Vehicle camera-securing assembly

• US 9,446,721 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2013
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Jagoda, Aaron M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLNER, MONICA E
• Application Number:
  US14/375,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20150008300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle

Abstract

A video monitoring system is configured to be secured to a portion of a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle camera-securing assembly that includes a securing bracket including a plurality of walls defining a camera chamber, and at least one camera-securing member. The system may also include a camera positioned within the camera chamber. The camera is securely retained within the camera chamber by the at least one camera-securing member.

Claims

1. A vehicle camera-securing assembly configured to secure a camera to a portion of a vehicle, the vehicle camera-securing assembly comprising:

a securing bracket including a base and a plurality of walls including front and rear walls integrally connected to lateral walls at right angles upstanding from the base defining a camera chamber configured to receive the camera; and

a plurality of planar support ledges extending perpendicular to the plurality of walls at the base

at least one camera-securing member configured to securely retain the camera within the camera chamber, wherein the at least one camera-securing member comprises a plurality of retaining clips inwardly extending into the camera chamber inwardly away from an interior surface of opposing walls of the plurality of walls towards a center of the camera chamber.

2. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more retaining clips comprises first and second opposed retaining clips extending from first and second walls of the one or more of the plurality of walls.

3. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more retaining clips comprises a resilient beam integrally connected to a detent.

4. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket further comprises a lens channel configured to receive a lens of the camera.

5. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 4, wherein the securing bracket further comprises said support ledges surrounding at least a portion of the lens channel, wherein the support ledges are configured to abut against at least a portion of the camera.

6. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket further comprises at least one support brace ramp extending from at least one of the plurality of walls, wherein the at least one support brace ramp is configured to support the securing bracket within the portion of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket further comprises one or more ledges outwardly extending from one or more of the plurality of walls, wherein the one or more ledges are configured to be securely engaged by one or more reciprocal features of at least a portion of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera-securing member comprises a securing latch configured to pivot over the camera chamber.

9. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 8, wherein the securing latch comprises a beam integrally connected to one of the plurality of walls through a hinge, and wherein the beam comprises one of a distal tab or slot.

10. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the securing bracket and the at least one camera-securing member are devoid of separate and distinct fasteners.

11. The vehicle camera-securing assembly of claim 1, wherein the portion of the vehicle is one of an emblem plate, applique, or underneath a light bar.

12. A video monitoring system configured to be secured to a portion of a vehicle, the video monitoring system comprising:

a vehicle camera-securing assembly comprising;

a securing bracket including a base and a plurality of walls including front and rear walls integrally connected to lateral walls at right angles upstanding from the base defining a camera chamber; and

a plurality of planar support ledges extending perpendicular to the plurality of walls at the base

at least one camera-securing member, wherein the at least one camera-securing member comprises a plurality of retaining clips inwardly extending into the camera chamber inwardly away from an interior surface of opposing walls of the plurality of walls towards a center of the camera chamber; and

a camera positioned within the camera chamber, wherein the camera is securely retained within the camera chamber by the at least one camera-securing member, wherein the plurality of retaining clips securely engage at least a portion of the camera.

13. The video monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the one or more retaining clips comprises first and second opposed retaining clips extending from first and second walls of the one or more of the plurality of walls.

14. The video monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the one or more retaining clips comprises a resilient beam integrally connected to a detent.

15. The video monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the securing bracket further comprises:

a lens channel, and wherein the camera comprises a housing and a lens extending from the housing, wherein the lens is positioned within the lens channel; and

said

support ledges surrounding at least a portion of the lens channel, wherein the support ledges abut against at least a portion of the housing.

16. The video monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the securing bracket further comprises at least one support brace ramp extending from at least one of the plurality of walls, wherein the at least one support brace ramp is configured to support the securing bracket within the portion of the vehicle.

17. The video monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the securing bracket further comprises one or more ledges outwardly extending from one or more of the plurality of walls, wherein the one or more ledges are configured to be securely engaged by one or more reciprocal features of at least a portion of the vehicle.

18. The video monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the at least one camera-securing member comprises a securing latch configured to pivot over the camera chamber, wherein the securing latch comprises a beam integrally connected to one of the plurality of walls through a hinge, and wherein the beam comprises one of a distal tab or slot.