US4095250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable camera carriage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-19
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Granted: 1978-06-13
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Expires: 1996-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A steerable camera carriage comprises a triangular base plate having an upright shaft rotatably supported at each of its corners. Each shaft has a support wheel for the carriage on the bottom thereof and camera equipment mounted on the upper end thereof. An upright post provided with a steering wheel is rotatably mounted on the center of said base plate. A sprocket on the lower end of the post is connected by an endless chain to a sprocket on the lower end of each of the shafts. With such an arrangement, the steering wheel in addition to serving to control the direction of movement of the carriage provides for controlling the angular orientation of the cameras to facilitate the taking of pictures by a photographer.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick G. Giglioli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A steerable camera carriage comprising: a base member having bearing openings at the corners thereof and a bearing opening intermediate the corners thereof; an upright shaft journaled in each of said corner bearing openings for rotation about a vertical axis; each of said shafts having a support wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end thereof and a wheel sprocket disposed thereon below said base member; support means for individual camera equipment mounted on the upper end of each of said shafts so as to rotate therewith about the vertical axis thereof; a steering post journaled in said intermediate bearing opening for rotation about a vertical axis; said steering post having a control sprocket disposed thereon below said base member; and an endless chain for interlocking the control sprocket and each of the wheel sprockets; the rotation of said steering post being operable to drive said chain to rotate each of said shafts about its vertical axis and thereby control the angular displacement of the support means for the individual camera equipment mounted on each of said shafts while said carriage is maintained in a given position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A steerable camera carriage comprising: a base member having bearing openings at the corners thereof and a bearing opening intermediate the corners thereof; an upright shaft journaled in each of said corner bearing openings for rotation about a vertical axis; each of said shafts having a support wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end thereof and a wheel sprocket disposed thereon below said base member; support means for individual camera equipment mounted on the upper end of each of said shafts so as to rotate therewith about the vertical axis thereof; a steering post journaled in said intermediate bearing opening for rotation about a vertical axis; said steering post having a control sprocket disposed thereon below said base member; and an endless chain for interlocking the control sprocket and each of the wheel sprockets; the rotation of said steering post being operable to drive said chain to rotate each of said shafts about its vertical axis and thereby control the angular displacement of the support means for the individual camera equipment mounted on each of said shafts while said carriage is maintained in a given position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
A steerable camera carriage comprising: a base frame having bearing openings at the corners thereof and a bearing opening intermediate the corners thereof; an upright shaft journaled on each of said corner bearing openings for rotation about a vertical axis; a support wheel for said base frame rotatably mounted on the lower end of each of said shafts; a wheel sprocket on each of said shafts; a steering post journaled in said intermediate bearing opening for rotation about a vertical axis; a conrol sprocket on said steering post; an endless chain for interlocking the control sprocket and each of the wheel sprockets; and a support means for camera equipment mounted on each of said shafts so as to be rotatably adjustable about the vertical axis thereof and including locking means for locking it in position on said shaft; whereby the support means for camera equipment can be selectively locked on their respective shafts in different relative positions of rotation, and thereafter rotated together while maintaining their relative positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
A steerable camera carriage comprising: a base frame having bearing openings at the corners thereof and a bearing opening intermediate the corners thereof; an upright shaft journaled on each of said corner bearing openings for rotation about a vertical axis; a support wheel for said base frame rotatably mounted on the lower end of each of said shafts; a wheel sprocket on each of said shafts; a steering post journaled in said intermediate bearing opening for rotation about a vertical axis; a conrol sprocket on said steering post; an endless chain for interlocking the control sprocket and each of the wheel sprockets; and a support means for camera equipment mounted on each of said shafts so as to be rotatably adjustable about the vertical axis thereof and including locking means for locking it in position on said shaft; whereby the support means for camera equipment can be selectively locked on their respective shafts in different relative positions of rotation, and thereafter rotated together while maintaining their relative positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said base frame is generally triangular in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said support means for camera equipment is a horizontal arm whose inner end is attached to said shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
156 words
A steerable camera carriage comprising: a triangular base member; an upright shaft rotatably supported on each corner of said base member for rotation about a vertical axis; a support wheel for the base member rotatably mounted on the lower end of each said shaft; a support element for individual camera equipment mounted on each said shaft so as to rotate therewith about the vertical axis thereof; an upright steering post rotatably supported on said base member intermediate the corners thereof; and means for interlocking said steering post and said shafts so that rotation of the steering post results in the rotation of said shafts; whereby rotation of said steering post provides for steering the support wheels while moving said carriage from one place to another and also provides for controlling the angular orientation of the support elements for the individual camera equipment mounted on each said shaft while said carrige is maintained in a given position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
A steerable camera carriage comprising: a triangular base member; an upright shaft rotatably supported on each corner of said base member for rotation about a vertical axis; a support wheel for the base member rotatably mounted on the lower end of each said shaft; a support element for individual camera equipment mounted on each said shaft so as to rotate therewith about the vertical axis thereof; an upright steering post rotatably supported on said base member intermediate the corners thereof; and means for interlocking said steering post and said shafts so that rotation of the steering post results in the rotation of said shafts; whereby rotation of said steering post provides for steering the support wheels while moving said carriage from one place to another and also provides for controlling the angular orientation of the support elements for the individual camera equipment mounted on each said shaft while said carrige is maintained in a given position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said camera equipment comprises camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein said camera equipment on at least one of said shafts comprises a spotlight.
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) | 1981-06-12 | 1981-12-12 | 1982-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-12 | 1985-12-12 | 1986-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-12 | 1989-12-12 | 1990-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |