[0001] This application claims priority of US provisional patent application 61/445,742, filed on February 23, 2011.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field

[0002] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to the field camera equipment. More particularly, this description relates to clamps for clamping camera equipment to a camera support.

(b) Related Prior Art

[0003] In the entertainment industry, motion picture cameras typically have many different accessories attached to them in order to capture the images that are desired. Examples of typical accessories are lens lights, flags, LCD monitors, lens drive assemblies and motors. In the context where a motion picture camera must be mounted to a shoulder mount camera support, such accessories are typically attached to the camera support. Some types of camera supports comprise a standardized pair of rods (standard in size and distance between each other).

[0004] Typically, available clamps for clamping camera equipment to a camera support which can be adjustable in position are limited in terms of simplicity and ease with which the clamp can be adjusted. For example, some existing clamps have two holes and they must be slid over the standard rods. When more than one clamp is installed on the rods, the order in which they are installed on the rods is therefore important. A lot of time is therefore wasted when equipment attached to the clamp must be changed; especially if the equipment is installed on the first clamp that was slid onto the rods. [0005] Furthermore, existing clamps use a screw-type device to tighten the clamp around the rods. They are only adjustable in position once they are unscrewed to release an initial tension retaining the clamp in a fixed position. Only then can the clamp be moved to a chosen position or removed from the pair of rods. To remain in the chosen position, a user then has to re-screw the clamp in tension.

[0006] Other types of clamps for clamping camera equipment to a camera support which are easier to adjust do not provide sufficient maneuverability in the control of the position of the clamp.

[0007] There is therefore a need for an improved clamp for clamping camera equipment to a camera support which allows the adjusting of the clamp's position and installation as desired, via a simple and easy manipulation which can be performed single-handedly.

SUMMARY

[0008] According to an embodiment, there is provided a lever-activated clamp for attaching camera equipment to a camera support having a mounting rod, the lever-activated clamp comprising: a cylinder housing having a central hollow space and an arch portion comprising an arch interface adapted to receive the mounting rod; a plunger travelling within the central hollow space, the plunger having a locking interface for applying pressure on the mounting rod; a lever having a cam portion, the lever pivotally mounted on the cylinder housing; wherein, when the mounting rod is placed within the arch portion, pivoting the lever causes the cam portion to push against the plunger which in turn applies pressure on the mounting rod to lock the mounting rod between the arch interface and the locking interface.

[0009] According to another embodiment, the arch portion comprises at least two arch portions and the locking interface comprises at least two locking interfaces for a corresponding number of mounting rods. [0010] According to another embodiment, the plunger defines another corresponding arch portion comprising another corresponding arch interface adapted to receive a first mounting rod, the other corresponding arch portion for corresponding to a first arch portion of the cylinder housing, to apply pressure on the first mounting rod to lock the first mounting rod between the other corresponding arch interface of the first arch portion and a first locking interface and wherein the plunger defines a second locking interface adapted to apply pressure on a second mounting rod to lock the second mounting rod between an arch interface of a second arch portion and the second locking interface.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the first locking interface which interacts with the first mounting rod when the plunger applies pressure on the first mounting rod to lock the first mounting rod between the arch interface and the first locking interface corresponds to the profile of the first mounting rod.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the lever-activated clamp further comprises a pin for pivot mounting of the lever about a pivot axis.

[0013] According to another embodiment, upon pivoting about the pivot axis the lever moves between a locking position and an unlocked position, thereby imparting a locking position and an unlocked position to the plunger.

[0014] According to another embodiment, a movement in a first direction of the lever pivotally mounted causes the cam portion to occupy more space between the pivot axis of the pin and the plunger, thereby pushing the plunger toward the locking position.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the lever-activated clamp further comprises a spring installed between the plunger and the cylinder housing for urging the plunger toward an unlocked position and wherein a movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the lever pivotally mounted causes the spring to urge the plunger in the unlocked position, thereby leaving the lever-activated clamp to be installed at a selected position along the mounting rod or removed from the mounting rod.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the lever-activated clamp further comprises a spring installed between the plunger and the cylinder housing for urging the plunger toward an unlocked position.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the profile of the mounting rod comprises one of circular, square, regularly polygonal, and irregularly polygonal and the arch portion has a profile which substantially corresponds to the profile.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the arch portion defines a clearance length to enable a portion of the profile of the mounting rod to take place in the arch portion.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the profile of the mounting rod is circular and defines a diameter and wherein the arch portion defines a clearance length at least equal to the diameter of the profile of the mounting rod.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the arch interface which interacts with the mounting rod when the plunger applies pressure on the mounting rod to lock the mounting rod between the arch interface and the locking interface substantially corresponds to the profile of the mounting rod.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the arch interface comprises a curve radius which substantially corresponds to the curve radius of the profile of the mounting rod.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the plunger defines another corresponding arch portion comprising another corresponding arch interface adapted to receive the mounting rod, the other corresponding arch portion for corresponding to the profile of the mounting rod.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the locking interface corresponds to the other corresponding arch interface of the plunger. [0024] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of camera support on which a camera and camera equipment may be attached;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a lever-activated clamp for clamping camera equipment on a camera support in accordance with an embodiment;

[0028] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a cylinder housing in accordance with an embodiment;

[0029] Fig. 3B is a top view of the cylinder housing of Fig. 3A;

[0030] Fig. 3C is a cross-sectional elevation view of the cylinder housing taken along line B-B of Fig. 3B;

[0031] Fig. 3D is a side elevation view of the cylinder housing of Fig. 3A;

[0032] Fig. 3E is a first end elevation view of the cylinder housing of Fig. 3A;

[0033] Fig. 3F is a second end elevation view of the cylinder housing of Fig. 3A;

[0034] Fig. 4A is perspective view of a plunger in accordance with an embodiment; [0035] Fig. 4B is a top view of the plunger of Fig. 4A;

[0036] Fig. 4C is a side elevation view of the plunger of Fig. 4A;

[0037] Fig. 4D is a first end elevation view of the plunger of Fig. 4A;

[0038] Fig. 4E is a second end elevation view of the plunger of Fig. 4A;

[0039] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a lever with a cam portion in accordance with an embodiment;

[0040] Fig. 5B is a side view of the lever of Fig. 5A;

[0041] Fig. 5C is a front elevation view of the lever of Fig. 5A;

[0042] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lever-activated clamp of Fig. 2 in its unlocked position;

[0043] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lever-activated clamp of Fig. 2 in its locked position for clamping camera equipment on a camera support;

[0044] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a device for attaching camera equipment on a camera support according to the prior art;

[0045] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 8 attached on the rods of a camera support; and

[0046] Fig. 10 is a perspective exploded view of a lever-activated clamp for clamping camera equipment on a camera support according to an embodiment.

[0047] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In embodiments discussed herein there are disclosed a lever- activated clamp for attaching a camera and camera equipment to a camera support.

[0049] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 , there is shown a well-known camera support 12 for clamping camera equipment. The camera support 12 has two mounting rods 14 which have exterior faces 16. The shape of the mounting rod 14 profile may be, without limitations, circular, square, regularly polygonal or irregularly polygonal.

[0050] Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a lever-activated clamp 10 for clamping camera equipment 13 to a camera support 12 (Fig.1 ) which has mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1) with exterior faces 16 (Fig. 1). The lever-activated clamp 10 includes a cylinder housing 18 which has a central hollow space 20 (Fig. 3A) and two arch portions 22 comprising arch interfaces 24 adapted to receive the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1 ). The lever-activated clamp 10 also includes a plunger 26 (Fig. 4A) adapted to travel within the central hollow space 20 (Fig. 3A), where the plunger 26 has one or more locking interfaces 28 (Fig. 4A) for interacting with the exterior faces 16 of the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1). Additionally, the lever-activated clamp 10 comprises a lever 30 which has a cam portion 32, where the lever 30 is pivotally mounted on the cylinder housing 18. There is also shown a pin 34 for allowing the lever 30 with its cam portion 32 to pivot adequately.

[0051] During operation, the lever-activated clamp 10 is installed over the mounting rods of the camera support and pivoting the lever 30 causes the cam portion 32 to push against the plunger 26 to squeeze (i.e., apply pressure against), or to lock, the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1 ) between the arch interfaces 24 of the arch portions 22 and the locking interface 28 (Fig. 4A) (i.e., within the arch portions 22). Changing equipment on the camera support is therefore made easier since the lever-activated clamp 10 does not need to be slid onto the mounting rods. The lever-activated clamps can be removed or installed independently from each other.

[0052] Now referring to Figs. 3A to Fig. 3 F, there is specifically shown the cylinder housing 18 which has a central hollow space 20 and two arch portions 22 which have arch interfaces 24 adapted to receive the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1). There is also shown a hole 38 for receiving a pin 34 (Fig. 2). It is to be noted that the cylinder housing 18 may have one or more than one arch portions 22.

[0053] Now referring to Figs. 4A to 4E, there is shown a plunger 26 for travelling within the central hollow space 20 (Fig. 3A), where the plunger 26 has a locking interface 28 for interacting with the exterior faces 16 of the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1)

[0054] Now referring to Figs. 5A to 5C, there is shown a lever 30 which has a cam portion 32, where the lever 30 is pivotally mounted on the cylinder housing 18 (Fig. 2). In this case, pivoting the lever 30 causes the cam portion 32 to push against the plunger 26 (Fig. 4A) to squeeze, or lock, the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1) between the arch interfaces 24 of the arch portions 22 (Fig. 1) and the locking interface 28 (Fig. 4A).

[0055] Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown the lever-activated clamp 10 for clamping camera equipment 13 to a camera support 12 (Fig. 1) in an unlocked position. The lever-activated clamp 10, which comprises a cylinder housing 18 and two arch portions 22 comprising arch interfaces 24, is adapted to receive the mounting rods 14 (Fig. 1 ). As shown on Fig. 6, the lever 30 is up (unlocked position), the spring 36 urges the plunger 26 in the unlocked position (i.e., toward the left on Fig. 6) thereby leaving the lever-activated clamp to be installed at a selected position along the mounting rods or removed from the mounting rods.

[0056] Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown the lever-activated clamp 10 for clamping camera equipment 13 to a camera support 12 (Fig. 1 ) in a locked position. As shown on Fig. 7, the lever 30 is down, the downward movement of the lever 30 pivoting about the axis of pin 34 causes the cam portion 32 to occupy more space between the axis of pin 34 and the plunger 26 thereby pushing the plunger toward the locking position. Hence the plunger 26 in turn applies pressure on the mounting rod(s) to lock the mounting rod(s) within the arch portion.

[0057] Moreover, there is shown on Fig. 8 a device 100 for attaching camera equipment on a camera support 12 (Fig. 1) which is well-known in the prior art. Moreover, Fig. 9 shows the device 100 of Fig. 8 attached on the mounting rods 14 of a camera support 12 (Fig. 1). There is therefore a need for an improved lever-activated clamp 10 for clamping camera equipment 13 (Fig. 2) to a camera support 12 (Fig. 1) which allows the adjusting of the clamp's position and installation as desired, via a simple and easy manipulation which can be performed single-handedly.

[0058] According to Fig. 10, there is shown a perspective exploded view of a lever-activated clamp 200 for clamping camera equipment (not shown) on a camera support (not shown) according to an embodiment. There is shown the lever-activated clamp 200 for attaching camera equipment (not shown) to a camera support having a mounting rod (Fig. 1), The lever-activated clamp 200 comprises the cylinder housing 218 having a central hollow space 220. The cylinder housing 218 also includes two arch portions 222, 223 comprising two arch interfaces 224, 225 adapted to receive the two mounting rods (not shown, Fig. 1). The lever-activated clamp 200 also includes a plunger 226 travelling within the central hollow space 220. The plunger 226 has two locking interfaces 228, 229 for applying pressure on the two mounting rods (Fig. 1) between the arch interfaces 224, 225 (of a first and a second arch portions 222, 223) and the locking interfaces 228, 229 (first and second interfaces 228, 229). The lever- activated clamp 200 also includes the lever 230 having a cam portion 232. As shown, the lever 230 is pivotally mounted on the cylinder housing 218. When the mounting rods are placed within the arch portions 222, 223 (first arch portion and second arch portions 222, 223), pivoting the lever 230 causes the cam portion 232 to push against the plunger 226 which in turn applies pressure on the two mounting rods (Fig. 1 ) to lock the mounting rods between the arch interfaces 224, 225 (of the first and the second arch portions 222, 223) and the locking interfaces 228, 229 (first locking interface 228 and second locking interface 229).

