WO1997015781A1

WO1997015781A1 - Optical instrument support

Info

Publication number: WO1997015781A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/002608
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Slinger
Original assignee: David Slinger
Priority date: 1995-10-24
Filing date: 1996-10-24
Publication date: 1997-05-01
Also published as: AU7317796A; GB2306295B; GB2306295A; GB9521785D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a support (2) for supporting an optical instrument, more particularly a camcorder (30), during use. The device is substantially U-shaped, and has side limbs (4, 6) which rest on the user's shoulders during use. One side limb (4) is longer than the other, and the longer side limb carries a grip member (24) and means (18, 20) for supporting the optical instrument. The position of the optical instrument on the device can be adjusted. The cross-limb (8) rests behind the user's neck, and carries means (26, 28) for counterbalancing the weight of the optical instrument. These means may be a counterweight (28), or a strap connecting the device to the user's belt or waistband. Rotatable joints may be provided in the device, allowing it to be transformed into a monopod.

Description

OPTICAL INSTRUMENT SUPPORT

The present invention relates to a support for an optical instrument, particularly, but not exclusively, a camera, and more particularly a video camera or camcorder, during use. Camcorders have become increasingly popular over the past few years. These devices are normally held and operated with one hand. However, camcorders can be relatively heavy, most being around 2kg in weight. Holding a camcorder in a recording position, although initially easy, becomes steadily more difficult as the muscles of the arm, wrist and hand become fatigued. It is thus extremely difficult to maintain a camcorder in a recording position for any prolonged period, and the user will need to rest his arm after a short time, which leads to breaks in the recording. Further, the user's arm, wrist and hand will start to shake as they become fatigued, leading to an unsteady picture. This is particularly inconvenient when recording lengthy events, for example weddings, air displays and the like. These problems can be overcome by mounting the camera on a tripod or monopod. However, these devices restrict the possible degrees of motion of the camera, and tracking shots and rapid camera motions, which may be required to keep a fast-moving object such as an aeroplane in shot, are very difficult to achieve. Such restrictions can be a serious disadvantage. Furthermore, tripods in particular can be rather cumbersome to move from position to position. The present invention seeks to provide a lightweight camera support which will allow a user a full range of camera motions, with virtually fatigue free filming. According to the invention, there is provided a support for an optical instrument for positioning on a user's shoulder, comprising means for supporting the optical instrument in front of the user in front of the user and means which, in use, are arranged behind the user to counterbalance the weight of the instrument, the support being generally U-shaped, having side limbs which, in use, rest on the user's shoulders and a cross- limb which is arranged behind the user. Thus, in accordance with the invention, a counterbalancing force for the instrument, such as a video camera, is provided by means arranged behind the user. This reduces the effective weight of the optical instrument to allow prolonged operation by a user with little fatigue. The term "counterbalance" is intended to mean that at least some of the weight of the optical instrument is balanced. It has been found that it may be preferable not to balance the weight exactly, but rather to leave some of the weight unbalanced, as the user then has a better "feel" of the optical instrument. The balance can be adjusted by the user moving the support back and forth on his or her shoulders, to achieve the desired "feel".

Further, as the support is adapted to rest on both of the user's shoulders, such an arrangement has the advantage of steadying the instrument, particularly in rotation about an axis extending in the direction of the outer side limbs, and also means that when not in use, the support may easily be carried around the user's neck. The instrument may be mounted on one of the side limbs and the counterbalance means provided on the cross-limb.

The side limbs preferably include straight sections which are parallel to each other, and which rest on the user's shoulders when in use. This will allow the support to be moved backwards and forward to effect a suitable balance without changing the vertical position of the instrument. Preferably the end of the side limb which mounts the instrument is offset downwardly relative to the shoulder-engaging sections to facilitate positioning the instrument in front of the user's eyes. Preferably, the cross-limb is offset downwardly from the plane of the shoulder-engaging sections of the support so that the support may more easily be supported around a user's neck when not in use.

