Night vision camera mount quick disconnect

• US 20060226344A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veoneer, Inc. (SSW Partners LP)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jarboe, Patrick, Werth, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,733,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/214.VT
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06

Abstract

The night vision camera system includes a light, a night vision camera, and a linkage. The night vision camera is attached to the light such that the light and camera maintain a fixed orientation with respect to each other. The light is attached to the linkage and is configured to manipulate the light and night vision camera concurrently. The linkage is attached to the vehicle and extends into the vehicle interior where a handle is provided allowing the user to aim the light and night vision camera from the interior of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A remote control camera assembly for an exterior of a motor vehicle, the camera assembly comprising:

a linkage attached to the vehicle and extending into the vehicle and exterior of the vehicle;

a light fixedly attached to the linkage;

a night vision camera fixedly attached to the light thereby fixing the orientation of the night vision camera relative to the light, wherein the linkage is configured to concurrently manipulate the light and the night vision camera.

2. The camera assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a quick release mount including a member attached to the light configured to engage the night vision camera.

3. The camera assembly according to claim 2, wherein applying a single motion force against the member causes the member to disengage the night vision camera.

4. The camera assembly according to claim 2, wherein the member is a strap engaging the night vision camera, the ends of the strap being biased into locking engagement with the linkage.

5. The camera assembly according to claim 3, wherein the strap is a spring steel strap.

6. The camera assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a housing attached to the light, the housing including a first electrical interface, the night vision camera having a second electrical interface configured to engage the first electrical interface, the first and second electrical interface cooperating to fix an orientation of the night vision camera relative to the light.

7. The camera assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first and second electrical interface include electrical conductors to provide power to the night vision camera.

8. The camera assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first and second electrical interface include electrical conductors to provide a video signal to the vehicle.

9. The camera assembly according to claim 6, wherein a member of the first electrical interface lockingly engages the second electrical interface;

10. The camera assembly according to claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured such that the night vision camera is located above the light.

11. A night vision camera system comprising:

a linkage configured to attach to a vehicle, and including a first electrical interface;

a light fixedly attached to the linkage;

a night vision camera having a second electrical interface configured to engage the first electrical interface, the first and second electrical interface cooperating to fix an orientation of the night vision camera relative to the light;

a handle including a third electrical interface, the third electrical interface configured to engage the second electrical interface and fix an orientation of the night vision camera relative to the handle.

12. The night vision camera system according to claim 11, further comprising a quick release mount including a member attached to the linkage and biased to engage the night vision camera.

13. The night vision camera system according to claim 12, wherein applying a single motion force against the member causes the member to disengage night vision camera.

14. The night vision camera system according to claim 12, wherein the member is a strap engaging the night vision camera, the ends of the strap being biased into locking engagement with the linkage.

15. The night vision camera system according to claim 13, wherein the strap is a spring steel strap.

16. The night vision camera system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second electrical interface include electrical connections to provide power to the night vision camera.

17. The night vision camera system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second electrical interface include electrical connections to provide a video signal to the vehicle.

18. The night vision camera system according to claim 11, wherein the linkage is configured such that the night vision camera is located above the light.

19. The night vision camera system according to claim 11, wherein the third electrical interface is in electrical communication with a battery to provide power to the night vision camera.

20. The night vision camera system according to claim 11, wherein a member of the handle is biased into locking engagement with the night vision camera.