‘US 20130321 us United States cz) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2013/0322996 Al oy 0s) my an @ Gt Chapman CAMERA CRANE TRANSPORT VEHICLE Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman, North Hollywood, CA (US) Assignee: CHAPMAN/LEONARD STUDIO EQUIPMENT, INC., Nosh Hollysood, cA) Appl. Now 13/488,781 Filed: Jun. $,2012 Publication Classification Int Cl. Boor 307 (2006.01) B60 Was (2005.01), Boor 1702 (2006.01), 6A 201303229 (43) Pub, Date Dee. 5, 2013 (2) US. USPC 44141495; 414/812 on ABSTRACT A camera crane carrier includes a vehiele having front end anda back end. font elevatorismovable vertically herween ‘up and down positions, at a forward position on a deck vehicle. back elevator is movable vertically between up and ‘down postions, at a rearward position, below the deck, A rump may be proved on the vehicle, with the sump extend- ible fom the deck at the back endof the vehicleto he ground. The elevators allow a camera erane to be more easily loaded onto the vehicle, and alo allow lowering the center of gravity ‘ofthe loaded vehicle, The vehicle may’ optionally be used as ‘camera ear wien not carrying a camera crane,‘US 2013/0322996 AL Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 1 of 10 Patent Application PublicationPatent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2013. Sheet 2 0f10 US 2013/0322996 Al‘US 2013/0322996 AL Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 3 of 10 Patent Application Publication‘US 2013/0322996 AL Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 4 of 10 Patent Application Publication‘US 2013/0322996 AL Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 5 of 10 Patent Application Publication SS SS‘US 2013/0322996 AL Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 6 of 10 Patent Application Publication llPatent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 70f10 US 2013/0322996 AIPatent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 8 of 10 US 2013/0322996 AI Fig. 17Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 9 of 10 US 2013/0322996 AI 162 Fig. 18Patent Application Publication Dec. 5, 2013 Sheet 10 of 10 US 2013/0322996 AIUS 2013/0322996 AI (CAMERA CRANE TRANSPORT VI LE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10001] | Camera cranes are used to position and maneuver ‘motion picture cameras, such as motion pictue film o digital ‘cameras, HD cameras, and 2D and 3D cameras. Camera ‘cranes typically havea crane am mounted onto a mobile base ‘or vehicle, The am can be pivoted or tilted up or dowa, and panned from side to side, to obtain desired emer position, While the mobile base remains stationary. Some erie arms ‘can extend and retract with telescoping movement, To fol low a moving subject during filming. orto move the camera around subject, move in, back-up of move diagonally in any direction, the motion base is pushed over the ground by the filming crew, or the motion base may be sel-peopelled via an ‘on-board motor, withor withoutalsousing telescoping move- ‘ent. Dramatic improvements in telescoping eamera erane ‘arms have recently been achieved, for examples deseribedin US. Pat. No. 033,742. This type of eamera crane arm can provide a reach of over 70 feet (23 meters) with exceptional Stability all weather, and underwater capability. [0002] "As filming often takes place on location outside of a studio, camera eranes are frequently transported by ruck 10 the filming location. However, the relatively lager size and ‘weight of modern eamera eranes present special transport challenges. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION {0003} A camera crane carer includes a vehicle having @ front elevator movable vertically between up and down posi tions, ata forward postion on a deck of the vehicle. A hack ‘elevator is movable vertically between up and down pos tions, ata rearward postion, below the deck. A ramp may be provided on the vehicle, with the ramp extendible from the ‘deck a the back end ofthe vehicle wo the ground, The eleva tors allow a camera crane to be more easily loaded onto the ‘chicle, and also allow lowering the center of gravity of the Toaded vehicle, The vehicle may optionally be used as @ ‘camera car when not carrying a camera eran BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. 10003} In the drawings, the same reference number indi- ‘cates the same clement in exch ofthe views, [0005] FIG. 1 is side view of a camera crane transport ‘chicle with tailgate ramp deployed. [0006] "FIG. 2 isa side view of the camera erane transport ‘vehicle of FIG. 1 with te tailgate ramp folded [0007] FIG. 3 isa plan view of the camera crane transport vehicle show i FIG. 1 [0008] - FIG. 4 isa rar view ofthe eamera erane transport vehicle shown in FIG. 1 10009] FIGS, 5-9 are side views showing a sequence of ‘operation ofthe tailgate ramp shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 [0010] FIGS. 10-18 are side views showing a sequence of ‘operation of thecamers crane iransport vehicle shown in FIG, 1 [0011] FIG, 16 is side view provided for comparison to EIG.18, [0012] "FIG. 17s anenlarged side view ofthe camera crane Toading sequence occurring between the positions shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, [0013] FIG a8. showin ia FIG. 17 on calarged detail view of therear levator Dee. 5, 2013 [0014] FIG, 19 is a side view of operation of the camera crane shown in FIG. 16 while the camera crane iso the vehicle shown ia FIG.2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] A camera crane typically includes a crane arm, for ‘examples described in US. Pat, No, 8,033,742 mounted oa ‘a mobile base, for example as deseribed in US, Patent Appl «ation 2012/0026467, both incorporated herein by relerenee As camera cranes may weigh over 10,000 Ibs (4845 kp) and havea high center of gravity, loading and transporting camera ‘cranes on conventional overthe-road tricks ean be dificl. FFIG.I shows an improved vehicle for loading and transport ing large camera cranes, [016] As shown in FIG. 1, a camera erane transport vehicle 40 hasa cab 44 ona fron chassis 42, Since the vehicle 40 may also be used a8 a camera ear, a cab deck 46 may be provided on top of the cab 44, 0 allow camera ere to more securely climb or stand on top of the cab, without damaging the vehicle. hood deck 48 may similarly be provided on the hood of the vehicle 40. Front platform fitings 80 may be attached to the chassis 42 to allow a froat platonn to be ‘attached to the vehicle 40, for camer car operations. Asian- ‘dard truck, sich a8 «Ford 550 or similar, may be used 10 provide the front section of the Vehicle 40, including the cab ‘4, the engin, storing and front drive wheels 52, and the ont chassis 42. The rear section ofthe vehicle 40 may be ‘made with enforced roar chassis 60 to better handle loads beyond the specifications of the standard truck. The rar chassis 60 is joined to the front chassis 42 via welding or bolting. Ofcourse, single purpose-built chassis may also be sed, [0017] Inthe design shown inFG: 1,the vehicle has 60 ar axles, with dual wheel pairs on each sie, for a total of eight rear wheels 76, slong with the two front wheels 52. All 10 wheels ofthe vehicle 40 may be linked (othe vehicle drive train, to alow the viele to better move over soft or slippery ground, orhandle steep inclines, as soften reyuiredo deiver the camera erane tothe filming location. standard truck, such as the Ford PS50, may be modified for this purpose by Adding sccond rear sxle. [0018] In this design the stock drive shaft 64 is connected to a front trnsfer case 66, which drives a front axle set 74 through a front differential 72. The front differential drives the forward four wheels 76 onthe front axle set 74, The Iroat transfer case also drives a transfer shaft 6 that connect the Tront transfer case 66 to a rear irinsfer case 70, The rear transfer case 70 drives the rear four wheels 76.0n the second ear axle set 82 via the rea differential 80, Stabilizer bars 78 ‘may be used to reduce twisting movements ofthe dive line ‘components, All of the axles may’ Be attehed 10 the chassis via air bags or air springs 92, Foradded stability, for example inhigh winds, the air springs 92 may be deflated suficiently to allow the chassis to rest on the axles via a direct hand connection (e.g, metal-o-mieta) [0019] The rearanles may be positioned elose together, for ‘example witha tireclearance TT shown in EIG. 3 of ess than 6, Sor 4/12 inches. This reduces tre scrubbing ss the vehicle tums. Under certain conditions for example when moving ‘over sot ground such as sand, the tires may be deflated for ‘improved traction. However, the lower ait pressure in the eflated tres reduces the feton forces holding the tire onto the rim. Under high torquellow tire pressure conditions, the ‘wheel may slip within the tire. To prevent this occurrence, theUS 2013/0322996 AI tires may optionally be pinned or bolted to the wheels. For ‘example, bolts may be placed through hoes in thick sidewall, ‘areas ofthe tires, 0 Tock te tire onto the wheel, 10020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and3, the vehicle 40 includes ‘front elevator 86 and rear elevator 88, The elevators 86nd 88 may eacl be provided ax separate left and righ ill devices, suchas hydraulic eylinders, Altematvely single front and a single rear elevator may raise and lower single lateral plate ‘extending arossthe vehicle 40. deck 90 is snpported ontop ‘ofthe chassis 60, The deck 90 includes laterally spaced par rollvays 96 generally matching the lateral wheelbase of the ‘cameracrane 160, shown in FIG. 3. The rollways 96 are at structural surfaces that can support the weight ofthe camera ‘rae 160 asi is loaded onto the vehicle 40. The areas 98 of the deck 90 betwoen the ollways 96 may beat the same level a the rllways 96. In this case, the deck 90 provides a gen- ‘erally flat open platform to allow use of the vehicle 40 as 3 ‘camera car When the Vehicle 40 #8 not carrying a camera crane, Various types of fitings and receptacles may be pro= Vided on the deck 90 10 allow installation of eamera cat accessories, suchas support or safety bars, rames, gates, ak ‘extensions [0021] FIGS. $9 show operation ofthe tailgate ramp 100 show ia FIG. 1, The ters font and back refer othe tailgate ‘amp 100 inthe unfolded or deployed position shawn ia FIG. 5. FIGS, 5.9 show the let side ofthe vehicle 4, with core sponding elements generally onthe righ side as well, so that the vehicle and components described may be provided in a substantially symmetrical arrangement. Referring to FIG. 5, the tailgate ramp 100 may include a ground plate 108 on 3 triangle frame 110, The triangle frame 110 may be pivotally attache to te back end of link plate 112 a alink pivot joint LIB, The front ead of the link plate 112 may be pivotally attached oa rear sub-deck 102 via agate piv joint 120, The sub-deck 102 is vertically below the level of the deck 90. ‘Caster wheels 122 may be provided atthe frontend of the ‘round pate 108, to allow the triangle frame 110 0 rll onthe round GG during fold/unfold operation of the tailgate ramp 100, Tail lights 114 along with brake lights andr other vehicle components may be attached to the front end of the triangle frame 110, 10022] From the deployed position shown in FIG. 5, the gate ramp 100 is moved into a folded postion as showin IG. 92s follows. tailgate cable 1060n' tailgate winch 104 is attached toa cable anchor 124 ofthe ground plate 108 oF ‘other position on the triangle frame 110. The tailgate wineh, 4104 may be operated manually via a handle eraak 108, oF it may'be electrically or hydraulically powered, However, asthe tailgate amp folding/unfolding operation is performed with no load on the tailgate ramp 100, a powered winch generally should not be needed [0023] Turing FIG. 6 thetalgate winch 104 palson the ‘cable 106 causing the ack end ofthe groin plate 108 to Ff, ‘off of the ground with the triangle frame 110 rotating coun- terelockwise, As shown in FIGS, 6 and 7, the easter wheels 122 roll on the ground asthe ground plate 108 continues 10 rotate through an upright position. Pulleys 116 may be used 0 position the winch eables on each side of the tailgate ramp 190, Referring 1 FIG. 9, s the wineh 104 continnes to deaw the cables 106 in, the tangle frame 110 pivots about fink pivot joint 118 and lis up ad off ofthe ground GG. At the ame time the link plate 112 pivots about the gate pivot joint 120. Dee. 5, 2013 [0024] FIG. 9 shows the tailgate ramp 100 in the com- pletely folded postion Te back end ofthe round plate 108 ests on stops, with the now up-Lieing bottom surfiee ofthe ‘ground plate 108 generally fash with the deck 90, The folded ‘ailgate ramp 100 can then act as an extension ofthe deck 99 when the vehicle 40 is used as acamen car. As shown in FIG. 9, with the tailgate ramp 100 folly folded, the taillights 114 face the reat [0025] The vehicle 40 may optionally be provided without y tailgate ramp 100, In this ease, a separate ramp may be used instead ofthe tailzateramp 100, in the loading sequence to the sub-deck 102 as described below, or by rolling the ‘camera crane directly up onto the deck. It may also be pos- sible to load a camera crane onto the vehicle using a fork if constrvetionerane,or other lifting equipment, without the use of any camp, [026] FIGS, 10-15 illustrate loading a camera crane 160 ‘onto the transport vehicle 40. In FIG. 10, the camera crane 160 includes a telescoping arm 162 having a 73 foot (21 meter) reach, with aboot 60 feet (18 meters) of telescoping travel, The arm 162 weighs about 4000 Ibs (1800 ky) exclud- ing accessories. The arm is supported on the mobile base 164 fata position typically atleast 9.5 feet (3 mcters) above the aground GG. The mobile