respect to the hand supporting the video camera body 2 is not changed, and these operation switches are operated. In this case, since it is not necessary to move the operation finger of the supporting hand greatly, there is no risk of erroneous switch operation, and the video camera main body 2 can be stably operated while being firmly supported.

Hereinafter, a video camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the video camera of the present embodiment as viewed from the lens unit side.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the video camera of the present embodiment as viewed from the viewfinder side.
FIG. 3 is a rear surface on the viewfinder side of the video camera according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the video camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a video camera body 2 in which a lens unit 10, a recording / playback unit 12, a viewfinder 14, a screen monitor 16, and the like are integrally provided. .

The video camera body 2 has a configuration in which a first casing 3 and a second casing 4 are connected to each other so as to be relatively rotatable by a rotation mechanism described later, and are integrated.
In the case of the present embodiment, the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 both have a rectangular parallelepiped thin box shape. And the 1st casing 3 and the 2nd casing 4 are along the short side direction (namely, thickness direction of a box) about one side in the side which forms the thickness of a thin box. It consists of the thin box body of the deformed rectangular parallelepiped shape which has the curved curved surfaces 3a and 4a.

  The video camera main body 2 includes the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 that are formed of such a thin rectangular parallelepiped-shaped thin box, and the flat surfaces that are continuous with the curved surfaces 3a and 4a, that is, respectively. The thin box-shaped end faces are opposed to each other, and are connected so as to be relatively rotatable by a rotation mechanism.

  In the first casing 3 of the video camera main body 2 having such a shape, the video data taken in the casing, for example, a video tape, a DVC (Digital Video Cassette), a memory card, a video disk, a hard disk drive, etc. A recording / reproducing unit 12 is provided for recording on the storage medium and for reproducing the video data stored in the storage medium. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, various operation switches 20 for photographing are provided on the casing surface.

  On the other hand, the second casing 4 has a lens opening 5 formed on one side surface 4b of the side surfaces 4b and 4d facing each other across the side surface that is the curved surface 4a, and the other side surface. A viewfinder viewing window 6 is formed at 4d. The lens portion opening 5 and the viewfinder viewing window 6 are arranged close to the side surfaces of the side surfaces 4b and 4d that are the curved surfaces 4a.

  In the second casing 4, a lens unit 10 having a photographic lens, a CCD image sensor, and the like is disposed so that the photographic lens faces the lens unit opening 5, and a small liquid crystal display element A viewfinder 14 for confirming a captured image provided with a viewing lens is arranged so that the viewing lens faces the viewfinder viewing window 6.

  A side surface 4b of the second casing 4 where the lens opening 5 is formed is provided with a standard microphone 8 for collecting video and audio, and the side surface of the second casing 4 is the curved surface 4a. An optional component mounting portion 9 on which an optional component such as a zoom microphone can be mounted is formed on the lens portion opening 5 side.

  The video camera body 2 including the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 is in a rotating state in which the side surfaces that are the curved surfaces 3a and 4a are directed in the same direction, that is, the reference shown in FIGS. In the position state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the side surfaces 3c and 4c opposite to the curved surfaces 3a and 4a are flat to form the mounting surface (bottom surface) 2C of the video camera body 2. In addition, the curved surfaces 3a, 4a described above form a top surface (upper surface) 2A of the video camera body 2. Similarly, in this reference position state, as shown in FIG. 1, the side surface 4b of the second casing 4 provided with the lens opening 5 and the side surface of the first casing 3 facing in the same direction as this side surface. 3b forms the front surface 2B of the video camera body 2, and similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side surface 4d of the second casing 4 provided with the viewfinder viewing window 6 and the side surface 4d. The side surface 3d of the first casing 3 facing in the same direction as 4d forms the rear surface 2D of the video camera body 2.

  In this reference position state, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface 3 e of the first casing 3 opposite to the rotation facing surface of the second casing 4 is one of the video camera body 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the surface 4 f of the second casing 4 opposite to the rotationally opposed surface of the second casing 4 is the other lateral surface 2 F of the video camera body 2. Form.