The side limbs may be of differing lengths, and preferably it is the longer side limb that supports the instrument. This will facilitate access to the instrument and reduce the weight of the support.

Preferably, the instrument is supported on a mount which is itself adjustably mounted on the support. More preferably, the mount is slidably and/or rotatably mounted on a side limb, and may be locked in a selected position thereon. Most preferably, the mount comprises a plate or the like mounted on a cross-bar or the like mounted to the side limb of the support. The cross-bar may be slidable and rotatable on the side limb, and the plate or the like may be adjustably mounted on the cross-bar. The plate or the like is adapted to engage a foot component which is fitted to the base of the optical instrument, for example a camcorder. The adjustable nature of the mount allows the instrument to be brought into a desired position in front of a user's face, and can form part of the counterbalance adjustment system.

A grip member may be rotatably mounted at the end of the side limb supporting the instrument, and the grip member may also be rotatable, for example around its own axis, so that it may be gripped comfortably by a user. The grip member may also be mounted on the instrument mount, for example at the end of the cross-bar or the like.

The counterbalance means may comprise a weight or weights. The weights may be removably mounted to allow different weights to be used to counterbalance differently weighted instruments. In the preferred arrangement above, the weight(s) are preferably attached to the cross-limb of the U-shaped support. The weights may be provided in a container which is removably mountable on the support.

The counterweight may be a simple weight, for example made of a dense material such as lead, optionally coated with plastic. Alternatively, the counterweight can be formed by a battery pack, which may be a 12 volt battery pack with an adaptor, supplying power for an optical instrument, such as a camcorder, needing such a power source. A specific battery pack for the optical instrument may be alternatively be used. Normally, the user must carry spare batteries in a separate bag or similar carrier. The present arrangement, however, may obviate the need for such, thereby reducing the encumbrance on the user.

Further, the battery pack may have a clip for attaching it to the support. It may also be clipped onto other items. In particular, other clips can be provided on a belt, to allow the user to carry further battery packs without greatly encumbering him.

Alternatively, the battery pack may be provided with laterally spaced straps of hook-and-eye material, such as Velcro^R™, which straps can be wrapped around the cross-limb of the support to retain the battery pack. Preferably, three straps are provided, to ensure that the battery pack is held firmly, and does not swing around relative to the support when the support is move .

In an alternative embodiment, the counterbalance means may comprise a strap, cord or other connecting member for connecting to the user's body or clothing, most preferably to a user's belt. The strap may also attach to a harness worn by the user. Preferably, the strap etc is resilient. This provideε the advantage that the resilience of the strap will allow a rocking movement of the support, while still providing a suitable counterbalance.

Preferably, for comfort, the side limbs are padded, at least around the regions engaging the user's shoulders and neck.

The support is preferably formed from a bent tubular member, for example aluminium tubing, although it may be made from a shaped moulded plastic section, or some other material if desired.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, rotatable joints may be provided in the U-shaped member generally between each of the side limbs and the cross-limb, such that the side limbs can be rotated relative to the cross-limb in order to enable the device to be transformed into a monopod. The height of the monopod so formed may be varied according to which of these joints is or are rotated. Furthermore, suitable means may be provided to rotate the camera etc. into the desired new position, for example by rotation of a cross-bar or even part of a side limb of the support. The various joints are preferably 'snap' joints which will allow the support to return to its original configuration with a minimum of manipulation. Furthermore, means may be provided which will allow the support to collapse to a more easily portable and compact configuration. For example further joints may be provided which allow the limbs of the support to assume further different positions. Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention,- Figure 2 is a perspective of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a use position,-

Figure 3 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a rest position,-

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the camera support device, in a monopod configuration;

