Camera track and dolly system

Abstract

A system for moving a camera along a predefined path in space, the system comprising: a track ( 2 ), the track comprising at least one rail ( 10, 12 ); a dolly ( 4 ) adapted to ride on the track; and a rack and pinion drive mechanism ( 6 ) for driving the dolly along the track. The drive mechanism includes a rack ( 40 ) extending along the track and a driven pinion ( 60 ) mounted on the dolly, and the rack is positioned vertically inline with the at least one rail of the track.

1 . A system for moving a camera along a predefined path in space, the system comprising:
 a track, the track comprising at least one rail;   a dolly adapted to ride on the track; and   a rack and pinion drive mechanism for driving the dolly along the track, the drive mechanism including a rack extending along the track and a driven pinion mounted on the dolly;   wherein the rack is positioned vertically inline with said at least one rail of the track.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the track comprises two parallel rails, the rack being positioned vertically inline with one of the rails. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rack and rail are held in position relative to one another by a common support member. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the rack and rail are held in position relative to one another by a common support member. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the rail is formed integrally with the support member. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the rack is formed integrally with the support member. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the rack is a separate component mounted on the support member. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the support member is an extruded member. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the cross-section of the extrusion is shaped to provide one or more locating and/or retaining formations for locating and/or securing in position the separate rack component. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the locating and/or retaining formations include a recessed channel and one or more lip(s). 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rack includes a flexible rack component that can conform to the shape of a curved track. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pinion is mounted on the dolly such that when the dolly rides on the track and the pinion engages with the rack, a rotational axis of the pinion pivots about a vertical axis in line with a vertical center line of the rail with which the rack is associated. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a camera mounted on the dolly. 
   
   
       14 . A rack and rail assembly for use with a system according to  claim 1 , the assembly comprising:
 a support member;   a rail fixed to the support member for engaging one or more wheels of the dolly and protruding from the support member so that a vertical center line of the rail is offset to one side of the support member; and   a rack member fixed to the support member to protrude from the support member to the same side as the rail, with the pitch circle diameter of the rack being inline with the vertical center line of the rail.   
   
   
       15 . The assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the support member is an extruded member. 
   
   
       16 . The assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the cross-section of the extrusion is shaped to provide one or more locating and/or retaining formations for locating and/or securing in position the rack member. 
   
   
       17 . The assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the rack member is flexible so that it can conform to the shape of a curved track. 
   
   
       18 . An extruded support and rail member for use with the system according to  claim 1 , the extruded member comprising:
 a support portion;   a rail portion for engaging one or more wheels of a dolly and protruding from the support portion so that a vertical center line of the rail portion is offset to one side of the support member; and   one or more rack locating and/or retaining formations formed on the side of the support portion to which the rail portion is offset for retaining the rack of a rack and pinion drive mechanism with the pitch circle diameter of the rack inline with the vertical center line of the rail.   
   
   
       19 . The member according to  claim 18 , wherein the locating and/or retaining formations include a recessed channel and one or more lip(s).