Patent ID: 6416024
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: F16M

Abstract:
A tiltable mounting for a camera comprising: a base, a camera support mounted on the base tiltable about a first horizontal axis to either side of a neutral, upright position, and a counterbalancing mechanism for holding the support with a payload upright or in any rotational position to which it is moved from said upright position, the counterbalancing mechanism comprising an elongate guideway having one end coupled to the support at an eccentric location to said first horizontal axis, a guide with which the guideway is slidably engaged pivotally mounted on the base about a further horizontal axis spaced from said first axis such that tilting movement of the mounting about the first axis from the neutral position causes the guideway to slide with respect to the guide, preloaded spring means acting between the guide and a stop on the guideway to resist movement of the guideway with respect to the guide with tilting of the support from the neutral position to provide said counterbalancing force and a mounting for the guide providing adjustment along a line intersecting said first and further axes for moving the guide along the guideway and thereby adjusting the preload of said spring means, wherein the guide is mounted for linear movement by a spaced pair of links pivotally connected to the guide and to the base at respective spaced locations.