IE86856B1

IE86856B1 - A device for removing obstacles from an area in front of a CCTV camera lens

Info

Publication number: IE86856B1
Application number: IE20150149A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Calvey James
Original assignee: Calvey James
Priority date: 2014-05-06
Filing date: 2015-05-06
Publication date: 2017-12-27
Also published as: GB201507766D0; GB201407936D0; IE20150149A1; GB2527916A

Abstract

A device for removing obstructions and maintaining an unimpeded view from the area in front of the lens of a CCTV camera comprises a base section comprising actuator means and an elongated arm section comprising a plurality of elongated projections extending from the elongated arm, wherein the elongated arm is pivotally mounted to the base section and the actuator means rotates the arm from a resting position to a working position wherein the elongated arm passes across the area in front of the camera lens dislodging and removing obstacles such as cobwebs, spider webs or debris.

Description

"A device" Introduction The invention relates to a device for removing obstructions such as cobwebs/spider webs and the like from in front of the image taking surface of a CCTV camera or similar surveillance device.

Different means are available to ensure that surveillance devices operate efficiently at all times and provide good images. Many devices are commercially available for keeping the lens of a camera clean, however these devices do not remove obstructions such as spider webs and cobwebs which are not directly on the surface of the camera lens.

There is a need for an improved means of keeping the area near the image taking surface on a surveillance camera clear of obstructions such as spider webs and cobwebs and maintaining an unimpeded view from the CCTV camera.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a device for removing obstructions and maintaining an unimpeded view from the area in front of the lens of a CCTV camera comprising; a base section comprising actuator means; and an elongated arm section comprising a plurality of elongated projections extending outwardly along the length of the elongated arm and extending outwardly from opposed sides of the elongated arm; wherein the elongated arm is pivotally mounted to the base section and the actuator means rotates the arm from a resting position to a working position wherein the elongated arm passes across the area in front of the camera lens dislodging and removing obstacles such as cobwebs, spider webs or debris.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongated arm is cylindrical and the elongated projections extend outwardly substantially perpendicular to the elongated arm.

In another embodiment of the invention the device comprises elongated projections.

In one embodiment of the invention the distal ends of the outwardly extending elongated projections are curved or shaped to accommodate the shape and size of the lens on the CCTV camera. Preferably the radius of curvature of the elongated projections substantially corresponds with the area in front of the camera lens to be cleared of obstructions.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongated arm is angled.

In another embodiment of the invention the device comprises an adaptor section connecting the elongated arm to the base section of the device.

In one embodiment of the invention the elongated projections are manufactured from a flexible material.

In one embodiment of the invention the actuator means comprises a rotary actuator.

In one embodiment of the invention the device comprises an attachment bracket for attachment of the device to a CCTV camera body or protective casing of a CCTV camera.

In another embodiment of the invention the device comprises an attachment bracket for attachment of the device to an area adjacent to a CCTV camera.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the invention attached to a housing of a CCTV camera; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 in an actuated working position; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the elongated projections on the elongated arm of the device of the invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the elongated projections trimmed as required for use with the device of the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the elongated arm of the device according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the device according to one embodiment of the invention in position on a CCTV camera; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 8 in position on a CCTV camera.

Detailed description CCTV cameras and other surveillance devices are widely used to monitor and protect homes and businesses. To maximise coverage, security cameras are usually mounted as high as possible. For security cameras in particular, it is important that they are more or less inaccessible. For these reasons, cleaning of the lenses or associated covers can be difficult or dangerous without specialist equipment. When the lens on a CCTV camera becomes partially or totally obscured the camera is essentially defunct as a clear picture can no longer be obtained. It is essential to ensure an unimpeded view on the CCTV camera lens.

Some CCTV cameras positioned outdoors have a wiper system to keep the lens clear of rainwater, snow or the like. Typically the wipers are positioned very close to the lens and as a result are not effective in removing obstructions such as cobwebs or the like which typically are formed away from the surface of the camera lens.

