Equipment stand

Abstract

To provide an apparatus stand with which it is possible to suppress the interference between a plurality of rotatably interconnected arms and an apparatus which is attached to the arms.SOLUTION: An apparatus stand 100 comprises: a support part 110 having a first fulcrum 151; a first arm 120 rotatably connected to the support part 110 centering around the first fulcrum 151 and having a second fulcrum 153 at one end; a second arm 130 having a first end and a second end, with the first end rotatably connected to the first arm 120 centering around the second fulcrum 153; grips 167, 168; and a joint part 142 connected to the second end of the second arm 130 and the grips and connectable to an apparatus 1, and capable of changing the bearing of the apparatus 1 relative to the second arm 130 by manipulating the grips 167, 168.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stand for a device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a stand that supports a camera as a device, the stand disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the stand disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to photograph the floor surface of a building, the camera is held in a state where the optical axis of the lens is perpendicular to the floor surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the stand of Patent Document 1 is assumed to photograph the floor surface of a building with a camera, it is not easy to change the position and orientation of the attached camera. On the other hand, by attaching a camera to an arm in which a plurality of arms are rotatably connected, it is conceivable to easily change the position and orientation of the camera. However, when changing the position and orientation of the camera, the camera is likely to interfere with the arm.

[0005] The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a stand for a device that can suppress interference between a plurality of arms rotatably connected and a device attached to the arm.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the stand for a device of the present invention is On the equipment stand,The device comprises a support portion having a first pivot point, a first arm rotatably connected to the support portion about the first pivot point and having a second pivot point at one end, a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the first arm about the second pivot point, a grip, and a joint portion connected to the second end of the second arm and the grip, which is connectable to equipment and allows the orientation of the equipment relative to the second arm to be changed by operating the grip, wherein the grip is interlocked with the equipment, and when the second arm is rotated toward the first arm, the grip allows the user to operate the grip to rotate the joint portion and change the orientation of the equipment at the joint portion. 、 By performing at least one of the following 、 A first position in which the grip interferes with the first arm but the device does not, and a second position in which neither the device nor the grip interferes with the first arm. 、 It is possible to be located at Furthermore, the stand is placed on the floor, and the distance between the floor and the equipment closest to the floor is greater than the distance between the floor and the second arm furthest from the floor, in both the first and second positions. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a device stand that can suppress interference between a plurality of rotatably connected arms and devices attached to the arms. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a camera attached to a camera stand according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in the process of taking a picture. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram of the camera stand as seen from arrow II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows the camera, with (a) being an oblique view and (b) being a rear view as seen from arrow b in (a). [Figure 4] This diagram focuses on the tip of the camera stand shown in Figure 1, and is an enlarged view of section IV in Figure 1. [Figure 5]This diagram focuses on the tip of the camera stand shown in Figure 1, and is viewed from the direction of arrow V in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the camera stand at the cutting line VI-VI in Figure 4. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the process of housing the camera stand shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the camera stand as shown in Figure 1 in its retracted state. [Figure 9] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a locking mechanism applicable to the camera stand shown, with (a) representing the released state and (b) representing the locked state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The stand for the device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the stand for the camera 1 (hereinafter referred to as camera stand 100) that supports the camera 1 as a device will be described.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the camera stand 100 includes a support part 110 that rests on the floor 50 of a building, a first arm 120 rotatably attached to the support part 110, a second arm 130 rotatably attached to one end of the first arm 120, and a mounting base 140 rotatably attached to one end of the second arm 130. The camera 1 is mounted on the mounting base 140, as shown in Figure 1, thereby enabling shooting while suppressing camera shake during shooting. The camera 1 is, for example, a digital camera used to photograph subjects. When describing the camera stand 100, as shown in Figure 1, the direction in which the horizontally positioned first arm 120 extends is defined as the +X axis direction, the vertical direction as the Z axis direction, the upper side of the Z axis direction as the +Z axis direction, and the Y axis direction perpendicular to the X and Z axis directions is defined as a right-handed coordinate system as appropriate.

[0011] The support portion 110 includes a base portion 111 which includes five protruding portions 112 extending radially from the center at equal angular intervals and casters 113 attached to each of the five protruding portions 112, and an upright portion 114 which rises from the center of the base portion 111 in the +Z direction.

[0012] The casters 113 are provided at the ends of each of the five protruding sections 112 and are spaced apart from each other. This allows the camera stand 100 to be moved stably on the floor 50 using the five casters 113. At least some of the casters 113 are provided with stoppers to stop the movement of the wheels.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the erected section 114 has a support column 115 rising from the center of the base 111 and a frame-shaped section 116 connected to the upper end of the support column 115.

