WO2004098483A2

WO2004098483A2 - Chest-mounted support apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004098483A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/013680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dean B. Rogers
Original assignee: Rogers Dean B
Priority date: 2003-05-01
Filing date: 2004-04-30
Publication date: 2004-11-18
Also published as: WO2004098483A3

Abstract

A fully mobile, individually worn, chest-mounted camera (also other objects) support apparatus incorporating a telescopically column raised tripod head, Fig. 1 (12) mounted to an articulated dual plate structure secured to the body with a shoulder harness, Fig. 2 (18, 21, 22). The apparatus features (see Fig. 1, 2, 3) a tripod upper assembly mounted to a moveable outer plate like structure (2). The outer plate (2) is connected to an ergonomically body fitting chest plate (1) with a pair of dual-pivoting hinges (7) attached near the lower edges of both plates, and with a pair of telescopic lockable arms (8) mounted to L brackets (9) at the tops of the two plates (1, 2); thereby allowing for angular adjustments of the outer plate (2) relative to the chest plate (1). The outer plate (2) can also be slide upward via the two dual-pivoting hinges, (7) which attach to and slide on guide tracts, and the outer plate (2) can be locked in place in an upward position with the use of a lock-knob fixed to a separate center tract.

Description

TITLE: CHEST-MOUNTED SUPPORT APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. Nr. 60/467,748, filed 2003 05/01

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to camera support devices, however, this invention could have other applications such as for mounting and supporting small TV's, view screens, laptop computers, and various other objects or devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is apparent from a review of the prior art that many people over the years have realized a need for a portable body held camera support to help stabilize and support cameras. Since holding a camera (not the very large shoulder supported type) steady with ones hands is an obvious problem and challenge to solve, quite a number of camera support inventions have been patented over approximately the last 100 years. In most of these patents, the inventors have declared success and have made rather extreme claims on the performance of their inventions. Few of these inventions are presently on the market, apparently because they mostly appear to have severe enough limitations and drawbacks as to make them impractical for the limited amount of support advantage that they do provide.

Of the few that are of a hands-free design, none offer the easy and wide range of adjustability my Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus offers. Additionally, none of them can support the weight of the camera as comfortably or with as much stability as the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus.

The earliest camera support invention reviewed that has a somewhat similar function to my Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus is disclosed in U.S, patent 2,313,593 to Smith (1943). It is essentially a shaft with a camera mounted at the top supported by a neck strap attached at the bottom of the shaft.

Of the many earlier camera support inventions, some, which have a closer resemblance to my Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus, include one described in U.S. patent 5,829,652 to Denzer (1998), which discloses an apparatus having a shoulder harness to which a camera support platform is attached at discrete intervals by means of two flexible fastening members; however, this camera support does not provide the ability to bring the camera inward or outward from ones eyes, and the up and down adjustment capabilities are quite limited due to the camera being mounted to a horizontal platform. U.S. patent 5,294,947 to Harrington (1994) discloses a camera support device, which uses a shoulder yoke, and which is hinged at its top so that it can fold down into a non-use position, however, this device is also quite limited in camera positioning adjustment capability, and also does not provide any of the advantages afforded from a tripod assembly mount. An invention disclosed in U.S. patent 4,327,986 to Carter (1982) does utilize a tripod type support column and camera mount, but this device would have limited and unsteady inward and outward camera adjustment, and it appears rather awkward, unstable, and uncomfortable; additionally, its harness would restrict ones arms, and moving ones arms would move the column position.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, objects and advantages for the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus include its compact dimensions which facilitate its strength and durability. The compactness also helps to make it much less awkward to handle or wear than most of the prior art inventions. It is quick and easy to put it on, and once on, it is very comfortable to wear because of its body fitting chest plate. The weight of the camera and apparatus is distributed rather evenly between the shoulder strap harness (with cross-member strap) and ones rigid rib cage. Because the weight is not supported by a soft body area such as the waist, or from the neck, which quickly becomes stressed, one is not distressed from the pressure from weight nearly as much. The combination of using an upper tripod assembly mounted in conjunction with a slidable and pivotal outer plate structure provides an extremely wide range of camera positioning adjustability. With the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus, a camera, or other device, can be positioned relatively low at the chest, or up high above ones face; it can also adjust from close to the chest or face, to relatively far from the chest or face, thus providing enough outward positioning for most needs. This makes it an ideal support apparatus for filming something high overhead, such as birds or planes. The tripod column and head permits the normal camera aiming features of a tripod, such as panning left to right, pivoting up or down, and the raising and lowering of the camera. Unlike much of the prior arts optimistic claims, this support apparatus permits true stable hands-free operation.

