AU2020100818A4

AU2020100818A4 - Camera Support

Info

Publication number: AU2020100818A4
Application number: AU2020100818A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Mark Lindsay Draffin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-22
Filing date: 2020-05-22
Publication date: 2020-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-22
Also published as: AU2020100818A6

Abstract

A camera security device (10) comprising a base (12) including an upper wall (16) and a side wall (18) extending downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall (16) such that a cavity is defined within the base (12). A mount (20) is provided for engaging with a lower end of a pole on which a camera may be mounted. The mount (20) is pivotally connected to the base (12) such that rotation of the mount (12) causes the pole to pivot between raised and lowered positions. One or more cylinders (38) are provided with the cavity of the base (12) such that each of the cylinders (38) are connected by an arm (32) to the mount (20) such that extension and contraction of the cylinder (38) causes rotation of the mount (20).

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION For an Innovation Patent

Invention title:

"Camera Support Device"

Applicant:

Mark Lindsay Draffin

Associated provisional applications:

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

"Camera Support Device"

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 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. Some structures employ complex mechanisms for raising and lowering the pole, including winches or electric motors. The present invention relates to a portable structure for supporting a camera which is relatively simple in construction and easy to use, in order to provide a cost effective and easily transportable mounting solution for surveillance cameras.

Summary of the Invention

[004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a camera security device comprising: a base including an upper wall and a side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall such that a cavity is defined within the base; and a mount provided for engaging with a lower end of a pole on which a camera may be mounted, the mount being pivotally connected to the base such that rotation of the mount causes the pole to pivot between raised and lowered positions; wherein one or more cylinders are provided with the cavity of the base, each of the cylinders being connected by an arm to the mount such that extension and contraction of the cylinder causes rotation of the mount.

[005] Preferably the mount includes a body comprising a cylindrical member having an annular flange extending from around a first end thereof, the cylindrical member being provided to receive the lower end of the pole such that a corresponding flange on the pole aligns with the flange on the mount.

[006] Preferably the mount is provided within a recess in the upper wall of the base.

[007] Preferably the recess is provided with a rotatable shaft mounted horizontally within the recess and wherein the mount is secured to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft rotates the mount between the raised and lowered positions.

[008] Preferably each of the arms is provided within the base such that a second end passes through a slot in an inner wall of the recess to connect to the shaft and wherein a first end of the each of the cylinders is connected to a bracket on a lower side of the upper wall of the base and a second end of each of the cylinders is connected to a first end of one of the arms.

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 1a is an upper perspective view of a camera support device in accordance with the present invention;

[011] Figure 1b is an end view of the camera support device of Figure 1a;

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

[013] Figure 1d is a side view of the camera support device of Figure 1a;

[014] Figure 2 is a close up view of the mount of the camera support device of Figure 1;

[015] Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of the camera support device of Figure 1 showing the mount in the lowered position;

[016] Figure 4 is a side cross sectional view of the camera support device of Figure 1 showing the mount in the raised position;

[017] Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of a camera support in accordance with the present invention with the mount in the raised position; and

[018] Figure 6 is aside view of the camera support of Figure 5 with the mount in the lowered position.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[019] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a camera support device 10 comprising generally a base 12 for supporting a pole (not shown). The base 12 comprises a transportable module which may be transported to and from building sites. The pole comprises an elongate member, a lower end of which is connectable to a mount 20 provided on the base 12. The pole is provided such that a camera may be mounted to an upper end of the pole. The pole may also support a solar panel adjacent the upper end of the pole to generate power to be used in powering the camera.

[020] In the embodiment shown, the base 12 comprises a planar upper wall 16 and a side wall 18 extending downwardly from around the periphery of the upper wall 16. The upper wall 16 in the embodiment shown is rectangular in shape and an inner cavity is thereby formed by the upper wall 16 and the side wall 18. The cavity may be used for storing associated equipment, such as batteries for providing power to equipment mounted to the camera support device 10. The cavity defined by the base 12 may include an inner chamber 46 provided extending across part of the cavity to receive equipment. The base 12 comprises also a plurality of feet 44 mounted adjacent lower edges of the sidewall 18 on which the base 12 can rest.

