Gravity stabilized camera and operator mount

Claim 2

An assembly for installation in a window opening of an airborne vehicle providing gravity stabilization of a camera and its operator against changes in vehicle attitude comprising a combination: A. a tilt frame mounting a camera thereon; B. a main frame; C. pin means pivotably mounting the tilt frame in the swing frame; D. a universal assembly hang-mounting the main swing frame in the vehicle window opening to provide rotational motion and front-to-back and side-to-side rocking motion to the swing frame; E. an operator mounting assembly exhibiting front-to-back and side-to-side rocking motion when occupied; F. means mounting the operator assembly in the vehicle; and G. means interconnecting the main swing frame and the operator assembly such that both move as an intergral unit irrespective of the motions of the vehicle.

Claim 3

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein hang-mounting of the universal assembly is accomplished by attaching the universal to a substantially horizontal plate through shock mounts on the plate, said plate attached to an overhead frame member in the vehicle window opening.

Claim 4

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tilt frame comprises: a. a pair of leg channels and a cross channel in a U-configuration with each leg channel mountedin the main swing frame by respective pin means; b. a wedge plate adjustably mounted on the cross channel for attachment of a camera thereto; and c. means in each leg channel to adjust the tilt frame relative tothe swing frame.

Claim 5

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the wedge plate and tilt frame adjustments locate the c.g. balance of a camera mounted in the tilt frame.

Claim 6

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means in each leg channel for adjusting the tilt frame relative to the swing frame comprise: a. a block slideably received in the leg channel and mounted to the pin means, said block having a threaded bore therethrough having an axis in line with the channel; and b. a bolt rotatably received in the end of the leg channel to engage the threaded bore in the block such that turning of the bolt effects an adjustment of the tilt frame along the channel relative to thepin means.

Claim 7

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the operator mounting assembly comprises: a. a Y-configured yoke; b. an operator seat having a pair of vertical side braces; c. means pivotably mounting the seat braces to the yoke such that the seat rocks in a front-to-back motion on the yoke; and d. means rotatably mounting the base of the yoke to the means mounting the operator assembly in the vehicle.

Claim 8

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means interconnecting the operator mounting assembly and the main swing frame comprises a platform pivotably attached to the operator seat at one end and to the main swing frame at the other.

Claim 9

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means interconnecting the operator assembly and the main swing frame comprises a link adjustable along its length and pivotably connected at one end to the operator seat and at the other end to the main swing frame.

Claim 10

The gravity stabilized assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the operator mounting assembly comprises: a. a Y-configured yoke having a pair of arms and a base member, the base member bearing mounted in a substantially horizontal position to the means mounting the assembly in the vehicle; b. an operator seat; and c. a pair of braces attached to each side of the seat at one of their ends and pin mounted to respective yoke arms at the other end, said seat effecting a front-to-rear and side-to-side rocking motion relative to vehicle motion when occupied.

Claim 11

An assembly for installation in a cabin window opening of a dirigible type vehicle to gravity stabilize a camera and an operator from changes in vehicle attitude while aloft, comprising in combination: A. a main swing frame; B. a tilt frame for mounting a camera thereon pivotably mounted in the swing frame to provide tilting motion to a camera in the frame; C. a universal assembly hang-mounting the swing frame in the window opening to provide front-to-back, side-to-side, and rotational motion to the swing frame; D. a stationary post mounted in the vehicle cabin; E. an operator seat assembly pivot-mounted from the post to rock in front-to-rear and side-to-side directions; and F. means interconnecting the main swing frame and the operator seat assembly such that the swing frameand seat assembly operate as an integral unit with respect to relative motion between it and the vehicle.

Claim 12

An assembly for installation in a cabin window opening of a dirigible type vehicle to gravity stabilize a camera and an operator from changes in vehicle attitude while aloft, comprising in combination: A. a main swing frame; B. a tilt frame for mounting a camera thereon pivotably mounted in the swing frame to provide tilting motion to a camera in the frame; C. a universal assembly hang-mounting the swing frame in the window opening to provide front-to-back, side-to-side, and rotational motion to the swing frame; D. a stationary post mounted in the vehicle cabin; E. an operator seat assembly pivot-mounted from the post to rock in front-to-rear and side-to-side directions; and F. means interconnecting the main swing frame and the operator seat assembly such that the swing frameand seat assembly operate as an integral unit with respect to relative motion between it and the vehicle.

Claim 13

The assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the tilt frame includes means for adjusting the horizontal and vertical position of a camera such as to locate the c.g. of the camera in the frame.

Claim 14

The assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the operator seat assembly comprises: a. a yoke having a pair of arm members and a base member, the base member bearing-mounted in a substantially horizontal position to the stationary post; b. an operator seat; and c. a brace attached to each side of the seat at one end thereof and pin-mounted to respective yoke arms at the other end.

Claim 15

The assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the means interconnecting the main swing frame and operator seat assembly comprises a platform pivotably connected to the main swing frame and the seat assembly.

Claim 16

The assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the seat assembly includes a footrest attached to the underside of the operator seat and the means interconnecting the swing frame and seat assembly comprises a pivotably connected link.