GB2476970A

GB2476970A - Camera support

Info

Publication number: GB2476970A
Application number: GB1000680A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Erol Barraclough
Original assignee: ALTRON COMM EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: ALTRON COMM EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-18
Filing date: 2010-01-18
Publication date: 2011-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-18
Also published as: WO2011086392A2; WO2011086392A3; GB201000680D0; GB2476970B

Abstract

A support arrangement comprises a support element 2 and an arm 6 for supporting an outdoor surveillance or speed camera, the arm being rotatably mounted relative to the support element. The support element, preferably a pole, comprises a longitudinal axis and the arras comprises an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis in a raised configuration and an outdoor surface facing the longitudinal axis in the lowered configuration.

Description

Support The present invention relates to a support beneficially for a camera arrangement or a lighting arrangement, typically used for locations where lighting or closed circuit television cameras are required for surveillance.

The camera arrangement or lighting arrangement are typically mounted at a height where a person standing at the foot of the support cannot reach the camera arrangement or lighting arrangement in order to provide light to or monitor a sufficiently large area, A typical mast for supporting a lighting arrangement or camera arrangement as an example only is shown in Figure 3 where the mast may typically be of a height of between 6-1 Sm. It is therefore difficult to access the lighting arrangement or camera arrangement for either installation or maintenance purposes. Accordingly, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it is known to provide a collar 4 having an arm 6 mounted relative thereto. The camera or lighting arrangement sit on a head 8. The collar 4 is moveably mounted on the mast 2 and a winch arrangement is provided in the base of the mast 2 which is configured to enable raising and lowering of the collar 4 up and down the mast 2. As schematically shown in Figure 3, the collar 4 is shown in the raised configuration and is also represented schematically in the lowered configuration. The mast is generally cylindrical and the base portion 10 of the mast is of increased diameter to accommodate the winch arrangement and includes control means located therein. The collar 4 sits on top of this base portion 10 in the lowered configuration.

In the examples represented in Figure 1, the arm 6 is fixedly connected to the collar 4.

Accordingly, when the collar 4 is lowered for maintenance purposes for example the person carrying out the maintenance must utilise a support structure such as steps in order to be of sufficient height to access the camera or lighting arrangement. A problem associated with this manner of carrying out maintenance is that it is dangerous for the person carrying out the maintenance to be standing on a temporary structure. As such, masts are typically located adjacent roads, pavements or the like and there are associated dangers of the temporary support structure such as the steps being accidentally moved or hit. Furthermore, the surface adjacent the mast should be flat and have sufficient support.

Clearly if the area surrounding the mast is grass for example or is uneven then the support structure is also likely to be unstable.

In the example as shown in Figure 2, the collar 4 again is configured to move up and the down the mast. However, the arm 6 is moveable relative to a projection 12 which projects from the side of the collar 4. A portion of the arm 6 is received in the projection 12. The projection 12 comprises a flange 14 and the arm 6 also comprises a flange 16 which abuts the flange 14. Accordingly, a portion of the arm 6 is received into the projection 12 and flanges 14 and 16 abut. Through bolts 18 are provided which comprises the flanges 14 and 16 together to prevent relative rotation of the arm 6 relative to the protrusion 12. These through bolts pass through elongate openings 20 which are represented in Figure 2a.

Accordingly, as the through bolts 18 are loosened, rotation of the flange 16 joined to the arm 6 is enabled due to the elongate openings 20. Rotation beyond a predetermined angle is prevented by the length of the elongate openings 20. Accordingly, when maintenance of the lighting arrangement or camera is required, the fixing bolts 18 are loosened and rotation of the arm 6 is enabled. The arm 6 is lowered and maintenance of the lighting arrangement or camera can be carried out.

There are limitations associated with such an arrangement. A first limitation is that as the arm and accordingly the camera or lighting arrangement is rotated then the camera or lighting arrangement in the lowered configuration will need to be serviced in the upside down orientation. This is difficult for the person carrying out the maintenance.

Furthermore, as an example a camera for use in closed circuit television equipment is likely to weigh of the order of 40kg. As such, significant care is required in lowering the arm 6.

Aspects of the present arrangement overcome the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is a support including an arm rotatably mounted relative to the support wherein the support comprises a longitudinal axis, the arm comprising an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis in a raised configuration and an outer surface facing the longitudinal axis in the lowered configuration.

A significant benefit associated with the first aspect of the present invention is that as the arm is lowered from the raised to the lowered configuration, the orientation of the head remains generally upright meaning that maintenance can be carried out on the load supported by the head such as the camera in the generally upright configuration. This provides significant improvement in accessibility and ease of performing the maintenance for the person carrying out the maintenance.

The arm is beneficially pivotally mounted to the support, which means that as the arm rotates the head carrying the load moves away from and subsequently towards the support.

