With Support Patents (Class 352/243)
  • Patent number: 11949998
    Abstract: A photographic paddle and process of use thereof are provided. The photographic paddle is used for photographing interior or close-up vehicle exterior region features of a subject vehicle, and to rapidly produce high-quality images that are reflection-free and glare-free. The photographic paddle has the ability to produce wide-angle high-quality images and stereoscopic three-dimensional images that are reflection-free and glare-free. The photographic paddle has additional utility to photograph interior and close-up vehicle exterior region features of a subject vehicle in-situ in a densely arranged inventory lot without having to move the vehicle to and from a staging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Davo Scheich
  • Patent number: 11889192
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a load stabilization device, a control method thereof, and a computer readable storage medium. In the load stabilization device, a motion sensor, a processor, a stabilization motor, and a parallelogram mechanism constitute a closed-loop feedback control system. A control instruction for the stabilization motor is generated based on a velocity of a second end of the parallelogram mechanism in a direction of gravity relative to a ground, where the second end may carry a load, and the stabilization motor is controlled to drive, according to the control instruction, the parallelogram mechanism to rotate relative to a base, so as to at least partially offset or compensate for jitter of the load carried at the second end of the parallelogram mechanism in the direction of gravity, suppress disturbance generated at a first end of the parallelogram mechanism, and stabilize the load carried at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zihan Chen, Wen Xu, Peng Bin
  • Patent number: 11487187
    Abstract: A camera lens support system distributes the weight of a lens in a camera rig. The camera lens support system provides multiple degrees of freedom and adjustment to support a large number of lens and camera body combinations. The camera lens support system includes a locking mechanism that can simultaneously restrict translational and rotational adjustments of the camera lens support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TILTA INC.
    Inventors: Wenping Zeng, Kefeng Zhou
  • Patent number: 11450068
    Abstract: A first three-dimensional (3D) model of a target in a 3D space is acquired based on a first two-dimensional (2D) image including the target. A 3D morphing parameter is acquired. The first 3D model is transformed into a second 3D model based on the 3D morphing parameter. First 2D coordinates are acquired by mapping the first 3D model to a 2D space. Second 2D coordinates are acquired by mapping the second 3D model to the 2D space. A second 2D image including a morphed target is acquired by morphing the target in the first 2D image based on the first 2D coordinates and the second 2D coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING SENSETIME TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tong Li, Wentao Liu, Chen Qian
  • Patent number: 11372318
    Abstract: A camera gimbal is provided having first and second arms, a support connected to the second arm and having an upper end to which a camera may be mounted and a lower end to which a counterweight is connected, and a gearbox including a gear and a rotary damper. The second arm is rotatable relative to the first arm and includes a proximal end portion forming a housing for the gearbox and a distal end portion to which the support is connected. The camera gimbal is purely-mechanical in operation and is without connection to a power source relying solely on gravity acting on a camera mounted on the support and the counterweight to cause rotation of the first arm relative to the second arm to maintain the camera in a relatively level position while the rotary damper damps the rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Kevin Albert Thomas
  • Patent number: 11347132
    Abstract: A follow-focus wheel assembly includes a supporting member, a follow-focus plate, and a follow-focus wheel. The supporting member includes a supporting seat and a mounting seat formed by extending outward from the supporting seat; the follow-focus plate and the follow-focus wheel are located on two sides of the mounting seat respectively, and the follow-focus wheel passes through a through hole on the mounting seat and then connects to the follow-focus plate in a rotatable manner. The supporting member is used for connecting an external structure, and the follow-focus wheel assembly is mounted in the external structure via the supporting member, where the follow-focus wheel partially extends out of the external structure when the supporting member is connected to the external structure. The follow-focus wheel assembly has a simple and compact structure, and can be miniaturized. It meets the requirement of performing a focusing operation with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiongwei Wu, Zhenhua Xu, Jian Yang, Shimeng Bei
  • Patent number: 11239580
