Temporary surveillance system

• US 6,585,428 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cam Guard Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cam Watch Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Wesselink, Richard H., Wesselink, Paul J., Brown, Stephen Fredrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews, Alan A.
• Application Number:
  US09/958,706
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/427, 396/428, 348/143, 348/144, 348/149, 348/151, 348/153, 348/158, 348/159, 348/373, 348/148, 352/132, 352/243, 248/177.1, 248/178.1
• 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 13/19623 Arrangements allowing camera linear motion, e.g. camera moving along a rail cable or track
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A surveillance system is provided including a platform having a plurality and variety of cameras or sensors mounted thereto, and a base enclosure adapted to accommodate a power supply, a variety of electronics and other equipment for controlling and providing power to the surveillance equipment. The base is constructed to be tamper resistant and immovable by manual means. A substantially hollow support pole includes a lower portion detachably mounted to the base, and an upper portion mounted to the platform. Wires and cables for connecting the surveillance equipment with the electronics and power supply are run through the support pole. Power to the system may be supplied through existing power sources, for example a 120V power source. The system may further be adapted to be trailer mountable for facilitating transport of the system. A trailer assembly specifically adapted for transporting the system may be provided.

Claims

1. A surveillance system comprising:

a surveillance assembly, including a platform adapted to support surveillance equipment for providing observations of a surveillance site;

a base, including a substantially concrete structure defining a enclosure sized to contain electronics equipment for controlling the surveillance equipment, and further including means for preventing access to the enclosure;

a support pole having an upper portion mounted to the surveillance assembly and a lower portion mounted to the base;

means for functionally connecting the surveillance equipment to the electronics equipment contained in the base;

a trailer assembly adapted to facilitate transport of the system to and from the surveillance site; and

means for facilitating loading and unloading of the base to and from the trailer assembly.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the trailer assembly is a single-axle trailer assembly.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the trailer assembly includes ramp means for facilitating loading and unloading of the base from the trailer assembly.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the support pole includes a hinge mechanism adapted to enable rotation of the upper portion of the support pole with respect to the lower portion of the support pole in order to facilitate vehicle transport of the system in a substantially upright position.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the weight of the base is at least about 2500 pounds.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the support pole is substantially hollow, and the means for functionally connecting the electronics equipment with the surveillance equipment includes wiring disposed at least partially through the substantially hollow support pole.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the support pole comprises a plurality of telescoping segments in order to facilitate vehicle transport of the system in a substantially upright position.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the surveillance equipment comprises a multiplexor including a plurality of cameras.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for functionally connecting the electronics equipment with the surveillance equipment includes PVC conduit adapted to accommodate communications cable through the substantially hollow support pole.

10. A surveillance system comprising:

a surveillance assembly, including a platform adapted to support surveillance equipment for providing observations of a surveillance site;

a base having a weight sufficient to prevent manual displacement thereof, the base including a substantially concrete structure defining a enclosure sized to contain electronics equipment suitable for controlling the surveillance equipment;

means for restricting access to the base enclosure;

an adjustable support pole including an upper portion mounted to the surveillance assembly and a lower portion mounted to the base;

means for functionally connecting the surveillance equipment to the electronics equipment contained in the base;

a trailer assembly adapted to facilitate transport of the system to and from the surveillance site; and

means for facilitating loading and unloading of the base to and from the trailer assembly.

11. A surveillance system comprising:

a surveillance assembly, including a platform adapted to support surveillance equipment for providing observations of an area in a vicinity of the surveillance system;

a base, including a substantially hollow enclosure sized and adapted to contain electronics equipment for controlling the surveillance equipment, the base comprises a substantially concrete structure having a weight sufficient to prevent the base from being manually displaced;

a support pole having an upper portion mounted to the surveillance assembly and a lower portion mounted to the base, wherein the base and the support pole are sized and adapted to be supported by and transported on a vehicle trailer;

means for functionally connecting the surveillance equipment to the electronics equipment contained in the base;

a trailer assembly for facilitating transport of the system; and

means for facilitating loading and unloading of the base to and from the trailer assembly.