U.S. patent application number 11/266729 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for portable camera dolly and track.
Invention is credited to Helmut Heiligenmann.
Application Number | 20070095246 11/266729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994616 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Heiligenmann; Helmut |
May 3, 2007 |
Portable camera dolly and track
Abstract
The present invention discloses a portable, collapsible, and
width-adjustable dolly and track system for movably supporting a
cameraman and a tripod with a camera mounted thereon. The track
system comprises a plurality of track sections, straight or curved,
interconnected together to form either a straight track or a curved
track. Each track section comprises a pair of parallel rails and
two connecting members pivotally connecting the parallel rails. The
track sections are pivotally operable for adjusting their width.
The first embodiment of the dolly mainly includes two bars
detachably connected in a T-shaped configuration. The second
embodiment of the dolly mainly includes a plurality of inner and
outer arms detachably connected together. The two embodiments of
the dollies include a plurality of mounting points, wherein any of
them are selectable to detachably assemble the dolly for achieving
different widths.
Inventors: |
Heiligenmann; Helmut; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWIN TARVER
16830 Ventura Blvd.
SUITE 360
Encino
CA
91436
US
|
Family ID: |
37994616 |
Appl. No.: |
11/266729 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/307 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/16 20130101;
F16M 11/32 20130101; F16M 2200/08 20130101; F16M 2200/022 20130101;
F16M 11/425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
104/307 |
International
Class: |
B61B 12/00 20060101
B61B012/00 |
Claims
1. An improved system for movably supporting a cameraman and a
camera tripod, comprising: a) a track assembly comprising a
plurality of collapsible straight and curved track sections, each
track section comprising; i) a pair of straight parallel rails
arranged in a spaced apart relationship; ii) two connecting members
extending between and pivotally secured at their opposite ends to
the pair of straight parallel rails, wherein the two connecting
members along with the pair of straight parallel rails form a
substantial quadrilateral-shaped enclosure; and iii) a means for
releasably securing adjoining track sections; b) a collapsible
dolly assembly movably carried on said pair of parallel rails,
straight or curved, comprising; i) a longitudinal bar with two
opposite ends, a transverse bar with a proximal end and a distal
end, and a plurality of mounting points thereon; ii) a plurality of
wheels mounted at the distal end of the transverse bar and a
plurality of wheels mounted along the length of the longitudinal
bar; iii) a platform detachably connecting the longitudinal bar and
the transverse bar with a fastening means, whereby the dolly takes
a T-shaped configuration maintaining a specific width between the
plurality of wheels at the distal end of the transverse bar and the
plurality of wheels at the longitudinal bar; iv) a means to
detachably secure a tripod on the dolly; c) wherein said track
assemblies, straight and curved, and said dolly assembly can be
assembled to movably support a cameraman and a tripod with a camera
mounted thereon, or disassembled when not in use for easy
storage.
2. The improved system of claim 1, wherein the track sections, the
transverse bar, and the longitudinal bar are made of steel, high
grade aluminum, or hard resin.
3. The improved system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of locations
on the transverse bar can be chosen to detachably connect the
platform.
4. The improved system of claim 1 and 3, wherein different widths
of the dolly are achieved when the platform is detachably connected
to the longitudinal bar and different locations of the transverse
bar.
5. The improved system of claim 1, 3, and 4, wherein the platform
can support a cameraman.
6. An improved system for movably supporting a cameraman and a
camera tripod, comprising: a) a track assembly comprising a
plurality of straight and curved collapsible track sections, each
said track section comprising: i) a pair of straight parallel rails
arranged in a spaced apart relationship; ii) two connecting members
extending between and pivotally secured at their opposite ends to
the pair of straight parallel rails, whereby the two connecting
members along with the pair of straight parallel rails form a
substantial quadrilateral-shaped enclosure; iii) a means for
releasably securing adjoining track sections made of steel, high
grade aluminum or hard resin; b) a collapsible dolly assembly
movably carried on said pair of parallel rails, straight or curved,
comprising; i) a center platform; ii) a plurality of inner arms
detachably connected to the center platform with a fastening means;
iii) a plurality of outer arms detachably connected to the inner
arms with a fastening means; iv) a plurality of wheel mounting
means detachably connected to the distal ends of the outer arms
with a fastening means; v) a plurality of wheels connected to each
wheel mounting means with a fastening means; vi) a seat for
supporting a cameraman; vii) a seat support interconnecting the
seat and any one of the outer arms; viii) means to detachably
secure a tripod on the dolly; c) wherein the track assembly and the
dolly assembly can be assembled to movably support a cameraman and
a tripod with a camera mounted thereon, or disassembled when not in
use for easy storage.