  In addition, the surface 3e of the first casing 3 forming one lateral surface 2E of the video camera body 2 has a palm of a photographer supporting the video camera body 2 as shown in FIGS. It is the palm contact surface to be addressed. Therefore, on the surface 3e of the first casing 3, strap members 30 are respectively attached to a pair of locking members 31 provided on both sides thereof in the front-rear direction on the bottom surface 2C side of the video camera body 2. , Has been built. That is, the strap member 30 indicates the direction in which the palm of the photographer supporting the video camera main body 2 is directed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3, that is, the gripping direction H. It is defined in relation to the arrangement position of the switch 23.

  Here, in the video camera 1 of the present embodiment, in the reference position state as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the gripping direction H is substantially the shooting direction X, that is, the optical axis direction xx of the lens unit 110. It intersects at right angles, and is directed from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction zz of the first casing 3 and the second casing 4.

  The portion of the surface 3e of the first casing 3 extending from the upper side of the strap member 30 to the curved surface 3a forms a lid portion 7 that can be opened and closed, and the storage medium is stored in the recording / reproducing portion 12 of the first casing 3. It is configured to be removable.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, various operation switches 20 for photographing are configured on the side surface 3d of the first casing 3 constituting the rear surface 2B of the video camera body 2. Start / stop switch 21 to perform, viewing mode of image data recorded on a recording medium such as shooting mode (camera mode) and recorded image viewing mode (for example, VTR viewing, DVC (Digital Video Cassette) viewing, memory card viewing, etc.) ) Mode changeover switch 22 and the like.

  Further, on the curved surface 3a of the first casing 3 constituting the top surface 2A of the video camera body 2, a zoom switch 23 and the like constituting various operation switches 20 for photographing are provided.

  On the other hand, on the surface 4f of the second casing 4 that forms the other lateral surface 2F of the video camera main body 2, the image data to be imaged is confirmed and displayed at the time of shooting in the same way as the viewfinder 14. A screen monitor 16 for reproducing and displaying the video data recorded on the recording medium of the reproducing unit 12 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the screen monitor 16 is attached to the second casing 4 with the edge 16p on the lens opening 5 side as the base end side and the edge 16q on the viewfinder viewing window 6 side as the swing end side. On the other hand, it is attached so as to be able to swing. As a result of the swinging operation of the screen monitor 16, the edge portion 16 q is brought close to / separated from the second casing 4, so that a monitor screen constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display element is separated from the second casing 4 in FIG. It is configured to appear and disappear as shown by a chain line, or hidden in the second casing 4 as shown by a solid line.

  Further, the screen monitor 16 can be rotated around an axis connecting the base end and the swing end in the state where the above-described monitor screen indicated by an arrow 16 'appears in FIG. Thus, the orientation of the displayed monitor screen can be rotationally adjusted with respect to the second casing 4.

  The second casing 4 is provided with gravitational direction detection means 18 (see FIG. 1), and the gravitational direction detection means 18 is a video camera body with respect to the gravitational direction of the second casing 4. The upside-down state of the second casing 4 is detected in which the curved surface 4a forming the second top surface 2A faces downward and the side surface 4c forming the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2 faces upward.

  A switch 40 provided above the screen monitor 16 of the second casing 4 is used for operations such as playback / stop playback / fast forward / rewind when video data recorded on the recording medium is played back on the monitor screen. Switch.

  In the video camera 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the first casing 3 in which the recording / reproducing unit 12 is accommodated and the start / stop switch 21 and zoom switch 23 for photographing are provided. However, the main body holding part of the video camera main body 2 is constituted, and the second casing 4 in which the lens part 10 is accommodated constitutes the camera part of the video camera main body 2. In addition, a viewfinder 14 and a screen monitor 16 are provided in the camera section of the video camera body 2.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the width dimension of the video camera body 2 in which the first casing 3 having the thin box structure and the second casing 4 having the thin box structure are overlapped in the thickness direction. Ww is configured to be shorter than the length dimension Wl and the height dimension Wh of the video camera body 2.

