# US 2018/0324335 A1 · Enhanced System for Lowering and Guiding 3-D Camera Apparatus

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- Number: US 2018/0324335 A1
- Document ID: US20180324335A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/973,119
- Filed: 2018-05-07
- Published: 2018-11-08
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-05
- Inventors: John Hubbard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180324335A1

## CPC

- H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
- F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement}
- F16M 11/08: around a vertical axis {, e.g. panoramic heads (F16M11/12 takes precedence)}
- F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
- F16M 11/2014: {around a vertical axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence)}
- F16M 11/24: changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, {e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other}(F16M11/42 takes precedence)
- F16M 11/245: {Members limiting spreading of legs, e.g. "umbrella legs" (for supports with three or more telescoping legs F16M11/34)}
- F16M 13/02: for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
- G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories}
- G03B 37/005: {Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe, (G03B37/02 - G03B37/06 take precedence; instruments for performing medical examinations of cavities or tubes of the body by photographic inspection A61B1/00)}
- H04N 13/204: using stereoscopic image cameras (stereoscopic photography G03B35/00)
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- F16M 2200/00: Details of stands or supports
- H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)

## Abstract

A system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus which includes a pole, top mount, at least one cage bar, a base mount and assembly. The system pairs with a 3D camera, keeping the camera safely in place while allowing the camera to move and rotate as designed. The system allows for a user to control the camera via the system from above by lowering the camera and system into a manhole or septic tank, allowing a camera to take pictures from the lowest desired point all the way up to the top of the hole.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus comprising:
a pole mechanism;
a top mount mechanism;
a base mount mechanism;
at least one cage bar apparatus;
a rotational apparatus; and
a receiving mechanism disposed to couple the rotational apparatus with a rotating member of the 3D camera apparatus.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base mount comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, rectangular, triangular, or elliptical.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base mount comprises metal coupling and ball bearing assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cage bar apparatus is in mechanical communication with the top mount mechanism and the base mount mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cage bar is removably attached to the base mount mechanism by passing through the metal coupling above the bearing assembly and secured to the base mount by tension or clamp.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotating joint apparatus is in communication with the base mount mechanism and a camera apparatus and wherein the joint apparatus is removably attached to the camera apparatus with a screw assembly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top mount is comprised of metal or plastic and is in communication with a camera apparatus through ball-bearing assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top mount ball-bearing assembly is in communication with the pole.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the camera apparatus is supported from above.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system for lowering and guiding a 3D camera apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a water-resistant enclosure, a lighting system and a lower level sensor apparatus.