WO2006006814A1

WO2006006814A1 - Bottletop-installed compact camera supporting fixture and system

Info

Publication number: WO2006006814A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albert Bokheung Kim
Original assignee: Albert Bokheung Kim
Priority date: 2004-07-13
Filing date: 2005-07-11
Publication date: 2006-01-19
Also published as: KR100651211B1; KR20060005615A

Abstract

This invention relates to a Camera Supporting Fixture (100) as an accessory device useable to support and fix a camera at desired places for the purpose of obtaining 5 shake-free pictures in camera photography. Such Camera Supporting Fixture (100) is provided with a socket-shaped Cap (110) to facilitate easy mounting and use on the male-threaded top of bottle-shaped containers of wide availability. Provided on the top surface of said Cap (110) is a Camera Mounting Bolt (120) that mates, for fixing, with standard female-threaded sockets provided at the bottom of cameras. Also provided as part of this invention is an extension member (150) to facilitate freely adjusting and setting the height, angle and composition :in picture-taking. Such an extension member (150) consists of: An Extension Head (161) provided with a male thread for thread engagement with the Cap (110); An Extension Body (162) provided with a female thread for thread engagement with the bottle-shaped container; and An Extension Neck (163) of flexible tube structure hingedly engaged with said Extension Head and assembled to said Extension Body (162) by thread engagement. A separate Adaptor Cap (180) is also provided to facilitate the use of this invention also with bottle-shaped containers of varying opening sizes. A Camera Supporting Fixture System (1000) is then created by encasing said Camera Supporting Fixture (100), said Extension member (15), said Adaptor Cap (180), and Feet Components(300) together in a Case Assembly (200) on the exterior of which a Carrying Strap Cap(230) is provided to facilitate convenience in carrying and storage. Said Case Assembly(200) has further uses also: It can function as an additional extension member; In the absence of a suitable bottle-shaped container, it can be used for setting the camera on a flat surface at an arbitrary direction and position by sticking its Cover(210) on the top of a suitable upwardly-erected object or by assembling said Feet Components(300) to said Case Assembly by use of the Interlocking Assembly Pins (223) provided on the Case Assembly.

Description

Bottletop-installed Compact Camera Supporting Fixture and System

[Technical Field:}

This invention relates to a Camera Accessory Device that is intended to support and fix a camera in the photographing process. More specifically, it relates to a Camera Supporting Fixture that aids in the mounting of a camera on the male-threaded open top of a Bottle-shaped Container to facilitate that the process help to produce sharp shake- free pictures; and a Camera Supporting Fixture System comprising said Camera Supporting Fixture and other additional accessory components.

[Technical Problem and Background Prior Art:]

Recent trend has been that Optical Cameras, Digital Cameras, and Video Cameras are all becoming smaller and lighter to facilitate convenience in carrying and storage.

With smaller and lighter cameras, however, keeping the picture-taking process stable becomes more difficult. Furthermore, as the Camera becomes lighter, its less self- mass or -inertia means that the photographer's movement or the action of pressing the camera shutter button in the manual picture-taking process tends to get more easily transmitted to the Camera body and on to the Lens. This increases the possibility of bad pictures being resulted in the form of shaken or multi-overlapped images, and it would happen even at the photographer's best effort to keep the posture stable and still and even to hold the breath during the manual process of pressing the shutter button.

The possibility of pictures with shaken images being obtained is especially high in a relatively under-illuminated in-house photographing situation because the exposure time of the Camera shutter will have to be lengthened for compensation in proportion to the amount of the under-supplied illuminating light.

Picture-taking with the camera mounted on the Tripod, a conventional camera- supporting accessory device, provides a way to obtaining a better quality picture by avoiding such shaking of the camera. However, the reality in everyday photographing situations is that individual users do not find such conventional Tripods very practical as a portable device to use other than for a large-size camera or in a commercial or professional photography sessions, the reason being: The inconvenience in carrying the Tripod because of its bulky size and weight which are typically many times more than the same of the camera; The cost of such device that is not always easily affordable especially for ones of good precision and quality; and The process of setting it up properly for use, which can be relatively cumbersome, requiring some time and effort very often in situations under time pressure.

Furthermore, in a group photography situation, taking a completed group picture is often not possible because one member has to give up being included in it to stay out to hold the camera and press the shutter button when and where a Camera Supporting Device such as a Tripod is unavailable. Not only is it a great inconvenience, but it also involves some risk of ending up with a poor quality picture when the picture-taking for the group has to be asked to a stranger who happens to be around or near the scene, but who may not be familiar or skilled with the camera.

[Disclosure of the Invention:]] [Objects of the Present Invention:]!

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a Camera Supporting Fixture as a practical camera accessory device that individual photographers can carry and use to hold the camera, especially small and light ones, or to mount it on a flat surface more easily and steadily by for taking pictures in the manual or automatic shutter release modes; that helps eliminate the shaking of the camera, especially light-weight ones, at the shutter-releasing moment; that is easy to carry and store; and that is economical to purchase and convenient in use. It is. another object of this invention to provide further a Camera Supporting Fixture that can be conveniently used with its capability to variably adjust the height, angle and composition of the camera device as needed in diverse photographing situations.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a Camera Supporting Fixture System in which the Camera Supporting Fixture can be conveniently encased for ease in carrying; and which can also be assembled as necessary with the Camera Supporting Fixture itself for more versatile adaptation to diverse photographing circumstances.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings ensuing description thereof.

