WO1992011488A1

WO1992011488A1 - Camera support column

Info

Publication number: WO1992011488A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/002245
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Mcanulty; Michael John Potter
Original assignee: Ian Mcanulty; Michael John Potter
Priority date: 1990-12-20
Filing date: 1991-12-16
Publication date: 1992-07-09
Also published as: AU9080391A; GB9027593D0; GB2251548A

Abstract

A camera support column comprises three tubular column sections (2, 3, 4) telescopically mounted on a base (1). The outermost upper column section (2) is supported on the base (1) by a set of three circumferentially spaced bearings (14) which are mounted on, and extend through the wall of the base (1). The intermediate column section (3) is supported by a similar set of three bearings (13) mounted on, and extending through the outer column section (2). Similarly, the inner column section (4) is supported on a set of three bearings (12) mounted on, and extending through the intermediate column section (3). The bearings of each set of bearings (12, 13, 14) are offset relative to the bearings of the other two sets. A pulley and cable arrangement (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) is provided for elevating the outermost column section (2) relative to the base (1) and for interconnecting the three column sections (2, 3, 4) such that elevation of the outermost column section (2) causes the sections to expand telescopically. With this arrangement a very compact structure can be obtained as a spacing between adjacent column sections can be less than the radial depth of each bearing section. The number of column sections in the support columns can therefore be increased from the conventional two sections to three or more sections.

Description

CAMERA SUPPORT COLUMN

The present invention relates to a camera support column of the type that can be mounted on a trolley.

It is conventional practice for cameras, for example television and cameras, to be manoeuvred on electrically powered trolleys. The known camera support column comprise a two section telescopic assembly that is mounted on a trolley. The upper end of the columns supports a camera mounting bracket, and the column also supports a seat upon which a cameraman can sit. Generally two seats are supported on the columns so that both the cameraman and a technician can be moved as desired with the camera during filming.

Given that the weight of at least one cameraman must be supported off axis the known support columns are robust mechanical structures. Typically the support columns comprise telescopic column sections of square or triangular cross sections. Bearings are provided between adjacent telescopic sections which bear against the flat surfaces of the square or triangular sections. The bearings must be relatively large to withstand the loads arising during use and as a result it is difficult to manufacture telescopic assemblies of acceptable outside diameter. As the size of the sections increases so does the weight of the final assembly. Camera support columns are intended for use on location and it must be possible for equipment used on location to be relatively readily man handled into and out of transport vehicles and the like. Thus all the known camera support columns have only two column sections.

The minimum camera height of a camera support column is determined by the length of the column sections. As there are only two sections the known assemblies in practice it is very difficult for a camera mounted on such a column to be moved lower than a position approximately equated with the eye position of the seated person. This significantly restricts the range of camera angles available. The addition of a further section to the known camera support column could only be achieved by adding a relatively massive outer column section the internal dimensions cf which would have to be sufficient to extend around the inner column sections and the series of bearings provided between each adjacent pair of column sections. As the bearings must be positioned to locate against the flat surfaces of the adjacent triangular or square column sections the bearings would have to be substantially aligned and therefore the minimum spacing between any adjacent pair of column sections would have to be at least as large as the depth of the bearings. The result would be a relatively massive and heavy assembly which would not be suitable for use in many applications.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problems outlined above.

According to the present invention, there is a provided a camera support column comprising a base section, at least three column sections telescopically mounted on the base section, an outermost column section being supported on the base section by a respective set of bearings and a set of bearings being provided to support an inner one of each adjacent pair of column sections on an outer one of that pair, means for elevating the outermost column section relative to the base, and means interconnecting the column sections such that elevation of the outermost column section relative to the base causes the column sections to extend telescopically, wherein the column sections are generally tubular, each set of bearings comprises at least three bearings spaced apart circumferentially, each bearing is supported in the wall of a respective said section, and the bearings of one set are circumferentially offset relative to the bearings of any adjacent set. The disposition of the bearings is such that the bearings of one set can overlap in the radial direction with the bearings of any adjacent set. Thus the spacing between adjacent column sections can be less than the radial depth of each bearing section. A very compact structure can thus be obtained and the number of column sections in the support column can be increased from the conventional two sections to three or more sections.

Preferably three column sections are provided and three bearings are provided in each set of bearings. The columns sections may be formed from tubes with flats being formed on the surface of the tube to correspond with the position of the bearings that support that tube. This approach is advantageous as it is a relatively simple matter to accurately machine tubular members as compared with members of triangular or square section of the type used in prior art camera support columns. Flats can then be readily machined on the outer surface of such tubes to provide contact surfaces for the bearings.

