Really Right Stuff, LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc. et al
Filing
1
Complaint. Filing fee in the amount of $400 collected. Agency Tracking ID: 0979-4386340 Jury Trial Requested: Yes. Included patents/trademarks: 6,773,172--8/10/2004--Real Right Stuff, LLC, 8,398,037--3/19/2013--Real Right Stuff, LLC, 9,063,397--6/23/2015--Real Right Stuff, LLC. Filed by Real Right Stuff, LLC against All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Proposed Summons Amazon.com, Inc., # 6 Proposed Summons B&H Foto, # 7 Proposed Summons Desmond Photographic, # 8 Proposed Summons Simmonds). (Pitchford, Susan)
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1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US009063397B2
United States Patent
(10)
Johnson, Sr.
(12)
(45)
(54)
PANORAMIC CAMERA MOUNT
(71)
Applicant: Joseph M. Johnson, Sr., San Luis
Obispo, CA (US)
USPC .......................................................... 396/428
See application file for complete search history.
(72)
Inventor:
( *)
Notice:
(56)
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 0 days.
5,072,907
6,196,504
6,252,727
6,435,738
D483,789
(22)
Filed:
(65)
DE
202006014797 Ul
3/2008
(Continued)
Mar. 26, 2015
Continuation of application No. 13/569,055, filed on
Aug. 7, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,827,576, which is a
continuation of application No. 13/293,648, filed on
Nov. 10, 2011, now Pat. No. 8,262,299, which is a
continuation of application No. 12/655,419, filed on
Dec. 29, 2009, now Pat. No. 8,075,203, which is a
continuation of application No. 111327,265, filed on
Jan. 5, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,658,556.
Provisional application No. 60/642,045, filed on Jan.
7,2005.
(51)
Int. Cl.
G03B 17/00
(2006.01)
(2006.01)
G03B 17/56
U.S. Cl.
CPC .................................... G03B 17/561 (2013.01)
Field of Classification Search
CPC ..................................................... G03B 17/561
(58)
Vogt
Lemke ....................... 248/187.1
Vogt
Vogt
Dordiek ....................... D16/245
Area-Swiss, Monoball B, Oet. 1998, 1 pg.
Prior Publication Data
(60)
(52)
*
12/1991
3/2001
6/2001
8/2002
12/2003
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Related U.S. Application Data
(63)
*
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Aug. 1, 2014
US 2015/0086188 Al
A
B1
B1
B1
S
(Continued)
This patent is subject to a tenninal disclaimer.
Appl. No.: 14/450,124
References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
Joseph M. Johnson, Sr., San Luis
Obispo, CA (US)
(21)
Patent No.:
US 9,063,397 B2
Date of Patent:
*Jun. 23, 2015
Primary Examiner - Rodney Fuller
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Chernoff
McClung & Stenzel, LLP
(57)
ABSTRACT
A panoramic device includes a base member and a clamp
member rotatably interconnected within a single plane of
rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to
selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with
respect to the base. The upper surface includes a central
region that is at a different elevation than another portion of
the upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed
surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The
one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the
opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to
the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first
knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with
respect to one another.
98 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
Q-22
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EXHIBIT C - Page 1 of 20
Vilhauer
US 9,063,397 B2
Page 2
References Cited
(56)
u.s. PATENT DOCUMENTS
7,077,582
7,409,153
7,658,556
8,075,203
8,262,299
8,827,576
B2
7/2006 Johnson
B2 * 8/2008 Ramadan
B2 * 2/2010 Johnson
B2 * 12/2011 Johnson
B2 * 9/2012 Johnson
B2 * 9/2014 Johnson
396/329
396/428
396/428
396/428
396/428
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 7,658,556 B2, issued Feb. 9,
2010, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 1.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 7,658,556 B2, issued Feb. 9,
2010, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 2.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 7,658,556 B2, issued Feb. 9,
2010, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 46 pgs., Part 3.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,075,203 B2, issued Dec.
13, 2011, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 1.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,075,203 B2, issued Dec.
13, 2011, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 2.
EXHIBIT C - Page 2 of 20
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,075,203 B2, issued Dec.
