Articulating camera transport apparatus and method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B61D-015/00
B65G-041/02
B65G-041/00
출원번호
UP-0820595
(2007-06-19)
등록번호
US-7637215
(2010-01-07)
발명자
/ 주소
Fisher, James L.
출원인 / 주소
J.L. Fisher, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Cislo & Thomas, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
4인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
An articulating camera transport apparatus and corresponding methods involving an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck including a carrier and an undercarriage, the undercarriage having a
An articulating camera transport apparatus and corresponding methods involving an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck including a carrier and an undercarriage, the undercarriage having a plurality of articulating wheels and a structure for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed: 1. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, the undercarriage comprising
What is claimed: 1. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, the undercarriage comprising a plurality of articulating wheels and means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the camera element comprises at least one element selected from a group consisting essentially of a camera platform, a camera dolly, a camera crane, and a camera crane base, wherein the carrier comprises at least one outboard edge and an inboard open section, the carrier being extendible for accommodating varying sizes and orientations of the camera element, wherein the carrier further comprises at least one tap and at least one extension member, the at least one extension member comprising a retaining flange and at least one pin member disposed on a lower surface of the at least one extension member for selective registration with at least one registration element selected from a group consisting essentially of the at least one tap and the at least one outboard edge, the retaining flange being translatable within the inboard open section for imparting structural stability to the at least one extension, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels comprises at least one wheel configuration selected from a group consisting essentially of: at least one pair of articulating wheels; at least four pairs of articulating wheels; at least two sets of articulating wheel pairs; and at least four sets of articulating wheel pairs, wherein the gimbaling means comprises: a wheel mounting bracket coupled to the undercarriage, the wheel mounting bracket including a rigid section having two ends and at least one moment arm section having proximal and distal ends, the at least one moment arm section proximal end being pivotally coupled with one end of the rigid section ends; and an angled axle corresponding to each wheel pair, the angled axle being rotatably coupled to the at least one moment arm section, wherein each set of articulating wheel pairs comprises four articulating wheel pairs, wherein the four articulating wheel pairs comprise two pairs of inboard articulating wheel pairs and two pairs of outboard articulating wheel pairs, wherein the inboard articulating wheel pairs are pivotally mounted to the respective rigid section ends and to the moment arm section proximal ends, whereby the inboard articulating wheel pairs pivot in relation to the rigid section, wherein the outboard articulating wheel pairs are pivotally mounted to respective the moment arm distal ends, whereby the outboard articulating wheel pairs swing in relation to the rigid section, and whereby mechanical stability and articulation are optimized, wherein each wheel pair gimbals independently from any other wheel pair, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels comprises a plurality of skateboard wheels, wherein the angled axle subtends an angle of approximately 90°, wherein the undercarriage comprises at least one slot for facilitating translation of the mounting bracket in order to accommodate varying distances between the tracks, wherein the wheel mounting bracket comprises a swivel member being pivotally coupled to the undercarriage, wherein the swivel member is pivotally coupled to the undercarriage through the at least one slot, wherein the gimbaling means further comprises at least one low friction-coefficient member selected from a group consisting essentially of a gasket and a washer, the at least one friction-coefficient member being disposed between the swivel member and the undercarriage, and wherein the low friction-coefficient member comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting essentially of a flexible polymer, an elastic polymer, an elastomer, a polyurethane, a rubber, a nylon, a fluorinated polymer, an acetal resin engineering plastic, a polyoxymethylene, a acetal resin, a polytrioxane, and a polyformaldehyde, for facilitating smoothness and shock absorption. 2. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising: an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, and the undercarriage comprising a plurality of articulating wheels and means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the carrier comprises at least one outboard edge and an inboard open section, the carrier being extendible for accommodating varying sizes and orientations of the camera element, and wherein the carrier further comprises at least one tap and at least one extension member, the at least one extension member comprising a retaining flange and at least one pin member disposed on a lower surface of the at least one extension member for selective registration with at least one registration element selected from a group consisting essentially of the at least one tap and the at least one outboard edge, the retaining flange being translatable within the inboard open section for imparting structural stability to the at least one extension. 3. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising: an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, and the undercarriage comprising a plurality of articulating wheels and means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels comprises at least one wheel configuration selected from a group consisting essentially of at least one pair of articulating wheels; at least four pairs of articulating wheels; at least two sets of articulating wheel pairs; and at least four sets of articulating wheel pairs, wherein the gimbaling means comprises: a wheel mounting bracket coupled to the undercarriage, the wheel mounting bracket including a rigid section having two ends and at least one moment arm section having proximal and distal ends, the at least one moment arm section proximal end being pivotally coupled with one end of the rigid section ends; and an angled axle corresponding to each wheel pair, the angled axle being rotatably coupled to the at least one moment arm section, wherein each set of articulating wheel pairs comprises four articulating wheel pairs, wherein the four articulating wheel pairs comprise two pairs of inboard articulating wheel pairs and two pairs of outboard articulating wheel pairs, wherein the inboard articulating wheel pairs are pivotally mounted to the respective rigid section ends and to the moment arm section proximal ends, whereby the inboard articulating wheel pairs pivot in relation to the rigid section, and wherein the outboard articulating wheel pairs are pivotally mounted to respective the moment arm distal ends, whereby the outboard articulating wheel pairs swing in relation to the rigid section, and whereby mechanical stability and articulation are optimized. 4. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising: an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, and the undercarriage comprising a plurality of articulating wheels and means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels comprises at least one wheel configuration selected from the group consisting essentially of at least one pair of articulating wheels; at least four pairs of articulating wheels; at least two sets of articulating wheel pairs; and at least four sets of articulating wheel pairs, wherein each wheel pair gimbals independently from any other wheel pair. 5. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, and the undercarriage comprising a plurality of articulating wheels and means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels comprises a plurality of skateboard wheels. 6. An apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein the angled axle subtends an angle in a range of approximately 0° to approximately 90°. 7. An apparatus, as recited in claim 6, wherein the angled axle subtends an angle of approximately 90°. 8. An apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein the undercarriage comprises at least one slot for facilitating translation of the mounting bracket in order to accommodate varying distances between the tracks, and wherein the wheel mounting bracket comprises a swivel member being pivotally coupled to the undercarriage. 9. An apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein the swivel member is pivotally coupled to the undercarriage through the at least one slot. 10. An apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein the gimbaling means further comprises at least one low friction-coefficient member selected from a group consisting essentially of a gasket and a washer, the at least one friction-coefficient member being disposed between the swivel member and the undercarriage, and wherein the low friction-coefficient member comprises at least one material selected from a group consisting essentially of a polymer, a composite, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, and a fluorinated polymer. 11. A method of fabricating an articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising the step of providing an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck providing step comprising providing a carrier and providing an undercarriage, and the undercarriage providing step comprising providing a plurality of articulating wheels and providing means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the carrier providing step comprises providing at least one outboard edge and providing an inboard open section, the carrier providing step comprising providing the carrier as being extendible for accommodating varying sizes and orientations of the camera element, and wherein the carrier providing step further comprises providing at least one tap and providing at least one extension member, the at least one extension member providing step comprising providing a retaining flange and providing at least one pin member disposed on a lower surface of the at least one extension member for selective registration with at least one registration element selected from a group consisting essentially of the at least one tap and the at least one outboard edge, the retaining flange providing step comprising providing the retaining flange as being translatable within the inboard open section for imparting structural stability to the at least one extension. 12. A method of fabricating an articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising the step of providing an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck providing step comprising providing a carrier and providing an undercarriage, and the undercarriage providing step comprising providing a plurality of articulating wheels and providing means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing at least one wheel configuration selected from the group consisting essentially of: at least one pair of articulating wheels; at least four pairs of articulating wheels; at least two sets of articulating wheel pairs; and at least four sets of articulating wheel pairs, wherein the gimbaling means providing step comprises: providing a wheel mounting bracket being coupled to the undercarriage, the wheel mounting bracket providing step including providing a rigid section having two ends and providing at least one moment arm section having proximal and distal ends, the at least one moment arm section proximal end being pivotally coupled with one end of the rigid section ends; and providing an angled axle corresponding to each wheel pair, the angled axle being rotatably coupled to the at least one moment arm section, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises providing each set of articulating wheel pairs as four articulating wheel pairs, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises providing the four articulating wheel pairs as two pairs of inboard articulating wheel pairs and two pairs of outboard articulating wheel pairs, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises pivotally mounting the inboard articulating wheel pairs to the respective rigid section ends and to the moment arm section proximal ends, thereby providing a pivoting relation between the inboard articulating wheel pairs and the rigid section, and wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises pivotally mounting the outboard articulating wheel pairs to the respective moment arm distal ends, thereby providing a swinging relation between the outboard articulating wheel pairs and the rigid section, and thereby optimizing mechanical stability as well as articulation. 13. A method of fabricating an articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising the step of providing an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck providing step comprising providing a carrier and providing an undercarriage, and the undercarriage providing step comprising providing a plurality of articulating wheels and providing means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing at least one wheel configuration selected from the group consisting essentially of at least one pair of articulating wheels; at least four pairs of articulating wheels; at least two sets of articulating wheel pairs; and at least four sets of articulating wheel pairs, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing each wheel pair as being independently gimbaling from any other wheel pair. 14. A method of fabricating an articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising the step of providing an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck providing step comprising providing a carrier and providing an undercarriage, and the undercarriage providing step comprising providing a plurality of articulating wheels and providing means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing the plurality of articulating wheels as a plurality of skateboard wheels. 15. A method, as recited in claim 12, wherein the angled axle providing step comprises subtending an angle in a range of approximately 0° to approximately 90°. 16. A method, as recited in claim 15, wherein the angled axle providing step comprises subtending an angle of approximately 90°. 17. A method, as recited in claim 12, wherein the undercarriage providing step comprises providing at least one slot for facilitating translation of the mounting bracket in order to accommodate varying distances between the tracks, and wherein the wheel mounting bracket providing step comprises providing a swivel member being pivotally coupled to the undercarriage. 18. A method, as recited in claim 17, wherein the swivel member providing step comprises pivotally coupling the swivel member to the undercarriage through the at least one slot. 19. A method, as recited in claim 17, wherein the gimbaling means providing step further comprises providing at least one low friction-coefficient member selected from a group consisting essentially of a gasket and a washer, the at least one friction-coefficient member being disposed between the swivel member and the undercarriage, and wherein the low friction-coefficient member providing step comprises providing at least one material selected from a group consisting essentially of a polymer, a composite, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, and a fluorinated polymer. 20. A method of fabricating an articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising the step of providing an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck providing step comprising providing a carrier and providing an undercarriage, and the undercarriage providing step comprising providing a plurality of articulating wheels and providing means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks, wherein the camera element is provided as at least one element selected from a group consisting essentially of a camera platform, a camera dolly, a camera crane, and a camera crane base, wherein the carrier providing step comprises providing at least one outboard edge and providing an inboard open section, the carrier providing step comprising providing the carrier as being extendible for accommodating varying sizes and orientations of the camera element, wherein the carrier providing step further comprises providing at least one tap and providing at least one extension member, the at least one extension member providing step comprising providing a retaining flange and providing at least one pin member disposed on a lower surface of the at least one extension member for selective registration with at least one registration element selected from a group consisting essentially of the at least one tap and the at least one outboard edge, the retaining flange providing step comprising providing the retaining flange as being translatable within the inboard open section for imparting structural stability to the at least one extension, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing at least one wheel configuration selected from a group consisting essentially of: at least one pair of articulating wheels; at least four pairs of articulating wheels; at least two sets of articulating wheel pairs; and at least four sets of articulating wheel pairs, wherein the gimbaling means providing step comprises: providing a wheel mounting bracket being coupled to the undercarriage, the wheel mounting bracket providing step including providing a rigid section having two ends and providing at least one moment arm section having proximal and distal ends, the at least one moment arm section proximal end being pivotally coupled with one end of the rigid section ends; and providing an angled axle corresponding to each wheel pair, the angled axle being rotatably coupled to the at least one moment arm section, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises providing each set of articulating wheel pairs as four articulating wheel pairs, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises providing the four articulating wheel pairs as two pairs of inboard articulating wheel pairs and two pairs of outboard articulating wheel pairs, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises pivotally mounting the inboard articulating wheel pairs to the respective rigid section ends and to the moment arm section proximal ends, thereby providing a pivoting relation between the inboard articulating wheel pairs and the rigid section, wherein the at least one wheel configuration providing step comprises pivotally mounting the outboard articulating wheel pairs to the respective moment arm distal ends, thereby providing a swinging relation between the outboard articulating wheel pairs and the rigid section, and thereby optimizing mechanical stability as well as articulation, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing each wheel pair as being independently gimbaling from any other wheel pair, wherein the plurality of articulating wheels providing step comprises providing the plurality of articulating wheels as a plurality of skateboard wheels, wherein the angled axle providing step comprises subtending an angle of approximately 90°, wherein the undercarriage providing step comprises providing at least one slot for facilitating translation of the mounting bracket in order to accommodate varying distances between the tracks, wherein the wheel mounting bracket providing step comprises providing a swivel member being pivotally coupled to the undercarriage, wherein the swivel member providing step comprises pivotally coupling the swivel member to the undercarriage through the at least one slot, wherein the gimbaling means providing step further comprises providing at least one low friction-coefficient member selected from a group consisting essentially of a gasket and a washer, the at least one friction-coefficient member being disposed between the swivel member and the undercarriage, and wherein the low friction-coefficient member providing step comprises providing at least one material selected from a group consisting essentially of a polymer, a composite, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, and a fluorinated polymer. 21. A method of transporting a camera element by way of an articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing an articulating camera truck for accommodating a camera element and for engaging set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, the truck providing step comprising providing a carrier and providing an undercarriage, the undercarriage providing step comprising providing plurality of articulating wheels and providing means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks; disposing the camera element on the articulating camera truck; and applying a force to the articulating camera truck, thereby transporting the camera element, wherein the carrier providing step comprises providing the carrier as being extendible for accommodating varying sizes and orientations of the camera element, and wherein the carrier providing step further comprises providing at least one tap and providing at least one extension member, the at least one extension member providing step comprising providing at least one pin member disposed on a lower surface of the at least one extension member for selective registration with the at least one tap. 22. A method, as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of adjusting the carrier by registering the at least one pin member with the at least one tap. 23. An articulating camera transport apparatus, comprising: at least two articulating camera trucks for accommodating a camera element and for engaging a set of camera dolly tracks, the tracks having a curvature, each truck comprising a carrier and an undercarriage, and the undercarriage comprising a plurality of articulating wheels and means for gimbaling the plurality of articulating wheels for accommodating the curvature and for facilitating a smooth passage of the truck along the tracks; and a carrying case for storing the articulating camera transport apparatus. 24. An apparatus, as recited in claim 23, further comprising at least one placard for mechanical attachment to the apparatus. 25. An apparatus, as recited in claim 24, wherein the placard comprises indicia. 26. An apparatus, as recited in claim 24, wherein the indicia comprises at least one indicium selected from a group consisting essentially of a trademark, service mark, production information, and technical information.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Dexter Ronald P. (8675 Edwin Dr. Los Angeles CA 90046), Camera support stand.
Howell Mary E. (20911 Beachwood La. Huntington Beach CA 92646) Hofstein Michael A. (15200 Delgado Dr. Sherman Oaks CA 91403) Howell Murrell D. (20911 Beachwood La. Huntington Beach CA 92646), Rail mounted camera system.
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