IP Library Granted Patent US 7,192,203
Granted Patent B2
US 7,192,203 · App. 10/489,539 · Granted Mar 20, 2007

Cardanic suspension device for a camera balance device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,192,203
App. No.
10/489,539
Granted
Mar 20, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) for a camera balance device ( 1 ), comprising two intersecting joint axes (G 1 , G 2 ); one of said axes extending vertically (G 2 ) (in a perpendicular manner) and the other (G 1 ) extending horizontally, in addition to an axis of rotation (D) extending through the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and lying perpendicular to the horizontal joint axis (G 1 ). A joint output fixing element ( 27 ) can be rotated around the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and is used to fix the cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) on the camera balance device ( 1 ). A joint input fixing element ( 25 ) can rotate around the axis of rotation (D) and is used to fix the cardanic suspension ( 3 ) to a support. A centering device ( 43 ) is provided between the joint input fixing element ( 25 ) and the joint output element ( 27 ), enabling the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and the axis of rotation (D) to move in relation to each other.

Claims (36)

1. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) for a camera balance device ( 1 ), comprising

two intersecting joint axes (G 1 , G 2 ) with one of said axes (G 2 ) extending vertically (in a perpendicular manner) during operation and the other (G 1 ) extending horizontally and

with an axis of rotation (D) extending through the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and lying perpendicular to the horizontal joint axis (G 1 ),

with a joint output fixing element ( 27 ) that may be rotated about the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) to fix the cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) to the camera balance device ( 1 ), and

with a joint input fixing element ( 25 ) that can be rotated about the axis of rotation (D) to fix the cardanic suspension ( 3 ) to a support,

characterized in that

between the joint input fixing element ( 25 ) and the joint output fixing element ( 27 ) a centering device ( 43 ) is provided enabling the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and the axis of rotation (D) to move in relation to each other by sliding the axis of (G 2 ) along the horizontal axis of (G 1 ) relative to the axis of rotation D.

2. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) may be moved along the axial extension of the horizontal joint axis (G 1 ).

3. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the movement of the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) is achieved by means of at least one adjusting screw ( 47 ).

4. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 3 , characterized in that the movement of the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) is achieved by means of two adjusting screws ( 47 ) whose longitudinal axes extend along the horizontal joint axis (G 1 ).

5. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to- claim 1 , characterized in that in the area of the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and horizontal joint axis (G 1 ) a second centering device ( 37 ) is provided by means of which the relative position between the output fixing element ( 27 ) and the camera balance device ( 1 ) may be established without slip in said region.

6. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the fixing of the output fixing element ( 27 ) to the camera balance device ( 1 ) is achieved by means of a clamp device ( 29 ) which is arranged so that the clamp device ( 29 ) and the second centering device ( 37 ) are located at a distance from each other, preferably at opposite ends, of the joint output fixing element ( 27 ).

7. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the joint input fixing element ( 25 ) is embodied as a handle.

8. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the joint output fixing element ( 27 ) is embodied as a handle.

9. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the second centering device ( 37 ) is adjustable.

10. Cardanic suspension device according to claim 9 , characterized in that the second centering device ( 37 ) is steplessly adjustable.

11. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the joint output fixing element ( 27 ) is a straight tube.

12. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the tube has a circular cross section.

13. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 5 , characterized in that the second centering device ( 37 ) is an adjusting ring ( 39 ) which is provided with a clamping cone which in turn interacts with a clamping ring ( 41 ).

14. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 11 , characterized in that a second centering device ( 37 ) is an adjusting ring ( 39 ) which may be screwed into one end of the tube ( 27 ) and which is provided with a clamping cone which in turn interacts with a clamping ring ( 41 ) arranged on the camera balance device ( 1 ).

15. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 13 , characterized in that the clamping ring ( 41 ) is made of plastic, metal, ceramic, a composite material or a combination of these materials.

16. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 13 , characterized in that there is at least one slot in the clamping ring ( 41 ).

17. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 13 , characterized in that the clamping ring ( 39 ) is made of metal, plastic, ceramic, a composite material or a combination of these materials.

18. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the suspension device ( 3 ) is arranged movably on the camera balance device.

19. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 2 ,characterized in that the movement of the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) is achieved by means of at least one adjusting screw ( 47 ).

20. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) according to claim 12 , characterized in that a second centering device ( 37 ) is an adjusting ring ( 39 ) which may be screwed into one end of the tube ( 27 ) and which is provided with a clamping cone which in turn interacts with a clamping ring ( 41 ) arranged on the camera balance device ( 1 ).

21. Cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) for a camera balance device ( 1 ), comprising

two intersecting joint axes (G 1 , G 2 ) with one of said axes (G 2 ) extending vertically (in a perpendicular manner) during operation and the other (G 1 ) extending horizontally and

with an axis of rotation (D) extending through the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and lying perpendicular to the horizontal joint axis (G 1 ),

with a joint output fixing element ( 27 ) that may be rotated about the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) to fix the cardanic suspension device ( 3 ) to the camera balance device ( 1 ), and

with a joint input fixing element ( 25 ) that can be rotated about the axis of rotation (D) to fix the cardanic suspension ( 3 ) to a support,

characterized in that

between the joint input fixing element ( 25 ) and the joint output fixing element ( 27 ) a centering device ( 43 ) is provided enabling the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and the axis of rotation (D) to move in relation to each other;

in the area of the vertical joint axis (G 2 ) and horizontal joint axis (G 1 ) a second centering device ( 37 ) is provided by means of which the relative position between the output fixing element ( 27 ) and the camera balance device ( 1 ) may be established without slip in said region;

said second centering device ( 37 ) being an adjusting ring ( 39 ) which is provided with a clamping cone which in turn interacts with a clamping ring ( 41 ) having at least one slot; and

said clamping ring ( 41 ) and said adjusting ring ( 39 ) being made of plastic, metal, ceramic, a composite material or a combination of these materials.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 29, 2007
From: SACHTLER GMBH & CO. KG
To: CAMERA DYNAMICS GMBH
Reel/Frame 019520/0419 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2004
From: SCHALLER, CURT O.
To: SACHTLER GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 015893/0863 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 30, 2004
From: SAAVEDRA, STEVEN SCOTT; CONBOY, JOHN C.; O'BRIAN, NANCY, LEGAL REP. OF DAVID F. OBRIEN (DECEASED); ROSS, ERIC E.
To: THE UNIVERISTY OF ARIZONA
Reel/Frame 015744/0239 →