GB2480063A

GB2480063A - Camera rickshaw

Info

Publication number: GB2480063A
Application number: GB201007400A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Brian Edwards; Peter Cavacuiti; Peter Robertson
Original assignee: OPTICAL SUPPORT Ltd
Current assignee: OPTICAL SUPPORT Ltd
Priority date: 2010-05-04
Filing date: 2010-05-04
Publication date: 2011-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-04
Also published as: GB201007400D0; GB2480063B

Abstract

A camera rickshaw 1 for supporting a passenger, comprises: a frame; one or more mountings 3 by which a camera or cameraman may be supported; two wheels Sa, 5b each having a separate axle spindle 6a, 6b; a footplate 4a, 4b located between the wheels below the level of the axles; a handle 7; and two axle blocks 12a, 12b, mounted to the frame 2, and having at least one spindle aperture 16 or 17 arranged to receive the axle spindle 6 and mount it to the frame 2, whereby each axle block and the frame 2 are arranged such that the axle block 12a can be mounted on the frame 26a, 26b or26c in different orientations and wherein the position of a wheel Sa relative to the frame is different for different orientation of the respective axle block 12a, such that the distance in a width direction between the wheel 5 and the frame 2, and/or the height of the frame 2 from the ground on which the wheel 5 rests can be changed by changing the orientation of the axle block. A backrest with an electromagnet can releasably engage with a magnetic material secured to a cameraman.

Description

Camera Rickshaw The present invention relates to a camera rickshaw and particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a rickshaw designed for use with a passenger operating a camera whilst in a standing position.

A rickshaw designed for use with a single seated passenger is disclosed in Registered Community Design number 001075469 and Patent Application DE 20 2009 009 997.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved camera rickshaw.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a camera rickshaw for supporting at least one passenger, the rickshaw comprising: a frame; one or more mountings by which a camera or cameraman may be supported or secured to the frame; two wheels each having a respective separate spindle forming an axle of the wheel; a footplate located between the wheels below the level of the axles; a handle attached to the frame by which the rickshaw can be balanced and manoeuvred by an operator; and two axle blocks, each arranged to be mounted to the frame, each axle block having at least one spindle aperture arranged to receive a spindle and retain the spindle in the block to thus mount the spindle to the frame, whereby each axle block and the frame are arranged such that the axle block can be mounted at a location on the frame with different orientations and wherein the position of a wheel relative to the frame is different for different orientation of the respective axle block, such that the distance in a width direction between the wheel and the frame, and/or the height of the frame from the ground on which the wheel rests can be changed by changing the orientation of the axle block.

A rickshaw in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, having two separate axles, permits the footplate to be mounted below the axis of the axles, which axles can be located to either side of the footplate, leaving the space above the footplate unimpeded. This arrangement is particularly advantageous, because the footplate can be positioned relatively close to the ground which lowers the centre of gravity of the rickshaw, making it more stable and more easily balanced by the operator. Furthermore, it makes it possible for a cameraman to stand immediately between the wheels, the most stable position.

If the footplate is joined to the bottom edges of two sections of the frame, (between which two sections of frame the footplate extends) and the footplate is open at a forward end of the rickshaw, opposite to the rear end of the rickshaw where the handle is located, then the footplate may be positioned sufficiently close to the ground to enable a cameraman filming a shot to walk backwards onto the rickshaw. To further assist him, the rickshaw can be tilted so that the footplate is in contact with the ground at its front edge and is thus stable as the cameraman steps on board whilst continuing to film. The operator of the rickshaw can then subsequently level the rickshaw and guide the cameraman as he continues filming while travelling backwards, possibly at greater speed than when walking. The cameraman, then stationary relative to the moving rickshaw, provides a more stable mounting for the camera than whilst walking.

The provision of two axle blocks, each arranged to be mounted on the frame with different orientations, wherein the position of a wheel relative to the frame is different for different orientations of the respective axle block, provides an arrangement that permits the distance, in the width direction, between the wheel and the frame, or the height of the frame and the ground, to be changed by changing the orientation of the axle block. In this way, the configuration of the rickshaw may be changed without the need to use any additional components.

