Camera unit

• US 8,944,705 B1
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Matori, Tadahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Laballe, Clayton E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hancock, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US14/337,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20150030319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 196 Days
• Field of Search: 396/419
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A camera unit increases the degree of freedom with which the camera unit can be designed. The camera unit includes a camera body having a hook held in hooked engagement with a bracket. The bracket includes a first support engaged by the hook and which supports the camera body in an angularly movable fashion, and a second support supporting the camera body that is secured to the second support.

Claims

1. A camera unit comprising a camera body and a bracket on which the camera body is supported detachably,

the bracket securing the camera body to an object on which the camera unit is installed, wherein:

the camera body includes a hook held in hooked engagement with the bracket; and

the bracket includes;

a first support engaged by the hook and which supports the camera body in an angularly movable fashion;

and a second support supporting the camera body that is secured to the second support

wherein the first support is disposed on one of left and right ends of the camera body; and

the second support is disposed on another of the left and right ends of the camera body;

wherein the second support includes a leaf spring having a principal surface that faces toward the camera body; and

one end of the leaf spring is fixed to a bracket body of the bracket, and another end of the leaf spring is switchable between a pressing position in which the other end normally presses the camera body, and a spaced position in which the other end is spaced from the camera body for enabling removal of the camera body.

2. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the bracket has a stop configured to prevent the leaf spring in the spaced position from becoming spaced from the camera body, thereby preventing the leaf spring from becoming plastically deformed.

3. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the leaf spring of the bracket has an engaging ledge that projects toward the camera body;

and

the camera body has an engaging cavity configured to receive the engaging ledge, which engages in the engaging cavity when the leaf spring is in the pressing position.

4. The camera unit according to claim 3, wherein the camera body has grooves defined therein at positions aligned with side edges of the leaf spring, the grooves being arranged more closely to a proximal end of the leaf spring than the engaging cavity.

5. The camera unit according to claim 1, wherein the bracket further includes:

a base having a mounting surface held in contact with the object; and

a first side wall and a second side wall, which extend from the base and to left and right side surfaces of the camera body, wherein;

the first support is provided as the first side wall;

the second support is provided as the second side wall;

the leaf spring of the second support is disposed on the second side wall; and

a plurality of positioning convexities configured to position the first side wall are disposed on a side surface of the camera body that faces toward the first side wall.

6. The camera unit according to claim 5, wherein the first side wall of the bracket has a hole defined therein for receiving the hook of the camera body that is inserted in the hole;

and

an inner boss, which projects toward a proximal end of the hook, is disposed on a tip end portion of the hook.