Camera system and power supply for optical recording devices

• US 7,986,367 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anton/Bauer Inc. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Anton/Bauer Inc. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Desorbo, Alexander P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ye; Lin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bemben; Richard
• Application Number:
  US12/756,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20100195987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348372-376, 248/187.1, 320/107, 320112-115, 429 96-100
• US Class Current: 348/372
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/007 Details of energy supply or management
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00493 Particular location of the interface or console
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00559 Mounting or support of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00562 Supporting the apparatus as a whole, e.g. stands
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00901 Using different supplies or connection to an external supply H04N1/00893, H04N1/00896 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00907 Details of supply connection, e.g. arrangement of power cables H04N1/00901 and H04N1/00904 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0056 Using mechanical couplings, e.g. mating elements H04N2201/0049, H04N2201/0051, H04N2201/0058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details

Abstract

A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera. A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the battery assembly.

Claims

1. A battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus, said battery assembly comprising:

a housing having a first outer surface and a second outer surface, said first surface and said second outer surfaces being on opposing sides of said housing;

a threaded bore defined on said second outer surface;

a depression formed in said first outer surface;

an energy cell disposed within said housing;

a mounting plate releasably secured within said depression, said mounting plate having a thickness substantially equal to a depth of said depression and including a threaded post formed thereon; and

a latching means in operative communication with said depression, wherein manual operation of said latching means releasably secures said mounting plate within said depression;

wherein said mounting plate is substantially coplanar with said first outer surface when said mounting plate is mounted within said depression; and

wherein operation of said latching means causes a locking cam to selectively protrude into said depression and bear upon said mounting plate, thereby securing said mounting plate in said depression.

2. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said battery assembly includes a visual indicator for communicating a predetermined characteristic of said energy cell.

3. The battery assembly for providing a quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said mounting plate includes an electrical communication means for communicating electrical power of said energy cell through said mounting plate and to said image recording apparatus.