[Brief Description of the Drawings: 1

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the Camera Supporting Fixture according to this invention for fixing a Camera on a Bottle-shaped Container; Figure 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view wherein a Camera is shown mounted on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container by use of the Camera Supporting Fixture as in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the Camera Supporting Fixture in Figure 2 further provided with an Extension Member comprising an Extension Head, an Extension Neck, and an Extension Body;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a Flexible type Extension Member where the Extension Neck as in Figure 3 is constructed of a Flexible Tube;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the Camera Supporting Fixture in Figure 4 provided with an Adaptor Cap to facilitate interchangeable use with Bottle- shaped Containers of different Thread specifications or sizes;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example where the Camera Supporting Fixture in Figure 5 is applied in combination with the Adaptor Cap to a Bottle- shaped Container of different thread specifications or sizes; Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment where the Extension Head and the

Extension Neck in Figure 5 are rotateably joined; Shown in Figures 7 and 8 are example setups for photographing at angular and vertical composition, respectively;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B in Figure 7; Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of a portable Camera

Supporting Fixture System that is provided inside the Case Assembly with the accessory Feet Components in addition to the Camera Fixing Bolt & Cap, the Extension Member, and the Adaptor Cap in Figure 7, and that is further provided oh the exterior with a Carrying Strap Cap; Figure 12 is an exploded cross-sectional view where the components in Figure 11 are shown separated;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mounting of a camera on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container at higher elevation by use of the Case Assembly in Figure 11; Figure 14 shows the mounting of a camera on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container at much higher elevation by the combined use of the Case Assembly and the Extension Member in Figure 11; Figure 15 shows the mounting of a camera on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container by the combined use of the Case Assembly, the Extension Member, and the Adaptor Cap in Figure 11;

Figure 16 illustrates an example where the Camera can still be used being supported and fixed by the Case Cover in Figure 14 on a vertically erected object;

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view where the Feet Components as in Figure 11 are assembled to the Case Assembly to make a workable Camera-supporting setup, and

Figure 18 is the bottom view of Figure 17.

[Description of Terminologies for Key Features in the Attached Figures:]

10: Bottle-shaped Container 20: Camera

.100: Camera Supporting Fixture 110: Cap ^:

120: Camera Fixing Bolt 140: Hinge Pin

- 150: Extension Member 180: Adaptor Cap 200: Case Assembly 230: Carrying Strap Cap

300: Feet Components 1000: Camera Supporting Fixture System

[Detailed Description and Operation of the Invention:]

In order to achieve aforementioned objects, this invention provides a Camera Supporting Fixture that is received between a Bottle-shaped Container and the Camera Holder Socket, acting as a coupling medium holding the two said objects together by way of thread engagement on each side, facilitating the stable supporting to the camera at the shutter-releasing moment by the assistance of the inertia effect obtainable from the overall combined mass of the objects joined together. In an embodiment example of such invention, the Camera Supporting Fixture includes a socket-shaped Cap whose inner circumferential wall surface is provided with a female thread to facilitate thread engagement with a Bottle-shaped Container; and a Camera Fixing Bolt that is received from the top surface of said Cap into the standard Camera Holder Socket, engaged by thread, said Camera Fixing Bolt provided with a Camera Seat on which the camera can be firmly seated.

Furthermore, the Camera Supporting Fixture as per this invention can additionally include an Extension Member, which may comprise, for example: an Extension Head that is provided with Male Thread portion for thread engagement with said Cap; an Extension Body that is provided with a Female Thread area for thread engagement with said Bottle-shaped Container; and an Extension Neck that interconnects said Extension Body and Extension Head.

In the meantime, said Extension Neck can be of flexible type, and its joint with at least one of the two said members, Extension Body and/or Extension Head, can be of separable type.

Additionally, said Extension Member may be provided with an Adaptor Cap, which is of centrally hollow configuration and with two different size openings on opposite sides joined together, allowing said Extension Neck to pass through. One of said two openings of said Adaptor Cap on the one ("lower") side is a Female-Threaded socket of the specification and size different from the Female Thread of said Extension Body, to facilitate that said Extension Member can also be assembled onto another Bottle-shaped Container of thread specification and size different from that of the Bottle-shaped Container which the Female Thread of said Extension Body is originally designed to assemble with directly. The other opening of said Adaptor Cap on the other ("upper") side is a Male-Threaded socket corresponding to the Female Thread of said Extension Body, to allow assembly with the Female Thread of said Extension Body.

Furthermore, it is desirable that said Extension Head is joined to said Extension Neck by way of a Hinge Pin so that variation of composition in photographing can be achieved by means of rotating said Extension'Head around said Extension Neck.

In an example of a preferred embodiment where undampened and uncontrollable swinging motion of said Extension Head with respect to said Hinge Pin is prevented, said Extension Head and said Extension Neck are provided respectively with a Male hinge member and its mating Female hinge member, or vice versa, and then hingedly joined together by said Hinge Pin; and a Spring Clamp is additionally installed to maintain the biased inward axial pressure between the Female and Male hinge members of said hinge joint so that the rotational friction torque generated across the contact planes at the time of relative rotation motion between said Male and Female hinge members would work as a counter-balancing anti-rotation torque preventing any free undampened swinging motion of said Extension Head with respect to said Hinge Pin in reaction to the gravitational pull;

In addition, this invention also provides a Camera Supporting Fixture System in which the Camera Supporting Fixture as aforementioned is enclosed in a Case Assembly for convenience in carrying and storing, and furthermore also assembled as necessary to said Case Assembly itself for more convenient utilization in diverse photographing circumstances.