A head portion is provided on the arm for supporting a load (such as the camera or lighting arrangement). The head may be moveably mounted relative to the arm. An advantage of this is that a camera can be ensured to be level in both the raised configuration and the lowered configuration further improving the access for the person carrying out any maintenance.

The longitudinal axis of the support and the head portion beneficially define a plane, wherein the arm is configured to rotate in this plane.

The support may beneficially further comprise a securing element for securing the arm in the raised configuration. The securing element may comprise a simple pin type arrangement which extends into or through a portion of both the arm and the support thereby preventing relative rotation therebetween. In the event that the arm is to be moved between the raised and the lowered configuration, the pin may be released.

The support beneficially further comprises an element for controlling movement of the arm between the raised and the lowered configuration. There is a significant benefit associated with such an element. A camera arrangement used for closed circuit television may weigh of the order of 2Okg-4Okg. A lighting arrangement may have a similar weight. Lowering of the head between the raised and the lowered configuration therefore requires significant care by the person carrying out the maintenance and movement of the weight of the head must be controlled. Accordingly, the element is provided which enables controlled lowering of the arm and accordingly the head. The element is beneficially resiliently deformable and even more beneficially comprises an elastomeric material. The element beneficially extends between the support and the arm and is beneficially mounted to the support at a point offset from the axis about which the arm rotates. This is beneficial as providing an offset mounting point relative to the axis about which the arm rotates ensures that the element is deformed in the longitudinal axis as rotation from the raised configuration occurs. The point of mounting to the support is positioned in order that the resistance in the element increases to a maximum resistance when the arm is in the generally horizontal configuration. The element and mounting point are designed in order that an additional force to the weight of the head and camera is required to cause the arm to rotate between the raised and lowered configuration in particular but not exclusively from the generally horizontal configuration and lowered configuration. This ensures that the head and arm will not swing uncontrollably between the raised and lowered configuration and may require additional input to cause the arm to move from the raised to lowered configuration.

The support beneficially further comprises at least one additional mounting point for mounting the element to the support and/or the arm. The additional mounting points are beneficially provided on the support and may be used depending on the weight that is applied to the head. This ensures that a relatively low additional weight must be applied to the head to cause rotation of the arm from the raised to lowered configuration. For example, a lighting arrangement may only have a weight of 20kg and as such the mounting point can be adjusted in order that in order to overcome the resistance provided by the element, an additional force is required which is not excessive in relation to the weight of the item on the head. The weight is beneficially of the order of 10-20% of the weight of the head and the item on the head.

An arrangement may be provided for causing extension of the element. The arrangement is configured to provide adjustment in the tension of the element which provides a fine tune adjustment to ensure that there is sufficient tension in the element to prevent the arm falling between the raised and lowered configuration without any additional input force put in by a person carrying out the maintenance work for example.

The arrangement may comprise a member configured to be fixed to the element and a bracket configured to be fixed to the arm, the bracket having a means to receive the member and an adjustable component moveable to cause an increase or decrease in the tension in the element. This is achieved through extension or reduction in the length of the elements.

The support may comprise an elongate mast having an element moveably mounted relative thereto such that the element is moveable in the longitudinal axis of the mast, wherein the arm is mounted to the element. The element may comprise a collar, which may move and beneficially slide up and down the mast. An arrangement may be provided in order to cause the collar to move up and down the mast and may be remotely operable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is a support comprising an arm rotationally mountable to the support for movement between a raised and a lowered configuration, the arm including a head for communicating with the light arrangement or camera arrangement, the support further comprising an element for controlling movement of the arm between the raised and the lowered configuration.

The support beneficially supports a camera arrangement and/or a lighting arrangement.

The element is beneficially resiliently deformable and beneficially comprises an elastomeric material.

The element may extend between the support and the arm and the element is beneficially mounted to the support at a point off set from the axis about which the arm rotates. The support may further comprise at least one additional mounting point for mounting the element to the support and/or the arm.

An arrangement may be provided for causing extension of the element. The arrangement may comprise a member configured to be fixed to the element and a bracket secured to the arm, the bracket having a means to receive the member and an adjustable component such as one or more nuts moveable relative to the member to cause an increase or decrease in the tension in the element. The member beneficially comprises a threaded portion arranged to mate with the one or more nuts which can be adjusted according to the tension required in the element.

The arm is beneficially arranged to pivot relative to the support, wherein the arm pivots away from the support between the raised and the lowered configuration.

The support beneficially comprises a protrusion arranged to communicate with the arm, the support further including a fixing element for extending through the arm and the protrusion and securing the arm to be pivotally mounted to the protrusion.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a prior art support wherein the arm is fixed relative to the support.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a prior art support and arm wherein the arm is moveable relative to the support.