base 164 typically weighs about ‘000 Ibs (2200 kg). The center of gravity ofthe combination ‘ofthe crane sm 162 and the mobile hase 164, which together orm the camera crane 160, accordingly may be close to 4.5 feet (14 meters) above the ground. Of course, the transport vehicle 40 can be used to transport various other types of camera eranes as wel [0027] Referring to FIG. 10, withthe tailgate rump 100 ‘deployed, 2 crane cable 142 attached to crane winch 140 is attiched to the camera crane 160, The tailgate camp 100 extends up from the ground GG tothe sub-deck 102, which is below (at lower height above the ground) than the deck 90. ‘The winch 140 pulls the eamera crane 160 up the tailgate ump 100, until the front wheels 166 ofthe mobile base 164 fre positionedon the back elevator 8, as shown inF1G. In the design shown, the back elevator 88 is provid as (Wo a pir of hydraulic actuators aligned under the rllways 96. As shown in FIG. 17, atop plate 170 may be attached onto the ‘upperend ofeach actuator, © providea support surlae forthe wheels of the mobile base 164, The foat elevators 86 may have the same design, [0028] With the troat wheels 166 on the rear elevators 88, the winch 140 is stopped. The rear elevators 88 are thea actuated co it dhe font wheels 88 upto the Tevel ofthe deck 90,.5shovnin FIG. 12. The winch 140s then used furher pull thecamera crane L600 the deck 90, The rear elevators [BB are lowered back down to the original position oa the subsdeck 102. Thismay be achieved by using actuators which cert force ia both the up andl down directions, [0029] However, a single action aetator may also be used, ‘with the down movement ofthe rer levator achieved using the weight of the eamera crane. Referring momentarily to FIGS. 17 and 18,4 ole 174 may be provided on each end of the retraction bar 172 (shown in FIG. 4) extending laterally across te sub-deck 180 and connecting the two rea elevators 88. As the mobile base 164 moves over the rear elevators, bottom surfiees 180 the mobile hisecontaet the rollers 174 and act 10 push the rollers and retraction bar 172 down, ‘turning the rear elevators back wo the dvsn postion showa in FIG. 15, ifused, are laterally and vertically positioned so thatthe bottom surfiee 180 ofthe mobile base 164 The winchUS 2013/0322996 AI 140 continues pulling the camera crane 160 onto the vehicle 40 until the font wheels 166are positioned on topof the foal ‘elevators 86, which are in the up positon, as shown in FIG, 13, The winch 140 and the clevutors 86 and 88 may be ‘controlled via a control panel 84 near the back end of the Vehicle 40. In an alternative desig, the winch 140 may be ‘omitted and the camera crane 160 moved onto the wehiele 40 using the drive system of the camera eran. 10030] The front and rear elovators are spaced apart in the Tront-to-back direction ofthe vehicle by the same dimension asthe front-to-back wheelbase ofthe mobile base 164. Con- Sequel with the front wheels 166 on the front elevators 86 theback wheels 168 of the camerscrane repositioned on top ‘of the rear elevators 88, As shown in FIG, 13, the camera ‘rane 160 at tis position is at an inclined angle, because the roa wheels 166 areat the level of the deck 90 oF the rollways 196, while the back wheols 168 arcatthe lovel oF the sub-dock. 102, approximately 8-24 or 12-18 inches below the deck 90. 10031] The front elovators 86 are thon lowered, moving the ‘rane from the interim loading postion shown in FIG. 1310 the final transport position shown in PIG. 14. Asthis lowering movement occurs, the bottom surface ofthe chassis of the ‘mobile base 164 comes to restom below deck suppor surfaces ‘or hard points 94 on the vehicle 0, The wheels 166 and 168 ‘of the mobile base 164 move into open recesses below the ‘deck 90 and are unloaded, ino Tonge canrying the weight ‘ofthe camora crane 160. Consequently, the camera crane 160, may be rigidly supported on the vehicle 40, Clamping devices may be used to lock the camera crane 160 in place in the position shown in FIG. 14. Thetalgateramp 100i folded up, bs shown in FIG. 15, 10032] The vehicle 40 is then ready to tansport the camera ‘rane 160 via over-the-tad or offroad mates. At the filming ‘destination, the reverse saquence is followed to unload the ‘camera crane 160, except that the mobile base 164 may be ‘moved manually, oF vie its own drive and braking systems. “The winch 140 may thea optionally be used to slowly lower the camer crane down the tailgate ramp 100, Since the erane ‘arm 162 is already installed on the mobile base 164, the ‘eameracrane 160 may be used without