7. The improved system of claims 1 and 6, wherein the pivotal
connecting means maintain a gap between the connecting member and
the rails, whereby the straight and the curved track sections can
be pivotally rotated following a diagonal of the quadrilateral
enclosure to maintain a parallel or crossed relationship between
the two connecting members.
8. The improved system of claims 1, 6, and 7, wherein the width of
the straight and curved track sections when the two connecting
members are in parallel relationship is greater than the width when
the two connecting members in crossed relationship.
9. The improved system of claims 1 and 6, wherein the adjoining
straight and curved track sections can also be releasably secured
together.
10. The improved system of claim 6, wherein the tracks sections,
the platform, the inner and outer arms, the seat, the seat
supports, and the wheel mounting means are made of steel or high
grade aluminum.
11. The improved system of claim 6, wherein proximal ends of the
inner arms are detachably connected to the center platform with a
fastening means.
12. The improved system of claim 6, wherein proximal ends of the
outer arms are detachably connected to distal ends of the inner
arms with a fastening means.
13. The improved system of claim 6, wherein the outer arms include
a plurality of mounting points and can be telescopically moved
inside the inners arms.
14. The improved system of claims 6 and 13, wherein any of the
plurality of the mounting points on the outer arms can be chosen to
secure the outer arms to the inner arms, thereby achieving
different widths of the dolly.
15. The improved system of claims 1 and 6, wherein the wheels are
made of plastic, rubber, or polyurethane.
16. The improved system of claims 1, 6, 11, and 12, wherein the
fastening means are nuts and bolts.
17. The improved system of claim 6, wherein a plurality of seats
can be installed on the dolly by using a plurality of seat
supports.
18. The improved system of claim 1, wherein the means to detachably
secure a tripod are provided at the distal end of the transverse
bar and at the two opposite ends of the longitudinal bar.
19. The improved system of claim 6, wherein the means to detachably
secure a tripod are provided at the distal ends of the outer
arms.
20. The improved system of claims 1, 6, 18, and 19, wherein Velcro
straps or rubber straps are used as the means to detachably secure
the tripod on the dolly.
21. The improved system of claim 1 and 6, wherein the axis of
rotation of a first group of the plurality of wheels is parallel to
the ground, said first group of wheels designed to abut the top
surface of the rails.
22. The improved system of claim 1 and 6, wherein the axis of
rotation of a second group of the plurality of wheels is
perpendicular to the ground, and the second group of wheels is
designed to abut the side surface of the rails.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] None
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
[0004] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves
all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0005] The present invention relates in general to the field of
camera related accessories, and more particularly to an improved
dolly and track system for movably supporting a cameraman and a
tripod with a camera mounted thereon. The dolly and track system is
adjustable and collapsible for portability.
[0006] Various camera-related accessories for filming both indoors
and outdoors are known in the art. When filming, situations
commonly arise wherein the camera and cameraman must travel over a
distance while filming a scene. In these instances, maintaining the
stability of the camera becomes difficult, especially when filming
outdoors. A dolly and track assembly is frequently used in such
situations to control the motion of the camera and ensure a smooth
shot. The dolly supports the cameraman and the tripod on which the
camera is mounted. Typically, the dolly includes a plurality of
wheels or rollers for conveniently moving it on the track. The
track principally consists of two rails with interconnecting
members connecting them. In the present art, the dolly and track
assemblies are heavy and unwieldy, requiring a large amount of time
to install them at a given location. Moreover, transportation of
the assembly is also difficult. Therefore, there is a need for a
portable and collapsible dolly and track system.
