US2333306A - Supporting device for instruments - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2, 1943. J. F. FISHTER 2,333,306

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 II' N m m, ,%MJMM Attorneys NOV. 2,1943. FlSHTER 2,333,306

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 2 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet? 75 V I t 34 s 4 xqa Z m ////2;% was v z v sllz 75 4-2 lk/z fil A I; 5 72 7/ 32 74 7 /o i '23 22 62 65 24 61Z5 2o 36 v I y 32 A z/ /5 In Ven tor JacwFm/zz l 'jzlshter ttornecls,

Patented Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR INSTRUMENTS Application February 2, 1942, Serial No. 429,254

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to scientific and technical instruments such as cameras, telescopes, transits, levels, range finders, etc., and more particularly to an adjustable support or tripod head therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a device structurally characterized by means enabling an instrument to be mounted on a tripod or other supporting structure for unrestricted panoramical adjustment throughout three hundred and sixty degrees, and tilting adjustment through an angle of at least ninety degrees to either side of a horizontal position, all in such manner that these adjustments can be effected concurrently or independently with the utmost smoothness and convenience, all while insuring that the instrument will be rigidly supported by the device in any position of adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tripod head embodying a locking means of novel construction for the tilting adjustment of the head, which when unlocked, insures freedom of movement without any looseness between the tiltable portion of the device and its pivotal mounting, and which when locked, positively prevents a change from any selected tilted position by the weight of the supported instrument, yet permits the operator to make fine tilting adjustments without unlocking the locking means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tripod head of the above described character which is simple, rugged and compact in construction; is light in weight; is operable to effect panoramical and tilting movements through the medium of gear mechanisms insuring smooth, positive and dependable operation indefinitely.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the supporting device for instruments embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the device in side elevation and partly in section, with a portion broken away to expose internal structure;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a locking mechanism embodied in the invention;

Figure 6 and Figure '7 are fragmentary sectional views taken respectively on the lines 6-6 and 1-1 of Figures 5 and 4 respectively.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the invention in its illustrated embodiment comprises a stationary support or base it) which constitutes a gear housing and has its bottom wall H provided with a vertical bore l2 screw threaded to receive the threaded shank of the standard instrument attaching screw of a tripod (not shown), to detachably and rigidly secure the head thereon. The bore l2 extends into a post l3 rising from the bottom wall I I centrally of a chamber I4 defined by an upstanding flange l5.

Rotatably mounted on the post l3 for panoramical or panning movements, is an element 16, and pivotally mounted on the element It for tilting movements about an axis at a right angle to and intersecting the axis of the post I3, is a second element l1 on which latter a camera or other instrument is adapted to be supported.

The element 16 has a disk or cover portion 20 from which centrally depends a bearing sleeve 2| rotatably mounted on the post I3 and confined against upward displacement therefrom by a headed screw 22 threaded into the post and extending freely through a non-circular opening in a washer 23 receiving a complementarily shaped upper portion 24 of the post. The washer 23 bears against an arched resilient plate 25 having an opening freely receiving the diameter of the post I3, and stressed by the screw 23 sufficiently to force and yieldingly maintain the under surface of the disk portion 20 in friction sealing contact with the upper edge of the base flange l5, whereby to frictionally retain the element IS in any rotatably adjusted position,

Depending from the disk portion 20 into the chamber I4 concentrically of the post l3,is an annular flange, the periphery of which is provided with suitable gear teeth 30 to form a driven gear 3|, which, specifically, is a worm wheel. Constantly meshing with the gear 3| is a driving gear 32 in the form of a worm disposed in a pocket 34 0f the base l0 communicating with the chamber M.

The worm 32 is provided with a non-circular bore 35 slidably receiving the non-circular portion 36 of a drive shaft 31 to provide a driving connection between the worm and shaft. The shaft 31 is journaled in bearings 38 and 39 in the base l0 and is reduced in diameter at one side wall of the pocket 34 to provide an annular groove 40 into which projects a U-shaped'retainer 4| which locks the shaft against axial displacement in the base, permits unrestricted rotation of the shaft. The retainer 4| fits the pocket 34 and is confined against displacement from the groove 40 by a cover plate 42 which closes the pocket 34 and is secured in place by screws 43, all of which is clearly shown in Figures 4 and '7. A crank handle 44is fixed to the outer end of the shaft 31 to enable the latter to be conveniently rotated to impart panning movement to the element IS on the base l0.

Rising from the base In at opposite sides of the plate 25 are spaced vertical brackets 50 and 50a having alined openings receiving a fixed pivot pin on which is mounted for the aforestated movements, the element H. The upper face of the element I! is formed witha recess 52 freely receiving the knurled knob 53 of an attaching screw 54 projecting freely through an opening 55 in a keeper plate 56 secured to the element H by i screws 51 (Figure 1). By means of the screw 54, a camera or other instrument (not shown), provided on its under side with a threaded socket, can be detachably secured rigidly on the element IT. The peripheral portion of the element I1 is provided with teeth to form a segmental spur gear 60 with which constantly meshes a driving pinion gear 6| fi'xed to a shaft 62 one end of which is reduced in diameter to form a journal 63 rotatably mounted in the bracket 50.

The other end of'the shaft 62 is also reduced in diameter to receive a bearing sleeve 64 closely fitting an opening in the bracket 50a, and being slightly larger in diameter than the gear 6| so as to permit installation of the latter between the two brackets.

At the outer side of the bearing sleeve 54, the shaft 62 is further reduced in diameter to form an annular groove 65 receiving a bifurcated re tainer 65 secured to the bracket a by 'a screw 7 61,- and co-acting therewith to prevent axialdis-' placement of the shaft 62 relative to the brackets.

Fixed to the outer end of the shaft 62 is an oper= ating knob 68, by rotation of which, tiltingr'nove ment of the element- I 1, and hence of the instrument supported on the latter, can be smoothly effected as desired in one direction orthe other. The element I1 is adapted to be locked in any selected adjusted position relative to the pane ram'ically movable element l6 by means of a locking mechanism which comprises a friction locking member 10 in the form of a bodyhavin'g a cylindrical head H from which co-axially projects, a cylindrical guide shank 12. The head H is mounted in an opening 13 in the bracket 50a, and the shank 'IZpro'jects into an arciiate slot 14 formed in the tilting element I'I concentrically of the axis of the pivot pin 5] as clearly shown in Figure 3. An operating 'member includes a shaft 15 having one threaded end 18" screwed into a threaded bore Win the bracket 50, and extending through an axial bore 18 in the locking member 10. The other and non=circular end 19 of the shaft 15 is disposed beyond the outer side of the bracket 50a and has secured thereon by a; headed screw 80, the hub 8| of a lever 82.

.Surrounding the shaft 15 and disposed in a pocket 83 in the locking member "is a coil spring 84 which bears against the end wall of the pocket and against the confronting face of the hub 8| to urge the locking member axially on the shaft. A washer 86 of fibreor other fric tion creating material freely receives the shank l2 and is interposed between the annular trans verse shoulder 81 of the head 'lla ndthe con fronting side face of the tilting element I1 for co-action therewith in normally holding the locking member 10 firmly by taking up any clearance between the element and the brackets 50 and 50a. Upon actuating the lever 82 in a direction to cause the shaft to be advanced axially by its threads 16, the hub 8| of the lever will push against the head H of the locking member and thus cause the head to co-act with the washer 86 in setting up sufl'lcient friction to hold the tilting element I! in any selected position of adjustment with such security that accidental displacement of'the tilting element incident to the weight and/or position of the instrument thereon will be positively prevented. It will be clear that in the unlocked position of the lever 82, the spring 84 will yieldingly function totake' up any necessary working clearance between the parts and form a brake upon the movement of the element I1, and that in the lockedposition of the lever'82, the yielding force of the spring is added to by the unyielding force imposed by the axial feeding of the shaft ll/so as to securely bind the tilting element in its adjusted position. v 7

It will be manifest that in the operation of the invention, the element 16' can be'rotated'tnroug-h out three hundred and sixtyd'e'grees ln-one direction or the other with the utmost-ease and smoothness of movement;- that theele'ment II can be tilted from a horizontal position inane direction or the other-through an angle-of ninety" degrees; and that withthecr ank handle at the right hand of the opefa'toi'and the knob as at the left" hand or one nundred eighty-de rees from the handle, the elementslt and f" can-beconcurrently" or independently moved-manually in whatever direction'desired to rnaintain the instrumentt'rainedon a subject; Furthermore, by a simple actuation-attire lever 02 withthe left hand thuinb afid forefinger, toward's and away from the operator, thetiltable element [6 can be lock-ed or released at will all 'WI'ii-Ieinsuring' that lost motion betweeti the working parts will have noadverse effect upon the camera which will be rigidly 'stlpportedby the head'ifi any positionef adjustment thereof'.