[0014] The frame-shaped portion 116 has a rectangular frame body formed from metal pipes, and each corner of the frame body is formed in a curved shape. The frame-shaped portion 116 has a pair of long sides 116a, 116a extending in the Z-axis direction and arranged parallel to the Y-axis direction, and a pair of short sides 116b, 116b extending in the Y-axis direction and arranged parallel to the Z-axis direction. In addition, each of the pair of long sides 116a, 116a has two protrusions 116c extending horizontally inward from the inner edge, formed at the same height. These two protrusions 116c are provided with a first support point 151 (Figure 1) that rotatably supports the intermediate portion of the first arm 120. Furthermore, the upper end of the support column 115 is connected to the central part of the short side 116b on the -Z-axis side of the pair of short sides 116b, 116b. As a result, the frame-shaped portion 116 is supported above the vertically erected support column portion 115. In addition, a grip 117 is wrapped around the upper short side portion 116b and the pair of long sides 116a, and the portion above the protruding portion 116c of 116a. The grip 117 is made of rubber, for example, and has multiple grooves on its surface to make it easy to grip when operating the camera stand.

[0015] The first arm 120 includes an arm main body 121 rotatably supported by a support portion 110 about a first fulcrum 151, an auxiliary arm 123 with one end rotatably supported about a fourth fulcrum 152 at one end of the arm main body 121 and the other end rotatably supported thereabout, and a counterweight 122 provided at the other end of the arm main body 121.

[0016] The arm main body 121 is disposed in a state of penetrating inside a frame-shaped portion 116. The arm main body 121 is rotatably supported by a first fulcrum 151 provided on a protruding portion 116c (FIG. 2) at a position closer to the other end provided with the counterweight 122 than the middle in its longitudinal direction. Thereby, the arm main body 121 is rotatable in the direction indicated by arrow R1, that is, in the circumferential direction about a virtual axis extending in the Y-axis direction from the first fulcrum 151. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm main body 121 is rotatable clockwise in the figure from a state where the arm main body 121 extends horizontally to a housing position described later where the magnet body 181 and the magnet receiver 182 abut, and is rotatable counterclockwise in the figure by a first predetermined angle (for example, 28°), and further counterclockwise rotation is restricted by a rotation restricting mechanism not shown. The rotation restricting mechanism has, for example, a slit into which the arm main body 121 is inserted, and restricts the rotation of the arm main body 121 by abutting against the rotating arm main body 121.

[0017] The counterweight 122 is formed, for example, by stacking a plurality of stainless steel disks. The counterweight 122 is disposed on the -X-axis direction side of the first fulcrum 151. The counterweight 122 has a weight corresponding to the moment acting on the first arm 120 due to the weights of the camera 1, the second arm 130, etc. disposed on the +X-axis direction side of the first fulcrum 151 and its own weight.

[0018] As will be described later, the auxiliary arm 123 functions to create a gap between the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 in the housing position and arrange the two 120, 130 substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the auxiliary arm 123 is an auxiliary member included in the first arm 120.

[0019] The second arm 130 is rotatably supported at its other end (first end) by one end of the auxiliary arm 123. The second arm 130 is shorter than the first arm 120. The second arm 130 is rotatably supported by the second pivot point 153 in the direction indicated by arrow R2, that is, in the circumferential direction around a virtual axis extending from the second pivot point 153 in the Y-axis direction. As shown in Figure 1, the second arm 130 can rotate clockwise by a second predetermined angle (e.g., 25°) and counterclockwise by a third predetermined angle (e.g., 25°) from an upward-extending state, and further rotation is restricted by a rotation limiting mechanism (not shown).

[0020] Thus, the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are positioned on the XZ plane in Figure 1, which extends vertically. Furthermore, since the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 rotate around a virtual axis extending in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the XZ plane, they remain positioned on the XZ plane in Figure 1, which is essentially the same plane, even after rotation.

[0021] The mounting base 140 is rotatably attached to one end (second end) of the second arm 130 around the third pivot point 154, and is rotatable in the direction indicated by arrow R3 in Figure 1, that is, in the circumferential direction around a virtual axis extending from the third pivot point 154 in the Y-axis direction. As shown in Figure 5, the mounting base 140 has a connecting portion 141 rotatably attached to the third pivot point 154, a ball joint 142 as a joint portion screwed to the connecting portion 141, and a mounting portion 160 attached to the ball joint 142.

[0022] The connecting portion 141 has an insertion portion 141a that is inserted into two slits 130a formed at the end of the second arm 130, and this insertion portion 141a is rotatably connected to the second arm 130. The two slits 130a are formed in an arc shape that follows the shape of the end of the second arm 130. When the mounting base 140 rotates around the third pivot point 154, the connecting portion 141 eventually comes into contact with the edge of the slits 130a, and further rotation of the mounting base 140 is restricted. In this way, the slits 130a formed in the second arm 130 limit the amount of rotation of the mounting base 140 around the third pivot point 154.

[0023] As shown in Figure 6, the ball joint 142 has a ball base 144 and a ball portion 145 fitted into the ball base 144.

