Pan-tilt head

Abstract

This simplifies the mechanism for adjusting the rotational friction of the rotating body for rotating the imaging device. [Solution] The tripod head comprises an imaging connection section to which an imaging device is connected, a rotating body to which the imaging connection section is connected, the rotating body being rotatable around a rotation axis, a locking mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the rotating body does not rotate and a released state in which the rotating body rotates, a friction mechanism that applies rotational resistance to the rotating body in the released state, and a control member on which the locking mechanism and the friction mechanism act in common, wherein one of the locking mechanism, the friction mechanism, or the control member rotates around the rotation axis together with the rotating body, and the other does not rotate around the rotation axis, the locking mechanism abuts against the control member in the fixed state so that it does not move relative to the control member, and in the released state, the locking mechanism is capable of moving relative to the control member by releasing the abutment, and the friction mechanism variably sets the rotational resistance in the rotating body depending on the frictional resistance between it and the control member.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pan head technology for holding an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] A camera platform is conventionally used to adjust the orientation and inclination of an imaging device (for example). The camera platform allows the camera to be panned (rotated around a vertical axis) and tilted (rotated around a horizontal axis) while supporting the camera.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a camera platform including a pan rotating body that rotates an imaging device in a panning manner and a pan rotating body fixing means that fixes and unlocks the pan rotating body. In general, the pan rotating body fixing means includes a brake body that includes a C-shaped main body that is disposed along the outer circumferential surface of the pan rotating body. When the brake body presses and fixes the pan rotating body, the pan rotating body is fixed.

[0004] Here, there is a demand for adjusting the rotational friction of the pan rotating body when rotating the pan rotating body. For example, when shooting while performing slow pan rotation, the actual situation is that the operability is improved if the rotational friction of the pan rotating body is large, whereas when shooting while performing quick pan rotation, the operability is improved if the rotational friction of the pan rotating body is small. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-114370 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not assume that the rotational friction of the pan rotating body is adjusted. If a mechanism for adjusting the rotational friction is provided, it is desirable that the configuration of the camera platform is not complicated. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a camera platform that can simplify the mechanism for adjusting the rotational friction of a rotating body for rotating an imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] A tripod head comprising: an imaging connection section to which an imaging device is connected; a rotor to which the imaging connection section is connected, the rotor being rotatable around a rotation axis; a locking mechanism for switching between a fixed state in which the rotor does not rotate and a released state in which the rotor rotates; a friction mechanism for applying rotational resistance to the rotor in the released state; and a control member on which the locking mechanism and the friction mechanism act in common, wherein one of the locking mechanism, the friction mechanism, or the control member rotates together with the rotor around the rotation axis, and the other does not rotate around the rotation axis; the locking mechanism abuts against the control member so as not to move relative to the control member in the fixed state, and in the released state, the locking mechanism is movable relative to the control member by releasing the abutment; and the friction mechanism variably sets the rotational resistance of the rotor in accordance with the frictional resistance between the control member and the locking mechanism.

[0008] [2] The tripod head of [1], wherein the locking mechanism includes a first abutment portion and a second abutment portion, and in the fixed state, the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion clamp the control member from opposite sides, and in the released state, the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion release the clamping of the control member.

[0009] [3] The tripod head of [1], wherein the control member is arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotation axis, and at least a portion of the control member is positioned between the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion when the rotor is at any of the rotation angles at which the rotor can rotate.

[0010] [4] The tripod head of [1], wherein the locking mechanism includes a first abutment portion, and in the fixed state, the first abutment portion presses against the surface of the control member, and in the released state, the first abutment portion releases the pressure on the control member.

[0011] [5] A tripod head according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein at least a portion of the control member is shaped to face the first abutment portion when the rotor is at any of the rotation angles through which the rotor can rotate.

[0012] [6] A tripod head according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the friction mechanism includes a third contact portion that contacts the control member and generates the frictional resistance between the control member and the third contact member, an axial member that is movable in a first direction toward the third contact member and in a second direction away from the third contact member, and an elastic member that urges the third contact portion toward the control member, wherein the frictional resistance between the control member and the third contact portion is increased by moving the axial member in the first direction, and the frictional resistance between the control member and the third contact portion is decreased by moving the axial member in the second direction.

[0013] [7] The tripod head of [6], wherein the shaft member includes an installation hole on a surface facing the control member, the elastic member is supported inside the installation hole, and the end of the third abutment portion opposite the control member is inserted into the installation portion.

[0014] [8] The control member has a shape such that at least a portion of the control member faces the third contact portion when the rotor is at any rotation angle through which the rotor can rotate. [6] or [7] tripod head. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The pan head according to the present invention provides a pan head capable of simplifying the mechanism for adjusting the rotational friction of the rotating body for rotating the imaging device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera platform according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tripod head according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera platform according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a camera platform according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a tilt lock mechanism, a tilt friction mechanism, and a first control member according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the tilt lock mechanism according to the embodiment from a released state to a locked state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a camera platform according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a pan lock mechanism, a pan friction mechanism, and a second control member according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a tilt lock mechanism, a tilt friction mechanism, and a first control member according to a modified example. [Figure 10] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a tilt lock mechanism according to a modified example from a released state to a locked state. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a pan lock mechanism, a pan friction mechanism, and a second control member according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a pan lock mechanism, a pan friction mechanism, and a second control member according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a pan lock mechanism, a pan friction mechanism, and a second control member according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a pan lock mechanism, a pan friction mechanism, and a second control member according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a tripod head according to a modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view focusing on a pan lock mechanism, a pan friction mechanism, and a second control member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pan head 100 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line AA) of the pan head 100 of Fig. 1. The pan head 100 of this embodiment is capable of panning and tilting an imaging device (e.g., a camera). Pan rotation is rotation about a vertical axis, and tilt rotation is rotation about a horizontal axis. In Fig. 2, rotation about rotation axis P1 is tilt rotation, and rotation about rotation axis P2 is pan rotation.

[0018] In the following description, the axis parallel to the rotation axis P1 is referred to as the X-axis, the axis parallel to the rotation axis P2 is referred to as the Y-axis, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and the Y-axis is referred to as the Z-axis.

[0019] The camera head 100 according to this embodiment comprises an imaging connection section 10, a leg connection section 20, a base section 30, a tilt lock mechanism 40, a tilt friction mechanism 50, a pan lock mechanism 60, and a pan friction mechanism 70.

[0020] 2, in order to make it easier to understand the configuration of the camera head 100, the tilt lock mechanism 40, the tilt friction mechanism 50, the pan lock mechanism 60, and the pan friction mechanism 70 are shown for convenience in a cross section taken along line AA. Therefore, the positions of the tilt lock mechanism 40, the tilt friction mechanism 50, the pan lock mechanism 60, and the pan friction mechanism 70 in FIG. 2 are different from those in FIG. 1.

[0021] The imaging connection unit 10 is a part (adapter) that is connected to an imaging device (not shown) and the base unit 30. The imaging connection unit 10 is located at the end of the base unit 30 in the positive direction of the Y axis. The imaging connection unit 10 is detachably connected to the base unit 30 using, for example, an operator (knob) T. However, it is not essential that the imaging connection unit 10 is detachably connected to the base unit 30.

