AU2019101429A4

AU2019101429A4 - Camera Support

Info

Publication number: AU2019101429A4
Application number: AU2019101429A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Lindsay Draffin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-20
Filing date: 2019-11-20
Publication date: 2020-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-20

Abstract

A camera support (10) comprising a base (12) and a pole support (14). The pole support (14) is pivotally mounted to the base (12) such that a pole (30) connected to the pole support (14) may be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. A twistlock (16) is secured to the base (12) such that the base (12) is connectable to a corner casting (13) on an upper side of a container (11). NtN N Cr N co a

Description

“Camera Support”

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a device for supporting a security camera for applications such as monitoring building sites.

Background to the Invention [002] Theft of property from buildings sites is a common problem. It is increasingly common for operators of building sites to employ some form of security system in an attempt to reduce such theft. Security cameras are therefore now often installed on temporary structures to record images from the site. Such security cameras are generally provided on a temporary structure to support the camera in an elevated position so that the camera has a clear view of the site.

[003] Temporary structures for supporting cameras generally include a support pole which can be raised into position and lowered in order to access the camera and other equipment which may be mounted on the pole, such as a solar panel. The present invention relates to a structure for supporting a camera which is relatively simple in construction and easy to use, in order to provide a cost effective solution for deploying surveillance cameras on industrial sites.

Summary of the Invention [004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a camera support comprising a base, a pole support mounted to the base being pivotally connected such that a pole connected to the pole support may be moved between a raised position and a lowered position and a twistlock secured to the base such that the base is connectable to a corner casting on an upper side of a container.

2019101429 20 Nov 2019 [005] Preferably the base comprises a plate and the twistlock comprises a body mounted to an upper surface of the plate such that a locking member extends downwardly below a lower surface of the plate and is rotatable by a lever extending from the body.

[006] Preferably the pole support is mounted adjacent a first side of the plate and rotatable between the lowered a position, in which the pole support extends downwardly adjacent a side of the plate, and the raised position, in which the pole support extends upwardly above the upper surface of the plate.

[007] Preferably an actuator is connected to the pole support and a control unit is provided having a receiver to receive a remote control signal such that on receiving the control signal, the actuator is operable to move the pole between the raised and lowered positions.

[008] In a preferred embodiment, the actuator comprises a cylinder connected to the base having a piston connected via a connection bracket to a lower end of the pole.

Brief Description of the Drawings [009] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[010] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a camera support in accordance with the present invention secured to a container;

[011] Figure 2 is a close-up perspective view of the camera support of Figure 1;

[012] Figure 3 is a top view of the camera support of Figure 1;

[013] Figure 4 is a front view of the camera support of Figure 1;

[014] Figure 5 is a side cross sectional view of the camera support of Figure 4 through the line B-B; and [015] Figure 6 is a side view of the camera support showing a range of positions of the pole.

2019101429 20 Nov 2019

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [016] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a camera support 10 comprising a base 12, a pole support 14 and a twistlock 16. The base 12 is provided to be secured to an upper surface of a container 11 adjacent a corner thereof. The container 11 comprises a standard shipping container having corner castings 13 mounted to the corners.

[017] The base 12 comprises a plate 18 formed from a suitable material such as a metallic material. The plate 18 in the embodiment shown is rectangular in shape having first and second ends 20 and 21 and first and second sides 22 and 23. The plate 18 is to be positioned in use adjacent a corner of the container 11 such that the first end 20 is adjacent a end of the upper surface of the container 11 and the first side 22 is located adjacent a side of the upper surface of the container 11.

[018] The twistlock 16 comprises a standard twistlock construction of the type generally used for securing together sea containers. The twistlock 16 therefore comprises a body 24 having a rotatable locking member 26. The locking member 26 may be rotated by a lever 28 to rotate the locking member 26 between a locked position and an unlocked position. The twistlock 16 is mounted to the base 12 such that the locking member 26 extends downwardly below a lower surface of the plate 18 and the lever 28 is located above an upper surface of the plate 18.

[019] The base 12 may therefore be positioned adjacent the corner of the container 11 such that the locking member 26 extends downwardly into an opening of the corner casting 13. By rotating the locking member 26 by the lever 28, the twistlock 16 and therefore the base 12 is secured to the upper surface of the container 11.

