Tiltable mountings for tv cameras

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a tiltable mounting for a TV camera or the like comprising a base ( ), a camera support ( ) mounted on the base to tilt 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 is 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 springs act 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 and to provide said counterbalancing force. A mounting ( ) for the guide ( ) provides 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.