[0022] The leg connection part 20 is a part for connecting a tripod or a monopod. The leg connection part 20 is located at the end of the base part 30 in the negative direction of the Y axis. Note that the leg connection part 20 may be omitted in some cases.

[0023] The base portion 30 has a support portion 31, a rotating portion 32 (32a, 32b), a fixed shaft 34, and a connecting portion 35. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pan head 100 of Fig. 1. Note that in Fig. 3, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, some elements of the pan head 100 (such as the rotating portion 32a and the connecting portion 35) are omitted from the illustration.

[0024] The fixed shaft 34 is an elongated member extending along the Y direction, and supports the support part 31 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis P2. The leg connection part 20 is fixed to the negative side of the Y axis of the fixed shaft 34. The details of the fixed shaft 34 will be described later.

[0025] The support portion 31 of the present embodiment includes a first section 311 and a second section 312 along the Y axis. The first section 311 is located in the positive direction of the Y axis, and the second section 312 is located in the negative direction of the Y axis.

[0026] [Tilt Rotation] The mechanism for tilting and rotating the imaging device will be described below.

[0027] The rotating unit 32 is a portion for performing tilt rotation. The rotating units 32 (32a, 32b) are supported in a first section 311 of the support unit 31. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the rotating units 32 are located on opposite sides of the support unit 31 is illustrated. Specifically, the rotating unit 32a is located in the positive direction of the X-axis of the first section 311 of the support unit 31, and the rotating unit 32b is located in the negative direction of the X-axis. Each rotating unit 32 is supported by the support unit 31 (first section 311) so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis P1.

[0028] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the rotating portion 32a and the rotating portion 32b, they will simply be referred to as "rotating portion 32."

[0029] 1, the rotating portion 32 of the present embodiment includes a first portion 322 and a second portion 324. The first portion 322 is a portion that is pivotally supported by the support portion 31. The second portion 324 is a portion that protrudes from the first portion 322, and the imaging connection portion 10 is connected to the second portion 324.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the first section 311 of the support part 31 includes an axle Q protruding in the positive direction of the X-axis and an axle Q protruding on the positive side. The rotating part 32a is rotatably supported by the axle Q protruding in the positive direction of the X-axis, and the rotating part 32b is rotatably supported by the axle Q protruding in the negative direction of the X-axis. In other words, the center line of the axle Q is the rotation axis P1. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 show a state in which the rotating part 32 is not rotated in the tilt direction. The rotating part 32a is an example of a "rotating body".

[0031] Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view focusing on a portion where the first portion 322 of the rotating portion 32a in Fig. 1 is provided. In the following explanation, the rotating portion 32a will be focused on, but since the rotating portion 32b is also supported rotatably about the shaft Q in the same manner, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] 1, the first portion 322 of the rotating portion 32a includes, for example, a bottom surface portion 221 and a side wall portion 223 protruding from the periphery of the bottom surface portion 221 toward the support portion 31. The bottom surface portion 221 is, for example, circular.

[0033] 4, the first portion 322 of the rotating portion 32a has a fitting portion 241 at the center thereof. The fitting portion 241 is a portion having a hole H that fits with a shaft Q provided in the support portion 31. The fitting portion 241 is a portion that protrudes in the negative direction of the X-axis from the surface of the bottom portion 221 facing the negative side of the X-axis (i.e., protrudes toward the support portion 31). The hole H is provided in the surface of the fitting portion 241 facing the negative side of the X-axis.

[0034] Hole H of rotating part 32a is rotatably fitted into the outer peripheral surface of shaft Q. In FIG. 4, a through hole through which bolt B passes is provided in rotating part 32, and a hole into which bolt B fits is provided in shaft Q. A thread groove is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the hole in shaft Q and the outer peripheral surface of bolt B to fit into each other. Bolt B is fixed to shaft Q, but rotating part 32a is rotatable around shaft Q (and further bolt B). However, as long as rotating part 32a is rotatable around rotation axis P1, the method of supporting rotating part 32a on support part 31 is arbitrary.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, an elastic member S (e.g., a spring) is provided around the shaft Q. The elastic member S is a mechanism for canceling the moment that tends to cause the rotating part 32 to fall further forward (or backward) when tilted forward (or backward). The repulsive force of the elastic member S is used to push back the rotating part 32 in the direction opposite to the tilt rotation direction. For example, a torsion coil spring having one arm connected to the first section 311 of the support part 31 and the other arm connected to the bottom part 221 of the first part 322 is used as the elastic member S.

[0036] The second portion 324 is a portion that connects the imaging connection unit 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rotating unit 32a and the rotating unit 32b are connected via a connecting portion 35 that connects the second portion 324 of the rotating unit 32a and the second portion 324 of the rotating unit 32b. That is, when viewed from the positive direction of the Y axis, the connecting portion 35 is provided across the rotating unit 32a, the support portion 31, and the rotating unit 32b. For example, by moving an operation lever (not shown) connected to the rotating unit 32b, the rotating unit 32a and the rotating unit 32b rotate (tilt rotate) around the rotation axis P1. As a result, the imaging connection unit 10 (and thus the imaging device) connected to the rotating unit 32a and the rotating unit 32b via the connecting portion 35 also tilt rotates.

[0037] However, the shape of the rotating part 32 is not limited to the above example, so long as it is rotatable about the rotation axis P1 and the imaging connection part 10 can be connected thereto.

[0038] 2 to 4, the pan head 100 also includes a first control member 80 (an example of a "control member"). The first control member 80 is a part on which the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 commonly act (contact).

[0039] The first control member 80 is, for example, flat. The first control member 80 is provided parallel to a plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the rotation axis P1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first control member 80 of this embodiment is an annular member when viewed from the positive direction of the X axis. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first control member 80 is supported by the first section 311 of the support portion 31. The first control member 80 is supported by the first section 311 so that the rotation axis P1 passes through the center of the first control member 80. In other words, the first control member 80 is provided along the circumferential direction of the rotation axis P1. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the first control member 80 (i.e., the annular first control member 80) is provided around the entire circumference of the rotation axis P1 in the circumferential direction is illustrated.

[0040] The first control member 80 is provided on the side where the rotating part 32a is located. However, the first control member 80 is not connected to the rotating part 32a. In other words, the first control member 80 does not rotate (tilt rotate) around the rotation axis P1.

[0041] 4, specifically, in the first section 311 of the support part 31, the fitting part 241 of the first part 322 of the rotating part 32a is supported by the support part 31 so as to be disposed on the inner diameter side of the first control member 80. That is, the first control member 80 is disposed over the entire circumference of the fitting part 241 (so as to surround the fitting part 241). As described above, the support part 31 does not tilt and therefore the first control member 80 supported by the support part 31 does not tilt and rotate either.

[0042] It should be noted that the method of connecting the first control member 80 to the support portion 31 is not limited to the above example, as long as the first control member 80 does not rotate about the rotation axis P1.

[0043] While the first control member 80 does not rotate about the rotation axis P1, the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 rotate together with the rotating portion 32 about the rotation axis P1.

[0044] The tilt lock mechanism 40 is a mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the rotating part 32 does not rotate (hereinafter referred to as the "tilt locked state") and a released state in which the rotating part 32 rotates (hereinafter referred to as the "tilt unlocked state"). In the tilt locked state, tilt rotation is inhibited, and in the tilt unlocked state, tilt rotation is possible.

