Modular pan and tilt system

• Main Authors: HEINZ ROGER, HEINZ JOHN, STANEV STEFAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 06.01.2009
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USINGWAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FORPROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; BLASTING; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ELECTROGRAPHY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FRAMES, CASINGS, OR BEDS OF ENGINES OR OTHER MACHINES ORAPPARATUS NOT SPECIFIC TO AN ENGINE, MACHINE, OR APPARATUSPROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; HOLOGRAPHY; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PHOTOGRAPHY; PHYSICS; STANDS OR SUPPORTS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A modular pan and tilt system includes a combination of inline and/or right angle rotational platforms. The platforms each include a housing having a cross-section of uniform dimensions extending from a first end toward a second end and a drive motor mounted within the housing having an output shaft parallel to a long axis of the housing. A mounting plate is driven at an axis of rotation by the output shaft and has at least one attachment fixture for securing the mounting plate to equipment for positioning or a mounting surface. The right angle platform includes a right angle drive gear train attached to the output shaft. A clamping block has two pair of parallel mounting holes mounted at right angles to each other. The mounting holes are sized and shaped to fit slidably about the housings. A securing fixture holds the housings in any two of the mounting holes.