Is this a VERY ULF Camera Bed?

[dlbriggs]

Wondering through a huge antique store in Chicago this last weekend, I stumbled on this. Tagged as an 'antique camera' and nothing else, i decided this must be a bed for VERY large bellows camera.

In the lower right corner of the bed, running towards the back (towads the maniquin) is a flat gear rack. There is a solid steel bar (the cross section would be a 1/2 circle) that runs on top of the right and left wood rails of the top frame. The top wood frame is attached to the lower wood frame via a coiled steel spring and the spring is attached to a caster that is attached to the lower frame. Under each of the wood rails is a solid steel bar that is connected to each end and in the in the shape of an inverted 'V'. The two ends have a nut and jam nut.

The length is about 14' and the width is about 2'. It is about 18" high from floor to top of the top frame.

I have attached an annotated drawing to help with the description.

Anyone know what this is for?

 

[Whiteymorange]

Bed of an old copy camera? Horizontal enlarger?

 

[johnielvis]

looks like a copy camera--HEY--I'm interested in this as I have a copy camera--which store is this? I'd like to see it...unless they want a grand for it or somthing idiotic like that....

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Sure looks and sounds like a copy camera/horizontal enlarger. Must have been a HUGE camera though - at least 11x14 if not bigger.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

This could be an old Bob sled from the 1924. Olympics

 

[johnielvis]

upon viewing--that thing is suspended by four spring---like an olde car suspension where the wheels are rigidly attached to a frame which has 4 springs that support the carriage.

8 grand

you can buy an olde car frame restored cheaper--absolutely not worth it...

it is very large...like 20" camera or more--almost certainly used to photograph ilne art in a building subject to vibrations--hence the sprung suspension.

 

[dlbriggs]

on each side under the top rail is what appears to be a tension adjustment bar with nut and jam nut on each end in an inverted 'V' configuration. what would that be used for? And, I love those 4 coil (literally) springs. I have never seen a coil spring like that. Did you bother to shake the top section of the frame? The springs are very effective.

 

[johnielvis]

yeah...it was tested for "vibration worthiness"....this is pretty kool piece but you can prolly have one built from scratch for less...them springs ARE a blast from the past...olde school...they are a combination between a coil spring and an cantilever beam

that "adjustment" is still a mystery...what is it for?...fer 8k maybe they'll let out the secret...