  Then, the main body gripping portion constituted by the first casing 3 of the video camera main body 2 rotates as described below with respect to the camera portion constituted by the second casing 4 provided with the screen monitor 16. The mechanism is configured to be integrally held so as to be relatively rotatable with a constant rotation torque.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a rotation mechanism in the video camera of the present embodiment.
The rotating mechanism 50 is fixed to the first fixing plate 51 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) provided to be fixed to the rotating facing surface of the first casing 3 and the rotating facing surface of the second casing 4. The second fixing plate 52 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) provided in this manner is rotatably engaged.

  The first fixing plate 51 has a circular hole 54 into which the sliding spacer 53 is fitted in the center portion, and an annular presser fitting 55 is provided on the surface facing the second fixing plate 52. And coaxial. The presser fitting 55 has a stepped plate shape in which the outer peripheral side portion is shifted in the axial direction with respect to the inner peripheral side portion, and the inner peripheral side portion is brought into contact with the plate surface of the first fixing plate 51. The outer peripheral side portion is separated from the plate surface of the first fixed plate 51, and an engagement space of the sliding plate 58 described later is formed between the first fixed plate 51 and the plate surface. Form. An annular sliding torque plate 56 is provided on the first fixing plate 51 side of the outer peripheral side portion of the presser fitting 55 so as to be in sliding contact with a sliding plate 58 to be described later to generate a sliding torque. On the opposite side of the second fixing plate 52, a click plate 57 constituted by, for example, a leaf spring is provided.

  On the other hand, on the second fixing plate 52, an annular sliding plate 58 is fixed to the surface opposite to the first fixing plate 51 so that the axial center position thereof corresponds to the first fixing plate 51 and the shaft of the presser fitting. Has been provided. The sliding plate 58 has a stepped plate shape in which an inner peripheral portion thereof is shifted in the axial direction with respect to the outer peripheral portion, and the outer peripheral portion is brought into contact with the plate surface of the first fixed plate 51. The inner peripheral side portion is separated from the plate surface of the second fixing plate 52 and enters the engagement space formed by the presser fitting 55. The inner peripheral side portion of the sliding torque plate 56 is urged and guided by the above-described sliding spacer 53 so as to be in sliding contact with the sliding torque plate 56 provided on the presser fitting 55.

  Further, a plurality of engagement holes 59 are provided on the plate surface of the second fixing plate 52 so as to correspond to the click plate 57 provided in the presser fitting 55, and the tapered portion 57 a of the click plate 57 is engaged. Thus, the relative rotation position of both the fixing plates 51 and 52 can be held.

  In addition, a spiral connection wiring made of an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) is provided on the sliding spacer 53 located on the inner peripheral side of the presser fitting 55 and the sliding plate 58 and facing the second fixed plate 52. 60 is provided so that the axis of the spiral portion is the same as the rotation axis of the fixed plates 51 and 52. One end of the connection wiring 60 is connected to a circuit board provided in the first casing 3 through an insertion port (not shown) provided in the sliding spacer 53, and the other end is connected to the second fixing. The board 52 is connected to a circuit board provided in the second casing 4 through an insertion port (not shown) provided in the plate 52. The connection wiring 60 has a first rotation according to the change in the position angle of the two insertion openings described above based on the relative rotation of the fixing plates 51 and 52, that is, the relative rotation between the first casing 3 and the second casing 4. The circuit board 3 and the second casing 4 can be electrically connected to each other with respect to relative rotation between the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 by entering / exiting the inside of the second casing 4 via the insertion port. keep.

