ES2561902B1 - Extensible guide rail for cameras - Google Patents

Abstract

Guide rail (1) extendable for cameras; of the type comprising a calibrated main base (2) on which parallel guides (3) are also mounted, calibrated by which a carriage (4) runs with at least one standardized platform (5) for mounting a camera , which additionally comprises additional bases (2a, 2b) removable in continuity with the main base (2), and comprising coplanar mounting means of the additional bases (2a, 2b) and continuity means of the guides (3).

Description

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EXTENSIBLE GUIDE RAIL FOR CAMERAS

DESCRIPTION

5 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an extensible guide rail of reduced size for cameras, which allows flexible configuration and modulation of its length.

10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, guide lanes are used in cinematography through which shots can be obtained with the camera moving along them. Said guide rails comprise a calibrated main base on which guides are mounted

15 parallel - normally two - equally calibrated by which a carriage runs with at least one standardized mounting platform for a camera.

As there can be no vibration, shock or tremor that causes even the slightest movement in the camera during the shots, the guides must be perfectly flat,

20 parallel, and do not have any type of splice or discontinuity since the slightest separation in the continuity of any of the lanes would result in a shake in the image.

For this reason, in this sector of the technique although the existing large-format guide rails

25 allow to modulate its length by splicing sections and using rubber wheels to avoid vibrations in the section joints, the small format guide rails, which are those that can be used indoors and in small spaces are of fixed lengths, lanes commercially existing Small format guide of several specific lengths. This configuration forces the producers to acquire guide rails of this format of different

30 lengths, and in addition to lengthen the path of the camera, these complete sections must be changed to those of the appropriate length, which takes a considerable time that increases production costs.

With the guide rails of elements of great precision in terms of coplanarity and parallelism of the guides, the high price of them and the obligation of 2 are evident.

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having guide rails of different lengths implies high costs for the production company, which is a technical problem that solves the guide rail of the invention.

In this document, as calibrated bases or guides it is understood that they present

5 very low tolerances in its coplanarity and parallelism, in order to avoid movements or shaking in the image taken, always within the tolerances of this sector of the technique.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The guide rail of the invention has a modular configuration that allows mounting of guide rails of different lengths, without limitation, resulting in a reduction in the production costs of a film or film shot. In addition, it is particularly suitable for use in confined spaces thanks to its disassembly possibilities

15 and transport, which facilitate this use, being especially practical in places of difficult access for larger format systems.

According to the invention, the extensible guide rail for cameras is of the type comprising a calibrated main base on which parallel guides are mounted

20 also calibrated - through which a carriage runs with at least one standardized mounting platform for a camera. Said standardized platform for example can be a mitchell or ronford base, on which a two or three axis camera head is placed.

According to the invention, the guide rail additionally comprises additional bases

25 removable in continuity with the main base, and further comprising coplanar mounting means of said additional bases and continuity means of the guides.

With this basic configuration, modular assemblies of the appropriate length to what the different shots to be made, without buying guide rails, are achieved

30 monolithic of different fixed lengths.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the guide rail of the invention.

5 Figure 2 shows a view of the assembled guide rail of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a sectional detail of the coplanar mounting means between the main base and the additional bases.

10 Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the first terminal with a drive motor of the guide rail car of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a sectional detail of the ends of full contact between guides in continuity.

15 Figure 6 shows a sectional detail of the means of full contact between the carriage and the guides

Figure 7 shows a top plan detail of an alignment bridge between guides in continuity.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional detail of an alignment bridge between guides in continuity.

25 DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

As seen in general in Figures 1 and 2, the extendable guide rail (1) for cameras of the invention is of the type comprising a calibrated main base (2) - that is, perfectly flat according to the maximum tolerances allowed. in the technical sector-

30 in which parallel guides (3) are mounted - two in this non-limiting example of the invention - also calibrated by which a carriage (4) runs with at least one standardized platform (5) for mounting a Camera, not represented.

Said standardized platform (5) also comprises a standardized anchoring system to place a rotating base (6) for the camera, which can be a two or 4 chamber head.

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three axes, and it can have an immobilizer along the guides (3) - for example a lateral clamping screw (7) on one of them.

According to the invention, the guide rail (1) additionally comprises additional bases (2a, 2b) removable, in continuity with the main base (2), and comprising coplanar mounting means of the additional bases (2a, 2b) and means of continuity of the guides (3).

The guides (3) are attached to the bases (2, 2a, 2b) by means of coupling screws

(8) interdissociated so as to prevent excessive movements - deformations or games - of the guides (3). The interdistance of the coupling screws (8) can vary, being able to move in values for example between 10 to 20 cm.