The distance between a wheel and the frame and thus the track of the rickshaw, can be adjusted by rotating a respective axle block through 180° about an axis in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the spindle. This can be achieved if the mounting point at which the axle block is connected to the frame is offset from the centre of the axle block in the direction of the axis of the spindle, so that the centre of the axle block will either lie inboard or outboard of the connection point with the frame, depending on the orientation of the axle block. This will thus control the distance the axle block extends from the frame and thus the separation between the frame and the respective wheel, secured to the frame by the spindle of the wheel being secured in the at least one spindle aperture of the axle block.

The distance between a wheel and the frame and thus the track of the rickshaw can be changed to an even greater degree if, in a first orientation, the axle block is mounted in board of a section of the frame and in a second orientation is mounted outboard of a section of the frame.

The two possible lateral positions of the axle block will thus provide two different distances of the wheels from the frame. When each wheel is in a first widely spaced position or standard mode', the rickshaw is more stable having a wide track width, relative to when in the narrow mode. In the wider, standard mode, less movement is experienced by the footplate when a wheel passes over a given object.

With the wheels are located in the standard mode, they may be spaced sufficiently from the frame to permit balloon tyres to be fitted. These tyres are wider than the wheel and permit the rickshaw to be used over more uneven surfaces or less supportive surfaces such as soft grass.

With the blocks orientated such that the wheels are located closely adjacent to the frame, in a narrow mode, the rickshaw can be used in more confined spaces, for example within crowds. Preferably the width of the frame, the dimensions of the axle blocks and wheels are selected such that in the narrow mode the rickshaw can pass through a standard doorway.

As discussed above, it is preferable that the footplate is located as close to the ground as possible. However, depending on the application and environment, the optimal clearance between the footplate and the ground may be different. Therefore, it is preferable that the height of the frame from the ground " ground clearance" can be easily adjusted.

Employing the present invention, this may be achieved by rotating the axle blocks through 180° about a substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to the respective spindle or by rotating them through 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the axis of the spindle. In this manner, if the spindle aperture is offset vertically from the axis of rotation, then rotating the axle block will raise or lower the spindle aperture in the block, permitting the frame to be raised or lowered without requiring any additional components.

Advantageously, both the distance in a width direction between a wheel and the frame and ground clearance can be changed by rotating the respective axle block about two of the above mentioned axis. Thus both the ground clearance and track can be controlled independently by simply selecting an appropriate orientation of the axle block when mounting them on the frame.

Preferably, each axle block has at least two spindle apertures, wherein the ground clearance can be changed by selecting a different spindle aperture for the respective spindle. This may permit the height of the frame to be rapidly changed without reorienting the respective axle block, or alternatively, in combination with rotating the axle block, two spindle apertures may provide a selection of three or four different ground clearances.

Preferably, the frame comprises a plurality of mounting for each axle block at different longitudinal locations along the frame, at each of which each axle block can be mounted in at least one of two possible orientations. This permits the centre of balance of the rickshaw to be changed by selecting an appropriate longitudinal position for the wheels, for a given configuration of seats, passengers or equipment to be carried by the rickshaw, whilst still permitting an appropriate clearance and/or track width to be selected.

Preferably, the frame is constructed from square section tubular steel, with each axle block ananged to be located between and engaged with adjacent vertical spars of the frame, wherein the axle block is wider than the width of the tubing and the axle block is arranged such that, regardless of the selected orientation of the block between the spars, the spars abut the same area of the axle block. This enables the axle blocks to be securely located between the vertical spars permitting the vertical spars to directly support the axle blocks, in addition to any releasable securing means, such as bolts, which may be used to secure the axle blocks to the frame. This can reduce the possibility of movement between the frame and the axle blocks whilst still permitting the axle blocks to be quickly removed from the frame, to be reoriented and reinserted again between the vertical spars.

Preferably, the spindles are secured in the spindle apertures by a clamping mechanism in each axle block. This permits the spindles to be mounted to the axle block so that there is no relative movement between the spindle and the axle block. However, it is preferable that the clamping mechanism has a quick release mechanism, to enable the spindles to be quickly released, without additional tools.

Preferably, the footplate is joined to the bottom edges of two sections of the frame, between which two sections of the frame the footplate extends, with the two sections of the frame each supporting a respective axle block and wheel and each forming a respective sidewall to the footplate, the foot plate being open at a forward end of the rickshaw opposite to the rear end of the rickshaw where the handle is located. This arrangement permits a cameraman to easily walk on and off the rickshaw especially if the operator lowers the front edge of the rickshaw into contact with the ground.

Preferably, when the axle blocks are positioned so that the rickshaw is in its lowest position, the upper surface of the footplate, when level, is less than 20 cm above the ground.

Preferably, the front section of the footplate is removable to provide a cutaway portion in the centre of the front edge of the footplate and preferably the footplate is at least cm long. This in combination with the absence of an axle passing above the footplate permits a cameraman to mount, or hold, a camera in the recess, possibly only a few centimetres above the ground, whilst kneeling on the footplate.

The rickshaw may advantageously comprise a backrest mounted to the frame against which a cameraman may lean whilst standing. The backrest may have an electromagnet arranged to releasably engage with a magnet or magnetic material secured to a cameraman, which may be secured in a vest worn by the cameraman. This may be used to secure a cameraman in position on the rickshaw, with the electromagnet being operated remotely, for example by a switch located on the handle of the rickshaw to be operated by the rickshaw operator.

The rickshaw may further comprise a jockey wheel to the rear of the frame, to permit the rickshaw to be operated in small confines where it is not possible to have the handle extended to a position where the rickshaw operator can balance the rickshaw. In this configuration, a shorter handle may be employed by which the operator steers the rickshaw, which will then take the form of a three-wheeled cameradolly.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera rickshaw for supporting at least one passenger, the rickshaw comprising: a frame; two wheels upon which the rickshaw is arranged to be balanced, a separate axle for each wheel connected to respective opposite sides of the frame; a footplate, wherein the footplate is located between the wheels and below the level of the axles of the wheels; a handle attached to the frame by which the rickshaw can be balanced and manoeuvred by an operator; and a backrest by which the cameraman may be supported or secured to the frame, wherein the backrest has an electromagnet ananged to releasable engage with a magnet or magnetic material secured to a cameraman. This permits the cameraman to be secured in place on the rickshaw quickly and easily, so that he may be secured whilst filming.

A camera rickshaw embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure la is a plan view of a camera rickshaw in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure lb is a side elevation of the rickshaw of Figure 1 Figure 2a is a side elevation of an axle block of the rickshaw of Figure 1; Figure 2b is a front elevation of the axle block of Figure 2a; Figures 3a to 3d are side elevations of the axle block of Figure 2a shown in different orientations; Figure 4a is a plan view of the frame of the camera rickshaw of Figure 1, with standard wheels fitted to the frame in a "narrow mode"; Figure 4b corresponds to Figure 4a with standard wheels fitted to the frame in a "standard mode"; Figure 4c corresponding to Figure 4a but with balloon tyres fitted to the frame in the "standard mode"; Figures 5a, Sb and Sc are side elevations of the camera rickshaw of Figure 1 showing respectively three different ground clearances; Figure 6a is a side elevation of the camera rickshaw of Figure 1, with an upright camera mount attached to the frame; Figure 6b is a side elevation of the rickshaw of Figure 5c, with a suspended camera mount attached to the frame; Figures 7a and 7b are side elevations of the camera rickshaw of Figure 1, with a backrest and magnet attached to the frame; Figures 8a to 8c are side elevations of the camera rickshaw of Figure 1, showing the axle block mounted in different locations on the frame; and Figures 9a to 9c are side elevations of the rickshaw of Figure 1, with a jockey wheel attached and with different ground clearances.

Referring to Figure Ia, a plan of view the camera rickshaw in accordance with the present invention, and Figure Ib, a side elevation of the camera rickshaw of Figure la, the camera rickshaw, indicated generally as 1, comprises a frame 2, a plurality of mountings 3 for a camera, seat or other support for a cameraman, a footplate comprising a main portion 4a and a detachable front portion 4b, two wheels 5a and Sb, two axle spindles 6a and 6b, a handle comprising first portions 7a and 7b, second portions 7c and 7d, hinges 7e and 7f and a grip portion 7g.

The frame 2 comprises top rails 8a and 8b and bottom rails 9a and 9b, only 9a of which is shown. Between the top rails and the bottom rails are a number of vertical spars 8 and (as shown in Figure 4a) a number of horizontal spars 11 which support the footplate 4a and4b.

The wheels 5a and Sb are attached to the frame 2 by axle blocks 12a and 12b, only 12a of which is seen in Figure ib, between spars 10 of the frame 2.