[0045] A pan lock mechanism 60 and a pan friction mechanism 70 are provided in the first portion 322 of the rotating portion 32a. That is, the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 rotate together with the rotating portion 32a about the rotation axis P1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 are supported at a position of the first portion 322 where the fitting portion 241 is not provided. In other words, the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 are provided at a position corresponding to the first control member 80.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view focusing on the tilt lock mechanism 40, the tilt friction mechanism 50, and the first control member 80. Fig. 5 illustrates the case where the tilt is in the fixed state. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the tilt lock mechanism 40 when it switches from the tilt released state to the tilt fixed state.

[0047] In the tilt fixed state, the tilt lock mechanism 40 abuts against the first control member 80 so as not to move relative to the first control member 80. On the other hand, in the tilt released state, the tilt lock mechanism 40 is released from the abutment against the first control member 80, and is thereby able to move relative to the first control member 80.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tilt lock mechanism 40 of the present embodiment includes an operator 41, a shaft member 42, a contact portion 43 (an example of a “first contact portion”), and a caliper portion 44.

[0049] The caliper portion 44 includes an abutment portion (an example of a "second abutment portion") 441 and a holding portion 442. The caliper portion 44 is supported by the first portion 322 of the rotating portion 32a.

[0050] The contact portion 441 and the holding portion 442 are located in the negative and positive directions of the X-axis, respectively, and are positioned opposite each other across the first control member 80. The holding portion 442 is a portion that includes a through hole through which the shaft member 42 is inserted.

[0051] The shaft member 42 is a shaft-shaped member extending in a direction perpendicular to the first control member 80 (in this embodiment, a direction parallel to the rotation axis P1). The shaft member 42 is located on the opposite side of the first control member 80 from the contact portion 441 of the caliper portion 44 (i.e., on the same side as the holding portion 442).

[0052] The end of the shaft member 42 on the first control member 80 side (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis) is inserted into the through hole of the retaining portion 442. A thread groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft member 42 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the retaining portion 442 so that they can fit together. An abutment portion 43 is provided on the end of the shaft member 42 on the first control member 80 side. The abutment portion 43 is provided so as to face the first control member 80. The abutment portion 43 is located between the retaining portion 442 of the caliper portion 44 and the first control member 80. The abutment portion 43 may be separate from the shaft member 42 or may be integral with it.

[0053] As can be understood from the above description, the first control member 80 is located between the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 of the caliper portion 44. In this embodiment, in the tilt fixed state, the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 sandwich the first control member 80 from opposite sides, and in the tilt released state, the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 release the sandwiching of the first control member 80. Note that in the tilt released state of Fig. 6, there is a gap between the first control member 80 and the abutment portion 43 (i.e., the first control member 80 and the abutment portion 43 are separated), and there is also a gap between the first control member 80 and the abutment portion 441 (i.e., the first control member 80 and the abutment portion 441 are separated).

[0054] On the other hand, an operator 41 is provided on the end of the shaft member 42 opposite to the first control member 80 (the end in the positive direction of the X-axis). As illustrated in Fig. 1, the operator 41 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the rotating part 32a. Note that the shaft member 42 is supported by the first part 322 of the rotating part 32a so as to penetrate the bottom surface part 221 of the first part 322.

[0055] By rotating the shaft member 42 by operating the operator 41, the shaft member 42 can move in a direction toward (an example of a "first direction") and a direction away (an example of a "second direction") from the first control member 80. The first direction is the negative direction of the X-axis, and the second direction is the positive direction of the X-axis.

[0056] Using FIG. 6, the operation of the tilt lock mechanism 40 when changing from the tilt release state to the tilt fixed state will be described. First, when the shaft member 42 is rotated (for example, rotated right) by the operating element 41 from the tilt release state, the abutment portion 43 moves in a direction approaching the first control member 80 together with the shaft member 42. After the abutment portion 43 abuts against the first control member 80, the first control member 80 moves further until it abuts against the abutment portion 441 of the caliper portion 44. Then, when the abutment portion 43 moves to a position where the first control member 80 is sandwiched between the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 and the first control member 80 cannot tilt rotate, the tilt fixed state is reached. That is, in the tilt fixed state, the first control member 80 is fixed. Note that in the tilt fixed state, the first control member 80 is fixed in a bent state. When the shaft member 42 is rotated (for example, rotated left) by the operator 41 from the tilt fixed state, the abutment portion 43 moves in a direction away from the first control member 80, and the tilt is released.

[0057] As can be understood from the above explanation, in the tilt fixed state, the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 of the caliper portion 44 clamp the first control member 80 from opposite sides, and in the tilt released state, the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 of the caliper portion 44 release the clamping of the first control member 80.

[0058] The tilt friction mechanism 50 is a mechanism that applies rotational resistance to the rotating part 32a in the tilt released state. Specifically, the tilt friction mechanism 50 variably sets the rotational resistance in the rotating part 32a according to the frictional resistance between the tilt friction mechanism 50 and the first control member 80. In other words, the tilt friction mechanism 50 can control the degree of difficulty in rotating the rotating part 32a.

[0059] The tilt friction mechanism 50 of the present embodiment includes an operator 51, a shaft member 52, a contact portion 53 (an example of the “third contact portion”), a holding portion 54, and an elastic member 55.

[0060] The holding portion 54 is a portion including a through hole through which the shaft member 52 is inserted. The holding portion 54 is supported by, for example, the first portion 322 of the rotating portion 32a. The holding portion 54 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface portion 221 of the first portion 322.

[0061] The shaft member 52 is a shaft-shaped member that extends in a direction (in this embodiment, a direction parallel to the rotation axis P1) perpendicular to the first control member 80. The shaft member 52 is located in the positive direction of the X-axis when viewed from the first control member 80.

[0062] The end of shaft member 52 opposite to first control member 80 (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis) is inserted into the through hole of retaining part 54. A thread groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of shaft member 52 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of retaining part 54 so that they can fit together.

[0063] An abutment portion 53 is provided on the end of the shaft member 52 opposite to the first control member 80. The abutment portion 53 is provided so as to face the first control member 80. Specifically, the abutment portion 53 is a portion that abuts against the first control member 80 and generates frictional resistance between the abutment portion 53 and the first control member 80. In the tilt release state, the rotating portion 32a is rotatable with the abutment portion 53 abutting against the first control member 80.

[0064] It is preferable that the support portion 31 (first section 311) includes a portion V that abuts against the first control member 80 on the opposite side of the abutment portion 53 as viewed from the first control member 80. The abutment portion 53 may be separate from or integral with the shaft member 52.

[0065] In this embodiment, the contact portion 53 is biased toward the first control member 80 by an elastic member 55 (for example, a compression spring).

[0066] 5, the shaft member 52 includes an installation hole D1 on a surface (surface in the negative direction of the X-axis) facing the first control member 80, and an elastic member 55 is supported inside the installation hole D1. An end M1 side of the abutment portion 53 opposite the first control member 80 is inserted into the installation hole D1. That is, the first control member 80 and the elastic member 55 are located on opposite sides of the abutment portion 53. The elastic member 55 is installed between the end M1 of the abutment portion 53 and the bottom surface F1 of the installation hole D1. The elastic member 55 inside the installation hole D1 biases the abutment portion 53 toward the first control member 80.

