Video camera periscope and monitor surveying devices for the handicapped

• US 5,767,905 A
• Filed: 04/05/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Archambo
• Original Assignee: Michael Archambo
• Inventors: Archambo, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, JACQUELINE B
• Application Number:
  US08/628,525
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 348/373, 348/214, 348/376, 348/375, 348/211, 348/135, 348/207, 348/143, 348/208, 348/219
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A video camera periscope device including a micro-video camera mounted above an arm of a chair. The camera has a bottom side with a coupling structure. Included is a monitor with a viewing screen, and is coupled to a forward end of the arm of the chair. The monitor has a mounting bracket securing it to the arm of the chair. Also, a telescoping arm is provided. The telescoping arm has a base member that is coupled to the arm of the chair. The telescoping arm is formed of three elongated tubular members. The three tubular members have an upper tubular member, a lower tubular member and a middle tubular member. The lower tubular member is coupled with the base member. The upper tubular member has an upper socket cup at one end and an external flange at another end. The socket cup, at the one end of the upper tubular member, receives the coupling structure of the video camera, and allows rotation thereof. Lastly, a telescoping arm control switch is coupled to the arm of the chair to control the movement of the video camera.

Claims

1. A new and improved video camera periscope and monitor surveying device for the handicapped for use as a visual aid for persons restricted to a seated position comprising in combination:

a micro video camera capable of being mounted above an arm of a chair, the camera being capable of receiving an image through a lens member located on a front of the camera, the camera having a bottom side with a coupling structured attached thereto, the coupling structure being capable of allowing vertical and horizontal movement of the video camera with respect to the arm of the chair;

a generally rectangular monitor being coupled to a forward end of the arm of the chair, the monitor having a mounting bracket attached to a bottom side of the monitor, the mounting bracket being capable of securing the monitor to the arm in a stationary position, the monitor having a viewing screen being capable of projecting images being received from the video camera, the monitor being controlled by an on and off slid switch, the monitor having a front with a volume control and sharpness control positioned thereon;

a telescoping arm having a base member being coupled to the arm of the chair, the telescoping arm being positionable on the arm of the chair between the monitor and a chair back, the telescoping arm having a maximum height of twenty-four inches, the base member having an output cable being connected to the monitor, the output cable being capable of transmitting a video signal to the monitor for viewing on the viewing screen, the base member having a coupler member contained therein with the coupler member having a projection portion, the base member having an upper ring interconnected thereto, the projection portion projecting into the upper ring of the base member, the upper ring having a sealing flange with an O-ring for ensuring frictionless contact between the ring and the telescoping arm and ensuring a snug fit;

the telescoping arm being formed of three elongated tubular members, the three tubular members having an upper tubular member, a lower tubular member and a middle tubular member therebetween, the lower tubular member being coupled with the base member at a proximal end thereof, the proximal end of the lower tubular member receiving the projection portion of the coupler member, the coupler member, having the projection portion within the lower tubular member, allowing the telescoping arm to lock within the base and project vertically upward from the base, the lower tubular member being capable of having the middle tubular member nested therein, the middle tubular member being capable of projecting upwardly from an opening at a distal end of the lower tubular member;

the upper tubular member having an upper socket cup at one end and an external flange at another end, the upper tubular member being capable of nesting within the middle tubular member, the external flange of the upper tubular member being capable of engaging an internal flange of the middle tubular member when being extending from within the middle tubular member, the socket cup at the one end of the upper tubular member being capable of receiving the coupling structure of the video camera therein, the socket cup being capable of allowing the coupling structure to rotate 360 degrees therein for movement of the video camera; and

a telescoping arm control switch being coupled to the arm of the chair, the control switch having a dial for controlling the movement of the video camera about the coupling structure, whereby a person seated in the chair, being capable of viewing various activity therearound on the monitor by turning the video camera towards the direction of the activity.