Portable self-contained telescoping camera tower system for high angelimaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable, self-contained telescoping camera tower system for high angle imaging, comprising:
- (a) a multi-segment, vertical mast including(i) a base tubular segment having an interior surface on which bearing means are supported, an uppermost end, a lowermost end, and a pulley mounted at the uppermost end having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a first wall of the interior surface of the base tubular segment,(ii) at least one intermediate tubular segment having a smaller cross sectional dimension than the base tubular segment, an interior surface on which bearing means are supported, an uppermost end, a lowermost end, and an exterior surface in contact with the bearing means on the base tubular segment;
the intermediate tubular segment having pulleys mounted at both the uppermost end and the lowermost end, the pulley mounted at the uppermost end having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a first wall of the interior surface of the intermediate tubular segment, and the pulley mounted at the lowermost end having an axis of rotation parallel to the first wall and having a line carrying groove extending at least partially through the first wall;
(iii) a terminal tubular segment of smaller cross sectional dimension than an adjacent intermediate tubular segment and having an uppermost end, a lowermost end, a first wall of an interior surface of the terminal tubular segment and an exterior surface in contact with bearing means on the adjacent intermediate tubular segment;
(iv) wherein the base tubular segment, the intermediate tubular segment and the terminal tubular segment form nested elements;
(b) a drive mechanism including(i) a power unit located outside of the base tubular segment for driving at least one drum inside the base tubular segment,(ii) at least one power-up drum engaged with the power unit to enable the drum to be rotated by it,(iii) at least one line affixed at one end to the power-up drum and the other to the terminal tubular segment, the line being threaded though the pulley at the uppermost end of the base tubular segment, to the pulley at the lowermost end of an intermediate tubular segment, and to the pulley at the uppermost end of the intermediate tubular segment; and
(c) a control unit to control the operation of the power unit.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable, self-contained telescoping camera tower system permits high angle imaging and rapid and smooth change of perspective. The camera tower is a stand-alone unit capable of being transported, set up and operated by a single individual and which provides steady advance and retreat of the tower over its full range of up and down movement. An arrangement of pulleys, bearing surfaces, and drive means, preferably with two power-up drives and a separate power-down drive, assures smooth operation though its full operating range
-
Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A portable, self-contained telescoping camera tower system for high angle imaging, comprising:
-
(a) a multi-segment, vertical mast including (i) a base tubular segment having an interior surface on which bearing means are supported, an uppermost end, a lowermost end, and a pulley mounted at the uppermost end having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a first wall of the interior surface of the base tubular segment, (ii) at least one intermediate tubular segment having a smaller cross sectional dimension than the base tubular segment, an interior surface on which bearing means are supported, an uppermost end, a lowermost end, and an exterior surface in contact with the bearing means on the base tubular segment;
the intermediate tubular segment having pulleys mounted at both the uppermost end and the lowermost end, the pulley mounted at the uppermost end having an axis of rotation perpendicular to a first wall of the interior surface of the intermediate tubular segment, and the pulley mounted at the lowermost end having an axis of rotation parallel to the first wall and having a line carrying groove extending at least partially through the first wall;(iii) a terminal tubular segment of smaller cross sectional dimension than an adjacent intermediate tubular segment and having an uppermost end, a lowermost end, a first wall of an interior surface of the terminal tubular segment and an exterior surface in contact with bearing means on the adjacent intermediate tubular segment; (iv) wherein the base tubular segment, the intermediate tubular segment and the terminal tubular segment form nested elements; (b) a drive mechanism including (i) a power unit located outside of the base tubular segment for driving at least one drum inside the base tubular segment, (ii) at least one power-up drum engaged with the power unit to enable the drum to be rotated by it, (iii) at least one line affixed at one end to the power-up drum and the other to the terminal tubular segment, the line being threaded though the pulley at the uppermost end of the base tubular segment, to the pulley at the lowermost end of an intermediate tubular segment, and to the pulley at the uppermost end of the intermediate tubular segment; and (c) a control unit to control the operation of the power unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
Specification