CONCEALMENTS FOR COMPONENTS OF A COVERT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• US 20100302372A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley A. Weinstein
• Original Assignee: Sentrus, Inc.
• Inventors: Sauer, Ric L., Weinstein, Richard D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,314,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/151
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A concealment (10) for equipment (E) including, among other things, imaging devices, audio equipment, and sensors. The concealment, which hides the equipment and prevents its detection by others comprises a frame (12) which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object (O). A covering (22) fits over the assembled frame. An outer surface (24) of the covering has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents. The frame provides a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment, with the equipment being positioned to provide surveillance of an area (A) within which the concealment is located. The frame and covering are both made from materials which do not interfere with the transmission of signals from the equipment to a monitoring site, nor the reception of signals from the monitoring site to the equipment installed within the concealment to control operation of the equipment.

Claims

1. A concealment for equipment to hide the equipment and prevent its detection comprising:

a frame which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object;

a covering which fits over the frame and whose outer surface has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents; and

,

the frame providing a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment for the equipment to be positioned in a desired orientation within which the concealment is located.

2. A concealment for equipment including imaging devices, audio equipment, and sensors, to hide the equipment and prevent its detection comprising:

a frame which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object;

a covering which fits over the frame and whose outer surface has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents;

the frame providing a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment for the equipment to be positioned to provide surveillance of an area within which the concealment is located; and

,

the frame and covering being made from materials which do not interfere with the transmission of signals from the equipment to a monitoring site, nor the reception of signals from the monitoring site to the equipment installed within the concealment to control operation of the equipment.

3. The concealment of claim 2 in which the frame further provides a mounting for ancillary equipment used with the equipment for powering the equipment and facilitating communications between the equipment and the monitoring site.

4. The concealment of claim 3 in which the frame comprises a plurality of frame members connected together, the frame members comprising straight and curved sections.

5. The concealment of claim 4 further including brackets and fasteners for attaching frame members together, and a mount attached to a frame member for properly positioning a piece of equipment within the concealment.

6. The concealment of claim 2 in which the cover comprises a web of material to which swatches of other materials are applied to give the cover texture and depth.

7. The concealment of claim 6 further including at least one paint applied to the cover to give the cover a natural looking appearance.

8. The concealment of claim 6 in which the fabric does not rip, tear, or fall apart even with when the cover has prolonged exposure to the elements.

9. The concealment of claim 8 in which the same concealments is used in different locales, and the concealment has more than one covering with a different covering being installed over the frame at each locale where the concealment is deployed.

10. The concealment of claim 2 further including a container in which the concealment is carried to a site where the concealment is erected.