Abstract: A stabilizer for a hand-held optical device includes a gyroscope assembly suspended below a base assembly, and a handle pivotably attached to the base assembly. The optical device, which may be a video camera, mounts to the base assembly. The gyroscope assembly has two or more rotatable members that pivot independently to stabilize the optical device about two or more axes of rotation whenever the user moves the stabilizer. A rigid strut connects the gyroscope to the base assembly such that the centers of rotation of the rotatable members are co-linear with a longitudinal axis that extends the handle.

Abstract: A handle assembly connects to a support assembly of an inertial stabilizer. The handle assembly comprises a handle grip, a multi-axis joint that allows the handle grip to move relative to the support assembly about two or more axes of rotation, and an adjustable friction control that allows a user to adjust or vary an amount of friction that is applied to the axes of rotation. Allowing the user to increase and decrease the amount of friction applied to the axes of rotation in a controlled manner allows the user to effectively isolate the inertial stabilizer from the undesirable effects of user motion.

Abstract: A stabilizer for a hand-held optical device includes a gyroscope assembly suspended below a base assembly, and a handle pivotably attached to the base assembly. The optical device, which may be a video camera, mounts to the base assembly. The gyroscope assembly has two or more rotatable members that pivot independently to stabilize the optical device about two or more axes of rotation whenever the user moves the stabilizer. A rigid strut connects the gyroscope to the base assembly such that the centers of rotation of the rotatable members are co-linear with a longitudinal axis that extends the handle.