Omnipositional pod for camera

• US 5,350,147 A
• Filed: 10/19/1993
• Issued: 09/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Paganus
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Paganus
• Inventors: Paganus, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSS, J
• Application Number:
  US08/137,961
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 248/346, 248/688, 248/176, 248/910, 248/181, 248/179, 354/293
• US Class Current: 248/346.2
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/91 Weighted base

Abstract

The present invention is directed at an omnipositional pod for supporting a device such as a camera. The pod comprises a cushion for supporting the device, a fluid material contained within the cushion, a fastener mounted to the cushion being attachable to the device, and possibly a strap mounted to the cushion which creates a loop when fastened.

Claims

1. An omnipositional pod for supporting a camera, said pod comprising:

a) a cushion for supporting a camera, said cushion has a top side and a bottom side and comprises a pliable material;

b) a fastener mounted to said cushion, said fastener comprises a threaded stud a top plate integrally mounted to said threaded stud;

a bottom plate having an area large enough to adequately anchor said top plate such that said threaded stud remains rigid; and

, rivets extending from said top plate, passing through said top side of said cushion, and attaching to said bottom plate, said rivets attach said top and said bottom plates such that said top side is held between them;

for fastening to a camera; and

c) a fluid material contained within said cushion, said fluid material comprises free flowing solid particles to provide adequate support and ballast while allowing high pliability.

2. The pod of claim 1 wherein said fluid material comprises beads of polypropylene and metal shot.

3. The pod of claim 1 wherein said top side and said bottom side comprise a single piece of pliable material folded in half and sewn on three sides to contain said fluid material.

4. The pod of claim 1 wherein said bottom of said cushion consists of a skid resistant material.

5. The pod of claim 1 wherein said top plate contains a rubber stopper at the junction of said threaded stud and said top plate, said rubber stopper is shock resistant to cushion said device from said top plate and skid resistant to restrain said camera from turning on said threaded stud.

6. The pod of claim 1 wherein said top plate contains holes to receive said rivets, said holes sufficiently sized to accommodate the head of said rivets such that said rivets remain below the surface of said top plate.

7. The pod of claim 1 further comprising:

d) a strap mounted to said cushion, said strap has a strap fastener which allows said strap to fasten such that it forms a loop.

8. The pod of claim 1 wherein said threaded stud contains a swivel device to allow said device to be positioned while the pod remains still.

9. A device combining an omnipositional pod for supporting a camera and a camera, said device comprising:

a) a cushion for supporting a camera, said cushion has a top side and a bottom side and comprises a pliable material;

b) a fastener mounted to said cushion, said fastener comprises a threaded stud a top plate integrally mounted to said threaded stud;

a bottom plate having an area large enough to adequately anchor said top plate such that said threaded stud remains rigid; and

, rivets extending from said top plate, passing through said top side of said cushion, and attaching to said bottom plate, said rivets attach said top and said bottom plates such that said top side is held between them;

for fastening to a camera;

c) a fluid material contained within said cushion, said fluid material comprises free flowing solid particles to provide adequate support and ballast while being highly pliable; and

d) a camera, said camera fastens to said threaded stud.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said fluid material comprises beads of polypropylene and metal shot.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said top side and said bottom side comprise a single piece of pliable material folded in half and sewn on three sides to contain said fluid material.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein said bottom of said cushion consists of a skid resistant material.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein said top plate contains a rubber stopper at the junction of said threaded stud and said top plate, said rubber stopper is shock resistant to cushion said device from said top plate and skid resistant to restrain said device from turning on said threaded stud.

14. The device of claim 9 wherein said top plate contains holes to receive said rivets, said holes sufficiently sized to accommodate the head of said rivets such that said rivets remain below the surface of said top plate.

15. The device of claim 9 further comprising:

e) a strap mounted to said cushion, said strap has a strap fastener which allows said strap to fasten such that it forms a loop.

16. The device of claim 9 wherein said threaded stud contains a swivel device to allow said device to be positioned while the pod remains still.