Video camera support assembly

• US 20060077286A1
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory J. Wenderski
• Original Assignee: Gregory J. Wenderski
• Inventors: Wenderski, Gregory J.
• Application Number:
  US11/247,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20060077286A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/08 Foot or support base
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A video camera support assembly includes a platform and a flexible neck. The platform defines a substantially planar surface. The flexible neck extends from the substantially planar surface of the platform and is configured to receive and be selectively coupled with a video camera on a first end opposite the platform. The flexible neck is adjustable to vary the position of the video camera.

Claims

1. A video camera support assembly, comprising:

a platform defining a substantially planar surface; and

a flexible neck extending from the substantially planar surface of the platform and being configured to receive and be selectively coupled with a video camera on a first end opposite the platform, wherein the flexible neck is adjustable to vary the position of the video camera.

2. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible neck is adjustable along a neck portion spaced from each of the platform and the first end of the flexible neck.

3. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible neck includes a gooseneck portion.

4. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the substantially planar surface is configured to support a subject to be photographed with the video camera.

5. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible neck is adjustable in at least three directions.

6. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein an elongated connection plate is coupled to the first end of the flexible neck to facilitate coupling of the video camera to the flexible neck.

7. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the connection plate defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the connection plate interfacing with the flexible neck at one of the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the first surface is configured to be coupled with the camera.

8. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source;

a light support neck extending from the platform and defining a first end opposite the platform, the first end of the light support neck being coupled with the light source, wherein the light support neck is adjustable to position the light source to illuminate a subject being photographed with the video camera.

9. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the light support neck includes a flexible portion adjustable in at least three directions.

10. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, wherein the light support neck is coupled to the planar surface of the platform.

11. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one cord selectively couplable to the video camera; and

at least one clamp configured to maintain the cord near to the flexible neck.

12. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a utensil holder coupled to the platform and configured to selectively maintain one or more utensils.

13. The video camera support assembly of claim 1, in combination with a video camera coupled to the flexible neck and adapted to capture video images of a subject and to record the video images to a data storage device maintained by the video camera.

14. A video imager, comprising:

a platform;

a video capture device; and

a support neck extending from the platform and coupled with the video capture device opposite the platform, the support neck including a flexible portion spaced from the platform and the video capture device, the flexible portion being adjustable to vary the position of the video capture device relative to the platform.

15. The video imager of claim 14, wherein while coupled to support neck, the video capture device is maintained in a substantially stationary position relative to an end of the support neck opposite the platform.

16. The video imager of claim 14, wherein the video capture device is configured to be coupled to the support neck in each of two positions, and wherein each of the two positions correspond to one of two orientations of the video capture device.

17. The video imager of claim 14, wherein the video capture device is configured to selectively receive a data recording device and to record video of a subject to the data recording device.

18. The video imager of claim 14, wherein the video capture device includes a display screen.

19. A method of capturing video of a subject, the method comprising:

providing a support assembly including a platform and a support arm, the support arm including a first end coupled to the platform, a second end opposite the first end, and a flexible portion extending at least partially between the first end and the second end;

coupling a video capture device to the second end of the support arm;

positioning the video capture device relative to the subject by bending the flexible portion of the support arm until the video capture device is positioned to capture video of the subject, wherein the subject is positioned at one of on the platform and spaced from the platform; and

capturing video images of the subject and forwarding such images to one of a video projector and a video display screen coupled with the video capture device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

removing the video capture device from the support arm; and

capturing additional video images while the video camera is removed from the support arm.