Figure 2a is a schematic end view of the support showing the arm rotated through 180° and flange 14 according to the prior art arrangement as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing a mast with the arm mounted relative thereto in a raised configuration. Also shown is the arm in the raised configuration near the bottom of the mast and the arm in the lowered configuration.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the arm fixed to the support showing the element for controlling movement of the arm relative to the support.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the fine tune adjustment arrangement for fine tuning the tension in the element for controlling movement of the arm between the raised and lowered configurations.

Referring to Figure 3, a mast 2 is shown which may be positioned in a location as required for supporting a camera arranged for monitoring purposes which may be monitoring people or traffic, or may include in addition or in place of a lighting arrangement for lighting as required. The mast 2 is secured to the ground and may extend up to 15 metres into the air. The base portion 10 of the mast is generally cylindrical and is of an increased diameter relative to the remainder of the mast, which is also of a generally cylindrical form. The increased diameter base portion accommodates an arrangement for enabling a collar 4 to be raised and lowered as required. A stopper 32 is required at the top of the mast arranged to halt movement of the collar 4. The arm 6 is pivotally mounted to the collar 4 at point 34 which enables relative rotation between the arm 6 and the collar 4. A head 36 is provided adjacent an opposing end of the arm 6 to the point of rotation or pivot point 34 and is arranged to support, for example, a lighting arrangement or camera arrangement. The present invention is not limited in this regard. The head may also be moveably mounted relative to the arm 6 which can be utilised for fine adjustment of the angle at which the load supported by the head is to be supported, and more particularly is beneficial for ensuring the load (such as a camera) is brought into a more upright orientation when the collar 4 is lowered for the purpose of undergoing service or maintenance. As can be seen adjacent the base portion 10, the collar is schematically represented with the arm in both the lowered and the raised configurations. As can be seen in the lowered configuration, the head 36 is still generally pointing in an upward orientation enabling ease of access by a person checking or carrying out maintenance on the item to be supported by the head.

Referring to Figure 4, the arm preferably includes a cavity 36 therein for receipt of the element for controlling rotation of the arm 6. The arm 6 is pivotally mounted to the support which in the embodiment as described comprises the collar 4. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment the mast itself may provide the support and the arm rotates relative to the mast. In such an embodiment there is no provision of a moveable collar relative to the mast. Referring to Figure 4, the pivot point 34 is shown and there is an additional securing element 38 that may comprise a pin or a bolt type arrangement which extends both through a portion of the arm and a portion of the collar 4.

This means that in the raised configuration the arm 6 cannot move relative to the collar 4.

However, once this securing element 38 is removed, the arm 6 may rotate about pivot point 34. As can be seen in Figure 4, element 40 is shown for controlling lowering of the arm relative to the support. The element 40 beneficially comprises an elastomeric material however it is envisaged that a spring may be provided. The element 40 is secured at both ends, the first end being secured to the collar 4. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in Figure 4, the element may be secured in three different configurations relative to the collar 4, identified by reference numeral 48. A further securing element (not shown) extends beneficially through apertures provided in the collar wherein the element is received in a recess 42. The securing element extends through the walls 44 defining the recess and through an aperture provided in a head 46 of the element 40. The securing element which cannot be seen with respect to Figure 4 may be released as required and can be secured in an alternative configuration. As shown in Figure 4, the element 40 is secured in the setting of maximum tension in the element 40 meaning that the maximum weight can be applied to the head of the arm. Once the securing element 38 is removed, an additional force is required to be applied to the arm to cause the resistance in the element 40 to be overcome.

This may be fine tuned via the arrangement as described with respect to Figure 5. Once the additional force is applied, rotation of the arm may occur about pivot point 34 as the arm arcs about this pivot point. Once a substantially horizontal configuration is reached, the rate of deformation of the element 40 changes and due to the positioning of the head 46 with respect to the pivot point 34, the arm will lower without significant additional force.

This is due to the fact that the element does not continue to extend and reduces in length as the arm approaches the lower most configuration. Accordingly, the element causes the arm to rotate the lowered configuration. Additional force may therefore not be required once a critical point is passed which may be when the arm is horizontal.

Referring to Figure 5, a fine tune adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the tension in the element 40. A bracket 50 is secured in the recess 42 defined by the walls 44 of the arm 6. The bracket is beneficially L shaped and is secured to the arm 6, in the embodiment shown via a threaded bolt. The bracket 50 includes an aperture therein configured to receive a member 54 which comprises a clevis secured to the element 40 via a pin, the member 54 also including an elongate portion which is arranged to extend through the aperture in the bracket 50. The elongate portion of the member 54 is threaded and nuts 56 are provided to matingly engage with the elongate portion of the opposing sides of the bracket 50. Adjustment of the nuts 56 therefore causes movement of the member 54 which is connected to the element 40 and as such an increase or decrease of the tension in the element 40 is enabled for fine tune adjustment of the tension in the element 40. As such the force required to move the arm from the raised to lowered configuration is changed.

