Panoramic camera mount

• US 9,372,385 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2015
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Really Right Stuff, LLC
• Original Assignee: Really Right Stuff, LLC
• Inventors: Johnson, Joseph M. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): FULLER, RODNEY EVAN
• Application Number:
  US14/723,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20150261073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 396/428
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 and a clamp member 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 upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the 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.

Claims

1. A panoramic device comprising:

(a) a base having a lower surface suitable for supporting said base;

(b) a first clamp member secured for rotation to said base and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a single axis substantially normal to said lower surface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said first clamp surface being rotatable about an axis other than said single axis substantially normal to said lower surface;

(c) a second clamp member slidably secured to said first clamp member and movable by rotation of a first adjustment structure to approach said first clamp surface to clamp an article therebetween and movable by reversing rotation of said first adjustment structure to separate from said first clamp surface to release an article clamped between said first clamp surface and said second clamp member; and

(d) a second adjustment structure to selectively impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and said base, said first clamp member and said second clamp member not releasable from said base by movement of said second adjustment structure, said first clamp member and said second clamp member not readily detachable from said base, said first clamp member rotatable through 360 degrees with respect to said base.

2. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a bias mechanism that biases said second clamp member away from said first clamp 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 adjustment structure is in engagement with said first clamp member.

6. The panoramic device of claim 5 wherein said first adjustment structure 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 first adjustment structure.

8. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising said first adjustment structure including a knob.

9. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramic device.

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

11. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said second adjustment structure is in engagement with said base.

12. The panoramic device of claim 11 wherein said second adjustment structure includes a knob.

13. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said second adjustment structure impedes said relative rotation by rotating said second adjustment structure.

14. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said clamp surface includes a plurality of different elevations.

15. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said base defines a circular peripheral edge.

16. The panoramic device of claim 15 wherein said base defines a circular exterior surface.

17. The panoramic device of claim 16 wherein said base defines an opening in the center of said lower surface of said base.

18. The panoramic device of claim 17 wherein said lower surface is supported by a tripod.

19. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein first clamp member defines a circular peripheral edge.

20. The panoramic device of claim 19 wherein said first clamp member defines a circular exterior surface.

21. The panoramic device of claim 20 wherein said first clamp member defines an opening in the center of said first clamp member.

22. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said base defines a first circular exterior surface and said first clamp member defines a second circular exterior surface, and said first circular exterior surface is aligned with said second exterior surface.

23. A panoramic device comprising:

(a) a base having a lower first surface suitable for supporting said base;

(b) a first clamp member secured for rotation to said base and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a single axis substantially normal to said lower first surface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said first clamp surface being said rotatable about an axis other than said single axis substantially normal to said lower surface;

(c) a second clamp member slidably secured to said first clamp member and movable by rotation of a first adjustment structure to approach said first clamp surface to clamp an article therebetween and movable by reversing rotation of said first adjustment structure to separate from said first clamp surface to release an article clamped between said first clamp surface and said second clamp member; and

(d) a movable member located within an outer periphery of said panoramic device to selectively impede relative rotation of said base and said first clamp member, and said movable member movable by rotation of a second adjustment structure in a first rotational direction to increasingly impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and said base, and said movable member movable by rotation of said second adjustment structure in a second rotational direction to decreasingly impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and said base, said first clamp member and said second clamp member not readily detachable from said base, said first clamp member rotatable through 360 degrees with respect to said base, said first clamp member and said second clamp member not releasable from said base by movement of said second adjustment structure.

24. The panoramic device of claim 23 further comprising a bias mechanism that biases said second clamp member away from said first clamp surface.

25. The panoramic device of claim 24 wherein said bias mechanism includes at least one spring.

26. The panoramic device of claim 25 wherein said bias mechanism includes at least two springs.

27. The panoramic device of claim 26 wherein said first adjustment structure passes through a portion of said second clamp member.

28. The panoramic device of claim 27 further comprising a sleeve surrounding a portion of said first adjustment structure.

29. The panoramic device of claim 28 further comprising a knob attached to said first adjustment structure.

30. The panoramic device of claim 23 wherein said first adjustment structure is in threaded engagement with said first clamp member.

31. The panoramic device of claim 23 further comprising a level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramic device.

32. The panoramic device of claim 31 wherein said level bubble is approximately flush with the upper surface of said panoramic device.

33. The panoramic device of claim 23 wherein said second adjustment structure rotatably engaged with said base.