Horizon control

• US 6,011,926 A
• Filed: 07/09/1998
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick G. Cockell
• Original Assignee: Patrick G. Cockell
• Inventors: Cockell, Patrick G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/112,693
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 396/50, 396/20, 396/281, 396/296
• US Class Current: 396/50
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/20 visible in viewfinder

Abstract

A horizon control for indicating to a user whether a camera is level with respective to the ground. The horizon control includes an x-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface and a y-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface. A x-axis level detector is provided for detecting whether the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, the x-axis level detector is provided in the camera, the x-axis level detector is electrically connected to the x-axis level indicator. A y-axis level detector is provided for detecting whether the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, the y-axis level detector is provided in the camera, the y-axis level detector is electrically connected to the y-axis level indicator.

Claims

1. A horizon control for a camera for indicating whether a plane of the camera is level with respect to the ground surface, the plane of the camera having a x-axis and a y-axis extending from the camera, the y-axis being extended perpendicular to the x-axis, each axis extending in opposite first and second directions, the camera having a generally rectangular viewfinder having four corners, said horizon control comprising:

an x-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;

a y-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;

a x-axis level detector for detecting whether the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said x-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said x-axis level detector being electrically connected to said x-axis level indicator; and

a y-axis level detector for detecting whether the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said y-axis level detector being electrically connected to said y-axis level indicator;

wherein said x-axis level indictor comprises a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, wherein said y-axis level indictor comprises a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;

wherein said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator is provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said x-axis, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said x-axis, and wherein said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator is provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said y-axis, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said y-axis.

2. The horizon control of claim 1, wherein said first and second indicators of said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator and said y-axis level indicator comprise light sources.

3. The horizon control of claim 1, wherein each of said level detectors comprises a first direction level switch for completing a circuit between the level detector and the electrically connected the first indicator of the visual indicator of the associated level indicator when the camera is level in the first direction of the associated axis of the level detector to the ground surface and a second direction level switch for completing a circuit between the level detector and the electrically connected associated level indicator when the camera is level in the second direction of the associated axis of the level detector to the ground surface.

4. The horizon control of claim 3, wherein said first direction level switch comprises:

spaced apart upper and lower frames, a cross frame, and a pendulum connector, said frames of said first direction level switch being electrically conductive, said upper frame of said first direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said lower frame of said first direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said cross frame of said first direction level switch being in electrical communication with said lower frame of said first direction level switch;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being pivotally suspended from said upper frame of said first direction level switch, said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch comprising an electrically conductive material;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being in electrical contact with said cross frame of said first direction level switch to complete a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the associated axis of the camera is level with the ground surface; and

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being pivoted away from said cross frame of said first direction level switch to break a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the camera is tilted in the first direction of the associated axis.

5. The horizon control of claim 3, wherein said second direction level switch comprises:

spaced apart upper and lower frames, a cross frame, and a pendulum connector;

said frames of said second direction level switch being electrically conductive, said upper frame of said second direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said lower frame of said second direction level switch being electrically connected to the second indicator of the visual indicator of the associated level detector, said cross frame of said second direction level switch being in electrical communication with said lower frame of said second direction level switch;

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being pivotally suspended from said upper frame of said second direction level switch, said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch comprising an electrically conductive material;

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being in electrical contact with said cross frame of said second direction level switch to complete a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the associated axis of the camera is level with the ground surface; and

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being pivoted away from said cross frame of said second direction level switch to break a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the camera is tilted in the first direction of the associated axis.

6. A horizon control for a camera for indicating whether a plane of the camera is level with respect to the ground surface, the plane of the camera having a x-axis and a y-axis extending from the camera, the y-axis being extended perpendicular to the x-axis, each axis extending in opposite first and second directions, the camera having a generally rectangular viewfinder having four corners, said horizon control comprising:

an x-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;

a y-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;

a x-axis level detector for detecting whether the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said x-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said x-axis level detector being electrically connected to said x-axis level indicator; and

a y-axis level detector for detecting whether the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said y-axis level detector being electrically connected to said y-axis level indicator;

wherein each of said level detectors comprises a first direction level switch for completing a circuit between the level detector and the electrically connected the first indicator of the visual indicator of the associated level indicator when the camera is level in the first direction of the associated axis of the level detector to the ground surface and a second direction level switch for completing a circuit between the level detector and the electrically connected associated level indicator when the camera is level in the second direction of the associated axis of the level detector to the ground surface.

7. The horizon control of claim 6, wherein said x-axis level indictor comprises a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, wherein said y-axis level indictor comprises a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface.

8. The horizon control of claim 6, wherein said first direction level switch comprises:

spaced apart upper and lower frames, a cross frame, and a pendulum connector, said frames of said first direction level switch being electrically conductive, said upper frame of said first direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said lower frame of said first direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said cross frame of said first direction level switch being in electrical communication with said lower frame of said first direction level switch;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being pivotally suspended from said upper frame of said first direction level switch, said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch comprising an electrically conductive material;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being in electrical contact with said cross frame of said first direction level switch to complete a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the associated axis of the camera is level with the ground surface; and

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being pivoted away from said cross frame of said first direction level switch to break a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the camera is tilted in the first direction of the associated axis.

