US3559552A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera carriage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-10
•
Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1989-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A television camera carriage comprising a horizontal platform supported by four dirigible wheels on struts which may be selectively raised to provide a clear view for a camera pivotally supported beneath the platform, counterweight means being operative by movement of the camera to shift the center of gravity of the carriage so as to be stable irrespective of which of several struts is raised.
Inventors
- 👤 Meyer Weitzel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/56; G03B17/561
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A wheeled camera carriage comprising: horizontal platform means; strut means depending from said platform means; four dirigible wheels mounted at the lower ends of said strut means and adapted to support said platform means for movement over a plane surface, said wheels defining the corners of a quadrangle; drive means connected to a plurality of said wheels for effecTing said movement; camera support means pivotally connected to said platform means and operative to support a camera beneath said platform means for rotational movement about a vertical axis extending substantially through the lens system of said camera and between the strut means of two adjacent ones of said wheels; a boom extending from said camera supporting means for rotational movement therewith; counter weight means mounted on said boom; and wheel elevating means operative to alternatively raise one or the other of said two adjacent wheels whereby said camera can be rotated through an extended predetermined arc without either of said adjacent wheels being viewed thereby; said counter weight means being operative to shift the center of gravity of said carriage away from whichever of said adjacent wheels is elevated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A wheeled camera carriage comprising: horizontal platform means; strut means depending from said platform means; four dirigible wheels mounted at the lower ends of said strut means and adapted to support said platform means for movement over a plane surface, said wheels defining the corners of a quadrangle; drive means connected to a plurality of said wheels for effecTing said movement; camera support means pivotally connected to said platform means and operative to support a camera beneath said platform means for rotational movement about a vertical axis extending substantially through the lens system of said camera and between the strut means of two adjacent ones of said wheels; a boom extending from said camera supporting means for rotational movement therewith; counter weight means mounted on said boom; and wheel elevating means operative to alternatively raise one or the other of said two adjacent wheels whereby said camera can be rotated through an extended predetermined arc without either of said adjacent wheels being viewed thereby; said counter weight means being operative to shift the center of gravity of said carriage away from whichever of said adjacent wheels is elevated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A carriage as defined in claim 1, and wherein: said strut means are four in number, each comprising a vertical shaft portion journaled in a corner portion of said platform means; and steering motor means mounted on said platform means and operatively connected to said shaft portions of said strut means for dirigibly steering said wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A carriage as defined in claim 2, and wherein: the shaft portions of the strut means for said two adjacent wheels between which the camera is located being axially movable to effect said elevation of said adjacent wheels; and said wheel elevating means comprising elevating motor means mounted on said platform means, means connecting said elevating motor means to said strut means for said two adjacent wheels and operative to elevate one or the other thereof in response to predetermined turning movement of said camera by said support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A carriage as defined in claim 3, and wherein: said camera support means comprises a boom extending away from said axis toward the end of said carriage remote from said adjacent wheels; and said counter weight means being supported by said boom at an end portion thereof remote from said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
A carriage as defined in claim 4, and wherein: said elevating motor means comprises first and second elevating motors, respectively associated with first and second shaft portions of said strut means for said adjacent wheels; said means connecting said elevating motor means to said strut means comprises first screw means rotatable by said first elevating motor, second screw means rotatable by said second elevating motor, first and second thrust means connected to said first and second shaft portions and having nut portions engaged by said first and second screw means; and control means operative to energize said elevating motors in accordance with turning movement and position of said camera support means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Carriage means as defined in claim 5, and wherein: said control means comprises cam means and cam operated switch means operable upon predetermined movements of said camera support means through predetermined angular positions; a friction member mounted for limited movements responsive to direction of movement of said camera support means; and additional switch means actuable by said friction member upon said limited movements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |