Gimbal

A pivoted support that lets a mounted object rotate about one or more axes. Gimbals allow cameras, instruments, and other devices to move or stay level independently of their mounts.

Gimbal lock: A loss of one rotational degree of freedom that occurs when two rotation axes align. The alignment of a gimbal’s axes can remove one of the rotations it is meant to permit.
Camera gimbal: A camera support that uses pivoting axes, often motorized, to reduce unwanted camera movement. It is the familiar handheld use of gimbal-based stabilization.
Pivot: A point or joint about which a body can rotate. Each gimbal axis is formed by a pivot or a set of pivots.
Philo of Byzantium: An ancient Greek engineer and writer whose surviving work describes mechanical devices. His writings include an early account of an ink pot mounted to remain upright.
Ball joint: A joint that permits angular movement in multiple directions around a fixed center. Unlike a gimbal’s distinct pivot axes, a ball joint allows motion around a shared center without nested rings.
Degrees of freedom: The independent parameters needed to describe a system’s configuration or motion. A gimbal’s axis count determines how many independent rotations its payload can make.
Ship's compass: A navigational instrument that indicates direction relative to magnetic north or a reference frame. A gimbal mount helps keep a compass bowl level as a vessel pitches and rolls.
Bearing: A machine element that supports relative motion while reducing friction between moving parts. Bearings let gimbal rings turn smoothly around their axes.
Cardan joint: A mechanical coupling that transmits rotation between shafts at an angle, also called a universal joint. The joint’s name derives from Gerolamo Cardano, whose name became associated with pivoted suspensions.
Tripod head: A mount attached to a tripod that lets a camera or instrument be aimed and secured. Many tripod heads reposition equipment but do not isolate it from motion as a gimbal can.

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