[0024] The ball support base 144 has a recess 144a that is open at the top. The recess 144a is shaped to fit the spherical ball body 145a. The ball support base 144 has a curved portion 144c formed on the inner wall of the recess 144a, and this curved portion 144c contacts the ball body 145a from above, preventing the ball body 145a from coming out of the recess 144a. The size of the recess 144a can be changed by tightening or loosening the thumb screw 148 shown in Figure 4, which is provided on the side of the ball joint 142. This makes it possible to fix the ball body 145 within the recess 144a or to allow it to move within the recess 144a. In addition, a male threaded portion 144b that protrudes downward is formed on the lower surface of the ball support base 144. The male threaded portion 144b is screwed into the threaded hole (not shown) of the connecting portion 141 shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this way, the ball joint 142 is connected to the second arm 130.

[0025] As shown in Figure 6, the ball portion 145 has a spherical ball portion body 145a and a support column portion 145b protruding from the ball portion body 145a. The support column portion 145b is fixed to the lower surface of the mounting portion 160. Therefore, when the ball portion 145 moves within the recess 144a, the mounting portion 160 moves in accordance with the movement of the support column portion 145b. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the support column portion 145b, which is in an upward-extending position, can be tilted in all directions from its upward-extending position as the ball portion 145 moves, and can also rotate 360° around the axis in which the support column portion 145b extends.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the mounting section 160 has a base section 161 connected to a ball joint 142 and a rotating section 162 rotatably attached to the base section 161. The camera 1 is attached to the mounting section 160 when the rotating section 162 is in a first rotation state (hereinafter referred to as the non-rotating state) where it is not rotating relative to the base section 161, as shown in Figure 4. At that time, the camera 1 is attached so that its rightward direction coincides with the direction in which the right grip 168 is positioned, and its leftward direction coincides with the direction in which the left grip 167 is positioned. As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), the camera 1 is positioned such that the direction in which the cover plate 7 that allows reflected light from the subject to be photographed to enter the camera 1 is forward, the opposite direction is the rear of the camera 1, and the up, down, left, and right directions when the camera 1 is viewed from the rear with the shutter button 4 facing upward are the up, down, left, and right directions of the camera 1. In describing the details of the mounting section 160, the front-to-back, up-and-down, and left-to-right directions of the camera 1 when it is attached to the mounting section 160 will be used as appropriate.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the base portion 161 has a rectangular parallelepiped left block 163 positioned on the left side, a rectangular parallelepiped right block 165 positioned on the right side, and a rotating support portion 164 shown in Figure 6, which is sandwiched between the left block 163 and the right block 165 and formed integrally with both 163 and 165.

[0028] The rotating support section 164 is lower in height than the left block 163 and the right block 165. As shown in Figure 6, the rotating section 162 is attached to this lowered rotating support section 164 via a hinge 173, which acts as a rotating component, thereby rotatably supporting the rotating section 162 on the base section 161. When the rotating section 162 is not rotating, as shown in Figure 4, the upper surfaces of the left block 163, the rotating section 162, and the right block 165 become flush, and each of these flush surfaces functions as a mounting surface for installing the camera 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, a left grip 167 is provided on the left side of the base portion 161, and a right grip 168 is provided on the right side of the base portion 161. The left grip 167 has an extension portion 169 that protrudes to the left from the left side of the base portion 161 and is bent at a bent portion 169a to extend diagonally downward, and a grip portion 170 provided at the end of the extension portion 169. The extension portion 169 is made of metal, for example, from a stainless steel rod. The grip portion 170 is made of rubber, for example, and has multiple grooves 170a formed to make it easy to grip. The right grip 168 has a symmetrical configuration with the left grip 167, and has an extension portion 171 similar to the extension portion 169 and a grip portion 172 similar to the grip portion 170. The grip portions 170 and 172 are arranged in a flared shape, with the distance between them widening downwards. Furthermore, the rubber grip sections 170 and 172 function as cushioning materials to mitigate the impact when the camera stand 100 hits the first arm 120 during storage, as will be described later.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the rotating part 162 rotates around the pivot rod 173a of the hinge 173, that is, around a virtual axis extending from the pivot rod 173a in the left-right direction. The rotating part 162 has a rotating part body 174, a handle part 175 attached to the rotating part body 174, and a mounting screw 176 for attaching the camera 1 shown in Figure 4 to the rotating part 162.

[0031] The width of the rotating body 174 in the left-right direction is about the same as or narrower than the width of the rotating support part 164 in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the length of the rotating body 174 in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the rotating support part 164 in the front-rear direction, as shown in Figure 6, and a portion of the rotating body 174 in the non-rotating state protrudes rearward from the rotating support part 164. In this protruding portion, a large-diameter first insertion hole 177 and a small-diameter second insertion hole 178 are formed concentrically and continuously from bottom to top.

[0032] The handle portion 175 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate, and has a bent portion 175a that is bent at an obtuse angle. The part of the handle portion 175 in front of the bent portion 175a is located below the rotating body 174 and is screwed to the lower surface of the rotating body 174. The handle portion 175 also has an insertion hole 179 that is centered with the first insertion hole 177. On the other hand, the part of the handle portion 175 in rear of the bent portion 175a extends diagonally downward from the lower surface of the rotating body 174. This diagonally downward extending portion of the handle portion 175 is where the user places their hand to lift and rotate the rotating body 162.

[0033] The mounting screw 176 has a male thread 176a formed at its tip and a ring-shaped locking portion 176b formed on its shaft. The mounting screw 176 is inserted from below into the insertion hole 179, the first insertion hole 177, and the second insertion hole 178 in that order, with the locking portion 176b housed within the first insertion hole 177. This locking portion 176b cannot pass through the second insertion hole 178 formed in the rotating portion 162 and the insertion hole 179 formed in the handle portion 175, and by being unable to pass through the insertion hole 179, the mounting screw 176 is prevented from falling out. Furthermore, the male thread 176a formed at the tip of the mounting screw 176 is screwed into the screw hole 23 formed on the bottom surface of the camera 1 shown in Figure 4. This allows an appropriate axial force to be introduced to the shaft of the mounting screw 176 between the male screw 176a and the head 176c, enabling the camera 1 to be attached to the rotating part 162 without wobbling.

[0034] Furthermore, the camera stand 100 is equipped with a first locking device 180 and a second locking device 183 for maintaining the state in which the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are housed, as shown in Figure 8.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the first locking device 180 includes a magnet body 181 as a first magnetic material provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first arm 120, and a magnet body receiver 182 as a first magnetic material receiver provided on the upright portion 114. The magnet body 181 is, for example, a combination of a metal piece called a yoke and a magnet, and includes an adsorption surface 181a, which is positioned so that this adsorption surface 181a faces outward. The magnet body receiver 182 is, for example, made of a ferromagnetic metal such as iron, and is provided in the center of the short side portion 116b provided on the -Z axis side. The magnet body receiver 182 is a cylindrical projection and is positioned so as to face diagonally upward with respect to the +X axis. When the first arm 120 rotates counterclockwise in the figure from the state shown in Figure 1, the magnet body receiver 182 and the magnet body 181 eventually come into contact with each other and are attracted to one another, as shown in Figure 7. At this time, the magnet holder 182 is positioned approximately perpendicular to the magnetic surface 181a of the magnet 181. In this manner, the upright portion 114 and the first arm 120 are locked to each other by the first locking device 180.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the second locking device 183 has a magnet body receiver 184 as a second magnetic body receiver that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the first arm 120, and a magnet body 185 as a second magnetic body provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second arm 130. The magnet body receiver 184 is, like the magnet body receiver 182, a cylindrical body made of iron, for example, and protrudes perpendicularly from the outer circumferential surface of the first arm 120. The magnet body 185 is, like the magnet body 181, formed by combining, for example, a metal piece and a magnet. When the second arm 130 rotates counterclockwise in the figure from the state shown in Figure 1, the magnet body receiver 184 and the magnet body 185 eventually come into contact with each other and attract each other, as shown in Figure 8. At this time, the magnet body receiver 184 is approximately perpendicular to the magnet body 185. In this way, the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are locked together by the second locking device 183.

[0037] Next, a method for photographing a subject using the camera 1 mounted on the camera stand 100 will be described. The camera 1 is mounted on the camera stand 100 to suppress camera shake during shooting. When mounting the camera 1 to the camera stand 100, as shown in Figure 4, the right side of the camera 1 is pointed in the direction of the right grip 168, and the left side of the camera 1 is pointed in the direction of the left grip 167. Then, the mounting screw 176 protruding from the mounting part 160 is screwed into the screw hole 23 formed on the lower surface of the camera 1, and the camera 1 is fixed to the mounting base 140.

[0038] Then, the user presses the power button 5 shown in Figure 3(a) to turn on the camera 1, and while viewing the image of the subject to be photographed displayed on the LCD monitor 6 (Figure 3(b)), which functions as a viewfinder, the user determines the composition of the image to be taken. The user can move the camera stand 100 to the desired position by rolling the casters 113 on the floor 50 by pushing and pulling the grip 117 provided on the frame-shaped part 116 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0039] Next, by holding and moving the left grip 167 and right grip 168 shown in Figure 1, the first arm 120 can be rotated around the first pivot point 151, the second arm 130 around the second pivot point 153, and the mounting base 140 around the third pivot point 154. This allows the user to position the camera 1 at a desired location within the movable range of the mounting base 140, which is defined by the rotatable range of the first arm 120, the second arm 130, and the mounting base 140. Furthermore, by loosening the thumb screw 148 shown in Figure 4, which is provided on the side of the ball joint 142, and holding and moving the left grip 167 and right grip 168, the user can orient the camera 1 attached to the mounting part 160 in a desired direction. The camera 1, connected to the ball joint 142, can rotate about the direction in which the support column 145b extends (upward in Figure 6) as shown in Figure 6 as its central axis, and can also be tilted in any direction relative to the direction in which the support column 145b extends. Then, by tightening the thumb screw 148 shown in Figure 4, the camera 1 is fixed to the second arm 130 together with the mounting part 160, and the composition is determined. This allows the camera 1 to be brought closer to the subject during shooting, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, by the horizontally extending first arm 120 and the upwardly extending second arm 130. Note that the operating procedure for determining the position and orientation of the camera 1 is not particularly limited and can be determined by the user as appropriate.

