Camera device with reduced size

• US 8,585,302 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2012
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beat-Sonic Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Beat-Sonic Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Totani, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fenwick, Warren K
• Application Number:
  US13/442,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20120263450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419, 396/428, 396/424, 348/148, 348/144, 348/143, 248/187.1
• US Class Current: 396/428
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0024 Rear shelves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A camera device includes a camera body including a camera housing which is formed into a substantially spherical shape, a bracket fixable to a vehicle, and a socket provided on the bracket into which a spherical portion of the camera housing is fittable. The camera body includes an imaging lens which is exposed from the socket. The spherical portion of the camera housing is fitted into the socket so that the imaging lens has an optical axis a direction of which is adjustable in a vertical direction and in a right-left direction relative to the socket.

Claims

1. A camera device comprising:

a camera body including a camera housing which is formed into a substantially spherical shape;

a bracket fixable to a vehicle; and

a socket provided on the bracket into which a spherical portion of the camera housing is fittable, wherein;

the camera body includes an imaging lens which is exposed from the socket; and

the spherical portion of the camera housing is fitted into the socket so that the imaging lens has an optical axis a direction of which is adjustable in a vertical direction and in a right-left direction relative to the socket,

the socket includes at least a pair of arms both of which have convexly curved surfaces respectively;

the camera housing is held between the arms so as to be slidably in close contact with the convexly curved surface;

the imaging lens is fitted between the arms so as to be exposed from between the arm strips, and

the camera housing includes a portion thereof which is located opposite the imaging lens and to which a nut is fixed so that, when the nut is rotated by an outside force, the camera housing is rotated according to a rotation of the nut.

2. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a bottom formed with an adhesive layer.

3. The camera device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cord that electrically connects the camera body with an external device, wherein the cord is drawn outside through the nut.

4. A camera device comprising:

a camera body including a camera housing which is formed into a substantially spherical shape;

a bracket fixable to a vehicle; and

a socket provided on the bracket into which a spherical portion of the camera housing is fittable, wherein;

the camera body includes an imaging lens which is exposed from the socket;

the spherical portion of the camera housing is fitted into the socket so that the imaging lens has an optical axis a direction of which is adjustable in a vertical direction and in a right-left direction relative to the socket;

the socket has a distal end surface and a proximal end surface both of which have respective openings, the socket further having an inner periphery formed with a convexly curved surface and an outer periphery formed with a plurality of vertical slits, whereby the socket is formed into a barrel shape;

the bracket has an opening communicating with the proximal end opening of the socket;

the camera housing is slidably in close contact with the convexly curved surface and fitted into the socket so that the imaging lens is exposed from the distal end opening or the proximal end opening of the socket; and

the camera housing includes a portion thereof which is located opposite the imaging lens and to which a nut is fixed so that, when the nut is rotated by an outside force, the camera housing is rotated according to a rotation of the nut.

5. The camera device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a cord that electrically connects the camera body with an external device, wherein the cord is drawn outside through the nut.