Vehicle for deploying a mobile surveillance module

• US 9,381,795 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TerraHawk LLC
• Original Assignee: TerraHawk LLC
• Inventors: James, Tom R., Spence, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): KNUTSON, JACOB D
• Application Number:
  US14/258,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20140229077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 280/764.1, 296/26.06, 182/69.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/165 at least a major part of the roof being lifted on all corners
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/02 with parallel up-and-down movement of load supporting or containing element in combination with tipping B60P1/34; devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes, movable on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/06 ; suspensions with electronic levelling control during loading or unloading B60G17/0157
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 9/02 for only lifting or supporting

Abstract

A surveillance module may be deployed from a vehicle. The vehicle to deploy the surveillance module includes a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle. A second portion includes a module configured to accommodate the user and comprising a roof and an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from the first portion. The second portion also includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position. A third portion defines an opening to accommodate the module, wherein the roof of the module couples to a periphery of the opening in the retracted position.

Claims

1. A vehicle for deploying a surveillance module, comprising:

the surveillance module as an enclosed housing configured to accommodate a user and comprising an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from a seat for the user to operate the vehicle;

a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position through an opening in a top of the vehicle;

a plurality of jacks operable to extend from the vehicle to a surface to stabilize the vehicle prior to moving the module vertically from the retracted position; and

a hydraulic unit coupled to the lifting mechanism and the jacks and operable to distribute hydraulic fluid to the lifting mechanism and the jacks.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic unit comprises a pump to pressurize the hydraulic fluid for delivery to both the lifting mechanism and the jacks.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors operable to generate a plurality of signals responsive to a condition of the surface contacted by the jacks; and

a processor coupled to the sensors and operable to receive the signals to control the jacks, wherein the processor is further operable to;

initiate adjustment of the jacks after contact with the surface in response to the signals; and

perform at least one of the following steps before moving the module vertically from the retracted position;

determine the vehicle is stationary for a predetermined period of time;

determine the jacks are stabilized;

determine a gear shift of the vehicle is in park;

determine an emergency parking brake is engaged;

determine the entrance to the module is closed; and

determine the vehicle is level within a range of degrees.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a memory having sensor data accessible by a processor to control a selected one of the jacks and the module, the sensor data comprises at least one of the following:

a maximum wind speed for the module to be in the extended position;

a predetermined stationary time of the vehicle before the module is moved;

a range of degrees for the vehicle to be considered level; and

a maximum adjustment capability of each said jack.