U.S. patent application number 10/510994 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for article mounting.
Invention is credited to Smith, Howard James.
Application Number | 20050167558 10/510994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9935142 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Howard James |
August 4, 2005 |
Article mounting
Abstract
An arrangement for eccentrically mounting a camera on a support
incorporating two portions adapted for relative rotation about an
axis defined by the orientation of the support to maintain a given
camera orientation. An electric motor rotates a pinion gear
relative to a rack to correct for displacement of a portion of the
support. The support can be combined with an adjustable level
article supports including telescoping sections and other post
sections that can be independently positioned.
Inventors: |
Smith, Howard James;
(Cheshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INDIANAPOLIS OFFICE 27879
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 1600
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-2033
US
|
Family ID: |
9935142 |
Appl. No.: |
10/510994 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
April 17, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB03/01653 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/317 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/18 20130101;
F16M 13/04 20130101; F16M 11/28 20130101; F16M 11/2014 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/317 |
International
Class: |
A47H 001/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 19, 2002 |
GB |
02089779 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. An adjustable level article support for an article having a
center of gravity, the article support supporting the article from
below the center of gravity and being coupled to the article in
such a manner as to permit relative rotation between the support
and the article about a predetermined axis.
15. The adjustable level article support of claim 14 wherein said
predetermined axis is definable by positioning the support relative
to a selected horizontal direction.
16. The adjustable level article support of claim 15 comprising
first and second portions adapted for relative rotation about the
predetermined axis, the article being eccentrically mounted within
one of the first and second portions such that rotation of the
other of the first and second portions can occur while the article
remains in an initial position.
17. The adjustable level article support of claim 16 wherein the
article is mounted within one of the first and second portions such
that the article can be rotated about a selected axis with respect
to the support while remaining aligned with said selected axis.
18. The adjustable level article support of claim 17 wherein the
first and second portions includes annular guide tracks rotatably
engaged together.
19. The adjustable level article support of claim 18 further
comprising motor means for producing relative rotation between the
guide tracks on said first and second portions.
20. The adjustable level article support of claim 19 wherein the
motor means is coupled to a pinion gear engaging a rack on one of
the first and second portions.
21. The adjustable level article support of claim 20 wherein the
article comprises a camera and the rotational axis of the guide
tracks is aligned with the camera optical axis.
22. The adjustable level article support of claim 21 wherein the
support unit further comprises telescopically engageable sections
including a main post section and at least two further post
sections that are adapted to be independently positionally set with
respect to opposite ends of the main post section.
23. The adjustable level article support of claim 22 wherein the
two further post sections are telescopically extendable from
opposite ends of the main post section, and a position adjustment
element coupled directly to the main post section.
24. The adjustable level article support of claim 23 wherein the
position adjustment element comprises a gimbals unit including a
sleeve movable lengthways of the main post section and lockable to
the sleeve at any selected position along the main post
section.
25. The adjustable level article support of claim 24 wherein the
gimbals unit includes a pivotally mounted support handle.
26. An adjustable level article support unit including a first
elongate post section, a second elongate post section adapted at
one end thereof to mount an article to be supported, and adapted at
another end telescopically to engage into one end of a first post
section, a third elongate post section adapted at one end thereof
telescopically to engage in said another end of the first post
section, and a fourth elongate post section adapted at one end to
engage the third elongate post section and adapted at a second end
to support a load, and a gimbals unit located intermediate of the
ends of the first post section for enabling the support unit itself
to be manually directed while permitting pivotal movement between
the support means and the unit post sections.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to the mounting of articles such as a
camera in such manner that the article/camera is selectively
rotatable about an axis.
[0002] In particular but not exclusively the present invention is
concerned with the mounting of cameras in such manner as to assist
in the stabilising of cameras during the use thereof by enabling
the camera to be rotated or rolled about a predetermined axis.
[0003] Whilst the present specification will discuss the features
of the invention and its mode of use in relation to the positioning
of a camera it is to be understood that the apparatus and features
of the invention can well be used in other applications in which it
is desired to be able to displace an article in a similar
manner.
