Aerial camera mounting apparatus

• US 5,231,435 A
• Filed: 07/12/1991
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce W. Blakely
• Original Assignee: Bruce W. Blakely
• Inventors: Blakely, Bruce W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wintercorn, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US07/729,062
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 354/74, 354/81, 354/65, 354/293
• US Class Current: 396/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects

Abstract

An aerial camera mounting apparatus includes a bracket member to fit within a segment of or the entire perimeter edge of an aircraft window opening, a retaining system to secure this bracket to the window edge, and a camera lens support member connected to the bracket to position a camera lens generally within the window opening. Thus, the apparatus may be installed into an existing hinged or otherwise opening-type aircraft window, such that the bracket attaches to one or all the edges of the pre-existing window frame. Alternatively, the apparatus may be installed into a hole previously cut in an otherwise fixed window, with the bracket similarly attaching to one or all of the edges of the formed cut.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a camera in an aircraft, said aircraft having an occupant compartment, and an aircraft window opening comprising a frame member surrounding a movable window, said camera having a camera body and a camera lens, said apparatus comprising:

an inner window portion configured to fit within said frame member when said movable window is displaced, said inner window portion having a central aperture;

retaining means for securing said inner window portion within said aircraft window opening; and

a camera lens support member connected to said aircraft window opening to position said camera lens in said inner window portion central aperture.

2. The aerial camera mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aircraft window opening has a perimeter edge, and said retaining means is generally coextensive with said perimeter edge.

3. The aerial camera mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inner window portion comprises a flexible material.

4. The aerial camera mounting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said camera lens support member comprises a cylinder.

5. An apparatus for mounting a camera in an aircraft, said aircraft having an occupant compartment, and an aircraft window opening comprising a hole cut in an aircraft window, said camera having a camera body and a camera lens, said apparatus comprising:

an inner window portion configured to fit within said hole cut in said aircraft window, said inner window portion having a central aperture;

retaining means for securing said inner window portion within said aircraft window opening; and

a camera lens support member connected to said aircraft window opening to position said camera lens in said inner window portion central aperture.

6. The aerial camera mounting apparatus of claim 5 wherein said aircraft window opening has a perimeter edge, and said retaining means is generally coextensive with said perimeter edge.

7. The aerial camera mounting apparatus of claim 5 wherein said inner window portion comprises a flexible material.

8. The aerial camera mounting apparatus of claim 5 wherein said camera lens support member comprises a cylinder.

9. An apparatus for mounting a camera in an aircraft, said aircraft having an occupant compartment and an aircraft window opening, said camera having a camera body and a camera lens, said apparatus comprising:

an inner window portion of a size to generally fit within said aircraft window opening, said inner window portion having a central aperture;

retaining means for securing said inner window portion within said aircraft window opening; and

a camera lens support member connected to said aircraft window opening by a bracket member to position said camera lens in said inner window portion central aperture, said camera lens support member including a pivotable mount comprising a ball and socket connector.

10. An apparatus for mounting a camera in an aircraft, said aircraft having an occupant compartment and an aircraft window opening, said camera having a camera body and a camera lens, said apparatus comprising:

an inner window portion of a size to generally fit within said aircraft window opening, said inner window portion having a central aperture;

retaining means for securing said inner window portion within said aircraft window opening; and

a telescopically adjustable camera lens support member connected to said aircraft window opening by a bracket member to position said camera lens in said inner window portion central aperture.

11. An apparatus for mounting a camera in an aircraft, said aircraft having an occupant compartment and an aircraft window opening, said camera having a camera body and a camera lens, said apparatus comprising:

an inner window portion comprising a rigid, optically transparent material of a size to generally fit within said aircraft window opening, said inner window portion having a central aperture;

retaining means for securing said inner window portion within said aircraft window opening; and

a camera lens support member connected to said aircraft window opening to position said camera lens in said inner window portion central aperture.

12. An apparatus for mounting a camera in an aircraft, said aircraft having an occupant compartment and an aircraft window opening, said camera having a camera body and a camera lens, said apparatus comprising:

an inner window portion of a size to generally fit within said aircraft window opening, said inner window portion having a central aperture;

retaining means for securing said inner window portion within said aircraft window opening;

a camera lens support member connected to said aircraft window opening to position said camera lens in said inner window portion central aperture; and

a camera body support member connected to said aircraft window opening to support said camera body within said aircraft occupant compartment.