[0007] Several dolly and track systems with portable and
collapsible features have been developed in the art. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,969 to Zabala discloses a combination portable
dolly and collapsible stool for transporting photography equipment;
and for providing an elevated platform for taking photographs. The
stool comprises a plurality of legs, which are collapsible and
secured by an interlocking means. The stool also includes rollers
mounted on the exterior of the legs, which support the base
platform as a dolly after collapsing the legs. However, this device
cannot be used to film while in motion.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,775 to Brinson discloses a portable and
folding camera dolly track. The track can be assembled from a
number of folding track sections, wherein each track section has a
parallel pair of rails. Each rail includes a base and a cylindrical
wheel-supporting rail element, and a transverse spacer. The device
also includes a continuous, removable, resilient cap on each
wheel-supporting rail element to provide a smooth ride over joints
formed by adjoining rail elements. This device does not include a
collapsible dolly to accompany the track assembly.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,227 to Johnson discloses a portable and
collapsible dolly and track system that movably supports a tripod,
which in turn retains a camera. The track comprises a pair of
opposite longitudinal parallel rails arranged in a space-apart
relationship by three pivotable transverse bars. The pair of rails
comprises a plurality of cylindrical tubes, which are held together
with an elastic cord type joining member in order to enable them to
be very quickly and efficiently assembled and set into place and
then disassembled for storage. The dolly mainly comprises two bars
and when assembled it forms a "T" shaped structure. The "T" shaped
dolly has a plurality of holes thereon for securing bottom ends of
the legs of the tripod. Although the structural and the functional
aspects appear to be similar, this dolly and track system is
different from the present invention in many ways; for example,
this system lacks any means to adjust the width of the track and
the dolly does not include any provision to support a cameraman
along with the tripod.
[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved dolly and track with a means to adjust their
width.
[0011] A further object is to provide an improved track system with
a means to adjust its width without the need of any screws, bolts,
or any other detachable fastening means.
[0012] A further object is to provide an improved dolly and track,
which are easily collapsible and portable.
[0013] A further object is to provide an improved dolly that has
convenient means to support a cameraman and a tripod with a camera
thereon.
[0014] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide
an improved curved track and straight track, and an improved dolly
capable of traveling along either the curved or straight track.
SUMMARY
[0015] The present invention relates in general to the field of
camera or motion picture shooting related accessories, and more
particularly to a width-adjustable dolly and track system for
movably supporting a cameraman and a tripod with a camera mounted
thereon. Both the dolly and track systems are easily collapsible,
portable, and can be stored in a suitable bag to carry them to
filming locations.
[0016] The track system comprises a plurality of track sections
that can be interconnected to form a track. Each track section
includes two parallel rails, straight or curved, and a plurality of
connecting members, preferably two, pivotally connected to the two
parallel rails. The parallel rails are substantially circular in
cross section to accommodate the wheels of the dolly, and the
connecting members are flat planar structures. When the track is
assembled and ready for use, the connecting members are parallel to
each other, maintaining a specific width between the parallel
rails. In order to achieve a different width, the track section can
be pivotally rotated such that the connecting members are in
crossed relationship with other, which results in a narrower width
between the parallel rails.
[0017] The present invention includes two embodiments of the dolly.
The first embodiment of the dolly is generally a T-shaped structure
and mainly includes a longitudinal bar, a transverse bar, and a
platform detachably connected to the longitudinal and transverse
bars. The transverse bar includes a plurality of mounting points
along its length, such that the platform can be detachably
connected to any of these mounting points, thereby maintaining
different widths of the dolly. The platform in this embodiment
provides a support for the tripod, camera, stool and cameraman.
[0018] The second embodiment of the dolly includes a center
platform, a plurality of inner and outer arms, a plurality of wheel
mounting means, and a plurality of wheels. The inner and outer arms
include a plurality of mounting points. The outer arms can be
telescopically movable inside the inner arms and connected to any
of the mounting points, thereby maintaining different widths of the
dolly. Additionally, a seat is also included to support the
cameraman.
[0019] Both the first and second embodiments of the dolly include
suitable means to secure different types of tripods. Once the dolly
and the track have been assembled, the dolly is placed on top of
the track. Following which, the dolly supporting a cameraman and a
tripod with a camera mounted thereon is movable on the track. These
and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood with reference to the
following description and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an individual straight track
section in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an individual straight
track section with the cross members in a parallel orientation.
[0022] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an individual straight
track section as it is being folded into a crossed cross member
orientation.
[0023] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of an individual straight
track section as it is folded further toward a crossed cross member
orientation.
[0024] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of an individual straight
track section as it is folded toward a crossed cross member
orientation, with the cross members starting to overlap.
[0025] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of an individual straight
track section as it nears a crossed cross member orientation.