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 shows the device of Figure 5 in an alternate configuration.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a support 2 for a video camera is generally U-shaped in plan, and is formed from a bent length of aluminium alloy tubing. The side limbs 4,6 of the support 2 are of unequal length, and are joined by a cross-limb 8. The longer side limb 4 of the U-shaped member is bent, such that its two end portions 10,12 are parallel to each other but with offset axes. The shorter side limb 6 and the end portion 10 of the longer side limb 4 which is nearer the cross-limb 8 are of approximately the same length and lie in the same plane. Further, the end of the shorter side limb 6 furthest from the cross-limb 8 is bent downwardly, out of the plane of the side limbs, and the cross-limb 8 is likewise bent downwardly, out of the plane of the side limbs. The length of the shorter side limb 6 which rests on the shoulder is about 200mm, and the support has an overall length of 650mm. The shorter side limb 6 and the portion 10 of the longer side limb 4, together with the cross-limb 8, are covered with a micro-cellular sponge padding 14 having a suitable covering to improve its appearance.

The longer side limb 4 has a mount 16 for attaching a camera to the support 2. The mount 16 is carried on a cross-bar 18 which extends outwardly from the side limb 4. The cross-bar 18 is connected to a bracket which fits around the end portion 12 of the side limb 4, and can slide along and rotate around the portion of the side limb as indicated by arrows A and B, thus affording a large range of motion. The bracket can be locked into a desired position by known means, for example by clamping the bracket onto the portion 12 of the side limb 4.

The mount comprises a camera platform 20, which is adapted to engage with a camera foot 22, which allows the camera to be mounted on the support apparatus but disengaged quickly should it be required. The camera platform 20 is slidably and rotatably mounted on the cross-bar 18 as indicated by arrows C and D, and can be locked in place in a similar fashion to the cross-bar. The cross-bar and the camera platform can be formed from aluminium alloy.

The longer side limb also has a grip 24 at its end, which can be in the form of a length of aluminium alloy tube which is rotatably mounted on the side limb, and is also rotatable around its axis, as indicated by arrows E and F. The grip member can also be formed to mould more closely to the user's hand for comfort. For example the member may be formed in two or more sections which can be moved relative to one another to assume a desired configuration.

All of the aluminium alloy components may be surface treated, for example anodized, to improve their appearance and/or durability.

The cross-limb of the U-shaped member carries a clip 26, to which a counterweight 28 is releasably mounted. Of course, other means of attaching the counterweight, such as straps of hook-and-eye material, can be provided. In order to prevent the counterweight from swinging relative to the cross-limb, which could cause the support to sway and thus lead to camera shake, it is advantageous to attach the counterweight using at least two straps, positioned at each end of the counterweight. Further straps can be provided if desired, and one particularly advantageous arrangement has a strap at each end of the counterweight and a third strap positioned centrally between the other two.

In use, as shown in Figure 2, the padded regions of the side limbs 4, 6 rest on the shoulders of a user, with the cross-limb 8 behind the user's neck and the longer side limb 4 extending in front of the user to one side. The camera 30 is attached to the support 20 by means of the camera foot 22, which attaches to the platform 20 with a quick release system. The position of the camera is adjusted to suit the user by adjusting the position of the cross-bar 18 on the portion 12 of the side limb 4 and the position of the camera platform 20. In addition, the whole support 2 can be shifted backwards and forwards on a user' s shoulders to obtain a comfortable balanced position with the optical instrument in front of the user's face ready for use.

When the support is being used, the user holds the grip section in one or both hands, and this can be used to direct and steady the camera, as shown in Figure 2. Up-and-down motions of the camera can be accomplished by rocking the support, in a see-saw fashion, on the user's shoulders, or by the user bending at the waist. Side- to-side movements and panning shots are achieved by the user turning his body. The support allows the user to move the camera in a more natural way than a tripod or monopod, and also allows a larger range of movements at a greater variety of speeds. When the user wishes to pause during filming, he simply shifts the support forward on his shoulders, so that the side limbs hang down in front of him, and the cross-limb rests against the back of his neck, as shown in Figure 3. Some camcorders have the feature of stopping recording if they are pointed downwardly, and the rest position takes advantage of this to prevent unnecessary power drain on the battery of the camcorder, as well as allowing hands-free movement for changing tapes etc whilst the camera is in a safe yet ready to use state.