9. The horizon control of claim 6, wherein said second direction level switch comprises:

spaced apart upper and lower frames, a cross frame, and a pendulum connector;

said frames of said second direction level switch being electrically conductive, said upper frame of said second direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said lower frame of said second direction level switch being electrically connected to the second indicator of the visual indicator of the associated level detector, said cross frame of said second direction level switch being in electrical communication with said lower frame of said second direction level switch;

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being pivotally suspended from said upper frame of said second direction level switch, said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch comprising an electrically conductive material;

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being in electrical contact with said cross frame of said second direction level switch to complete a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the associated axis of the camera is level with the ground surface; and

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being pivoted away from said cross frame of said second direction level switch to break a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the camera is tilted in the first direction of the associated axis.

10. The horizon control of claim 7, wherein said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator is provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said x-axis, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said x-axis, and wherein said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator is provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said y-axis, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said y-axis.

11. The horizon control of claim 10, wherein said first and second indicators of said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator and said y-axis level indicator comprise light sources.

12. A horizon control for a camera for indicating whether a plane of the camera is level with respect to the ground surface, the plane of the camera having a x-axis and a y-axis extending from the camera, the y-axis being extended perpendicular to the x-axis, each axis extending in opposite first and second directions, the camera having a generally rectangular viewfinder having four corners, said horizon control comprising:

a power source;

an x-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said x-axis level indictor comprising a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level indicator being electrically connected to said power source;

said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator being provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said x-axis, said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said x-axis;

said first indicator of said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator being positioned in one of the lower corners of the viewfinder of the camera, said second indicator of said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator being positioned in another of the lower corners of the viewfinder of the camera;

said first and second indicators of said visual indicator of said x-axis level indicator comprising light sources;

a y-axis level indicator for indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level indicator being electrically connected to said y-axis level detector, said y-axis level indictor comprising a visual indicator for visually indicating to a user when the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level indicator being electrically connected to said power source;

said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator being provided in a viewfinder of the camera, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a first indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said first direction of said y-axis, said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator having a second indicator for indicating when the camera is tilted in said second direction of said y-axis;

said first indicator of said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator being positioned in one of the upper corners of the viewfinder of the camera, said second indicator of said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator being positioned in another of the upper corners of the viewfinder of the camera;

said first and second indicators of said visual indicator of said y-axis level indicator comprising light sources;

a x-axis level detector for detecting whether the x-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said x-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said x-axis level indicator being electrically connector to said power source, said x-axis level detector being electrically connected to said x-axis level indicator;

a y-axis level detector for detecting whether the y-axis of the camera is level with the ground surface, said y-axis level detector being provided in the camera, said y-axis level indicator being electrically connector to said power source, said y-axis level detector being electrically connected to said y-axis level indicator; and

wherein each of said level detectors comprises;

a first direction level switch for completing a circuit between the level detector and the electrically connected the first indicator of the visual indicator of the associated level indicator when the camera is level in the first direction of the associated axis of the level detector to the ground surface;

said first direction level switch comprising spaced apart upper and lower frames, a cross frame, and a pendulum connector;

said frames of said first direction level switch being electrically conductive, said upper frame of said first direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said lower frame of said first direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said cross frame of said first direction level switch being in electrical communication with said lower frame of said first direction level switch;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being pivotally suspended from said upper frame of said first direction level switch, said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch comprising an electrically conductive material;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being in electrical contact with said cross frame of said first direction level switch to complete a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the associated axis of the camera is level with the ground surface;

said pendulum connector of said first direction level switch being pivoted away from said cross frame of said first direction level switch to break a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the camera is tilted in the first direction of the associated axis;

a second direction level switch for completing a circuit between the level detector and the electrically connected associated level indicator when the camera is level in the second direction of the associated axis of the level detector to the ground surface;

said second direction level switch comprising spaced apart upper and lower frames, a cross frame, and a pendulum connector;

said frames of said second direction level switch being electrically conductive, said upper frame of said second direction level switch being electrically connected to the associated level detector, said lower frame of said second direction level switch being electrically connected to the second indicator of the visual indicator of the associated level detector, said cross frame of said second direction level switch being in electrical communication with said lower frame of said second direction level switch;

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being pivotally suspended from said upper frame of said second direction level switch, said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch comprising an electrically conductive material;

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being in electrical contact with said cross frame of said second direction level switch to complete a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the associated axis of the camera is level with the ground surface; and

said pendulum connector of said second direction level switch being pivoted away from said cross frame of said second direction level switch to break a circuit between said upper and lower frames when the camera is tilted in the first direction of the associated axis.