Self locking ergonomic support assembly for optical devices

• US 7,318,678 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2005
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anton/Bauer Inc. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Anton/Bauer Inc. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Teodosio, Joseph P., Hultman, Carl A., DeSorbo, Alexander P.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US11/122,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20050201744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/420, 396421-422
• US Class Current: 396/420
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• 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 13/04 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: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A support assembly for supporting an optical recording device about an operator includes a shaft having a first distal end for mounting the optical recording device, and a second distal end for bearing against the back of the operator. A friction plate arm is slidably disposed on the shaft and pivotable movement of the friction plate selectively captures the operator between the friction plate and the second distal end, thus causing the friction plate to frictionally lock against said shaft.

Claims

1. A support assembly for supporting an optical recording device in front of an operator, comprising:

a shaft having a first distal end for mounting said optical recording device adjacent thereto, and a second distal end for bearing against a back of said operator;

a friction plate slidably disposed on said shaft; and

wherein slidable movement of said friction plate selectively captures said operator between said friction plate and said second distal end, thereby causing said friction plate to frictionally lock against said shaft.

2. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said friction plate includes a hinged portion that is pivotably biased in a direction towards said second distal end.

3. The support assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical power cable housed within said shaft, and extending through said shaft from said first distal end to said second distal end.

4. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said shaft is comprised of a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section being releasably detachable from one another via a release knuckle.

5. The support assembly according to claim 4, further comprising:

a first electrical power cable housed within said first section and a second electrical power cable housed within said second section; and

wherein electrical communication between said first electrical power cable and said second electrical power cable is enabled by the selective mating of said first section and said second section at said release knuckle.

6. The support assembly according to claim 4, wherein:

a longitudinal axis of said first section is arranged at an angle to a longitudinal axis of said second section.

7. The support assembly according to claim 6, further comprising:

a mounting block slidably affixed adjacent to said first distal end, said mounting block releasably mating with said optical recording device.

8. The support assembly according to claim 7, wherein:

said mounting block being capable of sliding by a distance commensurate with said angle, such that said optical recording device can be selectively arranged along said longitudinal axis of said second section.

9. The support assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical power cable disposed within said shaft; and

an electrical power source releasably mounted to said second distal end and providing electrical power to said optical recording device via said electrical power cable, said electrical power source acting as a counterweight to said optical recording device.

10. A method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting said optical recording device adjacent a first distal end of a shaft, said shaft having a bearing surface mounted adjacent a second distal end of said shaft for bearing against a back of said torso;

slidably affixing a friction plate on said shaft;

selectively sliding said friction plate in opposition to said bearing surface; and

capturing said torso between said friction plate and said second distal end via the slidable movement of said friction plate, wherein said friction plate frictionally locks against said shaft when said friction plate contacts said torso.

11. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 10, said method further comprising the steps of:

pivotably biasing a hinged portion of said friction plate in a direction towards said bearing surface.

12. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 10, said method further comprising the steps of:

arranging an electrical power cable through said shaft from said first distal end to said second distal end.

13. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 10, said method further comprising the steps of:

securing an electrical power cable through externally exposed clips formed on said shaft.

14. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 10, said method further comprising the steps of:

forming said shaft to have a first section and a second section, said first section and said second section being releasably detachable from one another via a release knuckle.

15. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 14, said method further comprising the steps of:

arranging a first electrical power cable within said first section and a second electrical power cable within said second section; and

enabling electrical communication between said first electrical power cable and said second electrical power cable by mating of said first section and said second section at said release knuckle.

16. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 14, said method further comprising the steps of:

orienting a longitudinal axis of said first section to be at an angle to a longitudinal axis of said second section.

17. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 16, said method further comprising the steps of:

slidably affixing a mounting block adjacent said first distal end, said mounting block releasably mating with said optical recording device; and

forming said mounting block so as to be capable of sliding by a distance commensurate with said angle, whereby said optical recording device can be selectively arranged along said longitudinal axis of said second section.

18. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 10, said method further comprising the steps of:

forming a laterally offset portion adjacent said first distal end, wherein said laterally offset portion is oriented to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said shaft.

19. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 18, said method further comprising the steps of:

providing an extension knob to said laterally offset portion, and wherein operation of said extension knob selectively permits one of an extension and a retraction of said laterally offset portion.

20. The method for supporting an optical recording device about a torso of an operator according to claim 10, said method further comprising the steps of:

arranging an electrical power cable within said shaft;

releasably mounting an electrical power source to said second distal end; and

providing electrical power to said optical recording device via said electrical power cable, said electrical power source providing a counterweight to said optical recording device.

21. A support assembly for supporting an optical recording device in front of an operator, comprising:

a contoured support having a first distal end for mounting said optical recording device adjacent thereto, and a second distal end for bearing against a back of said operator;

an arm slidably disposed on said contoured support; and

wherein pivoting movement of said arm selectively causes a friction post to bear against said contoured support, thereby causing said arm to frictionally lock against said contoured support.

22. The support assembly according to claim 21, wherein:

said arm includes a biasing leg having a free distal end that is capable of deflection towards said arm.

23. The support assembly according to claim 21, wherein:

said contoured support includes a laterally offset portion.

24. The support assembly according to claim 23, wherein:

said laterally offset portion is displaced from and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said contoured support.

25. The support assembly according to claim 23, further comprising:

an extension knob whose operation selectively permits one of an extension and a retraction of said laterally offset portion.

26. The support assembly according to claim 23, further comprising:

a mounting plate slidably affixed adjacent to said laterally offset portion, said mounting block releasably mating with said optical recording device.

27. The support assembly according to claim 26, wherein:

said mounting plate being capable of sliding by a distance substantially equal to said displacement of said offset portion, such that said optical recording device can be selectively arranged along said longitudinal axis of said contoured support.