Imaging device assembly

• US 7,566,177 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Issued: 07/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pinotage LLC
• Original Assignee: Pinotage LLC
• Inventors: Thompson, Robert Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): PERKEY, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US11/386,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20060216019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 396/25, 396/27, 396/427, 396/428, 396/542, 348/81, 348373-376
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

An assembly for mounting an imaging device, such as a camera, is provided. The assembly may include a housing and an imaging device mounted to the housing. The housing is constructed and arranged in a manner that absorbs and/or dampens a shock and/or vibration to minimize any resulting damage to the imaging device. The assembly may be constructed and arranged to meet MIL-S-901D (NAVY). In one embodiment, resilient and/or robust materials are incorporated into the mounting assembly.

Claims

1. An imaging device mounting assembly for mounting an imaging device, the assembly comprising:

an imaging device mounting board adapted to secure the imaging device thereto;

a first resilient member adapted to be interfaced between the imaging device and the imaging device mounting board;

an outer housing enclosing the imaging device mounting board, wherein the imaging device mounting board is secured to the outer housing; and

a second resilient member interfaced between the outer housing and at least one of the imaging device and the mounting board;

wherein the first and second resilient members are arranged with respect to the outer housing and the imaging device mounting board in a manner that is adapted to at least partially dampen movement of the imaging device to minimize damage to the imaging device that would otherwise render the imaging device inoperable for its intended function upon impact from an external shock load.

2. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cantilever arm sub-assembly rotatably connected to the outer housing, wherein the cantilever arm sub-assembly is constructed and arranged to provide tilting capabilities.

3. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the cantilever arm sub-assembly is adapted to tilt the imaging device approximately 115°

.

4. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the cantilever arm sub-assembly is adapted to tilt the imaging device between −

360° and

360°

.

5. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the cantilever arm sub-assembly is adapted to tilt the imaging device continuously.

6. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a base sub-assembly operatively connected to the outer housing, wherein the base sub-assembly is constructed and arranged to provide panning capabilities.

7. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein the base sub-assembly is adapted to pan the imaging device between −

360° and

360°

.

8. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein the base sub-assembly is adapted to pan the imaging device continuously.

9. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a cantilever arm sub-assembly rotatably connected to the outer housing, wherein the cantilever arm sub-assembly is positioned between the base sub-assembly and the outer housing to operatively connect the base sub-assembly to the outer housing, wherein the cantilever arm sub-assembly and the base sub-assembly are constructed and arranged to provide the imaging device with both panning and tilting capabilities.

10. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one seal operatively disposed relative to the outer housing to seal the imaging device within the outer housing.

11. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one seal seals the housing to be water resistant, such that the imaging device mounting assembly is submersible under up to 2 meters of water for a duration of time between at least 2 hours and up to 78 hours, without affecting the functionality of the imaging device within the outer housing.

12. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one seal comprises a plurality of quad seals.

13. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a heater to control the temperature of the imaging device.

14. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein the heater is adapted to control the temperature of the imaging device between approximately −

40°

C. and approximately +60°

C.

15. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising an RFI shield.

16. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the imaging device mounting assembly is dry nitrogen charged.

17. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, combination with at least one imaging device.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the at least one imaging device includes a night vision camera.

19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the at least one imaging device includes a day vision camera.

20. The combination of claim 17, wherein the at least one imaging device includes a wide angle camera.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein the at least one imaging device includes a telephoto camera.

22. The combination of claim 21, wherein the wide angle camera and the telephoto camera are sighted together.

23. The combination of claim 22, wherein the wide angle camera and the telephoto camera are mounted on a pan and tilt mechanism operatively connected with the imagine device mounting assembly.

24. The combination of claim 17, wherein the combination weighs less than 10 pounds.

25. The combination of claim 17, further comprising:

a portable imaging sub-assembly mounted to the imaging device mounting assembly, the portable imaging sub-assembly is adapted to be deployable into a remote location, the portable imaging sub-assembly being adapted to transmit data received from the imaging device at the remote location to a second location.

26. The imaging device mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer housing comprises a wall having a thickness of approximately between ⅛

inch- 3/16 inch.