Camera holder and shutter activation device

• US 20110091195A1
• Filed: 10/14/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey M. Goldberg, Murray G. Goldberg
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey M. Goldberg, Murray G. Goldberg
• Inventors: Goldberg, Murray G., Goldberg, Jeffrey M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38

Abstract

A camera holder and activation device enables a user to take pictures from vantage points spaced from the user'"'"'s head. A frame defines a camera support position and an attachment device removably mounts the camera to the frame at the camera support position. An extension member such as a monopole is connected to the frame, whereby the frame may be so spaced from a user that the user cannot directly view a contemplated picture via a picture-framing element of the camera. A shifter member is movably mounted to the frame and is provided with a projection extending towards the camera support position so that motion of the shifter member brings the projection into contact with a shutter button of the camera mounted to the frame at the support position.

Claims

1. A camera holder and activation device comprising:

a frame defining a camera support position;

attachment means for removably mounting a camera to said frame at said camera support position, said frame being configured for connecting an extension member to said frame, whereby said frame may be so spaced from a user that the user cannot directly view a contemplated picture via a picture-framing element of said camera;

a shifter member movably mounted to said frame, said shifter member being provided with a projection extending towards said camera support position from one side thereof so that motion of said shifter member brings said projection into contact with a shutter button of said camera mounted to said frame at said support position.

2. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 1 wherein said camera support position is defined as a plane.

3. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes a post extending orthogonally with respect to said plane, said post defining a track for said shifter member, said shifter member being slidably mounted to said post for alternating motion in opposite directions along said post.

4. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 3 wherein said shifter member is spring loaded to bias said shifter member so that said projection is spaced away from the shutter button of a camera mounted to said frame at said support position.

5. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 3 wherein said shifter member includes a first piece extending parallel to said post and said track and a second piece extending perpendicularly to said first piece, said projection being mounted to said second piece.

6. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes a planar first section and a planar second section oriented parallel to one another, said first section having a planar surface in said plane, said second section being configured to attach said frame to said extension member, said planar surface and said projection being located on a side of said first section opposite said second section.

7. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 6 wherein said first section and said second section are opposed planar plates of a substantially rectangular frame member.

8. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 1, further comprising remote viewing means operatively connected to said frame for enabling the user to remotely view a picture image on a display of said camera.

9. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 8 wherein said remote viewing means includes a mirror attached to said frame.

10. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 1, further comprising an actuator coupled to said shifter member for enabling a user spaced from said frame and said camera to move said shifter member.

11. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 10 wherein said actuator comprises an elongate tensile member.

12. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 10 wherein said actuator includes a drive device operatively linked to said shifter member, said actuator further including a trigger element operatively connected to said drive device to operate same.

13. The camera holder and activation device defined in claim 1 wherein said projection is adjustably mounted to said shifter to vary a location of said projection relative to said frame, thereby enabling adaptation of the camera holder and activation device to cameras having variously positioned shutter buttons.

14. A method for taking a photograph, comprising:

providing a camera and a camera holder and activation device having a frame and a shutter button actuator movably mounted relative to said frame;

attaching said camera to said frame so that a shutter button of said camera is aligned with a projection of said shutter button actuator;

by means of an extension member coupled to said frame, holding said frame and said camera at a location so spaced from a user that the user cannot directly view a contemplated picture via a picture-framing element of said camera; and

thereafter operating said shutter button actuator to bring said projection into contact with the shutter button of said camera, thereby triggering said camera to take a photograph.

15. The method defined in claim 14 further comprising using a remote viewing device to view a potential picture via said picture-framing element prior to the operating of said shutter button actuator.

16. The method defined in claim 15 wherein the remote viewing device is a periscope connected at least in part to said frame, further comprising adjusting a mirror of said periscope.

17. The method defined in claim 14 wherein the attaching of said camera to said frame includes selecting a location of said camera relative to said frame so that said shutter button of said camera is aligned with a travel path of said projection.

18. The method defined in claim 14 wherein said extension member is taken from the group consisting of a monopod and a tripod, further comprising attaching said extension member to said frame prior to the holding of said frame and said camera.

19. The method defined in claim 14 wherein the operating of said shutter button actuator includes translating a slider member of said shutter button actuator relative to said frame, said projection being fixed to said slider member.

20. A device for use with a camera, comprising:

a camera holder assembly configured to hold a camera at a location so spaced from a user that the user cannot directly view a contemplated picture via a picture-framing element of said camera and cannot reach a shutter button of said camera to directly operate said shutter button with a finger;

a connector removably mounting said camera to said camera holder; and

a shifter member operatively connected to said camera holder assembly, said shifter member having a projection movable into contact with said shutter button while said camera is mounted to said camera holder assembly.