[0040] After determining the composition in this way, the shutter button 4 (Figure 3(a)) is operated to photograph the subject. The captured image is saved to a recording medium (not shown) housed inside the camera 1. When the subject has been photographed, the power button 5 (Figure 3(a)) is pressed to turn off the camera 1.

[0041] When shooting with camera 1 is finished and the camera stand 100 is in the state shown in Figure 1, the left grip 167 and right grip 168 held in the hand are moved to fold the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 that extend from the upright section 114 and move them to their storage position. Specifically, the first arm 120 is rotated clockwise in Figure 1 around the first pivot point 151, and the second arm 130 is rotated counterclockwise in Figure 1 around the second pivot point 153. As a result, the amount of extension of the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 from the upright section 114 decreases. Eventually, as the first arm 120 rotates, the magnet body 181 comes into contact with the magnet body receiver 182 as shown in Figure 7, stopping the rotation of the first arm 120 any further. This allows the first arm 120 to be moved to its storage position. Thus, the storage position of the first arm 120 is a position in which the first arm 120 can be folded and prevented from protruding from the upright section 114, and is the position of the first arm 120 when it is not in use and the camera stand 100 is compactly stored (storage state).

[0042] On the other hand, depending on the mounting direction of the mounting base 140, the rotation of the second arm 130 may cause the right grip 168 or the left grip 167 to come into contact with the first arm 120 via the rubber grip parts 170 and 172 before the magnet body 185 comes into contact with the magnet body receiver 184. In that case, loosen the thumb screw 148 shown in Figure 4 to change the orientation of the mounting base 140 so that the right grip 168 or the left grip 167 does not come into contact with the first arm 120. Alternatively, the orientation of the mounting base 140 can also be changed by rotating the mounting base 140 around the third pivot point 154. After changing the orientation of the mounting base 140 so that the right grip 168 and the left grip 167 do not come into contact with the first arm 120, further rotation of the second arm 130 in the figure will cause the magnet body 181 to come into contact with the magnet body receiver 182, as shown in Figure 8, and further rotation of the second arm 130 will be stopped. This allows the second arm 130 to be moved to its storage position. The storage position of the second arm 130 is a position where the second arm 130 can be folded and prevented from protruding from the upright section 114, and is the position of the second arm 130 when it is not in use and the camera stand 100 is compactly stored (storage state). In this way, the upright section 114 and the first arm 120 are locked to each other by the first locking device 180, and the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are locked to each other by the second locking device 183. As a result, the state in which the arms of the camera stand 100 are stored is maintained with the camera 1 attached, as shown in Figure 8.

[0043] Thus, when the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are in their storage positions and the camera stand 100 is in its storage state, the first arm 120 penetrates the inside of the frame-shaped portion 116, with one end where the second support point 153 is located extending diagonally downward. At this time, the second support point 153 is located below the first support point 151. In addition, the auxiliary arm 123 is interposed between the second arm 130 and the arm body 121, creating a distance between the first arm 120 and the second arm 130. This allows the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 to be positioned approximately parallel to each other, and the end of the second arm 130 where the third support point 154 is located can be extended diagonally upward.

[0044] According to the above embodiment, since a ball joint 142 is interposed between one end of the second arm 130 and the mounting part 160 to which the camera 1 is attached, the posture of the camera 1 and the mounting part 160 can be changed by operating the ball joint 142 by manipulating the left grip 167 and the right grip 168. This makes it possible to suppress interference between the first arm 120 in an extended state or the first arm 120 moved to its retracted position and the camera 1 or the mounting part 160. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, when the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 are in the first position, only the left grip 167 interferes with the first arm 120, and the camera 1 does not interfere. By manipulating the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 and moving them to the second position, the user can avoid not only interference between the first arm 120 and the camera 1, but also interference between the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 and the first arm 120, as shown in Figure 8.

[0045] Furthermore, the ball joint 142 is rotatable around a third pivot point 154 provided at one end of the second arm 130. Therefore, by rotating the ball joint 142 around the third pivot point 154, the orientation of the camera 1 and the mounting part 160 can be changed. This suppresses interference between the first arm 120 and the camera 1 or the mounting part 160. This effect is observed not only when the first arm 120 is in its retracted position, but also when the first arm 120 is extended when the camera stand 100 is in use.

[0046] Furthermore, by operating the left grip 167 and the right grip 168, it is possible to simultaneously perform the action of changing the orientation of the camera 1 etc. at the ball joint 142 and the action of rotating the ball joint 143 around the third pivot point 154, or to perform only one of the actions. This makes it possible to move the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 between a first position (a position where, for example, only the left grip 167 interferes with the first arm 120, and the camera 1 does not interfere) and a second position (a position that avoids interference not only between the first arm 120 and the camera 1, but also between the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 and the first arm 120).