    Abstract: A plug-in connection arrangement for arranging a relay includes a terminal block comprising a relay holder configured to hold a relay. The relay has a bottom wall, a side wall, and a contact plug which projects out of the bottom wall. The side wall is arranged perpendicular to the bottom wall and includes an offset section which contacts the bottom wall and projects out into the relay in a direction of a surface normal of the side wall. The relay holder includes a socket configured to hold the contact plug of the relay when the relay is inserted into the relay holder. The relay holder also includes an insulating wall which, when the relay is inserted into the relay holder, is aligned parallel to the side wall and projects beyond the bottom wall to form an angled insulation section for the contact plug along a surface of the insulating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10988223
    Abstract: An electric underwater jet motor designed for vehicles traveling above or below the sea. The electric underwater jet motor includes a plurality of stators for marine crafts; at least one radial stator, at least one rotor, at least two impeller blades, a magnetic bearing; at least one permanent magnet bar; at least one axial stator, hydrodynamic bearing components, a motor housing and an engine fastener; a hydrodynamic jet motor housing; and a control unit including a microprocessor, a software, magnetic bearing distance sensors, counter and speed measurement sensors, gyroscopic balance sensors to provide comfortable travel by collected data to reduce an effect of sea currents and wave movements which are the consequences of seasickness on the passengers at sea, heat and humidity sensors, pressure measurement sensors, voltage and ampere measurement sensors, a motor drive circuitry, software algorithms, an energy management system, a control panel, batteries and battery charging components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: MISAL TASARIM DANISMANLIK MAKINA MEDIKAL ITHALAT IHRACAT SAN. VE TIC. LTD. STI.
    Inventor: Elif Oran
  • Patent number: 10625878
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a camera mounting apparatus for an airborne oblique photogrammetric system that is simple in structure, scalable in the number of capturing cameras, and adjustable in tilt angle. The camera mounting apparatus includes: at least one oblique hanger plate for mounting an oblique camera, a parallel hanger plate securely connected to an aircraft chassis, and a tilt angle adjusting assembly for connecting the oblique hanger plate to the parallel hanger plate in an angle-adjustable manner. The tilt angle adjusting assembly further includes a first fixed bearing secured to the parallel hanger plate, a second fixed bearing secured to the oblique hanger plate opposite to the first fixed bearing, a hinged bearing hinging the oblique hanger plate to the parallel hanger plate, and an angle adjusting sheet connected between the first fixed bearing and the second fixed bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Chi Pang Yau
  • Patent number: 10501204
    Abstract: A 3-axis camera gimbal is disclosed in the present disclosure. The disclosure gimbal may include: a first supporting body; a lens barrel including a lens group and coupled to the first supporting body in a rotatable manner about a first axis; a rolling driving unit mounted at a first position of the lens barrel to provide force for rotating the lens group about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a pitching driving unit mounted to the first supporting body to provide force for rotating the lens barrel about the first axis; a second supporting body coupled to the first supporting body in a rotatable manner about a third axis perpendicular each of to the first and second axes; and a yawing driving unit mounted to the second supporting body to allow the first supporting body to rotate about the third axis. Various embodiments are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Seok Kang, Sungjin Park, Baeseok Lim
  • Patent number: 10455158
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system for controlling orientation of a payload. The system includes a gimbal structure with four or more axes. The system also includes a control system that controls the gimbal structure to provide unrestricted orientation and rotational motion of the payload mounted to an axis in the four or more axes, independently of an orientation of a base of the gimbal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Inventors: Gunnar G. Ristroph, Jason M. Raycroft
  • Patent number: 10254632
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of shooting and discloses a handheld stand for shooting which is more stable. The present disclosure comprises a rotatable handle mechanism, a base, a position adjusting mechanism, a connecting mechanism and a counterweight, wherein the rotatable handle mechanism is connected to a bottom of the base, the base is rotatable with respect to the rotatable handle mechanism, the position adjusting mechanism is disposed on an upper surface of the base for holding a shooting device and adjusting a position of the shooting device relative to the base, the counterweight is disposed below the rotatable handle mechanism and connected to the base via the connecting mechanism, and the counterweight is configured to adjust a center of gravity of the base. The present disclosure further discloses a method for adjusting the center of gravity of a handheld stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Haoxiang Electric Energy (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Tian, Wenyan Jiang
