Apparatus for supporting a video camera and cable above a work surface

A cable-supporting apparatus for use with a video camera means including a video camera that transmits magnified images of an object or printed text on a work surface elevated above a floor via a cable to a video monitor, the video camera means further including a control panel of a weight greater than that of the camera connected to the cable intermediate the camera and monitor, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongated leg;
• an elongated arm having first and second ends and connected at an angle to said leg proximate the second end of said arm, the first end of said arm being distal to said leg;
• adjustable clamping means for mounting said leg to the elevated work surface in a vertically extending position rotatable about its longitudinal axis to permit pivotal movement of said arm over the work surface;
• means mounted on said arm for supporting the cable above the work surface and enabling the cable to move along the arm so that the camera may be positioned to scan objects or printed text in different positions on the work surface, said supporting means suspending the camera via the cable beneath the first end of said arm and suspending the control panel via the cable beneath the second end of said arm whereby the excess weight of the control panel causes the cable to be pulled in one direction along said arm and the camera is moveable over the work surface by applying force to the camera to overcome the excess weight of the control panel and pull the cable in the other direction along the arm.