[0047] Furthermore, a left grip 167 and a right grip 168 for the user to grasp extend from both sides of the mounting portion 160. The left grip 167 and the right grip 168 formed in this manner protrude beyond the camera and interfere with the first arm 120 before the camera 1 when the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are moved to their storage positions. This prevents the camera 1 from directly contacting the first arm 120 or other interfering objects.

[0048] Furthermore, the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 are provided with rubber grip portions 170 and 172. When the camera stand 100 is housed, the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 come into contact with interfering objects such as the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 via these grip portions 170 and 172. As a result, the grip portions 170 and 172 can function as shock-absorbing cushions, protecting the camera 1 from impact.

[0049] This invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and applied in various ways. In the above embodiments, the camera 1 as a device was described as a digital camera, but this may be a commercially available digital camera, a medical digital camera for photographing affected areas such as human skin or mucous membranes, a video camera mainly for shooting video, or a camera attached to a smartphone. Furthermore, the device is not limited to a camera as long as it is a device supported by a stand, but may be other suitable devices such as lighting equipment, displays, personal computers, telescopes, or rangefinders for surveying. The present invention can then be applied to the stand that supports these devices.

[0050] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the left grip 167 and right grip 168 provided on the left and right sides of the mounting portion 160 are arranged in a flared configuration with the distance between them widening downwards, the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the left grip 167 and right grip 168 may be arranged to extend upwards from the left and right sides of the mounting portion so that the sides of the camera 1 are covered by the left grip 167 and right grip. This allows for proper protection of the camera 1 when shooting or when storing it in the camera stand 100. Also, the grips do not need to be provided on both sides of the mounting portion 160; only one of the left and right grips may be provided on the mounting portion 160.

[0051] Furthermore, when the camera stand 100 is in its retracted state, it is optional whether or not the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are arranged in parallel. For example, the second locking device 183 may be raised, or the auxiliary arm 123 may be shortened, so that the second arm 130 and the first arm 120 move further apart towards one end of the second arm 130 to which the camera 1 is attached. This makes it less likely for the first arm 120 and the mounting base 140 to interfere with each other when the camera stand 100 is retracted.

[0052] Furthermore, the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 must be configured to change the orientation of the camera 1 attached to the mounting part 160 when operated, and for this purpose, they may be directly or indirectly connected to the ball joint 142. In this embodiment, since the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 are provided on the base part 161 fixed to the support column part 145b of the ball screw 142, it can be said that the ball joint 142 and the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 are directly connected. On the other hand, it is also possible to attach the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 to, for example, the rotating part 162, in which case it can be said that the ball joint 142 and the left grip 167 and the right grip 168 are indirectly connected.

[0053] Furthermore, while the first locking device 180 and the second locking device 183 described above used magnetic attraction to lock the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 so that they would not move from their storage positions, the locking means are not limited to those that utilize magnetism. As other locking means, for example, a third locking device 190 equipped with a mechanical locking mechanism as shown in Figure 9(a) may be employed.

[0054] The third locking device 190 includes a bent bar 191 as an engaged part provided on the second arm 130 and a locking device 192 attached to the first arm 120. The locking device 192 includes an engaging part 194 that rotates around a rotation axis 193 and can engage with the bent bar 191, a release lever 196 that rotates around a rotation axis 195, and a tension spring 197 that connects the engaging part 194 and the release lever 196.

[0055] When the user rotates the second arm 130 as indicated by arrow Y1 to house the camera stand 100, the engaging portion 194, which is pressed against the bending bar 191, eventually rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 193 in the figure. At this time, the release lever 196, which is connected to the engaging portion 194 by the tension spring 197, rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 195 in accordance with the rotation of the engaging portion 194, but eventually hits the cover portion 192a that forms the outer surface of the locking device 192, as shown in Figure 9(b), and further clockwise rotation is restricted. From this state, if the engaging portion 194 rotates further clockwise against the biasing force of the tension spring 197, the protruding portion 194b of the engaging portion 194 will move over the tip 196a of the release lever 196, as shown from Figure 9(a) to Figure 9(b). As a result, the tip 196a of the release lever 196 hits the protruding portion 194b, as shown in Figure 9(b). As a result, an operating sound is emitted from the third locking device 190 when the protruding portion 194b of the engaging portion 194 overcomes and hits the tip 196a. By hearing this operating sound, the user can determine that the second arm 130 has moved to its storage position and stop the rotation of the second arm 130.

[0056] Furthermore, if the operating sound from the third locking device 190 is not heard due to ambient noise, the user will attempt to rotate the engaging portion 194 further. In this case, the biasing force of the tension spring 197 connected to the release lever 196, which restricts clockwise rotation, will gradually increase, requiring greater force to rotate the engaging portion 194. The user can rotate the second arm 130 and push the bending bar 191 all the way into the engaging portion 194 with normal force, thereby moving the second arm 130 to its hoisted position and locking it in place.

