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Rail mounted camera system

  • US 4,699,484 A
  • Filed: 05/27/1986
  • Issued: 10/13/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A self-propelled rail car and self-positioning camera system for filming motion pictures comprising:

  • (a) rail car wheeled running gear having a plurality of resilient wheels positioned in such a manner as to operate in a right side up and upside down orientation;

    (b) a rail car chassis connected to a running gear on each end forming a structural frame capable of supporting a camera while placed in motion with said running gear;

    (c) rail car propulsion means drivingly connected to said running gear and said chassis to actuate the rail car in a forward and reverse direction by supplying motivational force to rotate said wheels;

    (d) an enclosure disposed above and attached to said rail car chassis, covering the running gear and propulsion means providing a body to conceal the same and protect operating personnel from open moving components thereunder, also providing a pleasing asthetic, cosmetic effect for the system;

    (e) a movable panning head rotatably connected to said chassis to support the weight of a camera and provide movement thereupon in a radial tilt up and down position, also simultaneous axial pan direction;

    (f) a motion picture camera attached upon said panning head for filming scenes;

    (g) means to rotate and elevate said panning head controlled from a remote location providing directional movement of the camera mounted upon said platform while the rail car is moving from one location to another;

    (h) a pair of rails in plural sections to support and supply power to said apparatus configured to correspond and interface with said wheeled running gear giving body and guidance to the system;

    (i) a plurality of ties connecting said rails together at predetermined spacing forming a track the same width as said running gear providing a rigid base thereunto;

    (j) a plurality of mounting brackets attached to said rails for interfacing with an engine driven vehicle, such as a truck, allowing said system to be portable;

    (k) electrical power means providing a path for an electrical circuit to be completed to said propulsion, rotation, and elevational means from a remote location allowing the above rail car to move freely upon said rails and angularly position said camera; and

    ,(1) remote control and monitoring means for said system providing communication with an operator away from the scene at a remote location, said system characterized by positioning a motion picture camera upon said panning head that is, in turn, movably connected to the chassis containing running gear, which is covered by the enclosure, the above assembly self-propelled upon a set of power providing rails connected by ties and mounting brackets with remote control and monitoring means providing the direction and visual indication of the camera.

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