For example, such said Case Assembly may comprise: a Case Cover provided at its top with a Male-Threaded Boss for thread-engagement with the Female-Threaded socket portion of said Cap or said Extension Body; and a Case Cup provided on its upper side with a space for receiving and storing said Camera Supporting Fixture, engaging with said Case Cover in a manner that can be opened and closed, and also provided at its bottom with a Female-Threaded socket for thread-engagement with said Bottle-shaped Container. In an example of a ramification to the foregoing embodiment, said Case Cover may be provided with an internal Female Thread on its inner circumferential wall surface to facilitate thread engagement with the mating Male Thread of said Case Cup, and may be provided further with a Carrying Strap Cap on which a hand strap is attached to serve . carrying convenience. It is desirable that said Case Cover is of hollow structure internally, extending lengthwise substantially and with an opening at the bottom so that said Case Cover may be held up by the tip of a bar or the head of a Bottle-shaped Container which would enter substantially upwardly into the internal cavity or stick into said opening to support said Case Cover firmly. Additionally, said Case Assembly may be further provided with interlocking assembly pins at the bottom outside wall of said Case Cup, and also with corresponding bar-type Feet Components with mating interlocking assembly pinholes for assembly with said pins for supporting said Case Assembly on a flat surface. It would be desirable that said Feet Components are still further provided with Magnets for secure attachment. Explained in the following in more details with reference to the attached Figures are some selected examples of possible embodiment of this invention, the Camera Supporting Fixture and Camera Supporting Fixture System:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the Camera Supporting Fixture according to this invention for fixing a Camera on a Bottle-shaped Container; and Figure 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view wherein a Camera is shown mounted on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container by use of the Camera Supporting Fixture as in Figure 1.

In reference to Figures 1 and 2, the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) according to this invention comprises: a Cap(110) of socket type that installs on the top opening of a Bottle-shaped Container(10); and a Camera Fixing BoIt(120) of integral construction wlth said Cap(110), fixing the Camera(20) on the top surface of said Cap(110).

The term "Bottle-shaped Container" (or "Container" in more simplified form), will be used herein as a representative term referring to various Bottle-shaped Containers(10) of plastic, glass or other construction, in which a variety of liquid or solid products — including beverages such as carbonated drinks, juices, spring water, alcoholic beverages, and others — are bottled and supplied for diverse household, commercial and industrial applications.

Said Cap(110) is of female-threaded socket configuration, comprising a Female Thread (111) on the internal circumferential wall surface for thread engagement with the corresponding Male Thread(12) on the outer circumferential surface of the opening(11) at the top of said Bottle-shaped Container(IO).

While not shown in the Figure, the inner top ceiling of said Cap(110) that makes contact with the rim of the opening (11) of said Bottle-shaped Container^ 0) may be provided with a seal of elastic material construction such as rubber, cork or others to prevent leakage of the content(13) of the Container(10), whereby said Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) may also be used as a convenient substitute for the original cap (not shown in the Figure) of the bottle(10) in the event that it has already been disposed of or lost. Said Camera Fixing BoIt(120), is provided with a Camera Seat(112) which is integral with the top surface of said Cap(110) and on which a Camera(20) can be firmly seated and supported; and is of construction protruding perpendicularly from the center of said Camera Seat(112) to be received into the Camera Holder Socket(21) by thread engagement. In the foregoing description, it is desirable that said Camera Seat(112) provides as wide an area of contact and support as possible to the Camera base(22) because the seating of the Camera(20) is effected by tightening the Camera Fixing BoIt(120).

For this purpose, said Camera Seat(112) may be of horizontally extended flat configuration on the top surface of the Cap(110). While not shown in the Figure, said Camera Seat(112) may be also of a slightly curved surface at a prescribed curvature, either convexed or concaved, so that tightening said Camera Fixing BoIt(120) brings said Camera Seat(112) into gradual elastic deformation and contact with the Camera base(22). For similar effect, it is also possible to place a layer of rubber, cork or similar elastic pad of suitable thickness on the contact surface of said Camera seat(112). While the Camera Fixing BoIt(120) and Cap(110) are shown in the Figure as of an integral construction, they can be of various other separable construction such as pin or thread engagement, for example. It should also be possible to have a separate metallic Camera Fixing Bolt insert molded and locked into the Cap(110) by thermal contraction during the plastic injection molding manufacturing process.

The following is the description of how the aforementioned Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) can be used.

Generally, a Camera(20) is equipped at its base(22) with a Camera Holder Socket(21) which is usually provided with an internal Female Thread for thread engagement with the Camera Fixing Bolt on conventional Tripods (not shown in the figure). Such Camera Holder Sockets(21) are available in internationally standardized sizes and specifications for interchangeable use among different makes from different manufacturers of Cameras and Tripods. ■

In the meantime, typical Bottles or Bottle-shaped Containers(IO) are designed to be opened and closed by turning the Cap that utilizes thread engagement, and these bottle caps are also available in internationally standardized sizes and specifications in terms of ^;the diameter, the height, and the configuration and size of the internal female thread, making it possible to fit and use the Caps interchangeably with and among different bottles and Bottle-shaped Containers. Such Bottle-shaped Containers are of low cost to purchase, and easily and widely available in scenes of our daily lives everywhere worldwide, i.e. in household situations, in the field, at banquets, at convenient stores on the street, etc., for the example of beverage containers alone. Furthermore, they may be disposed of after each use because another new one can be obtained at the next place of use again. In practical uses, a photographer may carry the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) in the pocket or in similar places, take it out at times of photography with the Camera(20), and assemble the Camera Fixing BoIt(120) into the Camera Holder Socket(21) thereby seating and fixing the base(22) of the Camera firmly against the Camera Seat(112) on the top surface of the Cap(110). Then, a Bottle-shaped Container(10) is needed, which may be obtained at or around the site unless already available. Once the Female Thread(111) on the circumferential wall surface of said Cap(110) is assembled and tightened onto the mating Male Thread(12) of the top opening(11) of said Bottle-shaped Container(IO), the inter-connection between the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) and the Bottle-shaped Container^ 0) is complete with the assembly ready for use. In the forgoing discussion, if the Bottle-shaped ContainerOSyhaWbein filfey Me§ \ with the original content(13), then it could be used as is for the mass or inertia. If it had been an empty container (a waste or one that is to be recycled), then it could still be used after being filled, for example, with tap water in the nearby kitchen or washroom, a similar liquid, powder, soil, sands, gravels, or solids like bits and pieces of metal stuff.

