Vehicle for deploying a mobile surveillance module

• US 8,706,359 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2012
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TerraHawk LLC
• Original Assignee: TerraHawk LLC
• Inventors: James, Tom R., Spence, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winner, Tony
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNUTSON, JACOB D
• Application Number:
  US13/444,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20120215408A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 280/764.1, 296/26.06, 182/69.5, 333/764.1
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/165 at least a major part of the roof being lifted on all corners
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/02 with parallel up-and-down movement of load supporting or containing element in combination with tipping B60P1/34; devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes, movable on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/06 ; suspensions with electronic levelling control during loading or unloading B60G17/0157
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 9/02 for only lifting or supporting

Abstract

A surveillance module may be deployed from a vehicle. The vehicle to deploy the surveillance module includes a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle. A second portion includes a module configured to accommodate the user and comprising a roof and an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from the first portion. The second portion also includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position. A third portion defines an opening to accommodate the module, wherein the roof of the module couples to a periphery of the opening in the retracted position.

Claims

1. A vehicle for deploying a surveillance module, comprising:

a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle; and

a second portion comprising;

a module accessible by the user through the first portion, the module comprising an enclosed housing configured to accommodate the user; and

a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module from a retracted position to an extended position.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stabilizers operable to extend from the vehicle to a surface to stabilize the vehicle when the module is in the extended position.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a camera operable to extend from the module.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a user interface accessible from the module, wherein the user interface is operable to initiate movement of the module.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a processor operable to:

determine a safety condition; and

prevent the module from moving to an extended position unless the safety condition is determined, wherein the safety condition comprises at least one of the following;

determining the vehicle is stationary for a predetermined period of time;

determining the vehicle is stabilized;

determining a gear shift of the vehicle is in park;

determining an emergency parking brake of the vehicle is engaged;

determining an entrance to the module is closed; and

determining the vehicle is level within a range of degrees.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a processor operable to:

determine whether the module is in the retracted position; and

prevent the vehicle from driving unless the module is in the retracted position.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a climate control unit for the module operable to adjust the temperature within the module.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an enclosed housing operable to accommodate the user moving from the first portion of the vehicle to the module.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the module is at least partially comprised of bullet proof materials.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the module comprises a plurality of windows, wherein the plurality of windows are operable to provide the user in the module with a view of the surrounding area when the module is in the extended position.

11. A vehicle for deploying a surveillance module, comprising:

a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle; and

a second portion comprising;

a module comprising an enclosed housing configured to accommodate the user; and

a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the enclosed housing of the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position through an opening in a top of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of stabilizers operable to extend from the vehicle to a surface to stabilize the vehicle when the module is in the extended position.

13. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a camera operable to extend from the module.

14. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a user interface accessible from the module, wherein the user interface is operable to initiate movement of the module.

15. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a processor operable to:

determine a safety condition; and

prevent the module from moving to an extended position unless the safety condition is determined, wherein the safety condition comprises at least one of the following;

determining the vehicle is stationary for a predetermined period of time;

determining the vehicle is stabilized;

determining a gear shift of the vehicle is in park;

determining an emergency parking brake of the vehicle is engaged;

determining an entrance to the module is closed; and

determining the vehicle is level within a range of degrees.

16. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a processor operable to:

determine whether the module is in the retracted position; and

prevent the vehicle from driving unless the module is in the retracted position.

17. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a climate control unit for the module operable to adjust the temperature within the module.

18. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising an area operable to accommodate the user moving from the first portion to the module.

19. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the module is at least partially comprised of bullet proof materials.

20. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the module comprises a plurality of windows, wherein the plurality of windows are operable to provide the user in the module with a view of the surrounding area when the module is in the extended position.

21. A vehicle for deploying a surveillance module, comprising:

a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle;

a second portion comprising;

a module comprising an enclosed housing configured to accommodate the user and a user interface operable to initiate movement of the module; and

a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module from a retracted position to an extended position; and

a third portion comprising an enclosed area operable to accommodate the user moving from the first portion of the vehicle to the module.