WO2005116513A1

WO2005116513A1 - Video camera support device

Info

Publication number: WO2005116513A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/000665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franck Millo; Noël VERY
Original assignee: Franck Millo; Very Noel
Priority date: 2004-04-29
Filing date: 2005-03-18
Publication date: 2005-12-08
Also published as: FR2869669B1; EP1743117A1; FR2869669A1

Abstract

A support cylinder (1) comprising a control button (21) at one end thereof, and a camera support (8, 9, 10) at the other end thereof, and an internal mechanical transmission. The camera support pivots as a result of the rotational movements of the control button (21) via the mechanical transmission. .

Description

"Video camera support device"

The invention relates to a support device for a video camera.

A video camera is usually held in the hand. If the operator is in a group of people and wants to film a scene outside the group, he must raise his arms or climb on a support to overcome the obstacle constituted by the group.

The same problem arises when filming a scene beyond a fixed obstacle such as a wall. In addition, if he wants to film a scene at ground level, he must bend down to lower the camera to the desired level, and his movements, during his movement, cause instability in taking pictures.

An object of the invention is to provide a support device for a video camera which makes it possible to solve the above problems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support device for a video camera which makes it possible to orient the camera in a plane passing through the axis of the support device.

The subject of the invention is a video camera support device, characterized in that it comprises:

a support cylinder carrying a control button near its proximal end, a camera support at its distal end, and a mechanical transmission in the cylinder,

- the control button being able to be operated in rotation,

- the camera support being able to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the cylinder axis, so that a rotational movement applied to the control button causes, via the mechanical transmission, a pivoting movement from the camera holder.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

. the mechanical transmission consists of:

- a toothed wheel driven in rotation by the control button, - a rack able to move longitudinally in the cylinder,

- And a rod whose proximal end is integral with the rack and the distal end is articulated on the camera support.

. the rod is guided by a fixed bearing in the cylinder, and carries two spaced stops, one on each side of the bearing, a helical spring being mounted around the rod, between each of the stops and the bearing, so as to hold the rod in an equilibrium position while allowing its longitudinal displacements under the action of the control button.

. the rod is substantially coaxial with the cylinder and the pivot axis of the camera support is offset laterally relative to the axis of the cylinder.

. the mechanical transmission is constituted by a deformable parallelogram, the short sides of which consist of cams and the long sides of rods, the first cam being integral in rotation with the control button and the second cam being integral with the camera support. . each of the two cams has a plate shape whose outline is circular and extends over more than a semicircle,

. on a diameter of each of the two cams, in the vicinity of the ends of this diameter, two axes are provided which constitute the four vertices of the deformable parallelogram,. each of the two rods is connected at its ends, to one of said axes by means of a link,

. each of the two cams is carried by a cam holder integral with the cylinder,

. the first cam holder is fixed to a plug, arranged at the proximal end of the cylinder, by screws ensuring the adjustment in position of the first cam holder according to the length of the rods,

. the second cam holder is held in position relative to the cylinder by means of an axis extending over a diameter of the cylinder,

. on either side of the axial plane passing through the axis, the distal end of the cylinder is chamfered so as to allow a pivoting movement of the camera support, . an extension is able to be fixed to the proximal part of the cylinder in order to extend the camera support device on the one hand, and to act as a counterweight to the camera on the other,

Other characteristics appear from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, made with reference to the appended drawing in which:

- Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a support device for video camera along the line BB of Figure 2;

- Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of a support device for a video camera along the line AA in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a view along the line CC of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a view along the line DD of Figure 2;

- Figure 5 is a view along the line EE in Figure 2;

- Figure 6 is a view along the line FF of Figure 2;

- Figure 7 is a view along the line GG of Figure 2; - Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of an extension to be fixed to the video camera support device of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 9 is a plan view of the first cam;

- Figure 10 is a plan view of the second cam;

- Figure 1 1 is a side view of a camera suspension assembly. - Figure 12 is an axial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the support device for video camera according to the invention.

In FIGS. 1 to 10, the support device for video camera comprises a support cylinder 1 in which several elements are housed. The support cylinder 1 contains, near its proximal end, on the left in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first cam holder 2 carrying a first cam 4, and near its distal end, on the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, a second cam holder 3, carrying a second cam 5.

Each of the two cams 4 and 5 has a plate shape whose circular outline extends over more than a semicircle. On a diameter of each of the two cams 4 and 5, in the vicinity of the ends of this diameter, two axes are provided, respectively 13 and 14 for the first cam 4, and 15 and 16 for the second cam 5.

The four axes 13 to 16 constitute the four vertices, of a deformable parallelogram (FIG. 1), the two short sides of which are formed by the diameters of the two cams 4 and 5, and the two long sides by threaded rods 12 and 17 At each of their ends, the threaded rods 12 and 17 are connected to one of the four axes 13 to 16 by means of a link 6, (FIG. 1). Thus, the threaded rod 12 is connected to the axes 14 and 16, and the threaded rod 17 is connected to the axes 13 and 15.

The first cam 4 can pivot around an axis 18 (Figure 9) located in the center of the diameter passing through the axes 13 and 14. The second cam 5 can pivot around an axis 19 (Figure 10) located in the center of the diameter passing through axes 15 and 16.

The first cam 4 is secured to the axis 18 by means of a screw 20 which is for example locked in abutment on a flat part of the axis 18. The axis 18 passes diametrically through the cylinder 1 and extends beyond of the cylinder 1. Outside the cylinder 1, the axis 18 carries a control button 21, secured to the axis 18 by a screw locked on a flat part of the axis 18, for example.

A rotary operation of the control button 21 causes a rotation of the axis 18 and a rotation of the first cam 4. This results in an opposite relative movement of the two threaded rods 12 and 17, and a corresponding rotation of the second cam 5 around axis 19.

At its proximal end, the cylinder 1 carries a plug 7 comprising three orifices: a first central orifice 22, tapped, capable of receiving a threaded pin 23 (Figure 8) carried by an extension 24; and two orifices 25 and 26, symmetrical with respect to the first orifice 22 and capable of each receiving a screw intended to be screwed into the first cam holder 2 to adjust the position adjustment of the first cam holder 2 in the cylinder 1 as a function the length of the threaded rods 12 and 17.

The two threaded rods 12 and 17 pass through the second cam holder 3 in two oblong slots 27, 28, respectively.

Against the second cam holder 3, on the side opposite to the distal end of the cylinder 1, around the threaded rods 12 and 17, are arranged two springs, 29 and 30 respectively, which rest on the one hand on the second door - cam 3, on the other hand on a stop nut, 31, 32, respectively, locked on the corresponding threaded rod, 12, 17. These springs have the role of returning the threaded rods to their initial position shown in FIG. 1 when the manual action on the control button 21 is released. At the distal end of the cylinder 1, the axis 19 extends over a diameter of the cylinder 1 in which it is held. The axis 19 maintains the second cam holder 3 in position relative to the cylinder 1.

On either side of the axial plane passing through the axis 19, the distal end of the cylinder 1 is chamfered so as to allow a pivoting movement of the camera support fixed to the end of the support device.

On the edge of the second cam 5 is fixed the lower part of a camera support, constituted by a rectangular plate 8. Another rectangular plate 10, constituting the upper part of the camera support, is spaced from the plate 8 by spacers 9. Between the two rectangular plates 8 and 10 is housed a thumb wheel 11 carrying a threaded axis 33 passing through the center of the plate 10, and capable of being screwed into the body of the camera. The diameter of the wheel 11 is greater than the short side of the rectangular plates 8 and 10, which allows, by manual action, to screw the axis 33 and to lock the camera on its support 8, 9, 10, itself integral of the second cam 5.

Thus, during movements of the control button 21, the second cam 5 transmits to the camera its movements, or its orientation relative to the cylinder 1.

The extension 24 of Figure 8 is adapted to be fixed to the proximal part of the cylinder 1, by screwing its axis 23 in the central orifice 22 of the plug 7. This extension has a dual role. First of all, it makes it possible to extend the camera support device. Then it ensures, at the proximal end of the cylinder 1, the role of counterweight to the camera attached to the distal end.

