DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING A LEVEL HORIZON OF A SUPPORTED CAMERA
First Claim
1. A mounting head for maintaining a preselected angular spatial relationship of a supported device and a supporting device, whereby a selected horizon may be maintained for the supported device, comprising:
- a. an upper head assembly having releasable securing means for connection to a supported device and maintaining a fixed angular relationship with the supported device, said upper head assembly defining an upper plane;
b. a lower head assembly having releasable securing means for connection to a supporting device, said lower head assembly defining a lower plane;
c. a universal joint interconnecting said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly, said universal joint providing for variation in roll and pitch between said upper plane and said lower plane;
d. a compressible resilient member housed between said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly, said resilient member being dimensioned to maintain said upper plane and said lower plane in a preselected angular relationship at rest, said resilient member having at least one physical parameter having a value selected to provide a selected resistance to relative motion between said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly; and
e. said upper head assembly comprising a coupling to receive external force from a user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mounting head, a system incorporating the mounting head and a support such as a monopod, and a system including the mounting head, the monopod, and a camera enable a photographer to tilt a monopod or other camera support while maintaining a substantially level horizon of an image. An upper head assembly and a lower head assembly are connectable to the camera and the monopod respectively. The assemblies are interconnected by a universal joint which allows the upper assembly to remain level as roll and pitch vary. A resilient member dampens relative motion of the head assemblies. As a photographer moves the camera to capture a scene, force is transmitted from the photographer'"'"'s hands via the mounting head through the monopod. The photographer maintains a level horizon as the monopod tilts. A test apparatus enables design of a resilient member for desired interaction with selected classes of equipment.
5 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mounting head for maintaining a preselected angular spatial relationship of a supported device and a supporting device, whereby a selected horizon may be maintained for the supported device, comprising:
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a. an upper head assembly having releasable securing means for connection to a supported device and maintaining a fixed angular relationship with the supported device, said upper head assembly defining an upper plane; b. a lower head assembly having releasable securing means for connection to a supporting device, said lower head assembly defining a lower plane; c. a universal joint interconnecting said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly, said universal joint providing for variation in roll and pitch between said upper plane and said lower plane; d. a compressible resilient member housed between said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly, said resilient member being dimensioned to maintain said upper plane and said lower plane in a preselected angular relationship at rest, said resilient member having at least one physical parameter having a value selected to provide a selected resistance to relative motion between said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly; and e. said upper head assembly comprising a coupling to receive external force from a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for use in allowing angular displacement between a mounting head and a tiltable support comprising:
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a. the mounting head; b. the tiltable support; c. a first interactive coupling comprising a first member on said mounting head and a second member on said tiltable support, the interactive coupling releasably securing said mounting head to said tiltable support; d. an upper head assembly having releasable securing means for connection to a supported device and maintaining a fixed angular relationship with the supported device, said upper head assembly defining an upper plane; e. a lower head assembly comprising said first member, said lower head assembly defining a lower plane; f. an omnidirectional universal joint interconnecting said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly, said universal joint providing for variation in roll and pitch between said upper plane and said lower plane; and g. a compressible resilient member housed between said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly, said resilient member being dimensioned to maintain said upper plane and said lower plane in a preselected angular relationship at rest, said resilient member having at least one physical parameter having a value selected to provide a predetermined resistance to relative motion between said upper head assembly and said lower head assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A block test apparatus for evaluating a resistance member comprising:
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a. an upper plate for receiving compressive force corresponding to a force applied by a preselected supported device; b. a lower plate providing support to said upper plate; c. a flexible axial support member accommodating omnidirectional movement between said upper plate and said lower plate; d. said upper plate and said lower plate defining a resistance zone e. said upper plate and said lower plate being releasably secured to receive a resistive material body in said resistance zone.; and f. sensors measuring response of the resistive material body to compressive forces. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification