Patents by Inventor Kouichiro Nakatani

Kouichiro Nakatani has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6830227
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6769824
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20040096207
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6712322
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20040026579
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6644871
    Abstract: A panhead (11) has a base body (20), a tilting body (21), and a camera mount (41). The base body (20) is adapted to be connected to a leg system 12. The tilting body (21) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (X) that horizontally extends in the lateral direction. The camera mount (41) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (A) that horizontally extends in the fore-and-aft direction and coincides with the axial direction of a side-tilting shaft. The rotation center axis (A) of the camera mount (41) approximately coincides with a lateral-dimension-bisecting line (B) of the base body (20) as viewed from the top. The side-tilting shaft is disposed approximately below a camera fixing screw (59) of the camera mount (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nihon Velbon Seiko Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20030012571
    Abstract: A panhead (11) has a base body (20), a tilting body (21), and a camera mount (41). The base body (20) is adapted to be connected to a leg system 12. The tilting body (21) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (X) that horizontally extends in the lateral direction. The camera mount (41) can be adjustably rotated around a rotation center axis (A) that horizontally extends in the fore-and-aft direction and coincides with the axial direction of a side-tilting shaft. The rotation center axis (A) of the camera mount (41) approximately coincides with a lateral-dimension-bisecting line (B) of the base body (20) as viewed from the top. The side-tilting shaft is disposed approximately below a camera fixing screw (59) of the camera mount (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20020179787
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 4929973
    Abstract: An improved panhead for a tripod and the like includes a tray and a releasable shoe. A quick release mechanism is provided to release the shoe from the tray. To prevent separation of the shoe from the tray, with the release mechanism in the release position, the tray is provided with side walls and a bottom surface and a rear wall, the latter inclined, the shoe including an inclined rear wall. The side walls of the tray are provided with flanges which are spaced from the bottom surface and which cooperate with the shoe to retain the shoe on the tray with the release of the shoe. In this way, even if released, the shoe will not separate as the panhead is tilted on any of its axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Velbon International Corporation
    Inventor: Kouichiro Nakatani