Instead of the extension 24, it is possible to fix in the central orifice 22 of the plug 7 a support, tripod for example, to support the camera in a fixed situation, the cylinder 1 playing the role of periscope. The support device can also be worn with its distal end down, the camera then being in the vicinity of the ground. In this case, for the shot to be straight, the camera must be suspended from the support device. This suspension can be achieved in two ways. First of all, it is possible to use a bracket, one end of which is under the camera and the other above the camera, the central part of the bracket being arranged laterally with respect to the camera. The camera is then fixed by screw on the lower end of the bracket, and the upper end is fixed to the camera support 8, 9, 10 carried by the second cam 5 of the support device. The movements of the control button 21 are then transmitted to the camera via the stirrup.

The other way to suspend the camera is to use the hot shoe mount located on the top of the camera. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the camera is symbolized at 34, and its flash support shoe at 35. Between the camera 34 and the support device in FIGS. 1 and 2, is arranged a suspension assembly constituted of five parts: a base 36 having a base fitting into the shoe 35, and having a central bore; a stop 37 covering the base 36 in the manner of a cap bearing on the shoe and having a central passage to the right of the central bore of the base; an arm 38 comprising at one end a notch 39 adapted to receive a screwing wheel 40, and comprising on either side of the notch 39 a bore located in the axis of the wheel 40; a screw 41, the head of which is housed under the base 36 and the rod of which extends through the base 36, of the stop 37 and the bore of the arm 38; and a wheel 40 cooperating with the screw 41. The tightening of the wheel 40 on the screw 41 causes on the one hand the joining of the five parts of the suspension assembly, on the other hand the pinching of the shoe 35 between the base of the base 36 and the stop 37, with the consequence of securing the camera to the suspension assembly.

At its upper face, the arm 38 has a series of threaded orifices 42 distributed over its length and each capable of receiving the threaded axis 33 of the support device. Depending on the location of the shoe 35 on the camera 34, the orientation of the arm 38 is chosen so that it passes approximately above the center of gravity of the camera. The axis 33 of the support device is then screwed into the orifice 42 located the most near the vertical of the center of gravity of the camera, so as to achieve a balanced suspension of the camera.

Thus, with a carried or suspended camera, the support device makes it possible, by means of the control button 21, to ensure a manually controlled orientation of the camera, in an axial plane of the cylinder 1 perpendicular to the axis 19 of pivoting of the second cam 5. The rotation of the camera about the axis of the cylinder 1 is ensured manually.

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 12, the cylinder 1 has, in the vicinity of its proximal end, a through axis 43 carrying at each of its ends a control button similar to the button 21 in FIG. 2.

These two control buttons, located on either side of the cylinder 1, integral with the axis 43, make it possible to provide control on each side of the cylinder.

The axis 43 is integral with a toothed wheel 44 which meshes on a guided rack 45, capable of moving longitudinally relative to the cylinder 1. The rack 45 is integral with a first disc-shaped stop 46 sliding in the cylinder 1.

Substantially coaxial with the cylinder 1, integral with the stop 46, is arranged a rod 47 which extends, beyond the distal end of the cylinder, up to the camera support 48. The rod 47 is articulated on the camera support 48 via an axis 49.

Significantly in the middle of the cylinder 1, the rod 47 is guided by a bearing 50, constituted for example by a disc secured to the cylinder 1 by one or more screws 51.

Between the first stop 46 and the bearing 50, around the rod 47, is disposed a first helical spring 52. The rod 47 carries a second stop 53, substantially symmetrical with the stop 46 relative to the bearing 50. Between this second stop 53 and the bearing 50, around the rod 47, is disposed a second helical spring 54.

The two springs 52 and 54 are subjected, during assembly, to a certain compression, so as to maintain the rod 47 in an equilibrium position corresponding to an arrangement of the camera support 48 perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 1. The rotation of the control button 21 in one direction or the other, causes a displacement in the corresponding direction of the rack 45 and therefore of the rod 47 which thus deviates from its equilibrium position. If the control button 21 is released, the springs 52, 54 return the rod 47 to its equilibrium position. At its distal end, the cylinder 1 carries a sleeve 55, open in its central region to allow the rod 47 to pass, and carrying an oblique arm 56.

