Camera light

• US 10,414,324 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2016
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro-Vision Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pro-Vision
• Inventors: Peacock, Stephen Thomas, Peacock, Elizabeth Jane
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller, Rodney E
• Application Number:
  US15/346,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20170050553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 396427
• 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 method of installing a camera light assembly to a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a camera light assembly having a housing and a camera secured to the housing, the housing including an outer side having an opening therethrough, an inner side, and a mounting structure configured to connect the housing to an existing vehicle light mount, wherein the camera includes an outer end having a lens and an inner end opposite the outer end;

positioning the camera at least partially in the opening in the outer side of the housing;

securing the camera to the housing such that the inner end protrudes inwardly and the lens is in an exposed configuration in which the lens is not covered;

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

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

mounting the camera light assembly to a vehicle by connecting the mounting structure of the housing to an existing vehicle light mount for a required vehicle light.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the mounting structure of the light assembly comprises an outwardly-extending lip and including;

positioning the lip adjacent an outer surface of the vehicle adjacent the existing vehicle light mount.

3. The method of claim 1, including:

operably connecting a power and video camera cable to the camera to transmit power and images.

4. The method of claim 3, 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; and

including;

disassembling of the camera from the light assembly without disconnecting the camera cable from the electrical power line.

5. A camera light assembly for vehicles, comprising:

a light assembly having a housing the housing including an outer side, an inner side, and a mounting structure configured to connect the housing to an existing vehicle light mount, wherein the housing includes a camera support structure comprising an opening in the outer side and an outwardly-facing surface on the outer side around the opening, the housing configured to receive at least one light source inside the housing and wherein at least a portion of the housing comprises a light-transmitting material whereby the at least one light source illuminates at least a portion of the outer side of the housing, wherein

a camera assembly removably secured to the housing and engaging the camera support structure of the housing, wherein the camera assembly includes a camera having an outer end having a lens facing in an outward direction and an inner end opposite the outer end, and an axis extending through the inner and outer ends and a flange at the outer end extending transversely outward away from the axis, the flange including a support surface facing in an inward direction opposite the outward direction and operably engaging the outwardly-facing surface around the opening;

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

and wherein the power and video camera cable is not connected to an electrical power line of a light source such that the camera assembly can be disassembled from the housing without disconnecting the camera cable from an electrical power line of a light source.

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

a gasket disposed between the outwardly-facing surface of the housing and the support surface of the flange.

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 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.

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

the housing defines a front side wall; and

the camera support structure comprises a cylindrical inner surface extending inwardly from the front side wall to define a passageway connected to the opening in the outer side of the housing.

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

at least a portion of the camera is disposed in the passageway.

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

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

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

the camera includes a body having threads; and

including;

at least one threaded lock member configured to engage the threads of the camera body to limit movement of the camera in the passageway.

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

the camera includes a cylindrical outer surface that slidably engages the cylindrical inner surface of the housing whereby the camera can be disassembled from the housing upon removal of the at least one threaded lock member.

14. The camera light assembly of claim 5, wherein:

the inner end of the camera protrudes from the inner side of the housing.

15. A method of installing a camera light assembly to a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a camera light assembly having a housing and a camera secured to the housing, the housing including an outer side, an inner side, and a mounting structure configured to connect the housing to an existing vehicle light mount, wherein the housing includes a wall extending inwardly from the outer side to define a passageway connected to the opening in the outer side of the housing, and wherein the camera includes a retaining lip;

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

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

mounting the camera light assembly to a vehicle by inserting the camera into the passageway through the opening in the outer side of the housing and causing the retaining lip to engage the outer side of the housing to limit inward movement of the camera in the passageway connecting the mounting structure of the housing to an existing vehicle light mount.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the camera includes a body having threads; and

including;

threadably engaging lock members with the threads of the camera body to retain the camera in the passageway.