  • Patent number: 10100974
    Abstract: An X-ray stand includes a device that compensates for distortions caused by weight. The stand includes a horizontal bracket. The device for distortion compensation includes an inclination-angle transmitter that generates an inclination signal as a function of an inclination angle of the bracket. The device also includes a control device that receives the inclination signal from the inclination-angle transmitter, a motor drive that is activated by the control device, and an adjustment device that is driven by the motor drive and is configured to adjust the inclination angle of the bracket. The control device activates the motor drive such that any deviation of the inclination angle of the bracket from a predefined inclination angle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Fütterer, Harald Graf, Stefan Hesl, Michael Kleber, Jürgen Plannerer, Stefan Popp
  • Patent number: 10066786
    Abstract: A camera mount (1) for a camera, comprising: a base mounting means configured to securely connect to a base; a camera platform (3) configured for mounting a camera securely thereon, and; an extension element (4) configured to extend between the base mounting means (2) and the camera platform (3) so that in use a camera mounted on the camera platform (3) is held a distance away from the base mounting means (2). The camera mount includes a sacrificial point to permit detachment of the camera platform (3) from the base mounting means when a force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Adrian Cox
  • Patent number: 9952496
    Abstract: A panoramic photography head for easily photographing a plurality of images having different orientations without any vignetting in order to generate a panoramic image and to provide a photography system using the panoramic photography head are provided. A panoramic photography system includes: a digital camera body with a lens having a predetermined field of view at a front end thereof and can photograph a digital image; a panoramic photography head connected to a lower surface of the digital camera body; and a legged platform connected to a lower surface of the panoramic photography head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Entaniya Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Okumura
  • Patent number: 9955048
    Abstract: The image capture apparatus includes an outer stationary support structure and an inner rotatable frame which rotates around a vertical rotation axis relative to a target object. An image capture device, such as a camera, is provided on the rotatable frame to capture an image or other data relating to the target object. The camera is mounted on the rotatable frame such that, while it is rotated around the target object, data collected from the camera is transmitted to a computer for further processing. The data collected therefore allows a three dimensional digital map of the target object to be created. A method of capturing an image of a target object by rotating an inner frame around the target object on a vertical rotation axis, and then constructing a three dimensional map of the target object is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ZAYBU LTD.
    Inventor: Mark Evans
  • Patent number: 9936111
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an imaging module configured to interface with an electronic device. According to certain aspects, the imaging module includes a support section that may secure to the electronic device and a body section that may extend beyond one or more dimensions that define the electronic device. The body section houses or secures various components that enable digital image capture, including one or more lenses, a viewfinder, and an image sensor. The body section may also articulate or rotate about an axis to increase versatility of the imaging module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Philip Sean Stetson
  • Patent number: 9784527
    Abstract: Securing platform accessories are described herein. An example securing platform accessory comprises a rail mount, an electronic device holder, and a handle. The rail mount includes one or more guides that are sized and configured to allow the securing platform accessory to be releasably attached to a securing platform, such as a tactical rail on a firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Black Mutt Designs LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Louis Helms
  • Patent number: 9562762
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automatically generating media and/or data associated with an item. An item imaging apparatus may apply an imaging sequence based on an item being imaged to gather media and/or data associated with the item. The media and/or data associated with the item may be used in the generation of additional data associated with the item. The media and/or data may be in a profile of the item in an electronic marketplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan G. McGuire, Sarah D. Benjamin, Sunil Ramesh, Peter D. Rowley, Matthew Warren Amacker
  • Patent number: 9465278
