Abstract: A battery assembly for providing a stable, quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus includes a housing defining a closed interior area for accommodating an energy cell. A threaded bore and a depression are defined in said housing, with the depression extending into the closed interior area. A mounting mechanism having a threaded post is provided for releasably engagaing with the depression such that an expansive mounting surface is provided when at least a portion of the mounting mechanism is engaged within the depression.

Abstract: A mobile workstation includes a first battery bracket for releasable attachment of a main battery, a second battery bracket for releasable attachment of a backup battery and a power control circuit. The power control circuit includes a first input for receiving and monitoring power from the main battery, a second input for receiving and monitoring power from the backup battery, and a DC output. The power control circuit selectively routes a first flow of electricity from the main battery to the DC output when the first flow of electricity exceeds a predetermined value, and routes a second flow of electricity from the backup battery to the DC output when the first flow of electricity falls below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A universal charge module for recharging rechargeable batteries includes a housing, a connector block formed on the housing for receiving a rechargeable battery, the connector block including an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the rechargeable battery to the housing, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the housing, the power control circuit being capable of determining operating and charging parameters of the rechargeable battery, wherein the power control circuit controls the recharging of the rechargeable battery in dependence upon the determined operating and charging parameters.

Abstract: A mobile workstation includes a first battery bracket for releasable attachment of a main battery, a second battery bracket for releasable attachment of a backup battery and a power control circuit. The power control circuit includes a first input for receiving and monitoring power from the main battery, a second input for receiving and monitoring power from the backup battery, and a DC output. The power control circuit selectively routes a first flow of electricity from the main battery to the DC output when the first flow of electricity exceeds a predetermined value, and routes a second flow of electricity from the backup battery to the DC output when the first flow of electricity falls below the predetermined value.

Abstract: An intelligent battery system for powering a mobile workstation includes a mounting block having a first battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a first battery, a second battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a second battery and a third battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a backup battery, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the mounting block and being capable of detecting a change in status of at least one of the first and second batteries and routing the flow of electrical power from the first, second and backup batteries in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A battery assembly for providing a stable, quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus includes a housing defining a closed interior area for accommodating an energy cell. A threaded bore and a depression are defined in said housing, with the depression extending into the closed interior area. A mounting mechanism having a threaded post is provided for releasably engagaing with the depression such that an expansive mounting surface is provided when at least a portion of the mounting mechanism is engaged within the depression.

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.

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.

Abstract: An intelligent battery system for powering a mobile workstation includes a mounting block having a first battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a first battery, a second battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a second battery and a third battery interface bracket for the releasable attachment of a backup battery, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the mounting block and being capable of detecting a change in status of at least one of the first and second batteries and routing the flow of electrical power from the first, second and backup batteries in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A universal charge module for recharging rechargeable batteries includes a housing, a connector block formed on the housing for receiving a rechargeable battery, the connector block including an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the rechargeable battery to the housing, and a power control circuit functionally integrated with the housing, the power control circuit being capable of determining operating and charging parameters of the rechargeable battery, wherein the power control circuit controls the recharging of the rechargeable battery in dependence upon the determined operating and charging parameters.

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.

Abstract: A dual power supply assembly for providing power to an electrical device includes a fuel cell and a battery in electrical communication with the fuel cell. The fuel cell and the battery act in tandem to supply power to the electrical device. Either the fuel cell of the battery may be removed from the dual power supply assembly without interrupting the continuous operation of the electrical device.

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.

Abstract: An articulating support assembly includes a first segment and a second segment. The first and second segments are disposed adjacent to one another. A first mating surface is defined on the first segment and a second mating surface is defined on the second segment. A tensioning assembly is operatively connected to the first and second segments such that the tensioning may be selectively operable to bias the first mating surface and the second mating surface into contact with one another thereby holding the first segment in a predetermined static orientation with respect to the second segment.

Abstract: A charge module adapter for a power distribution system comprising an electric device, a rechargeable battery and an adapter module, wherein the adapter module is functionally interposed between the electric device and the battery, the adapter module being in electrical communication with the electric device and the battery, wherein the adapter module is configured to selectively distribute supplied power to the electric device and the battery, and wherein the adapter module determines the operating parameters of both the electric device and the battery, and operates to selectively provide power to the electric device and the battery in dependence upon the determined operating parameters.

Abstract: A fully adjustable, handlebar support apparatus is readily attachable to a hand held video or still camera or to another support device, such as a monopod or tripod and includes a flexible, articulating handle which may be grasped by the camera operator and selectively manipulated to exhibit an infinite range of possible contours to the flexible handle.

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.