  In the video camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the first rotation centering on the rotation axis of the rotation mechanism 50 described above (that is, the relative rotation center of both the fixing plates 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 4) oo. The casing 3 and the second casing 4 are rotatable relative to each other.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of relative rotation between the first casing and the second casing in the video camera of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the video camera body 2 including the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 has the reference surfaces shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the curved surfaces 3a and 4a facing in the same direction. In the position state, that is, in the relative rotation position state in which the insertion direction H with respect to the strap member 30 of the hand addressed to the first casing 3 and the optical axis direction xx of the lens unit 10 intersect at a substantially right angle, When the second casing 4 constituting the video camera body 2 is considered fixed, the first casing 3 is centered on the rotation axis oo of the rotation mechanism 50 with respect to the second casing 4. As shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the video camera 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described based on the drawings.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a gripping state of the video camera according to the present embodiment.

  In the video camera 1 of the present embodiment, the photographer accommodates the recording / reproducing unit 12 constituting the video camera body 2 when taking a picture, and includes a start / stop switch 21 and a zoom switch 23 for taking a picture. The entire video camera body 2 can be obtained only by gripping only the first casing 3 among the first casing 3 provided with the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 in which the lens unit 10 and the viewfinder 14 are accommodated. Can be supported.

  As a method of gripping the first casing 3, the photographer can face the curved surface 3 a constituting the top surface 2 </ b> A of the video camera body 2 from the side surface 3 c constituting the bottom surface 2 </ b> C of the video camera body 2. The four fingers except the thumb of the supporting hand and the back of the hand are inserted through the strap member 30. Then, the photographer places his / her palm on the surface 3e of the first casing 3 that constitutes the lateral surface 2E of the video camera body 2 and serves as a palm contact surface.

  In this state, the first casing 3 is grasped so that four fingers other than the thumb inserted through the strap member 30 are hung along the curved surface 3a of the first casing 3, and the addressed hand The thumb is turned around the outside of the strap member 30, and the belly portion of the thumb is brought into contact with the side surface 3e of the first casing 3 constituting the rear surface 2E of the video camera body 2.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the strap member 30 extends between the supported thumb and forefinger and straddles the back of the hand, so that the palm is placed on the surface 3 e of the first casing 3. The video camera main body 2 can be firmly gripped only by gripping the first casing 3 while the back of the hand addressed to is held by the strap member 30.

  Furthermore, since the start / stop switch 21 and the mode change switch 22 used at the time of shooting are arranged on the side surface 3d of the first casing 3 to which the thumb of the gripped hand is attached, the photographer grips it. By simply moving the fingertip of the thumb of the hand, these switches 21 and 22 can be operated in a state in which the change in the posture of the hand addressed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3 is minimized.

  Similarly, the zoom switch 23 used for photographing is also arranged on the curved surface 3a of the first casing 3 to which a finger other than the thumb of the grasped hand is attached. Only by moving a fingertip other than the thumb, the switch 23 can be operated in a state where the change in the posture of the hand addressed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3 is minimized.

  Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the hand supporting the first casing 3 also extends the palm with the forearm without twisting the wrist and bending the wrist almost against the forearm. The video camera body 2 can be supported in a natural state in which the angle between the forearm and the palm is maintained at approximately 180 degrees.

  The video camera body 2 has a configuration in which the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 are each a thin box having a deformed rectangular parallelepiped shape, and end surfaces intersecting with the thin thickness direction are connected so as to be relatively rotatable. And the recording / reproducing unit 12 on which the recording medium is mounted is housed in the first casing 3 on the side gripped by the photographer. Can be brought closer to the palm side of the hand holding the hand and the burden on the palm and wrist can be suppressed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the rotation adjustment relationship between the first casing as the main body gripping portion and the second casing as the camera portion, taking a typical photographing posture as an example.
7A shows the rotation adjustment relationship in each direction in normal posture shooting, and FIG. 7B shows the rotation adjustment relationship in each direction in high posture shooting. ) Shows the rotation adjustment relationship in each direction in low-position shooting.

  According to the video camera 1 of the present embodiment, the first casing 3 as the main body gripping part is adjusted to an arbitrary angular relationship relative to the second casing 4 as the camera part. it can. Therefore, in accordance with each photographing posture, the forearm of the first casing 3 is directed to the posture position of the second casing 4 defined by the photographing direction X without twisting the wrist of the supporting hand. By extending the palm in the same direction as the direction in which the forearm extends, and adjusting the rotation so that the forearm and the palm are in a natural state, the photographer 200 can The video camera body 2 can be gripped firmly without excessive posture.

