AU2020102312B4

AU2020102312B4 - A mounting apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2020102312B4
Application number: AU2020102312A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jason Robert Gaylor; Joshua Michael King
Original assignee: Vision Intelligence Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Vision Intelligence Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-17
Filing date: 2020-09-17
Publication date: 2021-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-17
Also published as: AU2020102312A4; NZ780149A

Abstract

A security equipment mounting apparatus 10 includes a body 12 mountable to a support structure 14, a quick release mechanism 16, and a mount 18. The quick release mechanism 16 is carried by the body 12 and releasably mounts the body 12 to the support structure 14. The quick release mechanism 16 is movable between an inoperative, unlocking configuration and an operative, locking configuration 20. The mount 18 is carried by the body 12 and is configured to mount at least one item of security equipment 22, 24 to the body 12.

Description

"A mounting apparatus"

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to security equipment, and, more particularly, to a security equipment mounting apparatus.

Background

[0002] The use of security equipment is a necessity in many applications, especially for environments containing high value, and/or a high quantity of, stock and other equipment. Certain environments, such as construction sites, loading docks, or the like, may not have suitable locations for mounting security equipment to protect the stock and other equipment from theft and/or damage. In some cases, dedicated mounting devices for the security equipment may also not be practical or may be too expensive.

[0003] The security equipment itself is also often of value and is subject to theft and/or vandalism.

[0004] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

Summary

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a security equipment mounting apparatus, comprising: a body mountable to a support structure; a stabilisation mechanism associated with the body for stabilising the body relative to the support structure, the stabilisation mechanism being adjustable relative to the body and configured to engage with a surface of the support structure; a quick release mechanism carried by the body and which releasably mounts the body to the support structure, the quick release mechanism being movable relative to the body and the stabilisation mechanism between an inoperative, unlocking configuration and an operative, locking configuration; and a mount carried by the body, the mount being configured to mount at least one item of security equipment to the body.

[0006] The body may at least partially conceal the quick release mechanism. The stabilisation mechanism may comprise a plurality of independently adjustable stabilisation elements carried by the body.

[0007] The mount may comprise a post assembly extending from the body, the post assembly being configured to mount at least two items of security equipment.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a security system, comprising: the mounting apparatus as described above; at least one detection device mountable to the mount of the mounting apparatus; and a power source mountable to the mount of the mounting apparatus for providing power to the at least one detection device.

[0009] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0011] Figure la shows aside view of an embodiment of a security equipment mounting apparatus;

[0012] Figure lb shows a rear view of the security equipment mounting apparatus of Figure la;

[0013] Figure I shows a front view of the security equipment mounting apparatus of Figure la;

[0014] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a security system, including the security equipment mounting apparatus of Figure la; and

[0015] Figure 3 shows the security system of Figure 2 in an assembled state.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0016] In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a security equipment mounting apparatus 10 including a body 12 mountable to a support structure in the form of an ISO shipping container 14 (Figure 3), a quick release mechanism 16, and a mount 18. The quick release mechanism 16 is carried by the body 12 and releasably mounts the body 12 to the container 14. The quick release mechanism 16 is movable between an inoperative, unlocking configuration (not shown) and an operative, locking configuration 20.

[0017] The mount 18 is carried by the body 12 and is configured to mount at least one item of security equipment, more particularly, a detection device, in the form of a surveillance camera 22, and its power source, in the form of a solar panel 24, to the body 12.

[0018] The body 12 includes a bracket 26 which carries the quick release mechanism 16 internally. The bracket 26 is a substantially channel shaped bracket laid on its side in its operative state. One end of the bracket 26 is closed off by an end plate 28, to at least partially conceal the quick release mechanism 16 (Figure lc) from view and to at least partially shield the quick release mechanism 16 against the elements.

[0019] The security equipment mounting apparatus 10 further comprises a stabilisation mechanism 30 associated with the body 12 for stabilising the body 12 relative to the container 14. In some embodiments, the stabilisation mechanism 30 comprises a plurality of independently adjustable stabilisation elements, each in the form of a bolt 32, with two such bolts 32, arranged in spaced relationship, being provided in the illustrated embodiment. The bolts 32 are carried by the bracket 26 and are configured to pass through a floor of the bracket 26 to bear against a surface, normally a top surface, of the container 14. The stabilisation mechanism 30 further includes an operatively, downwardly directed foot 34, spaced from the bolts 32, extending from the body 12 to bear against the surface of the container 14.

[0020] The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a standard ISO transport container has a mounting formation at each corner. Each of those mounting formations defines three orthogonally arranged stadium-shaped openings. In use, one of those openings at each of selected corners of the container receives a similarly shaped locking member of what is commonly referred to as a "twistlock" for releasably locking the container in position, for example, to a deck of a ship or to a load bed of a transport vehicle, or to stack one container on top of a subjacent container.

[0021] The quick release mechanism 16 may thus be configured in a similar manner to a twistlock and comprises a handle 36, a shaft 37 arranged proximate an end of, and extending orthogonally from, the handle 36 and a boss 38 carried on a free end of the shaft 37. The shaft 37 extends between a pair of spaced plates 39 carried by the bracket 26. A locking member 40 is arranged on a free end of the shaft 37 adjacent the boss 38. The locking member 40 is rotatably arranged relative to the boss 38. Both the boss 38 and the locking member 40 have similarly stadium-shaped peripheries to be a snug fit in the selected opening of the container 14 when the handle 36 of the quick release mechanism 16 is in its inoperative, unlocking configuration. The locking member 40 further defines an angled tongue 41 to facilitate insertion into the selected opening of the container 14. The opening of the container 14 which is selected is normally an opening which opens out into the top surface of the container so that the mounting apparatus 10 extends upwardly from the top of the container 14 as will be described in greater detail below.

[0022] A retention plate 42 extends from one of the plates 39 parallel to the handle 36 of the quick release mechanism 16. Both the retention plate 42 and the handle 36 have openings (not shown) through them. When the quick release mechanism 16 is in its operative, locking configuration 20, the openings of the retention plate 42 and the handle 36 are in register with each other for receiving a part of a locking mechanism, such as a shackle of a padlock 44.

[0023] The mount 18 comprises an elongate element in the form of a sleeve 46 extending from the bracket 26 and is used for mounting the security equipment. The mount 18 further comprises a hollow post 48 which is insertable into the sleeve 46 to form a post assembly 50 (Figure 3) for mounting the security equipment thereto.

[0024] As described above, in some embodiments, the items of security equipment mountable to the mount 18 includes the surveillance camera 22 and the solar panel 24 for providing power to the camera 22 via external cabling (not shown). It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that there may be a plurality of cameras 22, or other detection devices, mounted to the mount 18, and that other power sources may be used such as a battery, a generator, mains electricity, or the like.

[0025] A body 56 of the camera 22 carries a mounting element, in the form of a sleeve 52, within which the hollow post 48 is receivable. The solar panel 24 includes a further mounting element, in the form of a spigot 54, projecting from an operatively bottom surface of the solar panel 24. The spigot 54 is receivable in the post 48 The camera 22 is activated via camera analytics and/or a motion detection sensor 58 mounted on the body 56. Together, the mounting apparatus 10, the camera 22, and the solar panel 24, form a security system 60.

[0026] The sleeve 46, the post 48, the sleeve 52 and the spigot 54 each have square or rectangular cross sections and define apertures 62 configured to receive fasteners 64 in order to fasten the components together to secure the security system 60 in the assembled state (Figure 3). It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that in some embodiments the apertures 62 may be omitted and replaced with other mechanisms for attachment, e.g. protruding tabs, welds, or the like. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the cross sections may, instead, be polygonal or elliptical to inhibit rotation of the components, i.e. the sleeve 46, the post 48, the sleeve 52 and the spigot 54, relative to one another. It will be appreciated that the sleeve 46, the post 48, the sleeve 52 and the spigot 54 could, instead, have a circular cross-section and be secured against rotation relative to one another by the fasteners 64.

[0027] It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the term "detection device" is defined as a camera or any other sensor, such as, for example, a motion detection sensor, and may comprise a single detection device or any combination of suitable detection devices for surveillance or security purposes. It will also be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that there are many other suitable configurations of the post assembly 50 for mounting security equipment, including a configuration where the sleeve 46 is, instead, a post, whether solid or hollow, and is configured to be received within the hollow post 48.

[0028] In use, the post 48 is inserted into the sleeve 46 to form the post assembly 50 of the mount 18 as shown by the dashed line 70 in Figure 2 of the drawings. The sleeve 52 of the camera 22 is passed over the post 48 as shown by the dashed line 72. The spigot 54 of the solar panel 24 is inserted into the post 48, as shown by the dashed line 74, such that the post 48 bears against a stopping tab 66 of the solar panel 24, thereby mounting the camera 22 and the solar panel 24 to the mounting apparatus 10 (Figure 2). The camera 22 is connected, directly or indirectly, to the solar panel 24 via external wiring. The fasteners 64 are inserted into the apertures 62 of the sleeve 46, the post 48, the sleeve 52 and the spigot 54 to secure the items together to form the security system 60.

[0029] With the quick release mechanism 16 in its inoperative, unlocking configuration, the mounting apparatus 10, carrying the camera 22 and the solar panel 24 mounted thereto, is mounted to the container 14 by inserting the locking member 40 into the selected opening of the mounting formation of the container 14. As indicated above, the mounting apparatus 10 is mounted on top of the container 14 so that the mounting apparatus extends upward the from the top of the container 14 to be able to cover a wide field of view.

[0030] Once the locking member 40 of the quick release mechanism 16 of the mounting apparatus 10 has been received in the opening of the container 14, the handle 36 of the quick release mechanism 16 is rotated through 90° to rotate the locking member 40 through a similar arc of 90° relative to the opening of the container 14. Due to the shape of the opening and the locking member 40, withdrawal of the locking member 40 from the opening is thereby inhibited. The quick release mechanism 16 is retained in its operative, locking configuration by inserting the shackle of the padlock 44 through the aligned openings in the retention plate 42 and the handle 36 and locking the padlock 44.

[0031] The foot 34 bears against the top of the container 14 and the bolts 32 of the stabilisation mechanism 30 are independently adjusted to stabilise the mounting apparatus 10 relative to the top of the container 14 and to inhibit excessive movement of the mounting apparatus 10 and, hence, the camera 22 in use.

[0032] Advantageously, the square cross sections of the sleeve 46, the post 48, the sleeve 52 and the spigot 54 inhibit rotation of the camera 56 and the sensor 58 when exposed to environmental conditions such as high winds. The square cross sections will be similarly advantageous for arrangements with two security systems 60, each mounted to a corner of the container 14 and facing in opposite directions. Since the camera 22 has a field of coverage of up to 180°, two oppositely directed cameras 22 or a dual lens single camera 22 will provide a field of coverage of up to 360°. In other embodiments, the camera/s 22 may have a more restricted or greater field of vision than 180°.

[0033] It is a further advantage of the disclosed embodiment that the mounting apparatus 10, having the stabilisation mechanism 30, has limited lateral movement thereby improving operation of the security equipment. It will be appreciated that the camera 22 includes tamper detecting facilities so that, should there be excessive movement of the camera, an alarm is generated to alert an operator of the security equipment.

[0034] It will be appreciated that ISO containers are often used for site offices, or the like. The suitability of the mounting apparatus 10 for mounting to the container 14 allows for the security system 60 to be mounted at various strategic locations within an environment in order to provide improved security for a site at which the container 14 is located. ISO containers are generally heavy and therefore provide a stable base for the security equipment mounting apparatus 10. Further, the security equipment mounting apparatus 10 mounted to the ISO container 14 has been independently certified to meet wind rating requirements.

[0035] It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the security system 60 may instead be provided as a unitary product for mounting to the container 14. It will also be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the components of the security system 60 may be provided as a kit with a plurality of posts 48 of different lengths.

[0036] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A security equipment mounting apparatus, comprising:

a body mountable to a support structure;

a stabilisation mechanism associated with the body for stabilising the body relative to

the support structure, the stabilisation mechanism being adjustable relative to the body and

configured to engage with a surface of the support structure;

a quick release mechanism carried by the body and which releasably mounts the body

to the support structure, the quick release mechanism being movable relative to the body and

the stabilisation mechanism between an inoperative, unlocking configuration and an

operative, locking configuration; and

a mount carried by the body, the mount being configured to mount at least one item of

security equipment to the body.

2. The mounting apparatus of claim 1, in which the body at least partially conceals the

quick release mechanism.

3. The mounting apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 in which the stabilisation mechanism

comprises a plurality of independently adjustable stabilisation elements carried by the body.

4. The mounting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, in which the mount

comprises a post assembly extending from the body, the post assembly being configured to

mount at least two items of security equipment.

5. A security system, comprising:

the mounting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims;

at least one detection device mountable to the mount of the mounting apparatus; and

a power source mountable to the mount of the mounting apparatus for providing

power to the at least one detection device.

1 / 3 17 Sep 2020

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18 46 18 2020102312

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26 26 36 16 28 16 28 36 12 12 42 42 44 44 37 39 39 32 32 32 20 20 39 34 34 38 41 38 30 30 41 40 40 Fig. 1a Fig. 1b

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18

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28 26 12

20 34 38 30 41 40 Fig. 1c

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18 10 46 58 72 62 16 62

20 12 30 50

Fig. 2

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Fig. 3