Abstract: A lightweight tilt mounting head, for such as television cameras or the like, having reactionary moment producing means to provide moments equal to the out of balance moments produced as the C of G of an article mounted on the head is rotated about the vertical.

Abstract: A torque counterbalancing mechanism for use on tiltable tables, the mechanism comprising a cam operated on by a spring loaded cam follower so that their interaction produces a force equal and opposite to the torque generated as the tiltable table, with load, rotates either side of the vertical. At the null position, i.e. no torque, the spring is at rest with no pre-stressing and means are provided for changing the effective length of the spring, thereby changing the RATE of the spring, to adjust the mechanism to accommodate different heights of the center of gravity of the load or changes in load.

Abstract: An endstopless incremental control provided by parallely connecting and ganging at least two potentiometer wipers without mechanical endstops, selectively switching, converting and sampling the individual output on the potentiometer wipers and utilizing only the valid outputs for feeding to a control system.

Abstract: An interface mechanism for the mounting of one component to another, especially useful where the components have to be boresighted and where the boresighted components have to be removed and replaced without disturbing the accuracy of the boresighting. Locking means are provided to retain the two sections of the interface in a rigid state when mated.

Abstract: A wedge and wedge adaptor for fixing television camera or the like, to such as pan and tilt heads wherein the combination of wedge and wedge adaptor provides for each of location, automatic lock of wedge to adaptor, safety lock, a full unlock position and a frictional unlock position wherein the weight of the camera on the wedge maintains the frictional unlock position to retain the wedge in the adaptor and permits the operator use of both hands for removal of the camera, the frictional unlock position advancing to the full unlock position as soon as the weight on the wedge is reduced.

Abstract: A tiltable mounting comprising a light weight tiltable mounting head for an article such as a television camera wherein the alignment of the center of gravity of the article and mount combined with the tilt axis is easily attainable. Fine adjustment is provided by a worm and wormwheel combination.

Abstract: A load counterbalancing mechanism wherein the mechanically actuated interaction of two independent spring systems, one of which is adjustable, provides the necessary counterbalancing forces to balance the torque forces set up by a load being raised, lowered or tilted about a point on which it is pivoted. Various loads are therefore accommodated by the adjustable spring system.

Abstract: A tiltable mounting with a tilt counterbalancing mechanism, the mechanism being connected between the tilting platform and the base and comprising a base connected member to which a slide is pivoted; the slide having an end restrainer fitted at each end; springs sandwiched between two plates slidable along the slide but not past the restrainers, plate position controlling arms pivoted to the tilting platform to force one of the plates; dependent on direction of tilt; to compress the springs against the other plate which is prevented from sliding by its associated restrainer. The ratio of the angular movement of the tilting platform and the slide being 2:1.

Abstract: The invention comprises an adjustable damping mechanism for such as pan and tilt heads comprising two or more mateable surfaces operating with lubrication wherein the pressure of one surface on the other is variable and combines solidity when stationary, drag proportional to velocity in movement up to whip pan velocity after which the drag remains substantially constant.

Abstract: The invention comprises a hinged joint mainly for use on beam mounted rotatable platforms for counteraction of torsional twist in the beam so that the c. of g. of an article mounted on the platform traverses a horizontal path when the platform is rotated about its pivot point on the beam.

Abstract: A tiltable mounting for a camera or the like having a base member and a mounting pivotable thereon, wherein a pivotal spring acting on a pivoted cranked cam follower compensates for the moments of force produced by the action of the mounted camera, or like article, as it pivots on the base member about the vertical axis. The spring tension may be adjustable to suit different articles and the mounting may be fitted with fluid attachments in either, or both, pitch and yaw axes.

Abstract: A document recording machine of the flow camera type wherein the rotatable document carrying drum is co-axial with the film carrying capstan and having the same angular velocity, an optical reduction system having the same relative reduction as the reduction of peripheral movement of the drum and capstan and a further optical system for recording a serial number from a film carrying magazine to the film and a pivotable mirror in the further optical system is operable to alternately break the two optical paths.

Abstract: Instrument support pedestal having self pumping action providing pedestal pressurization for substantially counterbalancing instrument weight. The pedestal also having column alignable fold-up support legs adjustable for setting the verticallity of the column and compactness for transportation.

Abstract: The invention comprises a light weight tiltable mounting head for an article such as a television camera wherein the C. of G. of the article, when the article is tilted either fore or aft, moves in a straight line parallel to a guide which may be a level surface.