WO1997047915A1

WO1997047915A1 - Elevating support means

Info

Publication number: WO1997047915A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1997/000077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Wayne Frost
Original assignee: Roger Wayne Frost
Priority date: 1996-06-12
Filing date: 1997-06-10
Publication date: 1997-12-18
Also published as: GB2329120A; AU2983397A; GB2329120B; GB9827234D0; CA2258033A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus configured to allow photographs to be taken from a number of elevated positions. The invention includes a support structure to provide the variable elevations required for a camera supported by the structure, wherein the support structure includes an extension means capable of extending from a support base, the support structure being characterised in that the extension means is comprised of lengths that are capable of being connected or disconnected from one another to form a single length to provide the variable elevations required for the still photographic camera. Provisions are also made for the remote control and surveillance of a camera elevated by the support structure, and a connector made of electrically insulating material used to join the lengths together in an end-to-end relationship.

Description

ELEVATING SUPPORT MEANS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to devices which may support and elevate an item.

BACKGROUND ART

For varied and numerous reasons there is public demand for devices which may support and elevate particular items. Elevating the position of an item may provide a person several advantages. For example, electrical linesmen usually require some assisting device to support and elevate them when working on power lines. The same is true of persons involved in the building trade, who employ scaffolding to elevate themselves to a surface or point to be worked upon.

In the photography industry varied angle and elevation shots are required to provide a suitable effect or appearance needed for a particular shot. Usually the photographer has to use any convenient articles at hand to try to elevate themselves and a camera to a desired position. A photographer may have to scale trees, climb ladders, roofs or scaffolding to achieve the desired elevation.

This method of elevation to achieve a photographic shot is somewhat haphazard. A photographer has to rely on the random arrangement of a landscape's components to provide an elevated shot of a particular scene. The photographer needs to be reasonably dexterous, fit and nimble to scale any particular article which provides the desired elevation.

A photographer may also scale a ladder to achieve the desired elevation for a shot. However, this approach is disadvantaged by the fact that a ladder needs to be rested against a supporting surface and may not in some instances extend to an elevation high enough for the required shot.

Building scaffolding may also be used by a photographer to provide the required elevation for a photograph. Scaffolding however, although portable, is not easy to relocate or transport with any reasonable speed. A photographer using scaffolding in such an application is severely hampered by the set up and disassembly time required to put the scaffolding into operation. Again a photographer needs to be reasonably physically fit and agile to scale scaffolding to the required height.

In some instances a cherry picker may be used by a photographer to provide an elevated photographic shot. Although this device does solve the existing photographic elevation problem, it causes some logistical problems of its own. A cherry picker is a large motorised device which is expensive to purchase and maintain. A cherry picker is also restricted to certain types of terrain, being unable to access regions not connected by roads or reasonably flat, dry ground.

Other devices have also been developed to elevate a camera system. These devices are configured to include, in some instances telescoping sections which are erected by pumping a hydraulic fluid through the centre of an extension piece. The pressure of the fluid pumped forcing the extension piece upwards, erecting the structure. However, these devices are large, heavy and expensive as they require heavy pumping machinery or motors to achieve the required elevation from the device. This limits the portability of the structure and also increases its cost substantially.

Slow flying aircraft such as hot air or helium filled balloons may be used to elevate a photographic camera. This extension means however is inherently unstable and uncontrollable. Even when tethered to the ground, such a device is at the mercy of the prevailing winds, being pushed and buffeted in an uncontrolled fashion when in the air.

This instability is a large problem which considering the stable conditions required for photographic shots. A photographer is also dependent on the wind, the wind determining exactly which angle a photograph is to be taken from.

In some applications a platform permanently mounted on a motor car trailer has been used to provide an elevated photographic platform. However this configuration of elevation device limits the user, in that the number of locations in which the device may be used is restricted. The device may only be used in locations which are linked to, or accessible by roads. In addition to this limitation reasonably flat ground is required so the photograph is not taken on a skewed angle.

The most common and well known method of elevating and supporting a photographic camera is the use of a tripod. A photographic tripod provides a stable support which includes a central elevating pole to which a camera may be attached.

Usually the central elevating pole is of an variable height, this being achieved by adjusting the height of a fixed length central pole. The elevation height of a tripod is restricted due to the fixed length of the central pole used. The tripod may only extend a camera attached to it to a height equal to that of the assembled supporting legs and central pole fitted together. The central elevating pole of the tripod is usually of a height which extends a camera to a maximum of head height for a user. For these reasons a tripod may not be used with any reasonable success for any large increases in elevation of a camera.

