Counterbalanced Monopod Jib with Offset Pin for Camera Pan Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional counterbalancing arrangements for cameras, such as those used in STEADICAM, fail to provide effective pan control when the camera is mounted on a boom or monopole, leading to camera drift due to the loss of pan control and limitations in shot types, as the hand of the operator is remote from the gimbal, resulting in no restoring force for panning.
Innovation Solution
A counterbalancing arrangement featuring a monopod jib with an offset connection that couples roll and yaw movements, utilizing a two-axis gimbal with an inclined offset pin, allowing controlled pan motion while maintaining stabilization across all axes, and incorporating a dampening mechanism like a brush arrangement to manage pitch and roll.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator's hand is remote from the gimbal to enable monopod use, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but pan control is lost leading to camera drift
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate element with offset pin connection is introduced between the monopod and gimbal. This intermediary component transfers and transforms the operator's hand movements into controlled pan motions of the camera, enabling remote operation while maintaining pan control through mechanical coupling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional counterbalancing arrangement is used, then stabilization is provided, but pan control is lost due to the remote operator position
Solution Approach 1:
The symmetric counterbalancing arrangement is modified by introducing an asymmetric offset pin connection at an angle to the monopod axis. This asymmetric geometry creates a mechanical advantage that converts the operator's natural hand movements into controlled pan motions while preserving the stabilizing counterbalancing forces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the operator to maintain control over pan movements and stabilization, preventing camera drift and enhancing the range of shot possibilities without sacrificing stability, by aligning the boom with the gimbal and providing a restoring moment to all axes.
Implementation Method 1
the pin arrangement rotating with respect to the monopole such that roll movement of the monopole imparts yaw movement to the pin arrangement
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a dampening mechanism like a brush arrangement to manage pitch and roll
Implementation Method 3
a counterbalancing arm attached to the camera mounting platform
Implementation Method 4
counterbalancing arm... balanced in such a way that motion of the camera is dampened
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a counterbalancing arrangement, including: a pin arrangement attached to a monopole; the pin arrangement rotating with respect to the monopole such that roll movement of the monopole imparts yaw movement to the pin arrangement; the pin arrangement having a gimbal; a camera mounting platform having an upper and lower surface; the gimbal connecting to the lower surface of the camera mounting platform; the gimbal having a yaw degree of freedom locked with respect to the camera mounting platform; and a counterbalancing arm attached to the camera mounting platform. Other aspects are described and claimed.