As an alternative to a counterweight, one end of a cord, preferably an elastic cord, can be connected to the attachment clip 26, and the other end attached to the user's belt or waistband. If the support is being used without a clip, then some other means, such as a strap of hook-and-eye material, can be provided for attaching the strap to the support. The strap counterbalances the weight of the camera in much the same way as the counterweight. The shape of the cross- limb of the U-shaped member, and in particular the fact that it is bent downwardly out of the plane of the side limbs of the U-shaped member, means that the clip (or whatever else may be used to attach the strap to the support) follows a circular arcuate path as the user moves the support from its use position into its rest position. The distance between the end of the strap connected to the user's belt or waistband and the attachment means on the cross-limb of the U-shaped member thus does not vary, so that a non-elasticated strap could be utilized. However, the elasticated cord provides the necessary counterbalance when the support is used for up-and-down motions, where the distance between the end of the strap and the user's belt would vary.

Figure 4 shows schematically a modification of the camera support device of Figures 1 to 3, which can be used in an identical manner to the previous embodiment and can also be used as a monopod. This embodiment has basically the same form as the previous embodiment, but two rotatable joints 32,34 are provided in the U-shaped section, allowing the side limbs thereof to be rotated relative to the cross-limb 8. The positions of these joints 32,34 are approximately indicated by the lines X₀-X_ι and Y₀-Y_ in Figures 1 and 4, the tube sections on either side of the respective joints 32,34 effectively abutting one another across said lines. In Figure 4, both of the joints have been rotated through 180° from the positions they have when the device is in its normal configuration, as shown in Figure 1. However, it is possible to rotate just one of the joints. Depending on which and how many joints are rotated, the height of the monopod formed by the camera support device can be chosen from any one of three different values. Preferably, the joints are of the "snap" type, which are stable in a limited number of positions, to ensure that the support device, when acting as a monopod, is stable.

Further joints may also be provided to allow the support device to be collapsed into a more compact state. Such an arrangement is shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6, where a further joint 36 is provided "back to back" with the joint 32 in the end region 10 of the side limb 4. This position is shown schematically by the line Z₀-Z_x in Figure 5. The three joints 32,34, 36 will allow the support to be folded into the configuration of Figure 6 from the position shown in Figure 5 by first rotating the joint 36 through 180", and then rotating the joint 32 through 180°. The grip 24 is then also rotated through 180^β about the axis of the side limb .

Means may be provided for attaching accessories to the support device, as well as a camera. For example, weather shields, clamp-on microphone shoes and clamp-on movie light shoes may be attached. As stated above, battery packs may also be provided.

The system described above works well with relatively lightweight optical instruments, such as camcorders. The support can also be used with heavier optical instruments, such as film cameras, which typically weigh between 7kg and 10kg and which traditionally are supported directly on the shoulder. The support or the camera may, therefore be provided with means enabling existing cameras to fit to the support. To reduce the moment which must be counteracted by the harness, it is preferred that the camera be arranged near to or over the user's shoulder, rather than being positioned at the front end of one of the limbs. This is particularly so since film cameras tend to be front- heavy, in that their centre of gravity is positioned nearer the lens end than the other end. The unbalance caused by the positioning of the centre of gravity is also counterbalanced by the counterweight.

Since the camera is mounted near to or over the user's shoulder, there may be less need for the limb to extend substantially in front of the user, and so the limb can be shortened if this is desired.

