Rotatable optical device housing and mounting platform

• US 20140204218A1
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Golight Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Golight Incorporated
• Inventors: Gebhard, Albert W., Hosick, Colton D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,539,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/164
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/10 characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening F21V17/02 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/14 Adjustable mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/15 specially adapted for power operation, e.g. by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/74 with fins or blades
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/20 for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• 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

A rotatable optical device housing and mounting platform is disclosed. The optical device housing includes a bezel, front housing and rear housing. The optical device housing can include a number of lighting devices, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, halogen lights, incandescent lights, or imaging devices, such as cameras, while utilizing the same bezel, front housing and rear housing. The depicted device can include a vertical tilt, which is adjustable either manually or electronically. A slip ring system provides continuous 360 rotation ability, with controllable and adjustable speed settings. Alternatively, a stop can be used instead of the slip ring, wherein the stop serves as a point of reversal of the unit'"'"'s rotation. The unit contains an optional home position, allowing a user to select a point in the horizontal rotation to which the unit will return at the touch of a button.

Claims

1. A rotatable mounting system for an optical device for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

a base gasket;

a base plate mounted on said base gasket;

a base mounted on said base plate;

a bearing rotatably mounted on said base;

a lower yoke mounted over said bearing;

a horizontal gear rotatably mounted to said lower yoke;

an upper yoke mounted over said horizontal gear;

said upper yoke comprising a first arm and a second arm;

said first arm comprising a horizontal motor;

said second arm comprising a vertical tilt motor;

an optical device housing;

said optical device housing pivotally connected to said first arm and said second arm; and

means for said vertical motor to tilt said housing vertically through an arc of about 135 degrees.

2. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1, further comprising means for said horizontal motor to turn said horizontal gear in a continuous 360 degree motion.

3. The rotatable mounting system of claim 1, further comprising means to reverse the rotational direction of said horizontal gear.

4. The rotatable mounting system of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said means for said vertical motor to tilt said housing comprises:

a vertical gear; and

a worm;

wherein said worm is connected to said vertical motor; and

wherein said worm interacts with said vertical gear.

5. The rotatable mounting system of claim 4, further comprising a vertical motor cradle.

6. The rotatable mounting system of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

said means for said vertical motor to tilt said housing means vertically further comprises a vertical gear clutch disk; and

wherein said vertical gear clutch disk allows the housing to be manually adjusted.

7. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said means for said horizontal motor to turn said horizontal gear comprises:

said horizontal motor further comprises a pinion;

said pinion contacts an idler gear;

said idle gear interacts with said horizontal gear to turn said horizontal gear;

wherein the turning of said horizontal gear causes said mounting system to rotate horizontally.

8. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said means for said horizontal motor to turn said horizontal gear comprises:

said horizontal motor further comprises a groove sprocket;

a belt rests on said horizontal gear; and

said sprocket interacts with said belt to turn said horizontal gear;

wherein the turning of said horizontal gear causes said mounting system to rotate horizontally.

9. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said bearing further comprises;

a wiper bearing; and

wherein said wiper bearing wipes the bearing surface clean as it rotates.

10. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said base gasket further comprises flaps.

11. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical device housing comprises:

a rear housing;

a front housing;

a bezel; and

an optical device mounted in said optical device housing.

12. The rotatable mounting system of claim 11, wherein said optical device comprises:

a heat sink;

a length of printed circuit board mounted to said heat sink;

at least one light-emitting diode mounted to said printed circuit board;

a lens mounted over said printed circuit board; and

said bezel connecting said lens and said heat sink to said front housing.

13. The rotatable mounting system of claim 11, wherein said optical device comprises:

a halogen lamp gasket;

a halogen lamp; and

said bezel connecting said halogen lamp halogen lamp to said front housing.

14. The rotatable mounting system of claim 11, wherein said optical device comprises:

a high-intensity discharge lamp;

a ballast powering said high-intensity discharge lamp; and

said bezel connecting said high-intensity discharge lamp to said front housing.

15. The rotatable mounting system of claim 11, wherein said optical device comprises:

a night vision infrared camera;

a bracket supporting said night vision infrared camera; and

said bezel connecting said night vision infrared camera to said front housing.

16. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said optical device is selected from the group consisting of light-emitting diodes, high-intensity discharge lamps, halogen lights, cameras, infra red devices and heat sensitive devices.

17. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 16 further comprising:

a home button;

wherein a user selects a point in the horizontal rotation to which the unit will return at the touch of a button.

18. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said optical device further comprises a fan.

27. The rotatable mounting system of claims 1 through 10 wherein said optical means is one of the housings claimed in claims 19 to 23.

28. The rotatable mounting system of claims 1 through 10 wherein said optical device is the housing claimed in claim 24.

29. The rotatable mounting system of claims 1 through 10 wherein said optical device is the housing claimed in claim 25.

30. The rotatable mounting system of claims 1 through 10 wherein said optical device is the housing claimed in claim 26.

19. An optical device housing comprising:

a rear housing;

a front housing;

a bezel; and

an optical device mounted in said optical device housing.

20. The optical device housing of claim 19, wherein said optical device comprises:

a heat sink;

a length of printed circuit board mounted to said heat sink;

at least one light-emitting diode mounted to said printed circuit board;

a lens mounted over said printed circuit board; and

said bezel connecting said lens and said heat sink to said front housing.

21. The optical device housing of claim 19, wherein said optical device comprises:

a halogen lamp gasket;

a halogen lamp; and

said bezel connecting said halogen lamp halogen lamp to said front housing.

22. The optical device housing of claim 19, wherein said optical device comprises:

a high-intensity discharge lamp;

a ballast powering said high-intensity discharge lamp; and

said bezel connecting said high-intensity discharge lamp to said front housing.

23. The optical device housing of claim 19, wherein said optical device comprises:

a night vision infrared camera;

a bracket supporting said night vision infrared camera; and

said bezel connecting said night vision infrared camera to said front housing.

24. The optical device housing of claim 19, wherein said optical device is selected from the group consisting of light-emitting diodes, high-intensity discharge lamps, halogen lights, cameras, infra red devices and heat sensitive devices.

25. The optical device housing of one of claims 19 to 24, wherein said optical device further comprises:

said front housing includes a first set of openings;

said front housing includes a second set of openings; and

wherein air enters at said first set of openings, travels behind said rear housing, and exits at said second set of openings, transferring heat away from said rear housing.

26. The rotatable mounting system of one of claims 19 to 25, wherein said optical device further comprises a fan.