A projector stand includes an elevator member fitted to a strut such that the elevator member can be raised and lowered, a guide plate fixed to the upper end of the elevator member, a slide member horizontally movable along the guide plate, and a three-axis adjustment mechanism provided or the slide member.

A support facility for a binocular has a base, the base including a tripod connection facility, a flexible strap having a first strap end connected to the base, and an opposed second strap end, a tensioner connected to the base and to the second strap end, the flexible strap, the base, and the tensioner defining an opening configured to receive a first barrel of the binocular, and the flexible strap including a length adjustment facility adjustable over a range of length adjustment positions. The length adjustment facility may be configured to provide a selected strap length based on the diameter of the first barrel. The tensioner may be configured to operate between a released position in which the length adjustment facility is removable from or movable along the flexible strap and an engaged position in which the support facility is engaged to the first barrel.

A locking system securing an image scanning device to a container includes a first and second compressible material. A first securing plate is disposed between the first and second compressible materials, while a second securing plate is adjacent to the second compressible material on a surface opposite a surface of the second compressible material that is adjacent to the first securing plate. A ball is disposed within curved edges of the first and second securing plates, where the curved edges each curve away from the second compressible material. A shaft extends from the ball to the image scanning device. A fastener is secured through the first and second securing plates, and into the securing surface to lock the ball, and subsequently the shaft and image scanning device, in place. The locking system can be secured to a pitched surface to naturally position the image scanning device perpendicular to level ground.

Photography backdrop support apparatus and systems can include improvements in portability for a photographic backdrop support structures. In some embodiments, the improved photographic support structure can support up to three vertical surfaces around one horizontal surface. A photographic backdrop system support structure can be designed to support additional accessories and light sources to provide versatility in lighting and other photographic optimizations. Other attachable accessories can include a staging table, camera mount and/or lighting mount. The size and portability of the photographic backdrop system can be optimized in size and can be made to optimize the portability of the system while allowing for ample space to photograph objects the size of food such as fruit and vegetables, for example.

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.

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.

A camera metrology apparatus including a base section, a drive section with independent drive axes, and an actuation platform having a camera mount, with a predetermined camera mount interface for a camera, and a camera stimulation source mount, with a predetermined stimulation source mount interface, and being coupled to one of the drive axes to generate relative motion between each interface effecting metrology measurement of the camera, wherein the actuation platform has a selectable configuration between different predetermined platform configurations, each with different predetermined mounting location characteristics changing a predetermined mounting location of the camera mount interface or stimulation source mount interface and effecting a different predetermined metrology measurement characteristic, and the camera mount and the camera stimulation source mount are arranged to define a repeatable relative position between the camera mount interface and stimulation source mount interface in each platform configuration and effect free selection between each platform configuration.

A camera metrology apparatus including a base section, a drive section with independent drive axes, and an actuation platform having a camera mount, with a predetermined camera mount interface for a camera, and a camera stimulation source mount, with a predetermined stimulation source mount interface, and being coupled to one of the drive axes to generate relative motion between each interface effecting metrology measurement of the camera, wherein the actuation platform has a selectable configuration between different predetermined platform configurations, each with different predetermined mounting location characteristics changing a predetermined mounting location of the camera mount interface or stimulation source mount interface and effecting a different predetermined metrology measurement characteristic, and the camera mount and the camera stimulation source mount are arranged to define a repeatable relative position between the camera mount interface and stimulation source mount interface in each platform configuration and effect free selection between each platform configuration.

A head assembly for a tripod comprising a head portion and a bowl portion releasably connectable to one another, the bowl portion having a clamp stud and the head portion having a stud catch mechanism, wherein the stud catch mechanism is adapted to be releasably connectable to the clamp stud, and wherein the head assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust the connection between the head portion and the bowl portion when the head portion and bowl portion are connected to one another.

A mobile self-unloading observatory is presented for transporting observation equipment such as a telescope to a remote location, with a subsequent automatic setting up the equipment for observation. The observation equipment is transported on a suspended platform that protects the equipment against shock and vibrations. At the remote location, a self-leveling telescopic pier is extended to the ground under the chassis of the observatory, and released from being held within a frame of the observatory. The telescopic pier is extended towards the platform to support the observation equipment over the ground. The transportation, the setting up, and the teardown of the equipment may be performed without having to manually handle heavy or bulky objects.