GB2265591A

GB2265591A - Track component for a track system

Info

Publication number: GB2265591A
Application number: GB9207333A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm John Harold Rogers
Original assignee: CAMERA TRACKING Co LIMITE
Current assignee: CAMERA TRACKING Co LIMITE
Priority date: 1992-04-02
Filing date: 1992-04-02
Publication date: 1993-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-02
Also published as: GB9207333D0; GB2265591B

Abstract

A track component for a track system upon which a carriage (2) carrying a camera can run includes an elongate core section (1) of high density polyethylene shaped to accommodate runs of a toothed belt, the edges of the core section being embraced by channel-section aluminium rails (3), along which wheels of the carriage (2) can run. The track components are suspended from a truss (4) by releasable clamps (5) and operation of camera movement is based on a computerised, remotely controlled system which can accurately shift the camera to specified locations along the track. <IMAGE>

Description

TRACK COMPONENT FOR A TRACK SYSTEM This invention relates to a track component for a track system for a carriage for moving apparatus such as a camera along a track.

A track system is known in the field of theatre and entertainment for moving or flying equipment such as a camera mounted on a carriage. The known track upon which the carriage runs is basically formed of spaced-apart angle section rails placed back to back, connected to one another and to a truss. Such a construction has its limitations in terms of complexity, length of track which can be realistically achieved and expense.

According to the present invention, there is provided a track component for a track system upon which a carriage can run for moving apparatus such as a camera along the track, the track component including an elongate core section of thermoplastics material edged with at least one rail of a harder material, along which rail(s) wheels of the carriage can run.

Preferably, the thermoplastics material is a high density polyethylene.

Preferably, there are two rails, one along each longitudinal edge of the core section, each rail being of channel section embracing the respective edge of the core section on upper, lower and outer peripheral surfaces. The or each rail can be made of aluminium or aluminium alloy.

The track component can be in a modular form which can be connected to another track component to make up the track system.

The or each track component can be connected to a supporting truss.

The invention also extends to a carriage running on the track component(s) of the track system. The carriage can be in the form of an twelve-wheeled carriage with two wheels running on the upper side of each rail on opposite edges of the core section, two wheels running on the undersides of those two rails and two wheels running on a side surface of each of the two rails that connects the upper and lower sides. An item of equipment such as a camera can be suspended from the carriage or it can be mounted so as to be supported by the carriage. The carriage can be propelled by means such as an endless belt which can be a toothed belt.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a track component according to the invention with a carriage mounted on it, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the track component and carriage illustrated in Figure 1 and shown suspended from a truss, Figure 3 is a detailed end view of the track component with the carriage, shown in part, mounted on it and connected to part of the truss, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the ends of two track components illustrating how they are connected together.

Referring to the drawings, a track component for a track system is illustrated, the track component being designed for receiving a carriage which can run on it for moving apparatus such as a camera along the track.

The track component includes an elongate core section 1 of high density polyethylene with a high degree of polymerisation. The core section 1 is substantially rectangular and has substantially flat upper and lower surfaces but is provided with a channel 1A in its upper surface to act as a guide for one run of a toothed belt (not shown). A lower run of the toothed belt is for moving a carriage 2 which is to hold the camera (not shown).

Outer longitudinal edges 1B are capped in channel section aluminium or aluminium alloy rails 3 along which eight wheels 2A of the carriage 2 can run. It will be seen that two pairs of wheels 2A run on the upper sides of the two rails 3, whilst the remaining two pairs of wheels 2A run on the undersides of the respective rails 3. To hold the carriage 2 on course on the track, two guide wheels 2B on each side of the carriage are provided which are resiliently biassed and run on the outer side surfaces of the rails 3 that connect the upper sides and the undersides of the rails. The wheels 2B are set in blocks.

As shown in Figure 2, the track component can be suspended from a truss 4 by spaced, releasable clamps 5. The truss 4 can also be in modular form and is capable of providing horizontal or inclined suspension of the track system.

Figure 4 shows how two track components can be joined together. The rails 3 at one end of the core section 1 overhang that end of the core section, whilst the rails 3 terminate short of the opposite end of the core section 1.

As illustrated, the longitudinal edges 1B at that opposite end of the core section are slightly tapered to facilitate reception of the overhanging ends of the other track component. Dowels 1C and corresponding bores 1D are also provided to assist location and, once the two components have been closed together, they are clipped to one another by clips 6.

When the track system is mounted for use with the carriage 2 on it, the toothed belt (not shown) is installed so that an upper run of it runs along the channel 1A and a lower run of it runs along a channel 7 which is suspended via a bracket 8 from the underside of the core section 1. Teeth on the toothed belt are clamped in a clamp 9 coupled to the carriage 2. The toothed belt is also coupled to a prime mover which, upon actuation, will shift the carriage 2 in the desired direction and at the desired speed along the track. Mounted on the carriage 2 will be a piece of apparatus such as a videocamera. The whole operation of camera movement can be based on a computerised, remotely controlled system which can accurately shift the camera to specified locations along the track.

It will be appreciated that the core section 1 provides a rigid lightweight structure to mount the rails 3, whilst the rails 3 themselves serve to stiffen the structure.

The core section 1 can be machined to shape and be provided with bolt holes etc., wherever necessary to receive components such as the clamps 5, clips 6, and other components. The core section 1 itself can be made out of flat board.

Although the track components shown form a straight track, it will be appreciated that they can be formed as a track which is curved in the horizontal and/or vertical plane(s).

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A track component for a track system upon which a carriage can run for moving apparatus such as a camera along the track, the track component including an elongate core section of thermoplastics material edged with at least one rail of a harder material, along which rail(s) wheels of the carriage can run.

2. A track component according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastics material is a high density polyethylene.

3. A track component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are two of said rails, one along each longitudinal edge of the core section, each rail being of channel section embracing the respective edge of the core section on upper, lower and outer peripheral surfaces.

4. A track component according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the or each rail is made of aluminium or aluminium alloy.

5. A track component according to any one of the preceding claims and being in modular form which can be connected to another track component to make up the track system.

6. A track component according to any one of the preceding claims and being connected to a supporting truss.

7. A track component for a track system upon which a carriage can run, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A track system comprising track components according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. In combination with a track system according to claim 8, with two of said rails, a twelve-wheeled carriage with two wheels running on an upper side of each rail on opposite edges of the core section, two wheels running on the undersides of those two rails and the two wheels running on a side surface of each of the two rails that connects the upper and lower sides.

10. A combination according to claim 9 and further comprising means to propel the carriage along the track.

11. A combination according to claim 10, wherein said means is an endless toothed belt.

12. A combination according to claim 9, 10 or 11 and further comprising a camera suspended from or mounted so as to be supported by the carriage.

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13. A combination according to claim 12, wherein operation of camera movement is controlled remotely from the track.

14. A combination of a track system and carriage, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.