13,2011, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 17 pgs., Part 3.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,262,299 B2, issued Sep. 11,
2012, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 52 pgs., Part 1.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,262,299 B2, issued Sep. 11,
2012, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 52 pgs., Part 2.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,576 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 1.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,576 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 2.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,576 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 50 pgs., Part 3.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,576 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 40 pgs., Part 4.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,577 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 55 pgs., Part 1.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,577 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 55 pgs., Part 2.
File History of Johnson U.S. Patent No. 8,827,577 B2, issued Sep. 9,
2014, entitled Panoramic Camera Mount, 46 pgs., Part 3.
* cited by examiner
u.s. Patent
Juo.23,2015
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38
20
.
26 42 54
24 54 26
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
38
FIG. 4
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102
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Fig. 15
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1
2
PANORAMIC CAMERA MOUNT
FIG. 15 illustrates a panning assembly in a disassembled
arrangement.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/569,055, filed Aug. 7, 2012, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,827,576 B2, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/293,648, filed Nov. 10, 2011, now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,262,299 B2, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/655,419, filed Dec. 29, 2009,
now U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,203 B2, which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 111327,265, filed Jan. 5,
2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,556, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/642,045, filed Jan. 7, 2005.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
10
15
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a camera mount,
and in particular to a camera mount suitable for taking panoramic pictures.
Aberrations and distortions occur at the edge regions of a
wide-angle view of a landscape. Taking and assembling
together multiple images across the view results in a panoramic that is larger than is generally available using a single
shot picture. Properly aligning film strips or digital images to
produce a panoramic picture can be a difficult task. This task
is especially difficult if the camera is not properly centered on
a rotatable mount.
A panoramic camera is disclosed in Gasso et aI., U.S. Pat.
No. 2,111,854, that includes an adjustable lens to vary the
focal length of the lenses in mathematical proportions to the
varying distances of objects in the panoramic view.
Campbell et aI., U.S. Pat. No. 3,183,810 disclose a motordriven panoramic camera having automatic means for stopping the angular sweep of the camera and adjustments for
changing the angle of sweep and for making the sweep symmetrical or unsymmetrical.
Blankenhorn, U.S. Pat. No. 1,282,177,discloses a system
for making panoramic pictures comprising marking the film
as the film is advanced and the camera rotated.
A camera mount useful for taking stereoscopic or panoramic pictures is disclosed by Ianuzzi in U.S. Pat. No.2, 782,
700.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly drawing of a panning clamp.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view along line C-C of FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an assembled panning clamp
of FIG.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an assembled panning
clamp of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of an assembled panning
clamp of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 illustrates a pictorial view of an assembled panning
clamp of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 illustrates a panning assembly in a first position.
FIG. 8 illustrates a panning assembly in a second position.
FIG. 9 illustrates a panning assembly in a third position.
FIG. 10 illustrates a panning assembly in a fourth position.
FIG. 11 illustrates a panning assembly in a fifth position.
FIG. 12 illustrates a bracket.
FIG. 13 illustrates a panning assembly in a sixth position.
FIG. 14 illustrates a panning assembly in a seventh position.
EXHIBIT C - Page 15 of 20
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For a vertical colunm of overlapping images, a panning
clamp should have a vertical orientation. One technique to
achieve this orientation is to mount a panning clamp on top of
a tripod head or otherwise directly to a tripod. To more effectively use the panning clamp, the camera and lens should be
mounted so that the camera and lens pivot around the nodal
point or the entrance pupil. In most cases, this involves the
camera and lens being backed off from the typical tripod
mounting point so that the entrance pupil is located at the
pivot point.
Referring to FIG. 1, a panning clamp 10 includes a clamp
body 12 and a clamp jaw 14. The clamp jaw 14 is engaged
with the body 12 by a pair of clamp springs 34. The springs 34
exert an outwardly directed force on the clamp jaw 14. The
clamp jaw 14 is secured in place by the combination of a
clamp screw 16, a clamp sleeve 28 surrounding the clamp
screw 16, a clamp knob 18, and a screw 32. The clamp sleeve
28 sets the spacing for the clamp knob 18 and presses against
the exterior of the clamp jaw 14. As the clamp knob 18 is
released the clamp jaw 14 will be pressed outwardly thereby
opening the clamp and keeping the clamp jaw 14 in tension to
maintain it in a suitable position. As the clamp knob 18 is
tightened, the clamp jaw 14 will be pressed inwardly thereby
closing the clamp and securing any plate or other imaging
equipment (e.g., camera, video camera, etc.) therein. A plug
22 may be secured over the opening in the body 12. A plastic
cover 38 may be secured over the end of the clamp knob 18.
