Crane for a camera

Abstract

An instrument supporting crane for supporting a camera or the like, the crane being readily assembled, disassembled, and shipped. The crane includes a boom to which a nose assembly is pivotably coupled, and a base unit to which the boom is pivotably coupled. The boom is preferably constructed of a series of sections such that the length of the boom may be varied, depending upon the application. The boom sections are coupled by complementary channels such that the section slide together. An additional mechanical coupling, such as a screw may be provided. Preferably, the boom is a hollow elongated structure with openings extending therethrough to allow the passage of air to minimize movement of the nose assembly when the crane is used in high winds. A platform assembly having a monitor tray for supporting a monitor may be provided at a tail section of the boom. The monitor tray may be pivotably coupled to the tail section and the base unit such that the angle of the monitor varies depending upon the relative positions of the tail section and the base unit. The base unit is likewise readily assembled and disassembled. The base unit includes a head, a plurality of legs and a dolly. A center tie-down rod extends between the head and the dolly such that when the rod is shortened, as by tightening a sleeve, the head and dolly are drawn towards one another and a compressive force is placed on the legs to secure the base unit together.