[0004] It is well known to be able to mount cameras on tripods and
other supports so that the camera can be rotated about an axis
perpendicular to the optical axis of a lens associated with the
camera and/or a second axis in which the lens axis is tiltable up
or down thereby effectively to provide two degrees of pivotal
movement relative to the optical axis of the camera.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
mounting system for a camera that allows the camera to be mounted
to a support in such manner that the camera can be selectively
displaceable relative to the support about at least one axis
additional to the aforesaid two degrees of rotational movement.
[0006] Broadly according to an aspect of the invention there is
provided an arrangement for mounting a camera in such manner that
the camera can be supported at a location offset from the optical
axis of the optics of the camera below its centre of gravity by
mounting means enabling rotation between the mounting means and a
further support serving to support the mounting means, about a
predetermined axis relative to said optical axis.
[0007] Preferably, said predetermined axis is definable by the
positioning of the further support relative to the
horizontal/vertical.
[0008] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an
article/appratus/camera is eccentrically mountable by a mounting
means supported by/from a support in such manner that the mounting
means is adapted for relative rotation about a predetermined axis
defined by the positioning of the main support with respect to the
horizontal/vertical, the arrangement being such manner that in the
event of said relative rotation a predetermined axis of the
article/apparatus/camera effectively remains in its initial
position.
[0009] Preferably, a camera is eccentrically mountable to a first
main portion of a two main portion support unit in such manner that
relative rotation between the two portions is possible about a
predetermined axis or direction defined by the position of the
second main portion aligning with the optical axis of the imaging
arrangements of the camera, and also such that in the event of the
relative rotation said imaging axis of the camera effectively
remains in its initial alignment.
[0010] Conveniently said support unit includes a first main support
portion including an annular/cylindrical first cage/framework
rotatable with respect to a second cage/framework, the first
cage/framework including part of a geared drive for rotatably
engaging with a part of the geared drive provided on a second
cage/framework, and wherein said first cage/framework is adapted
for eccentrically mounting the camera with respect to the axis of
relative rotation between the first and second
gages/frameworks.
[0011] Preferably, the geared drive comprises a rack and pinion(s)
configuration.
[0012] In a preferred construction drive means are provided for
producing said relative rotation.
[0013] Preferably said geared drive means includes an electric
motor mounted on the second cage/framework, the motor being
arranged to rotate a gear/pinion engaging with a tooth rack coaxial
with said direction and provided upon the first cage/framework.
[0014] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings in which:--
[0015] FIG. 1 is a highly schematic side view of a first embodiment
of a support assembly for supporting a camera unit in accordance
with the proposals of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front view of a camera unit when mounted in the
support assembly of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side view of a schematically represented second
embodiment a support assembly for supporting a camera unit,
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of a camera unit when mounted in the
cage assembly of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a variation of a detail of
the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4
[0020] The embodiment of the cage assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
includes first and second circular frame members 2 maintained in
parallel spaced apart relationship by spacer bars 3, The bars 3 are
located externally of the circular form of the frame members 1 and
2 in mounting lugs 4. In practice, there are six such lugs 4
equiangularly spaced around the circumference of the frame members
1 and 2. This construction provides a cylindrical like cage or
framework.
[0021] The inner periphery of each frame member 2 provides a smooth
cylindrical track 5 for receiving and locating in rolling contact
rolls 6 provided upon an inner circular camera unit mounting frame
7. One or both of the frame members 2 incorporates a toothed
circumscribing track 8 that is intended to be operationally engaged
by a pinion 9 associated with the mounting frame 7. In practice the
pinion can be rotated by way of a motor drive schematically
represented at 10 whereby the frame 7 can be rotated with respect
to the frame 2.
[0022] As may be seen from FIG. 2 a camera unit 11 to be carried by
the rotatable mounting frame is mounted to the frame in such manner
that the centre of gravity of the camera is, i.e., in the position
shown in the FIG. 2, located below the axis of rotation of the
camera unit within the cage assembly frame 2. The camera unit 11
can be considered as comprising the actual camera, together with
any batteries, monitors etc., associated with the camera, that are
conveniently mountable to the frame 7 whilst any other apparatus
conventionally regarded as forming a camera unit can be located
elsewhere. Thus, for example, a monitor could be supported from the
frame assembly 7 or from a post like support which mounts the above
discussed support assembly. whereby the monitor remains in
conventional operational position irrespective of the setting of
the cage assembly 1.
