Abstract: A lightweight camera crane has an outer arm pivotally attached to a base. A moving counterweight carriage is supported on carriage rollers on top of the outer arm. An inner arm is supported on arm rollers within the outer arm. An electric extension motor drives telescoping extension and retraction movement of the inner arm via chains, belts or cables connected to the counterweight carriage and the inner arm. An electrical power unit is supported at a back end of the outer arm. The electrical power unit includes a rechargeable battery for powering the electric extension motor.

Abstract: A vehicle for carrying a camera crane has wheels or treads on a chassis. A battery pack assembly on the chassis, includes an AC to DC converter and plurality of batteries wired to a battery charger within a housing. The batteries collectively may have an output voltage of 30 to 36 VDC when fully charged. At least one input connector on the housing is wired to the AC to DC converter for charging the batteries. The battery pack assembly replaces and is used instead of a camera-equipment-generator.

Abstract: A camera crane mobile base for carrying a camera crane includes a first powered remotely controllable steering system having first and second axle assemblies at a first end of a chassis. A second steering system including third and fourth axle assemblies is provided at a second end of the chassis. A first electrically powered remotely controllable propulsion system includes an electric propulsion motor connected to first and second axles in the first and second axle assemblies. A telescoping center post is pivotally attached to the chassis. An on-board hydraulic system may power the first steering system and the telescoping center post.

Abstract: A camera dolly includes a folding arm having a lower end of a first arm section pivotally attached to the chassis, and a lower end of a second arm section pivotally attached to an upper end of the first arm section. A hydraulic system includes a pump, an accumulator and a hydraulic cylinder connected to the first arm section. An arm drive system in the first arm section rotates the second arm section relative to the first arm section. The arm drive system may use chains and sprockets. An electrical system includes a battery contained within a lower rear opening of the chassis. The motor and an AC to DC converter are electrically connected to a motor mechanically connected to the pump. The pump is operated by the motor, and the motor is electrically powered by the battery and/or the AC to DC converter.

Abstract: A remotely controlled camera head has a pan frame including a first rectangular section. An upper end of a second rectangular section is joined to the left side of the first rectangular section. A pan motor in the first rectangular section of the pan frame rotates the pan frame about a pan axis co-axial with a hub when the pan motor is on. A tilt frame is rotatably attached to the lower end of the second rectangular section and movable about a tilt axis. In a two axis mode, a camera platform is attached to the tilt frame. A slide out may be used to change the length of the tilt frame. A tilt motor within the second rectangular section is connected to the tilt frame for rotating the tilt frame about a tilt axis when the tilt motor is on.

Abstract: A camera slider has a base and a tubular hollow arm pivotally attached to the base. A counterweight carriage is supported on the arm on carriage rollers. An electric drive motor moves the counterweight carriage linearly on top of the arm. A slider counterweight is movable from a first position, wherein the counterweight carriage is at or adjacent to a first end of the arm and the slider counterweight is at or adjacent to a second end of the arm, and a second position wherein the counterweight carriage is at the second end of the arm, opposite from the first end, and the slider counterweight is at or adjacent to the first end of the arm.

Abstract: A camera slider has a base and a tubular hollow arm pivotally attached to the base. A counterweight carriage is supported on the arm on carriage rollers. An electric drive motor moves the counterweight carriage linearly on top of the arm. A slider counterweight is movable between ends of the arm to maintain the arm in balance. A telescoping locking strut allows the arm to be held at a wide range of elevation angles.

Abstract: A camera crane tractor includes first and second spaced apart and parallel wheel decks on a chassis. The tractor has left and right side treads supported on tread rollers on the chassis, and a motor for driving the treads. One or more angled wheel guide strips may be provided on each of the wheel decks, to guide the wheels of a mobile base rolling onto the wheel decks. The wheel guide strips may have an angle complimentary to an angled sidewall of the wheels of the mobile base. Wheels stops are positioned at the ends of the wheel decks to prevent longitudinal movement of the mobile base after it is loaded onto the tractor. Threaded holes may be provided in the chassis between the wheel decks to allow the mobile base to be clamped down onto the tractor.

Abstract: A camera crane mobile base has a chassis including a front and rear wheel frames joined to a frame body via front and rear frame arms. Axle assemblies are pivotally attached at opposite ends of the wheel frames. A wheel is mounted onto each axle assembly. Front and rear steering systems have linkages pivotally attached to the axle assemblies and to upper and lower steering arms. A post frame is pivotally attached to a frame body with a center post pivotally attached to the post frame.

Abstract: A lightweight camera crane has an outer arm pivotally attached to a base. A trim weight tray is rigidly attached to a back end of the outer arm. A moving counterweight carriage is supported on carriage rollers on top of the outer arm. An inner arm is supported on arm rollers within the outer arm. A camera platform is pivotally attached to a front end of the inner arm for tilt axis movement. An electric leveling motor connected to the camera platform via a mechanical linkage keeps the camera platform level regardless of the tilt angle of the camera crane. An electric extension motor drives telescoping extension and retraction movement of the inner arm via chains, belts or cables connected to the counterweight carriage and the inner arm.

Abstract: A vertical axis shock and vibration isolator for a camera has first and second plates connected by linkages which allow the plates to move towards and away from each other, while keeping the plates parallel to each other. The second plate is suspended from the first plate on dampener assemblies having a spring and a fluid dampener. The isolator may be used in an under slung or an over slung position, without changing its isolation characteristics. When set up in an over slung position, the dampener assemblies may be inverted separately from the isolator so that the springs remain loaded in compression.

Abstract: A camera crane carrier includes a vehicle having a front end and a back end. A front elevator is movable vertically between up and down positions, at a forward position on a deck vehicle. A back elevator is movable vertically between up and down positions, at a rearward position, below the deck. A ramp may be provided on the vehicle, with the ramp extendible from the deck at the back end of the vehicle to the ground. The elevators allow a camera crane to be more easily loaded onto the vehicle, and also allow lowering the center of gravity of the loaded vehicle. The vehicle may optionally be used as a camera car when not carrying a camera crane.

Abstract: Camera dolly track has adjustable width and is foldable for transport or storage. A track section has first and second rails connected via first and second cross braces. The cross brace includes a first bar pivotally attached to the first rail, and a second bar pivotally attached to the second rail. The first bar is securable onto the second bar at multiple positions along the second bar, to change the length of the cross brace to allow a track width of the dolly track to be changed. The length of the cross brace may be changed via a straight slot in the first bar and at least one projection in the second bar extending into the slot, to allow the bars to slide in and out over each other.

Abstract: A steering bar engageable with and removable from a steering mode transmission in a camera dolly or pedestal. The steering bar has a handle attached to an upper end of a slot tube, with the slot tube telescopically slidable into or over a base tube, and keyed to the base tube. A shift rod has an upper end connected to a shift cap at the steering bar and a lower end connectable to the steering transmission. A clamp clamps onto the shift rod and is axially movable with the handle bar, to allow shifting steering modes via movement of the shift cap, with the steering bar at any selected height.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator camera includes a top plate is attached to a bottom plate via a universal joint that allows the top plate to pivot about two mutually perpendicular axes relative to the bottom plate. A camera attachment fitting, such a Mitchell mount fitting, may be provided on the top plate, for attaching a camera or camera accessory to the top plate. Springs are compressed between the top and bottom plates. Fluid dampeners between the top and bottom plates are connected to a valve that allows dampening to be adjusted.

Abstract: A stabilized camera system has a roll frame formed as a parallelogram linkage and pivotably attached to a pan frame. A tilt frame is pivotably attached to the roll frame. Control circuits are provided to compensate for drift, to allow manual aiming of the camera during stabilized camera operation, and for providing rapid leveling. The stabilized camera system is compact with low moments of inertia to allow rapid movements.

Abstract: A steering bar engageable with and removable from a steering mode transmission in a camera dolly or pedestal. The steering bar has a handle attached to an upper end of a slot tube, with the slot tube telescopically slidable into or over a base tube, and keyed to the base tube. A shift rod has an upper end connected to a shift cap at the steering bar and a lower end connectable to the steering transmission. A clamp clamps onto the shift rod and is axially movable with the handle bar, to allow shifting steering modes via movement of the shift cap, with the steering bar at any selected height.

Abstract: A camera pedestal has wheels that can be positively steered via a steering bar operating a corrective and crab mode steering system, and that may also be uncoupled from the steering system and operated in a caster wheel mode. The pedestal includes a base having a chassis and four leg assemblies. Each leg assembly has an upper component rotatably attached to the chassis, and wheels attached to a lower component via a caster fitting. The caster fitting allows the wheels to be positioned in a normal position where they are aligned with the rotation axis of the leg assembly, and into a caster position where the wheels are offset from the rotation axis, to allow for caster rolling movement.

Abstract: A camera dolly has wheels that can be positively steered via a steering bar operating a corrective and crab mode steering system. A spring holds a steering transmission of the steering system into the crab mode. The dolly operator may shift from the crab mode into the corrective mode by momentarily pushing down on a plunger on the steering bar, when the wheels are straight. After performing a corrective steering maneuver, the spring causes the steering system to automatically return to the crab steering mode when the wheels are steered back to the straight position.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator camera includes a top plate is attached to a bottom plate via a universal joint that allows the top plate to pivot about two mutually perpendicular axes relative to the bottom plate. A camera attachment fitting, such a Mitchell mount fitting, may be provided on the top plate, for attaching a camera or camera accessory to the top plate. A threaded fitting may be provided on the bottom plate, for attaching the isolator to a supporting structure. A dampener/spring element is positioned between the top and bottom plates. The dampener/spring element may be separate springs and dampeners, such as gas or viscous dampeners. Alternatively, spring loaded shock absorbers, or a resilient material may be used.