In order to ensure that the top surface of the panning clamp
10 is level, a bubble level 36 may be included. The top of the
bubble level 36 is preferably approximately flush with the
upper surface of the panning clamp 10. With the panning
clamp 10 attached to a support, such as a ball head, the
panning clamp lOis brought into a level position so that upon
rotation an accurate set of panoramic images may be
obtained.
A panning base 20 includes a recess therein into which
supports a cinching ring 26. The cinching ring 26 may be
secured to the pauning base 20 by securing pins through a pair
of openings 50 in the cinching ring 26 and a matching pair of
openings 52 in the panning base 20. A cinching knob 30
attached to a stud 42 is engaged with a threaded gap 45 in the
cinching ring 26. A retaining member 24 is secured to the plug
22 in such a manner to maintain the panning base and the
body 12 together with the desired ability to freely rotate.
Referring also to FIG. 2, which is a section along line C-C
of FIG. 3, the cinching ring 26 surrounds a lower portion 54 of
the clamp body 14. When the user desires to permit free
rotational motion of the clamp body 12 with respect to the
panning base 20, the cinching knob 30 is released, which
releases the cinching ring 26. When the user desires to inhibit
free rotational motion of the clamp body 12 with respect to the
panning base 20, the cinching knob 30 is tightened, which
decreases the diameter of the cinching ring 26. The decreased
diameter of the cinching ring 26 results in significant frictional engagement between the cinching ring 26 and the lower
portion 54 of the clamp body 12. The cinching ring 26 and the
lower portion 54 preferably have mating surfaces along 50%
or more, 75% or more, or 90% or more of the circumference
of the surfaces. This results in selective rotational movement
of the panning clamp 10.
US 9,063,397 B2
3
4
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view with the clamp jaw 14
extended by the springs 34. With the clamp jaw 14 retracted,
a plate or other member may be readily inserted within the
panning clamp 10. With the clamp jaw 14 engaged, the plate
or other member is securely held in place within the panning
clamp 10. FIG. 5 illustrates the base of the panning clamp 10
with a pair of threaded openings 70 and 72 suitable for securing the panning clamp 10 to a plate or other member. Also, the
central opening 74 may be used to secure the panning clamp
10 to a plate or other member. FIG. 6 illustrates a pictorial
view of an assembled panning clamp 10.
The panning clamp 10 itself preferably only includes the
ability for rotational movement, and not the ability to rotate,
in order to ensure accurate panning. It is to be understood that
the rotational movement preferably has some reasonable
amount of friction at all times so that the panning clamp 10
does not rotate without some reasonable pressure being
exerted. In this manner, even without the panning function
being locked the panning clamp 10 will not tend to rotate
without the user=s turning of the clamp body 14. In addition,
the panning clamp 10 should have a height that is less than
50% of the diameter of the panning clamp 10.
Referring to FIG. 7, a camera 110 may be supported by the
panning clamp 10. The panning clamp 10 permits selective
rotational movement of the camera 110. The panning claim
10 is supported by a bracket 100. The bracket 100 is supported
at a 90 degree (or substantially 90 degrees) angle with respect
to a bracket 104 by anAL@ shaped bracket 102. The bracket
104 is detachable engageable to a clamp 106 supported by a
ball head 108. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11 illustrate other orientations for the camera 110.
Referring to FIG. 12, the bracket 100 may include a clamp
mechanism 125 at one end thereof along with a notch 127
along both of its sides. Other types of brackets may likewise
be used, as desired. Referring to FIG. 13, the camera, bracket,
and panning clamp illustrate the proper positioning of the
camera in a vertical position with respect to axis of rotation of
the panning clamp. Referring to FIG. 14, the camera, bracket,
and panning clamp illustrate the proper positioning of the
camera in a horizontal position with respect to axis of rotation
of the panning clamp. Referring to FIG. 15, a compact assembly may include a pair of brackets 100, 104, anAL@ shaped
bracket 102, and a panning clamp 10, all arranged in a stacked
manner so that they are readily stored in a rectangular pouch
133.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in
the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of
description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in
the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof,
it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined
and limited only by the claims which follow.
I claim:
1. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base having a lower surface suitable for supporting
said base;
(b) a first clamp member secured for rotation to said base
and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a
single axis substantially normal to said lower surface,
said panoramic device being free from and incapable of
said first clamp surface being rotatable about an axis
other than said single axis substantially normal to said
lower surface;
(c) a second clamp member slidably secured to said first
clamp member and movable by rotation of a first screw
to approach said first clamp surface to clamp an article
therebetween and movable by reversing rotation of said
first screw to separate from said first clamp surface to
release an article clamped between said first clamp surface and said second clamp member; and
(d) a second screw to selectively impede relative rotation of
said first clamp member and said base, said first clamp
member and said second clamp member not releasable
from said base by movement of said second screw, said
first clamp member and said second clamp member not
readily detachable from said base, said first clamp member rotatable through 360 degrees with respect to said
base.
2. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a
bias mechanism that biases said second clamp member away
from said first clamp surface.
3. The panoramic device of claim 2 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least one spring.
4. The panoramic device of claim 2 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least two springs.
5. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said first screw
is in threaded engagement with said first clamp member.
6. The panoramic device of claim 5 wherein said first screw
passes through a portion of said second clamp member.
7. The panoramic device of claim 6 further comprising a
sleeve surrounding a portion of said first screw.
8. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a
knob attached to said first screw.
9. The panoramic device of claim 1 further comprising a
level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramic
device.
10. The panoramic device of claim 9 wherein said level
bubble is approximately flush with the upper surface of said
panoramic device.
11. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said second
screw is in threaded engagement with said base.
12. The panoramic device of claim 11 wherein said second
screw includes a knob attached thereto.
13. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said second
screw impedes said relative rotation by rotating said second
screw.
14. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said clamp
surface includes a plurality of different elevations.
15. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said base
defines a circular peripheral edge.
16. The panoramic device of claim 15 wherein said base
defines a circular exterior surface.
17. The panoramic device of claim 16 wherein said base
defines an opening in the center of said lower surface of said
base.
18. The panoramic device of claim 17 wherein said lower
surface is supported by a tripod.
19. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein first clamp
member defines a circular peripheral edge.
20. The panoramic device of claim 19 wherein said first
clamp member defines a circular exterior surface.
21. The panoramic device of claim 20 wherein said first
clamp member defines an opening in the center of said first
clamp member.
22. The panoramic device of claim 1 wherein said base
defines a first circular exterior surface and said first clamp
member defines a second circular exterior surface, and said
first circular exterior surface is aligned with said second exterior surface.
23. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base having a lower first surface suitable for supporting said base;
(b) a first clamp member secured for rotation to said base
and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a
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single axis substantially nonnal to said lower first surface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said first clamp surface being said rotatable
about an axis other than said single axis substantially
normal to said lower surface;
(c) a second clamp member slidably secured to said first
clamp member and movable by rotation of a first screw
to approach said first clamp surface to clamp an article
therebetween and movable by reversing rotation of said
first screw to separate from said first clamp surface to
release an article clamped between said first clamp surface and said second clamp member; and
(d) a movable member located within an outer periphery of
said panoramic device to selectively impede relative
rotation of said base and said first clamp member, and
said movable member movable by rotation of a second
screw in a first rotational direction to increasingly
impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and
said base, and said movable member movable by rotation of said second screw in a second rotational direction
to decreasingly impede relative rotation of said first
clamp member and said base, said first clamp member
and said second clamp member not readily detachable
from said base, said first clamp member rotatable
through 360 degrees with respect to said base, said first
clamp member and said second clamp member not
releasable from said base by movement of said second
screw.
24. The panoramic device of claim 23 further comprising a
bias mechanism that biases said second clamp member away
from said first clamp surface.
25. The panoramic device of claim 24 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least one spring.
26. The panoramic device of claim 25 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least two springs.
27. The panoramic device of claim 26 wherein said first
screw passes through a portion of said second clamp member.
28. The panoramic device of claim 27 further comprising a
sleeve surrounding a portion of said first screw.
29. The panoramic device of claim 28 further comprising a
knob attached to said first screw.
30. The panoramic device of claim 23 wherein said first
screw is in threaded engagement with said first clamp member.
31. The panoramic device of claim 23 further comprising a
level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramic
device.
32. The panoramic device of claim 31 wherein said level
bubble is approximately flush with the upper surface of said
panoramic device.
33. The panoramic device of claim 23 wherein said second
screw rotatably engaged with said base.
34. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base having a lower first surface and an upper second
surface;
(b) a first clamp member having an upper clamp surface
and secured to said base for rotation within a single plane
of rotation with respect to said upper second surface of
said base, said upper clamp surface including a central
region at a different elevation than another substantially
parallel portion of said upper surface, said first clamp
member including a first opposing surface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said
upper clamp surface being said rotatable within a plane
of rotation other than said single plane of rotation with
respect to said upper second surface of said base;
(c) a second clamp member including a second opposing
surface and movably engaged with said first clamp
member;
(d) a first knob rotatably engaged with said first clamp
member, said first knob rotatable to selectively move
said second opposing surface farther from said first
opposing surface and rotatable to selectively move said
second opposing surface nearer said first opposing surface to secure an object between said first opposing
surface and said second opposing surface; and
(e) a second knob rotatable to selectively inhibit rotation of
said first clamp member with respect to said base, said
first clamp member and said second clamp member not
releasable from said base by movement of said second
knob, said first clamp member and said second clamp
member not readily detachable from said base, said first
clamp member rotatable through 360 degrees with
respect to said base.
35. The panoramic device of claim 34 further including a
bias mechanism that biases said second opposing surface to
move further from said first opposing surface.
36. The panoramic device of claim 35 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least one spring.
37. The panoramic device of claim 35 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least two springs.
38. The panoramic device of claim 34 wherein said first
knob comprises a screw in engagement with one of said first
clamp member and said second clamp member.
39. The panoramic device of claim 38 wherein said screw
passes through a portion of said second clamp member.
40. The panoramic device of claim 39 further comprising a
sleeve surrounding a portion of said screw.
41. The panoramic device of claim 34 wherein said second
knob is rotatably engaged with said base.
42. The panoramic device of claim 34 further comprising a
level bubble visible from a point spaced apart and substantially normal to said upper clamp surface of said first clamp
member.
43. The panoramic device of claim 42 wherein said level
bubble is approximately flush with the said upper surface of
said first clamp member.
44. The panoramic device of claim 34 further including a
movable member located within an outer periphery of said
panoramic device to selectively impede relative rotation of
said base and said first clamp member, and said movable
member movable by rotation of said second knob in a first
rotational direction to increasingly impede relative rotation of
said first clamp member and said base, and said movable
member movable by rotation of said second knob in a second
rotational direction to decreasingly impede relative rotation
of said first clamp member and said base.
45. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base member having a lower surface suitable to support said base;
(b) a clamp member having an upper surface rotatably
within a single plane of rotation with said base, said
panoramic device being free from and incapable of said
upper surface being said rotatable with a plane different
than said single plane of said rotation with said base;
(c) a first rotatable knob that selectively inhibits the rotation of said clamp member with respect to said base,
(d) said upper surface of said clamp member includes a
central region that is at a different elevation than another
portion of said upper surface;
(e) said clamp member including a pair of opposed surfaces
suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto, wherein
one of said opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed
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relationship with respect to said clamp member, wherein
the other one of said opposed surfaces is in a movable
relationship with respect to said clamp member using a
second rotatable knob;
(f) said clamp member not releasable from said base by
movement of said second knob; and
(g) said clamp member includes an externally visible level
bubble, said clamp member not readily detachable from
said base, said clamp member rotatable through 360
degrees with respect to said base.
46. The clamp of claim 45 including a bias mechanism that
biases said clamp in an unsecured position.
47. The clamp of claim 46 including a screw in engagement
with one of said opposed surfaces.
48. The clamp of claim 47 wherein said screw passes
through a portion of said clamp.
49. The clamp of claim 48 including a sleeve surrounding
a portion of said screw.
50. The clamp of claim 45 wherein said first knob is rotatably engaged with said base.
51. The clamp of claim 45 wherein said bias mechanism
includes at least one spring.
52. The clamp of claim 45 wherein said bias mechanism
includes at least two springs.