In picture-taking, the photographer takes composition of the picture as he or she grabs and holds the Bottle-shaped Container(IO) manually by the neck area on the top of which the Camera is mounted. With the Bottle-shaped Container(IO) filled substantially with liquid or solid, the gross combined mass of the assembly of the Bottle-shaped Container(IO) and the Camera(20) produces an Inertia Effect (a physical characteristic resisting to the abrupt acceleration or shaking in the linear and/or rotational directions) which would reduce or dampen the amplitude of the linear or rotational shaking motion transmitted to the Camera(20) at the when the Camera button' is pressed for releasing the Shutter of the Camera(20), thereby reducing the possibility of bad pictures being obtained with shaken image.

Since Bottle-shaped Containers(10) are normally of construction self-supporting on a flat surface, one can conveniently utilize it further as a camera support when taking a picture in an automatic shutter release mode also by placing the assembly of

Camera(20) and Bottle-shaped Containers(10) on a firm flat object nearby, thereby the assembly also functioning as a handy substitute for a tripod.

As described above, the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) according to the present invention is very practical in the following senses: that it can be offered to the consumer at low cost because it is easy to mass-produce thanks to its simple construction; that its carrying and storing is convenient; that it utilizes Bottle-shaped Containers(10) of wide availability anywhere; and that the opening(11) of the Bottle-shaped Containers(10) and Camera Holder Sockets(21) are supplied in standardized sizes and specifications.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the Camera Supporting Fixture in Figure 2 provided further with an Extension Member comprising an Extension Head, an Extension Neck, and an Extension Body. In this Figure, and also throughout this document, the identical reference numbers and symbols as in the foregoing figures mean the identical parts or components performing the identical functions.

In reference to Figure 3, the Extension Member(150) comprises, for example: An Extension Head(161) provided with a Male Thread(151) on its one end for thread engagement with Cap(110); an Extension Body(162) provided with a Female Thread(152a) on the other end for thread engagement with the Male-threaded (12) opening(11) of the Bottle-shaped Container(10); and an Extension Neck(163) that interconnects said Extension Head(161) to said Extension Body(162).

By being used in combination with the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) according to this invention, such Extension Member(150) enables the photographer to vary the picture-taking height of the Camera(20) as may be required by each specific photographing situation. There should also be a benefit to having such an Extension Member(150) provided in multiply-divided pieces because it will serve convenience in carrying. Normally, the Female Thread(152a) and the Male Thread(151) of said Extension

Member(150) would be a pair of corresponding mating threads under the same specifications because the Bottle-shaped Containers(IO) are supplied with the openings (11) of standardized Male' Threads (12). However, exceptions may also exist; where the Female Thread(152a) and the Male Thread(151) are unmatching and from different specifications. This is to say that the Female Thread(111 ) of the Cap(110) and the Male Thread (151) of the Extension Member(150) can be a pair matching the thread specifications of the opening(11) of one type of Bottle-shaped Container(10)s, while the Female Thread(152a) of the Extension Member(150) can be according to the thread specifications of the opening(11) of another type of Bottle-shaped Containers(10). This provides the flexibility and interchangeability to the Camera Supporting Fixture(100) according to this invention, allowing one single size or model of it to be used commonly with Bottle-shaped Containers(10) of different thread sizes and specifications, which is beneficial.

While the Extension Member(150) as shown in the Figure is of construction that is assembled with the Cap(110) by thread engagement, and furthermore that Extension Head(161), Extension Neck(163) and Extension Body(162) are of integrated type structure for example, it should also be possible that various other separable non- integrated types of construction such as pin or thread engagement are used, and also that they are of solid or hollow type structure as necessary. Furthermore, said Extension Member(150) can be of flexible construction made of a mild bar or a flexible tube, such that it can be bent by the photographer manually to any desired angle and position by the application of a bending moment of certain magnitude, then holding its posture there by itself until and unless changed to another angle and position again manually. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of such an example of a Flexible type Extension Member where the Extension Neck as in Figure 3 is constructed of a Flexible Tube.

The Extension Member(150) in Figure 4 is the same as the one described in reference to Figure 3, except that its Extension Neck(163) is of Flexible Tube construction.

Application of said Flexible Tube can take a variety of ways insofar as the Tube is of the type that can be freely bent manually by applying certain magnitude of bending moment and furthermore is capable of retaining the bent shape and the position by itself. One of such Flexible Tube example that can be used would be a flexible multiply-wound tubular conduit of double-strand helix type comprising an Outer Coil (163a) of substantially isosceles shape cross-sectional wire, and an Inner Coil (163b) of substantially elliptical shape cross-sectional wire.

As described above, the use of a flexible Extension Member(15u) allows the photographer to bend the Extension Member(150) to any desired positions by which feature the photographer can take position of the camera for composing and picture- taking at various angle and position, which is beneficial.

In the meantime, said Flexible Tube can be joined to said Extension Head(161) and said Extension Body(162) in a variety of joining methods, such as direct bonding by applying adhesive, pin engagement, thread engagement, or crimping or staking process by the use of plastic deformation of metal in case the joints are of metallic construction.

As explained in reference to Figure 3, it is desirable to further provide the present invention with an Adaptor Cap(180) to facilitate selectively interchangeable use with Bottle-shaped Containers of differing thread sizes and specifications. It is also desirable to provide a means to help prevent said Adaptor Cap(180) from being lost if and when stored separately, and this can be achieved by designing it to be stored always attached to said Extension Head(161), said Extension Neck(163) or said Extension Body(162), which would of course serve carrying convenience also.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of such an example of the Camera Supporting Fixture in Figure 4 provided additionally with an Adaptor Cap to facilitate interchangeable use with Containers of different opening sizes, thread types and specifications, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example where said Camera Supporting Fixture is applied in combination with said Adaptor Cap to a Bottle-shaped Container whose thread specification and the size of the opening is different. In these Figures, and also throughout this document, the identical reference numbers and symbols as in the foregoing figures mean the identical parts or components performing the identical functions.

In Figure 5, the Extension Member(150) is similar to the Extension Member(150) as explained in reference to Figure 4, but with some differences. One notable difference is that it is additionally provided with an Adaptor Cap(180) to facilitate interchangeable application with Containers(IO) of different opening sizes and thread specifications. Further difference is that the Extension Neck(163) and the Extension Body(162) are separably joined with each other so that the Adaptor Cap(180) can be carried and stored assembled between said Extension Neck(163) and Extension Body(162) normally, while said Adaptor Cap(180) can be removed out of the position after disassembling the Extension Neck(163) and Extension Body(162) when required for use. To explain such an Extension Member(150) in more detail, said Extension Body(162) consists of two axially-opposite yet -integrated Female-threaded Sockets, the lower Female-threaded Socket (152a) for thread engagement with the Bottle-shaped Container(10) of Type #1 , and the upper Female-threaded Socket(162b) for thread engagement with the Extension Neck(163), respectively. Furthermore, the upper outer circumferential surface of said Extension Body(162) is provided with a Male Thread (162c) of specification corresponding to and mating with the Female Thread on the lower internal circumferential wall surface of the Adaptor Cap(180) so that said Adaptor Cap(180), provided with a Female Thread(182) on its lower internal circumferential wall surface, can be stored assembled thereto as described in the following. While the upper outer circumferential surface of said Extension Body(162) is shown provided with a Male Thread (162c), other non-threaded surface configurations such as parallel or tapered sleeves (Refer to 162c' in Figure 7) can also be alternatives on which said Adaptor Cap(180) can be easily snapped into and out of place between use and storage.

The upper end of said Extension Neck(163) is joined to the Extension Head(161), and its lower end is provided with a Male Threaded bolt(163c) for thread engagement with the Female-threaded socket (162b) of said Extension Body(162). Since said Extension Neck(163) is joined to said Extension Body(162) by means of thread engagement, they can be separated and rejoined whenever necessary with ease.

Furthermore, said Adaptor Cap(180), of centrally hollow structure to allow the passage of the Extension Neck(163) therethrough, is provided: at its upper outer circumferential wall surface, with a Male Thread (181) for thread engagement with the lower Female-Threaded Socket (152a) of the Extension Body(162); and at its lower internal circumferential wall surface, with a Female-threaded socket(182) of thread size and specification corresponding to and mating with the Male Thread(12) of the Bottle- shaped Container of Type #2 whose thread size and specification are different from said Type #1¹S.

Generally, the Male Threads (12) provided on the top opening(11) of the Bottle- shaped Containers(IO) are supplied in only a few standardized varieties depending on the characteristics of the content of the Container, and in reality it is one of the two kinds of sizes and specifications that one may typically come across in the marketplace.

If the Female Thread (152a) of the Extension Body(162) is provided following the thread size and specifications of the Bottle-shaped Container(IO) of the first most common kind in availability (Type #1), and furthermore if the Female Thread (182) of the Adaptor Cap(180) is provided following the thread size and specifications of the Bottle- shaped Container(IO') of the second most common kind (Type #2), then it can be assured that the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) according to the present invention can always be used with at least two most common kinds of Bottle-shaped Containers (10, 10') with the expanded range of application as such being beneficial. In use at normal times, the Adaptor Cap(180) is carried and stored snapped on between the Extension Neck(163) and the Extension Body(162), and the photographer takes picture with the Extension Body(162) mounted directly on the Male Thread(12) of the opening(11) of the available Bottle-shaped Container(IO) if it is of standard opening size and thread specifications of the most common kind (see Figure 5). In the meantime, if the thread size and type of the available Bottle-shaped

Container(IO') are not matching the lower Female Thread(152a) of the Extension Body(162) but is matching the lower Female Thread(182) of the Adaptor Cap(180), then the photographer may release the Adaptor Cap(180) out of storage after separating the Extension Neck(163) and Extension Body(162) and then rejoining them back, assembling now freed Adaptor Cap(180) under the Extension Body(162) and in turn mounting the Adaptor Cap(180) assembly onto the open top of said Bottle-shaped Container(IO') of different thread size and type, thereby also utilizing the Adaptor Cap(180) in photographing (refer to Figure 6).

The Extension Member(150) as explained in reference to Figures 5 and 6 is described as a desirable example according to the present invention, and said Extension Member(150) can be used in a variety of other modified ways in the technical field of the present invention.

For example, while not shown in the Figure, the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) according to this invention may be used directly mounted on the Adaptor Cap(180) by thread engagement without the Extension Member(150), and the separable joint between the Extension Neck(163) and the Extension Body(162) may take various other forms of joining including pin assembly. Since such ramifications are very self-evident in the technical field of the present invention, no further details are explained hereinafter.

When taking pictures with a camera or with similar devices, photographers face the frequent need to be able to freely change the orientation of the camera to varying directions, i.e. horizontally (or "landscape"), vertically (or "portrait"), or at an arbitrary angle, depending on the desired composition of the picture.

In such situations, it is desirable that the Extension Head(161) is capable of rotating with respect to the Extension Neck(163) to facilitate that one can take pictures as the orientation and the composition are adjusted more conveniently and stably with enhanced degree of freedom. This aspect is explained by the example of the features of the Extension Member as illustrated in Figure 5 and with reference to the Figures 7 to 10.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment where the Extension Head and the Extension Neck in Figure 5 are rotateably joined. Shown in Figures 7 and 8 are application examples of taking position for photographing at angular and vertical composition, respectively. In these Figures, the identical reference numbers and symbols as in the foregoing figures mean the identical parts or components performing the identical functions. In Figure 7, the Extension Member(150) is generally the same as the one explained in reference to Figure 5, but with the differences in additional features being: A Hinge Pin(140) facilitating the connection and the posture change by allowing the Extension Head(161) to rotate more directly with respect to the Extension Neck(163); and a Spring Clamp(170) facilitating the provision of a controlled resistance to free rotation by means of frictional dampening torque generated from the pressurized contact between the Extension Head(161) and the Extension Neck(163).