[0026] FIG. 2F is a perspective view of an individual straight
track section in a crossed cross member orientation.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an individual curved track
section in a parallel cross member orientation.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an individual curved track
section in a crossed cross member orientation.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the longitudinal bar of the
first embodiment of the dolly.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the transverse bar of the
first embodiment of the dolly.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
dolly assembled to fit the unfolded track.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
dolly assembled to fit the folded track.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
dolly placed on top of the unfolded straight track along with a
secured tripod.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
dolly placed on top of the unfolded curved track along with a
secured tripod.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
dolly placed on top of the folded straight track along with a
secured tripod.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a view of the disassembled parts of the second
embodiment of the dolly.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of
the dolly in its assembled condition and placed on top of the
curved track.
FIGURES--REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0038] 10 . . . Straight Track Section [0039] 11 . . . Straight
Rail [0040] 12 . . . Connecting Member [0041] 13 . . . Pivotal
Connection [0042] 14 . . . Diagonal [0043] 15 . . . Curved Track
Section [0044] 16 . . . Curved Rail [0045] 17 . . . Longitudinal
Bar [0046] 18 . . . Transverse Bar [0047] 19 . . . Mounting Point
[0048] 20 . . . Wheel [0049] 21 . . . Plafform [0050] 22 . . .
Rubber Strap [0051] 23 . . . Tripod [0052] 24 . . . Center Plafform
[0053] 25 . . . Inner Arm [0054] 26 . . . Outer Arm [0055] 27 . . .
Seat [0056] 28 . . . Seat Support [0057] 29 . . . Wheel Mount
[0058] 30 . . . Bolt and Nut Assembly
DESCRIPTION
[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, a straight track section 10 of the
present invention comprises two parallel rails 11, two connecting
members 12, and a plurality of pivotal connection means 13. The
parallel rails 11 are circular in cross section, and are preferably
hollow cylindrical tubes, and the connecting members 12 are
preferably flat planar structures. The parallel rails 11 include a
proximal end and a distal end. The opposite ends of the first
connecting member 12A are pivotally connected to the proximal ends
of the two parallel rails, while the opposite end of the second
connecting member 12B are pivotally connected to the distal ends of
the two parallel rails, whereby the whole track section 10 forms a
substantial quadrilateral enclosure. In this position, the two
connecting members 12 are parallel to each other, thereby
maintaining a specific width between the parallel rails 11. The
pivotal connection means 13 maintain a gap between the opposite
ends of the connecting members 12 and the parallel rails 11.
[0060] The pivotal connection means 13 enable the track section to
be moved or rotated pivotally along a diagonal 14 of the
quadrilateral enclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2F, different
positions of the track section 10 when moved along the diagonal 14
are illustrated. Continuation of this diagonal movement will result
in a position wherein the two connecting members 12 and the
parallel rails 11 line up with each other. In such an instance, the
proximal end of the first parallel rail 11A can pass over the
distal end of the second parallel rail 11B. In addition, the
portion of the first connecting member 12A connected to the
proximal end of the first parallel rail 11A can pass under the gap
maintained between the distal end of the second parallel rail 11B
and the second connecting member 12B. This diagonal movement is
continued until the two connecting members 12A and 12B are in
crossed-relationship with each other and the two rails are once
again parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 2F. The width between
the parallel rails 11 when the two connecting members 12 are in
crossed-relationship is less than the width maintained between the
parallel rails 11 when the two connecting members 12 are in
parallel-relationship. Interconnecting the plurality of straight
track sections will form a straight track. Plastic dowel pins are
precision machined to fit inside precision machined ends of curved
and straight track to secure the different track sections.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 3, a curved track section 15 mainly
includes two curved parallel rails 16, two connecting members 12,
and a pivotal connection means 13. The construction of the curved
track section 15 is similar to that of the straight track section
10 as described above. The curved track section 15 can also be
operated in a similar way as that of the straight track to achieve
two different widths between the parallel rails 16. FIG. 4
illustrates the folded curved track, which maintains a different
width between the rails compared to the unfolded track in FIG. 3.
Interconnecting the plurality of curved track sections 15 will form
a curved track. The straight 10 and curved track sections 15 can
also be interconnected. Plastic dowel pins are precision machined
to fit inside precision machined ends of curved and straight track
to secure the different track sections.