[0057] In this way, as the second arm 130 moves to its storage position, the hook portion 194a of the engaging portion 194 is hooked onto the bending bar 191, as shown in Figure 9(b). The engaging portion 194 is also subjected to a force in the direction of rotation counterclockwise in the figure due to the biasing force of the tension spring 197. However, the protrusion 194b of the engaging portion 194 is pressed against the tip 196a of the release lever 196, which restricts the rotation of the engaging portion 194, thereby restricting the counterclockwise rotation of the engaging portion 194 in the figure. As a result, the bending bar 191 remains hooked and engaged by the hook portion 194a, and the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are locked to each other via the third locking device 190.

[0058] On the other hand, to release this engagement, the release lever 196 is hooked with a finger and rotated in the direction indicated by arrow Y2, i.e., counterclockwise in the figure. This causes the tip 196a of the release lever 196 to move over the projection 194b, releasing the engagement between the tip 196a and the projection 194b. As a result, the engaging portion 194 is pulled by the tension spring 197 and rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the figure, and as shown in Figure 9(a), the hook portion 194a separates from the bending bar 191. In this way, the locking of the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 against each other is released.

[0059] By employing the third locking device 190 equipped with such a mechanical locking mechanism, the retracted state will not be released unless the user operates the release lever 196 with a clear intention to release the lock. This prevents the arms (first arm, second arm) in the retracted position from unintentionally rotating and extending.

[0060] Furthermore, a third locking device 190 may be used in place of at least one of the first locking device 180 and the second locking device 183. Alternatively, at least one of the first locking device 180 and the second locking device 183 may be omitted. In this case, a rubber cushioning material may be placed in place of at least one of the two devices 180 and 183 to suppress the generation of impact and noise caused by at least one of the contact between the corresponding support part and the first arm, and between the first arm and the second arm.

[0061] Furthermore, when the camera stand 100 is in its retracted state, it is optional whether or not the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are arranged to be substantially parallel. For example, the second locking device 183 may be raised, or the auxiliary arm 123 may be shortened, so that the second arm 130 and the first arm 120 move further apart from each other as you move towards the end of the second arm 130 to which the camera 1 is attached. This makes it less likely for the first arm 120 to interfere with the mounting base 140 when the camera stand 100 is retracted. Alternatively, the second locking device 183 may be lowered, or the auxiliary arm 123 may be lengthened, so that the second arm 130 and the first arm 120 move closer to each other as you move towards the end of the second arm 130 to which the camera 1 is attached. Even with such configurations, the gravity of camera 1, or the gravity of the second arm 130, acts as a moment on the second arm 130 in the stowed position, causing it to tilt towards the first arm 120, thereby maintaining the stowed state of the camera stand 100.

[0062] Furthermore, although it has been explained that when the camera stand 100 is in its retracted position, the first arm 120 extends diagonally downward at one end where the second pivot point 153 is located, the first arm 120 may be configured to take on other positions. For example, when the first arm 120 is in its retracted position, it may take on a position where the side of the arm body 121 where the fourth pivot point 152 is located extends downward. Also, as described above, by lengthening the auxiliary arm 123 and extending it horizontally, the second arm 130 in the retracted position may be tilted toward the first arm with respect to the vertical direction. In this case, the dimensions of the frame-shaped part 116 shown in Figure 2 should be increased so that the arm body 121 of the first arm 120 can take on a downward-extending position. The first locking device 180 should be positioned to operate (lock the first arm 120) when the arm body 121 is facing downward.

[0063] Furthermore, it is optional whether or not to provide the auxiliary arm 123. For example, without providing the fourth support point 152, the tip of the arm body 121 may be bent in the direction in which the auxiliary arm 123 shown in Figure 8 extends, thereby giving the arm body 121 the function of the auxiliary arm 123.

[0064] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 as being arranged on substantially the same plane (on the XZ plane) extending in the vertical direction, it is optional whether or not these arms 120 and 130 are arranged on substantially the same plane. For example, a bent portion extending in the Y-axis direction may be formed at one end of the first arm 120, and the second arm 130 may be attached to this bent portion so that the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are arranged on different planes. In this case, the locking device for locking the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 may be provided with a magnet body 185 and a magnet body receiver 184 facing each other along the Y-axis direction, or brackets may be formed on the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 that face each other when the second arm 130 is in the housing position, and the magnet body 185 and magnet body receiver 184 may be placed on these brackets.

[0065] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 are both supported so as to be rotatable about a virtual axis extending in the Y-axis direction, the manner in which these arms move is not particularly limited. For example, the virtual axis that serves as the rotation center of the first arm 120 and the virtual axis that serves as the rotation center of the second arm 130 may be orthogonal to each other. In this way, the orientation of the virtual axis that serves as the rotation center can be set arbitrarily.

[0066] Furthermore, although it was explained that the first support point 151 supporting the first arm 120 and the second support point 153 supporting the second arm 130 allow rotation around a virtual axis, the method of connecting the first arm 120 and the second arm 130 is arbitrary. For example, a universal joint that allows the connection angle to be freely changed may be applied to at least one of the first support point 151 and the second support point 153.

[0067] Furthermore, the camera stand 100 is equipped with two arms, a first arm 120 and a second arm 130, but the number of arms to be installed can be set arbitrarily, and three or more arms may be installed.

[0068] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. The invention as described in the claims originally attached to this application is listed below. The numbering of the appendices corresponds to the claims originally attached to this application.

[0069] (Note) (Note 1) A support section having a first support point, A first arm is rotatably connected to the support portion with respect to the first pivot point, and has a second pivot point at one end. A second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the first arm about a second pivot point, The grip and, The second arm comprises a joint portion connected to the second end of the second arm and the grip, which is connectable to equipment and whose orientation relative to the second arm can be changed by operating the grip, The grip can be positioned in a first position where the grip interferes with the first arm but the device does not interfere with the first arm, and a second position where neither the device nor the grip interferes with the first arm, when the second arm is rotated toward the first arm. Equipment stand.

[0070] (Note 2) The joint portion is rotatably connected to the second end of the second arm about a third pivot point. A stand for the equipment described in Appendix 1.

[0071] (Note 3) The grip can be linked to the device, When the second arm is rotated toward the first arm, the grip is movable between the first and second positions by operation of the grip by the user, by which at least one of the following occurs: rotation of the joint portion around the third pivot point and a change in the orientation of the device at the joint portion. A stand for the equipment described in Appendix 2.

[0072] (Note 4) A buffer is provided in the portion where the grip interferes with the first arm. A stand for the equipment described in any one of the notes 1 to 3.

[0073] (Note 5) The aforementioned joint is a ball joint. A stand for the equipment listed in any one of the appendices 1 through 4. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1...Camera, 4...Shutter button, 5...Power button, 6...LCD monitor, 7...Cover plate, 23...Screw hole, 50...Floor, 100...Camera stand, 110...Support part, 111...Base, 112...Protruding part, 113...Caster, 114...Upright part, 115...Support column part, 116...Frame-shaped part, 116a...Long side part, 116b...Short side part, 116c...Protruding part, 117...Grip, 120...First arm, 121...Arm body, 122...Counterweight, 123... Auxiliary arm, 130...Second arm, 130a...Slit, 140...Mounting base, 141...Connecting part, 141a...Insertion part, 142...Ball joint, 144...Ball receiving base, 144a...Recess, 144b...Male thread part, 144c...Bend-back part, 145...Ball part, 145a...Ball part body, 145b...Support column part, 148...Screw, 151...First pivot point, 152...Fourth pivot point, 153...Second pivot point, 154...Third pivot point, 160...Mounting part, 161...Base part, 162...Rotation Part, 163...Left block, 164...Rotating support part, 165...Right block, 167...Left grip, 168...Right grip, 169...Extension part, 169a...Bent part, 170...Grip part, 170a...Groove, 171...Extension part, 172...Grip part, 173...Hinge, 173a...Core rod, 174...Rotating part body, 175...Handle part, 175a...Bent part, 176...Mounting screw, 176a...Male screw, 176b...Locking part, 176c...Head, 177...First insertion hole, 178...First 2 through holes, 179... through hole, 180... first locking device, 181... magnet body, 181a... adsorption surface, 182... magnet body receiver, 183... second locking device, 184... magnet body receiver, 185... magnet body, 190... third locking device, 191... bending bar, 192... locking device, 192a... cover part, 193... rotating shaft, 194... engaging part, 194a... hook part, 194b... protruding part, 195... rotating shaft, 196... release lever, 196a... tip, 197... tension spring, G1, G2... center of gravity

Claims

1. In a stand for equipment, A support section having a first support point, A first arm is rotatably connected to the support portion with respect to the first pivot point, and has a second pivot point at one end. A second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is rotatably connected to the first arm about the second pivot point, The grip and, The second arm comprises a joint portion connected to the second end of the second arm and the grip, which is connectable to equipment and whose orientation relative to the second arm can be changed by operating the grip, The grip can be linked to the device, The grip can be positioned in a first position where the grip interferes with the first arm but the equipment does not, and in a second position where neither the equipment nor the grip interferes with the first arm, by operating the grip while the second arm is rotated toward the first arm, thereby performing at least one of the following actions: rotation of the joint portion and a change in the orientation of the equipment at the joint portion. The aforementioned stand is placed on the floor, The distance between the floor and the equipment closest to the floor is greater than the distance between the floor and the second arm furthest from the floor, in both the first and second positions. Equipment stand.

2. The device is positioned in both the first position and the second position on the extension of a virtual axis connecting the longitudinal directions of the second arm, A stand for the device described in claim 1.

3. The joint portion is rotatably connected to the second end of the second arm about a third pivot point. A stand for the device described in claim 1.

4. When the second arm is rotated toward the first arm, the grip is movable between the first and second positions by operation of the grip by the user, by which at least one of the following occurs: rotation of the joint portion around the third pivot point and a change in the orientation of the device at the joint portion. A stand for the device described in claim 3.

5. A buffer is provided in the portion where the grip interferes with the first arm. A stand for the equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The aforementioned joint is a ball joint. A stand for the device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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