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B in Figure 7, and Figure 10 is a exploded perspective view of Figure 9. To explain in more details with reference to Figures 7 to 10, the Extension

Head(161) and the Extension Neck(163) are provided with the hinge joints of male and female configuration, herein referred to as Male hinge member(131) and Female hinge member(132), said hinge joints provided with Through Holes(133) which a common Hinge Pin(140) is put through after they are aligned concentrically for assembly. Lining up said Through Holes(133) of said Male hinge member(131) and its mating Female hinge member(132) of the hinge joints concentrically together, and putting said Hinge Pin(140) commonly therethrough for assembly, allows said Extension Head(161) to pivot around said Hinge Pin(140) with respect to said Extension Neck(163), facilitating the variation of the Camera(20) orientation to desired composition, horizontally, vertically, or at any arbitrary angle for picture taking.

When a photographer wants to take a picture in a specific composition — be it horizontal, vertical, or angular — the need arises to have the camera position fixed at a desired composition by making the Extension Head(161) and the Extension Neck(163) resist against undampened free rotation. Such fixing may be achieved in various ways, and one example would be having the Hinge Pin(140) press-fit with interference into the Through HoIe(133) so that the Extension Head(161) would rotate with respect to the Extension Neck(163) only when the manual turning torque applied by the photographer . is greater than a certain preset magnitude. Said Spring Clamp(170) is an illustration of another example where the control of the rotation is effected by the frictional resistance generated by the contact between the Extension Head(161) and the Extension Neck(163). Generally of "C-shaped" configuration and with inwardly-biased clamping force, said Spring Clamp(170) is installed around the outside of the Female hinge member of the Extension Neck(163), applying inwardly compressing ("embracing") axial force which causes the Male and

Female hinge members joined together to make tight surface-to-surface contact creating frictional resistance force that would work to restraint the rotation; and is provided with a pair of inwardly erected locking tabs(171) that snap at installation into both ends of the Through HoIe(133) of said Female hinge member(132) thereby preventing itself from getting dislodged once installed.

As described above, one may carry the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) according to the present invention -- including a Cap(110) provided with a Camera Fixing BoIt(120), and an Extension Member(150) — in a separate bag or the like, in order to utilize them in photographing in combination with small light Cameras(20). In the meantime, it is also conceivable to use a separate and dedicated Case

Assembly for encasing and carrying the Camera Supporting Fixture(IOO) as per this invention, and a desirable design practice for this would be making said dedicated Case Assembly also capable of functioning as an additional Extension Member as necessary. To go one step further, it would be also possible to create a Camera Supporting Fixture System (Reference No. "1000" in Figure 11) whose capability can now also include using the Case Assembly to make an easy Camera support setup on a flat surface even in the absence of a separate Bottle-shaped Container.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the assembly of the Camera Supporting Fixture System (1000) that includes a Case Assembly in which the Camera Supporting Fixture as in Figure 7 is encased; and Figure 12 is an exploded cross- sectional view where the components in Figure 11 are shown separated.

In reference to Figures 11 and 12, the Case Assembly(200) comprises a Case Cover(210) and a Case Cup(220); and is of a structure that can be opened and closed with each other, providing a storage space(201) inside for encasing said Extension Member(150), Camera Fixing BoIt(120) and Cap(110).

While the opening and closing of said Case Cup(220) and said Case Cover(210). may be effected structurally in a variety of joining methods like pin engagement, a desirable method would be a thread engagement as shown. For carrying convenience, said Case Assembly(200) may be provided with a carrying handle or a Carrying Strap(232) attached to said Case Cover(210) or said Case Cup(220) in a variety of ways. Shown is one such example embodiment where a separate Carrying Strap Cap(230) is provided.

Said Case Cover(210) is provided with an upwardly-erected Male-Threaded Boss(211) for thread engagement with the Female Thread(111) of the Cap(110) or with the Extension Body(162) of the Extension Member(150); and the hollow structure extends substantially downwardly lengthwise, provided with an internal Female Thread(212) at the skirt of the opening for thread engagement with the Case Cup(220).

Desirably, the Female Thread(212) of said Case Cover(210) is designed to match the thread size and specifications of yet another Bottle-shaped Container (10" or Type #3), thereby again expanding the application range of the present invention even more.

Said Case Cup(220) is provided with: a Male Thread(222) at the top end of its outer surface for thread engagement with the Case Cover(210); and a downwardly-extending Female-Threaded socket(221) at its bottom for thread engagement with the Male Thread(12) of the opening(11) of the Bottle-shaped Container(IO).

Furthermore, said Case Cup(220) is also provided near the lower end of its outer wall with Interlocking Assembly Pins(223) intended for engagement with the corresponding bar-type Feet Components(300) which are provided with mating interlocking assembly pinholes(320). For weight and material reduction, said Feet Component(300) may be designed and manufactured in hollow tubular structure, and desirably further provided with a side- fixed Magnet(310) intended to attach said Feet Component magnetically to the Extension Member(150) inside the Case Assembly(200). According to the design, said Feet Components(300) can be placed evenly within the empty space around the Extension Member(150) for storage inside the Case Assembly(200), and furthermore stored conveniently attached to the Extension Member(150) by the Magnet(310) since the Extension Member(150) would most likely be made of ferrous material like Steel attracted by magnetic force. Said Carrying Strap Cap(230) is provided on the internal circumferential wall surface with a Female Thread(231) for thread engagement with the Male Thread(211) of said Case Cover(210); and also with a handle (232) of string or belt construction and attached at the top surface, by which feature photographers can hold and carry the assembly. At normal times, the Extension Member(150), the Camera Fixing Bolt(120) and the

Cap(110) are encased, stored and carried together inside the Case Assembly(200) by the Camera user (or photographer). At the time and place of using the system to assist with photographing, said Carrying Strap Cap(230) is removed from the Case Cover(210), and then the Case Cover(210) is opened with the contents inside taken out — Extension Member(150), Camera Fixing Bolt(120) and Cap(110). Of the system components, suitable selections are made as per the specific situation and need, and assembled in combination with the Camera(20) for use, which are explained in reference to Figures 13 to 17.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mounting of a camera on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container by use of the Case Assembly in Figure 11.

