TEPZZ 

8749¥7B_T
(19)

(11) EP 2 874 937 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: B66F 11/04 (2006.01) F16M 11/04 (2006.01)
21.12.2016 Bulletin 2016/51 F16M 11/18 (2006.01) F16M 11/42 (2006.01)
F16K 11/16 (2006.01) G03B 17/56 (2006.01)
(21) Application number: 13820059.7
(86) International application number:
(22) Date of filing: 16.07.2013 PCT/US2013/050709

(87) International publication number:

WO 2014/014929 (23.01.2014 Gazette 2014/04)

(54) HYDRAULIC FLOAT DOWN VALVE FOR A CAMERA DOLLY OR CAMERA CRANE
HYDRAULISCHES ABWÄRTSSCHWIMMERVENTIL FÜR EINEN KAMERAWAGEN ODER
KAMERAKRAN
VALVE HYDRAULIQUE DE FREINAGE EN DESCENTE POUR CHARIOT DE CAMÉRA OU GRUE
DE CAMÉRA

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventor: CHAPMAN, Leonard, T.

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB North Hollywood, California 91605 (US)
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (74) Representative: Viering, Jentschura & Partner
mbB
(30) Priority: 19.07.2012 US 201213553592 Patent- und Rechtsanwälte
Am Brauhaus 8
(43) Date of publication of application: 01099 Dresden (DE)
27.05.2015 Bulletin 2015/22
(56) References cited:
(73) Proprietor: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, US-A- 4 109 678 US-A- 4 747 424
Inc. US-A- 5 391 041 US-A- 5 437 216
North Hollywood US-B1- 6 247 498
California 91605 (US)
EP 2 874 937 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

1 EP 2 874 937 B1 2

Description FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial top view of the back

right side of the camera dolly shown in FIG. 1;
FIELD OF THE INVENTION FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view, in part section, show-
ing details of the detent shown in FIG. 5;
[0001] The field of the invention is hydraulic valves in 5 FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, in part section, of the
camera dollies cranes used to raise and lower a camera. hydraulic valve shown in FIGS. 3-5.
[0002] Camera dollies and cranes are used in the tel- FIG. 8 is a front view of a new valve system design
evision, video and motion picture industries to support for providing a float down movement.
and maneuver a camera. Typically, the camera dolly is FIG. 9 is a top view of the valve system shown in
on wheels and has an arm to raise and lower the camera. 10 Fig. 8.
The camera dolly is generally moved by dolly operators FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the back
to properly position the camera, to follow the film or video end of the camera dolly of Fig. 1 modified with a
sequence. linkage for operating the valve system shown in Figs.
[0003] The valve used to control a hydraulically driven 8 and 9.
camera dolly or crane arm should meet certain design 15 FIGS. 11 and 12 show alternative float down valve
objectives, such as quiet operation, accurate and easy designs.
control of the speed and direction of the arm movement, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system
and the ability to precisely stop the arm at a selected having an optional fast down valve.
elevation. It is an objective of the invention to further pro- FIG. 14 is a new alternative design for the detent
vide a valve which can provide a float down movement. 20 shown in Fig. 6.
FIG. 15 shows a variation of the valve system shown
BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION in Fig. 9.

[0004] A camera dolly or camera crane has an arm DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
pivotably attached to a chassis. A hydraulic system on 25
the chassis includes a hydraulic cylinder attached to the [0007] FIGS. 1-7 show a known design from U.S. Pat-
arm and to the base, for raising the arm, a hydraulic valve ent No. 6,247,498. Figs. 8-15 show a new valve system
and a valve control. The hydraulic valve has a normal for providing a float down camera movement. While dis-
operation mode where opening and closing of the valve cussed here as used on a camera dolly, the valve system
is controlled by the valve control. The hydraulic valve is 30 may also similarly be used to provide a float down camera
also provided with a float down mode, where the valve movement with a camera crane or a camera pedestal.
remains partially open, regardless of operation of the [0008] Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown
valve control. When the float down mode is used, the in FIGS. 1 and 2, a camera dolly 10 has an arm 12 sup-
hydraulic valve does not close completely. Rather, an porting a motion picture or video camera 14. An arm con-
intentional slight leakage is provided in the valve. 35 trol 16 at the back of the camera dolly 10 is turned to
[0005] In use to perform a float down camera move- open and close a hydraulic valve 60, to raise and lower
ment, as soon as the dolly or crane arm reaches its high- the arm 12. The hydraulic valve 60 controls the flow of
est point, as selected by the user via the valve control, hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator 18 extending from
the arm automatically and instantaneously reverses di- the chassis 20 of the dolly 10 to the arm 12. A steering
rection and starts to move back down. Since this float 40 bar 15 at the back end of the dolly 10 is used to steer the
down mode provides this movement automatically, the wheels of the dolly, and to shift between different steering
up-down movement of the arm is smoother than can nor- modes.
mally be achieved. The hydraulic system may optionally [0009] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a receiver tube
also include a fast down valve, to allow the arm to move 50 is rotatably mounted at the back end of the chassis
down quickly, even when minimally loaded. 45 20 on bearings 52. The arm control 16 is irrotatably se-
cured to the upper end of the receiving tube 50. A post
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS sprocket 54, preferably having 20 teeth is irrotatably at-
tached to the bottom end of the receiver tube 50. A hy-
[0006] draulic valve 60 is mounted within the chassis 20 in front
50 of the receiver tube 50. A valve sprocket 58, preferably
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera dolly. having 32 teeth, is attached on top of the valve 60. The
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the back valve sprocket 58 is linked to the post sprocket 54 via a
end of the camera dolly of FIG. 1, containing a hy- roller chain 56.
draulic valve. [0010] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the receiver tube 50
FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the back end of the 55 has three detent grooves or dimples: a down groove 64,
camera dolly as shown in Fig. 2. a stop groove 66, and an up groove 68. A ball detent 62
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view in part section of the on the chassis is positioned to engage these grooves.
back end of the camera dolly as shown in Fig. 2. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the hydraulic valve 60 has a

