Internally mounted, movable camera for vehicles

• US 7,355,629 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2003
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Witzke, Michael, Scholler, J{dot over (o)}rg, Lang, Heinrich, Snel, Jaap-Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US10/628,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 348143-170, 296/180.1, 280/727
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/404 triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode

Abstract

A camera assembly for a commercial vehicle with a cargo compartment, which comprises a camera, and a movement apparatus, wherein the movement apparatus displaces the camera, at least partially outward, from the interior of the cargo container, in such a manner, that the camera, by an energized movement apparatus can survey a definite field of view in the rearward area of the commercial vehicle. The movement of the camera may be through an opening in the rear closure of the cargo container. In this way, it becomes possible, even with a downward, closed, rear to observe the area lying behind the commercial vehicle by means of the camera during the backing up of the commercial vehicle.

Claims

1. A camera assembly for use with a commercial vehicle having an upstanding cargo container having an open rear comprising:

movement apparatus, secured with an upper rear area of said cargo container, mounting a camera within said upper rear area of said cargo container;

a closure, having a hinged flap, secured with said rear of said cargo container, said flap being movable between open and closed positions;

wherein,

said movement apparatus is operative upon actuation to move said camera from inside to outside said cargo container, said camera during said movement being operative to engage and pivot said hinged flap forming an opening through said closure positioning said camera positioned to capture a defined field of vision to include a rear portion of said commercial vehicle and an area adjacent thereto.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said movement apparatus has a rotary drive and moves said camera along an arcuate path radially spaced from its axis of rotation.

8. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said closure is rigid.

9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the closure comprises a tarpaulin.

10. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said closure is rotatable about an axis which is essentially normal to the longitudinal axis of the commercial vehicle.

11. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said closure is self closing.

2. A camera assembly for use with a cargo container of a commercial vehicle comprising:

movement apparatus, secured with an upper rear area of said cargo container, mounting a camera within said cargo container;

a closure secured with a rear area of said cargo container to normally extend in a generally vertical position, said closure having a normally closed opening in an upper area generally axially aligned with said movement apparatus and said camera;

wherein,

actuation of said movement apparatus moves said camera through said opening and out of said cargo container into a position to capture a defined field of vision in a rear area behind and adjacent said commercial vehicle.

4. An assembly in accord with claim 2, wherein the movement apparatus has a linear drive.

5. An assembly in accord with claim 2, wherein the movement apparatus has a rotary drive.

6. An assembly in accord with claim 2, wherein the movement apparatus is energized by means of a shifting of the commercial vehicle into a reverse gear.

7. An assembly in accord with claim 2, wherein the movement apparatus can be manually energized and deenergized by a driver of the commercial vehicle.