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide for a telescoping monopod or a tripod with a telescoping pole that allows an imaging device to be mounted thereon and be remotely controlled via a mobile device. A mounting assembly on the monopod can include motors that facilitate pan and tilt functionality, and a controller that operates the motors and the imaging device. The controller can control the motors and imaging device based on instruction received wirelessly from a mobile device. A base enclosure in the monopod can include one or more batteries that power the imaging device and mounting assembly and also include memory for digital storage of the images recorded by the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Lytle
  • Patent number: 9254564
    Abstract: A support, holding, and/or carrying apparatus, especially for a device that has an elongate and movable arm which serves as a support, holder, or carrier, wherein the arm includes a hose provided for receiving a gaseous or liquid medium, which hose, when it has received the medium under pressure, is elastically bendable, and provided at the ends of the hose are elements for connecting the element to another part of the carrying apparatus and/or to the device. The elements are flanges connected gas-tight to the ends of the hose; preferably at least one of the flanges is provided with a valve for filling the hose with the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Ulrich Kahlert
  • Patent number: 9223190
    Abstract: A hanger device for camera/filming equipment includes: a base seat having a hanging slide channel with an opening at one end and a terminal section at the other end to define a latching section; a floating tenon and a restoring latching slide tenon disposed outside the latching section and floatable/sinkable in the hanging slide channel; and a latching/unlatching unit disposed on the base seat. The quick release structure locked with the camera/filming equipment can be freely slid into the hanging slide channel in any of four directions and hung in the hanging slide channel in a fixed direction without swinging. The floating tenon serves to latch the quick release structure in the latching section. The latching/unlatching unit serves to control the floating tenon to sink or protrude into the hanging slide channel so as to unlatch the quick release structure or restore the floating tenon to the latchable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Ming-Kung Yang
  • Patent number: 9211895
    Abstract: A steering bar engageable with and removable from a steering mode transmission in a camera dolly or pedestal. The steering bar has a handle attached to an upper end of a slot tube, with the slot tube telescopically slidable into or over a base tube, and keyed to the base tube. A shift rod has an upper end connected to a shift cap at the steering bar and a lower end connectable to the steering transmission. A clamp clamps onto the shift rod and is axially movable with the handle bar, to allow shifting steering modes via movement of the shift cap, with the steering bar at any selected height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 9213221
    Abstract: Camera mount systems, allowing a camera crew to quickly change over from one type of camera mount to another type of camera mount, include an adapter plate and a camera mounting plate, which can mount to various types of camera mounts. The adapter plate includes a support platform and primary and secondary female alignment elements, which form sockets. The sockets are configured to receive primary and secondary male alignment elements of the camera mounting plate. The camera mounting plate and the adapter plate are configured to mate, using one or more locking, engagement, and/or catch mechanisms such that the mounting plate is securely positioned on the adapter plate. Upon assembly of a camera mount system with a camera mount, movement of the camera during and between filming is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Panavision International, L.P.
    Inventors: Dominick Aiello, Haluki Sadahiro
  • Patent number: 9176364
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for a view-changing mirror for use with an imaging or image-recording device, including a mirror assembly having a mirror configured to move between a stored position and a deployed position, wherein in the stored position the mirror is proximate the imaging or image-recording device and in the deployed position the direction of view is not oriented in the same direction as a subject being viewed in the imaging or image-recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Dan Vance
  • Patent number: 9157569
    Abstract: A moving platform for use with a camera and track assembly, and comprising a platform body having a hollow rectangular shape with five mirrored exterior sides and one open bottom side. Within and attached to the platform body is a drive wheel, an electric motor and a gear box adapted to drive the drive wheel, a non-drive wheel positioned and rotatable parallel to the drive wheel, a pair of directional wheels spaced from the drive wheel and the non-drive wheel, and a guide wheel assembly attached between the pair of directional wheels and including at least one caster wheel assembly adapted to roll within a recessed rail of a track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: POLYCOM DESIGN INC.
    Inventor: Yves Poliquin
  • Patent number: 9113060
    Abstract: An image display device that improves the operability of its operation unit when operated by a photographer/user in a state that an image display unit of the device has been adjusted to assume an angle where the photographer/user can easily view a displayed image. The image display device is coupled through its mounting unit to an image pickup apparatus main unit and causes the image display unit to display an image captured by the apparatus main unit. The image display device has an operation unit configured to be operated to control the apparatus main unit and the image display unit. The image display unit is coupled through a hinge mechanism to the operation unit for rotation relative thereto and the operation unit is coupled through a rotary mechanism to the mounting unit for rotation relative thereto about a rotation axis perpendicular to an operation face of the operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoru Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9094590
    Abstract: A camera supporting assembly includes a frame supporting interchangeable camera mounts thereon to support smartphones, and other camera enabled devices interchangeably thereon. A grip member with a first pivot coupling selectively couples to a second pivot coupling on the frame and a pair of stabilizer legs are suspended below the frame so as to balance the camera on the grip member. Wheel assemblies are selectively mounted on the stabilizer legs for alternate use in a portable dolly mode. Each wheel assembly is mounted by a spindle which is movable between different mounted positions corresponding to different angular orientation of the wheel axis relative to the frame to controllably steer movement of a camera supported on the assembly in the dolly mode without a track necessarily being provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Dennis Wood
  • Patent number: 9057935
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stabilizing apparatus for a camera. The apparatus may comprise a mount supporting a camera; a support coupled to said mount with a movable joint; and a counterweight system extending outwardly from said mount. One or more counterweights of said counterweight system may be positioned on an opposite side of said movable joint to said mount. The counterweight system may be configured to surround a space occupied by the movable joint. The counterweight system may comprise one or more movable counterweights which can move reciprocally relative to said counterweight system in response to movement of the support relative to the mount making it possible to gently steer the direction of shooting without losing the stability of the video camera caused by rapid oscillations of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: João Miguel Vieira Caeiro Dias Antunes
  • Publication number: 20150009476
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a modular bridging structure and a system for using that structure. The bridging structure has a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging structure, and a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel. Additionally, the modular bridging structure has a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section such that the leg section is attached through a bottom side of the modular bridging structure. There is a leg fastener that secures the received leg section to the modular bridging structure such that the securing point of the fastener is adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffery Garland
  • Patent number: 8922655
    Abstract: A vehicle front grille assembly includes a vehicle grille, an emblem, a camera support and a camera. The vehicle grille includes an emblem mounting portion having a first mounting structure. The emblem includes an outer surface and an inner surface that is opposite the outer surface. The inner surface has a second mounting structure that directly mates with the first mounting structure of the emblem mounting portion. The camera support has an attachment portion and an extension portion. The attachment portion is sandwiched between the emblem mounting portion of the vehicle grille and the inner surface of the emblem. The attachment portion includes at least one opening and one of the first and second mounting structures extends through the at least one opening of the attachment portion. The camera is fixedly mounted to the extension portion of the camera support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Brittany Forgue
  • Patent number: 8845103
    Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached, A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies comprising resilient components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Garrett W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8770866
    Abstract: A camera swing head includes a hub having a hole ring including a plurality of radially spaced apart holes. A swing plate is rotatably attached to the hub. An indexing and locking assembly allows the swing to be quickly and easily rotated to a desired position and then locked into place. The indexing and locking assembly may include a lever pivotally attached to the swing plate, and a plunger pivotally attached to a front end of the lever. Pivoting movement of the lever may move the plunger linearly on a radial axis intersecting a center of the hub. A release pin is movable from, a first position, wherein the release pin causes the plunger to be held out from engagement with one of the radially spaced apart holes, to a second position, wherein the plunger is movable into engagement with one of the radially spaced apart holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20140185013
    Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached, A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies comprising resilient components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Garrett W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8714744
    Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached, A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies comprising resilient components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Nigel J. Greaves, Garrett W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8690333
    Abstract: An adapter for a steering handle of a camera dolly includes a first part and a second part attached to the first part in a way that allows for angular adjustment between them. This allows the steering handle to be aligned or squared up relative to the dolly chassis. The first part may be an adapter base and the second part may be a riser. The adapter base may have a flange with slotted holes alignable with holes in the riser. When installed on a camera dolly, the adapter allows the steering handle to align as desired. The adapter also raises the steering handle up, to allow for ergonomic use by a taller dolly operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8684530
    Abstract: A camera crane has a telescoping arm on a mobile base. The mobile base has a drive motor assembly at each corner of a chassis. The drive motor assemblies may have an electric motor linked to an axle via gearing, and two or more wheels attached to the axle. The wheels can be set to free wheel, so that the mobile base may be pushed or towed, without back driving the electric motor. The wheels may also be linked to the axle, so that the electric motor can provide torque to each of the wheels. The electric motors may be separately controlled to propel and steer the mobile base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8585205
    Abstract: A stabilizing controller to balance, support and orient a device. The stabilizing controller includes a gimbal assembly positioned at the center of balance of the stabilizing controller with the device attached. A handle is disposed around the gimbal assembly. A center post is coincident with at least a portion of the centerline of the gimbal apparatus and has a longitudinal balancing axis Z. Motion about at least one of the mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and the Z-axis is isolated from the motion of the other axes via one or more assemblies, including a magnetic braking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Nigel J. Greaves, Garrett W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8573551
    Abstract: A fine-adjusting apparatus for an overhead projector has a mounting frame, an assembling device, a pitch-adjusting device, a left-right adjusting device and a connecting mount. The mounting frame is adapted to mount on a wall. The assembling device is detachably connected to the mounting frame and has a sliding mount and a base mount. The sliding mount is slidably mounted in the mounting frame. The base mount is pivotally connected to the sliding mount. The pitch-adjusting device is connected to the assembling device and has a pitching frame, a guiding bar and a pitch-adjusting shaft. The left-right adjusting device is connected to the pitch-adjusting device and has an adjusting frame, a left-right adjusting shaft and a linking element. The connecting mount is pivotally connected to the left-right adjusting device, is used to connect with the overhead projector and has a connecting board, two pivot frames and multiple extending arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Modernsolid Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Jui Hung
  • Patent number: 8573546
    Abstract: A dolly used for filming includes a vertical telescopic column having a filming head or camera positioned on the end thereof. The column includes a movable tube placed externally around a stationary main column; the movable tube is connected to the end of the telescopic column. A camera-supporting element is in turn movably mounted on the movable tube, and a tilting mechanism is included as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Alfredo Vallés Navarro, Andrés Vallés Navarro
  • Patent number: 8567952
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises a vest 10 worn by a user 1 and having on its shoulders pivots 12 for an telescoping boom 20. A camera 38 is mounted on a standard mount 32 on a crossmember extending between side members 16 of the boom. A counterweight 28 provides balance to produce quasi-neutral positioning of the boom and camera and thus its ready pivoting by the user. Pistol grips 16, 18 provide for extension of the boom and panning/tilting of the camera. A monitor screen 36 allows the user to view the picture seen by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Peter John Taylor
  • Patent number: 8550632
    Abstract: A camera crane mobile base has a drive motor assembly at each corner of a chassis. The drive motor assemblies may have an electric motor linked to an axle via gearing, and one or more wheels attached to the axle. The electric motors may be separately controlled to propel and steer the mobile base. A column is pivotally attached to the chassis and pivotal in lateral and longitudinal directions via actuators. The drive motor assemblies may be removed from the chassis for storage or transport. With the drive motor assemblies installed, the mobile base is highly stable and maneuverable. With the drive motor assemblies removed, the chassis is narrow enough to fit through a typical doorway. Steering systems may be linked to the drive motor assemblies at the front and/or rear of the chassis, to allow steering control of the mobile base in corrective, crab and/or round steering modes. The chassis may optionally have an upward curvature from either end towards the center location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8534934
    Abstract: The present invention is a dynamically balanced, lightweight multifunctional, camera stabilization device that allows a film or digital video camera to be flown out of arms reach of the operator and maintain orientation toward the subject matter, while allowing the operator smooth control of rotation or pan of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Peter L. Carney
  • Patent number: 8506180
    Abstract: A support system used to orient and utilize equipment remotely positioned from an operator and supported in a stabilized manner. The support system includes a balance pole with a master end and a slave end attached to a master sled and slave sled, respectively. The system includes a mechanism to replicate the motion at the master sled at the slave sled. The replication mechanism includes a series of pulleys and arced components coordinated with lines that pass through an inner ring of a central gimbal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Garrett W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8485740
    Abstract: A remote control and/or gyrostabilized camera head has first and second roll forks attached to a pan frame. Each roll fork has a front roll arm and a back roll arm. A circular roll track segment may be provided on each roll arm. A roll frame has first and second motor supports or housings. A roll motor on or in the first motor support moves the roll frame about a roll axis. A tilt frame is rotatably supported between the first and second motor supports. A tilt motor on or in the second motor support rotates the tilt frame about a tilt axis. The weight of the roll motor support and the roll motor may be substantially the same as the tilt motor support and the tilt motor, so that the roll frame is balanced, allowing for better performance. As the camera head is a pan/roll/tilt head, the head can continue to provide movement in three axes, regardless of the camera position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20130094000
    Abstract: A camera crane has a telescoping arm on a mobile base. The mobile base has a drive motor assembly at each corner of a chassis. The drive motor assemblies may have an electric motor linked to an axle via gearing, and two or more wheels attached to the axle. The wheels can be set to free wheel, so that the mobile base may be pushed or towed, without back driving the electric motor. The wheels may also be linked to the axle, so that the electric motor can provide torque to each of the wheels. The electric motors may be separately controlled to propel and steer the mobile base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8413936
    Abstract: A support device includes a platform, a connecting rod connected with the platform, a main support unit connected with the connecting rod, a weight member connected with the main support unit, two opposite clamping boards each pivotally mounted on the weight member, a swivel mechanism swivelably mounted between the connecting rod and the main support unit, a pivot member pivotally mounted on the swivel mechanism, and an auxiliary support unit connected with the pivot member. Thus, the video camera support device can be operated in two different manners to facilitate a user carrying the video camera. In addition, when the platform is moved by the user, the platform is kept at a horizontal state by provision of the weight member and the clamping boards so that the video camera is moved solidly and stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Shun Wang
  • Patent number: 8403486
    Abstract: A telescopically extendible camera crane arm includes a second section telescopically movable within a first section. A first actuator extends the second section and a second actuator retracts the second section. A control valve has first and second ports connected to provide pressurized fluid to the first and second actuators. An inlet port of the control valve is connected to a pressurized fluid source, such as a pump or accumulator of a hydraulic system. The control valve has extend, off, and retract positions. The control valve provides a threshold amount of fluid pressure to the first and second actuators when in the off position, and provides a greater than the threshold amount of fluid pressure to the first and second actuators, when in the extend or retract positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8393806
    Abstract: A photo arm is proposed here. A revolving handwheel is equipped for driving a transmission mechanism to bring the photo arm to rotate, so that a camera fixed on the photo arm can shoot from different angles along a circular path. The photo arm is also equipped with a power and signal connecting box for supplying power to the camera and transmitting image information and control instructions. Furthermore, a hoist handwheel is equipped for adjusting the height of the rotation center of the photo arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ortery Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peng-Cheng Lai
  • Publication number: 20130050652
    Abstract: A system for aerially moving a payload, the system having at least two payloads, at least one platform for carrying the at least two payloads, at least one line connected to the at least one object, the at least one line connected to the at least one platform in at least four locations, and at least one reel and motor coupled to the at least one line connected to the at least one platform, such that the at least one reel and motor in conjunction with the at least one line is capable of moving the at least one platform carrying the at least two payloads in at lest two of the x-, y-, and z-directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CABLECAM, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Wharton