[0067] On the other hand, an operator 51 is provided on the end of the shaft member 52 opposite to the first control member 80 (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis). As illustrated in Fig. 1, the operator 51 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the rotating part 32a. The shaft member 52 is supported by the first part 322 via a holder 54 so as to penetrate, for example, the bottom surface part 221 of the first part 322 of the rotating part 32a.

[0068] When the shaft member 52 is rotated by operating the operating element 51, the shaft member 42 can move toward and away from the first control member 80.

[0069] In the tilt release state, when the shaft member 52 is rotated (for example, rotated right) by the operating element 51, the shaft member 52 moves in a direction approaching the first control member 80. When the shaft member 52 moves in a direction approaching the first control member 80, the distance between the end M1 of the abutment portion 53 and the bottom surface F1 of the installation hole D1 becomes shorter. Then, the elastic member 55 provided in the installation hole D1 of the shaft member 52 is compressed by the end M1 of the abutment portion 53 and the bottom surface F1 of the installation hole D1 and becomes in a shortened state. That is, the restoring force becomes large. Therefore, the abutment portion 53 presses the first control member 80 with a stronger pressure. As a result, the rotation resistance in the rotating portion 32a becomes large.

[0070] On the other hand, when the shaft member 52 is rotated (e.g., rotated left) by the operator 51, the shaft member 52 moves in a direction away from the first control member 80. When the shaft member 52 moves in a direction away from the first control member 80, the distance between the end M1 of the abutment portion 53 and the bottom surface F1 of the installation hole D1 becomes longer. Then, the elastic member 55 provided in the installation hole D1 of the shaft member 52 stretches. That is, the restoring force becomes weaker. Therefore, the pressure with which the abutment portion 53 presses the first control member 80 becomes weaker. In turn, the rotational resistance in the rotating portion 32a becomes smaller.

[0071] As can be understood from the above description, the tilt friction mechanism 50 of this embodiment increases the frictional resistance between the shaft member 52 and the first control member 80 by moving the shaft member 52 in a direction toward the first control member 80, and decreases the frictional resistance between the shaft member 52 and the first control member 80 by moving the shaft member 52 in a direction away from the first control member 80. In other words, the tilt friction mechanism 50 variably sets the rotational resistance in the rotating body 32a by adjusting the frictional resistance between the shaft member 52 and the first control member 80.

[0072] In the tilt released state, when the rotating parts 32a, 32b are rotated around the rotation axis P1 by the operating lever, the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 supported by the rotating part 32a also rotate around the rotation axis P1.

[0073] Here, in order to fix the rotating part 32 at any position, the first control member 80 is shaped so that at least a part of it is located between the contact part 43 and the contact part 441 of the tilt lock mechanism 40 when the rotating part 32 is at all rotation angles at which the rotating part 32 can be rotated. Similarly, in order to apply rotational resistance to the rotating part 32a when the rotating part 32a is at all rotation angles at which the rotating part 32a can be rotated, the first control member 80 is shaped so that at least a part of it is located in a position facing the contact part 53 of the tilt friction mechanism 50. In consideration of the above circumstances, in this embodiment, the first control member 80 is annular about the rotation axis P1.

[0074] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the contact portion 43 and the contact portion 441 are positioned on opposite sides of the outer periphery of the first control member 80. For example, the initial position where the imaging device is not tilted is set to 0°, and the rotating portion 32 is capable of rotating 360°. In this case, even if the rotating portion 32 is at any rotation angle within the range of 360°, a part of the first control member 80 (the outer periphery in this embodiment) is positioned between the contact portion 43 and the contact portion 441. Then, the contact portion 43 and the contact portion 441 rotate around the rotation axis P1 along the circumferential direction of the outer periphery of the first control member 80 together with the rotation of the rotating portion 32a. Similarly, even if the rotating portion 32 is at any rotation angle within the range of 360°, a part of the first control member 80 (the outer periphery in this embodiment) is positioned opposite the contact portion 53.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first control member 80 is annular, but the shape of the first control member 80 is arbitrary as long as at least a portion of the first control member 80 is located between the contact portion 43 and the contact portion 441 of the tilt lock mechanism 40 and is located in a position facing the contact portion 53 of the tilt friction mechanism 50 when the rotating part 32 is at all rotation angles at which the rotating part 32 can rotate. For example, the first control member 80 may be circular, and depending on the rotation angles at which the rotating part 32 can rotate, it is not essential that the first control member 80 be provided over the entire circumference of the rotation axis P1 (for example, a portion may be cut out).

[0076] In addition, the configuration of the tilt lock mechanism 40 is not limited to the above example, as long as it is possible to sandwich the first control member 80 between two abutment parts (the abutment parts 43, 441 in this embodiment) located on opposite sides. In addition, as long as it is possible to prevent the first control member 80 from rotating around the rotation axis P1, it is not limited to the configuration in which the first control member 80 is sandwiched between the two abutment parts 43, 441. Note that the configuration in which the first control member 80 is sandwiched between the two abutment parts 43, 441 has the advantage that the first control member 80 can be firmly fixed.

[0077] Similarly, the configuration of the tilt friction mechanism 50 is not limited to the above example, so long as the rotating part 32a can rotate with the first control member 80 pressed by the abutment part 53. For example, the position of the elastic member 55 is arbitrary as long as the elastic member 55 can bias the abutment part 53 toward the first control member 80. For example, the elastic member 55 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface side of the shaft member 52. However, a configuration in which the elastic member 55 is disposed in the mounting hole D1 of the shaft member 52 has the advantage of enabling miniaturization.

[0078] Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the frictional resistance between the first control member 80 and the contact portion 53 is adjusted without using the elastic member 55. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of contact portions capable of contacting the first control member 80 are provided, and the frictional resistance is adjusted according to the number of contact portions that contact the first control member 80. However, a configuration in which the frictional resistance between the first control member 80 and the contact portion 53 is adjusted using the elastic member 55 has the advantage of simplifying the configuration for adjusting the frictional resistance.

[0079] As can be understood from the above explanation, in this embodiment, the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 act on a common first control member 80, which has the advantage that the mechanism for adjusting the rotational friction of the rotating part 32 can be simplified and made smaller, compared to a configuration that requires separate members on which the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 act.

[0080] [Pan Rotation] The mechanism for panning the imaging device will be described below.

[0081] 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the base unit 30 is rotated around the fixed shaft 34, thereby rotating the imaging connection unit 10 (and thus the imaging device) connected to the base unit 30 around the rotation axis P2 (pan rotation). In this embodiment, the central axis of the fixed shaft 34 that is parallel to the Y axis coincides with the rotation axis P2. In the pan rotation, the base unit 30 is an example of a "rotating body."

[0082] Specifically, the fixed shaft 34 is an elongated member along the Y-axis. The base portion 30 (support portion 31) is supported by the fixed shaft 34 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis P2. The fixed shaft 34 does not rotate about the rotation axis P2. Specifically, the fixed shaft 34 is located between the rotating portion 32a and the rotating portion 32b of the support portion 31. The fixed shaft 34 extends across the first section 311 and the second section 312 of the support portion 31.