  For example, when shooting in a normal posture, that is, when the photographer 200 supports the video camera body 2 at the height position hf of his / her face and shoots a shooting target, the first casing 3 as the body gripping portion is Rotation adjustment is performed as shown in FIG. 7A so that the forearm and the palm shown in FIG. 6 are in a natural state.

  That is, if the shooting direction X is, for example, the horizontal direction, the surface direction of the side surface 4c of the second casing 4 constituting the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2 also extends in the horizontal direction. The first casing 3 is rotated and adjusted with respect to the second casing 4 so that the side surface 3c of the first casing 3 constituting the first casing 3 is substantially parallel to the side surface 4c of the second casing 4.

  Based on this rotation adjustment, the gripping direction H indicating the direction in which the photographer's palm supporting the video camera body 2 is directed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3 is the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2. Is directed from the side surface 4c side of the second casing 4 constituting the vertical direction of the second casing 4 toward the side surface 4a constituting the top surface 2A of the video camera body 2.

  Accordingly, in the state where the elbow is bent at approximately 90 degrees from the relationship between the face height position hf of the photographer 200 himself as the height position in the photographing direction X and his shoulder height position, FIG. The first casing 3 can be gripped with the forearm and palm shown in the natural state, and the video camera body 2 can be supported in an easy posture that does not place a burden on the shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. .

  In this case, the captured image is confirmed by the viewfinder 14 or from the second casing 4 as shown by reference numeral 16 'in FIG. This is performed toward the viewfinder side (that is, the side surface 4d side of the second casing 4 constituting the rear surface 2D of the video camera body 2) so as to cross at a substantially right angle with respect to the shooting direction X).

  Further, when performing high-position shooting, that is, when the photographer 200 supports the video camera body 2 at a height position hh higher than the height position hf of his / her face, The first casing 3 is rotated and adjusted as shown in FIG. 7B so that the forearm and the palm shown in FIG. 6 are in a natural state.

  That is, if the shooting direction X is, for example, the horizontal direction, the surface direction of the side surface 4c of the second casing 4 constituting the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2 also extends in the horizontal direction. The side surface 3c of the first casing 3 that constitutes the side surface 3d side of the second casing 4 is higher than the side surface 4c of the second casing 4, and the side surface 3b side portion of the first casing 3 is higher than the side surface 4c of the second casing 4. The rotation is adjusted with respect to the side surface 4c of the second casing 4 so as to be lowered.

  Based on this rotation adjustment, the gripping direction H indicating the direction in which the palm of the photographer supporting the video camera body 2 is directed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3 is the rear surface of the video camera body 2. The lens portion 10 (lens portion opening 5) of the second casing 4 constituting the front surface of the video camera body 2 faces from the lower side of the side surface 4d where the viewfinder viewing window 6 of the second casing 4 to be formed is formed. It will face in the upward diagonal direction of the second casing 4 toward the upper side of the side surface 4b.

  Accordingly, the elbow is extended to about 180 degrees from the relationship between the height position hh higher than the face height position hf of the photographer 200 himself as the height position in the photographing direction X and the shoulder height position of the photographer 200. In this state, the first casing 3 can be gripped while the forearm and palm shown in FIG. 6 are in a natural state, and the video camera body 2 can be held in an easy posture without placing a burden on the shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. Can be supported.

  In this case, confirmation of the photographed image is made from the second casing 4 in the horizontal direction (ie, corresponding to the photographing direction X in this case) as indicated by reference numeral 16 'in FIG. The monitor screen is inclined obliquely downward with respect to a state facing the viewfinder side (that is, the side surface 4d side of the second casing 4 constituting the rear surface 2D of the video camera body 2) so as to cross at a substantially right angle. That is, it is performed by rotating the second casing 4 so that the monitor screen faces in the direction in which the arm of the photographer 200 extends.

