Abstract: A camera platform may be stabilized by reducing or avoiding oscillating movement, when active stabilization systems are not used. A passive dampener resists the back driving of the motors used in the active stabilization system. This dampening or resistance to back driving the motors in turn dampens movement of the camera platform. Oscillations are reduced or avoided and the camera platform may return more quickly and smoothly to a level position. The dampener may be provided as an add-on or temporarily electrically switched in accessory. The dampener may include a circuit that connects the first and second motors of the active stabilization system in series, and connects the series output of the two motors to a variable resistor through a rectifier. A transistor may be with the variable resistor to provide for more linear adjusting and a more compact variable resistor.

Abstract: A camera crane has a telescoping arm on a mobile base. The mobile base has a drive motor assembly at each corner of a chassis. The drive motor assemblies may have an electric motor linked to an axle via gearing, and two or more wheels attached to the axle. The wheels can be set to free wheel, so that the mobile base may be pushed or towed, without back driving the electric motor. The wheels may also be linked to the axle, so that the electric motor can provide torque to each of the wheels. The electric motors may be separately controlled to propel and steer the mobile base.

Abstract: An accessory for use on a camera crane has a first plate attachable to an end of the camera crane arm. A second plate is pivotally attached to the first plate and moveable into a first position and into a second position perpendicular to the first position. First and second latches secure the second plate into the first and second positions, respectively. The accessory allows a camera head on a camera crane arm to be quickly and easily reoriented.

Abstract: An adapter for a steering handle of a camera dolly includes a first part and a second part attached to the first part in a way that allows for angular adjustment between them. This allows the steering handle to be aligned or squared up relative to the dolly chassis. The first part may be an adapter base and the second part may be a riser. The adapter base may have a flange with slotted holes alignable with holes in the riser. Fasteners, such as cap screws, extending through the slots and holes, may be loosened to allow angular movement between the adapter base and the riser. Once properly aligned, the fasteners are tightened. Grooves, openings, pins, or similar engagement features may be provided at the top end of the adapter base, to allow a steering handle to attach to, and to rotate with, the adapter base. A bore may extend through the adapter base and the riser, with a fitting on the riser adapted to engage with a steering system in the camera dolly.

Abstract: A mobile camera vehicle has a roll cage or similar structure attached to a chassis. Upper and lower horizontal bars are attached to the vehicle structure. Front and rear vertical bars are each attached to the upper and lower horizontal bars. A lift plate is attached to and vertically moveable on the front and rear vertical bars. A lift plate actuator may be attached to the lift plate and used to raise and lower the lift plate on the front and rear vertical bars. Alternatively, the lift plate may be moved manually. A camera platform is supported on the lift plate. A vertical shock isolator may optionally be supported on the lift plate, and with a camera on the camera platform on the vertical shock isolator.

Abstract: A camera crane includes a telescopically extendible arm with a camera platform pivotally attached to the front end of the arm. An arm support can support a back section of the arm at two or more positions. Consequently the pivot axis of the arm can be shifted to the front or rear, to change rear clearance requirements, counterweight requirements, and the reach of the arm. A leveling system on a nose assembly includes at least one motor within a sealed motor housing. When the head moves to an out of level position, an electronic controller energizes the motor which exerts torque to return the head to level.

Abstract: A mobile base for a camera crane includes a front left drive motor assembly, a front right drive motor assembly, a rear left drive motor assembly, and a rear right drive motor assembly, attached to a chassis. Each drive motor assembly may include an electric motor linked to an axle via a gear reduction and at least one wheel on the axle. A middle left drive motor assembly and a middle right drive motor assembly may each also include an electric motor linked to an axle via a gear reduction, at least one wheel on the axle, and a spring suspension assembly attached to the chassis and supporting the axle. An electrical power supply on the chassis may be linked to each of the electric motors.

Abstract: A camera support or head has a pan frame pivotably attached to a support hub. The support hub is attached to a camera crane or similar apparatus. The pan frame has first and second spaced apart and parallel adjustable length pan arms. A pan motor is attached to the pan frame and adapted to pivot the pan frame about a pan axis relative to the support hub. A tilt frame is pivotably attached to the pan frame. The tilt frame may include first and second spaced apart and parallel adjustable length tilt arms attached to opposite ends of a camera mounting plate. A tilt motor is attached to the tilt frame and to the pan frame and is adapted to pivot the tilt frame about a tilt axis perpendicular to the pan axis. The adjustable length tilt arms allow the camera head to extended to accommodate cameras requiring more vertical clearance. The adjustable length tilt arms allow the camera platform to be moved to better locate the center of gravity of the camera on the tilt axis, for more balanced loading.

Abstract: A stop valve for a camera support such as a telescoping camera crane may include a valve pin engagable onto a valve seat, with a pin plate attached to the valve pin. A spring urges the valve pin in a first direction, which may be an opening direction or a closing direction. First and second dampener pins in first and second cylinders are attached to the pin plate. A closed loop fluid filled flow path connects the first and second cylinders. First and second check valves may be used to control flow in the flow path.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a camera platform includes generating a first signal from a platform sensor, such as a gyro sensor, on the camera platform indicative of a change in angular position of the camera platform. The first signal is added to a control signal provided from a camera platform position controller, typically operated by the camera operator. A first correction value based on the sum of the first signal and the control signal is calculated. A second correction value is calculated based on a signal from an encoder associated with a motor linked to the camera platform. Adding the first correction value and the second correction value provides a motor control signal which is amplified and used to control the motor.

Abstract: A camera crane includes an arm having a back section, a middle section telescopically extendible into and out of the back section, and a front section telescopically extendible into and out of the middle section. A camera platform is pivotally attached at or near the front end of the front section. A counterweight is movable along the back section. An arm support can support the back section at two or more positions. Consequently the pivot axis of the arm can be shifted to the front or rear, to change rear clearance requirements, counterweight requirements, and the reach of the arm. An electronic controller is linked to a motor and a sensor on a camera head, with the motor acting to keep the head level.

Abstract: A camera crane has a telescopically extendible arm with a camera platform supported at the front end of the arm. A mechanical leveling system is linked to the camera platform to keep the camera platform in a substantially horizontal or level position, regardless of the elevation angle of the arm. A counter weight moves along the arm as the arm extends and retracts, to help keep the arm balanced. A stabilizing system provides instantaneous corrective movements to the camera platform, to keep the camera platform level. The stabilizing system includes a sensor for sensing the angular position of the camera platform. An electronic controller provides a positive preload to a first motor, and a negative preload to the second motor, driving the camera platform, to avoid backlash. Upon sensing an out of level position, the controller provides a corrective signal to the motors, causing both motors to drive the camera platform back towards level.

Abstract: A telescoping camera crane has mechanical drive and camera platform leveling systems, allowing for water resistant or submerged operation. Telescoping sections of the crane arm are driven by a hydraulic system, for smooth and near silent extension and retraction movement. The telescoping sections of the crane arm have a slight upward curvature, to compensate for deflection the arm, thereby improving performance. Electronic and mechanical stopping systems allow the camera platform to be smoothly, accurately, and reliably positioned. Camera platform levelling and stabilizing systems keep the camera level.

Abstract: A camera riser has a centering ring that engages an inner surface or diameter of the raised ring on a camera head. As a result, camera riser can automatically and securely center most camera heads. This saves time in setting up the camera. Even if the castle ring holding the camera head onto the camera riser becomes loose, the camera head remains centered on the head. The centering ring may also be used to center two or more risers joined together.

Abstract: A camera pedestal has a cylinder with a tapering cross-section for providing a uniform counterbalancing force using a compressed gas. Telescoping column sections which make up a column assembly have inner relief channels and outer slots for hardened roller strips. A column drive system has a hydraulic actuator to remotely raise the column assembly, and to lock the column assembly into any selected position. The column assembly is eccentrically positioned on its base tank. The pedestal is engageable to a receptacle on a camera dolly with a telescoping steering drive tube interconnecting a steering assembly on the pedestal with a steering system in the dolly.

Abstract: A universal hydraulic stop valve has housing having check valves in a check valve bore. A needle in needle bore has spaced apart seals which may alternately seal against valve seats on adjustable knobs, with movement of the needle, which may be mechanically linked to a machine element moved by a hydraulic actuator. The universal hydraulic valve sets accurate starting and stopping positions, and also provides for gradual feathered stops.

Abstract: In a camera pedestal having a pedestal chassis supported on wheels and a separable pedestal column supported in an opening in the pedestal chassis, a camera riser is provided in between the column and chassis, to increase camera lens height without increasing the load and stress on the telescoping column. The camera riser has an upper end adapted to receive the lower end of the pedestal, and a lower end adapted to attach into or onto the chassis, in the same manner as the pedestal column attaches to the chassis, when the riser is not in use.