Extendable camera support and stabilization apparatus

A payload support system comprising:

• a balance pole with a primary end and a secondary end;
• a primary center post;
• a primary gimbal apparatus having a primary yoke non-rotatably connected to the primary end of the balance pole, the primary center post disposed through an inner gimbal race of the primary gimbal apparatus;
• a secondary gimbal apparatus having a secondary yoke non-rotatably connected to the secondary end of the balance pole, the secondary center post disposed through an inner gimbal race of the secondary gimbal apparatus;
• a primary pulley tree attached to an outer race housing of the primary gimbal apparatus and containing a plurality of primary pulley tree pulleys;
• a secondary center post;
• a secondary pulley tree attached to an outer race housing of the secondary gimbal apparatus and containing a plurality of secondary pulley tree pulleys;
• a tertiary gimbal apparatus, the balance pole disposed within an inner gimbal race of the tertiary gimbal apparatus so that the balance pole can rotate within the tertiary gimbal apparatus to provide a first degree of angular connection between the primary yoke and the secondary yoke;
• and
• a mechanism to replicate the motion of the primary gimbal at the secondary gimbal, wherein the mechanism includes:
• an endless line functionally disposed around and linking the plurality of primary pulley tree pulleys and the plurality of secondary pulley tree pulleys such that motion of the primary gimbal is replicated at the secondary gimbal in a second degree of freedom;
• and wherein the endless line passes through the inner gimbal race of the tertiary gimbal apparatus in both directions between the primary end and the secondary end;
• a first primary arc and a second primary arc fixedly attached on opposing sides of the primary pulley tree;
• a first secondary arc and a second secondary arc fixedly attached on opposing sides of the secondary pulley tree;
• a plurality of primary arc pulleys disposed at the primary end of the balance pole;
• a plurality of secondary arc pulleys disposed at the secondary end of the balance pole;
• a first additional line secured at a lower end of the first primary arc, disposed in a groove along an outer edge of the first primary arc, and passing partially around the primary arc pulleys and further in a groove in an outer edge of the first secondary arc and secured at a lower end of the first secondary arc;
• a second additional line secured at an upper end of the second primary arc, disposed in a groove along an outer edge of the second primary arc, and passing partially around the secondary arc pulleys, and further along a groove in an outer edge of the second secondary arc and secured at an upper end of the second secondary arc;
• wherein the first additional line and the second additional line pass through an inner gimbal race of the tertiary gimbal apparatus;
• and
• wherein the first additional line and the second additional line replicate motion of the primary gimbal at the secondary gimbal in a third degree of freedom.