The stability of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus is such that with the additional harness embodiments described in the Conclusion and Ramifications, one could literally run and jump and keep the apparatus in place. Additionally, unlike the waist supported prior art, the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus does not significantly interfere with the stomach or waist, so it can be comfortably worn and used when in a sitting position.

Due to the weight bearing structural form of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus, none of its parts are subjected to any extreme stresses whereby they could easily be damaged. This means that expensive, highly specialized and extremely strong parts are not required.

SUMMARY

This Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus is much more comfortable, stable, and practical than other body supported devices that support camcorders, cameras, binoculars, or similar devices (for convenience, I will discuss the invention only as it applies to cameras). The apparatus can hold cameras in a highly stable and comfortable manner in virtually any useful position with little effort. This apparatus allows one to use a camera without the need to continuously hold the camera with one or both hands. The weight of the camera is not supported with hand and arm but rather with the apparatus. Once adjusted into position, all one needs to do to film while using this apparatus, is to keep the camera aimed in the right direction.

With this support apparatus, one essentially obtains all of the technological advancements that have been developed for tripods, such as those for the head, column assembly, and leg telescoping and locking ability, in combination with a stable body mounted portable apparatus, thereby providing a full range of camera positioning adjustability for the user. The Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus uses a practical means for incorporating these features into an individually worn chest mounted camera support. This was made possible by using a dual- plate apparatus, which allows for angular changes of the outer plate relative to the chest plate by means of a pair of dual parallel-pivoting hinges attached near the lower edges of both plate structures. The outer plate can slide and be locked into place in a vertical direction along a guide tract. The upper sections of the plates are connected via two telescopically adjustable support arms.

The apparatus also provides the ability to comfortably carry a camera about that is not in use because the outer plate will collapse and lock to a position parallel with the chest plate, thereby allowing the camera to be positioned close to the upper chest area. This is possible due to the hinged connections between the bottom portions of the two plates, along with the pivoting and telescopic ability of the upper support arms.

DRAWINGS-FIGURES

Fig. 1 is a frontal view of the apparatus while worn.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a side view while worn and while in operation.

Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment concept of a frontal view of the apparatus while worn

DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals

1 ergonomically body fitting chest plate (prototype uses particle board paneling about .8 cm or 5/16" thick)

2 outer plate like structure (prototype uses same particle board paneling as # 1)

3 two guide tracts

4 guide tract mounting brackets

5 lockdown guide tract

6 threaded female lockdown knob with spacers

7 dual parallel pivoting slidable hinges

8 telescopically adjustable support arms

9 L mounting brackets

10 telescopic arm pivot bolts

11 quick-lever lock clamps

12 tripod camera mount head (quick-release mount) 13 tripod column

14 tripod upper assembly structure

15 crank handle for camera support column

16 tripod column confinement tube

17 tripod legs, cut short

18 shoulder harness straps

19 shoulder harness mounting clevis pins

20 shoulder harness hitch pins

21 shoulder harness cross-member strap with adjustment buckle

22 shoulder harness lower portion nylon straps with adjustment buckles

23 grommeted strap attachment points

24 camcorder with viewfinder open (not part of invention)

25 knob handles

26 hinge bolts with locknuts

27 thumb screw

28 thumb screw coupler nut

29 column end plastic cap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 is a frontal view of the presently preferred embodiment of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus suspended on a person. The tripod column 13 is extended all the way up and the outer plate 2 is in its lowest possible position. The telescopically adjustable support arms 8 are extended all the way out. The chest plate 1 was designed to be ergonomically body fitting and to fit closely to the chest. It includes cut out areas in the general shape of chest muscles and it has a half circular like shaped cut out at the top center. In height in extends from the upper stomach area to the upper chest area, and in width, it covers most of the chest. .

