Video inspection device
First Claim
1. Inspection apparatus, comprising:
- a sensor of electromagnetic radiation;
a radiation source mounted near the sensor that directs radiation toward an object that is sensed by the sensor; and
a flexible, elongated shaft having a distal end coupled to the sensor and a proximal end coupled to a handheld housing, and which can maintain a flexed position;
wherein the distal end of the flexible shaft is adapted to attach to a bore scope.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inspection apparatus adapted for use in motor vehicle maintenance and repair is disclosed. A sensor, such as a video camera, is coupled by an elongated, flexible shaft to a self-contained, handheld power source. A source of illumination is mounted near the sensor and directs light onto an object that is viewed by the sensor. Input power to the sensor and the illumination source, and an output signal from the sensor, are coupled through the shaft, which will maintain any desired flexed position. Optionally, one or more microphones are mounted near the sensor to receive sounds produced by the object. Connectors extend from a housing of the power source so that the sensor output signal and an output from the microphones may be coupled to an external device. A removable clamp may be affixed to the apparatus so that the apparatus can be temporarily attached to a motor vehicle. As a result, a technician may easily visualize parts of the motor vehicle safely, clearly, and without disassembling the parts.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. Inspection apparatus, comprising:
-
a sensor of electromagnetic radiation;
a radiation source mounted near the sensor that directs radiation toward an object that is sensed by the sensor; and
a flexible, elongated shaft having a distal end coupled to the sensor and a proximal end coupled to a handheld housing, and which can maintain a flexed position;
wherein the distal end of the flexible shaft is adapted to attach to a bore scope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22)
-
-
12. A motor vehicle inspection apparatus, comprising:
-
a video camera;
a light source mounted near the video camera and that directs light toward a part of a motor vehicle that is viewed by the video camera; and
an elongated, flexible shaft having a distal end coupled to the video camera and a proximal end coupled to a handheld housing, and which can maintain a flexed position;
wherein the distal end of the flexible shaft is adapted to attach to a bore scope. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24)
-
-
20. A motor vehicle inspection apparatus, comprising:
-
a video camera that may view a part of a motor vehicle;
a light source mounted near the video camera and that directs light toward a part of a motor vehicle that is viewed by the video camera;
an elongated, flexible shaft having a distal end coupled to the video camera and a proximal end coupled to a handheld housing, and which can maintain a flexed position;
a self-contained power source in the housing for powering the video camera and the light source;
an audio transducer mounted near the video camera and coupled through the shaft to an audio output connector; and
a clamp that is removably mounted to the housing and that may grip a part of the motor vehicle;
wherein the distal end of the flexible shaft is adapted to attach to a bore scope. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
-
Specification