The present invention has been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A support including an arm rotatably mounted relative to the support, wherein the support comprises a longitudinal axis, the arm comprising an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis in a raised configuration and an outer surface facing the longitudinal axis in the lowered configuration.
2. A support according to claim 1 wherein the arm is pivotally mounted to the support.
3. A support according to any preceding claim wherein a head portion is provided on the arm for supporting a load.
4. A support according to claim 3 wherein the head portion is moveably mounted relative to the arm.
5. A support according to any of claims 3-4 wherein the longitudinal axis and the head portion define a plane and the arm is configured to rotate in this plane.
6. A support according to any preceding claim further comprising a securing element for securing the arm in the raised configuration.
7. A support according to any preceding claim further comprising an element for controlling movement of the arm between the raised and the lowered configuration.
8. A support according to claim 7 wherein the element is resiliently deformable.
9. A support according to claim 8 wherein the element comprises an elastomeric material.
10. A support according to any of claims 6-9 wherein the element extends between the support and the arm.
11. A support according claim 10 wherein the element is mounted to the support at a point offset from axis about which the arm rotates.
12. A support according to claim 11 further comprising at least one additional mounting point for mounting the element to the support and/or the arm.
13. A support according to any preceding claim comprising an arrangement for causing extension of the element.
14. A support according to claim 13 wherein the arrangement comprises a member configured to be fixed to the element and a bracket secured to the arm, the bracket having a means to receive the member and an adjustable component moveable to cause an increase or decrease in the tension in the element.
15. A support according to any preceding claim comprising an elongate mast having an element moveably mounted relative thereto such that the element is moveable in the longitudinal axis of the mast, wherein the arm is mounted to the element.
16. A support according to claim 15 wherein the element comprises a collar.
17. A support comprising an arm rotationally mountable to the support for movement between a raised and a lowered configuration, the arm including a head for communicating with the light arrangement or camera arrangement, the support further comprising an element for controlling movement of the arm between the raised and lowered configuration.
18. A support according to claim 17 wherein the element is resiliently deformable.
19. A support according to claim 18 wherein the element comprises an elastomeric material.
20. A support according to any of claims 17-19 wherein the element extends between the support and the arm.
21. A support according to claim 20 wherein the element is mounted to the support at a point offset from axis about which the arm rotates.
22. A support according to claim 21 further comprising at least one additional mounting point for mounting the element to the support and/or the arm.
23. A support according to any of claims 17-22 comprising an arrangement for causing extension of the element.
24. A support according to claim 23 wherein the arrangement comprises a member configured to be fixed to the element and a bracket secured to the arm, the bracket having a means to receive the member and an adjustable component moveable to cause an increase or decrease in the tension in the element.
25. A support according to any of claims 17-24 wherein the arm is arranged to pivot relative to the support, wherein the arm pivots away from the support between the raised and the lowered configuration.
26. A support according to claim 25 wherein the support comprises a protrusion arranged to communicate with the arm, the support further including a fixing element for extending through the arm and the protrusion and securing the arm to be pivotally mounted to the protrusion.
27. A support as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A support comprising an arm rotationally mountable to the support for movement between a raised and a lowered configuration, the arm including a head for communicating with a light arrangement or camera arrangement, the support further comprising an element for controlling movement of the arm between the raised and lowered configuration, the element extending between the arm and the support, wherein the element is mounted to the support at a point offset from the axis about which the arm rotates.2. A support according to claim 1 wherein the element is resiliently deformable.3. A support according to claim 2 wherein the element comprises an elastomeric *1 material.If) 4. A support according to any of claims 1-3 wherein the element extends between the support and the arm. a)5. A support according to claim 1 further comprising at least one additional mounting point for mounting the element to the support and/or the arm.6. A support according to any of claims 1-5 comprising an arrangement for causing extension of the element.7. A support according to claim 6 wherein the arrangement comprises a member configured to be fixed to the element and a bracket secured to the arm, the bracket having a means to receive the member and an adjustable component moveable to cause an increase or decrease in the tension in the element.8. A support according to any of claims 1-7 wherein the arm is arranged to pivot relative to the support, wherein the arm pivots away from the support between the raised and the lowered configuration.9. A support according to claim 8 wherein the support comprises a protrusion arranged to communicate with the arm, the support further including a fixing element for extending through the arm and the protrusion and securing the arm to be pivotally mounted to the protrusion.10. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a longitudinal axis, the arm comprising an inner surface facing the longitudinal axis in a raised configuration and an outer surface facing the longitudinal axis in the lowered configuration.11. A support as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. L()Q a)Q