Curved track

Title:

Curved-Track, Tripod-Mounted Telescoping Camera Rig with Nested Sliding Carriages

Inventor:

Samir Eltom

Date of Disclosure:

[Insert today’s date]

🔹 Abstract:

This invention relates to a modular, tripod-mounted camera rig that allows a camera to travel along a curved path using a nested telescoping system of sliding tracks or carriages. Similar to the inventor’s previously disclosed linear system (July 5, 2025), this version introduces a curved motion path formed by multiple nested components that follow a predetermined arcuate or serpentine trajectory. The camera rig maintains the core principles of layered internal motion but expands the system into a non-linear travel system for use in cinematography, immersive filming, or spatially-constrained environments.

🔹 Technical Description:

1. Structure Overview:

• The rig consists of three main components:
  
• Track A (Outer Track): Mounted on a tripod or fixed structure. This track is curved and serves as the outer guide path for Track B.
• Track B (Middle Track): Slides along the curvature of Track A. It is slightly smaller and similarly curved, riding on internal wheels or rail guides.
• Track C (Inner Track or Camera Carriage): The camera is mounted on this track, which slides within Track B along the same curvature.
• 
  
• All tracks are open-top, allowing unobstructed movement of the camera.
• Internal rollers or wheels are mounted on Tracks A and B to support the motion of the nested components.
• The curvature may be circular (arc), serpentine, S-shaped, or elliptical, depending on the intended shot or environment.
• The entire system may be mounted in a horizontal plane (e.g. floor-mounted arc) or a vertical plane (e.g. curved wall or ceiling-mounted).

2. Motion and Function:

• The camera’s motion path is curved, creating dynamic parallax or orbit-style movement.
• The telescoping action of Track C in B, and B in A, enables long-range travel along the curve with minimal footprint.
• Like the straight version, no ground rails are required — the system is tripod- or wall-mounted.

3. Use Cases:

• Cinematic orbiting shots around subjects
• Side-tracking in narrow curved corridors
• Immersive VR/AR filming
• Large installation filming (art, dance, performance)

4. Additional Features:

• Counterweight arms at each end of Track A to maintain balance
• Stopper mechanisms at the ends of Tracks B and C to prevent overextension
• Optional motorized drive along curved path using belt or gear systems

🔹 Claims (Informal for Disclosure)

1. A tripod-mounted camera rig composed of three nested, curved tracks, where:
   
• Track C slides within Track B;
• Track B slides within Track A;
• Each track follows a shared curved geometry;
• The system achieves long-range, curved camera travel without requiring a floor-based rail system.
2. 
   
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the curvature is arcuate, elliptical, or serpentine.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising internal wheels or rollers enabling smooth travel.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein end-stop mechanisms and counterweights are included to maintain control and stability.

🔹 Disclosure Purpose:

This document constitutes public disclosure of the invention described herein and is intended to serve as prior art, establishing the inventive concept as of today’s date. This disclosure is made in anticipation of future patent filings and may be referenced in provisional or non-provisional patent applications.