For ease of transportation, the handle 7 can be folded up with the first portions 7a and 7b folded about hinges 13a and 13b respectively, such that the first portions 7a and 7b of the handle lie adjacent respective top rails Sa and Sb of the frame 2. The second portions 7c and 7d of the handle can then be pivoted around hinges 7e and 7f to lie adjacent the respective first portion 7a and 7b.

When the rickshaw is in the assembled state, shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the second portions 7c and 7d of the handles can be locked in a desired position relative to the first portions 7a, 7b, by locking the hinges 7e and 7f. The grip portion 7g may thus be set at an appropriate height for an operator to balance the rickshaw, such that the footplate 4a, 4b is level, as shown in Figure lb. The footplate 4a and 4b is open at the front so that a cameraman may easily walk onto the rickshaw 1. This may be assisted by the operator raising the handle 7g to cause the front edge of the rickshaw 1 to contact the ground, until the cameraman is on board.

The front portion 4b of the footplate is removable, with the remaining portion being at least cm in length. This enables the cameraman to hold the camera in the cutaway portion, indicated at 15, in the front edge of the main footplate 4a, so that the camera may be held very close to the ground. Alternatively, the camera may be mounted in this position using one of the mountings 3.

Referring now to Figures 2a and 2b, there is illustrated a side elevation and front elevation of axle block 12a, which is identical to axle block 12b. The axle block, indicated generally as l2a, is machined from a solid block of metal and has a first spindle aperture passing through it and a second spindle aperture passing through it. Each spindle aperture is arranged to receive, from either side, an axle spindle 6a forming the axle of the wheel Sa.

To the left of the drawing, axle spindle 6a is shown removed from the axle block l2a and the spindle has a machined circumferential groove 18, a machined collar 19 and a removable end cap 20. The wheel 5a (not shown) rotates about the portion of the spindle 21 between the collar 19 and end cap 20. The spindle with the wheel attached is inserted into one of the apertures 16 or 17, as represented by the spindle 6a being inserted into the right hand side of spindle aperture 17. In this position, the collar 19 abuts the axle block 12 with the circumferential groove 18 being located centrally within the axle block. As shown in Figure 3, spring loaded pins 22a and 22b protrude into respective spindle aperture 16 and 17. These pins are pushed out of the way by the axle spindle 6a being inserted into the spindle aperture 16 or 17, but then engage with the circumferential groove of the axle spindle and retain it in place.

The axle block 12a additionally comprises a clamping mechanism comprising a pinch block 23, a bolt 24 and ratchet nut 25, whereby tightening the ratchet nut 25 on bolt 24 causes the pinch block to engage the spindle and hold it firmly in place in the spindle aperture 16 or 17. In this manner, the pins 22a and 22b act to securely retain the spindle in place, even if the clamping mechanism should be accidentally released, while the clamping mechanism ensures that the axle spindle 6 is fixed rigidly relative to the frame 2.

As illustrated in Figure Ib, the axle block 12a is dimensioned such that it fits between adjacent spars 10 of the frame 2. The axle block is also framed by the top rail 8a and bottom rail 9a of the frame 2 as shown in Figures lb and 2a. The spars 10 define three mounting apertures 26a to 28a into any one of which the axle block 12a may be secured by bolts 29a and 30a, shown in Figures 3a to 3d.

Referring now Figures 3a to 3d, these each show the axle block 12a mounted in one of the mounting apertures 26a to 28a, with the mounting block framed, as shown in Figure lb. Figures 3a to 3d illustrate respectively the axle block 12 having each of four possible orientations.

In Figure 3a, a frame engaging portion 31, also seen in Figure 2b, engages in the mounting aperture 26a, 26b or26c, between top rail 8a and the bottom rail 9a of the frame 2, where it is secured by bolts 29a and 30a. The remainder of the axle block 12a extends -10 -outwardly from the frame such that the centre of axle portion of the axle spindle 6a is separated by a distance, indicated by the double headed arrow 32, from the frame 12. In this orientation, the axle block 12a provides the rickshaw 1 with a wide track width, to provide a more stable configuration, as illustrated in Figure 4b. Also in this configuration, there is a sufficient separation between the wheels 5a and 5b to permit balloon tyres to be fitted, as shown in Figure 4c.

With the axle block 12a orientated as shown in Figure 3a, the axle spindle 6a is located at its highest location. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 5c, this provides the rickshaw 1 with its lowest ground clearance, of less than 20 cm.

