Camera bracket

Abstract

The present invention is a bracket for use with a camera and a flash unit. The bracket comprises a base support member having a mounting portion adapted to engage with the bottom surface of the camera. The bracket further comprises a vertical support member engaged to the base support member. The bracket further comprises a horizontal support member engaged to the vertical support member. The bracket further comprise a flash unit support arm moveably engaged to the horizontal support member. The flash unit support arm extends from a first end portion to a second end portion which is adapted to mount the flash unit. The flash unit support arm is rotatable from a first position where the flash unit support arm extends inward to the vertical support member to allow the person to orientate the bracket to take a horizontal photograph to a second position where the flash unit support arm extends outward from the vertical support member to allow the person to orientate the bracket to take a vertical photograph. The bracket further comprise a first handle member engaged with the base support member and a second handle member engaged with the vertical support member. The first and second handle members extend outward from the base support member and the vertical support member, respectively. The first and second handle members are each disposed in close proximity to the center of gravity of the bracket. In the first position, the photographer may with a single hand grasp the first handle member to support the bracket and focus the camera to take a horizontal photograph. In the second position, the photographer may with a single hand gasp the second handle member to support the bracket and focus the camera to take a vertical photograph.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bracket for use with a camera and a flash unit, the camera having a bottom surface, a side surface, and a lens, the bracket comprises: 
 (a) a base support member having a mounting portion adapted to engage with the bottom surface of the camera;    (b) a vertical support member engaged to said base support member;    (c) a horizontal support member engaged to said vertical support member;    (d) a flash unit support arm moveably engaged to said horizontal support member, said flash unit support arm extends from a first end portion to a second end portion which is adapted to mount the flash unit, said flash unit support arm is moveable from a first position where the flash unit support arm extends inward to said first vertical support member to allow the person to orientate the bracket to take a horizontal photograph to a second position where the flash unit support arm extends outward from said vertical support member to allow the person to orientate the bracket to take a vertical photograph.    
     
     
         2 . The bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising a first handle member engaged with said base support member and a second handle member engaged with said vertical support member, said first and second handle members extending outward from the base support member and vertical support member, respectively.  
     
     
         3 . The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein said first handle member is disposed below the camera and in close proximity to the center of gravity of the bracket so that in said first position the person may with a single hand grasp said first handle member to support the bracket, focus the camera, and take a horizontal photograph.  
     
     
         4 . The bracket of  claim 3 , wherein said second handle member is disposed below the camera and in close proximity to the center of gravity of the bracket so that in said second position the person may with a single hand grasp said first handle member to support the bracket, focus the camera, and take a vertical photograph.  
     
     
         5 . The bracket of  claim 4 , further comprising a mounting bracket having a first sidewall engaged with said second end portion of said horizontal support member and a second sidewall engaged with said first end portion of said flash unit support arm.  
     
     
         6 . The bracket of  claim 5 , wherein said first end portion of said flash unit support arm is rotatably connected to said second sidewall of said mounting bracket.  
     
     
         7 . The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein said flash unit support arm comprises a handle member to allow the person to rotate the flash unit support arm between said first position and said second position.  
     
     
         8 . The bracket of  claim 7 , wherein said first end portion of said flash unit support arm comprises first and second openings.  
     
     
         9 . The bracket of  claim 8 , further comprising an index plunger secured to said second side wall of said mounting bracket, said index plunger having a pin.  
     
     
         10 . The bracket of  claim 9 , wherein said pi n is engaged with said first opening when said flash unit support arm is moved to said first position.  
     
     
         11 . The bracket of  claim 10 , wherein said pin is engaged with said second opening when said flash unit support arm is moved to said second position.  
     
     
         12 . The bracket of  claim 11 , further comprising a first camera support member in bearing contact with the first side surface of the camera to prevent deflection of the camera when the person orientates the bracket to said second position to take a vertical photograph.  
     
     
         13 . The bracket of  claim 12 , wherein said first camera support member has a first end portion engaged with said first support member and a second end portion in bearing contact with the first side of the camera.  
     
     
         14 . The bracket of  claim 12 , wherein said first camera support member has a first end portion engaged with said base support member and a second end portion in bearing contact with the first side of the camera.  
     
     
         15 . The bracket of  claim 13 , wherein said length of said first camera support member is adjustable to position said second end portion in bearing contact with the first side  15  of the camera.  
     
     
         16 . The bracket of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of legs extending downward from said base support member to support the bracket on a surface.  
     
     
         17 . The bracket of  claim 16 , wherein said vertical support member is substantially perpendicular to said base support member.  
     
     
         18 . The bracket of  claim 17 , wherein said horizontal support member is substantially perpendicular to said vertical support member and parallel to said base support member.  
     
     
         19 . The bracket of  claim 18 , wherein said first handle member is in the shape of a knob.  
     
     
         20 . The bracket of  claim 19 , wherein said first and second handle members can be adjusted to change the length of said first and second handle members from said base support member and said vertical support member, respectively.