Concealments for components of a covert video surveillance system

• US 8,314,839 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley A. Weinstein
• Original Assignee: Sentrus, Inc.
• Inventors: Weinstein, Richard D., Sauer, Ric
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARTINEZ, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US12/475,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20100302372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/372, 348143-155, 707/3
• US Class Current: 348/151
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A concealment (10) for equipment (13) including imaging devices, audio equipment, and sensors. The concealment comprises a frame (12) which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object. A covering (22) fits over the assembled frame. An outer surface (24) of the covering has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents. The frame provides a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment, with the equipment being positioned to provide surveillance of an area (A) within which the concealment is located. The frame and covering are both made from materials which do not interfere with the transmission of signals from the equipment to a monitoring site, nor the reception of signals from the monitoring site to the equipment installed within the concealment to control operation of the equipment.

Claims

1. A concealment for equipment used for remote surveillance of a monitored site to hide and conceal the equipment at the site and prevent its detection comprising:

a lightweight, manually portable, frame which, when installed at a selected location at the site, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object indigenous to the location;

a lightweight, non-metallic, removable and replaceable covering which fits over the frame and whose outer surface has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents;

the frame providing a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment, the equipment including one or more of a camera, audio device, a transmitter and receiver for communications between the monitored site and a distant location and means for powering the equipment, the equipment being selectively positionable in a desired orientation within the concealment so to effectively provide surveillance of the site and to provide real time information from the site to a distant location where a threat assessment of activities occurring at a localized area at the site is performed; and

,

the concealment being relocatable from the one monitored site to a new monitored site including removing and replacing the covering of the concealment for the concealment to be repeatedly adaptable to represent a naturally occurring or manmade object indigenous to a new monitored site.

2. The concealment of claim 1 in which the frame comprises a plurality of frame members connected together, the frame members comprising straight and curved sections.

3. The concealment of claim 2 further including brackets and fasteners for attaching frame members together, and a mount attached to a frame member for properly positioning a piece of equipment within the concealment.

4. The concealment of claim 1 in which the cover comprises a web of material to which swatches of other materials are applied to give the cover texture and depth.

5. The concealment of claim 4 further including at least one paint applied to the cover to give the cover a natural looking appearance.

6. The concealment of claim 4 in which the fabric does not rip, tear, or fall apart even with when the cover has prolonged exposure to the elements.

7. The concealment of claim 1 further including a manually portable container in which the concealment is manually carried to a site where the concealment is erected.

8. The concealment of claim 1 in which the frame further provides a mounting for one or more sensors used to detect activities occurring at the monitored site.

9. The concealment of claim 1 in which the object represented by the concealment is generally cylindrical in form and shape.

10. The concealment of claim 9 in which the object represented by the concealment is generally non-cylindrical in form and shape.

11. The concealment of claim 1 in which the object represented by the concealment is generally rectangular in form and shape.

12. The concealment of claim 1 in which the object represented by the concealment is irregular in form and shape.