Camera holder apparatus

• US 4,577,827 A
• Filed: 07/30/1984
• Issued: 03/25/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lois G. Langley
• Original Assignee: Lois G. Langley
• Inventors: Eliscu, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Britts, Ramon S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOTKOWSKI, KAREN
• Application Number:
  US06/635,560
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 248/183, 248/371, 248/422, 248/651, 248/662, 248/669, 248/DIG. 13, 248/656, 352/87, 352/243, 354/81, 354/293, 355/53
• US Class Current: 248/656
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/125 for tilting and rolling F16M11/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence

Abstract

Camera holder apparatus includes a movable housing and a cage rotationally and longitudinally movable within the housing and a camera is secured to the movable cage for movement therewith and for rotation relative to the movable cage. The housing is removable for remote location filming. The housing is movable on a track or on a platform, and the platform is rotatable and tiltable for providing three axis positioning and movement for the camera.

Claims

1. Apparatus for holding and positioning a camera, comprising, in combination:

base means;

first plate means rotatable on the base means;

second plate means pivotally secured to and movable with the first plate means;

outer housing means secured to and movable with the second plate means, including

fixed shaft means,

rotating shaft means spaced apart from and aligned parallel to the fixed shaft means, and

means for supporting the fixed shaft means and the rotating shaft means;

inner housing means disposed in the outer housing means and movable relative thereto in response to rotation of the rotating shaft means, including

bearing means secured to and axially movable on the fixed shaft means and the rotating shaft means, and

third plate means secured to the bearing means, including an upper plate and a lower plate spaced apart from each other and secured together for longitudinal movement and for rotational movement relative to the inner housing means;

camera means secured to the third plate means and movable therewith; and

motor means, including

first motor means for rotating the first plate means,

second motor means for pivoting the second plate means,

third motor means for moving the inner housing means relative to the outer housing means by rotating the rotating shaft means,

fourth motor means for rotating the third plate means within the inner housing means and relative to the outer housing means; and

control means for controlling the motor means for moving and positioning the camera means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the outer housing means includes guide means, and the inner housing means includes rod means guided by the guide means as the inner housing means moves relative to the outer housing means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the rod means includes first bracket means for supporting the third plate means during axial and rotational movements.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the fixed shaft means includes a splined shaft for guiding the inner housing means, and the first motor means includes a motor for rotating the threaded shaft for moving the inner housing means axially on the threaded shaft and the splined shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the bearing means includes a first bearing secured to the splined shaft and to the inner housing means for supporting the inner housing means for axial movement on the splined shaft.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the bearing means further includes a second bearing secured to the threaded shaft and to the inner housing means for supporting the inner housing means and for moving the inner housing means axially as the threaded shaft rotates.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the second plate means further includes X-Y table means, and the outer housing means is secured to the X-Y table means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the third plate means is rotated by the fourth motor means at a relatively high rotational speed.

9. Holder apparatus for rotating a camera at relatively high speed to provide special effects, comprising, in combination:

housing means, including frame members;

plate means a pair of axially spaced rotatably secured to the frame members of the housing means;

a camera plate secured to and rotatable with the plate means;

a camera secured to the camera plate;

motor means secured to, the plate means for rotating the pair of plate means at relatively high speed; and

control means for controlling the motor means and for controlling the camera to provide special effects.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which the housing means further includes an outer housing, and the frame means is secured to the outer housing and is longitudinally movable with respect to the outer housing.