GB2433877A

GB2433877A - Remote inspection camera

Info

Publication number: GB2433877A
Application number: GB0525880A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glyn Howard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-20
Filing date: 2005-12-20
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Also published as: GB0525880D0

Abstract

Apparatus for remotely viewing a structure comprises a camera module 2 attachable to a flexible conduit 6, a support section 10 and a first connector 8 for connecting the support section 10 to the conduit 6. The first connector 8 comprises a first section 14 and a second section 16, first section 14 having a greater cross-sectional area than the second section 16 forming a shoulder 18 at the junction of the first section with the second section. The first section is locatable within a first free end of the support section 10. The apparatus further comprises a clamp 11b for securing the first connector 8 to the support section. The second section 16 of the first connector is attachable to a first free end of said conduit 6. A monitor [12, fig 2] for viewing an image captured by the camera module is also included which is remote from the camera module and connectable thereto. The clamp 116 may be a threaded nut which engages a sleeve 11a on the support 10.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY VIEWING A STRUCTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for remotely viewing a structure and has particular application in a variety of industries, for example, in the inspection of buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In various instances it is necessary or desirable to examine a remote scene such as parts of buildings, or gutters which may be difficult to reach without the use of ladders or scaffolding. A surveyor, for example, is often required to advise on the condition of guttering, roofs or other inaccessible parts of buildings and would typically use a ladder to gain access to elevated structures to view the condition of these structures. This is expensive, time consuming, and hazardous and in some circumstances it may be difficult to locate a ladder.

Furthermore, it may be desirable to examine structures other than buildings, but access to various parts of the structure to be examined may be difficult or dangerous.

Thus there is a need for a system and method of viewing a structure which is easier to use than conventional systems and methods and which may be used in a variety of situations including those where access to the component whose condition is to be observed is difficult or dangerous, and which is quick and easy to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for remotely viewing a structure comprising: a camera module; a conduit; the camera module being attachable to the conduit; a support section; and a connector for connecting the support section to the conduit; wherein the first connector comprises a first section and a second section, first section having a greater cross-sectional area than the second section forming a shoulder at the junction of the first section with the second section, the first section being locatable within a first free end of said support section; the apparatus further comprising: a clamping means for securing said connector to said support section; said second section of the connector being attachable to a first free end of said conduit; and a monitor for viewing an image captured by the camera module, the monitor being remote from the camera module and connectable thereto.

The connector and clamping means enable enables the support section to be easily and quickly attachable to and detachable from the camera module via the conduit which enables a variety of cameras to be attached to suit the environment in which the apparatus is to be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the support section comprises a plurality of sections, one or more of the plurality of sections being telescopically extendable and retractable. This is particularly advantageous as it permits the apparatus to be used to view a variety of structures at differing heights or distances from the user.

Furthermore, one or more of the plurality of sections of the support section may comprise a hollow tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the first and second sections are integrally formed and preferably the conduit is movable in use relative to the camera module between desired positions so that the camera module may be positioned as desired.

The first and/or second sections of the connector may have an aperture in a wall thereof for receiving a cable for connection to the camera module to permit control of the camera module and/or for supplying power to the camera module.

In a preferred embodiment, a second connector may be used for connecting the conduit to the camera module.

Recording means may be provided for recording one or more images captured in use by the camera module.

Preferably, the clamping means comprises a clamping ring having a threaded section on an internal surface thereof for threaded engagement with a threaded section on an external surface of the first free end of the support section. Thus, the clamping means assists in enabling the quick and easy attachment and detachment of the support section to the camera module via the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a camera system and a monitor module according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the camera system of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a connector element for use in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Figures 1 and 2 show a camera system and a monitor module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a camera module 2 is mountable on a first connector element 4. The first connector element 4 is attachable to one end of a flexible conduit 6 and the other end of the flexible conduit 6 is connectable to a second connector element 8. The flexible conduit 6 is flexible enough to permit it to be bent into the desired positions for use but rigid enough to hold this position until movable to the next desired position. The second connector element 8 is mountable on one end of a support section 10, preferably a pole, which is telescopically extendable and retractable.

A sleeve 11 is mountable on one end of the support section 10 to receive and secure the second connector element 8 in position. The sleeve 11 may have a threaded section 1 Ia on an external surface thereof onto which a clamping ring 11 b is securable. A portion of the second connector 8 is insertable into the sleeve 11 and the clamping ring 11 b is fitted over the second connector 8 and is threadedly engaged with the threaded section of the sleeve I Ia to retain the second connector 8 in position.

A monitor module 12 which may also function as a video recorder is connectable to the camera module 2 at a position remote from the camera module 2. The monitor module 12 may be connected wirelessly to the camera module 2 or by means of one or more cables (not shown) extending from the camera module 2 through the support section 10 to the other end thereof where the user may be located.

The second connector element 8 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. The second connector element 8 comprises a first section 14 and a second section 16, extending from one end of the first section 14. The first and second sections 14, 16 are preferably cylindrical in shape and concentric with each other, the first section 14 having a greater cross-sectional diameter than the second section 16 such that they form a stepped unit having a shoulder portion 18 at the junction of the first and second sections. An aperture 20 extends through one wall of the first and second sections 14, 16 and a through bore 22 extends through both sections 14, 16. The power leads and/or signal leads 24 for the camera module 2 may enter the support section 10 through the aperture 20 in the side wall of the second connector element 8 and pass through a longitudinally extending bore therethrough to a power supply located at the other end of the support section 10.

In use, the free end of the first section 14 is locatable in one end of the support section 10 and the shoulder 18 abuts the rim of the free end of the support section 10 to retain the connector element 8 in position. The clamping ring lib passes over the second section 16 and is threadedly enagable with the threaded section ha to clamp the first section 14 to the support section 10. The free end of the second section 16 is locatable in one end of the flexible conduit 6 and may be attached thereto by engagement of a threaded section on the outer face of the flexible conduit 6 and a threaded section on the inner face of the second section 16.

In practice, the camera module 2, the first connector 4, the flexible conduit 6 and the second connector 8 may be assembled and attached to the remote end of the support section 10 and the flexible conduit carrying the camera module adjusted to a suitable angular position. The cables extending from the camera to power the camera and connect it to the monitor module may be inserted through the aperture 20 and through the support section 10 to a power supply at the user.

The support section 10 may then be extended telescopically to the desired length and the camera operated such that the images taken by the camera which may be still images or a filmed sequence of images may be viewed on the monitor and/or recorded for future use and reference.

In a further preferred embodiment, a further attachment may be connected to the camera module 2 to enable audio recordings to be made simultaneously as the video images.

The support section 10 may comprise a plurality of sections telescopically receivable within one another such that the support section 10 may be extended to a length of, for example 20 metres, and then retracted for transport to the desired location. The sections may be in the form of hollow tubes. Various sets of support sections 10, each being extendable to a different length may be provided for use in various situations. The second connector element 8 enables the support section 10 to be easily and quickly attachable to and detachable from the camera module via the flexible conduit 6 which enables a variety of cameras to be attached to suit the environment as well as a variety of lengths of support sections 10 to suit the location.

The system according to preferred embodiments of the present invention has a variety of uses and in particular is of use in situations where previously it has been difficult or dangerous to view structures without the need for access equipment such as ladders or scaffolding. Thus, it finds particular application in the building industry enabling surveyors to view structures such as roofs or guttering from ground level. Also, customs or security personnel may use the system to view, for example, inside a container or under the bodywork of a vehicle without getting too close to the structure to be viewed. Search and rescue personnel may use the system to view inside buildings or unsafe structures where it would otherwise be dangerous to search and/or enter the structure. Similarly, deep sea divers may use the system to view underwater wrecks.

Various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention described above may be made. For example, other components and method steps can be added or substituted for those above. Thus, although the invention has been described above using particular embodiments, many variations are possible within the scope of the claims, as will be clear to the skilled reader, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for remotely viewing a structure comprising: a

camera module; a conduit; the camera module being attachable to the conduit; a support section; and a first connector for connecting the support section to the conduit; wherein the first connector comprises a first section and a second section, first section having a greater cross-sectional area than the second section forming a shoulder at the junction of the first section with the second section, the first section being locatable within a first free end of said support section; the apparatus further comprising: a clamping means for securing said first connector to said support section; said second section of the first connector being attachable to a first free end of said conduit; and a monitor for viewing an image captured by the camera module, the monitor being remote from the camera module and connectable thereto.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are integrally formed.

3. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conduit is movable relative to the camera module in use and between desired positions.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second sections of the first connector have an aperture in a wall thereof for receiving a cable for controlling and/or supplying power to the camera module.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second connector for connecting the conduit to the camera module.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising recording means for recording one or more images captured in use by the camera module.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support section comprises a plurality of sections, one or more of said plurality of sections being telescopically extendable and retractable.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein one or more of said plurality of sections of the support section comprise a hollow tube.

9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping means comprises a clamping ring having a threaded section on an internal surface thereof for threaded engagement with a threaded section on an external surface of the first free end of the support section.

10. An apparatus for remotely viewing a structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment as that embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.