AU2021218088A1

AU2021218088A1 - Camera Mount

Info

Publication number: AU2021218088A1
Application number: AU2021218088A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew John Blackwell; Edward Joseph Khoury
Original assignee: Bliis Innovations Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bliis Innovations Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-12
Filing date: 2021-08-18
Publication date: 2022-09-01

Abstract

A camera mount (10) comprising a base (14) and a body (12) having a support (16) to which a camera can be connected. The base (14) including a side wall (24) and a peripheral edge wall (25) defining a cavity (26). A lock (18) is provided within the body (12) being operable locked and unlocked positions. The lock (18) is mounted through the edge wall (25) such that an outer end of the lock (18) includes a key opening (60) for receiving a key (58) to move the lock (18) between the locked and unlocked positions. 1/17 46 10 42 33 16 12 44 24 28 30 25 18 60 Fig1

Description

1/17

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

Invention title:

"Camera Mount"

Applicant:

Bliis Innovations Pty Ltd

Associated provisional applications:

Number 2021900346 filed on 12 February 2021

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

"Camera Mount"

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to a mount for a security camera.

Background to the Invention

[002] Security camera systems are becoming more commonplace on residential buildings. A range of security systems can be purchased and installed by the homeowner to provide video surveillance around the building. These systems generally include a number of wireless cameras which can be mounted at suitable locations around the building.

[003] Cameras are commonly mounted either through simple adhesive bases stuck in place, or bases fixed with threaded fasteners. Adhesive bases are quick and easy to install but are also easy to simply pull off the surface, leaving the cameras more open to theft. Mounting bases with permanent screw attachments is more secure but also makes it more difficult to remove the camera if required.

[004] The present invention relates to a camera mount providing secure connection of the camera in a way that makes removing the camera relatively simple.

Summary of the Invention

[005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a base including a plate securable to a surface; a body having a support to which a camera can be connected, the base including a side wall and a peripheral edge wall defining a cavity; and a lock provided within the body being operable between a locked position in which the lock engages with the base to secure the body to the base and an unlocked position, in which the body is removable from the base; wherein the lock is mounted through the edge wall such that an outer end of the lock includes a key opening for receiving a key to move the lock between the locked and unlocked positions.

[006] Preferably the body includes a cavity into which the base can be received and the lock extends into the cavity.

[007] Preferably the lock includes a lock body having a locking member which extends outwardly from the lock body in the locked position to engage into an aperture in a lock plate extending from the plate.

[008] Preferably the body includes a plurality of first protrusions extending into the cavity and the base includes a plurality of second protrusions such that rotation of the body relative to the base engages the first and second protrusions such that the body is supported from the base.

[009] In a preferred embodiment, the first protrusions comprise lip portions extending inwardly from the lower edge of the edge wall and the second protrusions comprise arms provided around the periphery of the plate under which the lip portions may be received by rotation of the body relative to the base.

[010] Preferably the arms extend in a circumferential direction to define gaps into which the lip portions are received.

[011] Preferably the support comprises a tubular member extending outwardly through a central opening in the side wall of the body having a mounting post extending outwardly therefrom.

[012] Preferably the mounting post includes a spherical end portion engaging with a spring within the tubular member and a threaded end to engage with the camera.

[013] Preferably the mounting post may rotate about its longitudinal axis and pivot within the slot.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[014] The invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the following drawings:

[015] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a camera mount in accordance with the present invention;

[016] Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[017] Figure 3 is a first side view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[018] Figure 4 is a second side view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[019] Figure 5 is a front view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[020] Figure 6 is a rear view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[021] Figure 7 is a top view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[022] Figure 8 is a bottom view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[023] Figure 9 is a front cross-sectional view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[024] Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[025] Figure 11 is an exploded view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[026] Figure 12 is an upper perspective view of the camera mount showing the key prior to engagement with the lock;

[027] Figure 13 is an upper perspective view of the camera mount showing the key engaged with the lock in the body;

[028] Figure 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the camera mount of Figure 1;

[029] Figure 15 is an upper perspective view of the camera mount showing the body disconnected from the base;

[030] Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the body disconnected from the base; and

[031] Figure 17 is an upper perspective view of the camera mount showing a camera secured to the support.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[032] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a camera mount 10 comprising generally a body 12, a base 14 and a support 16. The base 14 is provided for connection to a surface to which the camera mount 10 is to be secured. The body 12 is connectable to the base 14 and includes the support 16. The support 16 is provided for connection to a camera 11. The camera 11 may be a video camera of a type suitable for a video surveillance system.

[033] The body 12 comprises a plate 20 securable to the surface by a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners may comprise threaded fasteners which are receivable through holes 22 in the plate 20 such that the plate 20 is fixed to the surface. In the embodiment shown, the plate 20 is circular in shape.

[034] The body 12 comprises a side wall 24 and an edge wall 25. The edge wall 25 extends generally transversely to the side wall 24 from around the periphery thereof to define a cavity 26. In the embodiment shown, the side wall 24 is generally planar and is circular in shape. The edge wall 25 therefore comprises a cylindrical wall extending transversely outwardly from the periphery of the circular side wall 24. The body 12 is dimensioned such that the base 14 is receivable within the cavity 26.

[035] The support 16 extends outwardly from the side wall 24 of the body 12. The support 16 comprises a tubular member 28 extending outwardly through a central opening 30 in the side wall 24 of the body 12 such that a first end 32 is located adjacent the side wall 24 and a second end 33 of the tubular member 28 is supported outwardly of the side wall 24. The first end 32 of the tubular member 28 includes a flange 34 to engage with an inner side of the side wall 24 around the opening 30.

[036] The tubular member 28 is open at the first end 32 thereof to receive a spring 36. The spring 36 is received within the tubular member 28 and an inner cover 38 is engageable with an inner surface of the side wall 24 across the opening 30 to retain the spring 36 within the tubular member 28. The second end 33 of the tubular member 28 comprises a domed end having a slot 40. A mounting post 42 is provided within the second end 33 of the tubular member 28 such that a first end thereof is located within the tubular member 28 and a second end of the mounting post 42 extends outwardly through the slot 40. The first end of the mounting post 42 includes a spherical portion 44 to retain the first end within the tubular member 28. The second end of the mounting post 42 includes a thread 46 to engage with the camera 11.

[037] The end of the spring 36 adjacent the second end 33 of the tubular member 28 includes a plug 48 received into the spring 36. An outer surface of the plug 48 engages with the spherical portion 44 of the mounting post 42 to move the mounting post 42 towards the second end 33 of the tubular member 28. The mounting post 42 is thereby held in place but the position of the camera 11 may be adjusted by rotating the mounting post 42 about its longitudinal axis and/or pivoting the mounting post 42 within the slot 40.

[038] The body 12 of the camera mount 10 includes a plurality of first protrusions 50 extending inwardly into the cavity 26. The base 14 is provided with a plurality of corresponding second protrusions 51 also extending inwardly into the cavity 26 when the base 14 is received within the body 12. The first protrusions 50 are provided extending inwardly from the edge wall 25 and the second protrusions 51 are provided around the periphery of the plate 20.

[039] The first protrusions 50 in the embodiment shown comprise lip portions 52 extending inwardly from the lower edge of the edge wall 25. The second protrusions 51 comprise arms 54 provided around the periphery of the plate 20. The arms 54 extend in a circumferential direction to define gaps into which the lip portions 50 are received by rotation of the body 12 relative to the base 14. The body 12 can thereby be engaged with the base 14 by receiving the base 14 within the body 12 and rotating the body 12 to engage the lip portions 52 under the arms 54.

[040] The camera mount 10 is provided also with a lock 18 on the body 12. The lock 18 is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the lock 18 engages with the base 14 to prevent rotation of the body 12 relative to the base 14. In the unlocked position, the body 12 is free to rotate relative to the base 14.

[041] The lock 18 comprises a lock body 56 mounted into the edge wall 25 such that a first end of the lock body 56 is accessible from outside the body 12. A second end of the lock body 56 extends inwardly into the cavity 26. The lock 18 includes a corresponding key 58 which is receivable into a key opening 60 in the first end of the lock body 56. A second end of the lock body 56 includes a locking member 62 which extends outwardly from the lock body 56 when the lock 18 is in the locked position.

[042] The base 14 includes one or more lock plates 64 each having an aperture 66. The lock plates 64 extend upwardly from the plate 20 such that when the body 12 is engaged with the base 14, the aperture 66 in one of the lock plates 64 will be aligned with the second end of the lock body 56. Rotation of the key 58 in the key opening 60 allows the extension of the locking member 62 into the aperture 66. The body 12 cannot therefore rotate relative to the base 14 and is therefore secured to the base 14 and cannot be removed without the key 58.

[043] In use, the base 14 may be secured to a surface in a suitable location on a building where a security camera 11 is required. The body 12 and the attached camera 11 may be easily secured to the base 14 by receiving the base 14 within the cavity 26 of the body 12 and rotating the body 12 relative to the base 14. The lock 18 is moved to the locked position such that the locking member 62 is received within the aperture 66 of one of the lock plates 64 and the body 12 is then secured to the base 14. When it is required to remove the security camera 11, the key 58 can be utilised to move the lock 18 back to the unlocked position, thereby withdrawing the locking member, and the body 12 and the camera 11 can be detached from the base 14.

[044] 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

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A camera mount comprising: a base including a plate securable to a surface; a body having a support to which a camera can be connected, the base including a side wall and a peripheral edge wall defining a cavity; and a lock provided within the body being operable between a locked position in which the lock engages with the base to secure the body to the base and an unlocked position, in which the body is removable from the base; wherein the lock is mounted through the edge wall such that an outer end of the lock includes a key opening for receiving a key to move the lock between the locked and unlocked positions.

2. A camera mount in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body includes a cavity into which the base can be received and the lock extends into the cavity.

3. A camera mount in accordance with claim 2, wherein the lock includes a lock body having a locking member which extends outwardly from the lock body in the locked position to engage into an aperture in a lock plate extending from the plate.

4. A camera mount in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body includes a plurality of first protrusions extending into the cavity and the base includes a plurality of second protrusions such that rotation of the body relative to the base engages the first and second protrusions such that the body is supported from the base.

5. A camera mount in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first protrusions comprise lip portions extending inwardly from the lower edge of the edge wall and the second protrusions comprise arms provided around the periphery of the plate under which the lip portions may be received by rotation of the body relative to the base.

6. A camera mount in accordance with claim 5, wherein the arms extend in a circumferential direction to define gaps into which the lip portions are received.

7. A camera mount in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a tubular member extending outwardly through a central opening in the side wall of the body having a mounting post extending outwardly therefrom.

8. A camera mount in accordance with claim 7, wherein the mounting post includes a spherical end portion engaging with a spring within the tubular member and a threaded end to engage with the camera.

9. A camera mount in accordance with claim 8, wherein the mounting post may rotate about its longitudinal axis and pivot within the slot.

Bliis Innovations Pty Ltd By its Patent Attorneys ARMOUR IP