  Further, when performing low-profile shooting, that is, when the photographer 200 supports the video camera body 2 at a height position hl lower than the height position hf of his / her face, The first casing 3 is rotated and adjusted as shown in FIG. 7C so that the forearm and the palm shown in FIG. 6 are in a natural state.

  That is, if the shooting direction X is, for example, the horizontal direction, the surface direction of the side surface 4c of the second casing 4 constituting the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2 also extends in the horizontal direction. The side surface 3c of the first casing 3 that constitutes the side surface 3d of the side surface 3d is higher than the side surface 4c of the second casing 4, and the side surface 3b side portion is also higher than the side surface 4c of the second casing 4. The rotation is adjusted with respect to the side surface 4c of the second casing 4 so that the front and rear direction of the side surface 3c is reversed so as to be higher.

  Based on this rotation adjustment, the gripping direction H indicating the direction in which the palm of the photographer supporting the video camera body 2 is directed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3 is the rear surface of the video camera body 2. The lens part 10 (lens part opening 5) of the second casing 4 constituting the front surface of the video camera main body 2 from the upper side on the side surface 4d side where the viewfinder viewing window 6 of the second casing 4 to be formed is formed. The second casing 4 is directed downward diagonally toward the lower side of the facing side surface 4b.

  Accordingly, the elbow is extended to about 180 degrees from the relationship between the height position hl lower than the face height position hf of the photographer 200 himself as the height position in the photographing direction X and the shoulder height position of the photographer 200 himself. In this state, the first casing 3 can be gripped while the forearm and palm shown in FIG. 6 are in a natural state, and the video camera body 2 can be held in an easy posture without placing a burden on the shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. Can be supported. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, it is possible to perform low-profile photographing with the waist extended without forcibly bending the waist as shown in FIG. 10C.

  In this case, confirmation of the photographed image is made from the second casing 4 in the horizontal direction (ie, corresponding to the photographing direction X in this case) as indicated by reference numeral 16 'in FIG. The monitor screen is obliquely upward relative to the viewfinder side (that is, the side surface 4d side of the second casing 4 constituting the rear surface 2D of the video camera body 2) so as to cross at a substantially right angle. That is, it is performed by rotating the second casing 4 so that the monitor screen faces in the direction in which the arm of the photographer 200 extends.

  Further, in the case of face-to-face shooting in which the lens unit 10 is directed toward the photographer 200 itself, according to the video camera 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the shoulder, elbow, wrist, etc. It can be done in an easy posture that does not place a burden on

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the rotation adjustment relationship between the first casing as the main body gripping part and the second casing as the camera part in the case of face-to-face photography.
When face-to-face shooting is performed, the first casing 3 as the main body gripping portion is rotated and adjusted as shown in FIG. 7C so that the forearm portion and the palm shown in FIG. 6 are in a natural state. To do.

  That is, if the shooting direction X is, for example, a horizontal direction, in this case, the side surface 3c of the first casing 3 constituting the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2 is the second side constituting the front surface of the video camera body 2. The first casing 3 is rotated and adjusted with respect to the second casing 4 so as to be substantially parallel to the side surface 4b where the lens portion opening 5 of the casing 4 is formed.

  Based on this rotation adjustment, the gripping direction H indicating the direction in which the palm of the photographer supporting the video camera body 2 is directed to the surface 3e of the first casing 3 is the front surface of the video camera body 2. From the side surface 4b side where the lens portion opening 5 of the second casing 4 is formed to the side surface 4d side where the viewfinder viewing window 6 of the second casing 4 constituting the rear surface of the video camera body 2 is formed. , Opposite to the shooting direction X.

  6 shows a state in which the elbow is extended approximately 180 degrees from the relationship between the face height position hf of the photographer 200 himself as the height position in the photographing direction X and his shoulder height position. The first casing 3 can be gripped with the forearm and the palm in a natural state, and the video camera body 2 can be supported in an easy posture that does not impose a burden on the shoulder, elbow, wrist and the like.

