Patents Assigned to Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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Patent number: 6854697Abstract: A first stopper supporting member (31), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a second tubular member (22) of a telescopic unit (15) along a first tubular member (21), is disposed around the outer surface of the first tubular member (21). A second stopper supporting member (31a), supporting a stopper (35) which controls movement of a third tubular member (23) along the second tubular member (22) is disposed around the outer surface of the second tubular member (22). A facing end (71) of the first stopper supporting member (31) and a facing end (72) of the second stopper supporting member (31a) have nearly the same outer diameter. The resulting telescopic unit (15) is both attractive in appearance and free from the problem of being inadvertently caught by another object.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignees: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hakuba Shashin Sangyo KabushikiInventor: Mitsuru Akaike
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Patent number: 6830227Abstract: A first tubular member (11) of an extension device (1) includes a first tubular body portion (16) provided with protruding portions (17) which are so formed on the inner surface of the first tubular body portion (16) as to protrude therefrom and extend from one axial end to the other end of the first tubular body portion (16). A second tubular member (12) which is capable of moving back and forth along the inner surface of the first tubular member (11) includes a second tubular body portion (27). A rotation prevention portion (28) adapted to come into contact with the protruding portions (17) and thereby prevent rotation of the second tubular member (12) is formed on the outer surface of the second tubular body portion (27) so as to rise therefrom. The extent to which the protruding portions (17) protrudes is nearly the same as the thickness (i.e. the height) of the rotation prevention portion (28).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 6820845Abstract: To provide a tripod in which downsizing can be easily realized. A tripod comprises: a main tripod body; a camera supporting rod capable of rising and falling; rotatable legs; and operating bodies for adjusting the opening degree of the legs. These operating bodies are provided so as to be shiftable in the left and right direction without protruding upward from the upper surface of the main tripod body. These operating bodies each have an operating plate portion which shifts in the horizontal direction approximately along a plane including the upper surface of the main tripod body.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 6769824Abstract: A camera support (10) has a mounting member (13) to be attached to a camera (11), and a supporting member (14) for supporting the camera (11) through the mounting member (13). The supporting member (14) has a catching surface (22) in the shape of an arcuate surface and a fitting surface (24) in the shape of a cylindrical surface. The mounting member (13) has a catching surface (32) and one or more fitting surfaces (36). The catching surface (32) is adapted to removably catch the catching surface (22). Each fitting surface (36) is adapted to removably be fitted to the fitting surface (24). By engaging the catching surface (22) with the catching surface (32), the camera (11) is set in the horizontal position in such a state as to be capable of rotating vertically so that its vertical angle can be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 6761501Abstract: Each one of telescopic units (12) that are used for a tripod includes a first tubular member (15). A second tubular member (16) is inserted in the first tubular member (15) so as to be capable of rotating circumferentially and enabling the adjustment of the distance by which the second tubular member (16) projects from the first tubular member (15). Press receiving surface portions (25) having a cross section which has an arc-shaped surface such that the center axis of the arc extends in parallel with the center axis of the first tubular member (15) are formed on the inner cylindrical surface of the first tubular member (15). Press applying surface portions (37) having a cross section which has an arc-shaped surface such that the center axis of the arc extends in parallel with the center axis of the second tubular member (16) are formed on the outer cylindrical surface of the second tubular member (16).Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 6739559Abstract: To provide a panhead in which operationality is excellent and an appropriate tilt fixing force can be obtained. A panhead comprises a pan rotation body which has a fixing notch portion and rotates in the left and right direction around a vertical axis. The panhead comprises a tilt rotation body which has a fixing notch portion and rotates in the up-and-down direction around a horizontal axis. The panhead comprises an attaching-object support body to which an attaching object can be attached and an operation body which is provided on the tilt rotation body so as to be capable of rotating operation. By a one-action rotating operation of the operation body, the tilt rotation body and the pan rotation body are respectively fixed. The front-end portion of the fixing notch portion of the pan rotation body is blocked by a blocking portion for deformation suppression.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Publication number: 20040061035Abstract: To provide a panhead in which operationality is excellent and an appropriate tilt fixing force can be obtained. A panhead comprises a pan rotation body which has a fixing notch portion and rotates in the left and right direction around a vertical axis. The panhead comprises a tilt rotation body which has a fixing notch portion and rotates in the up-and-down direction around a horizontal axis. The panhead comprises an attaching-object support body to which an attaching object can be attached and an operation body which is provided on the tilt rotation body so as to be capable of rotating operation. By a one-action rotating operation of the operation body, the tilt rotation body and the pan rotation body are respectively fixed. The front-end portion of the fixing notch portion of the pan rotation body is blocked by a blocking portion for deformation suppression.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 6712322Abstract: A panhead (11) has a rotational body (21), which can be adjustably rotated around a horizontal rotation center axis (X), and a camera mount (41) adapted to revolve, as an integral body with the rotational body (21), around the rotation center axis (X) of the rotational body (21). When the camera mount (41) is set at a first position by rotating the rotational body (21) in one direction, at least a part of the camera mount (41) is located higher than the upper end portion of the rotational body (21). When the camera mount (41) is set at a second position by rotating the rotational body (21) in the other direction, the entire camera mount (41) is located lower than the upper end portion of the rotational body (21).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
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Publication number: 20030234327Abstract: To provide a tripod in which downsizing can be easily realized. A tripod comprises: a main tripod body; a camera supporting rod capable of rising and falling; rotatable legs; and operating bodies for adjusting the opening degree of the legs. These operating bodies are provided so as to be shiftable in the left and right direction without protruding upward from the upper surface of the main tripod body. These operating bodies each have an operating plate portion which shifts in the horizontal direction approximately along a plane including the upper surface of the main tripod body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 5746407Abstract: A tripod includes a vertically movable center column dividable into an upper column member and a lower column member. A lower flange on a lower end of the lower column member prevents the center column from slipping off the tripod when fully extended. When a user removes the lower column member for an activity such as low-angle photography, a number of stopper protrusions prevent the upper column member from slipping off the tripod. When the user reattaches the lower column member, the stopper protrusions disengage to permit free movement of the center column. The present invention thus allows low-angle photography, provides a wide range of vertical motion of the center column, and prevents the user from accidentally damaging a camera when the lower column member is removed.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 5718544Abstract: A base member such as an elevation pipe of a photographic tripod is severed and rack teeth are formed thereon in a single operation while the base member remains clamped in a V-block. The first rack tooth on each side of the location where the base member is severed includes half of a trough portion between adjacent rack teeth. Additional trough portions forming the remainder of the teeth are formed, either in the same severing and shaping operation, or in a later shaping operation. The formation of the inner half trough portions ensures that, when the two severed ends of the base member are brought together, a smooth transition will exist between the two rack portions. In addition, since the two severed ends always include half troughs immediately adjacent thereto, weaknesses and chipping resulting from the presence of partial rack teeth in these locations is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 4443128Abstract: A fixing device comprising a first clamp for clamping a mount and a second clamp which is adapted to be clamped to a stationary member. The second clamp is operatively connected to the first clamp by a tubular coupling member so that each clamp may be manually rotatable about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of each of the clamps. The clamps are held in position by a bolt-and-nut arrangement extending through the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1981Date of Patent: April 17, 1984Assignees: Victor Company of Japan, Limited, Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiharu Yamamoto, Koichiro Nakatani
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Patent number: 4362307Abstract: A shoulder-carriable cart comprising: a frame; a pair of wheel supports fitted over the frame in such a manner that they can either be rotated or held immovable; wheels, each mounted to and projecting from one side of the wheel support; pins projecting from the frame; and grooves formed in the wheel supports to receive the pins to hold the wheels immovable. A buckle through which a waist belt is inserted is provided to each wheel support on the side opposite to that where the wheel is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1980Date of Patent: December 7, 1982Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koma Nakatani