Spotlight mounted camera for vehicles

• US 4,063,258 A
• Filed: 07/15/1976
• Issued: 12/13/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert H. Allen
• Original Assignee: Robert H. Allen
• Inventors: Allen, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzales, John
• Application Number:
  US05/705,587
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 354/75-77, 354/81, 354/126, 354/220, 354/165, 354/64, 240/1.3, 240/2 C, 352/132
• US Class Current: 396/419
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/035 Combinations of cameras with incandescent lamps

Abstract

A combined vehicular spotlight and camera assembly. In a preferred form the invention comprises a housing adapted to be attached to the vehicle roof, a spotlight disposed internally of the housing to illuminate an object to be photographed and a camera associated with the spotlight and simultaneously aimed therewith. Appropriate linkage for controlling the apparatus extends into the vehicle through an appropriate orifice in the vehicle roof. Means are provided for remotely actuating the camera shutter and film advance mechanisms. In an alternate form of this invention a camera is associated with an externally located, door post-mounted spotlight, operated simultaneously therewith through linkage extending into the vehicle interior.

Claims

1. A combined spotlight and camera assembly mounted on a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a spotlight for illuminating a subject to be photographed, said spotlight being supported externally of a vehicle on mounting means for pivotal movement horizontally and vertically;

a camera for photographing a subject, said camera being connected to said spotlight and mechanically movable therewith on said mounting means;

an extension of said mounting means projecting inside the vehicle and having a hand gripping segment thereon, said hand grip segment being manipulable inside the vehicle to simultaneously aim said spotlight, and said camera therewith, towards a subject of pivotal movement on said mounting means, whereby said camera may be utilized to photograph a subject after being directed to the subject with the spotlight to which it is connected; and

means for actuating said camera mounted on said extension within the vehicle.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a lens focusing actuator is positioned on said hand grip segment inside of the vehicle and operatively associated with a focusing adjustment on the lens of said camera, whereby the focus of the camera may be adjusted inside the vehicle.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said camera is equipped with an electrically operable zoom lens and said actuator is a control switch in the electrical power supply to said lens.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a switch to operate said spotlight is mounted inside the vehicle on said extension of said mounting means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said spotlight and said camera are housed within a common enclosure attached to the vehicle roof in surrounding relation to a aperture therein through which heated air may circulate into said enclosure from the interior of the vehicle to keep said camera at a warm temperature for satisfactory operation, said mounting means is affixed to said enclosure, and said mounting means extension projects inside the vehicle through said aperture.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said spotlight is pivotally movable independently of said camera about a horizontal axis, and an elongated connector extends between said spotlight and said hand grip segment, whereby said hand grip segment may also be manipulated back and forth to impart linear movement to said elongated connector for independent pivotal movement of said spotlight.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein:

said extension of said mounting means angles downwardly into the interior of said vehicle and said elongated connector extends through said extension.

8. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said camera comprises a movie camera and said camera actuating means comprises a trigger on said hand grip segment adapted to be manually manipulated for operating said movie camera.