2
3 EP 2 874 937 B1 4

valve body 22 generally divided into an up side 70 and ratio between turning movement of the arm control post
a down side 72. A valve base 23 is bolted onto the valve 16 and turning movement of the valve sprocket 58 and
body 22. A port 40 extending into the valve base 23 con- the cam 67. In prior designs, a 1:1 ratio was used, making
nects to a passageway 24 leading into an up bore 45, the valve highly sensitive to movement of the arm control
which connects to an up outlet 30 extending out of the 5 post 16, so that even a slight movement of the arm control
valve body 22. post 16 would result in a rapid movement of the arm 12.
[0011] On the down side 72 of the valve 60, the port The design shown in FIG. 5 makes operation of the dolly
40 extends through the passageway 24 to a down bore easier because more turning movement of the arm con-
47 in the down valve body 21. A return port 28 extends trol post 16 is needed to actuate the valve 60 and cause
through the down valve body 21 and joins into the down 10 the arm 12 to move. As a result, the operator can more
bore 47. The junctions between the passageway 24 in easily avoid camera positioning errors caused by the arm
the valve base 23 and the up bore 45 and down bore 47 moving too fast or too slow.
in the down valve bodies 21 and 22 are sealed by O rings [0018] In use, hydraulic lines are connected to the
42, compressed by bolts 25 clamping the valve body and down outlet 28, up outlet 30 and to the port 40, to connect
valve base together. 15 the valve 60 into the hydraulic system of the camera dolly
[0012] On the up side of the valve, an up pin 74 is 10. To raise the arm 12 of the camera dolly 10, the boom
centered in position within the up bore 45 via a steel bush- or arm control post 16 is turned counterclockwise (when
ing 76 (which is preferably pressed into the up bore 45.) viewed from above as in FIG. 6). The arm control post
The bushing 76 and the shaft 77 of the up pin 74 are turns the receiver tube 50, and the post sprocket 54 on
dimensioned to create a small annular opening around 20 the receiver tube 50. Consequently, the valve sprocket
the shaft for hydraulic fluid passage. The upper end of 58 turns in the same direction, but through a reduced
the shaft 77 of the up pin 74 may be threaded into a piston angle of rotation. As the valve sprocket 58 turns, the
26 which bears against a swash plate 65.. The valve swash plate pushes down on the piston 26 causing the
sprocket 58 is attached to and rotates with a cam plate head 75 of the up pin 74 to move away from the seat 79.
67. The Teflon washer 69 or thrust bearing may be sand- 25 The up side 70 of the hydraulic valve 60 is then opened,
wiched between the swash plate 65 and the eccentric allowing hydraulic fluid to flow through the port 40, the
bottom surface 73 of the cam plate 67. passageway 24, through the annular space between the
[0013] As the cam plate 67 turns, it sequentially de- bushing 76 and shaft 77 of the up pin 74, through the up
presses either of the pistons 26 and 27. The swash plate bore 78, and out through the up outlet 30, to drive the
65 may remain stationery and not turn with the valve 30 hydraulic actuator 18 up and raise the arm 12.
sprocket 58. The lower end of a compression spring 46 [0019] Lowering the arm is performed by turning the
rests on the bushing 76 with the upper end of the com- arm control post clockwise, opening the down side of the
pression spring 46 pushing on the piston 26. A steel valve valve, and allowing hydraulic fluid to return from the ac-
seat 79 in the valve body 22 seals the up bore 45 closed tuator, through the down bore 47, through the side chan-
when the head 75 of the up pin 74 engages the seat 79. 35 nels 92 in the head insert 86, through the grooves 98 on
[0014] On the down side 72 of the hydraulic valve 60, the shaft insert 88, out of the return port 28, to a sump
a head insert 86 is pressed into the valve base 23. A or reservoir.
head bore extends through the head insert 86 and con- [0020] Referring to FIGS. 2, 5-7, when the arm control
nects to the passageway 24 through a cutout 94 in the post 16 is turned to a position so that the detent 62 en-
side cylindrical surface of the head insert 86. Side chan- 40 gages the stop groove 66, the swash plate 65 is posi-
nels extend through the head insert 86. A steel valve seat tioned so that both pistons are up and both sides of the
83 is positioned in the valve body 22 above the head valve 60 are closed. Consequently, no hydraulic fluid can
insert 86. flow through the valve 60 and the arm 12 remains in a
[0015] Referring to FIG. 7, a shaft insert 88 may be fixed position. When the arm control post 16 is turned so
pressed into the down bore 47, above the valve seat 83. 45 that the detent 62 engages the up groove 68, the swash
The shaft insert 88 has a through bore 96, dimensioned plate 65 is positioned so that the up side 70 of the hy-
to closely fit around the shaft 85 of the down pin 82. draulic valve 60 is on the verge of opening. Further coun-
Grooves on the outside of the shaft insert 88 allow hy- terclockwise turning of the arm control post 16, even by
draulic fluid to flow through the down bore 80 past the a small amount, causes the up side 70 of the valve 60 to
shaft insert 88. 50 open, so that the arm 12 moves virtually simultaneously
[0016] The piston 27 may be threaded onto the upper with the further turning movement of the arm control post
end of the shaft 85 of the down pin 82. A spring 89 biases 16.
the down pin 82 upwardly with the piston 27 bearing [0021] Similarly, when the arm control post 16 is turned
against the swash plate 65. so that the detent 62 engages the down groove 68 in the
[0017] As best shown in FIG. 5, the post sprocket 54 55 receiver tube 50, the down side 72 of the hydraulic valve
is smaller than the valve sprocket 58. In the preferred 60 is on the verge of opening. As the arm control post 16
embodiment, the post sprocket 54 has 20 teeth and the is turned further counter-clockwise, as shown in FIG. 6
valve sprocket 58 has 32 teeth. This provides a 1:1.6 the downside 72 of the valve 60 opens virtually simulta-