It'wlll' also be understood that although the tiltable element I! can be securely locked against displacement by the lever 82, this element-- can Still be adjustedby actuating the knob "without unlocking the lever 82, thus enabling a very fine micrometer like adjustment to be made in opposition to the strong resistance offered by the firm frictional gripping of the element between the bracket 50 and the Washer a l. 1

Ic'laimf' I p 1. In a supporting devicefor instruments; a base havingan upstanding flange deflningan upwardly opening chamber; apostin the cham-* ber; two elements pivotally connected forrelative tilting movements, with one; of the elements adapted to support an instrument 1" the other of the elements having" a cover portion: closing the top or said chamber, andprovided with' adepending bearing sleeve receiving said post to mount said other element thereon for panoramical movement; means co actin'g, with said post. and cover portion to confine-said other element against upward axial displacement from; said post and to maintain said cover-portion'in-seah lng contact with'saidflangej the base having spaced bearings providing a pocket. therebetween' communicating with said chamber; a drive shaft journal'ed in said bearingsand havinga noncircular portion in said pocket; a driving gear insertable into said pocket and having a noncircular bore receiving said non-circular portion of the shaft to provide a driving connection between the latter and gear, yet permitting insertion and withdrawal of the shaft from the bearings; the shaft having an annular groove in said pocket; a retainer confined in said pocket and projecting into said annular groove to secure the shaft against axial displacement; and a driven gear depending from said cover portion into said chamber, and meshing with the driving gear.

2. In a supporting device for instruments, a base having an upwardly opening chamber and spaced bearings defining a pocket therebetween communicating laterally with said chamber; two elements pivotally connected for relative tilting movements, with one of the elements adapted to support an instrument; means mounting the other of said elements on the base for panoramical movement and to close the top of said chamber; a drive shaft insertable axially into said bearings; a driving gear insertable into said pocket; means mounting said gear on the drive shaft for rotation thereby; a retainer co-acting with said shaft to prevent axial displacement of the latter from said bearings; a removable closure for said pocket confining the retainer against displacement; and a driven gear on said other element disposed in the chamber and meshing with the driving gear.

3. In a supporting device for instruments, a base; a plurality of elements, one.of which is mounted on the base for panoramical movement, and the other of which is adapted to support an instrument; said one element having spaced brackets between which the other element is interposed; means pivotally mounting said other element from the brackets for tilting adjustment; means co-acting with the elements, by which actuation of said other element can be effected; a locking member mounted in one of said brackets at a location concentrically of said pivotal mounting for movement towards and away from a lateral surface of said other element; means co-acting with the locking member to yieldingly urge the latter into sufficient frictional engagement with said lateral surface of the other element to restrain same against tilting movement for adjustment freely by said actuating means; and an operating member extending through said locking member and threaded into one of said brackets; the operating member having means co-actable with the locking member in response to axial feeding of the operating member when rotated in one direction, to positively advance the locking member into firm engagement with said lateral Surface of said other element, and securely maintain the latter against displacement.

4. In a supporting device for instruments, a base; a plurality of elements, one of which is mounted on the base for panoramical movement, and the other of which is adapted to support an instrument; said one element having spaced brackets between which the other element is interposed; means pivotally mounting said other element from the brackets for tilting adjustment; a shaft journaled in said brackets; a driving gear fixed to said shaft; a driven gear on said other element, meshing with the driving gear for tilting adjustment of said other element; said other element having an arcuate slot concentrically related to the axis of said pivotal mounting; a locking member having a head mounted in one of said brackets and a shank projecting into said slot; an operating shaft projecting through said locking member and slot and threaded into the other of said brackets; a lever having a hub fixed to the operating shaft and bearing against said head; and a spring in said locking member co-acting with said hub and the locking member to urge the latter axially; said head and shank of the locking member co-acting to define a transverse shoulder frictionally engageable with said other element under the urging action of said spring or by axial feeding of said operating shaft when rotated in one direction.