The upper part of chest plate 1 is directly connected via clevis pins 19 to grommeted shoulder harness straps 18. The lower part of the chest plate 1 is directly connected to the shoulder supports 22 with bolts from the two guide tract 3 mounting brackets 4 through grommets in the shoulder straps 22. The outer plate structure 2 and chest plate 1 are directly connected at their lowest sections with two, essentially parallel pivoting, hinges 7. These pivoting hinges 7 are attached to the outer plate 2 with immovable bolts. The pivoting hinges 7 are attached to the chest plate 1 by a connection to the two guide tracts 3.

The pivoting hinges 7 are attached to the centers of the guide tracts 3 with bolts and locknuts 26, which have an arrangement of spacers, thereby allowing the pivoting hinges 7 to slide vertically up or down the central slot of the guide tracts 3. Both pivoting hinges 7 have two separate parallel pivots, which permit the outer plate 2 to align in parallel to the chest plate 1 when the adjustable support arms 8 are fully collapsed. When the two plates are aligned in parallel, a thumb screw 27 threaded through a nut, (glued to a tripod leg) and a hole drilled through one of the tripod legs, can be rotated and thread into a coupler nut 28 attached to the chest plate 1, thereby securing the outer plate 2.

The two parallel pivots of the pivoting hinges 7 also permit the outer plate 2 to swing outward and upward relative to the chest plate 1 and be held in the upright position from the mounting bolts fitting through a hole in the hinge plates. This feature enables the outer plate 2 to be positioned upward approximately an extra 1.5 inches from the lowest possible position of the hinges 7.

A locking guide tract 5 is mounted to the center of chest plate 1 along its vertical axis. Installed in this locking guide tract 5 is a female lockdown knob (with spacers) 6 threaded onto a modified elevator bolt that allows the lockdown knob 6 to slide vertically up or down along the locking guide tract 5. The spacers fit into a notch cut into the lowest edge of the outer plate 2. The lockdown knob 6 with its corresponding guide tract 5 allows the outer plate 2 to be adjusted to an infinite number of vertical points respective to the chest plate 1.

The two telescopically adjustable support arms 8 are attached to the upper sections of both chest plate 1 and outer plate 2, by four pivot bolts 10 fitted through holes in the flat surfaces of four L shaped mounting brackets 9 mounted directly to both plates. The support arms 8 are equipped with standard tripod leg quick-lever lock clamps 11.

Adjusting the length of the support arms 8 changes the angular orientation of the outer plate 2 relative to the chest plate 1 by moving the tops of both plates closer or farther apart.

The upper part of a tripod was used in constructing the apparatus by gluing two of the shortened tripod legs to the surface of the outer plate 2; the third leg was removed. The aiming handle of the tripod camera mount head 12 was also cut shorter to allow for better maneuverability. The two remaining tripod legs 17 were cut short enough to allow room to hold the knob handles 25, which are used to lift the outer plate 2 up or down. The tripod column 13, with its confinement tube 16, have both been cut shorter to allow enough room to operate the lockdown knob 6, which is below the tripod confinement tube 16. The confinement tube 16 does not contact the surface of the outer plate 2 because it is held somewhat outward at an angle by its fixed position within the tripod upper assembly 14. A plastic cap 29 is fitted over the end of the confinement tube 16.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus with its tripod column 13 lowered all the way down. This figure offers a view of the two guide tracts 3 and the lockdown guide tract 5. One of the two pivoting hinges 7 is also visible, as is the lockdown knob with spacers 6. This view shows the shoulder harness strap arrangement 18, 21, and 22, with the cross-member strap 21.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus while worn and in operation. In this view the wearer is leaning back slightly by leaning backward against a wall. The outer plate 2 is raised within about an inch of its highest position and the tripod column 13 is raised to its highest position. The adjustable support arms 8 are adjusted to their shortest length. In this view, the attached camcorder is aimed to the wearer's right, but one can observe that the camcorder can be aimed straight outward or upward for viewing objects high overhead.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

The operation of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus is fairly straightforward. The wearer puts the apparatus on by putting ones arms through the harness straps 22 below the cross-member strap 21. At the same time, the person extends his or her arms outward and downward, and brings his or her head and face forward and upward through the opening between the harness straps 18. The weight of the apparatus settles onto the collarbone area. The wearer can adjust the harness straps to fit snuggly by reaching back and pulling the extra length of harness strap 22, and that of the cross-member strap 21. The overall adjustment of the apparatus on the wearer will be dependent on the wearer's body dimensions.