To date there is no reasonable effective means to elevate a photographic camera to an extended elevation with any stability, and without any restrictions on the location or terrain on which the elevation system may be used.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support structure to provide variable elevations for an item supported by the structure,

the support structure including an extension means capable of extending from a support base,

the support structure characterised in that the extension means is comprised of lengths capable of being connected or disconnected from each other to form a single length, to provide the variable elevations required for the item.

In preferred embodiments the support structure includes the support base but this is not necessarily limiting. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the item to be elevated by the support structure is a photographic, or still frame camera. In this way high elevation photographs may be taken using the invention apparatus. A photographer may set up the support structure at a point where they require an elevated photograph to be taken.

The invention can be considered of most use in the field of real estate photography. In some instances a ground level photograph of a property does not provide the most attractive or appealing photograph. Especially in the case of multi-storey structures, a high elevation photograph is required to provide the most flattering and revealing photographs.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector used to construct an extension means substantially as described above wherein the connector has two ends,

wherein a first end of the connector is configured so that once inserted into a length it is substantially immovable with respect to the length, and

a second end of the connector is configured so that a second length can be placed over the second end of the connector so that the two lengths are connected together.

The connector characterised in that the configuration of the second end of the connector enables the second length to be readily disconnected from the second end of the connector.

The support structure is configured so that an item supported by the structure may be elevated to a variable range of elevations depending on the elevation required by a user. For example, some applications of the invention may require an item to be elevated to three metres in one instance, and five metres in another.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the item to be elevated by the support structure may consist of a photographic camera system. A photographic camera system combined with the invention allows a photographer to take photographs at varied elevations when under normal circumstances these elevated photographic angle shots would be unobtainable by a photographer.

In an alternative embodiment the item to be elevated may consist of a video or electronic digital camera system. Such camera systems may record video footage of a scene from which a photographic image may be obtained.

Other embodiments may not use a photographic camera system as the item to be elevated by the support structure. For example, other embodiments may use the support structure to elevate lighting systems, video camera systems, flags or display signs, or electrical antennas and aerials.

Reference throughout the specification will now be made to the item to be elevated by the support structure as being a photographic camera system. It should be appreciated however that in other embodiments of the present invention the item to be elevated by the support structure may be a device other than a photographic camera system.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the support base may consist of three lengths of material arranged in a tripod configuration and may include a circular perimeter to which the lower ends of the tripod legs are attached. At the point where the three tripod lengths intersect at the centre of the circular perimeter a connection means may be provided to attach the ends of the three lengths together. There may also be provided at this point a locking device to lock the extension means of the support structure to the tripod legs. Any stress placed upon the support base by the extension means can be equally distributed through the three legs to the circular perimeter base.

There may be provided in some embodiments a securing and stabilising means used to stabilise and secure the support base to the surface which it is rested on. For example, this stabilising and securing means may consist of sand bags placed over the circular perimeter of the base, or U- shaped pegs driven into the ground - with the legs of the peg straddling either side of the circular perimeter section of the base.

Other embodiments of the invention may not use a tripod configured with a circular perimeter base as the support base for the invention. Any configuration of support base may be used which provides a stable seat for the extension means near ground level, the support base acting to distribute any stress from the extension means evenly throughout all the supporting elements of the support base.

For example, a support base may be configured as a cube or cylinder with the extension means attached at it's centre.

In other embodiments the support base may consist of a locking device attached to a car tow bar, or the wall of a building to provide the required stable seat for the extension means attached to it. Any configuration of support base may be used which allows the elevation means to be used and assembled as described herein. Again with other configurations of support base not configured as a tripod, a stabilising and securing means may be applied to the support base to stabilise and secure it to the ground.

In some embodiments the support structure may also include additional components which act to level the support base when the support base is located on uneven or sloped ground. Such devices may include extendable legs or feet attached to the support base, which may raise or lower points on the support base as required, or a number of sand bags which may be packed underneath or around the support base to level the support base.

These components allow the extension means to be extended substantially straight upwards from the support base, ensuring forces transmitted from the extension means are evenly distributed throughout all sides of the support base.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the extension means used to support and extend a camera system mounted on the invention shall consist of several interlocked lengths of material which are connected to and extend from the central portion of the support base. The lower end of the extension means may be attached to the top of the support base, and a camera system be attached to the top end of the extension means.