If a counterweight is used to balance the weight of such a camera, the user would be carrying around 15kg, which is clearly undesirable. Accordingly, if a heavy optical instrument is to be supported, it is preferred that a strap, cord or the like be used to balance the weight of the camera. Again, because of the large mass of the optical instrument, it is preferred that the user wear a harness, rather than attaching the strap to his or her clothing. A suitable harness, known as a nappy harness, is already used in outdoor sports, such as windsurfing.

As with the camcorder support, during non-filming periods the support can be moved forward on the user's shoulders so that the side limbs hang down and the cross-limb rests against the back of the user's neck.

Although the above description has concentrated on use of the support device with camcorders and film cameras, the device can of course be used with other forms of optical instrument, such as telescopes and still cameras.

From the above, it will be seen that in broad terms, the invention provides a support for an optical instrument for positioning on a user's shoulder, comprising means which, in use, extend in front of the user for supporting the optical instrument in front of the user and means which, in use, are arranged behind the user to counterbalance the weight of the instrument. From a further aspect, the invention also provides, in broad terms, a support for an optical instrument, the support being movable between an operative position in which a part of the support rests on the user's shoulders and the optical instrument is held in front of the user's face, and an inoperative position in which a part of the support rests against the back of the user's neck and the optical instrument hangs down in front of the user's body.

Claims

CL IMS.

1. A support for an optical instrument for positioning on a user's shoulder, comprising means for supporting the optical instrument in front of the user and means which, in use, are arranged behind the user to counterbalance the weight of the instrument, the support being generally U-shaped, having side limbs which, in use, rest on the user's shoulders and a cross-limb which in use is arranged behind the user.

2. A support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side limbs include straight sections which are parallel to each other, which sections rest on the user's shoulders in use.

3. A support as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the instrument is supported on at least one of the side limbs .

4. A support as claimed in claim 3, wherein the free end of the side limb(s) supporting the instrument is offset downwardly from the shoulder engaging portions of said side limbs.

5. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side limbs are of differing lengths.

6. A support as claimed in claim 5, wherein the instrument is supported on the longer of the side limbs.

7. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the instrument is mounted on a cross-member mounted to a side limb of the support.

8. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for supporting the instrument allow adjustment of the position of the instrument on the support .

9. A support as claimed in claim 8 when appendant to claim 7, wherein the cross-member is adjustably mounted on the side limb.

10. A support as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cross-member is rotatably and/or slidably mounted on the side limb.

11. A support as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the cross-member can be locked in a selected position on the side limb.

12. A support as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein an optical instrument mount is provided on the cross-member.

13. A support as claimed in claim 12, wherein the optical instrument mount is adjustably mounted on the cross-member.

14. A support as claimed in claim 13, wherein the optical instrument mount is rotatable and/or slidably mounted on the cross-member.

15. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a grip member is provided at the end of the side limb supporting the instrument.

16. A support as claimed in claim 15, wherein the grip member is rotatable.

17. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side limbs are padded in the region around the user's shoulders and neck.

18. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support is formed from a bent tubular member.

19. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a rotatable joint is provided in the support between each of the side limbs and the cross-limb, such that the side limbs can be rotated relative to the cross-limb in order to enable the support to be transformed into a monopod.

20. A support as claimed in claim 19, wherein the height of the monopod so formed varies according to whether the joint connecting one side limb to the cross- limb, the joint connecting the other side limb to the cross-limb, or both joints are rotated.

21. A support as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the counterbalance means comprises a counterweight.

22. A support as claimed in claim 21, wherein the weight of the counterweight is adjustable.

23. A support as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein said counterweight is mounted on the cross-limb.

24. A support as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, wherein said counterweight is removably mounted to the support.

25. A support as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, wherein said counterbalance means comprises a connecting member such as a strap or the like for connecting to a user's body or clothing.

26. A support as claimed in claim 25, wherein said strap or the like is resilient.

27. A support as claimed in any preceding claim wherein means are provided for collapsing the support into a more compact configuration.

28. A support substantially as described herein, with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figure 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.