Adaptable camera support

{
  "publication_number": "US10365545B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Adaptable camera support",
  "abstract": "An adaptable camera support includes a quick disconnect, panning ball clamp connectable to an adjustable clamp. The relative angularity and separation of the jaws of the adjustable clamp are independently variable to engage articles of widely varying size and shape. The quick disconnect panning ball clamp includes a rotatable panning base and a ball element rotatable on axes at an angle to the axis of rotation of the panning base. Hinged ball clamp housing sections enable rapid releasing and securing of the ball element and an article attached to the ball element.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A clamp assembly for securing an article to a structure comprising: (a) said clamp assembly including a first jaw; (b) said clamp assembly including a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw to secure said clamp assembly to an element of said structure; (c) said clamp assembly including a first screw assembly suitable for movement of said first jaw relative to said second jaw; (d) said first screw assembly including a first rotatable member, wherein said first screw assembly is engaged with said first jaw by said first rotatable member; (e) said first screw assembly including a second rotatable member, wherein said first screw assembly is engaged with said second jaw by said second rotatable member; (f) said first screw assembly extending through a first opening defined by said second jaw and secured within a second opening defined by said first jaw such that rotation of a portion of said first screw assembly selectively moves said first jaw relative to said second jaw; (g) said clamp assembly including a second screw assembly suitable for movement of said first jaw relative to said second jaw; (h) said second screw assembly including a third rotatable member, wherein said second screw assembly is engaged with said first jaw by said third rotatable member; (i) said second screw assembly including a fourth rotatable member, wherein said second screw assembly is engaged with said second jaw by said fourth rotatable member; (j) said second screw assembly extending through a third opening defined by said second jaw and secured within a fourth opening defined by said first jaw such that rotation of a portion of said second screw assembly selectively moves said first jaw relative to said second jaw; (k) wherein said first screw assembly and said second screw assembly are laterally spaced apart from one another, said first screw assembly and said second screw assembly are both movable with respect to said first jaw and said second jaw in such a manner that said second jaw is movable with respect to said first jaw in a first manner such that a first end of said first jaw is movable closer to a first end of said second jaw while simultaneously a second end of said first jaw is movable farther away from a second end of said second jaw, and movable in a second manner such that said first end of said first jaw is movable farther away from said first end of said second jaw while simultaneously said second end of said first jaw is movable closer to said second end of said second jaw.",
    "2. The clamp assembly of claim 1 wherein said first jaw includes a terminal portion thereof that includes a first outer exterior surface and a first inner exterior surface that form an acute angle with respect to one another, said first jaw includes a second inner exterior surface, said first inner exterior surface and said second inner exterior surface of said first jaw join one another to form a first obtuse angle with respect to one another, said first jaw includes a second outer exterior surface, said second outer exterior surface and said first outer exterior surface of said first jaw join one another to form a second obtuse angle with respect to one another, said second outer exterior surface of said first jaw and said second inner exterior surface of said first jaw are inclined at an acute angle with respect to one another wherein a portion of said second outer exterior surface and said second inner exterior surface closer to said terminal portion of said first jaw are closer to one another than another portion of said second outer exterior surface and said second inner exterior surface that is farther from said terminal portion of said first jaw.",
    "3. The clamp assembly of claim 2 wherein said second jaw includes a terminal portion thereof that includes a first outer exterior surface and a first inner exterior surface, said second jaw includes a second inner exterior surface that form an acute angle with respect to one another, said first inner exterior surface and said second inner exterior surface of said second jaw join one another to form a third obtuse angle with respect to one another, said second jaw includes a second outer exterior surface, said second outer exterior surface and said first outer exterior surface of said second jaw join one another to form a fourth obtuse angle with respect to one another, said second outer exterior surface of said second jaw and said second inner exterior surface of said second jaw are inclined at an acute angle with respect to one another wherein a portion of said second exterior surface and said inner exterior surface closer to said terminal portion of said second jaw are closer to one another than a portion of said second outer exterior surface and said second inner exterior surface is farther from said terminal portion of said second jaw.",
    "4. The clamp assembly of claim 3 wherein said first jaw and said second jaw are said movable in a manner such that said terminal portion of said first jaw and said terminal portion of said second jaw are selectively movable toward and away from one another.",
    "5. The clamp assembly of claim 4 wherein said first jaw and said second jaw are said movable in a manner such that said terminal portion of said first jaw and said terminal portion of said second jaw come into contact with one another.",
    "6. The clamp assembly of claim 5 wherein said first obtuse angle and said second obtuse angle define a pair of opposed obtuse angled portions.",
    "7. The clamp assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second rotatable members are trunnions.",
    "8. The clamp assembly of claim 7 wherein said third and fourth rotatable members are trunnions."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing an article to a structure and, more particularly, to an adaptable apparatus facilitating rapid attachment and separation of an optical instrument and a structure.\n\nMechanically supporting a camera, binoculars, telescope or other optical instrument can substantially improve the instrument's performance. This is particularly true when photographing with a long exposure time or using a heavy telephoto lens where even slight movement can cause blurring of the image. A tripod provides steady mechanical support for a camera, binoculars, telescope or other optical instrument but a tripod can be cumbersome and difficult to use. On the other hand, a monopod provides better control of the instrument than handholding, particularly when using long, heavy telephoto lenses and is typically lighter, smaller and more portable than a tripod. The freedom of movement offered by a monopod's single point of support also makes it easier to pan shots and visually acquire a moving target. The combination of mobility and stability offered by a monopod often makes the monopod the support of choice for optical instruments used in the field, for examples, cameras used by wildlife and sports photographers.\n\nSupport for an instrument can be further improved by securing the camera or other instrument to a structure if one is available. For example, when photographing in a game park, securing an instrument with an attached monopod to a portion of the vehicle may provide stability approaching that provided by a tripod.",
  "cpc": [
    "G03B 17/561",
    "F16B 2/10",
    "F16C 11/06",
    "F16M 11/10",
    "F16M 11/123",
    "F16M 11/14",
    "F16M 11/2078",
    "F16M 11/28",
    "F16M 13/022",
    "F16M 2200/022",
    "Y10T 403/32311"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 2/10",
    "F16C 11/06",
    "F16M 11/10",
    "F16M 11/12",
    "F16M 11/14",
    "F16M 11/20",
    "F16M 11/28",
    "F16M 13/02",
    "G03B 17/56"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Really Right Stuff LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Joseph M. JOHNSON, SR.",
    "Joseph M. JOHNSON, JR."
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-03-15",
  "publication_date": "2019-07-30",
  "grant_date": "2019-07-30",
  "priority_date": "2012-03-08",
  "application_number": "US-201815921950-A",
  "family_id": "49113210",
  "cited_by_count": 5,
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}