[0023] The support assembly 1 is provided with a mounting
arrangement 12 whereby the assembly can be mounted upon a camera
equipment support, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but to be discussed
herein after. It is convenient to note at this point that camera
equipment supports include column like supports known as body
mounted camera stabilisers and usually gimballed at the centre of
gravity thereof by a gimbals arrangement that includes to a support
arm that can in turn be attached to a operator worn apparatus
support harness or vest. Such devices are intended, when supporting
a camera, to isolate the camera (or similar device) from unwanted
movements of a walking, running or otherwise moving operator
particularly when the camera is being used in the motion picture
and video industries.
[0024] In order to enable the assembly to be hand carried the
assembly is provided with a carrying handle 13 connecting with the
two uppermost bars 3.
[0025] As will be seen from the FIGS. 1 and 2 the camera unit 11 is
thus eccentrically mounted within the support assembly 1 in such
manner that relative rotational/rolling displacement is possible
between the support assembly 1 and the camera unit 11 about a
predetermined axis or direction (in the case of a camera unit with
the optical axis of the camera unit lens) in such manner that in
the event of rotation of the support assembly 1 about said axis the
camera unit 10 effectively remains in its initial position.
[0026] This arrangement has the practical consequence that whenever
the support assembly frame 2 is rotated about its axis of symmetry
the camera support frame 7 and the camera unit 11 supported thereby
will roll, or can be caused to roll under the control of
electronic, electrical or mechanical control equipment (not shown)
relative to the cage assembly 1 as to maintain the orientation of
the camera with respect to the horizontal unchanged. In other words
the horizon for the camera will remain level.
[0027] With this arrangement the camera horizon can be maintained
horizontal irrespective of the nature of the mounting of the cage
assembly to an associated support (not shown).
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 in which a second
embodiment of the assembly of the invention shown therein includes
first and second circular end frame members 14. Each frame member
14 includes an outer ring element 15 and a coaxially arranged inner
ring element 16, the elements 15 and 16 being rotatable relative to
each other,.
[0029] For the purpose of facilitating such relative rotation the
facing relatively rotatable surfaces of the elements 15 and 16 can
be provided with appropriate coating material (not shown) to
facilitate such relative rotation. Alternatively, rolls (not shown)
may be provided on one or both of the co-operating ring element
pairs 15 and 16 to facilitate such rotation.
[0030] As will be seen particularly from FIG. 4 the ring elements
15 are each provided with a series of apertures 19 and slots 20
regularly spaced there around the peripheral regions thereof.
[0031] Selected ones of these apertures 19 serve as mounting
locations for a number of parallel bars 21 (FIG. 3) that serve to
couple the outer ring elements 15 one to the other to form a rigid
cylindrical open outer cage. For example, six or eight such bars 21
can be equiangularly disposed around the associated outer ring
elements 15. It will be appreciated that the number of the bars 21
used would depend upon factors such as the overall dimensions and
diameter of the elements and this the cage assembly and its
intended use.
[0032] The two inner ring elements 16 likewise provided with a
plurality of equidistantly spaced apertures 23 (FIG. 4) there being
shaped bosses 24 in the vicinity of each such aperture 23. The two
inner ring elements 16 are interconnected as will be discussed
hereinafter effectively to provide a rigid inner cage relatively
rotatable within the outer cage.
[0033] In practice since this inner cage is to be required to
support/carry an article such as a camera the mounting arrangements
for such article are, as will be considered hereinafter are
utilised to interconnect the inner ring elements to provide the
inner cage.
[0034] An outer annular ring plate 25 (FIG. 3) is mounted to the
outer face of one of the outer ring elements 15 (for convenience
this particular ring element will be referred to herein after as
the front ring element) by suitable bolts or the like 26 engaging
with appropriate ones of said bores. The ring plate 26 includes a
peripheral toothed rack 27 on its inner annular face (only
schematically illustrated), the rack thus being coaxial with the
axis of relative rotation of the associated inter engaging inner
and outer ring elements 15 and 16. A toothed pinion 28 mounted to
the shaft 29 of a motor (not shown) carried by the inner ring 16 by
way of bolts 30.