[0083] When the operating lever connected to the base part (rotating part 32b) is moved, the imaging connection part 10 (and thus the imaging device) connected to the base part 30 rotates (pans) around the rotation axis P2.

[0084] 2, the fixed shaft 34 of this embodiment includes a shaft portion 341 and a second control member 342. The shaft portion 341 is located in the positive direction of the Y axis, and the second control member 342 is located in the negative direction of the Y axis. The shaft portion 341 is located in a first section 311 of the support portion 31, and the second control member 342 is located in a second section 312 of the support portion 31.

[0085] The shaft portion 341 is a shaft-shaped portion along the Y-axis. The second control member 342 is a portion on which the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 commonly act (contact).

[0086] Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the pan head 100 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 7, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, some elements of the pan head 100 (such as the leg connection parts 20 and the support parts 31) are omitted from the illustration.

[0087] 2 and 7, the second control member 342 is a cylindrical portion. In a cross-sectional view, a wall portion (i.e., a wall portion provided in an annular shape) constituting the second control member 342 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation axis P2.

[0088] The pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 act (contact) on the outer circumferential surface J of the second control member 342 in common. The central axis of the second control member 342, which is parallel to the Y axis, coincides with the rotation axis P2. In other words, the second control member 342 is provided along the circumferential direction of the rotation axis P2. In this embodiment, a configuration in which the second control member 342 (i.e., a cylindrical second control member 342) is provided around the entire circumference of the rotation axis P2 in the circumferential direction is illustrated. In this embodiment, a cylindrical second control member 342 whose outer diameter is constant in the height direction is illustrated. The second section 312 of the support portion 31 is provided so as to cover the second control member 342 around the entire circumference of the second control member 342.

[0089] The second control member 342 may have any configuration as long as it does not rotate about the rotation axis P2. For example, the shaft portion 341 and the second control member 342 may be separate bodies.

[0090] While the fixed shaft 34 (and therefore the second control member 342) does not rotate about the rotation axis P2, the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 rotate together with the base portion 30 about the rotation axis P2.

[0091] The pan lock mechanism 60 is a mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the rotating part 32 does not rotate (hereinafter referred to as the "pan fixed state") and a pan released state in which the rotating part 32 rotates (hereinafter referred to as the "pan released state"). In the pan fixed state, pan rotation is inhibited, and in the pan released state, pan rotation is possible.

[0092] The pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 are provided in the second section 312 of the support part 31. That is, the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 rotate about the rotation axis P2 together with the base part 30 (support part 31). In other words, the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 are provided at a position corresponding to the second control member 342.

[0093] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view focusing on the pan lock mechanism 60, the pan friction mechanism 70, and the second control member 342. Fig. 8 illustrates a case where the pan is in a fixed state.

[0094] In the pan fixed state, the pan lock mechanism 60 abuts against the second control member 342 so as not to move relative to the second control member 342. On the other hand, in the pan released state, the pan lock mechanism 60 is released from the abutment against the second control member 342, and is thereby able to move relative to the second control member 342.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the pan lock mechanism 60 of this embodiment includes an operator 61, a shaft member 62, a contact portion 63 (an example of a “first contact portion”), and a holding portion 64.

[0096] The holding portion 64 is a portion including a through hole through which the shaft member 62 is inserted. The holding portion 64 is provided so as to penetrate the second section 312 of the support portion 31, for example.

[0097] The shaft member 62 is a member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface J of the second control member 342. The shaft member 62 is located outside the second control member 342 when seen from the rotation axis P2.

[0098] The end of the shaft member 62 on the second control member 342 side (the end in the positive direction of the X-axis) is inserted into the through hole of the retaining portion 64. A thread groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft member 62 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the retaining portion 64 so that they can fit together. An abutment portion 63 is provided on the end of the shaft member 62 on the second control member 342 side. The abutment portion 63 is provided so as to face the outer circumferential surface J of the second control member 342. The abutment portion 63 is located between the retaining portion 64 and the second control member 342. The abutment portion 63 may be separate from the shaft member 62 or may be integrated with it.

[0099] On the other hand, an operator 61 is provided at the end of the shaft member 62 opposite to the second control member 342 (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the operator 61 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the second section 312 of the support part 31.

[0100] By operating the operating element 61, the shaft member 62 rotates, and the shaft member 62 can move toward and away from the second control member 342.

[0101] When the shaft member 62 is rotated (e.g. rotated to the right) by the operator 61 from the pan released state, the abutment portion 63 moves together with the shaft member 62 in a direction approaching the second control member 342. Then, when the abutment portion 46 moves to a position where it strongly abuts (presses) the second control member 342 and the second control member 342 can no longer rotate in the pan, the pan fixed state is entered. That is, in the pan fixed state, the second control member 342 is in a fixed state. When the shaft member 62 is rotated (e.g. rotated to the left) by the operator 61 from the pan fixed state, the abutment portion 63 moves in a direction away from the second control member 342 and the pan released state is entered.

[0102] As can be understood from the above description, in the pan fixed state, the abutment portion 63 presses against the surface of the second control member 342, and in the pan released state, the abutment portion 63 releases the pressure on the second control member 342.

[0103] The pan friction mechanism 70 is a mechanism that applies rotational resistance to the base unit 30 in the pan released state. Specifically, the pan friction mechanism 70 variably sets the rotational resistance in the base unit 30 according to the frictional resistance between the second control member 342. In other words, the pan friction mechanism 70 can control the degree of difficulty in rotating the base unit 30.

[0104] The pan friction mechanism 70 of this embodiment includes an operator 71, a shaft member 72, a contact portion 73 (an example of the “third contact portion”), a holding portion 74, and an elastic member 75.

[0105] The holding portion 74 is a portion including a through hole through which the shaft member 72 is inserted. The holding portion 74 is provided so as to penetrate the second section 312 of the support portion 31, for example.

[0106] The shaft member 72 is a shaft-shaped member that extends in a direction perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface J of the second control member 342. The shaft member 72 is located outside the second control member 342 when seen from the rotation axis P2.

[0107] The end of the shaft member 72 on the second control member 342 side (the end in the negative direction of the X-axis) is inserted into the through hole of the retaining part 54. A thread groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft member 72 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole of the retaining part 74 so that they can fit together. The shaft member 72 is supported by the second section 312 of the support part 31 via the retaining part 74 so as to pass through the second section 312, for example.

[0108] An abutment portion 73 is provided on the end of the shaft member 72 on the second control member 342 side. The abutment portion 73 is provided so as to face the outer circumferential surface J of the second control member 342. Specifically, the abutment portion 73 is a portion that abuts against the second control member 342 and generates frictional resistance between the abutment portion 73 and the second control member 342. In the panning released state, the base unit 30 is rotatable with the abutment portion 73 abutting against the second control member 342. The abutment portion 53 may be separate from the shaft member 52 or may be integral with the shaft member 52.

[0109] In this embodiment, the abutment portion 73 is biased toward the second control member 342 by an elastic member 75 (for example, a compression spring).

