Housing for surveillance camera

• US 6,354,749 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Videolarm, Inc. (Moog Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Videolarm, Inc. (Moog Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pfaffenberger, James L. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews, Alan A.
• Application Number:
  US09/569,675
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 348/143, 348/151, 352/243, 352/242
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles

Abstract

A housing for a surveillance camera has an upper housing that is cylindrical and made of steel or the like to withstand ballistic attack. The upper housing houses the pan-and-tilt mechanism, which is suspended from the inside of the upper housing. The camera is carried by the pan-and-tilt mechanism, and extends into a lower, transparent, housing. An inner liner is within the lower housing and covers the camera, the inner liner being made of hardened aluminum or the like to withstand ballistic attack. The inner liner covers the camera, except that a slot allows the camera lens to receive images through the lower housing. A shield is fixed to the camera to move with the camera, covering the slot in the inner liner, the shield defining one opening for the camera lens. The inner liner and the shield are dark in color to prevent visual location of the camera lens, and a polymeric guard physically protects the camera lens.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an ballistic rated inner liner defining a slot;

a pan-and-tilt mechanism;

a camera coupled to the pan-and-tilt mechanism, and having a lens positioned in the slot to allow movement of the lens along the slot;

a ballistic rated upper housing coupled to the pan-and-tilt mechanism, the pan-and-tilt mechanism capable of moving the lens to traverse in the slot;

a lower housing composed of a translucent material, the lower housing attachable to the upper housing;

a ballistic rated shield defining a hole therein at the lens, coupled to the camera and positioned to cover and protect the portion of the camera that would be otherwise unprotected from the slot portion not occupied by the lens; and

a ballistic rated cover positioned over the lens to protect the lens.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

an attaching means for fixing the pan-and-tilt mechanism within the upper housing;

a means for supporting the inner liner from the pan-and-tilt mechanism; and

a ring attached to the inner surface of the upper housing and adjacent to the inner liner for limiting lateral movement of the inner liner.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the ring is carried by the upper housing and extends between the inner liner and the upper housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper housing is generally cylindrical, and includes a bracket selectively attachable to the upper housing, the bracket being formed of a ballistic rated material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bracket is made of steel.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the bracket defines an opening therethrough for receiving wires and cables for operating the camera and pan-and-tilt mechanism.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner liner is dark in color for preventing visual location of the camera lens.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower housing is tinted for preventing visual location of the camera lens.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper housing and the lower housing form an airtight enclosure when attached to one another.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a means for introducing a gas into the enclosure.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a pressure relief valve.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a means for passing power and control signals therethrough without breaching the airtightness of the upper housing.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a retaining ring.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an O-ring located at the mating surface between the upper housing and the lower housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a gasket located at the mating surface between the upper housing and the lower housing.

16. An apparatus comprising:

an inner liner defining a slot;

a pan-and-tilt mechanism;

a camera coupled to the pan-and-tilt mechanism, and having a lens positioned in the slot to allow movement of the lens along the slot;

a upper housing coupled to the pan-and-tilt mechanism, the pan-and-tilt mechanism capable of moving the lens to traverse in the slot;

a lower housing composed of a translucent material, the lower housing attachable to the upper housing;

a shield defining a hole therein at the lens, coupled to the camera and positioned to cover and protect the portion of the camera that would be otherwise unprotected from the slot portion not occupied by the lens; and

a cover positioned over the lens to protect the lens.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the inner liner is made of aluminum.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the upper housing is made of steel.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the shield is made of steel.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the cover is made of polycarbonate.