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 leveling and stabilizing systems keep the camera level.

Abstract: A flashlight includes a first or top section attached to a second or base section. The top section has one or more elements that are axially moveable relative to the base section, for focusing light. This movement may be achieved, for example, by having the top and base sections joined via screw threads, and by rotating one section relative to the other. One or more lenses are supported in the top section. An LED or other light source is supported on a base or heat sink on the base section. As the sections move relative to each other, a switch is actuated turning the LED on, and the lens moves relative to the LED, focusing light from the LED. The base section has a housing forming a battery compartment. Electronic components are encapsulated in a potting compound, such as thermally conductive epoxy, to improve heat transfer from the components, and to better resist environmental affects.

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 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 crane includes an improved balancing system having a weight bar attached to the crane arm, and balance weights moveable along the weight bar. Substantially each balance weight can have upper rollers resting on the upper surface of the weight bar, to support the balance weight on the weight bar and allowing the balance weight to roll along the weight bar. A brake may be provided on the balance weights to lock the balance weight into a selected position on the weight bar. If used, the brake may have a moveable brake pad and a brake stop. The weight bar can be attached to the crane arm via mounting bars, and with the balance weights each including a slot to allow the balance weight to move over or past the mounting bars.

Abstract: A flashlight includes a first or top section attached to a second or base section. The top section has one or more elements that are axially moveable relative to the base section, for focusing light. This movement may be achieved, for example, by having the top and base sections joined via screw threads, and by rotating one section relative to the other. One or more lenses are supported in the top section. An LED or other light source is supported on the base section. As the sections move relative to each other, the lens moves relative to the LED, focusing light from the LED. The base section has a housing forming a battery compartment for holding at least one battery. Contacts may be provided on the base section for charging the battery, without removing the battery from the flashlight.

Abstract: The bearing system includes a first component having a first substrate and a first coating. The first coating includes a DLC layer and a DLN layer between the DLC layer and the substrate. A second component is in sliding engagement with the first component.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator for a movie or video camera has a vertical axis system including a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, and at least one spring connected to the base and to the arm. One or more dampeners are connected to the base and to the arm. A horizontal axis system is supported by the vertical axis system. A leveling linkage connects the vertical and horizontal axis systems. The leveling linkage has adjustment features that allow for compensation of camera lens angulation caused by movement of the camera supported on a vehicle rolling over rough or uneven ground. A camera or camera head is suspended, like a dampened pendulum, on the horizontal axis system.

Abstract: A shock and vibration isolator for a movie or video camera has a vertical axis system including a base, an arm pivotably attached to the base, and at least one spring connected to the base and to the arm. One or more dampeners are connected to the base and to the arm. A horizontal axis system is supported by the vertical axis system. A leveling linkage connects the vertical and horizontal axis systems. The leveling linkage has adjustment features that allow for compensation of camera lens angulation caused by movement of the camera supported on a vehicle rolling over rough or uneven ground.

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 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. A riser section on the arm increases the effective length or reach of the arm. The extender section may also be pivotably mounted on the arm, so that it can quickly be moved into upright, inverted, or side positions.

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.

Abstract: A flashlight has a lens or lenses moveable relative to one or more LED or other light source. The beam of light provided by the LED can be focused and provides a uniform light pattern across the range of focus. The lenses are supported on a front housing section and the LED is supported on a back housing section threaded onto the front housing section. Twisting the front housing section closes a switch providing power to the LED, to turn the flashlight on. One or more circuit modules within the flashlight provides various operating modes including an automatic shut-off timer, to preserve battery life, a dimmer controlled by turning an end cap, a blinking function, a momentary bright function, and/or a current control function to provide maximum brightness regardless of battery condition. A clip on the back housing section is optionally provided to secure the flashlight in place.

Abstract: A flashlight has a lens or lenses moveable relative to one or more LED or other light source. The beam of light provided by the LED can be focused and provides a uniform light pattern across the range of focus. The lenses are supported on a front housing section and the LED is supported on a back housing section threaded onto the front housing section. Twisting the front housing section closes a switch providing power to the LED, to turn the flashlight on. One or more circuit modules within the flashlight provides various operating modes including an automatic shut-off timer, to preserve battery life, a dimmer controlled by turning an end cap, a blinking function, a momentary bright function, and/or a current control function to provide maximum brightness regardless of battery condition.

Abstract: A flashlight has a lens or lenses moveable relative to one or more LED or other light source. The beam of light provided by the LED can be focused and provides a uniform light pattern across the range of focus. The lenses are supported on a front housing section and the LED is supported on a back housing section threaded onto the front housing section. Twisting the front housing section closes a switch providing power to the LED, to turn the flashlight on. One or more circuit modules within the flashlight provides various operating modes including an automatic shut-off timer, to preserve battery life, a dimmer controlled by turning an end cap, a blinking function, and/or a current control function to provide maximum brightness regardless of battery condition.

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 fluid control valve assembly comprises a pair of identical valves mounted on a manifold with connections to the controlled actuator and to the high and low pressure sides of a fluid circuit incorporating a pump or other source of high-pressure fluid. Each valve includes a reciprocating tappet directly connected to a conical valve head and spring biased into a closed position of the valve, with a portion of the tappet protruding from the valve body. Superimposed on the two protruding tappets is a rocking beam which may be pivoted into contact with either tappet by means of a handwheel engaged in a bracket. A threaded shaft affixed to the handwheel passes through a nut pivotally secured to the rocking beam, so that rotation of the handwheel in either sense will result in the depression of one of the two valve tappets and the opening of the valve associated therewith.