US 5,399,949 A · Overload projection apparatus for small-sized tripod head

Abstract

An overload protection apparatus for a small-sized tripod head which is capable of protecting the driving portion when overload is applied thereto without the need for a mechanical apparatus such as a slip mechanism and the like. Motors drive two driving shafts which are orthogonal to each other. Position sensors detect the rotating positions of the two driving shafts. When displacement of the driving shafts is not detected by the position sensors although a driving command signal is output by a microcomputer, it is judged that overload is applied to the motors and the motors are forcibly stopped. When the motors are forcibly stopped, the gears are reversed by a predetermined amount. When the gears are reversed, the backlash of the gear is corrected. Driving members are stored in the main chassis and a controller is stored in a storage portion which is formed by a sub-chassis outside of the main chassis.

Claims5

Dependent claims

An overload protection apparatus for a small-sized tripod head comprising:

a small-sized tripod head having a motor for driving two driving shafts which are orthogonal to each other, and a position detector for detecting the rotating positions of the driving shafts;
a microcomputer provided in the tripod head so as to judge whether or not overload is applied to said motor on the basis of an output of said position detector and a driving command signal and forcibly stop said motor when overload is applied thereto;
and
wherein a box body of said tripod head is composed of a tubular main chassis which forms a first storage portion as a closed space and a sub-chassis attached to the projected pieces of said main chassis so as to form a second storage portion as a closed space between said sub-chassis and said main chassis, and said two driving shafts and motor are stored in said first storage portion of the main chassis and said position detector and said microcomputer are stored in said second storage portion of said sub-chassis.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Overload projection apparatus for small-sized tripod head

Life of this patent

Overload projection apparatus for small-sized tripod head

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5