초록 ▼

A camera tripod rotating head (20) is taught that is used for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera (22) mounted on a tripod (24). The rotating head consists of an adapter base (26) that is configured to mate and attach to the camera tripod, and includes a one way roller clutch (30) mo

A camera tripod rotating head (20) is taught that is used for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera (22) mounted on a tripod (24). The rotating head consists of an adapter base (26) that is configured to mate and attach to the camera tripod, and includes a one way roller clutch (30) mounted within the adapter base and a shoulder bolt (32) that is positioned through both the base and the clutch. A rotating beam (36) is attached to the adapter base with the shoulder bolt allowing the beam to revolve around the base a full 360 degrees in one direction only. Detents are position within the adapter base relative beam allowing the beam to be rotated and stopped at an equidistant predetermined location, preferably sixteen, until manually urged to the next location. An adjustable camera mounting bracket (60), configured to mate with the camera, is manually attached to the rotating beam permitting the rotating head, with a camera attached, to sweep in a one way arc of rotation stopping by the detents at each predetermined position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A camera tripod rotating head for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera mounted on a tripod, comprising, a tripod mounting adapter base configured to mate and attach said base to a camera tripod in a secure manner, wherein said tripod mounting adapter further ha

What is claimed is: 1. A camera tripod rotating head for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera mounted on a tripod, comprising, a tripod mounting adapter base configured to mate and attach said base to a camera tripod in a secure manner, wherein said tripod mounting adapter further having a one way roller clutch mounted within the adapter base with a shoulder bolt positioned through said adapter base, a rotating beam attached to said adapter base with said shoulder bolt such that the beam may revolve around the adapter base a full 360 degrees in one direction only, detent means for rotatably positioning the adapter base relative to the rotating beam in predetermined locations, and an adjustable camera mounting bracket manually attached to said rotating beam with said mounting bracket configured to mate with a camera in an positional manner, permitting the rotating head, with a camera attached, to sweep in a arc of rotation stopping by detent means at a series of predetermined positions allowing a photographic image to be taken at each position, enabling individual images to be aligned together into a completed picture viewing surroundings as if a person were standing in one place and turning completely around. 2. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 further comprising, said adapter base, rotating beam and camera mounting bracket fabricated of a metallic material. 3. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 2 wherein said metallic material comprises aluminum. 4. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 3 wherein said aluminum material further comprises an anodized finish. 5. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said tripod adapter mounting base further having a dovetail groove therein configured to mate with conventional camera tripods such the rotating head may be securely attached to a tripod assuring a solid and repeatable junction therebetween. 6. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said one way roller clutch further comprising a plurality of cam rollers circularly disposed in a housing sleeve such that when said shoulder bolt engages the cam rollers the bolt is permitted to rotate in one direction and when reversed the cams rotate slightly and tightly grip the shoulder of the bolt preventing rotation in an opposite direction. 7. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said adapter base and said rotating beam each further having alignment grooves therein that provide indexing indication for starting and stopping the rotation of the beam when sequential photographic images are taken. 8. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 further comprising a surface mounted circular level attached to said rotating beam at a position above an intersection with said adapter base, for positioning a tripod, on which the rotating head may be attached, to assure proper leveling of the head for photographic alignment purposes. 9. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 8 wherein said surface mounted circular level is attached to the rotating beam with double sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape. 10. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said detent means further comprises, said rotating beam having a plurality of radial cavities positioned in a circle and said adapter base having at least one hole therethrough with a steel ball urged by a compression spring held in place with a set screw positioned within each hole which align with said cavities such that when the rotating beam is revolved around the shoulder bolt at least one ball penetrates a cavity in the rotating beam holding the beam in place until manual pressure is exerted retracting the ball and moving the beam to the next aligned cavity. 11. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said rotating beam cavities positioned in a circle further comprises, 16 discrete cavities positioned at 22.5 degrees apart. 12. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustable camera mounting bracket further having an angular shape, which includes a vertical leg and a horizontal leg, said vertical leg having a camera mounting slot therein and said horizontal leg having a threaded hole therein. 13. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 12 further comprising said rotating beam having a bracket mounting slot therein, an attaching screw connecting through said rotating beam bracket mounting slot interfacing with said bracket threaded hole in said camera mounting bracket horizontal leg, for joining the bracket to the beam in an adjustable manner. 14. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 12 further comprising a knurled thumb screw captivated within said camera mounting slot for attaching a camera onto the camera mounting bracket vertical leg. 15. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 1 wherein said adjustable camera mounting bracket further comprises a resilient thermoplastic cushion connected to said mounting bracket with pressure sensitive backing for resiliently protecting a camera when fastened to the bracket. 16. A camera tripod rotating head for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera mounted on a tripod, comprising, a tripod mounting adapter base, a rotating beam attached to said tripod mounting adapter base permitting the beam to revolve around the adapter base 360 degrees in one direction only, positioning the adapter base relative to the rotating beam at predetermined locations, and an adjustable camera mounting bracket attached to said rotating beam permitting the rotating head, with a camera attached, to sweep in a arc of rotation stopping at a series of predetermined positions allowing a photographic image to be taken at each position enabling individual images to be aligned together into a completed picture viewing surroundings as if a person were standing in one place and turning completely around. 17. A camera tripod rotating head for taking 360 degree photographic images with a camera mounted on a tripod, comprising, a rotating beam attached to a tripod mounting adapter base having means to rotate the beam to a plurality of positions around 360 degrees in one direction from the base, and an adjustable camera mounting bracket attached to the beam permitting the rotating head, with a camera attached, to sweep in an arc of rotation stopping at a series of predetermined positions allowing a photographic image to be taken at each position enabling individual images to be aligned together into a completed picture viewing a complete 360 degree surrounding. 18. The camera tripod rotating head as recited in claim 17 wherein said beam stops at 16 predetermined locations positioned at 22.5 degrees apart.