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the shaft member 72 includes an installation hole D2 on a surface (surface in the negative direction of the X-axis) facing the second control member 342, and an elastic member 75 is supported inside the installation hole D2. An end M2 side of the abutment portion 73 opposite the second control member 342 is inserted into the installation hole D2. That is, the second control member 342 and the elastic member 75 are located on opposite sides of the abutment portion 73. The elastic member 75 is installed between the end M2 of the abutment portion 73 and the bottom surface F2 of the installation hole D2. The elastic member 75 in the installation hole D2 biases the abutment portion 73 toward the second control member 342.

[0111] On the other hand, an operator 71 is provided on the end of the shaft member 72 on the second control member 342 side (the end in the positive direction of the X-axis). As illustrated in Fig. 1, the operator 71 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the second section 312 of the support part 31. The shaft member 72 is supported by the second section 312 via a holder 74 so as to penetrate through the second section 312 of the support part 31, for example.

[0112] By operating the operating element 71, the shaft member 72 rotates, and the shaft member 72 is movable in a direction toward and away from the second control member 342.

[0113] In the pan release state, when the shaft member 72 is rotated (for example, rotated right) by the operator 71, the shaft member 72 moves in a direction approaching the second control member 342. When the shaft member 72 moves in a direction approaching the second control member 342, the distance between the end M2 of the abutment portion 73 and the bottom surface F2 of the installation hole D2 becomes shorter. Then, the elastic member provided in the installation hole D of the shaft member 72 is compressed by the end M2 of the abutment portion 73 and the bottom surface F2 of the installation hole D2 and becomes in a shortened state. That is, the restoring force becomes large. Therefore, the abutment portion 73 presses the second control member 342 with a stronger pressure. As a result, the rotation resistance in the base portion 30 becomes large.

[0114] On the other hand, when the shaft member 72 is rotated (e.g., rotated left) by the operator 71, the shaft member 72 moves in a direction away from the second control member 342. When the shaft member 72 moves in a direction away from the second control member 342, the distance between the end M2 of the abutment portion 73 and the bottom surface F2 of the installation hole D2 becomes longer. Then, the elastic member 75 provided in the installation hole D2 of the shaft member 72 stretches. That is, the restoring force becomes weaker. Therefore, the pressure with which the abutment portion 73 presses the second control member 342 becomes weaker. As a result, the rotational resistance in the base portion 30 becomes smaller.

[0115] As can be understood from the above description, the pan friction mechanism 70 of this embodiment increases the frictional resistance between the shaft member 72 and the second control member 342 by moving the shaft member 72 in a direction toward the second control member 342, and decreases the frictional resistance between the shaft member 72 and the second control member 342 by moving the shaft member 72 in a direction away from the second control member 342. In other words, the pan friction mechanism 70 variably sets the rotational resistance in the rotating body by adjusting the frictional resistance between the pan friction mechanism 70 and the second control member 342.

[0116] In the pan release state, when the base unit 30 is rotated around the rotation axis P2 using the operating lever, the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 supported by the base unit 30 (the second section 312 of the support unit 31) rotate together with the support unit 31 around the rotation axis P2.

[0117] Here, in order to fix the base unit 30 at any position, the second control member 342 is shaped such that at least a portion (in this embodiment, a portion of the outer circumferential surface J) faces the contact portion 63 of the pan lock mechanism 60 when the base unit 30 is at all rotation angles at which it can rotate. Similarly, in order to apply rotation resistance to the base unit 30 when the base unit 30 is at all rotation angles at which it can rotate, the second control member 342 is shaped such that at least a portion faces the contact portion 73 of the pan friction mechanism 70. In light of the above circumstances, in this embodiment, the second control member 342 is cylindrical with the rotation axis P2 as the central axis.

[0118] In this embodiment, the second control member 342 is cylindrical, but the shape of the second control member 342 may be arbitrary as long as at least a portion of it can be positioned opposite the abutment portion 63 of the pan lock mechanism 60 and the abutment portion 73 of the pan friction mechanism 70 when the base portion 30 is at all rotation angles through which it can rotate.

[0119] The configuration of the pan lock mechanism 60 is not limited to the above example, so long as the second control member 342 can be pressed by the abutment portion 63. Also, as long as the second control member 342 can be prevented from rotating about the rotation axis P2, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the abutment portion 63 presses the second control member 342. For example, a configuration in which the second control member 342 is fixed by being sandwiched between two abutment portions may be adopted. However, the configuration in which the second control member 342 is pressed by the abutment portion 63 has the advantage that the configuration for fixing the second control member 342 is simplified.

[0120] Similarly, the configuration of the pan friction mechanism 70 is not limited to the above example, so long as the base unit 30 can rotate with the second control member 342 pressed by the abutment unit 73. For example, the position of the elastic member 75 is arbitrary, so long as the elastic member 75 can bias the abutment unit 73 toward the second control member 342. For example, the elastic member 75 may be disposed on the outer circumferential surface side of the shaft member 72. However, a configuration in which the elastic member 75 is disposed in the mounting hole D2 of the shaft member 72 has the advantage of enabling miniaturization.

[0121] Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the frictional resistance between the second control member 342 and the contact portion 73 is adjusted without using the elastic member 75. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of contact portions capable of contacting the second control member 342 are provided, and the frictional resistance is adjusted according to the number of contact portions that contact the second control member 342. However, a configuration in which the frictional resistance between the second control member 342 and the contact portion 73 is adjusted using the elastic member 75 has the advantage of simplifying the configuration for adjusting the frictional resistance.

[0122] As can be understood from the above explanation, in this embodiment, the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 act on a common second control member 342, which has the advantage that the mechanism for adjusting the rotational friction of the base portion 30 (support portion 31) can be simplified and made smaller, compared to a configuration in which separate members are required on which the pan lock mechanism and the pan friction mechanism act.

[0123] <Modification> The above-mentioned exemplary embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined.

[0124] (1) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a first control member 80 and a tilt lock mechanism 40 according to a modified example. The thickness of the first control member 80 in FIG. 9 is greater than that of the first control member 80 in FIG. 5. The thickness of the first control member 80 in FIG. 5 is, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm, whereas the thickness of the first control member 80 in FIG. 9 is, for example, 2 to 4 mm. Note that the thickness of the first control member 80 in FIG. 9 is not so small that it is bent. FIG. 5 has the advantage that the first control member 80 can be bent and sandwiched, so that the required level of dimensional accuracy and the like is low. On the other hand, FIG. 9 has the advantage that the strength of the first control member 80 (and therefore the lock strength) can be increased, because a sufficient thickness can be ensured for the first control member 80.

[0125] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the tilt lock mechanism 40 according to the modified example from the released state to the fixed state. In the first embodiment, the caliper portion 44 (the abutment portion 441) does not move toward the first control member 80, but in this modified example, the caliper portion 44 (the abutment portion 441) also moves toward the first control member 80. That is, both the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 may move toward the first control member 80 to sandwich the first control member 80 and to be in a fixed state. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the released state, there is a gap between the first control member 80 and the abutment portion 43, and there is a gap between the first control member 80 and the abutment portion 43, as in the first embodiment.

[0126] The tilt lock mechanism 40 according to this modified example further has an anti-rotation member 45 in addition to the operating element 41, the shaft member 42, the contact portion 43, and the caliper portion 44. The anti-rotation member 45 is an element for preventing the rotation of the caliper portion 44. However, it does not prevent the caliper portion 44 from moving in a direction parallel to the rotation axis P1.

