Television – Special applications – With endoscope
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-12
2001-11-20
Garber, Wendy R. (Department: 2612)
Television
Special applications
With endoscope
C348S143000, C081S176100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320608
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is concerned with video surveillance camera mounting assemblies, and with methods of, and tools for, installing video surveillance cameras and removing installed cameras.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to provide mounting structures for video cameras to be installed in or near buildings to be protected by a video surveillance system. The mounting structures typically include a housing that is secured to the ceiling of the building or at another suitable location on the building. The housing contains a video camera, motors and other components which permit the camera to be moved by remote control through a range of motion, and electronics for receiving control signals and transmitting video signals generated by the camera. Frequently, a portion of the enclosure is in the shape of a dome and is formed of plastic which permits incident light to enter and be captured by the video camera. The assembly, including the housing, the camera, and associated components, is commonly referred to as a “dome”, taking its name from the dome-shaped portion of the housing.
After the initial installation of the dome, the need arises from time to time to remove the dome for purposes such as routine maintenance, repair or replacement. For that reason, known camera dome mounting systems have included a plurality of spring-loaded rods which are releasably inserted into suitably shaped brackets secured to the ceiling or other support structure. However, removable of this known type of camera dome from the structure on which it is installed requires the individual assigned to perform the removal to disengage the spring-loaded rods by hand from the mounting bracket, usually while standing on a ladder or on scaffolding or the like. Similarly, installation of the camera dome also requires manipulation of the spring-loaded rods, while standing on the ladder or scaffolding. Neither removal nor installation of the prior art camera dome can be considered easy or convenient, and either operation may entail some risk for individuals who do not adapt easily to performing tasks while standing on a ladder or scaffold.
To overcome the disadvantages of prior dome mounting systems, a system utilizing a pole-mounted installation and removal tool has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,255, which was issued to Steven W. Schieltz and is commonly assigned with the present application. (The disclosure of the '255 patent is incorporated herein by reference.) The inventors of the present application have now provided improvements upon Schieltz's system in terms of simplifying the removal and installation tool, reducing the cost of manufacture thereof, and also simplifying the procedures required for installation and removal of camera domes.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to facilitate removal and replacement of video surveillance domes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved tool for remote installation and removal of video surveillance domes.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool for removing a surveillance camera assembly housing from a base on which the assembly is mounted, including a pole portion, and a camera assembly housing engagement portion mounted on the pole portion, and the engagement portion including structure for engaging the camera assembly housing at a plurality of points on the peripheral surface of the assembly housing, the engagement portion being formed as a single unitary body. Further in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the engagement portion may be generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder in which the camera assembly housing is contained when the housing is engaged by the engagement portion. The engagement portion may include a plurality of slots formed in the cylinder, each for engaging a respective rib which projects outwardly from the peripheral surface of the camera assembly housing. Preferably, the engagement portion is mounted on the pole portion in a manner which prevents rotation and pivoting of the engagement portion relative to the pole portion.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a surveillance camera assembly housing on a mounting base, including the steps of providing an installation tool which includes a generally cylindrical hollow member, engaging the housing with the installation tool by placing the housing inside the hollow member, lockingly mounting the housing on the mounting base by manipulating the installation tool with the housing inside the hollow member, and then disengaging the installation tool from the housing.
According to still another aspect of invention, there is provided a method of removing a surveillance camera assembly housing from a base on which the assembly housing is lockingly mounted, the method including the steps of providing an installation tool which includes a generally cylindrical hollow member, engaging the housing with the installation tool by moving the hollow member relative to the housing so that the housing is inserted into the hollow member, and releasing a locking mechanism which secures the housing to the base by manipulating the installation tool with the housing inside the hollow member.
According a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a surveillance camera mounting system, including a base for being mounted on a support structure, a surveillance camera assembly housing for being removably mounted to the base, a tool for removing the housing from the base, the tool including a generally cylindrical hollow member sized to have the assembly housing placed within the hollow member, and structure provided on the hollow member for engaging the assembly housing.
According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a surveillance camera mounting system, including a base for being mounted on a support structure, and a surveillance camera assembly housing for being removably mounted on the base, with the base including a shelf member on which the assembly housing is supported, and the assembly housing having an aperture in a top surface of the housing, the shelf member being inserted in the aperture, and the housing also having a cam surface adjacent to the aperture, the cam surface being inclined relative to a horizontal plane for contacting the shelf member and camming the housing in an upward direction when the housing is rotated relative to the base.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a surveillance camera mounting system, including a base for being mounted on a support structure, and a surveillance camera assembly housing for being removably mounted on the base, the assembly housing having a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface and three vertically-oriented ribs arranged at intervals around the peripheral surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5048378 (1991-09-01), Nikolas
patent: 5553373 (1996-09-01), Sprayberry
patent: 5647253 (1995-04-01), Pozek
patent: 5649255 (1997-07-01), Schieltz
patent: 5809850 (1996-12-01), Tickner
patent: 5875694 (1997-04-01), Graf
Anderson Luis E.
Haney David A.
Perez Sergio M.
Yap Walter N.
Garber Wendy R.
Robin Blecker & Daley
Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
Tilley Rashawn N.
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