NIGHT VISION CAMERA MOUNT QUICK DISCONNECT

• US 20100309314A1
• Filed: 03/30/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veoneer, Inc. (SSW Partners LP)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jarboe, Patrick, Werth, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 8,471,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06

Abstract

The night vision camera system includes a light, a night vision camera, and a linkage. The night vision camera is attached to the light such that the light and camera maintain a fixed orientation with respect to each other. The light is attached to the linkage and is configured to manipulate the light and night vision camera concurrently. The linkage is attached to the vehicle and extends into the vehicle interior where a handle is provided allowing the user to aim the light and night vision camera from the interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A night vision camera assembly mounted on a vehicle that is adaptable for portable use;

the night vision camera system comprising;

a night vision camera having a first electrical connector adapted to engage a second electrical connector in order to provide electrical power to the camera;

the second electrical connector being detachably secured to either a housing that includes a light and a linkage configured for attachment to the vehicle or to a first handle that includes a battery for portable use;

the second electrical connector including a surface that is biased towards and lockingly engages the first electrical connector to form a quick disconnect mount; and

the quick disconnect mount capable of being disengaged by manually applying a force against the surface.

2. The cameral assembly of claim 1, wherein the manually applied force is one selected from the group of pushing, pulling, or rotating the surface.

3. The camera assembly of claim 2, wherein the rotating force necessary to disengage the quick disconnect mount is less than or equal to one single, full rotation.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connector includes a groove and the surface of the second electrical connector includes a lip, the groove being configured to receive the lip and allow the first connector to slidably receive the second connector.

5. The camera assembly of claim 4, wherein the second electrical connector is a shoe-type connector.

6. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the night vision camera is further secured to the housing by a retention strap.

7. The camera assembly of claim 6, wherein the night vision camera further comprises a groove and the housing further comprises at least one notched hole;

the retention strap designed to engage the night vision camera along the groove and to secure the night vision camera to the housing when the end of the strap engages the notched hole.

8. The camera assembly of claim 7, wherein the notched hole has an angled surface to guide the end of the retention strap through the hole.

9. The camera assembly of claim 7, wherein the notched hole comprises a first notch and the end of the retention strap comprises a second notch, the first and second notches having opposing surfaces that are biased into locking engagement when the end of the retention strap engages the notched hole.

10. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a plug provided around the second electrical connector;

the plug providing protection for the connector when the first electrical connector of the night vision camera is attached to the first handle for portable use.

11. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage further comprises a second handle located at one end of the linkage;

the movement of the second handle capable of generating side-to-side motion and up-down tilting motion of the light and night vision camera.

12. The camera assembly of claim 11, wherein the light and night vision camera are located outside of the vehicle, while the second handle is located inside the vehicle.

13. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement of the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector further provides the transfer of at least one of control commands to the night vision camera or video output from the night vision camera.

14. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first handle further comprises a switch that selectively allows the battery to power the night vision camera during portable use.

15. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle further comprises at least one selected from the group of a display device and a video output connector;

wherein the display device receives electrical power from the battery and a video signal from the night vision camera, thereby allowing the user to dynamically view the image received by the night vision camera; and

wherein the video output connector may be used to provide the video signal to another external or remote display device.

16. A quick disconnect mount for the selective coupling of a night vision camera to a housing that includes a light and a linkage configured for attachment to a vehicle or to a handle that includes a battery for portable use, the quick disconnect mount comprising:

a first connector coupled to the night vision camera; and

a second connector secured to either the housing or to the handle;

the second connector adapted to detachably engage the first connector in order to provide electrical power to the camera;

the second connector including a surface that is biased towards and lockingly engages the first connector to form the quick disconnect mount;

wherein the quick disconnect mount is capable of being disengaged by manually applying a force against the surface.

17. The quick disconnect mount of claim 16, wherein the manually applied force is one selected from the group of pushing, pulling, or rotating the surface.

18. The quick disconnect mount of claim 17, wherein the rotating force necessary to disengage the quick disconnect mount is less than or equal to one single, full rotation.

19. The quick disconnect mount of claim 16, wherein the first connector includes a groove and the surface of the second connector includes a lip, the groove being configured to receive the lip and allow the first connector to slidably receive the second connector.

20. The quick disconnect mount of claim 19, wherein the second connector is a shoe-type connector.

21. The quick disconnect mount of claim 16, wherein the engagement of the first connector to the second connector further provides for the transfer of at least one of control commands to the night vision camera or video output from the night vision camera.