[0127] First, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when the shaft member 42 is rotated (e.g., rotated right) by the operator 41 from the tilt release state, the abutment portion 43 moves together with the shaft member 42 until it abuts against the first control member 80. When the shaft member 42 is further rotated (e.g., rotated right), the caliper portion 44 moves toward the operator 41 side (negative direction of the X-axis). That is, the abutment portion 441 of the caliper portion 44 moves until it abuts against the first control member 80. Note that in this modified example, after abutting against the first control member 80, the abutment portion 43 does not move toward the positive direction of the X-axis. Instead, the caliper portion 44 moves toward the negative direction of the X-axis.

[0128] Then, when the first control member 80 is sandwiched between the abutment portion 43 and the abutment portion 441 and the abutment portion 43 moves to a position where the first control member 80 cannot tilt rotate, the tilt is fixed. Furthermore, when the shaft member 42 is rotated (e.g., rotated left) by the operator 41 from the tilt fixed state, the abutment portion 43 moves in the positive direction of the X-axis away from the first control member 80, and then the caliper portion 44 moves in the negative direction of the X-axis, the tilt is released.

[0129] As can be understood from the above explanation, in the tilt fixed state, the specific configuration is arbitrary as long as it is possible to fix the first control member 80 with the two abutment portions (43, 334) located on opposite sides of the first control member 80.

[0130] (2) The present invention can also be applied to cases where a rotating body is rotated in a direction other than pan and tilt. That is, the present invention can be conceived as a camera head that includes a locking mechanism for switching between a fixed state in which the rotating body does not rotate and a released state in which the rotating body rotates, a friction mechanism for applying rotational resistance to the rotating body, and a control member that is commonly acted on by the locking mechanism and the friction mechanism, in a rotating body that rotates around an arbitrary rotation axis.

[0131] In the first embodiment, each element for performing tilt rotation may be used as each element for performing pan rotation. For example, a second control member having a shape similar to that of the first control member 80 may be used, and a configuration similar to that of the tilt lock mechanism 40 may be used for the pan lock mechanism 60. Similarly, in the first embodiment, each element for performing pan rotation may be used as each element for performing tilt rotation. For example, a first control member 80 having a shape similar to that of the second control member 342 may be used, and a configuration similar to that of the pan lock mechanism 60 may be used for the tilt lock mechanism 40.

[0132] (3) Figures 11 to 14 show cross-sectional views of a modified pan lock mechanism 60, a pan friction mechanism 70, and a second control member 342. For convenience, pan rotation is illustrated in Figures 11 to 14, but as described above, the same configurations as those in Figures 11 to 14 are also used for tilt rotation and other rotations.

[0133] Figure 11 illustrates a case where the configuration of the pan lock mechanism 60 in Figure 8 is different. The pan lock mechanism 60 in Figure 11 employs a configuration similar to that employed in the tilt lock mechanism 40 in Figure 9. Specifically, the pan lock mechanism 60 includes an operator 61, a shaft member 62, a contact portion 63, a caliper portion 65, and a rotation prevention member 66. The operator 61, the shaft member 62, and the contact portion 63 have the same configurations as in the first embodiment.

[0134] The caliper portion 65 includes an abutment portion 651 and a holding portion 652. The abutment portion 651 and the holding portion 652 are located opposite each other with the second control member 342 in between. The caliper portion 65 (abutment portion 651, holding portion 652) and the rotation prevention member 66 are similar to the caliper portion 44 (abutment portion 441, holding portion 442) and the rotation prevention member 45 in FIG. 9. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the pan lock mechanism 60 clamps the edge of the second control member 342 between the abutment portion 63 and the holding portion 652 to fix the pan.

[0135] Fig. 12 illustrates an example in which the shape of the second control member 342 in Fig. 11 is different. As illustrated in Fig. 12, a cylindrical second control member 342 whose outer diameter is not constant along the height direction may also be used. For example, in a cross-sectional view, the wall portion constituting the second control member 342 (i.e., the wall portion provided in an annular shape) is provided in a direction inclined with respect to the rotation axis P2.

[0136] The second control member 342 in Figures 13 and 14 illustrates a case where the shape of the second control member 342 in Figure 8 is different. As illustrated in Figure 13, the second control member 342 may be flat. One surface of the second control member 342 is pressed by the contact portion 63 of the pan lock mechanism 60 and the contact portion 73 of the pan friction mechanism 70.

[0137] 14, the surface where the abutment portion 63 of the pan lock mechanism 60 and the abutment portion 73 of the pan friction mechanism 70 come into contact may be an inclined surface. For example, in a cross-sectional view, the outer circumferential surface of the second control member 342 is provided in a direction inclined with respect to the rotation axis P2.

[0138] In the second control member 342, it is preferable that the surfaces where the abutment portions 63, 73 face each other are rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis P2 so that the abutment portions 63, 73 can abut at any rotation angle. Similarly, it is preferable that the surfaces where the abutment portions 43, 53 face each other are rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis P1 so that the abutment portions 43, 53 can abut at any rotation angle.

[0139] The positions and configurations of the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 may be changed as appropriate depending on the shape of the second control member 342. Similarly, the positions and configurations of the tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 may be changed as appropriate depending on the shape of the first control member 80.

[0140] (4) In each of the above-described embodiments, the locking mechanism 40, 60 and the friction mechanism 50, 70 rotate around the rotation axis P1, P2. Alternatively, the locking mechanism 40, 60 and the friction mechanism 50, 70 may rotate around the rotation axis P1, P2. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the camera head 100 in which the locking mechanism 40, 60 and the friction mechanism 50, 70 rotate around the rotation axis P1, P2. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view focusing on the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70. In FIG. 16, illustration of other parts is omitted as appropriate.

[0141] Tilt rotation and pan rotation will be explained below, but parts that employ the same configuration as the above-mentioned embodiments will be omitted as appropriate.

[0142] The camera platform 100 in Fig. 15 includes a connection portion 91, a first support portion 92, a second support portion 93, an axis member R1, an axis member R2, a first control member 81, and a second control member 82. The first support portion 92 supports the axis member R1 (an example of a "rotating body") so that the axis member R1 can rotate about a rotation axis P1. The axis member R1 is connected to the imaging connection portion 10 via the connection portion 91. Therefore, the axis member R1 and the imaging connection portion 10 (and thus the imaging device) rotate (tilt rotate) in conjunction with each other. On the other hand, the first support portion 92 does not rotate about the rotation axis P1.

[0143] The first control member 81 is provided on the shaft member R1. That is, the first control member 81 rotates together with the shaft member R1 around the rotation axis P1. The tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 are also supported on the first support portion 92. The first support portion 92, the tilt lock mechanism 40, and the tilt friction mechanism 50 are not connected to the shaft member R1 and do not rotate together with the shaft member R1. The tilt lock mechanism 40 and the tilt friction mechanism 50 are provided at a position corresponding to the first control member 81. Note that the tilt lock mechanism 40, the tilt friction mechanism 50, and the first control member 81 may appropriately adopt, for example, the same configurations as those of the various tilt lock mechanisms 40, the tilt friction mechanisms 50, and the first control member 80 described above.

