ES2546689B1 - Walking stick with perfected tip for selfies - Google Patents

Abstract

Cane perfected for self-photographs, of the type comprising a rod topped off by an anatomical handle, which is essentially characterized in that at its base, next to the end or as part of it, a flexible rod terminated in a standard screw is incorporated that allows Screw directly, or through an adjustable bracket, an image acquisition device. Said flexible rod is articulated with the base of the rod by means of a clamp and a retractable hinge, which provides a vertical forward rotation of up to about 90 degrees with the vertical.

Description

BASTON WITH PERFECTED CONTERA FOR AUTO PHOTOGRAPHS

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE The present invention falls within the technical area of the supports for digital cameras and their methods of use. Specifically, the one that concerns the monopods that are used to make self-photographs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The proposed invention allows the use of a conventional cane, or any of its variants adapted to the practice of hiking, as a support for a digital camera with which self-photographs are taken.

This way it is not necessary to load with two tools when going for a walk

or he is going on an excursion, a tool to support himself and another to take selfies. Since the function of both is combined in this new device, which means a reduction in weight to carry along the way.

There are many precedents of canes that have been adapted to be temporarily used as supports for cameras. Listed below are the patents, which, in the knowledge of the applicants, are more closely related to the present invention.

US Patent 825006, entitled "Combined camera-support and walkingstick, umbrella, & c.", Consists of a cane in which the handle (or handle) is unscrewed from its base, leaving a variable length rod accessible inside of the cane, with a series of latches that allow to regulate its height. Said rod has at its longitudinal end a screw that allows a camera to be adjusted therein. In this way, photographs can be taken using the cane as a support, which gives the whole stability and helps make the image sharper. Keep in mind that the camera technology available in the early twentieth century was very different from the digital cameras we have today. Being much heavier and bulky in those days. That is why this invention presented by George Stratten Russell in 1905 is designed to take front photographs while keeping the cane vertical.

US patent 648123, entitled "Telescopic tripod" and filed by Carl Paul Goerz in 1899, protects a tripod that can be folded into a cane. Thus, instead of a single point of support with the ground, it has three when deploying the cane on three different rods. The chamber can be placed at the top with a screw mechanism similar to that proposed in the previous patent.

US patent 657947, entitled "Combined cane and tripod" and filed by William Hiter Macgill in 1900, shares a spirit similar to US patent 648123, as it also raises a cane that can be deployed in the form of a tripod. But in addition, given the weight of the cameras of that time, it also allows to increase the contact surface and the stability of the assembly by placing the camera below the handle on bars-shaped supports that fit between the rods that form the rod , once deployed.

That same year, Robert William Shipway filed US Patent 673482, entitled "Combined cane and camera-support." This invention has a certain resemblance to that presented in US 825006, since a rod is removed from the cane which allows to increase the length of the cane and ends with a screw. The fundamental difference between the two is that in US 673482 it is not necessary to remove the handle, so that the rod can be extracted directly from it.

US patent US 2016744, filed by Heck John T in 1934 and entitled "Camera support", shares a spirit similar to the previous ones, improving the system that extends the length of the cane to support the camera with a clamping screw

US Patent 3810647, filed by Earl J. Martchenke in 1972 and entitled "Ski pole with camera mounting means", makes a simpler and more appropriate proposal to the format of modern cameras. It is a ski pole whose handle has a hole in which a device in the form of a double-threaded screw is fitted, which at its other end has the appropriate thickness to screw a camera. So the invention can be used in the usual way while skiing and also serves as a stabilizer and even as an independent support if it is stuck in the snow when a photograph is to be taken. Earl

J. Martchenke proposes that the screw-shaped device can be removed and instead replaced by another that fits on the top of the cane and is shaped

Rome at its other end, probably with the intention of carrying out the skiing activity.

avoid possible accidents

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US patent 8973946, filed by Alexander William Carr in 2013 and entitled "Multifunction ski pale", among other things, improves the mechanism of the previous patent. Alexander proposes that the mechanism that incorporates the screw in which the camera is screwed, can pivot so that it is hidden when no photographs are to be taken.

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US patent US 8960211, filed by Bruce Colin Eng also in 2013 and entitled "Combination hiking pale and camera steadying device", proposes a hiking stick with which long exposure photographs can be taken. To increase the stability of the cane as a camera support, they incorporate two ropes that can be held with the feet, so that if the cane supports one of its ends on the ground and the opposite end with the camera leans forward, these strings They help fix the position of the set.

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All the documents listed share with the proposed invention the idea of using a cane as an aid to support the camera and thus take photographs with a longer exposure time, or simply to provide greater stability at the time of image acquisition.

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However, there is a fundamental difference between the devices described in these patents and the proposed invention. In all of them, the cane rests on the ground, which does not allow the user to take self-photographs (except in the case of US 3810647 when the cane is stuck in the presence of snow).

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The selfie monopod (also popularly known as selfie stick), is a device used to hold an image acquisition device. Unlike the inventions described above or the popular tripods, the selfie monopod does not rest on the ground, but is held by the user's hand. Due to its length, the monopod allows the user to frame and focus with a digital camera or mobile phone at a distance greater than the normal arm limits.

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The monopod is usually built with light metals, to provide it with robustness. They are usually extensible for easy transport, and they are usually marketed with a strap on one end of the wrist of the hand with which the monopod is attached, and an adjustable kneecap that keeps the image capture device fixed on the other extreme. Some models have remote controls or Bluetooth, allowing the user

decide when to take the picture; and even models have been devised for digital cameras that have a mirror behind the viewing screen to facilitate framing.

The first handheld monopod on record was designed and used in 1925 by Arnold Hogg. Since then numerous variants have been presented.

In 1954, Luther W. Minnis filed US patent application US 2703691, which describes an extensible camera mount that allowed the camera to be released comfortably, after use.

The Minolta Disc-7 camera, marketed in 1983, had a convex mirror on its front to allow the composition of self-portraits, and its packaging showed the camera mounted on a stick, while used for that purpose.

In 1983, Hiroshi Ueda and Yujiro Mima filed US patent application US 4530580, which also refers to a telescopic rod that extends the length of the arm to which a user can take a selfie, without having to use a traditional tripod leaning on the floor

In 1988, Donald N. Horn and Bern Levy filed the patent application US 5065249, entitled "Portable video camera / monitor support", somewhat more sophisticated, since the extender rod has a monitor on which the scene can be observed to be portrayed while recording video or photography.

In 2005, Wayne G. Fromm filed the patent application US 7684694, entitled "Apparatus for supporting a camera and method for usíng the apparatus" in which a device with similar characteristics to the above is protected, which includes a mirror to facilitate The framing. It is also the case of other subsequent patents, such as the one requested by Michael Daoud and John R. Stump in 2006, entitled "Retractable camera arm", in which - among other features - the method for remotely initiating the shot is improved.

The enormous popularity of this type of devices, favored by the evolution in performance of digital cameras and mobile phones, has made this product included in the list that includes the 25 best inventions of 2014 published by Time magazine.

Unlike the selfie monopods that have been marketed, the cane object of this invention allows the cane cane to be used so that the user is supported when walking. And unlike the aforementioned canes that support the

cameras, the cane presented in this application places the camera at the end of the frame, not next to the handle, by means of a flexible rod that allows the image acquisition device to be placed and oriented with great freedom to frame the selfie. This original configuration solves a classic problem in monopods for selfie:

Often, the monopod is partially visible within the frame of the autorelrato. Since it is an auxiliary element that helps to make the photograph, many users discard the photographs in which it appears, since they are not interested in appearing in the composition. This situation is especially common when the camera is positioned so that its optical axis has a direction similar to that of the monopod stand, that is, when the angle between the camera and the stand is small because it is desired to move the camera as far as possible of the user to expand the frame.

Thus, users are forced to separate and tilt the arm of the body to ensure that the extensible support of the monopod does not appear in the photograph, which results in a posture in the self-portrait that is not natural and prevents the distance from being maximized. of the camera with respect to the user.

The cane presented offers a practical solution to this problem, since the flexible rod provides enough freedom to place the camera so that the cane cane can be prevented from appearing in the selfies.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The cane perfected to make selfies, exerts a double function.

On the one hand it serves as a support for a person to walk, both on short journeys that are usually made within a population, and on more usual long journeys, pilgrimages, expeditions and other types of walking routes.

On the other hand, the cane can also be used as a monopod that improves the framing of the selfies you wish to take during the walk. The structure of the cane rod support is used as an element to place the camera at a greater distance than the user would reach with the arm when taking pictures.

