Two-Piece L-Plate Mount for Stable Camera Orientation Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Changing the orientation of camera equipment from landscape to portrait or vice versa using a ballhead is problematic due to instability and difficulty in accommodating cable connections, especially with digital cameras, as it requires additional clearance and separate equipment like cable relief spacers which can be misplaced.
Innovation Solution
An extendible L-plate bracket system with a base and side plate that securely attaches to the camera, allowing 90-degree rotation without the need for a ballhead drop notch, and provides adjustable clearance for cable connections by extending the distance between the camera body and the quick-release receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a ballhead is used to change camera orientation, then the camera can be rotated between landscape and portrait modes, but the camera becomes unstable and cable connections become difficult to accommodate
Solution Approach 1:
The L-plate is divided into two separate plates (first L-plate and second L-plate) that can be independently selected and attached to the camera. Each plate is optimized for specific orientation requirements, allowing the user to segment the orientation change process into two stable configurations rather than relying on a single ballhead mechanism that compromises stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the camera on a ballhead which causes instability, the invention inverts the approach by using fixed L-plates that attach directly to the camera body. The orientation change is achieved by detaching one L-plate and attaching the other, rather than rotating a single mounting mechanism, thereby maintaining stability throughout the process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ballhead is used to change camera orientation, then the camera can be rotated between landscape and portrait modes, but additional clearance equipment like cable relief spacers is required which can be misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the orientation change function and cable clearance function into a single integrated L-plate system. The first and second L-plates are designed with built-in clearance features that accommodate cable connections for both landscape and portrait orientations, eliminating the need for separate cable relief spacers and reducing the number of components the user must manage.
Solution Approach 2:
Each L-plate is designed as a universal component that serves multiple functions: providing structural support for the camera, enabling orientation-specific mounting, and accommodating cable clearance. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Ease of operation
If the distance between camera body and quick-release receiver is increased for cable clearance, then cable connections are accommodated, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The L-plates are designed with localized clearance features specifically positioned to accommodate cable connections without compromising the overall structural integrity. The clearance is provided only where needed for cable routing, while the main body of the L-plate maintains its strength and rigidity for secure camera mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-plates serve as intermediary components between the camera body and the quick-release receiver, providing the necessary clearance for cable connections while maintaining structural integrity. The L-plates act as mediators that distribute mechanical loads and protect the camera-bag connection point from excessive stress.
Data Source
AI summary
A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.