The interconnecting means may comprise simple pulley and cable arrangements. For example, in a three column section assembly, one cable could be connected at one end to the base, extend over ?> pulley supported adjacent the upper end of the outermost column section, and be attached to its other end adjacent the base of the intermediate column section. A further cable section could be connected at one end to the outermost column section and at the other end to a point adjacent the base of the innermost column section, the further cable extending over a pulley mounted adjacent the upper end of the intermediate column section. With such an arrangement elevation of the outermost column section relative to the base causes an equal elevation of the intermediate column section relative to the outermost column section and an equal elevation of the innermost column section relative to the intermediate column section.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a telescopic assembly illustrating the inter relationship between components of a camera support column in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the arrangement of support bearings in a camera support column in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a camera support column in accordance with the present invention when fully extended; and

Figure 4 is a detailed end view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the illustrated arrangement comprises a base section 1, an cuter column section 2, an intermediate column section 3, and an inner column section 4. An opening 5 is defined in the outer column section 2 and is engaged by a drive spindle (not shown) which can be rotated to move the outer column section 2 relative to the base section 1. A first cable 6 is connected at one end to the base section 1 and at the other end to a support block 7 mounted on the intermediate column section 3. The cable 6 extends over a pulley wheel 8 supported by the outer column section 2 adjacent its upper end. A second cable 9 is connected at one end to the outer column section 2 and at the other end to a support block 10 mounted on the inner column section 4. The column 9 extends over a pulley 11 mounted on the intermediate column section adjacent its upper end.

With the illustrated arrangement, elevation of the outer column section 2 relative to the base section 1 causes an equal elevation of the intermediate section 3 relative to the outer column section 2 and an equal elevation of the inner column 4 relative to the intermediate column section 3. Thus elevation of the outer column section 2 relative to the base section causes the assembly to extend in a telescopic manner.

It will of course be appreciated that bearings are provided to provide support for the various telescopically arranged component shown in Figure 1. The layout of such bearings is illustrated schematically in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 2, components equivalent to those illustrated schematically in Figure 1 carry the same reference numerals. Thus the inner column section 4 is supported on a first set of three bearings 12 which are mounted on and extend through the wall of the column section 3. The intermediate column 3 is in turn supported by three bearings 13 which are mounted on and extend through the outer column section 2. Finally the outer column section 2 is supported by a set of three bearings 14 which extend through the wall of the base section 1. It will be noted that the bearing sets 12 and 13 are offset in the circumferential direction as are the bearings sets 13 and 14. This arrangement of the bearings means that the radial distance between adjacent column sections can be less than the radial dimension of each bearing, greatly reducing the overall dimensions cf the resultant structure.

Figure 3 illustrates the assembly cf Figure 2 with the telescopically arranged column sections being fully extended. Again the same reference numerals are used where appropriate. It will be appreciated that in use the innermost column section 4 supports on its upper end a camera mounting bracket (not shown) for one or more seats to carry a cameraman or technician may also be supported on the column, for example on column section 2.

Referring now to Figure 4, this shows a top view of the assembly illustrated in Figure 3 with the column sections retracted. Again the same reference numerals are used where appropriate. The component in Figure 2 carrying numeral 2 is in fact a ring which is secured by bolts 15 to the top of the column section identified in the other drawings by the numeral 2. Each of the bearings 12, 13 and 14 supports on its radially inner side an array of rollers 16 although the rollers associated with bearings 13 are not visible as they are concealed behind the ring secured to the column section 2. Blocks 17 support pulley wheels which are not visible in Figure 4 corresponding to the wheels 11 of Figure 1. The pulley wheels corresponding to the wheels 8 of Figure 1 are concealed beneath the ring secured to the column section 2. A central spindle 18 housed within a tubular section 19 is screw-engaged with the outer column section 2 to provide for elevation of that section relative to the base section 1.

It will be seen that bearings 13 are offset in the circumferential direction from the bearings 12 and 14. Each of the bearings penetrates the 'associated tubular structure upon which it is mounted and becuase of this arrangement the spacing between adjacent column sections is less than the radial depth of each of the bearings. Thus a very compact assembly is achieved. The pulley wheels 17 are offset from the bearings and therefore do not contribute to the radial thickness of the assembly.

In Figure 4, the rollers 16 are shown as bearing against the cylindrical outer surfaces of the column sections. With such an arrangement it would be necessary to provide some means for preventing rotations between adjacent column sections. This can be easily achieved by machinery flats onto the outer surface of the whole sections so that each roller 16 bears against a planar surface.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A camera support column comprising a base section, at least three column sections telescopically mounted on the base section, an outermost column section being supported on the base section by a respective set of bearings and a set of bearings being provided to support an inner one of each adjacent pair of column sections on an outer one of that pair, means for elevating the outermost column section relative to the base, and means interconnecting the column sections such that elevation of the outermost column section relative to the base causes the column sections to extend telescopically, wherein the column sections are generally tubular, each set of bearings comprises at least three bearings spaced apart circumferentially, each bearing is supported in the wall of a respective said section, and the bearings of one set are circumferentially offset relative to the bearings of any adjacent set.

2. A camera support column according to claim 1, comprising three column sections and three bearings in each said set of bearings.

3. A camera support column according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the column sections are formed from tubes, each tube having flats formed on the surface thereof positioned so as to correspond with the position of the bearings that support that tube.

4. A camera support column according to any preceding claim, wherein the interconnecting means comprises a pulley and cable arrangement.

5. A camera support column according to claim 4 comprising an outermost column section, an intermediate column section and an innermost column section, wherein a first cable is connected at one end thereof to the base, said first cable extending over a pulley supported adjacent the upper end of the outermost column section, and attached to the other end of the column section adjacent the base of the intermediate column section.

6. A camera support column according to claim 5, wherein a second cable is connected at one end thereof to the outermost column section and at the other end thereof to a point adjacent the base of the innermost column section, the second cable extending over a pulley mounted adjacent the upper end of the intermediate column section.

7. A camera support column substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.