Extendible L-Plate Bracket for Stable Camera Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Changing the orientation of camera equipment from landscape to portrait and vice versa using existing quick-release systems can destabilize the support and complicate the setup, especially with heavy cameras and when using digital cameras connected to remote devices, due to limited clearance for cables and increased instability.

Innovation Solution

An extendible L-plate bracket that allows camera equipment to be securely rotated between orientations without using ballhead drop notches, featuring a base plate with a dovetail tenon for Arca-Swiss type quick-release systems and a side plate that provides clearance for cables by sliding and extending to accommodate connectors and cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If camera equipment is attached to a ballhead and rotated between landscape and portrait orientations, then the camera can be positioned in different orientations, but the support becomes destabilized and the setup is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation flexibilityVSAvoidsupport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The L-plate is divided into two separate plates (first plate and second plate) that can be independently attached to the camera body at different locations. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized for specific orientations, with the first plate for landscape and the second for portrait, eliminating the need to rotate the entire camera on a ballhead and thus maintaining support stability while providing orientation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of rotating the camera in the horizontal plane (using ballhead drop notches), the invention adds a vertical dimension by attaching a second plate to the side of the camera body. This allows the camera to be mounted in portrait orientation by engaging the side plate with the receiver, rather than rotating the camera 90 degrees on the ballhead, thereby maintaining consistent horizontal positioning and support stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital cameras connected to remote devices are used with existing quick-release systems, then remote device connectivity is achieved, but cable clearance is limited and setup is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote device connectivityVSAvoidcable clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The second plate extends in a direction transverse to the first plate, creating additional spatial dimension. This extension provides clearance space for cables and connectors to pass through when the camera is in portrait orientation, allowing digital cameras connected to remote devices to be used without obstruction, while maintaining secure attachment through the L-plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If heavy cameras are used with ballhead drop notches for orientation changes, then portrait orientation is achieved, but horizontal movement destabilizes the support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportrait orientation capabilityVSAvoidhorizontal movement force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the mounting system into two separate plates attached at different locations on the camera body, the invention allows the camera to be mounted in portrait orientation using the second plate without rotating the camera on the ballhead. This eliminates the horizontal movement and associated destabilizing forces that occur when using ballhead drop notches with heavy cameras.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If L-plate brackets are used to avoid ballhead drop notches, then support stability is maintained, but additional spacers are needed for cable clearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidadditional spacer requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cable clearance function into the L-plate structure itself by extending the second plate in a direction transverse to the first plate. This integration eliminates the need for separate spacer components, as the extended plate structure provides the necessary clearance space for cables and connectors while maintaining support stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended second plate serves multiple functions: it provides the mounting surface for portrait orientation attachment and simultaneously creates cable clearance space. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional spacer components, reducing device complexity while maintaining both stability and cable accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11619866B2Plate for camera equipment

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 REALLY RIGHT STUFF LLC

AI summary

A plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support.