3
5 EP 2 874 937 B1 6

neously with the further turning movement. Accordingly, operates as described above, under control of the arm
turning the arm control post to engage the up groove 64 control post 16. When a float down camera movement
or down groove 68 provides a "up ready" and an "down is desired, the user moves the lever 120 into an up or out
ready" position, from which the operator knows that fur- position, as shown in Fig. 10. This movement of the lever
ther movement of the arm control post 16 will result in 5 120 drives the linkage 122, which in turn rotates the cam
instantaneous movement of the arm 12. shaft 110, up to 1/4 turn. As the cam shaft 110 rotates,
[0022] When the receiver tube 50 is positioned with the cam lobe 112 presses down on the cam plate 114 on
the detent 62 engaged into the down groove 68 or the the sprocket and the swash plate 65. This pushes both
up groove 64, no hydraulic fluid flows through the valve of the valve pins 74 and 82 down, so that each pin is
60. The stop groove 66 is provided in between the up 10 slightly separated from its seat. Both ports 28 and 30 of
groove 64 and the down groove 68 as an additional tactile the valve are then slightly open, allowing hydraulic fluid
point of reference. The valve 60 remains closed at all to flow out of the actuator 18. Accordingly, regardless of
angular positions of the receiver tube 50 between (and position of the arm control post 16, and the volume of
including) the down groove 68 and the up groove 64. fluid flowing into the hydraulic cylinder 16 shown in Fig.
[0023] A viscous fluid 80 dampener may optionally also 15 1, there is an automatic and constant flow of fluid out of
be linked to the swash plate, to provide a smooth and the cylinder 18.
controlled closing movement of the valve. [0028] To perform a float down movement, the user
[0024] FIGS. 8-10 show a float down valve control sys- actuates the float down control system 100 via movement
tem 100. When the system 100 is used, the valve 60 is of the lever 120. The user then turns the arm control post
controlled in a float down mode. In the float down mode, 20 16 to raise the arm. When the arm reaches the desired
both pins 74 and 82 are slightly separated from their valve height, the user returns the arm control post 16 to the
seats, creating an intentional slight leakage through the stop position. The user may do this by simply releasing
valve 60. As a result, as soon as the dolly arm reaches the control post 16 with internal forces described above
its highest point, as selected by the user via the arm con- automatically returning the arm control post 16 to the stop
trol post 16, the arm automatically and instantaneously 25 position. Alternatively, if the camera dolly is set up with
reverses direction and starts to move back down. Since more internal friction in the valve control system, so that
this float down mode provides this movement automati- the arm control post 16 stays in position when released,
cally, the up-down movement of the arm is smoother than the user may actively turn the arm control post 16 back
can normally be achieved even by a highly skilled user to the stop position.
turning the arm control post 16 by hand. The float down 30 [0029] In either case, as the arm control post 16 and
movement is analogous to the movement, in slower mo- the valve 60 approach the normal stop position, the vol-
tion, of a ball tossed up, with the ball constantly deceler- ume of fluid flowing into the hydraulic cylinder 18 declines
ating via gravity and reversing direction immediately at to an inflection point where it is exceeded by the constant
the apogee. out flow caused by the float down system 100 holding
[0025] In addition, when using float down mode, the 35 both valve pins slightly open. As a result, the arm moves
user does not need to watch the arm, determine when up to the desired height and then immediately reverses
the desired high point is reached, and then act to reverse direction and begins moving back down, is a smooth
the direction of movement of arm. This allows the user movement. The lever 120 is then moved back to the off
to achieve a smooth, consistent and repeatable up-down position.
movement, even while concentrating on other tasks, 40 [0030] FIG. 11 shows an alternative float down system
such as steering the dolly in a desired path. 150 similar to the design shown in Figs. 7-10 but having
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the float down sys- a nut sprocket 152 attached to the plate nut 96, for en-
tem 100 may include a cam shaft housing 102 attached gaging and disengaging the float down mode, instead of
onto the body of the valve 60. The plate nut 96 shown in the linkage 122. In the design of FIG. 11, turning a post
Fig. 7 is removed, and the threaded post 98 is modified 45 or shaft on the dolly drives a belt or chain, which turns
to allow the cam shaft housing to be bolted onto the valve the nut sprocket 152. The nut sprocket 152 turns the plate
body. The housing 102 can fit over and around the nut 96 on the threaded post 98. This pushes swash plate
sprocket 58. A chain slot 104 in the housing 102 may be 65 down, slightly unseating both pins 74 and 82, to pro-
used to provide clearance around the outside of the chain vide a float down mode, as described above.
58 on the sprocket 58. A cam shaft 110 is pivotally sup- 50 [0031] FIG. 12 shows another alternative float down
ported in the housing 102. A cam lobe 112 on the cam system 160 similar to the design shown in Figs. 7-11 but
shaft 110 is held against a cam plate 114 on top of the having a nut shaft 162 attached to the plate nut 96. The
sprocket 58. As shown in Fig. 10, a mechanical linkage nut shaft extends up through the chassis deck 164.
122 connects the cam shaft 110 to a hand lever 120 on Grasping and turning a handle 166 rotates the nut shaft
a modified arm control post 16A. 55 162 and the plate nut 96, slightly unseating both pins 74
[0027] With the float down system 100 in the off posi- and 82, to provide the float down mode, as described
tion, the hand lever 120 is alongside or recessed into an above.
opening in the arm control post 16A. The valve 60 then [0032] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic

4
7 EP 2 874 937 B1 8

system that may be used with the camera dolly described depress the cam 67, providing the slight valve opening
above, with or without having a float down mode. The movement (0.1 to 0.3 mm) described above, so that float
hydraulic system has a tank or reservoir 170, one or more mode is provided. The outer ends set screws 196 and
accumulators 172, the hydraulic cylinder or actuator 18 198 contact fixed surfaces on the dolly chassis when the
and the valve 60. One or both of a hand pump 174 and 5 lever is in the horizontal and vertical positions, respec-
an electric pump 176 may be provided, with the system tively. The set screws are adjusted so that the stop po-
components connected as shown, optionally using a sitions of the lever 192 provide a corresponding desired
junction block 178. The hydraulic system may typically position for lobe 200 on the cam shaft 110. Moving the
also include one or more pressure gages, pressure lever 192 into an intermediate position, such as by mov-
switches and relief valves, as is well known in the art. 10 ing it 1/8 of a turn, of course provides a reduced float
[0033] Where the hydraulic cylinder is a one-way or down effect.
single acting hydraulic cylinder, the dolly arm 12 moves
down only under its own weight. If the camera on the
dolly arm is lightweight, the arm may move down slowly, Claims
even with the valve 60 in the full down position. To avoid 15
this delay, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 13, the hy- 1. A camera dolly or camera crane having an arm (12)
draulic system may also optionally include a fast down pivotably attached to a chassis (20) and a hydraulic
valve 180 connected in parallel with the control valve 60. system, including a hydraulic cylinder (18) attached
If used, the fast down valve 180 can be opened to bypass to the arm (12) and to the chassis (20) for raising the
the control valve 60, to allow the arm to drop down quickly. 20 arm (12), characterised by:
The fast down valve 180 may have a relatively large
through bore, to allow fluid to rapidly drain out of the cyl- a hydraulic valve (60) and a valve control (100)
inder 18 and into the tank 170, when the fast down valve on the base, the hydraulic valve (60) having a
is open. The fast down valve 180, if used, may be con- normal operation mode where opening and clos-
trolled by a separate knob or lever on the arm control 25 ing of the valve is controlled by the valve control
post or elsewhere on the dolly. (100), and a float down mode, where the valve
[0034] FIG. 14 shows an improved detent release pin remains partially open, regardless of operation
130 similar to the design shown in Fig. 6. However, the of the valve control.
detent release pin 130 may be engaged by the user to
provide a tactile position indication, or disengaged to re- 30 2. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 1, with
move the detent action, according to the user’s prefer- the valve (60) linked to the hydraulic cylinder (18)
ence. As shown in Fig. 14, a knob 132 is attached to the and to a pressurized hydraulic fluid source (172, 174,
outer end of a plunger 138 that is threaded into a shaft 176), with the valve including a valve body (23) con-
134. The shaft is supported on an outer wall of the chassis taining a first spring (46) biasing a first pin (74) into
20 and via a nut 136 attached onto an inner support plate 35 engagement with a first seat (79), and a second
123. A spring 140 is provided at the inner end of the spring (89) biasing a second pin (82) into engage-
plunger 138. The spring 140 drives a ball 142 against the ment with a second seat (83), and a swash plate (65)
lower end of the arm control post 16, similar to the ar- supported on the valve body (23) to selectively move
rangement shown in Figs. 3-6. the first and second pins; a cam or a nut (96) movable
[0035] By turning the knob clockwise, the plunger 138 40 from a first position wherein the first and second pins
is advanced to firmly press the ball 142 against the outer can seal against the first and second seats, respec-
surface of the arm control post 16. As a slot or groove tively, to a second position wherein the cam or nut
64, 66 or 68 moves into alignment with the ball 142, a displaces the swash plate and simultaneously holds
detent function is provided, as described above. If no the first and second pins apart from the first and sec-
detent function is desired, the knob 132 is backed off and 45 ond seats, respectively.
the force holding the ball against the arm control post 16
is removed, removing the detent function. 3. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 2 further
[0036] Fig. 15 shows a modification of the valve system characterised by an arm control post (16) rotatably
shown in Fig. 9 where a lever 192 is attached onto the attached to the chassis, an actuation lever (120) on
cam shaft 110. A first set screw 194 is threaded into the 50 or in the arm control post, and a linkage (122) con-
front side of the lever 192 and a second set screw198 is necting the actuation lever to the cam or nut (96).
threaded into the back side of the lever. The lever is
moveable by about 1/4 turn from the vertical position 4. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 2 further
shown in Fig. 15 to a horizontal position. With the lever characterised by a cam shaft housing (102) at-
in the vertical position, the cam shaft 110 does not de- 55 tached to the valve body, a cam shaft (110) extending
press the cam 67, so that the valve 60 operates in normal through the cam shaft housing, and a cam lobe (112)
mode and float control mode is off. Pivoting the lever 192 on the cam shaft positioned to linearly displace the
into the horizontal position causes the cam shaft 110 to first and second pins with rotation of the cam shaft.