In reference to Figure 13, a photographer stores and carries the Extension Member(150), the Camera Fixing Bolt(120), and the Cap(110) inside the Case Assembly(200), and for use: Takes out the Cap(110) with integrated Camera Fixing BoIt(120) after opening the Case Cover(210) at the place of picture-taking; Put the Case Cover(210) back onto the Case Cup(220); Screws on the Camera Fixing BoIt(120) into the Camera(20); Connects the Cap(110) integral with the Camera Fixing Bolt(120) onto the Male Thread(211) of the Case Cover(210); and Finally connects the Female Thread(221) of the Case Cup to the Male Thread(12) of the opening(11) of the Bottle- shaped Container(IO). Accordingly, said Case Assembly(200) can be used not only as a means for storing and carrying the Camera Fixing BoIt(120) and the Cap(110), but also as an additional Extension Member which can serve to adjust the height of the Camera(20) where and when needed.

Figure 14 shows the mounting of a camera on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container by combined use of the Case Assembly and the Extension Member in Figure 11.

In Figure 14, as compared with the setup example in Figure 13, the Cap(110) is assembled onto the Extension Head(161) of the Extension Member(150); the Extension Body(162) of the Extension Member(150) is connected to the Male Thread(211) of the Case Cover(210) of the Case Assembly(200); and the lower Female Thread(152a) of the Case Cup(220) is connected to the Male Thread(12) of the opening(11) of the Bottle- shaped Container(10).

As explained with application examples above, the usage of the Case Assembly(200) is not limited to simple storing and providing carrying convenience of the Cap(110) integrated with the Camera Fixing BoIt(120) and others only, but can also include being utilized as a convenient additional Extension Member to further adjust the camera height and composition as per various needs of the given photographing situations, which is an added benefit.

Figure 15 shows the mounting of a camera on the top of a Bottle-shaped Container by combined use of the Case Assembly, the Extension Member, and now the Adaptor Cap also as in Figure 11.

Figure 15 illustrates an example that is generally the same as what was shown in Figure 14, but with the difference being: the Adaptor Cap(180) whose Male Thread(181) at the top is joined to the Female Thread(152a) of the Case Cup(220); and whose Female Thread(183) is joined to the Male Thread(12') of the Bottle-shaped Container(IO'), when the available Bottle-shaped Container happens to match the thread size and specifications of the Adaptor Cap(180) only.

Figure 16 illustrates an example where the Camera can be used being supported and fixed by the Case Cover in Figure 14.

In reference to Figure 16, if the only available Bottle-shaped Container around happens to be of entirely different and so unusable thread size and specifications or is of a type with no thread at all, then it would not be possible for the Bottle to make regular thread engagement either directly with the Female Thread(221) of the Case Cup(220) of the Case Assembly(200) or indirectly via the Adaptor Cap(180). In such a situation, making a useable setup in non-thread engagement form should still be possible by sticking the top of the Bottle-shaped Container directly into the hollow(201) of the Case Cover(210) created by the downward extended length as shown and explained in reference to Figure 14.

Even in a situation where such a Bottle-shaped Container cannot be made available, an object like a stick or a bar, or a structure(S), if present in the area and is with a substantially upwardly protruded area with the right length and slenderness, may also be used to fit the Case Cover(210) on it for making a workable setup.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view where the Feet Components as in Figure 11 are assembled to the Case Assembly to make a Camera-supporting setup on a flat substantially horizontal surface, and Figure 18 is the bottom view of Figure 17.

The setup illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 is generally the same as what was shown in Figure 14, but with the difference that, in place of the Bottle-shaped Container,

Feet Components(300) have been assembled onto the Interlocking Assembly Pins(223) on the sidewall of the Case Cup(220) of the Case Assembly (200) to erect and hold the setup on a flat surface.

Normally, a photographer would store and carry the Extension Member(150), the Camera Fixing BoIt(120), the Cap(110), and the Feet Components(300) together inside the Case Assembly(200), and use an available Bottle-shaped Container(IO) from the surrounding. If such a Bottle-shaped Container cannot be made available, or if it is unsuitable to use a Bottle, then the photographer can take the Feet Components(300) out of the Case Assembly(200) and assemble them onto the four Interlocking Assembly Pins(223) to make the setup as per the shown example.

Such use of Feet Components(300) is beneficial because it facilitates convenient setup of the Case Assembly(200) on a substantially horizontal flat surface even when and where it is unsuitable to use a Bottle-shaped Container. Especially, provided with Magnets(310), Feet Components(300) can be magnetically attached and fixed to objects made of ferrous material such as steel, and this facilitates more flexible positioning of the Camera(20) for picture-taking, which would include a situation of traveling by a vehicle, for example, where such a setup can be conveniently made by utilizing the magnetic attachment on top of the car body. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention:]

The present invention carried out as described in Figures 1 and/or 2 would represent the simplest form, and it would be a best mode when the compactness and convenience in carrying and storing is of the highest priority consideration; the Bolted- Cap-type Camera Supporting Fixture (100) is small and can also be used as a substitute bottle cap in various indoor and outdoor activity situations. If more versatile adaptation to varying photographing situations is of higher priority consideration, then the Camera Supporting Fixture System (1000) as described in Figure 11 would represent the best mode application; the full system in package is still compact enough to carry along with a camera yet versatile enough to provide quick solutions to any camera-supporting needs that a photographer may face in any actual indoor and outdoor field situations.