[0144] A second support portion 93 is located on the opposite side of the connection portion 91 from the imaging connection portion 10. A shaft member R2 (an example of a "rotating body") is supported by the second support portion 93 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis P2. A second control member 82 is provided on the shaft member R2. That is, the second control member 82 rotates together with the shaft member R2 around the rotation axis P2.

[0145] The second support portion 93 supports the pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70. The second support portion 93, the pan lock mechanism 60, and the pan friction mechanism 70 do not rotate together with the shaft member R2. The pan lock mechanism 60 and the pan friction mechanism 70 are provided at a position corresponding to the second control member 82. For the pan lock mechanism 60, the pan friction mechanism 70, and the second control member 82, for example, the same configuration as the various pan lock mechanisms 60, the pan friction mechanism 70, and the second control member 342 described above may be appropriately adopted. In the example of FIG. 16, since the second control member 82 is disk-shaped, the shaft member 62 of the pan lock mechanism 60 and the shaft member 62 of the pan friction mechanism are provided parallel to the rotation axis P2. For example, when the shaft member R2 rotates, the shaft member R2 and the first support portion 92 are connected so that the first support portion 92 can also rotate around the rotation axis P1, thereby performing pan rotation.

[0146] As can be understood from the above explanation, the tripod head of the present invention comprises an imaging connection section to which an imaging device is connected, a rotating body that is rotatable around a rotation axis and to which the imaging connection section is connected, a locking mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the rotating body does not rotate and a released state in which the rotating body rotates, a friction mechanism that applies rotational resistance to the rotating body in the released state, and a control member on which the locking mechanism and the friction mechanism act together, and one of the locking mechanism, the friction mechanism, or the control member rotates around the rotation axis together with the rotating body, and the other does not rotate around the rotation axis P, and in the fixed state, the locking mechanism abuts against the control member so that it does not move relative to the control member, and in the released state, the locking mechanism is released from the abutment to allow the rotating body to move relative to the control member, and the friction mechanism variably sets the rotational resistance in the rotating body depending on the frictional resistance between the control member.

[0147] 1 to 14 are examples of a configuration in which the lock mechanism (40, 60) and the friction mechanism (50, 70) rotate together with the rotating body around the rotation axis (P1, P2) and the control member (80, 342) does not rotate around the rotation axis P, and Figs. 15 and 16 are examples of a configuration in which the control member (81, 82) rotates together with the rotating body (R1, R2) around the rotation axis (P1, P2) and the lock mechanism (40, 60) and the friction mechanism (50, 70) do not rotate around the rotation axis (P1, P2). Note that the rotating body is not limited to the above examples as long as it is a member that can rotate around the rotation axis. The rotating body may be composed of multiple members.

[0148] (5) The configuration of the friction mechanism (50, 70) is not limited to the above examples as long as it is possible to apply frictional resistance to the control member. For example, the frictional resistance between the control member and the friction mechanism may be changed by changing the force that pinches the control member.

[0149] (6) The present invention can also be conceived as a tripod head that includes a friction mechanism including a third contact portion that contacts the control member and generates frictional resistance between the control member and the third contact member, an axis member that is movable in a first direction toward the third contact member and in a second direction away from the third contact member, and an elastic member that biases the third contact portion toward the control member, and that increases the frictional resistance between the control member by moving the axis member in the first direction and decreases the frictional resistance between the control member by moving the axis member in the second direction. The objective of this tripod head is to simplify the configuration for adjusting the frictional resistance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10: Imaging connection part 20: Leg connection part 30: Base part 31: Support part 32: Rotating part 34: Fixed axis 35:Connection part 40: Tilt lock mechanism 41: Operator 42: Shaft member 43: Contact part 44: Caliper part 45: Anti-rotation member 46: Contact part 50: Tilt friction mechanism 51: Operator 52: Shaft member 53: Contact part 54: Holding part 55: Elastic material 60: Pan lock mechanism 61: Operator 62: Shaft member 63: Contact part 64: Holding part 65: Caliper part 66: Anti-rotation member 70: Pan friction mechanism 71: Operator 72: Shaft member 73: Contact part 74: Holding part 75: Elastic material 80: First control member 81: First control member 82: Second control member 91: Connection part 92: 1st support part 93:Second support part 100: Pan head 221: Bottom part 223: Side wall 241: Fitting part 311: First Section 312:Second Section 322 :1st part 324 :Second part 341: Shaft 342: Second control member 441: Contact part 442: Holding part 651: Contact part 652: Holding part P1: Rotation axis P2: Rotation axis Q: Shaft body R1: Shaft member R2: Shaft member S: Elastic material

Claims

1. an imaging connection section to which an imaging device is connected; A rotating body that is rotatable around a rotation axis and to which the imaging connection portion is connected; a lock mechanism that switches between a fixed state in which the rotating body does not rotate and a released state in which the rotating body rotates; a friction mechanism that applies rotational resistance to the rotating body in the released state; a control member that is in common contact with the lock mechanism and the friction mechanism, one of the lock mechanism and the friction mechanism, and the control member, rotates around the rotation shaft together with the rotating body, and the other does not rotate around the rotation shaft, The locking mechanism includes: In the fixed state, the control member is in contact with the control member so as not to move relative to the control member, In the released state, the contact is released, so that the control member is movable relative to the control member. the friction mechanism variably sets the rotational resistance of the rotating body in accordance with the frictional resistance between the rotating body and the control member, The lock mechanism is moved toward and away from the control member to switch between the fixed state and the released state; The friction mechanism is moved toward and away from the control member to adjust the friction resistance. Panhead.

2. The lock mechanism and the friction mechanism abut on a common surface of the control member.

2. The tripod head of claim 1.

3. The locking mechanism includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion, In the fixed state, the first contact portion and the second contact portion sandwich the control member from opposite sides, In the released state, the first contact portion and the second contact portion release the pinching of the control member.

2. The tripod head of claim 1.

4. The control member is provided along a circumferential direction of the rotation shaft, At least a part of the control member is located between the first contact portion and the second contact portion when the rotor is at any rotation angle at which the rotor can rotate. The tripod head of claim 3.

5. The locking mechanism includes a first contact portion, In the fixed state, the first contact portion presses against a surface of the control member, In the released state, the first contact portion releases the pressure on the control member.

2. The tripod head of claim 1.

6. The control member has a shape such that at least a portion of the control member faces the first contact portion when the rotor is at any of the rotation angles at which the rotor can rotate. The tripod head of claim 5.

7. The friction mechanism includes: a third contact portion that contacts the control member and generates the frictional resistance between the control member and the third contact portion; a shaft member movable in a direction toward and away from the third contact portion; an elastic member that biases the third contact portion toward the control member, By moving the shaft member in the approaching direction, frictional resistance between the shaft member and the control member is increased, By moving the shaft member in the direction away from the control member, frictional resistance between the shaft member and the control member is reduced.

2. The tripod head of claim 1.

8. The shaft member includes an installation hole on a surface facing the control member, The elastic member is supported inside the installation hole, The end of the third contact portion opposite to the control member is inserted into the installation hole. The tripod head of claim 7.

9. The control member has a shape such that at least a portion of the control member faces the third contact portion when the rotor is at any of the rotation angles at which the rotor can rotate. The tripod head of claim 7.

Images