Three-axis remote camera head

• US 7,209,176 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment Incorporated
• Inventors: Chapman, Leonard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Ngoc-Yen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Quiett; Carramah J.
• Application Number:
  US10/782,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20050185089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 348/373, 348375-376, 348/81, 396/419, 396/428, 248/187.1, 248/276.1, 248/292.12, 248660-661
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2064 for tilting and panning F16M11/2078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction

Abstract

A remote camera head has a tilt frame attachable to a pan frame at multiple positions. A roll frame is attachable to the tilt frame at multiple positions. The camera head can be expanded or reduced in size as needed based on the space requirements of the camera and camera accessories mounted on the camera head. Waterproof or sealed slip ring assemblies and connectors allow the camera head to operate in wet environments, or even when submerged in water. The camera head can be quickly installed, set up, balanced, or reconfigured.

Claims

1. A camera head comprising:

a first frame;

a first arm rotatably attached to the first frame;

a first motor for rotating the first arm relative to the first frame, with the first motor enclosed within a sealed first housing;

a second frame attached to the first arm;

a second arm rotatably attached to the second frame;

a second motor for rotating the second arm relative to the second frame, with the second motor enclosed within a sealed second housing;

a first shaft rotatably supported within the first housing, with the second frame attached to the first shaft, and the first shaft sealed against the first housing, a first gear linked to the first shaft through a first clutch, and with the first gear linked to the first motor, and one or more clutch drive pins sealed against the first housing, and moveable from a first position, wherein the first motor drives the first shaft through the first clutch, to a second position, wherein the first shaft can rotate free of the motor.

2. The camera head of claim 1 further comprising a third frame, a third arm rotatably attached to the third frame, and a third motor for rotating the third arm relative to the third frame, with the third motor enclosed within a sealed third housing.

3. The camera head of claim 1 wherein the first and second sealed housings are waterproof, to allow for underwater operation of the camera head.

4. The camera head of claim 1 further comprising a position locking device moveable from a locked position, wherein the locking device prevents movement between the first arm and the second housing, to an unlocked position, wherein the second housing can move relative to the first arm, to adjust the size of the camera head.

5. A remote camera head comprising:

a first frame;

a first sealed housing on the first frame;

a first arm rotatably attached to the first frame;

a first motor for rotating the first arm relative to the first frame, with the first motor enclosed within the first sealed housing;

a second frame attached to the first arm;

a second sealed housing on the second frame;

a second arm rotatably attached to the second frame;

a second motor for rotating the second arm relative to the second frame, with the second motor enclosed within the second sealed housing;

a first hollow shaft rotatably supported within the first sealed housing, with the second frame attached to the first shaft, and the first shaft sealed against the first sealed housing;

a first gear linked to the first shaft through a first clutch, and with the first gear linked to the first motor;

a first slip ring assembly extending into the first hollow shaft;

a first shaft plug within and sealed against the first hollow shaft;

a first electrical cable extending into a first end of the first slip ring assembly via a waterproof connection; and

a second electrical cable extending through a waterproof connection in the first shaft plug and into a second end of the first slip ring assembly.

6. The camera head of claim 5 further comprising a tube adapter having a tube nipple and a base plate, with the tube adapter attached to the first slip ring assembly and to the first housing, first seal sealing the base plate to the first slip ring assembly, and a second seal sealing the slip ring assembly to the first housing, to provide a waterproof connection for wires leading into the first slip ring assembly.

7. A camera support comprising:

a first housing having a first interior sealed space;

a first purge gas port on the first housing connecting into the first interior sealed space, for delivering a purge gas into the first interior sealed space;

a first motor supported by the first housing;

a second housing having a second interior sealed space, and with the second housing linked to the first motor for rotational movement of the second housing relative to the first housing about a first axis;

a second motor supported by the second housing;

a second purge gas port on the second housing connecting into the second interior sealed space, for delivering a purge gas into the second interior sealed space;

a third housing linked to the second motor for rotational movement of the third housing relative to the second housing about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis; and

a lock pin moveable between a lock position, where the lock pin extends between the first housing and the second housing, to prevent movement between them, and an unlock position, wherein the lock pin is withdrawn from one of the first and second housings, to allow rotational movement between them.

8. The camera support of claim 7 with the second housing linked to the first motor by a first arm, and with the second housing securable onto the first arm at multiple positions on the first arm, and with third housing linked to the second motor by a second arm, and with third housing securable onto the second arm at multiple positions on the second arm.

9. The camera support of claim 7 further comprising an adjustable brake to set braking force against rotation of the second housing about the first axis.

10. A camera support comprising:

a first housing having a first interior sealed space;

a first purge gas port on the first housing connecting into the first interior sealed space, for delivering a purge gas into the first interior sealed space;

a first motor supported by the first housing;

a second housing having a second interior sealed space, and with the second housing linked to the first motor for rotational movement of the second housing relative to the first housing about a first axis;

a second motor supported by the second housing;

a second purge gas port on the second housing connecting into the second interior sealed space, for delivering a purge gas into the second interior sealed space;

a third housing linked to the second motor for rotational movement of the third housing relative to the second housing about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis

a first shaft rotatably supported within the first housing, with the second housing attached to the first shaft, and the first shaft sealed against the first housing, a first gear linked to the first shaft through a first clutch, and with the first gear linked to the first motor, and one or more clutch drive pins sealed against the first housing, and moveable from a first position, wherein with first motor drives the first shaft through the first clutch, to a second position, wherein the first shaft can rotate free of the motor.