[0059] It is to be noted that the lever-activated clamp 200 may include at least two arch portions 222 or 223 and that the lever-activated clamp 200 may include at least two locking interfaces 228 or 229 for a corresponding number of mounting rods.

[0060] Additionally, the lever-activated clamp 200 further comprises a pin 234 for pivot mounting of the lever 230 about a pivot axis. The lever-activated clamp 200 further comprises a spring 236 installed between the plunger 226 and the cylinder housing 218 for urging the plunger 226 toward an unlocked position.

[0061] According to different embodiments, the profile of a mounting rod may comprise one of, without limitations, circular, square, regularly polygonal, and irregularly polygonal. On the other hand, the arch portions 222 or 223 have a profile which substantially corresponds to the mounting rod profile. More particularly, the arch portions 222 and/or 223 define a diameter at least equal to the diameter of their corresponding mounting rods. The arch interface 224 or 225 which interacts with a mounting rod when the plunger 226 applies pressure on the mounting rod to lock the mounting rod between the arch interface 224 or 225 and the locking interface 228 or 229 substantially corresponds to the profile of the mounting rod.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the arch interface 228 or 229 comprises a curve radius which substantially corresponds to the one of the profile of the mounting rod. [0063] According to an embodiment, the plunger 226 defines another corresponding arch portion 322 comprising another corresponding arch interface 324 adapted to receive the mounting rod, the other corresponding arch portion 322 for corresponding to the arch portion 222 of the cylinder housing 218. Moreover, a first locking interface 228 corresponds to the other corresponding arch interface 324 of the plunger 226.

[0064] According to an embodiment, there is shown in Fig. 10 that the plunger 226 defines another corresponding arch portion 322 comprising another corresponding arch interface 324 adapted to receive a first mounting rod (not shown). The other corresponding arch portion 322 corresponds to a first arch portion 222 of the cylinder housing 218. The plunger 226 defines another corresponding arch portion 322 comprising another corresponding arch interface 324 adapted to receive a first mounting rod to apply pressure on the first mounting rod to lock the first mounting rod between the other corresponding arch interface 324 of the first arch portion 222 and the first locking interface 228. The plunger 226 also defines a second locking interface 229 adapted to apply pressure on a second mounting rod to lock the second mounting rod between an arch interface 225 of a second arch portion 223 and the second locking interface 229.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the arch portion 222 or 223 defines a clearance length L to enable a portion of the profile of the mounting rod (not shown) to take place in the arch portion 222 or 223. More particularly, the profile of the mounting rod is circular and defines a diameter and the arch portion 222 or 223 defines a clearance length L at least equal to the diameter of the profile of the mounting rod (not shown).

[0066] According to an embodiment, the first locking interface 228 which interacts with the first mounting rod when the plunger 226 applies pressure on the first mounting rod to lock the first mounting rod between the arch interface 224 and the first locking interface 228 corresponds to the profile of the first mounting rod.

[0067] According to an embodiment, upon pivoting about the pivot axis the lever 230 moves between a locking position and an unlocked position, thereby imparting a locking position and an unlocked position to the plunger 226. A pivoting movement in a first direction of the lever 230 causes the cam portion 232 to occupy more space between the pivot axis of the pin 234 and the plunger 226, thereby pushing the plunger 226 toward the locking position. On the other hand, a pivoting movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction of the lever 230 causes a spring 236 to urge the plunger 226 in the unlocked position, thereby leaving the lever-activated clamp 200 to be installed at a selected position along the mounting rod(s) or removed from the mounting rod(s).

[0068] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.