  In this case, confirmation of the photographed image is made from the second casing 4 in the horizontal direction (ie, corresponding to the photographing direction X in this case) as indicated by reference numeral 16 'in FIG. The shooting direction X is opposite to the viewfinder side (that is, the side surface 2d side of the second casing 4 constituting the rear surface 2D of the video camera body 2) so as to cross at a substantially right angle to the camera. Thus, the second casing 4 is rotated so that the monitor screen is directed in the opposite direction from the viewfinder 14 side to the opposite lens unit 10 side.

  At that time, the monitor screen of the screen monitor 16 is turned upside down. In this case, the gravity direction detecting means 18 provided in the second casing 4 shown in FIG. By detecting the inverted state of the second casing 4 in which the side surface 4c constituting the bottom surface 2C of the video camera body 2 is above the side surface 4a constituting the top surface 2A of the video camera body 2, In other words, the captured image displayed on the monitor screen of the screen monitor 16 is inverted and displayed. Therefore, even if the monitor screen is turned upside down, the captured image can be confirmed without any problem.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the gripping direction showing the direction in which the palm of the photographer supporting the video camera body 2 is addressed in the video camera of the present embodiment.
When the second casing 4 constituting the video camera body 2 is fixed and the first casing 3 is rotated with respect to the second casing 4, the gripping direction H is as shown in FIG. The second casing 4 can be adjusted to the side surface 4b side, the side surface 4c side, the side surface 4d side, and any direction between these side surfaces. In the case of the video camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the first casing 4 The casing 3 is rotatable relative to the second casing 4 within a range exceeding 180 degrees.

  As described above, according to the video camera 1 of the present embodiment, the video camera main body 2 can be gripped with the forearm and the palm shown in FIG. The first casing 3 as a part can be gripped, and the video camera body 2 can be supported in an easy posture that does not put a burden on the shoulder, elbow, wrist and the like.

  Furthermore, according to the video camera 1 of the present embodiment, the start / stop switch 21, the mode switch 22, and the zoom switch that are operated at the time of shooting for the hand that supports the video camera body 2 regardless of the shooting posture. Since the positional relationship of the operation switch 20 such as 23 does not change, there is no possibility of erroneous switch operation.

  In addition, the screen monitor 16 is provided in the second casing 4 as the camera unit, not the first casing 3 as the main body gripping part, so as to be swingable and rotatable. Is determined, the first casing 3 as the main body gripping part and the screen monitor 16 can be independently rotated and adjusted with respect to the second casing 4 as the camera part that defines the shooting direction X. Therefore, adjustment of the grip direction (gripping direction) of the first casing 3 and the screen direction of the screen monitor 16 at the time of shooting is easy without being complicated, and the second casing 4 is previously set before taking a shooting posture. It can also be adjusted.

  Furthermore, the standard microphone 8 that collects video and audio and the optional component mounting portion 9 to which optional components such as a zoom microphone can be mounted are provided in the second casing 4 as a camera unit that defines the shooting direction X. Therefore, there is no problem in collecting sound due to the difference in the shooting posture.

The video camera 1 of the present embodiment is as described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, the operation switch 20 such as the start / stop switch 21, the mode change switch 22, the zoom switch 23, and the like with respect to the side surface 3 a and the side surface 3 d of the first casing 3 is not the arrangement of the above-described embodiment. The stop switch 21 may be disposed on the side surface 3a, and the zoom switch 23 may be disposed on the side surface 3d.

