Photography – Camera support – Surveillance type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-15
2001-05-22
Gray, David M. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Camera support
Surveillance type
C348S143000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234691
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for mounting a surveillance camera, in particular a covered ceiling mounted camera which is rotatable about vertical and horizontal axes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,255 discloses apparatus for mounting a surveillance camera including a base which is fixed to a ceiling, and a housing cap which is fixed to the base by rotation to engage spring clips on the base in the manner of a bayonet. A camera is mounted to the cap, and a housing is fixed over the camera. The housing, camera, and cap are removed from the base as a unit by means of a special tool having fingers which move radially inward to deflect spring clips; the clips cannot otherwise be released. Apparatus including motors for operating the camera are apparently disposed in the housing, but details are not disclosed.
Power and signal connections for the camera are provided by brushes extending from a PCB mounted in the base and contacting concentric arcuate traces on a PCB mounted in the housing cap. This is necessary because the entire camera module must be rotated during installation and removal from the base. As such standard electrical connectors such as card edge connectors cannot be used.
Another disadvantage of the prior art apparatus is that virtually the entire assembly must be mounted below the ceiling in order to access the release mechanism. As such it is not very discreet and is vulnerable to attack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention a backbox which can be mounted substantially flushly with the ceiling receives a camera housing in a cavity so that only a camera module covered by a dome window extend below the ceiling.
The backbox cavity is formed by a top and a substantially cylindrical sidewall with opposed parallel flats. The camera housing is also provided with flats, so it can be received in the backbox cavity in only one angular orientation. The camera housing carries vertically mounted PCB's which mate with card edge connectors on the top and sidewall in the cavity when the housing is fully received in the cavity. Electrical connections are thus achieved with conventional connectors.
The backbox is provided with a backbox ring having a bottom flange as the only feature below the ceiling. The backbox ring has an inward facing cylindrical surface with retaining features which mate with retaining features on the outward facing cylindrical surface of a locking ring. In a preferred embodiment the retaining features include a pair of opposed camming ridges on the backbox ring, and a pair of top cam followers on the locking ring. When the housing is aligned in the cavity, rotating the locking ring causes the followers to ride on top of the cam ridges to push the housing home, thereby giving the installer a mechanical advantage for completing electrical connections such as PCB's in card edge connectors. Bottom followers riding on a bottom surface of the cam ridge prevent overtravel. The retaining features further include a spring loaded detent mechanism which holds the locking ring in place, the holding force being overcome by counter-rotating the locking ring.
In addition to securing the camera housing in the cavity of the backbox, the locking ring also provides mounting features for a stationary dome fitted over the camera module. Pivoting of the camera about a horizontal axis and rotation of the module about a vertical axis thus occur discretely under the dome, which also provides protection. A trim ring fitted over a flange on the dome and the locking ring is releasably attached to the backbox ring.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4320949 (1982-03-01), Pagano
patent: 4764008 (1988-08-01), Wren
patent: 4920367 (1990-04-01), Pagano
patent: 5223872 (1993-06-01), Stiepel et al.
patent: 5240220 (1993-08-01), Elberbaum
patent: 5418567 (1995-05-01), Boers et al.
patent: 5649255 (1997-07-01), Schieltz
patent: 5689304 (1997-11-01), Jones et al.
patent: 5852754 (1998-12-01), Schneider
Jones Theodore L.
Ryan Christopher J.
Gray David M.
Gross Russell
Philips Electronics North America Corporation
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