# US 8,783,973 B2 · Hand held camera mount > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,973 B2 - Document ID: US8783973B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/544,188 - Filed: 2012-07-09 - Published: 2013-03-21 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-19 - Assignees: Truality, LLC - Applicants: Stephen Pizzo; Hector Ortega - Inventors: Stephen Pizzo; Hector Ortega - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783973B2 ## CPC - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - F16M 11/048: {adapted to forward-backward translation movement} - F16M 11/2014: {around a vertical axis (F16M11/2035 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/2028: {for rolling, i.e. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation} - F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} - F16M 13/04: for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains {, e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head (apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B)} - G03B 17/00: Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor (lens hoods or caps G03B11/04) - G03B 17/563: {Camera grips, handles (means in general for steadying hand-held apparatus F16M13/00)} - F16M 2200/024: by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections - 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) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract A hand held camera unit comprises a shoulder assembly and a platform assembly for releasably holding a camera. A connector is provided between the shoulder assembly and the platform assembly, and is movable between a locked position wherein the platform assembly is fixed relative to the shoulder assembly and an unlocked position wherein the platform assembly can be selectively moved relative to the shoulder assembly in the roll axis, the yaw axis and in a fore and aft direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hand held camera unit comprising: a shoulder assembly; a platform assembly for releasably holding a camera; and a connector mechanism between the shoulder assembly and the platform assembly, the connector mechanism being movable between a locked position wherein the platform assembly is fixed relative to the shoulder assembly and an unlocked position wherein the platform assembly can be selectively moved relative to the shoulder assembly in the roll axis, the yaw axis and in a fore and aft direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handle assembly attached to the platform assembly for moving the platform assembly relative to the shoulder assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein the handle assembly comprises a center handle selectively attached to the platform assembly, a pair of lateral handles extending from the center handle and movable relative thereto, and a handle grip attached to each of the lateral handles and movable relative thereto, the handle grips for holding by an operator of the unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the grip handle is attached to the lateral handles in a manner which enables it to rotate in both the vertical and horizontal axes and also to rotate about its axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lateral handles telescope so that they can be extended or retracted to a desired length. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shoulder assembly comprises a substantially rigid shoulder frame configured to fit over the shoulder of an operator and a softer shoulder pad thereon for the comfort of the operator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the platform assembly comprises a generally flat rectangular dovetail member, the platform assembly having a curved recess therein, the curved recess having an elongate slot, the curved recess and elongate slot receiving and cooperating with the connector mechanism to effect operation between the locked position and the unlocked position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the connector mechanism comprises a base member fastened to the shoulder assembly, a lower plate member above the base member and having a concave upper surface which engages the curved recess of the platform assembly on one side thereof, an upper plate member above the lower plate member and having a convex surface which engages the curved recess of the platform assembly on the opposing side thereof to that of the lower plate member, the curved recess of the platform assembly being sandwiched between the lower plate member and the upper plate member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a pan base between the lower plate member and the base member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein pan base has an upper surface which is ridged and the lower plate member has a lower surface which is ridged, the ridged surfaces engaging each other to prevent relative rotation when in the locked position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a spring between the lower plate member and the upper plate member, the spring urging the lower and upper plate members away from each other when in the unlocked position to facilitate movement of the platform assembly relative to the shoulder assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 8 further comprising locking means for selectively tightening and loosening the lower plate member and upper plate member relative to each other such that the platform assembly is movable relative to the shoulder assembly when the lower and upper plate members are loosened and the platform assembly is fixed relative to the shoulder assembly when the lower and upper plate members are tightened. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 12 wherein the locking means comprises a screw having a splined head which can be tightened to achieve the locked position and loosened to achieve the unlocked position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 13 further comprising a lock lever having a splined aperture, the splined aperture engaging the splined head of the screw whereby appropriate movement of the lock lever rotates the screw to achieve the locked position and the unlocked position respectively. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 14 wherein the screw passes through the elongate slot of the curved recess. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A hand held camera unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector mechanism comprises a base member fastened to the shoulder assembly, a lower plate member above the base member and having an upper surface which engages the platform assembly on one side thereof, an upper plate member above the lower plate member, the platform assembly being sandwiched between the lower plate member and the upper plate member, and locking means for selectively tightening and loosening the lower plate member and upper plate member relative to each other such that the platform assembly is movable relative to the shoulder assembly when the lower and upper plate members are loosened and the platform assembly is fixed relative to the shoulder assembly when the lower and upper plate members are tightened. ### Claim 17 A hand held camera unit comprising: a shoulder assembly; a platform assembly for releasably holding a camera; a handle assembly attached to the platform assembly for manipulating the platform assembly relative to the shoulder assembly; and a connector mechanism for controlling relative movement between the shoulder assembly and the platform assembly, the connector mechanism being operable between a locked position wherein the platform assembly is fixed relative to the shoulder assembly and an unlocked position wherein the platform assembly can be selectively moved relative to the shoulder assembly in any one or more of the roll axis, the yaw axis and in a fore and aft direction.