5. In a supporting device for instruments, a base having an upstanding fiange defining an upwardly opening chamber; two elements, one of which is provided with spaced brackets between which the other eiement is pivotally mounted for tilting movements; an operating shaft mounted in said brackets and having a gear thereon; a gear on said other element meshing with the first gear; said one of the elements having a cover portion closing the top of said chamber, said base and cover member being provided with means to mount said one of the elements on the base for panoramical movement; a driving gear rotatably mounted in the base; a driven gear on said cover portion, meshing with the driving gear in said chamber; a locking member mounted in one of said brackets at a location concentrically of said pivotal mounting for movement towards and away from a lateral surface of said other element; means co-acting with the locking member to yieldingly urge the latter into sufficient frictional engagement with said lateral surface to restrain said other element against tilting movement for adjustment freely upon rotation of said first gear; and means co-acting with the locking member to positively move same to a locking position with respect to said other element so as to maintain the latter securely in any selected adjusted position.

6. In a supporting device for instruments, 9, base having an upstanding flange defining an upwardly opening chamber; tWo elements, one of which is provided with spaced brackets between which the other element is pivotally mounted for tilting movement; said one of the elements having a cover portion closing the top of said chamber, and provided with means coacting with the base to mount said one of the elements on the base for panoramical movement; a driving gear rotatably mounted in the base; a driven gear on said cover portion, meshing with the driving gear in said chamber; said other element having an arcuate slot concentrically related to the axis of said pivotal mounting; a. locking member having a head mounted in one of said brackets and a shank projecting into said slot; an operating shaft projecting through said locking member and slot, and threaded into the other of said brackets; a lever having a hub fixed to the operating shaft and bearing against said head; and a spring in said locking member coacting with said hub and the locking member to urge the latter axially; said head and shank of the locking member co-acting to define a transverse shoulder frictionally engageable with said other element under the urging action of said spring or by axial feeding of said operating shaft when rotated in one direction.

7. In a supporting device for instruments, a

Base having an upstanding flange defining an upwardly opening chamber; a post in the chamber; two elements pivotally connected ior'relative tilting movements, with one of the elements adapted to support an instrument; the other of therelements. having a cover portion closing the totpcfi said chamber; means rotatably mountingsaid other element on the base for panoramical movement; the base havingspaced bearings Providing a pocket therebetween communicating with said chamber; a drive shaft journaled' in said bearings; a driving gear insertable intosaid pocket; means mounting aid gear on said shaft in the pocket for rotation by the shaft, yet permitting Withdrawal of the shaft axially from the gear and said bearings; means co-acting with the shaft to confine the latter against axial displacement from saidgear; and a driven gear dependingfrom said cover portion into said chamber and meshing with the driving gear.

8. In a supporting device for instruments; a base having an upstanding flange defining an upwardly opening chamber; two elements pivotally connected for relative tilting movements, with one of the elements adapted to support an instrument; the other of the elements having a cover portion closing the top of said chamber; a driven gear depending from said cover portion into said chamber for rotating the other element for panoramical movement; the base having spaced bearings providing a pocket therebetween communicating with. saidchamber; a drive shaft journaled vin. said: bearings and having a non.- circular portion in said pocket; a driving gear. meshingewith thezdriven geanand: receivable in said pocket and having a non-circular borere- 'ceiving said non-circular portion of the shaft to provide'a; driving connectionbetween; the lat-. ter audit-he driving gear, yet; permitting Yinsertion andiwithdrawalfof .theshaft from the. bear:- i'ngs; the shaft having an annular groove in said pocket; and a retainer confined in said pocket and. projecting into saidannular'groove to secure the shaft against axial displacement.

9. In a: supportingdevice for instruments; a

base two: elements pivotally connected for relative tilting; movements; with one of: the elements adapted: to support an instrument, andthe other element being rotatably mounted on the base for panoramical movement; the base havingspaced JACOB FRAN Z FISHTER.

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