At the free end of the oblique arm 55 is disposed an axis 57 on which the camera support 48 is articulated, for example by means of a bracket 58. The axis 57 is perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the cylinder 1 , and offset laterally with respect to this axis.

Thus, the camera support 48 is articulated on an axis 57 fixed relative to the cylinder 1, and on an axis 49 at the end of the rod 47, itself movable substantially coaxially with the cylinder. In the equilibrium position of the rod 47, the camera support is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 1. On command of the button 21, in one direction or the other, the rod 47 moves longitudinally by rotating the camera support 48 relative to axis 57.

The angular amplitude of the pivoting of the camera support 48 is approximately 90 °, for example from -30 ° to + 60 °.

Advantageously, the camera support 48 carries an index 59 and a fixing screw 60 for the camera.

The invention has been described in two particular embodiments, by way of example, but it extends to their technical equivalents.

Claims

1. Video camera support device, characterized in that it comprises:

- a support cylinder (1) carrying in the vicinity of its proximal end a control button (21), at its distal end a camera support (8, 9, 10;

48), and in the cylinder (1) a mechanical transmission,

- the control button (21) being able to be operated in rotation,

the camera support (8, 9, 10; 48) being able to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder (1), so that a rotational movement applied to the button (21) results, through the mechanical transmission, a pivoting movement of the camera support (8, 90, 10; 48).

2. A video camera support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical transmission consists of: - a toothed wheel (44) rotated by the control button (21),

- a rack (45) able to move longitudinally in the cylinder (1),

- And a rod (47) whose proximal end is integral with the rack (45) and the distal end is articulated on the camera support (48).

3. Video camera support device according to claim 2, characterized in that:

- the rod (47) is guided by a bearing (50) fixed in the cylinder (1), and carries two spaced stops (46, 53), one on each side of the bearing (50), a helical spring (52, 54 ) being mounted around the rod (47), between each of the stops (46, 53) and the bearing (50), so as to maintain the rod (47) in an equilibrium position while allowing its longitudinal displacements under the action of the control button (21).

4. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the rod 47 is substantially coaxial with the cylinder (1) and the pivot axis (57) of the camera support is offset laterally relative to the axis of the cylinder (1).

5. Camera support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical transmission is constituted by a deformable parallelogram whose short sides are constituted by cams (4,5) and the long sides by rods (12, 17 ), the first cam (4) being integral in rotation with the control button (21) and the second cam (5) being integral with the camera support (8, 9, 10).

6. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that each of the two cams 4, 5) has a plate shape whose outline is circular and extends over more than a semicircle.

7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that on a diameter of each of the two cams (4, 5), in the vicinity of the ends of this diameter, there are provided two axes (13, 14; 15, 16) which constitute the four vertices of the deformable parallelogram.

8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that each of the two rods (12, 178) is connected at its ends, to one of said axes (13, 14; 15, 16) via a link ( 6).

9. Device according to claim 5 characterized in that each of the two cams (4, 5) is carried by a cam holder (2, 3) integral with the cylinder (1).

10. Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the first cam holder

(2) is fixed to a plug (7), disposed at the proximal end of the cylinder (1), by screws ensuring the adjustment in position of the first cam holder (2) according to the length of the rods (12, 17).

1 1. Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the second cam holder

(3) is held in position relative to the cylinder (1) by means of an axis (19) extending over a diameter of the cylinder (1).

12. Device according to claim 1 Icaractérisé in that on either side of the axial plane passing through the axis (19), the distal end of the cylinder (1) is chamfered so as to allow a pivoting movement of the support camera (8, 9, 10).

13. Device according to claim Icaractérisé in that: an extension (24) is adapted to be fixed to the proximal part of the cylinder (1) to firstly lengthen the camera support device, secondly ensuring the as a counterweight to the camera.