[020] The pole support 14 comprises a member pivotally mounted to the upper surface of the base 12 connected to a pole 30. The pole support 14, and therefore the pole 30, is pivotable between a raised position, in which the pole 30 extends upwardly away from the upper surface of the container 11, and a lowered position, in which the pole 30 is positioned adjacent an outer surface

2019101429 20 Nov 2019 of the container 11. In the embodiment shown, the pole support 14 is located adjacent the first side 22 of the base 12 such that in the lowered position, the pole 30 extends downwardly adjacent a vertical side wall of the container 11. In the raised position, the pole 30 extends generally vertically upwardly. The pole 30 is provided with a camera unit 32 mounted to an outer end thereof. When the pole 30 is in the raised position, the camera unit 32 is therefore elevated vertically above the container 11 and may be used to capture video of the area around the container 11 for security purposes.

[021] The pole 30 is pivotable between the raised and lowered positions by an actuator. In the embodiment shown, the actuator comprises a cylinder 34 mounted to the base 12 having a piston 36 connected such that extension or retraction of the piston causes the pole support 14 and the pole 30 to move between the raised and lowered positions.

[022] In the embodiment shown, the pole support 14 comprises a first end member 40, a second end member 41 and a cross member 42 extending between the first and second end members 40 and 41. The first end member 40 is pivotally connected to a first post 44 and the second end member 41 is pivotally connected to a second post 45. The first and second posts 44 and 45 extend upwardly adjacent the first side 22 of the plate 18 and distal ends of the first and second end members 40 and 41 are pivotally connected to upper ends of the respective posts 44 and 45. The pole 30 is connected in the embodiment shown to the cross member 42. The cross member 42 is connected adjacent an inner end of the pole 30. The pole support 14 is pivotable between a position in which the first and second end members 40 and 41 are adjacent sides of the first and second posts 44 and 45 and the pole 30 extends downwardly adjacent an outer vertical wall of the container 11, and a position in which the first and second end members 40 and 41 extend upwardly away from upper ends of the posts 44 and 45 and the pole 30 extends generally vertically upwardly.

[023] The piston 36 of the actuator is connected to a connection bracket 46 pivotally mounted to the base 12 such that retraction of the piston 36 causes the pole 30 to move from the lowered position to the raised position and

2019101429 20 Nov 2019 extension of the piston 36 causes the pole 30 to move from the raised position to the lowered position.

[024] The connection bracket 46 in the embodiment shown comprises a pair of arms 48 being generally L-shaped and pivotally connected to mounts 50 extending upwardly from the upper surface of the plate 18. First ends of the arms 48 are connected to the distal end of the piston 36 and a pair of links 52 are pivotally connected to second ends of the arms 48. The links 52 are pivotally connected to the inner end of the pole 30 such that expansion and contraction of the piston 36 causes rotational movement of the arms 48 and the links 52 in order to effect movement of the pole 30 through around 180° between the raised and lowered positions.

[025] The camera support 10 is provided also with a cover 54. The cover 54 is pivotally mounted to the second side 23 of the plate 18 such that the cover 54 can be moved between a closed position and an open position. In the open position (as shown in the Figures) the upper surface of the plate 18 is accessible. In the closed position, the cover 54 extends across the upper surface of the plate 18 to protect the twistlock 16, the actuator and other components secured to the upper surface of plate 18.

[026] The actuator is controlled by a control unit 56. The control unit 56 may include a receiver to receive signals from a remote transmitter such that on receipt of the signal the pole 30 can move between the raised and lowered positions.

[027] In use, the camera support 10 may be easily mounted to a container 11 by engaging the twistlock 16 with the existing corner casting 13 on the container 11. The pole 30 may be moved to the lowered position to store the pole 30 and/or to access the camera unit 32. Operation of the actuator can move the pole 30 to the raised position such that the camera 32 may capture images around the container 11 for security purposes. As containers 11 are commonly used on industrial sites, the camera support 10 thereby provides a convenient method of securing a camera unit 32 in a position to monitor the site for security purposes.

2019101429 20 Nov 2019 [028] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A camera support comprising a base, a pole support mounted to the base being pivotally connected such that a pole connected to the pole support may be moved between a raised position and a lowered position and a twistlock secured to the base such that the base is connectable to a corner casting on an upper side of a container.
2. A camera support in accordance with claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plate and the twistlock comprises a body mounted to an upper surface of the plate such that a locking member extends downwardly below a lower surface of the plate and is rotatable by a lever extending from the body.
3. A camera support in accordance with claim 2, wherein the pole support is mounted adjacent a first side of the plate and rotatable between the lowered a position, in which the pole support extends downwardly adjacent a side of the plate, and the raised position, in which the pole support extends upwardly above the upper surface of the plate.
4. A camera support in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein an actuator is connected to the pole support and a control unit is provided having a receiver to receive a remote control signal such that on receiving the control signal, the actuator is operable to move the pole between the raised and lowered positions.
5. A camera support in accordance with claim 4, wherein the actuator comprises a cylinder connected to the base having a piston connected via a connection bracket to a lower end of the pole.