Once the apparatus is on, the wearer can release the quick-lever lock clamps 11 to angle outward the outer plate 2 pivoting at its bottom on the hinges 7. This also allows for more room to mount the camera on the tripod camera mount head 12. The crank handle 15 can then be turned to raise the tripod column 13 to the desired height. The outer plate 2 can be adjusted to the desired angle (relative to the chest plate 1) with a slight effort from a hand, thereby allowing the camera to be positioned closer or farther away from the wearer's body. While holding the outer plate 2 in place, the wearer can lock the outer plate 2 at the desired position by locking the quick-lever lock clamps 11. If the wearer wants to film something high overhead, the outer plate 2 can be elevated up along the guide tracts 3, and can be held in place in the desired position with the lockdown knob 6, which can be tightened at any location along the vertical guide tract 5.

The apparatus can be adjusted to accommodate virtually all body types, and provides the ability to aim a camera in nearly all directions, including straight down, nearly vertical, and from side to side in either direction.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS - Fig. 4

There are various possibilities in regards to the construction of my Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus. It is of a sufficiently complex structural design, necessary to provide a stable support and a complex range of movement, that there are many structural variations possible to achieve the same basic function and range of movement. In the construction of the prototype, it was practical to connect the tripod structure directly to a generally rectangular cut board (outer plate) using adhesive. Constructing a new tripod upper assembly designed specifically for this application was not feasible; however, this is what a manufacturer of this support apparatus would need to do. Additionally, because there are several possible structural methods of locking or securing the outer plate, with its mounted tripod assembly, into its infinitely wide range of positions respective of the chest plate, it was logical to first construct the necessary support attachments that would hold and permit the outer plate to move in a desired range. Furthermore, it was logical to use a pair of hinges and guide tracts to mount the outer plate to the chest plate because two guide tracts positioned near the outsides of the plates provided more strength and stability than mounting just one in the center would have. However, it is clear that what were practical and logical means for constructing the prototype do not necessarily correlate with what would be the most logical design for a production version of the prototype.

Therefore, even though the prototype functions quite well, it is apparent that a factory production version would be more refined, and should perform somewhat better. An alternative embodiment, which could be preferred by a manufacturer, could essentially reduce some of the parts and structure that were used to build the prototype.

Eventually, I decided to use a simple and conventional method of locking or securing the outer plate in place respective of the chest plate because other methods that I thought could be better would have taken extensive resources to construct, and would have not been necessary for the demonstration of the overall concept. For example, a more elaborate variation of the guide tract and its corresponding locking knob, which was used, could be developed that would include a clickable mechanism, which could lock the second board at distinct intervals, and which could have markings to allow one to move and reposition the second board to a known specific interval.

This eventual installation of a locking guide tract to the chest plate, between the two existing parallel guide tracts, decreased the necessity of the two outside parallel guide tracts because the locking guide tract could help stabilize and support the weight of the outer plate and mounted tripod assembly. Therefore, at least in regards to the prototype form of the invention, (having a tripod assembly mounted) a single, centrally mounted guide tract, with a slidable and pivotable lock down knob or latch assembly could suffice, and the two outside tracts would not strictly be needed. This described embodiment of the tripod assembly connected to the upper support arms and the single central tract would resemble a T shape, and this concept is depicted in Fig. 4.

The outer plate, providing a planar structure and planar range of movement, on which the tripod assembly is mounted, is not needed in its entirety. Either unessential areas of the outer plate could be removed, or various shaped structural attachments could be used in its place to directly hold the tripod assembly (or other objects) in the same plane of movement of the outer plate. More specifically, structural supports could connect the tripod upper assembly to the upper support arms, thereby eliminating the full need of the plate at its upper end, and another structural support or supports could attach the column of the tripod pivotably and slidably to a body plate central guide tract without the need for the lower part of the plate. This would be a form of reduction of the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus.

Another alternative embodiment would use essentially the same basic design for the body fitting chest plate, but the structure mounted to the chest plate would be different. A tripod upper assembly, much the same as the presently preferred alternative's could also be used, except that the tripod column would be of a shorter length in this alternative embodiment. This shorter tripod assembly would be held by its side areas (viewed face on) with a dual bracket-like structure, which would allow the bracket and attached tripod assembly to pivot vertically up and down from two attachment locations near the outside edges of the chest plate, in an approximate 180 degree arc of movement. This embodiment could be especially valuable for binocular users because one could quickly swing the binoculars up from a down position to an up position in which the tripod height and angle had been previously adjusted for the binoculars to align with ones eye position.

