Camera support arm

• US 20060092317A1
• Filed: 10/28/2003
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert N. Elnicky
• Original Assignee: Robert N. Elnicky
• Inventors: Elnicky, Robert N.
• Application Number:
  US10/531,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20060092317A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

An assembly for mounting a remotely controlled camera (14) includes a frame affixed to a mounting surface for supporting the camera. A first member (32) is rotationally mounted to the frame (24) defining a first axis of rotation. A second member (34) is rotationally mounted to the first member (32) defining a second axis of rotation (36) intersecting the first axis of rotation. The camera (14) is rotationally mounted to the second member (34) at a location spaced from the second axis of rotation (36) so that the camera rotates around at least a third axis and a fourth axis relative to the second member.

Claims

1. An assembly for mounting a remotely controlled camera, comprising:

a frame affixed to a mounting surface for supporting the camera;

a first member rotationally mounted to said frame defining a first axis of rotation;

a second member rotationally mounted to said first member defining a second axis of rotation intersecting said first axis of rotation; and

said camera rotationally mounted to said second member at a location spaced from said second axis of rotation, wherein said camera rotates around at least a third axis and a fourth axis relative to said second member.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting surface comprises a generally horizontal plane.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a truss suspended from said mounting surface.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, comprising an actuator operably connected between said first member and said second member at locations spaced from said second axis of rotation.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein said actuator provides driving movement to said second member thereby rotating said second member around said second axis of rotation.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, comprising a drive motor operably connected to said first member thereby rotating said first member around said first axis of rotation.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, comprising a mount operably connecting said camera to said second member.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said mount includes a first motor for rotating said camera around said third axis thereby panning said camera.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8, wherein said mount includes a second motor for rotating said camera around said fourth axis thereby tilting said camera.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a distal end spaced from said frame and said second axis of rotation is positioned generally adjacent said distal end.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a distal end spaced from said frame and said second axis of rotation is spaced from said distal end.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11, comprising an actuator operably connected between said distal end of said first member and said second member at a location spaced from said second axis of rotation.

13. A method of taping an event comprising the steps of:

providing a camera assembly suspended above the event wherein said assembly supports a camera movable around four axis defining 360°

line of sight for said camera of the event;

providing a control device located at a remote location, wherein said control device is capable of moving said camera around said four axis;

moving said camera from said remote location by rotating said camera around said four axis; and

taping the event with said camera from said 360°

line of sight by moving said camera around said four axis thereby generating an image of the event.

14. The method as set forth in claim 13, comprising the step of providing a controller device programmable for operating said camera assembly from said remote location.

15. The method as set forth in claim 13, comprising the step of following the event when the event moves below said camera assembly by moving said camera around said four axis from said remote location.

16. The method as set forth in claim 14, comprising moving said camera to a predetermined line of sight by programming said controller with said predetermined line of sight independent of said control device.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14, comprising step of programming said controller to adjust movements of said camera made from said control device thereby improving the quality of said image generated by said camera.

18. The method as set forth in claim 14, comprising programming said controller to adjust said image generated by said camera to reduce vibration generated from moving said camera assembly.

19. The method as set forth in claim 14, comprising the step of signally a location of said camera to said controller from said camera assembly.

20. The method as set forth in claim 13, comprising the step of filming the event from 360°

with a single camera in real time.

21. The method as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of rotating said camera around said four axis is further defined by rotating said camera around said four axis simultaneously.