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9 EP 2 874 937 B1 10

5. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 1 with einen Normalbetriebsmodus, in dem ein Öffnen und
the hydraulic system further including a fast down Schließen des Ventils durch die Ventilsteuerung
valve (180) connected in parallel to the valve (60), (100) gesteuert wird, und einen Abwärtsschwebe-
for allowing the arm to quickly move down regardless modus aufweist, in dem das Ventil unabhängig vom
of the load on the arm. 5 Betrieb der Ventilsteuerung teilweise offen bleibt.

6. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 2 with 2. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 1,
the swash plate (65) including a thrust bearing (69). wobei das Ventil (60) mit dem Hydraulikzylinder (18)
und mit einer Hydraulikfluiddruckquelle (172, 174,
7. A camera dolly or camera crane of claim 4 further 10 176) verbunden ist, wobei das Ventil einen Ventil-
characterized by the cam shaft (110) rotatable from körper (23), der eine erste Feder (46), die einen ers-
a first position wherein the cam shaft displaces or ten Bolzen (74) in Eingriff mit einem ersten Sitz (79)
moves one or both pins (74, 82) in an opening direc- vorspannt, und eine zweite Feder (89) enthält, die
tion, to a second position wherein the cam shaft does einen zweiten Bolzen (82) in Eingriff mit einem zwei-
not displace or move either pin. 15 ten Sitz (83) vorspannt, und eine Taumelscheibe
(65) aufweist, die an dem Ventilkörper (23) abge-
8. The camera dolly or crane of claim 7 with the cam stützt ist, um den ersten und den zweiten Bolzen
shaft rotatable by 1/4 turn from the first position to wahlweise zu bewegen;
the second position. wobei ein Nocken oder eine Mutter (96) von einer
20 ersten Position, in welcher der erste und der zweite
9. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 7 or 8 Bolzen den ersten bzw. den zweiten Sitz abdichten,
with the cam shaft acting on both pins. in eine zweite Position bewegbar ist, in welcher der
Nocken oder die Mutter die Taumelscheibe ver-
10. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 7 or 9 schiebt und gleichzeitig den ersten und den zweiten
with the first pin controlling up movement of the arm 25 Bolzen von dem ersten bzw. dem zweiten Sitz fern-
and the second pin controlling down movement of hält.
the arm.
3. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 2,
11. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 10 with ferner gekennzeichnet durch eine Armsteuersäule
the cam shaft acting on the second pin. 30 (16), die an dem Fahrgestell drehbar angebracht ist,
einen Betätigungshebel (120) an oder in der Arm-
12. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 10 or 11 steuersäule, und ein Gestänge (122), das den Be-
further including a valve gear or sprocket (58) at- tätigungshebel mit dem Nocken oder der Mutter (96)
tached to the swash plate for moving the pins (74, verbindet.
82) into open and closed positions as the valve gear 35
or sprocket (58) rotates. 4. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 2,
ferner gekennzeichnet durch ein Nockenwellenge-
13. The camera dolly or camera crane of claim 12 with häuse (102), das an dem Ventilkörper angebracht
the cam shaft (110) pushing on the swash plate (65) ist, eine Nockenwelle (110), die sich durch das No-
and causing both pins (74, 82) to move into at least 40 ckenwellengehäuse hindurch erstreckt, und einen
partially open positions, when the cam shaft is in the Nockenvorsprung (112), der an der Nockenwelle po-
first position. sitioniert ist, um den ersten und den zweiten Bolzen
mit einer Drehung der Nockenwelle linear zu ver-
14. The camera dolly or crane of claim 13 wherein mov- schieben.
ing the cam shaft (110) from the second position to 45
the first position moves the pins by 0.1 to 0.3 mm. 5. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 1,
wobei das Hydrauliksystem ferner ein Schnellab-
wärtsventil (180) aufweist, das parallel zu dem Ventil
Patentansprüche (60) angeschlossen ist, um zu ermöglichen, dass
50 sich der Arm unabhängig von der Last an dem Arm
1. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran mit einem Arm schnell abwärts bewegt.
(12), der an einem Fahrgestell (20) drehbar ange-
bracht ist, und einem Hydrauliksystem, das einen 6. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 2,
Hydraulikzylinder (18) aufweist, der an dem Arm (12) wobei die Taumelscheibe (65) ein Drucklager (69)
und an dem Fahrgestell (20) zum Anheben des Ar- 55 aufweist.
mes (12) angebracht ist, gekennzeichnet durch
ein Hydraulikventil (60) und eine Ventilsteuerung 7. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 4,
(100) an der Basis, wobei das Hydraulikventil (60) ferner dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Nocken-