[Application and Benefit of the Invention:] . „

As described heretofore, the Camera Supporting Fixture and the Camera Supporting Fixture System according to the present invention, are very practical, being of . simple construction, mass-producible and thus offerable at low cost to the consumers, convenient to carry, designed to work with Bottle-shaped Containers and the like of wide availability everywhere, and simple to mount and fix Cameras with for assistance in various photographing situations. Moreover, the present invention helps a photographer obtain better quality pictures

' in the manual mode picture-taking with reduced effect of shaken hands or movement of the camera, especially with small and light weight cameras, as it allows the photographer to mount, fix, and hold the camera by the Bottle-shaped Container or the like of considerable inertia due to the weight of its original content or refilled content like water or sand. The present invention can also be utilized in an automatic shutter release mode situation of a camera as a substitute for a tripod, a conventional camera supporting accessory device, and is a compact, handy, and sufficiently versatile portable camera accessory device.

Furthermore, utilization of the Extension Member, especially of Flexible type, allows taking pictures at more diverse angles, positions and compositions. The Case Assembly, primarily intended to be a means of storage also enhancing the carrying convenience, is capable of being also used as an additional Extension Member, which is beneficial allowing the photographer to use the camera more versatility in terms of adapting camera height and composition to diverse photographing circumstances.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[1 ] A Camera Supporting Fixture, received between a Bottle-shaped Container and a Camera Holder Socket, functioning as a medium by which both said sides are joined in thread engagement form; and thereby facilitating a stable support to the camera during the photographing process by utilization of the inertia effect obtainable from the combined mass of the overall interconnected assembly including the bottle content.

[2] A Camera Supporting Fixture, comprising: a Cap socket-shaped provided with a Female Thread, on the inner circumferential , wall surface for thread engagement with a Bottle-shaped Container; and a Camera Fixing Bolt received from the top surface of said Cap into the Camera Holder Socket in thread engagement form, provided with a Camera Seat on which a Camera is to be seated and firmly supported. , ;

H33 A Camera Supporting Fixture as defined in Claim 2, which is characterized as being further provided with an Extension Member comprising: an Extension Head provided with a Male Thread for thread engagement with said

Cap; an Extension Body provided with a Female Thread for thread engagement with a Bottle-shaped Container; and an Extension Neck interconnecting said Extension Body and said Extension Head.

[4} A Camera Supporting Fixture as defined in Claim 3, wherein said Extension Neck is characterized as being of flexible construction.

[5} A Camera Supporting Fixture as defined in Claim 4, wherein said Extension Neck is separably joined to either said Extension Body or said Extension Head or to the both; and which is characterized as being further equipped with an Adaptor Cap of centrally hollow structure of two different opening sizes on opposite sides to allow therethrough the passage of said Extension Neck, provided: on the one ("lower") side, with a Female-threaded socket of the opening size and thread specifications different from those of said Extension Body, in order to be able to help fit said Camera Supporting Fixture of one single size also with another Bottle- shaped Container of different opening size and thread specifications for enhanced utility; and on the other ("upper") side, with a Male Thread corresponding to the Female- Threaded Socket of said Extension Body for thread engagement.

[6] A Camera Supporting Fixture as defined in Claim 4, wherein said Extension Head is characterized as being hirigedly connected to said Extension Neck by means of a Hinge Pin, thereby capable of making angular rotation with respect to said Extension Neck, thus facilitating the variation of the photographing composition of the Camera.

[71 A Camera Supporting Fixture as defined in Claim 6, wherein said Extension Head and said Extension Neck are provided at their end, respectively, with a Male hinge member and the mating Female hinge member, or vice versa, and then hingedly joined together by means of said Hinge Pin; and which is characterized as being further equipped with an embracing Spring Clamp put on to keep said Female hinge member interlocked and adequately compressed against said Male hinge member so that the rotational frictional dampening torque generated across the contact planes as a result of the relative rotation motion between said Male and Female hinge members, work as a counter-balancing rotation torque preventing any free uncontrollable rotation of said Extension Head around said Hinge Pin.

[8]| A Camera Supporting Fixture System, including a Camera Supporting Fixture as defined in any one of the Claims 2 to 7, and characterized as being further provided with a Case Assembly comprising: a Case Cover, provided at the top with an erected Male Thread for thread engagement with the Female Thread of said Cap of said Camera Supporting Fixture; and a Case Cup, assembling with said Case Cover in a way that can be opened and closed, provided with a storage space for encasing said Camera Supporting Fixture inside, and also provided at its bottom with a Female-Threaded socket for thread engagement with the opening of a Bottle-shaped Container.

[9j A Camera Supporting Fixture System as defined in Claim 8, wherein said Case Assembly is characterized as being further equipped with a Carrying Strap Cap provided with: a Female-Threaded Socket with the thread formed on the inner circumferential wall surface for thread engagement with the Male Thread of said Case Cover; and a handle by which a photographer can hold and carry the system assembly.

[ 10] A Camera Supporting Fixture System as defined in Claim 8, wherein said Case Cover is characterized as being of a hollow construction substantially extended lengthwise with an internal empty space in which the terminal of a slender object or the top of a Bottle-shaped Container can be received, being either snuggly or tightly fitted inside the opening, yet still being upheld with said Camera Supporting Fixture and in turn a Camera mounted thereon.

[11 ] A Camera Supporting Fixture System as defined in Claim 8, wherein said Case Assembly is characterized as being further provided with: Interlocking Assembly Pins formed near the lower end of the outer wall of said Case

Cup; and

Feet Components of bar configuration provided with interlocking assembly pinholes formed for engagement with said Interlocking Assembly Pins.

[12] A Camera Supporting Fixture System as defined in Claim 11 , wherein said Feet Components are characterized as being further provided with Magnets attached thereto.