Installation/removal tool for night vision camera

• US 20030098923A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Matko, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/996,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20030098923A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/375
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

An installation/removal tool is provided for a night vision camera. An elongated handle includes a tool head at one end having drive recesses that mate with drive lugs on a nut of the aiming assembly. The tool is a simple design that is incorporated in a retrofit or aftermarket night vision system kit for the end user and allows the nut to be easily turned without damage for installing/removing the camera to the aiming assembly.

Claims

1. A tool for an aiming assembly operatively engaging a night vision camera, the tool comprising:

a handle dimensioned for receipt in an associated user'"'"'s hand; and

a tool head positioned at one end of the handle, the tool head having circular first and second drive means disposed on substantially diametrically opposite sides of the tool head for selective engagement with associated drive lugs of an aiming assembly.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the handle has a hollow cylindrical conformation.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the handle has a smooth external surface.

4. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tool head has a circular recess extending inwardly from an end face at least a predetermined dimension to allow the tool head to be axially received over an associated nut when the first and second drive means are aligned with the associated drive lugs of the aiming assembly.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein the tool head end face is planar.

6. The tool of claim 1 wherein the handle and tool head have a hollow cylindrical conformation defined by a through bore extending continuously therethrough.