Balanced portable pedestals

• US 4,094,484 A
• Filed: 02/28/1977
• Issued: 06/13/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: W. Vinten Ltd. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: W. Vinten Ltd. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Galione, Edward Richard David
• Primary Examiner(s): Foss, J. Franklin
• Application Number:
  US05/772,422
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 248/400, 248/162, 248/123, 248/410, 248/399, 248/158, 248/161, 248/404, 248/412, 248/170, 248/171, 108/144, 108/147, 108/148, 267/124
• US Class Current: 248/162.1
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/24 fluid-pressure operated water-pressure machines F03B; hydraulic gearings F16H; cylinders, pistons F16J; fluid-pressure servomotors F15B
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/048 for balancing translational movement of the undercarriage

Abstract

Instrument support pedestal having self pumping action providing pedestal pressurization for substantially counterbalancing instrument weight. The pedestal also having column alignable fold-up support legs adjustable for setting the verticallity of the column and compactness for transportation.

Claims

1. A portable pedestal for instruments such as cameras or the like, comprising a base member having an outer column mounted thereon, at least one inner column slidably locatable substantially concentric with said outer column, pressure increasing means operable to pressurise said inner column via valve means during relative movement between said inner and outer columns to produce a pressure of gas within said inner column operable to substantially balance said inner column against an externally applied force on said inner column.

2. A portable pedestal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pressure increasing means comprises a cylinder within said inner column and attached thereto, a double acting piston within said cylinder operably secured to a base plate on said outer column, and one or more interconnecting passages between said cylinder and said inner column.

3. A portable pedestal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises two or more non return valves.

4. A portable pedestal as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of said non return valves may be rendered inoperative.

5. A portable pedestal as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pressure relief valve is fitted and set to operate at a pre-determined maximum pressure.

6. A portable pedestal as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pressure bleed means is fitted and is operable to release pressure within the inner column to depressurise the pedestal for transportation of said pedestal.

8. A portable pedestal as claimed in claim 1 used in conjunction with a portable skid.

7. A portable pedestal for instruments such as cameras or the like comprising, a column, at least three legs pivoted at the lower end of said column for swinging movement between a first position adjacent the column and a second position extending at an angle from the column to define a base for supporting said column, at least one strut pivotally located between each of said legs and a moveably positionable ring with clamping means gimbally located over an annulus having attached thereto a clamping ring slidably locatable on said column so that said legs may be adjustably moveable between said first and second positions and wherein as least one said strut is pivotally located on said moveably positionable ring for adjustment of said column in verticality relative to said legs.