[0062] The first embodiment of the collapsible dolly mainly
includes a longitudinal bar 17 and a transverse bar 18. Referring
to FIG. 5, the longitudinal bar 17 with two opposite ends further
includes a plurality of mounting points 19 and a plurality of
wheels 20 mounted along its length. The plurality of wheels 20 are
further categorized according to the axis of rotation. The
plurality of wheels 20A with an axis of rotation parallel to the
ground are designed to abut the top of the rails, while the
plurality of wheels 20B with axis of rotation perpendicular to the
ground are designed to abut the inner side surface of the rails.
Referring to FIG. 6, the transverse bar 18 with a proximal end and
a distal end also includes a plurality of mounting points 19 along
its length. The distal end of the transverse bar 18 includes a
plurality of wheels 20. The dolly further includes a platform 21 to
interconnect the longitudinal and transverse bars 17 and 18. The
platform 21 is substantially triangular and one of its sides is
detachably connected to the longitudinal bar 17 along its entire
length by a plurality of fastening means such as a bolt and nut
assembly. The vertex portion opposite to the side connected to
longitudinal bar can be connected to any of the mounting points 19
on the transverse bar 18.
[0063] The distance between the wheels 20 mounted on the
longitudinal bar 17 and the wheels 20 on the distal end of the
transverse bar 18 is referred to as the width of the dolly herein.
Referring to FIG. 7, the platform 21 detachably connected to the
longitudinal bar 17 and near the proximal end of the transverse bar
18 maintains a specific width of the dolly. The width of the dolly
achieved in this manner is equal to the width of the unfolded
tracks illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Referring to FIG. 8, the
platform 21 detachably connecting the longitudinal bar 17 and near
the distal end of the transverse bar 18 maintains a lesser width of
the dolly. The width of the dolly achieved in this manner is equal
to the width of the folded tracks illustrated in FIGS. 2F and
4.
[0064] The dolly further includes different means to secure
different types of tripods. To secure tripods with round rubber
legs, custom Velcro straps (not shown) can be used. Rubber straps
22 are included at the distal end of the transverse bar 18 and at
the two opposite ends of the longitudinal bar 17 to secure tripods
with spiked legs. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the dolly along with
a secured tripod 23 placed on top of the unfolded straight and
curved tracks is illustrated. A tripod 23 secured on the dolly
placed on top of the folded straight track is illustrated in FIG.
11.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 12, the second embodiment of the dolly in
its disassembled state is illustrated, which comprises a center
platform 24, three inner 25 and outer arms 26 with proximal and
distal ends, a seat 27, seat support 28, plurality of wheels 20,
and three wheel mounting means 29. The inner and outer arms also
include a plurality of mounting points 19. The proximal ends of the
three inner arms 25 are detachably connected to the center platform
24 with a fastening means, such as a bolt and nut assembly 30. The
distal ends of the inner arms 25 are detachably connected to the
proximal ends of the outer arms 26 with the bolt and nut assembly
30. The three wheel mounting means 29 are also detachably connected
to the distal ends of the outer arms 26. The pluralities of wheels
20 are connected to the wheel mounting means 26 and can be
categorized according to their axes of rotation. The plurality of
wheels 20A with an axis of rotation parallel to the ground are
designed to abut the top of the rails, while the plurality of
wheels 20B with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the ground are
designed to abut the inner or outer side surface of the rails. The
seat support 28 connects the seat 27 to any of the outer arms 26.
The dolly further includes different means to secure different
types of tripods, such as Velcro straps (not shown) and rubber
straps 22 at the distal ends of the outer arms. The assembled
second embodiment of the dolly along with a secured tripod placed
on top of the curved track is illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0066] Several additional embodiments of the present invention are
possible within the scope of the invention. For example, different
widths of the track sections are possible for meeting the market
demands. Many suitable and lightweight materials can be used to
manufacture different parts of the track and the dolly. A plurality
of seats can be installed in the second embodiment of the dolly to
support other crew along with a cameraman. Accordingly, strong and
tough materials can be used to manufacture the dolly and the track
for withstanding the additional weight.
[0067] All features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0068] While specific apparatus has been disclosed in the preceding
description, it should be understood that these specifics have been
given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present
invention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to
those who are versed in the art. Therefore, the scope of the
present invention is to be determined by the appended claims.
[0069] Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means
for" performing a specified function, or "step for" performing a
specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step"
clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, paragraph 6. In
particular, the use of "step of" in the claims herein is not
intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112,
paragraph 6.
* * * * *