Camera light

• US 9,497,421 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2011
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro-Vision Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Elizabeth Jane Peacock, Stephen Thomas Peacock
• Inventors: Peacock, Stephen Thomas, Peacock, Elizabeth Jane
• Primary Examiner(s): HSU, AMY R
• Application Number:
  US13/374,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20120176526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 348/335, 348/148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0023 the element being a sensor, e.g. distance sensor, camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/03 Combinations of cameras with lighting apparatus; Flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A camera light assembly (100) includes a camera assembly (102) and a marker light assembly (111). The camera assembly (102) includes a body (104) and a lens (108) positioned at a forward portion of the body (104). The marker light assembly (111) includes a light housing (112) having an aperture (118) extending therethrough. The body (104) of the camera assembly (102) is elongated and is received within the aperture (118) of the light housing (112) of the marker light assembly (111). Camera lock rings (126, 128) are utilized to releasably secure the camera assembly (102) to the marker light assembly (111).

Claims

1. A camera light assembly, comprising:

a camera assembly including a body defining an axis and having inner and outer ends and a cylindrical outer surface extending between the inner and outer ends and defining a first diameter, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface adjacent the inner end is threaded, the outer end including a lens and an outwardly-protruding lip having an outer dimension that is greater than the first diameter;

a power and video camera cable having a first end that is operably connected to the camera assembly;

a light assembly including an annular base and a housing connected to the base, the base having a central opening therethrough and front and rear sides and at least one light source mounted to the front side of the base;

the housing having a cylindrical inner side wall having front and rear portions and defining a cylindrical camera-receiving passageway through the housing that is aligned with the central opening through the base, a cylindrical outer side wall that is concentric to the cylindrical inner side wall, the outer side wall having front and rear portions, the cylindrical inner and outer sidewalls defining an annular interior space therebetween, the housing including an annular front side wall having a circular front opening aligned with the cylindrical camera-receiving passageway, the annular front side wall extending between and interconnecting the front portions of the cylindrical inner side wall and the cylindrical outer side wall and closing off a front of the annular interior space, and wherein at least a portion of the annular front side wall of the housing comprises light-transmitting material whereby the annular front side wall of the housing is illuminated by the at least one light source;

an electrical power line having a first end operably connected to the at least one light source;

a grommet extending around the cylindrical outer wall of the housing, the grommet including an outer rim portion configured to attach the grommet to an existing light mount of a vehicle;

a threaded member threadably engaging the threaded portion of the outer surface of the body of the camera to releasably secure the camera assembly to the light assembly with the body of the camera being disposed in the cylindrical camera-receiving passageway and extending through the central opening of the base, and wherein the outwardly-protruding lip of the camera body engages the front side wall of the housing around the front opening in the front sidewall, and wherein the lens of the camera is aligned with the circular opening in the annular front side wall of the housing whereby the lens is exposed and not covered by the housing; and

wherein the power and video camera cable is not connected to the light assembly, and the electrical power line is not connected to the camera assembly, such that the threaded member can be disengaged from the threaded portion of the camera body to permit disassembly of the camera assembly from the light assembly without disconnecting the camera cable from the electrical power line or visa-versa.

2. The camera light assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the annular front side wall defines a planar outwardly-facing front surface; and

the outer end of the camera body projects outwardly from the planar front surface.

3. The camera light assembly of claim 2, wherein:

the grommet defines an annular surface that faces rearwardly opposite the front surface of the annular front side wall of the housing.

4. The camera light assembly of claim 3, wherein:

the inner end of the camera body projects rearwardly from the annular surface of the grommet.

5. A camera light assembly for vehicles, comprising:

a light assembly having a housing with an outer side, an inner side, and a mounting structure configured to connect the housing to an existing vehicle light mount for a required vehicle light;

a camera assembly removably secured to the housing;

at least one light source disposed inside the housing whereby the at least one light source illuminates at least a portion of the outer side of the housing;

a power and video camera cable connected to the camera to transmit power and images;

an electrical power line connected to the at least one light source; and

wherein the power and video camera cable is not connected to the light assembly, and the electrical power line is not connected to the camera assembly to permit disassembly of the camera assembly from the light assembly without disconnecting the camera cable from the electrical power line or visa-versa.

6. The camera light assembly for vehicles of claim 5, wherein:

the camera includes a lens disposed outside of the housing.

7. The camera light assembly for vehicles of claim 5, wherein:

the mounting structure of the light assembly comprises an outwardly-extending lip.

8. The camera light assembly for vehicles of claim 5, wherein:

the camera includes an outer end having a lens and an inner end opposite the outer end, and wherein the inner end protrudes from the inner side of the housing.

9. The camera light assembly for vehicles of claim 5, wherein:

the outer side of the housing comprises an opening; and

the camera includes a lens aligned with the opening such that the lens is not disposed inside the housing.

10. The camera light assembly for vehicles of claim 9, wherein:

the housing defines a front side wall and a cylindrical wall extending inwardly from the front side wall to define a passageway connected to the opening in the outer side of the housing.

11. The camera light assembly for vehicles of claim 10, wherein:

the camera is disposed in the passageway.

12. The camera light assembly of claim 11, wherein:

the camera includes a retaining lip that engages the outer side of the housing to limit inward movement of the camera in the passageway.

13. The camera light assembly of claim 12, wherein:

the camera includes a body having threads; and

including;

threaded lock members engaging the ends of the camera body to limit outward movement of the camera in the passageway.