The extension means in a preferred embodiment consists of several lengths of material connected together to form an extension of the required height. Several lengths may be connected together, one end of the length assembly being fitted into the support base, and the other end extending to the required height. Other embodiments of the present invention may not use an extension means consisting of several lengths of material connected together. Other embodiments may, for example, use a telescoping length of material, the height of which is adjusted by a user pulling out the required number of interlocking sleeved sections to form an extension means of the required height.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the extension means may be assembled by inserting lengths of material through the bottom of the connector attached to the support base. Initially a first length may be inserted from the top of the connector with the camera system attached to the top of the length. Subsequent lengths may then be inserted into the connector from the bottom of the support base.

In this way several lengths of material may be connected to the extension means in succession then fixed to the support base using the connector the lengths are fed through when the desired height of the extension means is reached.

In this manner, the support structure may be assembled manually.

The lengths in a preferred embodiment are hollow poles. However other embodiments may use any configuration of material where the length of the material is substantially longer than the width of the material.

The poles used to construct the extension means shall in a preferred embodiment be of circular cross section, however in other embodiments different configurations of pole cross section may be used.

The poles used to assemble the extension means are configured so that they may be readily attached and detached from one another to form a single length, or several separate lengths as required. This feature allows the support structure to be readily collapsed, easily transported and reassembled at another location.

In a preferred embodiment the material used to construct the support structure shall consist of hollow metal poles of a circular cross section. However other embodiments of the present invention may use different materials to construct the support structure. For example, materials such as wood, plastic or any other substantially rigid material which may be worked into the required shape may be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a connector is used to readily attach and detach two sections of pole used to assemble the extension means.

Other embodiments may not use a connector to attach two sections of pole together to form the extension means. Other methods of connection such as screw threads may be provided at the appropriate ends of each pole to be connected, or each pole may be configured with a tapering top end so the tops of pole sections may readily slide into the base of the next pole to be connected into the extension means.

Such direct connection means which do not use a separate connector to attach two poles together suffer from several disadvantages. If poles are constructed from metallic material the connection of metal surface to metal surface is not easily separated due to the metallic surfaces interacting together. Attachment of poles together without using a connector invariably is not as stable as an attachment means using a separate connector. A connector may extend further inside each poles interior holding each section rigidly in place. Without a connector to attach sections of pole together the entire support structure is electrically conductive from top to bottom. This property may be a distinct disadvantage when considering the usual proximity of the device to power lines when in use.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the connector used to connect two sections of pole together shall be configured as follows.

The connector shall be constructed of a length of material, where one end of the connector is of a smaller diameter than the other end of the connector. The diameter of both ends of the connector shall be equal to or less than the internal diameter of the hollow poles used to construct the extension means.

The connector may be configured so that the end of the connector with the larger diameter may be inserted inside the end of a pole so there is a tight fit between the connector and pole, with the connector being substantially immovable once inserted inside the end of the pole.

The second end of the connector is configured so that it may be readily inserted into the end of another section of pole to be connected into the extension means. As the second end of the connector is of a smaller diameter than the first end of the connector, the length of pole attached to the second end of the connector may be readily disconnected from the connector when required.

The term substantially immoveable as used shall mean that once in place the connector requires an extensive amount of effort and force to effect its removable from the pole it is attached to. It is envisaged in a preferred embodiment large pliers, a vice or some other clamping tool will be required to fix either the connector or pole if a user is attempting to separate the connector end from a pole section.

The term readily disconnected as used shall mean the connector and pole end may be disconnected from each other easily by a person using only their hands and limbs, not requiring the use of any tools to separate the two components.

In other embodiments of the present invention a connector may have one end permanently attached to the end of a section of pole. In such an embodiment both ends of the connector may be of the same diameter. A pole section may be fitted onto a connector already permanently attached by its other end to another section of pole. As one end of the connector is permanently attached to a pole section, the other end of the connector may readily be removed from a pole section as the connector is not permanently attached to the pole section.

Other embodiments may not require a connector with both ends of the same diameter to have one end of the connector permanently attached to a pole section. The connector and pole ends may be fitted together and pulled apart when required - with the connector remaining in either pole section.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the connector shall include a wide sleeve between its ends of a diameter larger than either end of the connector. This sleeve may in some embodiments extend outwards to separate the two connected poles from each other.

Other embodiments of the present invention may not use a connector as described above. Other embodiments may use connector portions which attach poles together without the use of tight fitting ends and the associated frictional forces. Other embodiments may use connection methods such as connectors including latches, reciprocal threaded screws, or nut and bolt attachment connectors.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the item elevated by the support structure is a camera system which includes remote controls and a video surveillance system.

The camera system may be configured so that a user at ground level may receive and view a video image of the shot to be taken by an elevated camera as seen through the lens or viewfinder of the still photograph camera.