The coplanar mounting means of the additional bases (2a, 2b) preferably comprise coplanarity plates (9a, 9b), the action of which can be seen in detail in Figure 3, understood herein as coplanarity plates having faces of contact (100) flat and calibrated so that its tightening against the bases (2, 2a, 2b) to be coupled achieves their perfect coplanarity. Said coplanar plates (9a, 9b) ideally comprise upper plates (9a) and lower plates (9b) between which the ends of the bases to be coupled are trapped, the upper plates (9a) being coupled to the lower plates (9b). ) by means of tightening screws (10) that pass through the bases to be coupled as shown in Figure 3. In addition, it is provided that additionally the lower plates (9b) may comprise permanent fasteners, for example non-through screws (11), to one of the bases to join, as seen in the same figure. In the same way, more additional bases, not shown, can be joined together on the first additional bases (2a, 2b) attached to the main base (2), until reaching the length required for the use of the guide rail (1) , in a modular way.

The continuity means of the guides (3), in this non-limiting example of the invention, comprise partial overlaps (13) (see fig. 2) of some of them on adjacent bases (2, 2a, 2b) (see fig. 1 and 2), and full contact ends (12) (see fig. 5) - that is, with completely flat contact faces with tolerances preferably less than 25 microns and / or tongue and groove - between guides (3) in continuity; some coupling screws (8) being arranged in said partial overlaps (13) between the guide (3) and the adjacent base on which it overlaps, so that said screws will be tightened in the alignment of the guides (3)

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during the assembly of the guide rail (1) to achieve their perfect continuity. Said partial overlaps (13) preferably comprise (see fig. 1) preferably lateral projections (14) of some of the guides (3) from the base on which they are mounted, comprising corresponding lateral setbacks (15) (to the same extent to get full support) of the guides (3) in continuity at the adjacent base. Figure 1 shows how, in this preferred embodiment, the main base (2) has in both guides

(3)

and on both sides of lateral projecting projections (14), while the additional bases (2a, 2b) have corresponding lateral recesses (15) of the guides (3) in continuity with the lateral projecting projections (14) of the main base (2) and in turn lateral projections projections (14) at the opposite end. Obviously, any embodiment of the partial overlaps (13) not shown in the figures is also within the scope of the invention, such as setbacks in the main base and protrusions in continuity in the additional bases.

In order to achieve the perfect alignment in the joints of the guides of the coupled platforms, alignment bridges between the guides (3) are provided in continuity (see Figs. 7 and 8). Said alignment bridges comprise in this example of the invention a piece in general form of inverted U (17) for simultaneous overlap on the ends two guides (3) in continuity, said piece comprising in general form of inverted U (17) in its upper face holes (18) in correspondence with the coupling screws (8) ends of both guides (3) in continuity and the corresponding base, which will be the base where the lateral setbacks (15) are initially implemented. In addition, said piece in general form of inverted U (17) has a first lateral branch (19) with an inner surface

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 of flat contact calibrated for simultaneous lateral support on the guides (3) in continuity to align, and a second opposite lateral branch (21) in which a calibrated flat plate (22) is arranged for simultaneous simultaneous lateral support on the guides

(3)

in continuity to align, comprising pressure screws (23) on the outer face of said plate (22), which are threaded on the second lateral branch (21) and whose heads (24) are accessible from the outside. Thus, when assembling, before tightening the coupling screws (8) ends of both guides (3) to be spliced through the holes (18) the perfect alignment of the ends of both guides (3) is achieved thanks to the tightening of the same between the first branch (19) and the plate (22) of the piece in general form of inverted U (17). Once the coupling screws (8) are tightened, the pressure screws (23) are loosened and the piece can be removed in a general inverted U-shape (17), leaving the joint perfectly aligned and ready for use.

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For its part, the carriage (4) (see fig. 6) comprises means of full contact - that is, without play or play - with the guides (3) in the two axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guides (3) , to avoid any relative movement of the car in these two axes, and that

5 also prevent derailment of the car (4). Said full contact means ideally comprise vertical shaft bearings (25) whose tracks (26) are penetrating fully into lateral grooves (27) of the guides (3), the tracks (26) and the lateral grooves ( 27) complementary section to ensure full contact.

10 In relation to the bases (2, 2a, 2b), they may comprise lower support means, not shown, on a floor or firm, such as rotating universal bases for tripods, height-adjustable leveling feet, etc.

The invention has provided the additional and optional arrangement of drive means

15 automatic carriage (4), comprising in this example of the invention two terminals (28, 29) (see figs 1, 2 and 4) attachable at the ends of the guide rail (1) formed, comprising a first terminal (28 ) with a motor (30) driving a first pulley (31) or gear, and an opposite second terminal (29) comprising a second pulley (33) or forwarding gear, running between the first pulley (31) and the second pulley (33) a cable

20 (34), belt and / or chain, to one of whose branches (34a) the carriage (4) is attached, so that the motor drive (30) causes the carriage to be dragged (4). The motor (30) is ideally governed by an electronic controller (36), governed in turn by a terminal, not shown, which can be dedicated, or be a laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. It can also include conventional electromechanical elements, such as

25 limit switches, encoders (60), laser meters, etc. to define routes and pauses of the movement automatically in cooperation with the electronic controller (36). For the connection of the terminals (28, 29) to the rest of the configured guide rail (1), the lateral projecting projections (14) of the guides (3) belonging to the extreme bases on holes (38) will preferably be fixed for this purpose. provided in the terminals (28, 29), as seen in the

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Additionally, it is provided that the configured guide rail (1) may comprise extreme magnetic stops, for example first magnets (35) mounted at the ends of the rail

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guide (1), from reverse polarity to other second magnets (37) mounted on the carriage (4) for

braking without mechanical shock, by magnetic repulsion.