The cane perfected to make self-photographs, object of the present registration, takes the form of a conventional cane, of varying height according to the user's height, and with any handle of those usually used today, to which

incorporates at its base (at the height of the end) by means of a clamp and a retractable hinge, an axis parallel to the ground and that forms an angle of 90 degrees with the vertical.

A flexible rod of approximately 10 or 15 cm is attached to that axis. in length, finished in a piece that crimps a standard screw that allows to screw a ball joint

or even directly a camera.

The flexible rod must be robust to support the weight of the imaging device to be used in the selfie. The strength and flexibility required on the rod can be achieved through a multitude of designs and materials. For example, the rod may be formed:

• Well, by a metal spiral lined with a plastic cover, typically called a gooseneck (known in English as "gooseneck" or

"goose-neck").

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Well, for a rigid material with flexible joints at certain intervals, which together allow curved shapes to be adopted. Likewise, it is convenient that it is lined so that the joints do not deteriorate due to exposure to the outside, since the dust on the way can sneak into them.

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Well, for a set of small, crimped parts that incorporate articulated joints in its design, such as the LaG-UNE brand modular systems, marketed by Lockwood Products®.

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Or, for any other configuration that meets the requirements of flexibility and robustness.

The objective of the invention is that this flexible rod terminated in a screw, serves as a support for the image acquisition system when deployed (that is, perpendicular to the cane of the cane), offering the possibility of orienting the chamber and separating it from the cane of the cane to suit the user.

The retractable hinge allows the flexible rod to be stored in a position parallel to the cane shank, so that the user does not trip over it when walking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where it is illustrative and not limiting , the following has been represented:

Figures 1 and 2 represent views of the cane in extended and folded position, respectively.

Figure 3 corresponds to a characteristic detail of the cane, in which the flexible rod (3) finished in a standard screw (4) for securing digital cameras is detailed.

Figure 4 offers a side view of the cane in its use as a monopod for self-photography, in which a camera (8) has been screwed into the end of the flexible rod (3).

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 and 2 show a particular embodiment of the cane of the type that is registered, which shows the classic rod (1) topped off by a T-shaped anatomical handle (2) and inferiorly by a tip (5), which presents the novelty of incorporating in its base a flexible rod (3) that articulates with said base about 90 degrees according to a vertical plane.

The flexible rod (3) is composed of a set of spherical pieces crimped, of small size that incorporate articulated joints in its design, and end in a piece topped by a screw (4) in which an acquisition system can be screwed of image. The assembly provides flexibility and robustness, so that, once screwed in, the user can orient the camera (8) in the manner desired, as seen in Figure 4.

The screw (4) is firmly anchored at the end of the flexible rod (3), and corresponds to a thread of diameter of 0.25 inches, 20 threads per inch and a unified thick American passage, as described in DIN4503 standards (1993-10) and ISO 1222: 1987 (revised in 2003). This type of screw is typically used on commercial tripods to fit the cameras to the shoe.

In addition, with a simple adapter that increases the thickness of the assembly to 3/8 inch, standard ball joints can be attached. Although the flexibility of the rod (3) makes use of ball joints redundant.

Figure 3 shows a detail of the articulation of said flexible rod (3) with the base of the rod (1), in which its constitution is observed by means of a clamp (6) and a retractable hinge (7). This retractable hinge (7) allows extending the flexible rod for use in self-photographs (as seen in Figure 1), or storing the rod in a

5 position parallel to the cane rod (as seen in figure 2), so that the user does not trip over it when walking.

Finally, it should be noted that the bead (5) can be of material other than that of the cane, which provides greater durability to wear. Likewise, the cane can have a telescopic design that allows to reduce its dimensions to facilitate its transport and

10 storage when not used in either of its two functions.

Once the nature of the present invention has been sufficiently described, as well as a preferred embodiment, it only remains to be added that said invention may undergo certain variations in form and materials, as long as said alterations do not substantially vary the characteristics claimed below.

Claims (2)

1. Cane perfected for self-photographs, of the type comprising a rod (1) topped off by an anatomical handle (2), characterized 5 essentially because at its base, next to the end (5) or as part of it, a flexible rod (3) terminated in a standard screw (4) is incorporated that allows to screw directly, or through an adjustable support, a image acquisition device (8). 2. Improved cane for self-photographs, according to claim 1, characterized 10 because the flexible rod (3) is articulated with the base of the rod (1) by means of a clamp (6) and a retractable hinge (7), which provides a vertical forward rotation of up to about 90 degrees with the vertical.