The camera system operator may then remotely control the functions of the camera system, including changing the focus of the camera, the camera zoom and the physical orientation and angle of the camera with respect to the object to be photographed. For example, an operator may view the shot to be taken through the video system observing through the camera lens or viewfinder, and adjust the orientation of the camera, moving the camera system left or right, up or down while focusing and zooming in on the object to be photographed.

In a preferred embodiment the connector used to connect two poles together shall be constructed from an electrically insulating material, in one embodiment this material being nylon. The material used shall be strong, rigid and resist the conduction of electrical current. In this way, a conductor with the required physical properties may also prevent electrical accidents (including transmitting shocks to the invention's user), if the extension means of the support structure contacts an electricity distribution power line. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the connector used to connect two pole sections together, shall have one end of the connector of a length longer than the other end of the connector. In a preferred embodiment the connector end with the larger diameter shall be the shorter end of the connector.

Using a long connector with the pole end to be readily removed from the end of the connector provides a stable attachment for connector and pole end. As the connector extends further into the pole end the pole has less freedom of movement allowed by the smaller diameter of the connector end. As a long connector length is used the pole end when attached to the connector may only pivot through a small angle, which stabilises the construction of the extension means. In this way the composite pole used as the extension means is not composed of sections of pole which may pivot slightly around the bottom end of the pole.

The invention as described has many advantages over the prior art.

The configuration of the support structure allows the invention to be disassembled and easily transported by a user. The support structure is portable and may be transported using most automobiles, with the largest unclasped piece of the device being the circular support base.

The invention provides a means to elevate any appropriately sized object to a height not normally achievable. The elevation of such an item is easily and quickly done by a user, not requiring any complex or expensive equipment.

The support structure as configured provides a strong structure when assembled, which may easily cope with the extra weight of an item elevated by of the device. It provides a stable platform which resists weather forces such as the wind from causing excessive movement of the elevated item.

The support structure may be used in a wide variety of locations. It does not rely on road access to a location, only requiring a reasonably flat surface upon which the support base may rest. The invention may easily be assembled/disassembled when required for transportation or use as an extension means.

The invention may be assembly manually, eliminating the need for extra machinery to erect the device. Extra machinery may increase the structure, cost and weight, making the device harder to transport.

The connector as described in a preferred embodiment of the invention provides a strong and stable attachment for the connected elevating poles. The elevation pole when formed using these connectors resists the action of wind pushing against pole elements and shaking the composite elevation pole.

The connector as described in a preferred embodiment of the invention may also be considered as an electrical safety feature. A user in contact with the support base of the invention is electrically isolated from upper pole sections by the connectors used to attach the pole sections and the support base together. If the composite elevation pole contacts a power distribution line, a user of the device is protected against electrocution by the pole connectors, which do not allow the transmission of electrical current.

The camera system including video surveillance through the camera lens and remote control of the camera functions provides the camera operator with many advantages over the prior art. When used in combination with the support structure an operator may adjust and use the camera remotely with substantially the same degree of control as if the camera were in his or her hands. The remote operation of such an elevated camera system allows the camera to be used as normal, while allowing photographic shots of an elevation not normally achievable with existing camera systems.

BRD F DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support structure including an elevated camera;

Figure 2 is a schematic of the connector used in the preferred embodiment.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates the support structure 1.

The support structure 1 consists of firstly a support base, represented by tripod 2 including a circular base.

The second portion of the support device 1 is the extension means, represented by composite pole 3.

The composite pole 3 consists of several pole sections 4 attached together by connectors 5. Elevated by the support structure is a camera system 6. The camera system 6 may be remotely controlled and, the photographic shot to be taken observed with use of cables 7 to transmit electrical signals between the camera system 6 and a user interface 8.

In use camera 6 is controlled using the interface 8, the interface allowing a user to adjust the zoom, focus, left, right and up, down orientation of the camera, and the opening and closing of the camera shutter.

When transportation of the support structure 1 is required all the structures components may be broken down into separate elements.

The tripod legs 9 may be detached from circular base 10 and pole locking means 11. The composite pole 3 may be broken down into separate pole sections 4 which may include connectors 5.

To assemble the support structure a user first places the circular base 10 on a flat surface and attaches the three tripod legs 9 to the circular base 10.

The pole locking means 11 is next attached to the three tripod legs 9.

The composite pole 3 is formed by a user pushing a first pole section 4 down through the pole locking means 11, with each subsequent pole section being inserted from underneath the pole locking means.

A connector 5 attached to the top of a pole section 4 when inserted into pole locking means 11 connects with the bottom end of the previous pole section and is removably attached to it.

