Telescoping column
AssigneeLeonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
InventorLeonard T. Chapman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A telescoping steering column includes a plurality of telescoping segments with adjacent segments axially offset from each other. Spacers maintain the segments in position. Cable and pulley systems on each of the segments, except the innermost segment, interconnect the segments and cause them to uniformly extend and retract as the column is raised or lowered. The pulleys protrude through the segment walls. Pulleys on adjacent segments are oriented on opposite sides of the column, to provide a compact column which operates smoothly and quietly.
Claims16
A telescoping steering drive column comprising:
- a first segment;
- a second segment slidably disposed within and offset from said first segment;
- spacers positioned between the first and second segments;
- and
- a cable loop linking said first and second segments.
A camera support having a telescoping steering drive column comprising:
- a drive collar;
- a first segment extending through the drive collar;
- a second segment slidably disposed within the first segment and axially offset from the first segment;
- a cable loop supported around pulleys on the first segment and attached to the second segment;
- a tab secured to the cable loop;
- and means for attaching the tab to the drive collar.
A telescoping steering drive column for mechanically linking a steering wheel belt system to a dolly belt system in a camera support comprising:
- a drive collar connected to the dolly belt system;
- a first segment having an upper end and a lower end, a first segment centerline, and slidably disposed in the drive collar;
- an upper pulley adjacent the upper end of the first segment and a lower pulley adjacent the lower end of the first segment;
- a first cable passing over the upper and lower pulleys on the first segment;
- a tab on the first cable attachable to the drive collar;
- a second segment having a second segment centerline and slidably disposed within the first segment with the centerline of the second segment diagonally offset from the centerline of the first segment in a first direction;
- cable ends of the first cable attached to the lower end of the second segment;
- spacers between the first and second segments;
- an upper pulley adjacent the upper end of the second segment and a lower pulley adjacent the lower end of the second segment, the pulleys on the second segment on a side of the column opposite to the pulleys on the first segment;
- a second cable passing over the pulleys on the second segment;
- a crimp plate on the second cable attached to the upper en of the second segment;
- a third segment having a third segment centerline and slidably disposed within the second segment, with the centerline of the third segment diagonally offset from the centerline of the second segment in a direction opposite to the first direction such that the centerline of the third segment is substantially co-linear with the centerline of the first segment;
- cable ends of the second cable attached to the lower end of the third segment;
- spacers between the second segment and the third segment;
- an upper pulley adjacent the upper end of the third segment and a lower pulley adjacent the lower end of the third segment, the pulleys on third segment positioned on the same side of the column as the pulleys on the first segment;
- a third cable passing over the pulleys on the third segment;
- a crimp plate on the third cable attached to the upper end of the third segment;
- a fourth segment having a fourth segment centerline and slidably disposed within the third segment, with the fourth segment centerline diagonally offset in the first direction;
- cable ends of the third cable attached to the lower end of the fourth segment;
- and
- spacers between the third segment and the fourth segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.