delay. In addition, the ‘rane arm 162 may be balanced in advance by adding oF removing stati counterweights, based on the payload (Le, the camera, camera accessories, and erane accessories, such asa remote control andor gyro stabilized camera head, to be ‘sed inthe filming sequence). This savestime and eluces the ‘complexity of getting the eamera crane 160 st up and ready Toruseat the fing location, I also allows the eames rane 160 10 be set up and balanced beforehand, in an indoor loca- tion under controled conditions, [0033] FIG. 16 shows the postion ofthe camera crane 160 ‘as it would be ileaded onto a convention flat be truck, th the wheels 166 and 168 on the deck ofthe trick. In compari- son, FIG. 18 shows the postion of the eamera erane 160 as Joaded onto the vehicle 40. As shown, wth the vehicle 40, the ‘camera rane 160 is about approximately 8-24 inches 20-60 ‘em) or 12-18 inches (30-45 em) below the position shown in FIG. 16, Consequently the center of gravity ofthe camera ‘rane 160, ic, the lod on the whicle 4, is correspondingly Towored. The foaded vehicle 40 is therefore more sable. Ia addition, sinee the camera crane 160 is supported on the structural support surfaces 94 ofthe vehicle 40, and not vat ‘own whoels and suspension, the load does not shift as the vehicle makes tums or traverses uneven ground. Dee. 5, 2013 [0034] The vehicle 40 a shown in FIG. 2 may be wsed as a ‘conventional camera car. Any openings i the deck 90 may be covered with lingd, sliding or removable plates, to provide 4 generally uninterupted Mat deck surface. [0035] For some applications, the camera crane 160 may also be used while it son the vehiele 40, as shown in FIGS. 16and 19. Toallow fora fall rnge of motion ofthe eraneam 162 while the erane 160 ison the vehicle 40, the vehile may be lengthened so that the back section 184 ofthe erane arm clearsthe cab 44 and any otherequipmenton the vehicle, sich asthe generator $4 and the generator cover or deck 86 shown in FIG. 16. Atematively, the generator $4 and the generator ‘deck 86 may be removed to provide greater clearance, Rai fing the vertical position of the crane am 162 also ads clear ance. The erane arm may be raised by moving the froat and rear elevators tothe up position, as shown in EIG. 16, [036] Ifthe camerserine 160 has height-adjustablecen- tercolumn 182, thecenter column may be usedto Further raise thecranearm 162, 8 shown in FIG, 19, The lenthof the back section 184 of the erane arm 162 (Irom the pivot attachment ‘nthe center column fo the back end ofthe erate arm) may also optionally be made shorter by shifting the location ofthe pivot attachment, as described in US. Pat. No. 803.742, ‘Incorporated herein by reference. Although more counter ‘weights willbe needed to balance the crane am 162 in this configuration, shortening the back section 184 can help to allow fora fullrange of movement, s showa in FIG. 19, The ‘added weight of the additional counter weights may be par ‘ally o even fully offset however by removing the generator $54 from the vehicle 40, Hold down straps or bars may’ used 10 securely lock the camera crane 160 down onto the vehicle 4. [0037] Referringstllt FIG. 19, thecamera erane 160 may be used while oa the vehicle 40, to support a camera doing Jilming, where the filming sequence requires movement of the camera over rough or uneven ground. The carers eine 160 can also be moved off ofthe vehicle 4 and wsed inde- pendently of the veicle 40. Ifthe mobile base 164 of the feamora crane 160s elctrically powered, the camera crane 160 can be used indoors, or i other loeations inaccessible or otherwise hatred tothe vehicle 40, With conventional camera cranes, switching. from outdoor © indoor use typically requires moving the erane arm 162 from an outdoor mobile ‘ase oF vehicle (such as an aver the road truck) toa indoor mobile base (such as an electric stage erane base). This is a ‘ime consuming operation. I also roquites using a fork lit truck of constriction erane. The combination of the eamera crane 160 and the vehicle 40 as described shove allows for both outdoor and indoor use, without the nec! to switch the crane arm 162 between mobile bases [038] Thus, » novel camera crane transport vehicle has ‘ben shown and described, Various changes and substitutions may ofcourse be made without departing from the spirit and ‘scopeat he invention. The invention, therefore, should not be Timited, except by the following claims, and thei equivaleats 1. camera crane cartier, comprising: a vehicle having a frontend and a back end 1 deck on the vehicle between the back