After the first pole section 4 is inserted through the pole locking means 11 the camera system 6 is mounted on its top end. As the composite pole 3 is assembled from separate pole sections 4 the elevation of the camera system 6 is increased.

Figure 2 illustrates a connector 5 used to connect sections of pole together to form the extension means of the support structure.

Connector 5 includes top end 21, bottom end 22 and sleeve 23.

The bottom end 22 has a wider diameter than top end 21 to allow bottom end 22 to fit tightly into a pole section. Top end 21 has a smaller diameter end than bottom end 22 to allow its easy removal from a pole section.

A sleeve 23 provides electrical isolation between pole sections the connector attaches together. The sleeve 23 prevents electrocution of the device's user if any upper pole section contacts an electric power line.

The connector 5 is configured so that end 21 is of a longer length than end 22. This provides a secure attachment of end 21 to a pole section, with end 21 extending further into the pole section and contacting a large surface area of the pole section.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE:

1. A support structure to provide variable elevations for an item supported by the structure,

2. A support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support structure includes a support base.

3. A support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lengths comprising the extension means are constructed from metal.

4. A support structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lengths of the extension means are hollow circular cross-section poles.

5. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the item to be elevated and supported is a camera.

6. A support structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the camera is a still frame camera.

7. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the camera may be remotely controlled.

8. A support structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the remote control of the camera allows variation of the camera's lens focus, lens zoom, orientation, or angle of elevation or depression.

9. A support structure as claimed in claim 6 wherein the camera is configured to allow video surveillance of the camera lens view finder.

10. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support base includes three legs configured as a tripod.

11. A support structure as claimed in 10 wherein the support base includes a circular perimeter base which may be attached to the outer ends of the tripod legs.

12. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 11 wherein the support base includes a locking device situated at the junction of the support base's tripod legs.

13. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support base includes a securing means to stabilise the support base.

14. A support structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein the securing means consists of one or more pegs which may be driven into a surface over a section of the support base.

15. A support structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the support base consists of an attachment to a vehicle's tow bar.

16. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the structures components are configured to allow portability of the structure.

17. A support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is assembled manually.

18. A connector adapted for use with the support structure as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connector has two ends, the first end of the connector being configured so that once inserted into a length of the extension means it is substantially immoveable with respect to the length, and

a second end of the connector being configured so that a second length can be placed over the second end of the connector to connect the two lengths together.

19. A connector as claimed in claim 18 wherein the connector is constructed from an electrically insulating material.

20. A connector as claimed in claim 19, wherein the electrical insulating material is nylon.

21. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the connector is configured to include a sleeve to electrically isolate two lengths of the extension means when the connector is used to attach the two lengths together.

22. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein one end of the connector is permanently attached to a length of the extension means.

23. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein the connector is configured with one end of a smaller diameter than the opposite end of the connector.

24. A connector as claimed in claim 21 wherein one end of the connector extends further in length from the sleeve than the other end of the connector.

25. A method of constructing a support structure, wherein the support structure includes an item to be elevated, a number of lengths capable of connection to form an extension means, and a support base which includes a locking device,

the method of construction characterised by the steps of:

i) placing a length of the extension means in the support base locking device, and

ii) attaching the item to be elevated to the top of the length, and

iii) attaching a second length of the extension means to the bottom of the first length, and

iv) moving the attached lengths of the extension means upwards to place the second length in the locking device, and

v) repeating steps iii) and iv) until the item is positioned at the required elevation.

26. A method of constructing a support structure as claimed in claim 25, further characterised by the additional step of activating the locking device of the support base to attach the bottom length of the extension means to the support base.

27. A method of obtaining photographs of real estate for promotional activities, the method characterised by the steps of;

a) attaching a camera to an extension means, and

b) elevating the camera to a required elevation, and

c) remotely viewing the image to be recorded by the camera, and

d) remotely controlling the functions of the camera to obtain a required image to be recorded by the camera, and

e) remotely operating the camera shutter to record a photographic image.

28. A method of obtaining photographs of real estate as claimed in claim 27 wherein the remotely controlled functions of the camera are any one or more of the camera lens focus, lens zoom, orientation, or angle of elevation or depression.

29. A camera adapted to obtain elevated photographs of real estate for promotional purposes, wherein the camera includes a remote video surveillance means configured to allow a remote user to view the view through the camera lens or viewfinder.

30. A camera as claimed in claim 29 wherein the functions of the camera may be remotely controlled.

31. A camera as claimed in claim 30 wherein the functions of the camera which may be remotely controlled are any one or more of the cameras lens focus, lens zoom, orientation, or angle of elevation or depression.

32. A support structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A method of constructing a support structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.