[021] The mount 20 is pivotable relative to the base 12 between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the pole is oriented vertically and in the lowered position, the pole is oriented at or near horizontal. In the horizontal position, the upper end of the pole is located adjacent the ground such that the camera and solar panels can be installed or removed.

[022] The mount 20 in the embodiment shown comprises a body 22 engageable with the lower end of the pole. The body 22 comprises a cylindrical member having an annular flange 24 extending from around the first end thereof. The cylindrical member is provided to receive the lower end of the pole and a corresponding flange on the pole aligns with the flange 24 on the mount such that the aligned flanges can be bolted together to secure the pole to the mount 20.

[023] The mount 20 is provided within a recess 26 in the upper wall 16 of the base 12. The recess 26 is located adjacent an edge of the base 12 such that the recess 26 extends into the upper wall 16 and the side wall 18. The recess 26 is provided with a shaft 28 mounted horizontally within the recess 26. Ends of the shaft 28 are mounted within bearings 30 such that the shaft 28 can rotate about its longitudinal axis. A second end of the mount 20 is secured to the shaft 28 such that rotation of the shaft 28 rotates the mount 20 between the raised and lowered positions. In the raised position, the cylindrical member of the body 22 of the mount 20 is oriented such that a central longitudinal axis thereof is vertical and in the lowered position, the cylindrical member of the body 22 is oriented such that a central longitudinal axis thereof is horizontal.

[024] The shaft 28 is rotatable by one or more arms 32 connected to the shaft 28. The arms 32 are each provided within the base 14 such that first ends thereof are connected to one or more actuators 34. Second ends of the arms 32 pass through slots 36 in an inner wall of the recess 26 such that second ends of the arms 32 are connected to the shaft 28. Movement of the actuator 34 causes rotation of the arms 32 and therefore rotation of the shaft 28.

[025] The actuators 34 comprises cylinders 38 having first ends secured to a bracket 42 on an inner side of the base 12 and second ends connected to the first ends of the arms 32. In the embodiment shown, there are provided two such cylinders 38 having second ends connected to a cross member 46 extending between first ends of the arms 32. Each of the cylinders 38 comprises a barrel 40 and a piston 41 and may be either pneumatically or hydraulically operated. In embodiment shown, the bracket 42 is mounted to an inner side of the upper wall 16.

[026] In use, the cylinder 38 may be extended to cause rotation of the shaft 28 and the mount 20 such that the mount and the connected pole move from the lowered position to be raised position. Retraction of the cylinders 38 will then cause the mount and the pole to move from the raised position to the lowered position.

[027] Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of a camera support 10 in accordance with the present invention. The camera support of Figures 5 and 6 is similar to the previous embodiment and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts.

[028] The mount 20 of the camera support 10 is provided centrally on the upper wall 16 of the base 12 in this embodiment. A mounting body 50 is provided extending upwardly from the upper wall 16 of the base 12. The mounting body 50 includes the recess having the shaft 28 such that the lower end of the body 22 is secured to the shaft 28. The body 22 of the mount 20 is rotatable between raised and lowered position in the same manner as the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 (as shown in Figures 5 and 6).

[029] 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

1. A camera security device comprising: a base including an upper wall and a side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall such that a cavity is defined within the base; and a mount provided for engaging with a lower end of a pole on which a camera may be mounted, the mount being pivotally connected to the base such that rotation of the mount causes the pole to pivot between raised and lowered positions; wherein one or more cylinders are provided with the cavity of the base, each of the cylinders being connected by an arm to the mount such that extension and contraction of the cylinder causes rotation of the mount.

2. A camera security device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mount includes a body comprising a cylindrical member having an annular flange extending from around a first end thereof, the cylindrical member being provided to receive the lower end of the pole such that a corresponding flange on the pole aligns with the flange on the mount.

3. A camera security device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the mount is provided within a recess in the upper wall of the base.

4. A camera security device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the recess is provided with a rotatable shaft mounted horizontally within the recess and wherein the mount is secured to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft rotates the mount between the raised and lowered positions.

5. A camera security device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the arms is provided within the base such that a second end passes through a slot in an inner wall of the recess to connect to the shaft and wherein a first end of the each of the cylinders is connected to a bracket on a lower side of the upper wall of the base and a second end of each of the cylinders is connected to a first end of one of the arms.

Mark Lindsay Draffin By his Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP