GB2052782A

GB2052782A - Camera support

Info

Publication number: GB2052782A
Application number: GB8013466A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-04-24
Filing date: 1980-04-24
Publication date: 1981-01-28
Also published as: DE3015467A1

Abstract

A camera support suitable for low angle or close-up photography, comprises a support member 7 for attachment to the lower end 4 of the elevator 2 of a conventional tripod such that one end thereof on which is a mounting 6 for the camera 10, extends outside the legs of the tripod; the support member 7 having at least one adjustable (and preferably hinged) ground engaging leg or stay 9, for stabilizing the support. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Camera support This invention relates to a camera support for low angle or close-up photography.

For low angle or close-up photography, it is common practice to mount the camera beneath the tripod at the lower end of the tripod elevator which is normally in the form of a rod or pillar formed with a rack or the like by means of which the elevator can be moved to adjust the height of the camera. Often the elevator has at its lower end a screw threaded portion for attaching the camera thereto but in the absence of such a portion, the elevator is removed from the tripod and inverted so that the screwed portion normally used for mounting the camera above the tripod will also serve for mounting the camera beneath the tripod.

In both cases, however, the camera is mounted upside down so that operation of the camera is made difficult.

To avoid this problem a so-called low angle tripod has been designed but this is cumbersome and complicated and further, is difficult to use, since it is necessary to spread the legs more widely than in normal photography and to attach a special stay necessary to prevent complete collapse of the tripod. In addition, the camera support is unstable. For all these reasons, the low angle tripod is rarely used in practice.

With the object of avoiding the drawbacks of known camera supports especially for low angle or close-up photography, I now propose in accordance with the present invention a camera support comprising a support member adapted for attachment to the lower end of the elevator of a tripod such that one end thereof, on which is a camera mounting, extends outside the legs of the tripod, and having an adjustable ground engaging leg or stay.

The support according to this invention is simple in concept and construction and hence cheap to manufacture. Further, it is easy to use and the hinged ground engaging leg or stay affords stability to the camera mounting.

Other features of the support according to this invention are set forth hereinafter in the appendent claims.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figures 1 to 3 each show, in perspective, a camera support according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 the camera support 7 is shown together with a tripod 1 having an elevator 2 in the form of a rod or pillar which can be raised or lowered by means of a cranking handle. At the upper and lower end of the elevator 2 respectively are mounting screws 3 and 4.

The camera support 7 comprises a flat bar having a hinged stay 9 and is mounted in a horizontal disposition at the lower end of the elevator 2 by means of a nut 5 which is turned by a thumb wheel 5a. At the other end of the horizontal support 7 close to the hinge 8 supporting the stay 9, is another screw 6 and thumb wheel 6a by means of which the camera 10 is secured to the support in its upright position.

The stay 9 acts as a leg which bears on the ground in a non-slip foot and lends stability to the support 7. To assist in this the hinge 8 is made stiff by introducing friction to resist rotation of the hinge.

The length of the support 7 is such that the camera 10 when secured in position is disposed outside the legs of the tripod 1.

To adjust the height of the camera 10 the elevator 2 is moved in the conventional manner with the hinged extension horizontal as shown dotted in Fig. 1. Following setting of the camera position, the stay or stabilizing leg 9 is angularly displaced about the hinge 8 into contact with the ground.

Other connections may be used instead of screwed connection 4/5. For example the connection may be by engagement of a notch and recess or a convex surface with a concave surface.

The support described above, is used in conjunction with a conventional tripod so obviating the need for a special low angle tripod.

Another advantage is that the support described is of a simple construction and so is cheap to manufacture, but yet is sturdy and stable in use. It is also unobtrusive in appearance, even when assembled, and the stay 9 can be folded flat against the support so facilitating storage and handling. Further, the pan head may be attached to the lower end of the elevator for close-up photography.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 the support 7 is attached to the elevator rod or pillar 2 by a quick release connection comprising a nut 14 with a tapped hole 5' for attachment to the elevator screw 4 and carrying a head 1 5 which is received in a socket 13, the connection being releasable by means of a lever 1 2.

A similar arrangement is used at the opposite end of the support 7 for mounting the camera 10, the nut 17, having a screw 6' for securing to the base of the camera, and a head 1 8 which snaps into engagement with a socket 1 6. This connection is also releasable by means of a lever 19.

The hinged stay or leg 9 is formed in two telescoping parts 9a and 9b permitting infinitely variable adjustment of the length of the leg 9. The are released to enable adjustment by depressing the tongue 20.

A ferrule or foot 21 is fitted at the end of the leg 9 which may be clamped at any desired angular position relative to the horizontal support 7 by means of a wing nut 8'.

This support is mounted, adjusted and used in a manner similar to that described with reference to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a third embodiment in which the horizontal support 7 has, at the end on which the camera 10 is mounted by means of the quick release connection including the socket 16, a transverse member from which at each end, depends a vertical pillar 24 carrying a horizontal shaft 23 journalled thereto for angular displacement in a horizontal plane.

Two stays or legs 9e and 9having a Ushaped cross-section are mounted on the horizontal shafts 23 and can be clamped in any desired angular position by screws 22. The inner ends of these screws bear upon the vertical shafts 24 so also serving to clamp the legs 9e and 9against rotation about the vertical pillars 24. This arrangement further enhances the stability of the support as compared with the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2.

Claims

1. A camera support comprising a support member adapted for attachement to the lower end of the elevator of a tripod such that one end thereof, on which is a camera mounting, extends outside the legs of the tripod, and having an adjustable ground engaging leg or stay.

2. A camera support according to claim 1 wherein the ground engaging leg or stay is hinged to the support member.

3. A camera support according to clim 1 or claim 2, and comprising means for clamping the leg or stay in any desired angular position.

4. A camera support according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the support member has two legs or stays each mounted for angular displacement about a vertical axis and an axis normal thereto.

5. A camera support constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.