Panoramic camera mount

• US 8,075,203 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2009
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Really Right Stuff, LLC
• Original Assignee: Joseph Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): ADAMS, BRET W
• Application Number:
  US12/655,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20100254697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 396/428
• US Class Current: 396/428
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/065 using screw-thread elements F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/02 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/04 Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
• 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 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/00 Panoramic or wide-screen photography; Photographing extended surfaces, e.g. for surveying; Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe

Abstract

A panoramic device includes a base member having a flat lower surface suitable to be supported by a tripod. A clamp member has a flat upper surface rotatably interconnected within a single plane of rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with respect to the base. The flat upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the flat upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with respect to one another. The panoramic device includes a level bubble visible on an upper surface at a location exterior to the central region of the clamp.

Claims

1. A panoramic device comprising:

(a) a base having a lower first surface suitable to be supported by a tripod and a second surface;

(b) a first clamp member having an upper surface and secured to said base for rotation within a single plane of rotation with respect to said second surface of said base, said upper surface including a central region at a different elevation than another substantially parallel portion of said upper surface, said central region and said another portion connected by a first opposing surface;

(c) a second clamp member including a second opposing surface;

(d) a first knob rotatably engaged with said first clamp member, said first knob rotatable to selectively move said second opposing surface farther from said first opposing surface and rotatable to selectively move said second opposing surface nearer said first opposing surface to secure an object between said first opposing surface and said second opposing surface; and

(e) a second knob rotatable with respect to said base to selectively inhibit rotation of said first clamp member with respect to said base, said first clamp member and said second clamp member not releasable from said base by movement of said second knob.

2. The panoramic device of claim 1 further including a bias mechanism that biases said second opposing surface to move further from said first opposing surface.

3. The panoramic device of claim 2 wherein said bias mechanism includes at least one spring.

4. The panoramic device of claim 2 wherein said bias mechanism includes at least two springs.

5. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said first knob comprises a screw in engagement with one of said first clamp member and said second clamp member.

6. The panoramic device of claim 5 wherein said screw passes through a portion of said second clamp member.

7. The panoramic device of claim 6 further comprising a sleeve surrounding a portion of said screw.

8. The panoramic device of claim 7 including a clamp knob attached to said screw.

9. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a level bubble visible from a point spaced apart and substantially normal to said upper surface of said first clamp member.

10. The panoramic device of claim 9 wherein said level bubble is approximately flush with the said upper surface of said first clamp member.

11. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a ring, at least partially circular, maintained between said base and said first clamp member.

12. The panoramic device of claim 11 wherein said ring is attached to at least one of said base and said first clamp member.

13. The panoramic device of claim 12 wherein a securement member selectively maintains in a fixed rotational position of said base member and said first clamp member by pressing engagement with said ring.

14. The panoramic device of claim 13 wherein said pressing engagement includes 50% of a surface of said ring.

15. The panoramic device of claim 14 wherein said pressing engagement includes 75% of a surface of said ring.

16. The panoramic device of claim 13 wherein said pressing engagement includes 90% of a surface of said ring.