Abstract: A tiltable mounting for a payload includes a base (10), a support member (15) for supporting the payload thereon, the support member being tiltable about a horizontal axis (14) on the base for tilting about each side of a top dead center position about said horizontal axis, and a torque generating mechanism (17) mounted on the base and acting on the tiltable support to generate a torque in response to tilting of the support equal and opposite to the out of balance moment of the support with its payload to hold the support balanced in any position of movement about said axis. A plurality of torque generating units (20, 21) are provided each generating a torque which varies sinusoidaly with displacement, and a mechanism (22, 23, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37) provided for adjusting the phase angle between the torque generating means to vary the collective amplitude of the torque generating mechanism to suit the weight of the payload on the support member.

Abstract: A counter-balanced tiltable platform (10) is provided for receiving and supporting a load such as a camera. The arrangement includes a base (11), an intermediate support (13) mounted on the base to move in a vertical direction with respect to the base, a pivot mechanism (15) for mounting the platform on the intermediate support to tilt about a horizontal axis in either direction from a normal position, a mechanism for positioning a load on the platform with its center of gravity over the horizontal axis when the platform is in said normal position and a link and bell crank lever arrangement (25, 27, 31) acting through the intermediate support to raise the support and thereby the platform in response to tilting of the platform in either direction from the normal position to maintain the center of gravity of the loaded platform in a constant horizontal plane and thereby to counter-balance the loaded platform.

Abstract: A pan and tilt head for a TV or video camera mounting (10) comprises two drag/damper devices, one for controlling the pan movement and the other for controlling the tilt movement. Each device may comprise a fixed central shaft (18), a first set of spaced plates (22) secured to the shaft, a second set (24) secured to a rotatable housing (20), and a third set (26) interleaved between the first and second sets. When the plates are immersed in a viscous fluid and one member is moved, the characteristics are such that the forque increases linearly with speed from zero up to a given speed, and then remains substantially constant above the speed.

Abstract: The need for readjustment of clamps due to wear and tear is overcome by the provision of clamping means comprising a first member (16) movable relative to a housing (10) to effect clamping; torque limiting drive means (30,44) rotatable to effect that movement; and lost motion stop means (50,60) rotatable by the drive means into a first stop position in which continued rotation of the drive means is prevented and, through reverse rotation of the drive means, into a second stop position in which continued reverse rotation of the drive means is prevented. This clamping means can be used in particular to clamp telescoping legs, for instance on camera tripods.

Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, has a three element pantographic linkage including a rigid control arm of which an intermediate point is constrained to move along a horizontal path. One end of the arm is pivotally mounted to an arm carrying the tiltable head, while the other end is pivotally mounted to a locating arm whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure. The relative angular position of the two arms is controlled by two parallelogram linkages with different degrees of fold and having the central arm in common, whereby one of the two linkages is always laterally spaced from the arm. Alternatively the two arms may be secured to respective sprockets pivoted to the arm and connected together by a chain.

Abstract: A control device for a tiltable mounting head, such as the mounting head for a camera, includes a pantographic-type linkage. The angular position of an arm (24) supporting the mounting head (26) is controlled relative to a locating arm (12), whose remote end is pivoted to fixed structure (16) by three meshing gears, of which one (10) is connected to the locating arm (12) and another gear (20) is connected to the arm (24). The gears are rotatably mounted on a rigid arm (22) of the linkage of which an intermediate point (28) is constrained to move along a horizontal path.

Abstract: A height adjustable load carrying platform (7) wheel mounted for steering or crabbing movement and comprising at least three concertainable lazy tongs lattices of struts (5) forming a 3 sided pyramid which can be raised and lowered manually or under power, and includes a counterbalance mechanism (67). The structure replaces a conventional pedestal support for a camera or the like (such as T.V. camera) and is capable of being extended up to normal pedestal height, but is also capable of contracting to a lower minimum height than that of a conventional pedestal. Three and four axis hinges are described to permit the articulation at the corners.

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: Camera mounting equipment comprising a wheeled base with a rotatable table mounted thereon. The rotatable table having a balanced pantographic arm pivoted thereon and means for controlling vertical and horizontal movement of a camera mounting platform attached to the other end of the arm. The equipment may be locked or unlocked in any combination of the three axes so that the camera mounting platform may have complete freedom of movement within its operational limits or may be limited to certain straight line or planar movement. The equipment is also counterbalanced and the arm may be remotely controlled using low power motors.

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 concerns a motorcycle in which the engine is mounted on the swinging arm to provide a rigid connection between the engine drive and the rear wheel hub. The swinging arm is pivoted to the motorcycle frame forwardly of the engine.