The recording / reproducing unit 12 also records video data in any one or more of storage media such as video tape, DVC (Digital Video Cassette), memory card, video disk, hard disk drive, and the like. In other words, a small and lightweight recording medium such as a memory card may be provided in the second casing 4 as long as it has a configuration capable of reproducing recorded video data.
Further, the shapes of the first casing 3 and the second casing 4 are not limited to a thin rectangular parallelepiped, and various shapes such as a thin cylindrical body can be applied.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the video camera of this Embodiment from the lens part side. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the video camera of this Embodiment from the viewfinder side. It is a rear surface of the viewfinder side of the video camera of the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of the rotation mechanism in the video camera of this Embodiment. It is relative rotation explanatory drawing of the 1st casing and the 2nd casing in the video camera of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the holding state of the video camera of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the rotation adjustment relationship of the 1st casing as a main body holding part and the 2nd casing as a camera part which used the typical imaging | photography attitude | position as an example. It is explanatory drawing of the rotation adjustment relationship of the 1st casing as a main body holding part, and the 2nd casing as a camera part in the case of face-to-face photography of the video camera of this Embodiment. In the video camera of this Embodiment, it is explanatory drawing of the holding direction which showed the direction where the photographer's palm which supports the video camera main body 2 is addressed. It is explanatory drawing of the typical imaging | photography attitude | position with the video camera of the shooting system which the screen monitor of a prior art moves. It is explanatory drawing of the holding | grip state of the main body support part by the photographer in normal attitude | position imaging | photography and low attitude | position imaging | photography of the video camera shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video camera 2 Video camera main body 3 1st casing 4 2nd casing 5 Lens part opening part 6 Viewfinder inspection window 7 Cover part 8 Microphone 9 Optional component mounting part 10 Lens part 12 Recording / reproducing part 14 Viewfinder 16 Screen monitor 18 Gravity direction detection means 20 Operation switch 21 Start / stop switch 22 Mode switch 23 Zoom switch 30 Strap member 31 Locking member

Claims (8)

A box-shaped first casing provided with a recording / reproducing unit and having a pair of end surfaces and a side surface connecting between the pair of end surfaces;
A box-shaped second casing provided with a lens portion and a viewfinder portion, and having a pair of end surfaces and a side surface connecting between the pair of end surfaces;
An operation switch provided on a side surface of the first casing;
A monitor unit provided on one end surface of the second casing so that the screen orientation can be adjusted;
One end surface of the first casing and the other end surface of the second casing are opposed to each other, and a predetermined portion facing the gripping direction of the first casing on the side surface of the first casing is disposed on the first casing . as can be positioned toward the same direction and the opposite direction to the predetermined portion of the opening of the lens portion on the side surface of the second casing face, integrally said first casing turnably relative to the second casing A pivoting mechanism to be connected to each other ,
The relative rotation state of the second casing with respect to the first casing is arranged such that the predetermined portion on the side surface of the first casing faces the same direction as the predetermined portion on the side surface of the second casing. Detection means to detect
With
The video camera , wherein the monitor unit is configured to receive the detection output of the detection unit and to invert and display an image captured by the lens unit . It said predetermined portion opposite to the gripping direction of the side surface of the first casing, according to claim 1, wherein the video camera, characterized in that a side portion defined by the relationship between the operation switch. The video camera according to claim 2 , wherein the operation switch is at least one of a start / stop switch and a zoom switch. 4. The video camera body according to claim 1, wherein the first casing and the second casing are integrally connected so as to be rotatable via the rotation mechanism. 5. Video camera. 5. The video camera according to claim 4, wherein each of the first casing and the second casing is formed of a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape having substantially the same size as each box. Wherein a thickness dimension of the based on the side surface of the first casing first casing, the width of the second of the second video camera made by combining the thickness of the casing according to one aspect of the casing, The height dimension and the length dimension of the video camera body defined based on one or the other end face of the first casing or one or the other end face of the second casing are shorter than the height dimension and the length dimension of the video camera body. 5. The video camera according to 5 . The center position of the rotation facing surface of the first casing relative to the second casing, the center position of the rotation facing surface of the second casing relative to the first casing, and the rotation center of the rotation mechanism. The video camera according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the first casing and the second casing are coupled to each other via the rotating mechanism so as to match each other. . On the other end surface of the first casing, a strap member through which the back of the addressed hand is inserted locks both ends in order to suppress the posture change of the address addressed to the first casing from the gripping direction. Has been erected
The video camera according to claim 1, wherein

Images