[0035] In the variation shown in FIG. 5 The ring plate 25 includes
a peripheral toothed rack 31 on its outer annular face, the rack 31
thus being coaxial with the axis of relative rotation of the
associated inter engaging inner and outer ring elements 15 and
16.
[0036] This rack 27 is intended to be operationally engaged by two
gear wheel/pinions 32/33 respectively carried by the output shafts
34/35 of electric motors (not shown in FIG. 5) mounted from support
brackets (not shown) integral with the inner ring element 16
associated with said front ring element 15 the motors being held in
place by bolts 36. In practice the motors are additionally
supported along the lengths thereof by secondary support brackets
(not shown) located midway of the length of the motor and
connecting with two of the bars 21 serving to interconnect the two
inner ring elements 16 by being connected to such elements by
engagement with appropriate ones of the apertures.
[0037] Immediately opposite to the locations of the motors a camera
support platform 37 is mounted to the inner rings 16 such the
platform 37 effectively bridges the rings 16 and effectively forms
part of the construction of the inner cage.
[0038] The support platform 37 is secured to the ring elements 16
by bolts or the like (not shown) engaging with selected ones of the
apertures in the rings. It will be understood that the plane of the
support 37 is essentially in a plane tangential to the inner cage
assembly. The support includes a dovetail camera connection
facility 38 adapted for engagement with a complementary dovetail
attachment fitting provided upon the post type of camera support to
be discussed herein after. This arrangement enables mounting and
removal of the camera from the inner and outer cages. It will be
understood that means are provided for securely locking the camera
unit 11 to the support assembly.
[0039] The outer cage is provided with a assembly support/mounting
platform (not shown). This platform is connected to the outer cage
by bolts (not shown) engaging in selected ones of the apertures 19.
It will be appreciated that the platform would be suitably
apertured/adapted to facilitate the mounting of the platform and
thus the associated assembly to for example a a travelling camera
unit incorporating power supplies for the camera unit 11 and motor
16.
[0040] From the above it will be noted that that the camera unit 21
is effectively eccentrically mounted to the assembly of the inner
and outer cages. An important feature arising from such mounting is
that, As may be seen from FIG. 3 that the centre of gravity of the
camera unit 21 is, i.e., when in the position shown in the FIG. 3,
located below the axis of rotation of the camera frame within the
cage assembly.
[0041] By associating the control of the above mentioned motor(s)
with a gyro-system in such manner as to provide an electrical
control fed back loop serving as a breaking facility for the pinion
enables the cage assembly to be mounted at any angle whilst
enabling the operational horizon of camera unit 10 to remain
horizontal/level.
[0042] In addition the braking facility can be used to control any
tendency of the support frame 7 and the camera unit 11 mounted
thereto from undergoing rocking motion.
[0043] It will be understood the a motor drive system (not shown)
can be used to effect a controlled rotation of the pinion and thus
the camera mounting frame with respect to the support assembly.
With this arrangement the camera mounting frame and the camera can
be rotated/rolled relative to the support assembly cage even when
the latter is static so that, in practice the effect of, for
example, a rocking movement i.e., being at sea or banking around
corners.
[0044] It will be appreciated that the the above described support
assembly can be mounted to any convenient form of support and can
form part of a camera mounting installation For example, the above
discussed support assembly can provide part of a so-called remote
head for mounting from tripods, boom arms, cranes etc., in such
manner as to be suitable for use as to provide a third axis of
positional displacement of a camera or with a view to keeping a
horizon level and stable. For this purpose the remote head would
incorporate arrangements facilitating stabilisation.
[0045] Furthermore the support assembly can be constructed such as
to be mountable to so-called camera stabilising platforms. Certain
of such platforms are known as `Steadicams` or Sled-platforms.
[0046] Whilst the above description has referred to the mounting of
the camera within a generally cylindrical cage that is rotatable
within an outer cylindrical cage it will be appreciated that this
is but one mode of supporting the camera for rotation/rolling about
a predetermined axis. For example, the camera could be effectively
mounted to a support bar or suitably sized and shaped support
element comprising platform/plate member or structure that is
mounted for rotation in a second support member, structure or the
like so shaped and arranged such that the camera is rotatable about
an axis coaxial or offset aligned with the optical axis of the
optics of the camera. It will be appreciated that in order to
achieve this arrangement the support for the platform would need to
be shaped and formed to accommodate the physical dimensions i.e.,
depth of the base of unit beneath the optical axis.
[0047] As has been mentioned the above described assembly can be
mounted upon a column type support unit. In a preferred such
support unit provision is made for adjustable level mounting of the
camera and any associated arrangement as herein before
mentioned.
[0048] Thus according to a further aspect of the invention there is
to be an adjustable level article support unit for a camera and any
associated arrangement as herein before mentioned including
telescopically engageable elongate post sections including a main
post section section and at least two further post sections that
are adapted to be independently positionally set with respect to
opposite ends of the main post section.
[0049] According to a further aspect of the invention an adjustable
level article support unit includes telescopically engageable
sections including a main section and at least two further sections
that are adapted to be independently positionally settable with
respect to opposite ends of the main section.
[0050] Preferably, the telescope arrangement is such that variation
in the length of the support unit is possible from opposite ends of
the main section, and wherein positionally adjustable means are
provided for supporting the adjustable level support unit from the
main section is provided upon the main section.
[0051] According to a still further aspect of the invention an
adjustable level article support unit includes a first post
section, a second post section adapted at one end thereof to mount
an article to be supported and its other end telescopically to
inter-engage into one end of the post section, a third elongate
post section adapted at one end thereof telescopically engage in
the other end of the post section and a fourth post section adapted
at one end telescopically to engage in the other end of the third
post section and at its other end to unit support element or to
means for supporting a load therefrom, and gimbals means located
intermediate of the ends of the first section for enabling the
support unit itself to be manually whilst permitting pivotal
movement between the support means and the unit elongate post
sections.
[0052] Preferably the diameters of the the first and second post
sections are such as to allow the third post section telescopically
enter into the second post set, ion when the latter is fully
telescopically engaged into the first post section from a direction
opposite to that of the second post section into the main post
section so as to facilitate as short as possible fully telescoped
relationship between the post sections.
[0053] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0054] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates an adjustable level
article support unit incorporating the concepts of the invention
when in an extended article support setting.
[0055] FIG. 2A schematically illustrates an article support unit of
FIG. 1 when in its minimum length setting;
[0056] FIG. 3A illustrates to an enlarged scale the telescopic
elements used in the support unit of FIGS. 1 and 2,
[0057] FIG. 4A in exploded view details of a lower end fitting for
locking the telescopic sections in a required relative
position;
[0058] FIG. 5A illustrates in exploded view details of two forms of
end fittings for enabling the position of post sections and for
attachment of the support unit to a support or other article;
[0059] FIG. 6A illustrates in exploded view details of a lower end
fitting for locking the telescopic post sections in a required
position; and
[0060] FIG. 7A illustrates in combined plan and elevation a further
detail of an end fitting for the mounting of a camera to the
uppermost telescopic post section.
[0061] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS.
1A and 2A the adjustable level support unit 1 shown therein
includes a main/first post section 2 adapted at its upper end 3
telescopically to receive the lower end 4 of a second post section
5. The upper end 6 of the post section 5 is provided with an end
fitting 7 by moans of which the article to be supported i.e., a
camera or the like 8 can be connected to the platform 7 for the
purposes of use. This end fitting will be discussed
hereinafter.
[0062] A rotatable clamp element 9 is provided at the upper end 3
of the first post section 2 for the purposes of locking the second
post section 5 at a required lengthways position with respect to
the first section 2. This clamp unit 9 is adapted for exerting a
clamping action upon the outer surface of the post section 4 that
telescopically engages there with and will be further discussed
hereinafter.
[0063] The lower end 10 of the first post section 2 is provided
with a connection element 11 by means of which a third and fourth
telescopically engageable post sections 12 and 13 respectively are
connectable in extension of the post sections 2 and 4. This
connection element 11 will be discussed hereinafter.
[0064] The upper end 14 of the of the third post section 12 is
adapted to connect with the connection element 11.