53. The clamp of claim 45 further including a movable
member located within an outer periphery of said panoramic
device to selectively impede relative rotation of said base and
said clamp member, and said movable member movable by
rotation of said first rotatable knob in a first rotational direction to increasingly impede relative rotation of said clamp
member and said base, and said movable member movable by
rotation of said first rotatable knob in a second rotational
direction to decreasingly impede relative rotation of said
clamp member and said base.
54. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base having a lower surface suitable for supporting
said base;
(b) a first clamp member secured for rotation to said base
and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a
single axis substantially normal to said lower surface,
said panoramic device being free from and incapable of
said first clamp surface being said rotatable about an axis
other than said single axis substantially normal to said
lower surface;
(c) a second clamp member comprising a second clamp
surface movably engaged with said first clamp member
and movable by movement of a first member to approach
said first clamp surface to clamp an article therebetween
and movable by reversing the movement of said first
member to separate from said first clamp surface to
release an article clamped between said first clamp surface and said second clamp member; and
d) a second member movable by rotation to selectively
impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and
said base, said first clamp member and said second
clamp member not releasable from said base by movement of said second member, said first clamp member
and said second clamp member not readily detachable
from said base, said first clamp member rotatable
through 360 degrees with respect to said base.
55. The panoramic device of claim 54 further comprising a
bias mechanism that biases said second clamp member away
from said first clamp surface.
56. The panoramic device of claim 55 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least one spring.
57. The panoramic device of claim 54 wherein said first
member is not readily removable from engagement with said
second clamp surface.
58. The panoramic device of claim 54 wherein said first
member is in threaded engagement with said first clamp
member.
59. The panoramic device of claim 54 wherein said first
member passes through a portion of said second clamp member.
60. The panoramic device of claim 59 further comprising a
sleeve surrounding a portion of said first member.
61. The panoramic device of claim 54 wherein said first
member is said movable by rotation.
62. The panoramic device of claim 54 further comprising a
level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramic
device.
63. The panoramic device of claim 62 wherein said level
bubble is approximately flush with said upper surface of said
panoramic device.
64. The panoramic device of claim 54 wherein said second
member is in threaded engagement with said base.
65. The panoramic device of claim 64 wherein said second
member includes a knob attached thereto.
66. The panoramic device of claim 64 wherein said second
member is in pressing engagement with another member
which acts to said selective impede relative rotation.
67. The panoramic device of claim 54 wherein said clamp
surface includes a plurality of different elevations.
68. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base having a lower first surface suitable for supporting said base;
(b) a first clamp member secured for rotation to said base
and comprising a first clamp surface rotatable about a
single axis substantially normal to said lower first surface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said first clamp surface being said rotatable
about an axis other than said single axis substantially
normal to said lower first surface;
(c) a second clamp member movably engaged with said
first clamp member and movable by movement of a first
member to approach said first clamp surface and clamp
an article therebetween and movable by reversing movement of said first member to separate from said first
clamp surface to release an article clamped between said
first clamp surface and said second clamp member; and
(d) a movable member located within an outer periphery of
said panoramic device to selectively impede relative
rotation of said base and said first clamp member, and
said movable member movable by rotation of a second
member in a first rotational direction to increasingly
impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and
said base, said first clamp member and said second
clamp member not readily detachable from said base,
said first clamp member rotatable through 360 degrees
with respect to said base, said first clamp member rotatable through 360 degrees with respect to said base,
wherein said first clamp member and said second clamp
member not releasable from said base by movement of
said second member.
69. The panoramic device of claim 68 further comprising a
bias mechanism that biases said second clamp member away
from said first clamp surface.
70. The panoramic device of claim 69 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least one spring.
71. The panoramic device of claim 68 wherein said movable member movable by rotation of said second member in a
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second rotational direction to decreasingly impede relative
rotation of said first clamp member and said base.
n. The panoramic device of claim 68 wherein said first
member is in threaded engagement with said first clamp
member.
73. The panoramic device of claim 68 wherein said first
member passes through a portion of said second clamp member.
74. The panoramic device of claim 73 further comprising a
sleeve surrounding a portion of said first member.
75. The panoramic device of claim 74 further comprising a
knob attached to said first member.
76. The panoramic device of claim 68 further comprising a
level bubble visible at an upper surface of said panoramic
device.
77. The panoramic device of claim 76 wherein said level
bubble is approximately flush with said upper surface of said
panoramic device.
78. The panoramic device of claim 68 wherein said second
member is rotatably engaged with said base.
79. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base having a lower first surface and an upper second
surface;
(b) a first clamp member having an upper clamp surface
and secured to said base for rotation within a single plane
of rotation with respect to said upper second surface of
said base, said upper clamp surface including a central
region at a different elevation than another substantially
parallel portion of said upper surface, said first clamp
member including a first opposing surface, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said
upper clamp surface being said rotatable within a plane
of rotation other than said single plane of rotation with
respect to said upper second surface of said base;
(c) a second clamp member including a second opposing
surface and movably engaged with said first clamp
member;
(d) a first member movably engaged with said panoramic
device, said first member movable to selectively move
said second opposing surface farther from said first
opposing surface and movable to selectively move said
second opposing surface nearer said first opposing surface to secure an object between said first opposing
surface and said second opposing surface; and
(e) a second member rotatable to selectively inhibit rotation of said first clamp member with respect to said base,
said first clamp member and said second clamp member
not releasable from said base by movement of said second member, said first clamp member and said second
clamp member not readily detachable from said base,
wherein said first clamp member and said second clamp
member not releasable from said base by movement of
said second member.
80. The panoramic device of claim 79 further including a
bias mechanism that biases said second opposing surface to
move further from said first opposing surface.
81. The panoramic device of claim 80 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least one spring.
82. The panoramic device of claim 80 wherein said bias
mechanism includes at least two springs.
83. The panoramic device of claim 79 wherein said first
member comprises a screw in engagement with said second
clamp member.
84. The panoramic device of claim 83 wherein said screw
passes through a portion of said second clamp member.
85. The panoramic device of claim 83 wherein said screw
passes through a portion of said first clamp member.
86. The panoramic device of claim 83 wherein said screw
is in rotational engagement with said second opposing surface.
87. The panoramic device of claim 79 further comprising a
level bubble visible from a point spaced apart and substantially normal to said upper clamp surface of said first clamp
member.
88. The panoramic device of claim 87 wherein said level
bubble is approximately flush with an adjacent surface to said
level bubble.
89. The clamp of claim 79 further including a movable
member located within an outer periphery of said panoramic
device to selectively impede relative rotation of said base and
said first clamp member, and said movable member movable
by movement of said second member in a first direction to
increasingly impede relative rotation of said first clamp member and said base, and said movable member movable by
movement of said second member in a second direction to
decreasingly impede relative rotation of said first clamp
member and said base.
90. A panoramic device comprising:
(a) a base member having a lower surface suitable to support said base;
(b) a clamp member having an upper surface rotatably
interconnected within a single plane of rotation with said
base, said panoramic device being free from and incapable of said upper surface being said rotatable with a
plane different than said single plane of said rotation
with said base;
c) a first movable member that selectively inhibits the
rotation of said clamp member with respect to said base,
d) said upper surface of said clamp member includes a
central region that is at a different elevation than another
portion of said upper surface;
(e) said clamp member including a pair of opposed surfaces
suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto, wherein
one of said opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed
relationship with respect to said clamp member, wherein
the other one of said opposed surfaces is in a movable
relationship with respect to said clamp member using a
second member;
(f) said clamp member not releasable from said base by
movement of said second member; and
(g) said panoramic device includes an externally visible
level bubble, said clamp member not readily detachable
from said base, said clamp member not readily detachable from said base.
91. The clamp of claim 90 including a bias mechanism that
biases said clamp in an unsecured position.
92. The clamp of claim 91 including a screw in engagement
with one of said opposed surfaces.
93. The clamp of claim 92 wherein said screw passes
through a portion of said clamp.
94. The clamp of claim 93 including a sleeve surrounding
a portion of said screw.
95. The clamp of claim 90 wherein said second member is
rotatably engaged with said base.
96. The clamp of claim 90 wherein said bias mechanism
includes at least one spring.
97. The clamp of claim 90 wherein said bias mechanism
includes at least two springs.
98. The clamp of claim 90 further including a movable
member located within an outer periphery of said panoramic
device to selectively impede relative rotation of said base and
said clamp member, and said movable member movable by
movement of said first member in a first direction to increasingly impede relative rotation of said clamp member and said
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base, and said movable member movable by movement of
said first member in a second direction to decreasingly
impede relative rotation of said clamp member and said base.
* * * * *
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