Additionally, to provide hands free support, this embodiment could include one or two telescopic support arms permanently or removeably attached to the chest plate. The arm or arms could be attached or detached to the tripod assembly or bracket with a hook type latch structure, or other mechanism, which would facilitate a quick and easy connect and disconnect of the arms. Additionally, this embodiment could include guide tracts mounted to the chest plate, which the pivoting bracket would mount to, so that the bracket could be adjusted vertically up or down. Furthermore, the chest plate would likely include a pad near the bottom for the binoculars, camera, or other device to rest on when the bracket was pivoted in its down position.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

Other potential embodiments include the construction of a more mechanically controlled method of raising and lowering the outer plate structure respective of the chest plate instead of the lifting by hand method already described. This more mechanically controlled method could incorporate a geared tract with a hand or motor driven drive gear similar to those used to raise and lower a tripod column.

The same general gear driven method could also be used to extend and detract the telescopic support arms, which support and adjust the angular position of the outer plate structure. Essentially, these arms, or even a single arm, could employ a gear tract; driven by a drive gear connected to a crank handle, a push lever, or possibly a spring loaded hand squeezed geared mechanism.

As previously first described in the background of the invention, two of the three tripod legs were utilized to mount the tripod assembly to the outer plate structure with an adhesive. While this was an effective and practical method for the construction of the prototype, these two tripod legs would not be essential for production versions of the invention. Predetermined, factory specific, upper tripod assemblies would likely be designed to attach to the outer plate structure with a strong connection.

The tripod column confinement tube could be attached directly to the outer plate structure, in parallel, or at a predetermined angle to the plane of the outer plate structure. Furthermore, another potential embodiment could utilize an upper tripod assembly, of predetermined design, which would employ an adjustably locking pivot at the upper assembly. This would allow the entire tripod assembly and column angle to pivot and adjust in or out respective to the surface of the outer plate structure.

Additionally, tripod columns could be used, which allow for the detachment and attachment of various kinds of tripod heads, so that cameras with different mounts can all be used. Also, a tripod column of the air cushioned type could be used in an embodiment.

Even though the primary chest plate would be made ergonomically body fitting, an embodiment with the addition of padding to the chest plate may be of benefit and worthwhile, especially in situations where the apparatus is worn for long periods.

An aspect of the body fitting chest plate, which some may consider an embodiment, is that the chest plate could include body hugging flanges, which would curve around the chest to some extent, to help hold the apparatus more securely in place.

Other ways in which the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus could be held more securely to the body include the possible addition of a waist belt and or additional straps. Additional straps could be attached to the shoulder straps, which would connect to the sides of the chest plate about halfway up. Also, a strap could extend from one, or both lower corners, of the chest plate and loop around the upper legs at the groin.

The construction of Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus versions designed specifically for use underwater; and the potential inclusion of various design embodiments intended so that a wearer will not sink, or sink as quickly in water.

A potential embodiment could include the addition of attachment points (connectors), which would allow for a general storage, or camera supply pack to be permanently or removeably attached to the shoulder harness on the wearer's back. Also, the two plates of the apparatus have enough available surface area so that they could possibly be designed to carry extra camera supplies such as film or batteries.

While the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus prototype has been tried on by several adults, male and female, and was comfortable to all, it has not been tried on a very small person yet, so I expect that making the chest plate and some of its attached parts in two or even more sizes to provide a more accurate fit to the wearer is a possible embodiment.

There are many potential uses and embodiments for the Chest-Mounted Support Apparatus in forms with and without the tripod assembly, and with or without the outer plate structure. Forms are possible, which have a specifically designed support structure mounted to the chest plate, or forms with modified outer plate structures.

Some of the possible versions of the apparatus could be used to support things such as laptop computers, palm held computers, televisions, GPS or any other type of view screen device, also, various radios (including military), and any instrument (including musical) held and operated with the hands. Additionally, versions of the apparatus could support firearms, lights, and lasers; others could support papers, books, and magazines, and a variation could function as a portable basket or table like platform.