[0065] A rotatable clamp element 15 is provided at the lower end 16
of the third post section 12 for the purposes of locking the fourth
post section 13 at a required lengthways position with respect to
the third post section 12 This clamp unit 15 is conveniently
similar to that provided at the lower end 10 of the first post
section 2. The lower end 16 of the fourth post section 13 is
adapted to receive a adapter unit 17 whereby the assembly of the
four post sections 2,4, 12, and 13 can be connected to a base unit
18 in such manner that the assembly of the four post sections is
upstanding from the base unit. Alternatively apparatus associated
with the operation of the camera unit may be connected to the lower
end of the bottom post section 13.
[0066] Articles can be carried from the post sections as is
indicated in the Figures. As shown one such article is carried from
an arm 22 connected to a clamping unit 23 provided upon the section
12. In the Figures the arm is shown connected to the third section
12. With this arrangement it should be noted that when the four
sections are telescoped to the position shown in FIG. 3A clamping
unit 23 for the arm can be positioned at the lower end of the
associated section.
[0067] When the support unit is intended to be part of a user body
mounted stabilisation device the the support unit is carried from a
support harness or vest (not shown) worn by the user of the camera
by way of a gimbals unit 19 incorporating a carrying handle 20.
[0068] This gimbals unit 19 includes a sleeve 21 having at its
upper end a mounting 22 for a pivoted handle structure that is
pivoted to the the mounting 22. The mounting 22 allows the post to
rotate about the longitudinal axis of the support unit and is
mounted to the outermost section 2 at a position that is
effectively at the centre of balance of the support when carrying
the camera and any other form of load such as is indicated in the
Figures. The sleeve is locked in a required position lengthways of
the post section 2 by a locking ring 23.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 4A this illustrates in detail the
attachment unit 11. The latter includes a sleeve part 24 that is
engageable with the lower end of the post section 2. The lower end
of the sleeve comprises a ring of `fingers` 25 that are clamped
towards the post section 12 by a clamping ring 26.
[0070] The connection unit 15 is illustrated in the the upper part
of FIG. 5A and includes a sleeve part 27 attached to the lower end
of the post section 12 and having a clamping part 28 extending
therefrom adapted to be able to clamp against the post section 13
on rotation of a locking element 29. and FIG. 5A and includes a
sleeve part 28 having at its The lower part of FIG. 5A illustrates
the base member 18 and as shown comprises ring member 18 at the
lower end of the post section 13 and intended to threadably engage
with an upstanding threaded part provided upon an article it is
required to attach to the lower end of the post section 13. The
element 9 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6A and includes a
sleeve member 30 secured to the upper end of the post section 2
that is provided with `fingers` that are caused to clamp against
the post section 5 by means of a clamp ring 31 with its locking
element 32.
[0071] The platform 7 can comprise a sleeve secured to the upper
end 6 of the post section 5 having a threaded part which enables a
camera or other article to be secured to the post section. This
sleeve can provide for the mounting of the platform previously
mentioned.
[0072] It will be understood with the above discussed adjustable
support unit that lengthways telescopic adjustment is possible from
opposite ends of the main post section 2. In practice this means
that the level of the article/camera mounted to the platform 7
relative to the carrying gimbals/handle 19,20,21 can be set to suit
the convenience of the user.
[0073] The figures illustrate the mounting of such additional
articles to the support unit at the lowermost end thereof as shown
at 24.
[0074] It will be understood with the above discussed adjustable
support unit that lengthways telescopic adjustment is possible from
opposite ends of the main section 2. In practice this means that
the level of the article/camera mounted to the platform 7 relative
to the carrying gimbals/handle can be set to suit the convenience
of the user and that if it should be desired to mount the support
unit to an actual base support such as a camera stabilising
platform. (Such stabilising platforms are known under trade names
such as `steadicam` and sled platforms) the settings of the
telescopic sections 12 and 13 can be set so that the camera 8 when
so mounted is at a required level. As will be appreciated with this
arrangement the camera remains level wise set for user carrying use
upon removal from the stabilising platform without the need for
resetting adjustments.
[0075] The additional articles can be elements such as batteries
for the camera, monitors for enabling communication between the
user of the support unit and a remote source of information
relevant to the use of the camera.
* * * * *