Unbolting the axle block 12a, shown in Figure 3a, rotating it through 1800 about an axis parallel to the axis of the axle spindle 6a and reinserting the axle block 12a in the mounting aperture 26a, 26b or 26c will result in the axle block 12a being orientated as shown in Figure 3b. Here again, the track width is a maximum, as shown in Figures 4b and 4c, but now the axle spindle 6a is at its lowest position and thus, as shown in Figure 5a, this provides the rickshaw with its maximum ground clearance.

If an intermediate ground clearance is required, the ratchet nut 25 of Figure 2b can be released and the pin 22b released so the wheel and axle spindle 12a can be removed from the spindle aperture 17 and inserted into spindle aperture 16. Here the rickshaw 1 will adopt an intermediate ground clearance, as shown in Figure 5b.

Rotating the axle block from the orientation shown in Figure 3a and 3b, 180° about a vertical axis, after the axle spindle 6a has been removed, will result in the axle block 12a adopting the orientation shown in Figures 3c and 3d, respectively. The axle block 12a, in Figures 3c and 3d has been inserted from the inside of the rails 8a and 9a, with the frame engaging portion 31 of the axle block 12a again being located in a mounting aperture 26a, 26b or 26c. In this configuration, the collar 19 of the axle spindle 18a, when reinserted in the spindle aperture 17 is in line with the outside face of the frame 2. Thus, when the axle block 12a is orientated as shown in Figures 3c and 3d, the rickshaw 1 will have a narrow track width, as shown in Figure 4a. -11-

In the same manner as described above, with reference to Figures 3a and 3b, the axle block 12a as shown in Figures 3c and 3d may be orientated so that the axle aperture 17 is either above the axle aperture 16, as shown in Figure 3c, or below the axle aperture 16, as shown in Figure 3d. Thus when the axle block 12a is orientated as shown in Figure 3c, the rickshaw 1 will have a minimum ground clearance, as illustrated in Figure 5c and when the axle block 12a is orientated as shown in Figure 3d the rickshaw 1 will have its maximum ground clearance, as illustrated in Figure 5a. Again, the axle spindle 6a could be inserted in spindle aperture 16 whereby the rickshaw 1 would have an intermediate ground clearance, as shown in Figure Sb.

Referring now to Figure 6a, a camera 34 is illustrated mounted rigidly to one of the rickshaw mountings 3. In Figure 6b, the camera is suspended, for operation by a cameraman from an alternative mounting 3.

Referring to Figure 7a, the rickshaw 1 further comprises a backrest 35 for steadying a cameraman. Backrest 35 has an electromagnet 36 operated by switch 37, such that the cameraman, wearing a vest with an appropriate magnet or metal plate in its back portion, may stand on the rickshaw 1 and be secured in place by the electromagnet. This is particularly convenient, for as shown in Figure 7b when the rickshaw 1 has a minimum ground clearance, a cameraman may, while filming, walk backwards onto the rickshaw and whilst continually filming rest against the electromagnet 36. If wearing an appropriate vest the rickshaw operator may then operate switch 37 to activate the electromagnet 36 and secure the cameraman in place before the operator proceeds to move the rickshaw.

Similarly, he may release the cameraman prior to the cameraman walking off the rickshaw and thus the cameraman may be attached and released from the backrest whilst continuously filming. Such a backrest may have application to camera rickshaws, which may not necessarily be in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 8a to 8c, the camera rickshaw 1 is illustrated with one or more seats 37 mounted thereto. The axle block 12a in Figure 8a is shown located in mounting aperture 26, but in Figures 8b and 8c it is shown located in mounting aperture 26a.

-12 -As shown in Figures 9a to 9c, a jockey wheel 8 may be fitted to the rickshaw 1 to enable the rickshaw to be operated in confined spaces. In this configuration, it may be desirable to remove the second portions 7c and 7d of the handle and reposition the handle grip portion 7g between the first portion 7a and 7b, to provide a shortened handle for use in confined spaces. As shown in Figures 9a to 9c, the jockey wheel may have a number of height positions conesponding to those of the axle block to maintain the rickshaw 1 level, regardless of the selected ground clearance. As also shown in Figure 9c, the rickshaw handle 7 could temporarily be completely removed and substituted by a short handle attached to the jockey wheel.

One embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only and it will be appreciated that many other embodiments will be possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

-13 -Claims 1. A camera rickshaw for supporting at least one passenger, the rickshaw comprising: a frame; one or more mountings by which a camera or cameraman may be supported or secured to the frame; two wheels each having a respective separate spindle forming an axle of the wheel; a footplate located between the wheels below the level of the axles; a handle attached to the frame by which the rickshaw can be balanced and manoeuvred by an operator; and two axle blocks, each arranged to be mounted to the frame, each axle block having at least one spindle aperture arranged to receive a spindle and retain the spindle in the block to thus mount the spindle to the frame, whereby each axle block and the frame are arranged such that the axle block can be mounted at a location on the frame with different orientations and wherein the position of a wheel relative to the frame is different for different orientation of the respective axle block, such that the distance in a width direction between the wheel and the frame, and/or the height of the frame from the ground on which the wheel rests can be changed by changing the orientation of the axle block.
2. A camera rickshaw as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distance in a width direction between a wheel and the frame can be adjusted by rotating the respective axle block through 180 degrees about an axis in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the spindle.
3. A camera rickshaw as claimed in Claim 2, wherein in a first orientation the axle block is mounted in board of a section of the frame and in a second orientation is mounted outboard of a section of the frame.
4. A camera rickshaw as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the height of the frame from the ground on which the wheel rests can be changed by rotating the respective axle block through 180 degrees about a substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to the respective spindle or by rotating it through 180 degrees about an axis parallel to the axis of the spindle.

-14 -
5. A camera rickshaw as claimed in Claims 2 and 3 wherein both the distance in a width direction between a wheel and the frame and the height of the frame from the ground on which the wheel rests can be changed by rotating the respective axle block about two of said axis.
6. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each axle block has at least two spindle apertures and the height of the frame from the ground on which the wheel rests can be changed by selecting a different spindle aperture for the respective spindle.
7. A camera rickshaw as claimed any preceding claim, wherein each axle block can be mounted at a location on the frame in one of at least three possible orientations.
8. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of mounting points for the each axle block at different locations in a length direction along the frame, at each of which each axle block can be mounted in at least one of two possible orientations.
9. A camera rickshaw as claimed any preceding claim, wherein the frame is constructed from square section tubular steel and each axle block is arranged to be located between and abut adjacent vertical spars of the frame, wherein the axle block is wider than the width of the tubing and the axle block is arranged such that, regardless of the orientation of the block between the spars, the same spars abut the same area of the axle block.
10. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spindles are secured in the spindle apertures by a clamping mechanism in the axle block.
11. A camera rickshaw as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the clamping mechanism has a quick release mechanism.
12. A camera rickshaw as claimed any preceding claim, wherein the footplate is joined to the bottom edges of two sections of the frame, between which two sections of the frame -15 -the footplate extends, with the two sections of the frame each having a respective axle block and wheel and forming respective sidewalls to the footplate, the foot plate being open at a forward end of the rickshaw opposite to the rear end of the rickshaw where the handle is located.
13. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim wherein, when the axle blocks are positioned so that the rickshaw is in its lowest position, the upper surface of the footplate, when level, is less than 20 cm above the ground.
14. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front section of the footplate is removable to provide a cutaway portion in the centre of the front edge of the footplate.
15. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the footplate is at least 60 cm long.
16. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a backrest mounted to the frame.
17. A camera rickshaw as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the backrest has an electromagnet arranged to releasably engage with a magnet or magnetic material secured to a cameraman.
18. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a jockey wheel to the rear of the frame.
19. A camera rickshaw as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle is hinged so that the height of the handheld portion of the handle can be adjusted.
20. A camera rickshaw for supporting at least one passenger, the rickshaw comprising: a frame; -16 -two wheels upon which the rickshaw is arranged to be balanced, a separate axle for each wheel connected to respective opposite sides of the frame; a footplate, wherein the footplate is located between the wheels and below the level of the axles of the wheels; a handle attached to the frame by which the rickshaw can be balanced and manoeuvred by an operator; and a backrest by which the cameraman may be supported or secured to the frame, wherein the backrest has an electromagnet arranged to releasable engage with a magnet or magnetic material secured to the cameraman.
21. A camera rickshaw substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and! or illustrated by one or more of the accompanying drawings.