Claims

Claims: I claim:

1. A chest-mounted support apparatus, comprising:

(a) an ergonomically body fitting chest plate of predetermined size, shape, configuration, and thickness from which a variety of different objects, structures, or devices can be mounted to;

(b) a structural means for mounting said objects, structures, or devices to respective said ergonomically body fitting chest plate;

(c) a means of attachment for securing said ergonomically body fitting chest plate to the chest area of the body. whereby a human can support and hold various objects without the continuous need of ones hands.

2. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ergonomically body fitting chest plate includes cutout areas or indentations for chest muscles and breasts to fit, and wherein it does not strictly only cover the chest, but which also extends somewhat below what might be considered the lowest part of the chest, which is also considered the upper stomach or abdominal area.

3. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for the mounting of said objects, structures, or devices includes mechanical pivots and connecting linkages.

4. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for mounting said objects or structures to said chest plate includes; a mechanical pivot attached to the said object or structure, which is attached respectively to and slidable along a guide or tract.

5. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means of securing said chest plate to the chest of the body comprises an adjustable harness arrangement of predetermined size, positioning, and materials.

6. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 5 wherein said adjustable harness arrangement includes shoulder straps connected to said body fitting chest plate.

7. A chest-mounted support apparatus, comprising:

(a) an ergonomically body fitting chest plate of predetermined size, shape, configuration, and thickness' from^, which, a variety of different objects, structures, or devices can be mounted to; (b) a means for mounting said objects, structures, or devices to respective said ergonomically body fitting chest plate;

(c) a means of attachment for securing said ergonomically body fitting chest plate to the chest area of the body.

(d) an outer plate, or a plurality of outer plate like structures of predetermined size, shape, and thickness, which are respectively connected to said ergonomically body fitting chest plate.

8. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 7 wherein said outer plate or a plurality of outer plate like structures are connected slidably to said chest plate.

9. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 8 wherein said outer plate like structure/s is/are connected slidably to said chest plate with a plurality of pivots, whereby said pivots are attached directly, or indirectly via support structures, to guides or tracts attached to either said chest plate or said outer plate.

10. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pivots are hinges having two pivots each, thus allowing said chest plate and said outer plate like structure to be positioned in an essentially parallel and predetermined distance apart.

11. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 10 wherein said hinges further include a hole through the planar surface of the middle part of the three part hinge, whereby when said outer plate like structure is pulled outward and upward from the bottom, respective of said chest plate, the holes in the hinges will align and fit around the outside of the fastening mechanism used to secure the hinge to the guide, and which can therefore hold in place said outer plate like structure in an elevated position respective to said chest plate.

12. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 7 further including a plurality of support arms connecting the upper area of said chest plate with the upper area of said outer plate, or said plurality of outer plate like structures.

13. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 7 wherein a single support arm is used to connect the upper area of said chest plate with the-upper-ar-earof-sa-d-outer plate like structure.

14. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 12 wherein said support arms are of the telescopically adjustable and lockable type, which allow movement and adjustment of said outer plate like structure to change its planar surface angular orientation, respective to the planar surface of said chest plate, from an essentially parallel orientation, when said chest mounted support apparatus is in its fully collapsed position, to one in which said outer plate like structure can angle outward a predetermined angle from the top of respective said chest plate.

15. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 14 further including a means of locking or holding secure said outer plate like structure in a position elevated respective to said chest plate.

16. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 15 wherein said means of locking or holding secure said outer plate like structure includes the use of a guide or tract which further includes a lockdown knob or latch.

17. The chest-mounted support apparatus of claim 14 wherein the said outer plate like structure has an object, structure, or device mounted to it whereby it is supported.

18. A chest-mounted support apparatus, comprising:

(b) a means for mounting said objects, structures, or devices to respective said ergonomically body fitting chest plate;

(c) a means of attachment for securing said ergonomically body fitting chest plate to the chest area of the body;

(d) an outer plate, or a plurality of outer plate like structures of predetermined size, shape, and thickness, which are respectively connected to said ergonomically body fitting chest plate;

(e) a modified camera tripod assembly mounted to said outer plate like structure in an essentially upright position and including; whereby a camera, binoculars, or other devices designed to mount on said tripod mounting head can be mounted to and comfortably supported in place respective of ones body without the continuous need of ones hands for support.