Camera mount
First Claim
1. A camera mount connected externally of a vehicle to carry a camera for photography of scenery of interest comprising:
- an outer frame attached to the vehicle;
an inner frame gimballed vertically to the outer frame and rotatable in azimuth about a vertical axis;
a cradle gimballed horizontally to the inner frame and rotatable in elevation about a horizontal axis;
a base plate fixed to the cradle for securing said camera thereto;
a remotely controlled rotational means for regulating the displacement of the inner frame in azimuth, and for regulating the displacement of the cradle in elevation;
a plurality of support struts having a first end attached to said outer frame and having a second end secured to the vehicle;
an azimuth displacement sensing means fixed to said inner frame;
an elevation displacement sensing means fixed to said cradle;
channel means oriented horizontally and extending perpendicularly outward from said outer frame and having a first end attached to said outer frame and having a second end attached to the vehicle;
pan vibration damping means having one end attached to said inner frame and having an opposing end fixed to said channel means;
tilt vibration damping means having a first end attached to said inner frame and a second end attached to said cradle;
a remote control circuit board located in the cockpit of said vehicle and connected electrically to said remotely controlled rotational means to allow manual pan and tilt directional control of said camera mount;
an indicator display located in the cockpit of said vehicle and connected electrically to said azimuth sensing means and said elevation sensing means to indicate the axial directions in which said externally mounted camera is aimed;
a television monitor located in the cockpit of said vehicle and electrically connected to said externally mounted camera for viewing the scenery being photographed;
whereby said camera mount can be directed to pan and tilt by remote control and thereby said camera can photograph scenes of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved nose mount is disclosed that permits smooth and accurate pan and tilt of the camera by remote control and also provides an effective means for reducing to a minimum the vibration of a motion picture of TV camera mounted on a helicopter or other platform. The camera mount includes an open rectangular frame depended from the aircraft and shock braced therefrom; a first inner mount of open form gimballed to the frame about a vertical axis and an inner camera mount gimballed to the first mount about a horizontal axis. The camera mount is shock mounted to the inner mount. Separate drive motors are provided for the two axes and a remote control and display are provided inside the cockpit. The camera mount is roll-stabilized to keep it level during turns of the helicopter.
77 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A camera mount connected externally of a vehicle to carry a camera for photography of scenery of interest comprising:
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an outer frame attached to the vehicle; an inner frame gimballed vertically to the outer frame and rotatable in azimuth about a vertical axis; a cradle gimballed horizontally to the inner frame and rotatable in elevation about a horizontal axis; a base plate fixed to the cradle for securing said camera thereto; a remotely controlled rotational means for regulating the displacement of the inner frame in azimuth, and for regulating the displacement of the cradle in elevation; a plurality of support struts having a first end attached to said outer frame and having a second end secured to the vehicle; an azimuth displacement sensing means fixed to said inner frame; an elevation displacement sensing means fixed to said cradle; channel means oriented horizontally and extending perpendicularly outward from said outer frame and having a first end attached to said outer frame and having a second end attached to the vehicle; pan vibration damping means having one end attached to said inner frame and having an opposing end fixed to said channel means; tilt vibration damping means having a first end attached to said inner frame and a second end attached to said cradle; a remote control circuit board located in the cockpit of said vehicle and connected electrically to said remotely controlled rotational means to allow manual pan and tilt directional control of said camera mount; an indicator display located in the cockpit of said vehicle and connected electrically to said azimuth sensing means and said elevation sensing means to indicate the axial directions in which said externally mounted camera is aimed; a television monitor located in the cockpit of said vehicle and electrically connected to said externally mounted camera for viewing the scenery being photographed; whereby said camera mount can be directed to pan and tilt by remote control and thereby said camera can photograph scenes of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A camera mount connected externally of a vehicle to carry a camera for photography of scenery of interest comprising:
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an outer frame attached to the vehicle; an inner frame gimballed vertically to the outer frame and rotatable in azimuth about a vertical axis; a cradle gimballed horizontally to the inner frame and rotatable in elevation about a horizontal axis; a base plate fixed to the cradle for securing said camera thereto; a remotely controlled rotational means for regulating the displacement of the inner frame in azimuth, and for regulating the displacement of the cradle in elevation; a plurality of support struts having a first end attached to said outer frame and having a second end secured to the vehicle; an azimuth displacement sensing means fixed to said inner frame; an elevation displacement sensing means fixed to said cradle; channel means oriented horizontally and extending perpendicularly outward from said outer frame and having a first end attached to said outer frame and having a second end attached to the vehicle; pan vibration damping means having one end attached to said inner frame and having an opposing end fixed to said channel means; tilt vibration damping means having a first end attached to said inner frame and a second end attached to said cradle; a remote control circuit board located in the cockpit of said vehicle and connected electrically to said remotely controlled rotational means to allow manual pan and tilt directional control of said camera mount; an indicator display located in the cockpit of said vehicle and connected electrically to said azimuth sensing means and said elevation sensing means to indicate the axial directions in which said externally mounted camera is aimed; a television monitor located in the cockpit of said vehicle and electrically connected to said externally mounted camera for viewing the scenery being photographed; a roll sensing means fixed to said base plate; a linear actuator having one end journalled to said cradle and an opposite end attached to said base plate; whereby said camera mount can be directed to pan and tilt by remote control and said base plate carrying said camera can be kept level either automatically or manually by remote control during the photography of scenes of interest. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification