Stabilized Camera Support with Counterweight and Ballast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-lightweight cameras and motion-sensitive equipment face instability issues due to their low weight, leading to unsteady images, especially during ambulatory operation, as existing camera supports are not effectively designed to handle the weight and balance of these devices.
Innovation Solution
A stabilized support system with a platform, counterweight, and ballast weights that are securely mounted within the platform to balance the equipment, along with a method for balancing that uses a squaring tool and adjustable elements to ensure accurate placement of weights, preventing shifting and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional camera supports (tripods, monopods, shoulder mounts) are used, then heavy cameras (10+ pounds) can be stabilized, but ultra-lightweight cameras (less than 2 pounds) remain unstable and difficult to balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs counterweights positioned at specific locations on the support structure to balance the ultra-lightweight camera. The counterweights compensate for the camera's low weight by creating opposing moments around the center of gravity, enabling stable operation during ambulatory use. This directly addresses the contradiction by introducing anti-weight elements that allow lightweight cameras to achieve the stability previously only possible with heavy cameras.
2Stability of the object's composition
If small weights are attached to the counterweight or camera to correct imbalance, then balance can be improved, but the support becomes bottom-heavy or the balancing procedure becomes cumbersome and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-positioned weights integrated into the counterweight structure during manufacturing. These weights are strategically placed to provide optimal balance for ultra-lightweight cameras without requiring field adjustment. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for cumbersome balancing procedures performed by operators, while avoiding the problem of making the support bottom-heavy through improper weight placement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If separate weights are mounted on the counterweight to correct balance, then balance can be achieved, but the weights may shift in position or become detached during ambulatory operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the balancing weights directly into the counterweight structure as a unified, monolithic component rather than separate attachable weights. This merging of the weights with the counterweight body eliminates the risk of weights shifting or detaching during ambulatory operation, while maintaining the necessary balance for ultra-lightweight cameras. The integrated design ensures reliable weight positioning without compromising balance performance.
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
The solution provides enhanced rotational stability and prevents the instability and unsteadiness of handheld cameras, allowing for accurate balancing without operator fatigue, ensuring stable images even during ambulatory use.
Implementation Method 1
a counterweight mounted below the platform, and an arcuate arm for connecting the handle with the counterweight. A plurality of ballast weights is supported by the platform to balance the support about its center of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilized support for supporting motion-sensitive, ultra-lightweight, camera equipment includes a hollow platform on which the camera equipment is mounted, and a structure on which the platform is detachably mounted. The structure has a handle, a counterweight mounted below the platform, and an arm for connecting the handle with the counterweight. The platform has a plurality of interior compartments preferably arranged in generally parallel rows at opposite sides of the platform, each row extending past a center of gravity. A plurality of ballast weights is held and confined in the interior compartments within the platform to balance the support when held by the handle, or supported by optional support legs. The placement of the ballast weights is based on a balancing procedure in which the camera equipment is balanced relative to a stationary horizontal support surface.