Night vision camera mount quick disconnect

• US 8,471,917 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2010
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Veoneer, Inc. (SSW Partners LP)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Werth, Douglas, Jarboe, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Sinh
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERARDESCA, PAUL M
• Application Number:
  US12/750,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20100309314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/216.1, 348 73-376, 348/333.07, 348/837, 348/148, 348/143, 348/158
• US Class Current: 348/216.1
• 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 night vision camera assembly mounted on a vehicle that is adaptable for portable use;

the night vision camera assembly comprising;

a night vision camera having a first electrical connector adapted to detachably engage one of a second electrical connector and a third electrical connector in order to provide electrical power to the camera;

the second electrical connector being secured to housing that includes a light and a linkage configured for attachment to the vehicle;

the third electrical connector being secured to a first handle that includes a battery for portable use;

the second electrical connector and the third electrical connector including a surface that is biased towards and lockingly engages the first electrical connector to form a quick disconnect mount; and

the quick disconnect mount capable of being disengaged by manually applying a force against the surface;

wherein the first handle further includes at least one selected from the group of a display device and a video output connector;

wherein the display device receives electrical power from the battery and a video signal from the night vision camera, thereby allowing the user to dynamically view the image received by the night vision camera;

wherein the video output connector is configured to provide the video signal to another external or remote display device.

2. The cameral assembly of claim 1, wherein the manually applied force is one selected from the group of pushing, pulling, or rotating the surface.

3. The camera assembly of claim 2, wherein the rotating force necessary to disengage the quick disconnect mount is less than or equal to one single, full rotation.

4. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the night vision camera is further secured to the housing by a retention strap.

5. The camera assembly of claim 4, wherein the night vision camera further comprises a groove and the housing further comprises at least one notched hole;

the retention strap designed to engage the night vision camera along the groove and to secure the night vision camera to the housing when the end of the strap engages the notched hole.

6. The camera assembly of claim 5, wherein the notched hole has an angled surface to guide the end of the retention strap through the hole.

7. The camera assembly of claim 5, wherein the notched hole comprises a first notch and the end of the retention strap comprises a second notch, the first and second notches having opposing surfaces that are biased into locking engagement when the end of the retention strap engages the notched hole.

8. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage further comprises a second handle located at one end of the linkage;

the movement of the second handle capable of generating side-to-side motion and up-down tilting motion of the light and night vision camera.

9. The camera assembly of claim 8, wherein the light and night vision camera are located outside of the vehicle, while the second handle is located inside the vehicle.

10. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement of the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector or the third electrical connector further provides the transfer of at least one of control commands to the night vision camera or video output from the night vision camera.

11. The camera assembly of claim 1, wherein the first handle further comprises a switch that selectively allows the battery to power the night vision camera during portable use.

12. A quick disconnect mount for the selective coupling of a night vision camera to a housing that includes a light and a linkage configured for attachment to a vehicle or to a handle that includes a battery for portable use, the quick disconnect mount comprising:

a first connector coupled to the night vision camera; and

one of a second connector adapted to be secured to the housing and a third connector adapted to be secured to the handle;

the second connector and the third connector adapted to detachably engage the first connector in order to provide electrical power to the camera;

the second connector and the third connector including a surface that is biased towards and lockingly engages the first connector to form the quick disconnect mount;

wherein the quick disconnect mount is capable of being disengaged by manually applying a force against the surface;

wherein the handle further includes at least one selected from the group of a display device and a video output connector;

wherein the display device receives electrical power from a battery and a video signal from the night vision camera, thereby allowing the user to dynamically view the image received by the night vision camera;

wherein the video output connector is configured to provide the video signal to another external or remote display device.

13. The quick disconnect mount of claim 12, wherein the manually applied force is one selected from the group of pushing, pulling, or rotating the surface.

14. The quick disconnect mount of claim 13, wherein the rotating force necessary to disengage the quick disconnect mount is less than or equal to one single, full rotation.

15. The quick disconnect mount of claim 12, wherein the engagement of the first connector to the second connector or the third connector further provides for the transfer of at least one of control commands to the night vision camera or video output from the night vision camera.