end and the oat ‘end ofthe vehicle; front elevator movable verically hetween up and down, positions, ta forward position on the deck; a back elevator movable verically between up and down. ‘positions, ats rearward postion onthedeek spaced apart from the forward position; andUS 2013/0322996 AI «ramp extendible fr ‘vehicle tothe grind, 2, The camera erane carter of laim 1 with both the oat ‘and rear elevators movable vertically from a fist postion ‘wherein the front and rear elevators are substantially atthe level ofthe deck, to second pewition wherein the front and rear elevators ateat last IO nches below the level ofthe deck. 3. The camera crane carer of elim I adapted to carry & ‘camera erane having Fongitdinal wheelbase LL, and with, the front elevator spaced apart from the rear elevator by «dimension LL. 4, The camera crane carrer of claim 1 with the front eleva tor comprising front left and front right lifting actuators, and with the back elevator comprising back lel and back right Tiking aetstors 5, The camera crane carrier of claim 4 with the liing actuators comprising hydeaulic actuators connected to 8 hydraulic system on the vehicle, ancl with the hydraulic sys- tem adapted to operate the front actuator separately from the back actuators, ‘6, The camera crane carer of claim I farther comprising first and second rear axles on the vehicle substantially cen- tered between the front and back elevators 7. The camera erane carrier of claim 1 with the deck com= prising substantially continuous Ast surface when the front ‘and back elevators are in the up post '8. The camera erane carrier of claim 1 with the ramp ‘comprising. folding tailgate ramp pivotally attached onto the back end of the vehicle '9, The camera crane carrier of elsim 8 with the folding tailgate ramp comprising fink plate, with a frontend plate pivotally attache to the vehicle, anc a back end of the link plate pivotally attached t a triangle frame. 10, The cansera erane carrer of claim 9 with the triangle Jame incliding «ground plate, and with a bottom surface af the ground plate on the ground when te alate is unfolded, ‘and with the bottom surface of the tailgate facing up and substantially cosphaaer with the deck, when the tailgate is Tolded wp. 1, The camera crane carrier of claim 9 further comprising taillights supported othe triangle frame. 12, Theeamera crane carter of claim 9 further comprising a tilgate winch om the vehicle having a cable altaclid to the round pate. the deck at the back end of the Dee. 5, 2013 13. A method for loading a camera crane onto a transport vehicle, comprising ‘moving the camera crane onto the tansport vebiele, with font wheels of the camera crane supported on a oat ‘levator af the wanspoet vehiele, and with rear wheels of the camera crane supported on a rear elevalr of the ‘wansport vehicle, and with the front andl rear wheels of | the camer erane substantially at the level af a deck of the transport vehicle; and lowering the camera crane via the Feat and ee elevators, to position where atleast the bottom ofthe front and rear whools is below the deck, to lower the center of ‘wit ofthe camera crane on the transport vehicle 14, The method of claim 13 further comprising deploying ‘aramip from back end ofthe vehicle an pulling the camera ‘rane up the ramp via a winch on the transport vehicle. 18, The method of elaim 13 farther eomprising lowering the camera crane until a section ofa chassis ofthe camera fmne bottoms ont om ane oF mote belaw deck support st tices on the transport vehicle, with substantially no weight remaining on the wheels ofthe camera crane 16, method for transporting a camera erane, comprising: providing a ramp extending substantially from the ground ‘o-a sub-deck ofa transport vehicle moving front wheels ofthe camers crane up the ramp and ‘onto a back elevator at the sub-deck, with the back levator ina down position; lifting the front wheels of the camers crane frm the sub- deck toa deck ofthe tansport vehicle by moving the buck clevator fom the down position to an up positon moving the roat wheels of the camers crane offof the back elevator, -etuming the back elevator tothe down positon; ving the fron wheels ofthe eamera crane onta a fo ‘levator ofthe transport veiele, with the front elevator inanup position, and withthe back wheels ofthe camer ‘rane simultaneously moving onto the back elevator in the dowa position: and moving the Iron elevator into a down position, 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising moving the ‘rout wheels by towing the camera crane Via winch on the mans vehicle