Notched camera case with swivel base

• US 6,637,952 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pelco (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Pelco (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Arbuckle, James F., Arbuckle, William S., Giroux, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAHONEY, CHRISTOPHER E
• Application Number:
  US09/999,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20020051640A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 396/27, 396/427, 396/535, D16/203, D16/204, 348/81, 348/82, 348/143, 348/373
• US Class Current: 396/427
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

The present invention provides a compact case for a surveillance camera having exterior notches, recesses and/or grooves for accommodating the electronic receptors, connectors, wires and/or cables leading from the back of the camera. The case is designed for use with a specialized mounting system and covers, or to fit inside a secure enclosure having the same overall (and minimal) profile as the camera case itself which eliminate exposure of the electronic components in the notches to the outside. An adjustable protective base is provided in one embodiment.

Claims

1. A case for a surveillance camera comprising a housing mounted on a base, said housing having an exterior profile, an interior for holding the camera electronics in a minimal space, and at least one exterior recessed notch for accommodating at least one exterior receptor deployed in said at least one notch such that said at least one receptor does not extend beyond the exterior profile of said housing, said at least one receptor being in communication with the interior electronics.

2. The camera case of claim 1 wherein said at least one notch is sized to also accommodate a connector that corresponds with said at least one receptor without extending beyond the exterior profile of said case.

3. The camera case of claim 2 wherein said at least one notch is sized to also accommodate at least one wire attached to said connector without extending beyond the exterior profile of said case.

4. The camera case of claim 3 wherein at least one detachable cover is provided for engagement with said housing to cover said at least one notch and the at least one receptor, connector and wire deployed therein.

5. The camera case of claim 3 wherein an enclosure is provided for snugly surrounding said camera housing and the at least one notch therein, said enclosure having substantially the same overall dimensional profile as said camera housing.

6. The camera case of claim 3 wherein a support bracket is provided for detachable engagement with the top of said camera housing, said bracket including a recessed exterior groove for receiving at least one wire, said bracket also including a mounting support for attachment to a mounting base, said mounting support including a central opening for receiving said wires.

7. The camera case of claim 6 wherein at least one first detachable cover is provided for engagement with said housing to cover said at least one notch and the at least one receptor, connector and wire deployed therein;

and at least one second detachable cover is provided for engagement with said case to cover said bracket and the at least one groove and the wire deployed therein.

8. The camera case of claim 7 wherein a dual ball coupler is provided for connecting said mounting support to a surface mountable base, said coupler having a hollow interior for receiving said wires.

9. The camera case of claim 6 wherein a dual ball coupler is provided for connecting said mounting support to a surface mountable base, said coupler having a hollow interior for receiving said wires.

10. The camera case of claim 2 wherein at least one exterior recessed groove having at least one guiding tab located thereon is provided in said housing to accommodate at least one wire attached to said connector, such that said at least one tab holds said at least one wire in said groove such that said at least one wire does not extend beyond the exterior profile of said case.

11. The camera case of claim 10 wherein the location of said at least one groove is selected from the group consisting of:

at the back of said housing, on a side of said housing, on the top of said housing, on the bottom of said housing, and on a corner of said housing.

12. The camera case of claim 10 wherein at least one detachable cover is provided for engagement with said housing to cover said at least one groove and the wire deployed therein.

13. The camera case of claim 10 wherein at least one first detachable cover is provided for engagement with said housing to cover said at least one notch and the at least one receptor, connector and wire deployed therein;

and at least one second detachable cover is provided for engagement with said case to cover said at least one groove and the wire deployed therein.

14. The camera case of claim 10 wherein an enclosure is provided for snugly surrounding said camera housing, the at least one notch therein and the at least one groove therein, said enclosure having substantially the same overall dimensional profile as said camera housing.

15. The camera case of claim 1 wherein a plurality of exterior recessed notches are provided in said housing for accommodating exterior receptors deployed in said notches such that said receptors do not extend beyond the exterior profile of said case, said receptors being in communication with the interior electronics.

16. The camera case of claim 1 wherein the location of said at least one notch is selected from the group consisting of:

at the back of said housing, on a side of said housing, on the top of said housing, on the bottom of said housing, and on a corner of said housing.

17. The camera case of claim 1 wherein said housing has a front where camera optics are attached, a back where said at least one notch and receptor are located, a top, a bottom and sides, wherein a support bracket is attached to the top of said camera housing, said bracket having a recessed guide therein for receiving an optical control cable that extends from the front to the back of said camera housing.