6
11 EP 2 874 937 B1 12

welle (110) von einer ersten Position, in welcher die tie ouverte, quel que soit le fonctionnement de
Nockenwelle einen oder beide Bolzen (74, 82) in ei- la commande de soupape.
ner Öffnungsrichtung verschiebt oder bewegt, in ei-
ne zweite Position drehbar ist, in welcher die No- 2. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
ckenwelle beide Bolzen nicht verschiebt oder be- 5 vendication 1, dans lequel la soupape (60) est reliée
wegt. au vérin hydraulique (18) et à une source de fluide
hydraulique sous pression (172, 174, 176), dans le-
8. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 7, quel la soupape comprend un corps de soupape (23)
wobei die Nockenwelle um 1/4 Drehung von der ers- qui contient un premier ressort (46) qui sollicite une
ten Position in die zweite Position drehbar ist. 10 première broche (74) dans une mise en prise avec
un premier siège (79), et un second ressort (89) qui
9. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 7 sollicite une seconde broche (82) dans une mise en
oder 8, wobei die Nockenwelle an beiden Bolzen prise avec un second siège (83), et un plateau os-
wirkt. cillant (65) supporté par le corps de valve (23) de
15 façon à déplacer de manière sélective les première
10. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 7 et seconde broches ;
oder 9, wobei der erste Bolzen eine Aufwärtsbewe- une came ou un écrou (96) pouvant se déplacer à
gung des Armes steuert, und der zweite Bolzen eine partir d’une première position dans laquelle les pre-
Abwärtsbewegung des Armes steuert. mière et seconde broches peuvent sceller les pre-
20 mier et second sièges, respectivement, vers une se-
11. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 10, conde position dans laquelle la came ou l’écrou dé-
wobei die Nockenwelle an dem zweiten Bolzen wirkt. place le plateau oscillant et tient de manière simul-
tanée les première et seconde broches éloignées
12. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 10 des premier et second sièges, respectivement.
oder 11, ferner aufweisend ein Ventilzahnrad oder 25
-kettenrad (58), das an der Taumelscheibe ange- 3. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
bracht ist, um die Bolzen (74, 82) in eine offene und vendication 2, caractérisé en outre par un montant
eine geschlossene Position zu bewegen, während de commande de bras (16) fixé de manière rotative
sich das Ventilzahnrad oder -kettenrad (58) dreht. sur le châssis, un levier d’actionnement (120) situé
30 sur le montant de commande de bras ou à l’intérieur
13. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 12, de celui-ci, et une tringlerie (122) qui connecte le
wobei die Nockenwelle (110) an der Taumelscheibe levier d’actionnement et la came ou l’écrou (96).
(65) drückt und bewirkt, dass sich beide Bolzen (74,
82) in wenigstens teilweise offene Positionen bewe- 4. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
gen, wenn die Nockenwelle in der ersten Position ist. 35 vendication 2, caractérisé en outre par un loge-
ment d’arbre à cames (102) fixé sur le corps de sou-
14. Kamerawagen oder Kamerakran nach Anspruch 13, pape, un arbre à cames (110) qui s’étend à travers
wobei eine Bewegung der Nockenwelle (110) von le logement d’arbre à cames, et un bossage de came
der zweiten Position in die erste Position die Bolzen (112) situé sur l’arbre à cames est positionné de fa-
