Camera multi-mount

• US 8,057,112 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2008
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panavision Federal Systems, LLC (Panavision Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Panavision International LP (Panavision Incorporated)
• Inventors: Favazzo, James William, Amadril, Richard Todd, Dodd, Mark Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller; Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang; Fang-Chi
• Application Number:
  US12/247,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20090097840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 352/243, 396/428, 248/123.2, 348/373
• US Class Current: 396/428
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/048 Mobile camera platform
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/044 for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A multi-mount apparatus for devices such as camera heads or lights on the end of a crane arm is disclosed. The multi-mount can include two substantially parallel side plates connected together with internal support members. A top mounting plate can be rotatably attached to the multi-mount at a top pivot point on the side plates. The multi-mount contains a leveling head, which can include a motor that drives a worm gear engaged with a moon gear. A bottom mounting plate can be attached to the moon gear, which is rotatably attached to the multi-mount at a bottom pivot point on the side plates. A motor drives a moon gear to rotate and maintain the bottom mounting plate at a desired orientation. In some embodiments, one or more push/pull rods rotatably attached to the bottom and top mounting plates also cause the top mounting plate to be maintained at the same orientation as the bottom mounting plate.

Claims

1. A multi-mount apparatus for a crane arm, comprising:

first and second side plates configured for mounting to a distal end of the crane arm;

a top mounting plate pivotally coupled to the first and second side plates and configured to couple to cinematographic camera equipment;

a bottom mounting plate pivotally coupled to the first and second side plates and configured to couple to cinematographic camera equipment; and

a leveling head coupled to the first and second side plates, the leveling head cooperating with one or more linear translation members rotatably coupled to the top and bottom mounting plates for maintaining both the top and bottom mounting plates at the same orientation relative to each other, the one or more linear translation members rotatably coupled to the top and bottom mounting plates so that the orientation of at least one of said one or more linear translation members is rotatable with respect to the orientations of the top and bottom mounting plates.

2. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, the leveling head comprising a motor coupled to and rotatably engaged with a moon gear, the moon gear rotatably coupled to the first and second side plates and the one or more linear translation members.

3. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, the leveling head and linear translation member comprising a motor rotatably engaged with a ball screw assembly, the ball screw assembly coupled to the first and second side plates and the top and bottom mounting plates.

4. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, the leveling head and linear translation member comprising a motor rotatably engaged with a rack and pinion assembly, the rack and pinion assembly coupled to the first and second side plates and the top and bottom mounting plates.

5. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a front mounting plate coupled at a distal end of the first and second side plates.

6. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, the leveling head configured for receiving control signals and maintaining both the top and bottom mounting plates at a level orientation.

7. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, one or both of the top and bottom mounting plates configured for coupling to a plurality of adapter plates, each adapter plate designed to accommodate a particular piece of cinematographic equipment.

8. The multi-mount apparatus of claim 1, one or both of the top and bottom mounting plates further including an extension member, the extension member providing one or more of a front mounting plate and side mounting plates, the front mounting plate and the side mounting plates maintained in a particular orientation with respect to the top or bottom mounting plate.

9. A method for providing multiple mounting surfaces at a distal end of a crane arm, comprising:

affixing top and bottom mounting plates to the distal end of the crane arm, each mounting plate configured to couple to cinematographic equipment, one or more linear translation members being rotatably coupled to the top and bottom mounting plates for maintaining the top and bottom plates at the same orientation relative to each other, the one or more linear translation members rotatably coupled to the top and bottom mounting plates so that the orientation of at least one of said one or more linear translation members is rotatable with respect to the orientations of the top and bottom mounting plates.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising utilizing a leveling head cooperating with the one or more linear translation members to maintain the top and bottom plates at the same orientation relative to each other.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving control signals to maintain the top and bottom plates at a desired orientation.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising coupling the one or more linear translation members between the leveling head and the top and bottom plates to maintain the top and bottom plates at approximately the same orientation.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising utilizing a ball screw assembly to actuate the orientation of the top and bottom plates.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising utilizing a rack and pinion assembly to actuate the orientation of the top and bottom plates.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising rotatably coupling the top and bottom mounting plates to first and second side plates of a multi-mount bracket.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising coupling the top and bottom mounting plates to a plurality of adapter plates, each adapter plate designed to accommodate a particular piece of cinematographic equipment.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising attaching an extension member providing one or more of a front mounting plate and side mounting plates, and top and bottom plates.

18. A camera mount for a crane arm comprising:

a camera mount support configured to couple to a distal end of the crane arm;

a first mounting plate pivotally coupled to the camera mount support and configured to couple to cinematographic camera equipment;

a second mounting plate pivotally coupled to the camera mount support, on an opposite side of the camera mount support from the first mounting plate, and configured to couple to cinematographic equipment;

a linking arm pivotally coupled to each of the first and second mounting plates, the linking arm configured to maintain the first and second mounting plates in a parallel orientation with respect to each other; and

a leveling head coupled to one or more of the first mounting plate, the second mounting plate, and the linking arm and configured to maintain the first and second mounting plates at a predetermined orientation as the crane arm changes a boom orientation.