In

to materials, it is expected that ideally the main base (2) and / or the bases

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additional (2a, 2b) ideally comprise aluminum plates with lower ribs, not

represented, which ensure coplanarity, and guides (3) can be made of steel

tempered.

Describes sufficiently the nature of the invention, as well as the manner in which it is carried out in

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In practice, it should be noted that the provisions above indicated Y

represented in the attached drawings are subject to modifications in detail in

when they do not alter the fundamental principle.

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Claims (15)

image 1 5 1.-Guide rail (1) extendable for cameras; of the type comprising a calibrated main base (2) on which parallel guides (3) are also mounted, calibrated by which a carriage (4) runs with at least one standardized platform (5) for mounting a camera ; characterized in that it additionally comprises additional bases (2a, 2b) removable in continuity with the main base (2) and comprising mounting means 10 coplanar of the additional bases (2a, 2b) and means of continuity of the guides (3). 2.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 1 characterized in that the guides (3) are attached to the bases (2, 2a, 2b) by means of interconnected coupling screws (8) so as to prevent excessive movements of the guides (3). 3.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the coplanar mounting means of the additional bases (2a, 2b) comprise co-planar plates (9a, 9b); comprising upper plates (9a) and lower plates (9b) between which the ends of the bases are imprisoned a 20 couple; and the upper plates (9a) being coupled to the lower plates (9b) by means of tightening screws (10) that pass through the bases to be coupled. 4.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 3 characterized in that additionally the lower plates (9b) comprise permanent fixings to one of 25 the bases to join. 5.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the continuity means of the guides (3) comprise partial overlaps (13) of some of them on adjacent bases (2, 2a, 2b ), and ends of 30 full contact (12) between guides (3) in continuity; some coupling screws (8) being arranged in said partial overlaps (13) between the guide (3) and the adjacent base on which it overlaps. 6.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 5 characterized in that the 35 partial overlaps (13) comprise lateral projecting projections (14) of some of the 9 image2 guides (3) from the base on which they are mounted; comprising corresponding side setbacks (15) of the guides (3) in continuity at the adjacent base. 7.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 6 characterized in that the base Main 5 (2) comprises lateral projections (14) of its guides (3) on both sides, while the additional bases (2a, 2b) have corresponding lateral recesses (15) of the guides (3) in continuity with the projections lateral projections (14) of the main base (2), and in turn projections lateral projections (14) by the opposite end. 10. Expandable guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises alignment bridges between the guides (3) in continuity. 9.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 8 characterized in that the 15 alignment bridges comprise a generally inverted U-shaped piece (17) for simultaneous overlap on the ends of two guides (3) in continuity; said part comprising a generally inverted U shape (17) in its upper face holes (18) in correspondence with the end coupling screws (8) of both guides (3) in continuity and the corresponding base; presenting a first lateral branch (19) with an inner surface of 20 calibrated flat contact (20) for simultaneous lateral support on the guides (3) in continuity to align, and a second opposite lateral branch (21) in which a plate is arranged (22) flat calibrated for simultaneous opposite lateral support on the guides (3) in continuity to align; comprising pressure screws (23) on the outer face of said plate (22), which are threaded on the second side branch (21), and whose heads (24) are 25 accessible from the outside. 10.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the carriage (4) comprises means of full contact with the guides (3) in the two axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guides (3 ). 11. Expandable guide rail (1) for chambers according to claim 10 characterized in that the full contact means comprise vertical axis bearings (25) whose tracks (26) are penetrating fully into lateral grooves (27) of the guides (3); having the tracks (26) and the lateral grooves (27) complementary section. 35 10 image3 12.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the bases (2, 2a, 2b) comprise lower support means that are selected from: -rotatable universal bases for tripods, -adjustable leveling feet in height 13.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises means for automatically activating the carriage (4). 14.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 13, characterized in that the automatic actuation means of the carriage (4) comprise two terminals (28, 29) attachable at the ends of the formed guide rail (1); comprising a first terminal (28) with a motor (30) driving a first pulley (31), and a second second terminal (29) comprising a second forward pulley (33); running between the first pulley (31) and the second pulley (33) a cable (34), belt and / or chain, to one of whose branches (34a) the carriage (4) is attached. 15.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to claim 14, characterized in that the connection of the terminals (28, 29) to the rest of the guide rail (1) comprises fixing the lateral projections (14) of the guides (3 ) belonging to the extreme bases on holes (38) provided in the terminals (28, 29). 16.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that it additionally comprises extreme magnetic stops. 17.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the main base (2) and / or the additional bases (2a, 2b) comprise aluminum plates with lower coplanarity ribs. 18.-Extensible guide rail (1) for cameras according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the guides (3) are made of tempered steel. eleven