um 0,1 bis 0,3 mm bewegt. 40 çon à déplacer de manière linéaire les première et
seconde broches en fonction de la rotation de l’arbre
à cames.
Revendications
5. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
1. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra qui présente 45 vendication 1, dans lequel le système hydraulique
un bras (12) fixé de manière pivotante sur un châssis comprend en outre une soupape de descente rapide
(20), et un système hydraulique, qui comprend un (180) connectée en parallèle sur la soupape (60),
vérin hydraulique (18), fixé sur le bras (12) et sur le destinée à permettre au bras de s’abaisser rapide-
châssis (20) destiné à lever le bras (12), caractérisé ment quelle que soit la charge exercée sur le bras.
par : 50
6. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
une soupape hydraulique (60) et une comman- vendication 2, dans lequel le plateau oscillant (65)
de de soupape (100) sur la base, la soupape comprend un palier de butée (69).
hydraulique (60) présentant un mode fonction-
nement normal dans lequel l’ouverture et la fer- 55 7. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
meture de la soupape sont commandées par la vendication 4, caractérisé en outre par le fait que
commande de soupape (100), et un mode flot- l’arbre à cames (110) peut tourner à partir d’une pre-
taison, dans lequel la soupape demeure en par- mière position dans laquelle l’arbre à cames déplace

7
13 EP 2 874 937 B1 14

ou met en mouvement l’une des deux broches (74,

82), voire les deux, dans une direction d’ouverture,
vers une seconde position dans laquelle l’arbre à
cames ne déplace aucune broche.
5
8. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
vendication 7, dans lequel l’arbre à cames peut tour-
ner de ¨ de tour à partir de la première position vers
la seconde position.
10
9. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
vendication 7 ou la revendication 8, dans lequel l’ar-
bre à cames agit sur les deux broches.

10. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re- 15

vendication 7 ou la revendication 9, dans lequel la
première broche commande un déplacement du
bras vers le haut, et la seconde broche commande
un déplacement du bras vers le bas.
20
11. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
vendication 10, dans lequel l’arbre à cames agit sur
la seconde broche.

12. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re- 25

vendication 10 ou la revendication 11, comprenant
en outre une commande de soupape ou une cou-
ronne dentée (58) fixée sur le plateau oscillant et
destinée à déplacer les broches (74, 82) dans des
positions ouverte et fermée lorsque la commande 30
de soupape ou la couronne dentée (58) tourne.

13. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-

vendication 12, dans lequel l’arbre à cames (110)
exerce une poussée sur le plateau oscillant (65) et 35
provoque le déplacement des deux broches (74, 82)
dans des positions ouvertes en partie au moins, lors-
que l’arbre à cames se trouve dans la première po-
sition.
40
14. Chariot de caméra ou grue de caméra selon la re-
vendication 13, dans lequel le déplacement de l’ar-
bre à cames (110) à partir de la seconde position
vers la première position, provoque le déplacement
des broches d’une distance comprise entre 0,1 mm 45
et 0,3 mm.

50

55

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 6247498 B [0007]

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