United States patent application No. 2002/0139394 describes an apparatus for shielding the lens and field of view of an optical device. It describes a transparent shield positioned to protect the lens from contaminants and a wiper positioned to be in contact with the shield. The apparatus removes unwanted contaminants such as dust, dirt or rain from the surface of the shield. Chinese patent application No. CN2013104626 describes a camera capable of self-cleaning comprising a camera body, cleaning brush and a base. The cleaning brush appears to act as a wiper wiping directly across the camera lens. Both US2002/0139394 and CN2013104626 relate to cleaning contaminants deposited directly on the lens or a lens shield on a camera.

Cobwebs obstructing the view from the camera lens of a CCTV camera are a significant and recurring problem. Typically cobwebs and spider webs are formed away from the camera lens yet impair the view from the camera lens. The lens of CCTV cameras are often cleaned manually to remove obstructions such as cobwebs formed around the front of the camera by wiping away with a brush or a stick etc. Aerosol deterrent sprays are also commonly used to keep the lens clean, however these are not always very effective. Given that CCTV cameras are often mounted at a height, manually removing webs or applying a deterrent spray is often very difficult and potentially very dangerous.

Some operators of CCTV systems use compressed air methods to remove insects, spiders and stubborn debris. However spiderwebs/cobwebs are sometimes quite resilient and resistant to blasts of air. German patent DE102011075553 describes a device for a camera housing for removing cobwebs. The device is limited in that it has a very limited distance of operation.

The present invention provides an improved device for removing obstructions such as cobwebs or spider webs from the area in front of a CCTV camera lens which impair the view from the camera. The device may be easily fitted to any type of CCTV camera, CCTV camera casing or a sun shade around the camera which many CCTV cameras have to avoid sun glare. The device of the invention may alternatively be positioned near yet independent of the CCTV camera or CCTV camera casing. The device of the invention may also be an integrated part of the camera either built into the main body of the camera or the sunshield. The device does not impair the viewing or image taking means of the surveillance camera. In its non-working position the device is outside the view of the CCTV camera. The device of the present invention is a simple device for removing and preventing obstructions in the area in front of a camera lens such as cobwebs ensuring an unimpeded view from a CCTV camera.

Spider webs and cobwebs are normally formed between the camera casing, the sunshield and other surfaces such as a wall. Despite not being directly on the camera lens the cobwebs /spider webs can significantly impair the view from a CCTV camera.

Fig. 1 shows the device of the present invention attached to the side of a sun shield of a CCTV camera. The device 1 comprises an elongated arm 2 with projections 3 extending perpendicular from the arm. The elongated arm 2 is connected to a rotary actuator 4 by means of an adaptor section 5. The adaptor section 5 allows the elongated arm 2 to be attached perpendicular to the rotary actuator output shaft.

The elongated projections 3 extending from the elongated arm 2 have a comb or brushlike appearance. Through the wiping motion of the elongated projections 3 on the elongated arm 2 any spider web or other obstacles from the area in front of a CCTV camera lens 12 are easily removed. The elongated projections 3 can reach areas around the front viewing area of the camera.

The length of the elongated projections 3 may be set by the installer. The elongated projections 3 may be trimmed to length so that it substantially corresponds to the area in front of the camera lens to be cleared of cobwebs or debris. The device 1 is flexible with regard to the range of camera styles and devices it can be fitted to.

The elongated projections 3 may be trimmed if required to prevent the elongated projections 3 from striking other objects when moving. CCTV cameras are often positioned in small awkward positions so it is advantageous that the elongated projections 3 on the device 1 may be easily sized and altered to suit the location. CCTV camera lenses come in various shapes and sizes from square to curved. The size and shape of the elongated projections 3 may be adjustable. They may be manufactured to any dimension meaning that cobwebs quite a distance away from the camera lens may be removed. A further adjustment of the elongated projections 3 is achievable about axis B if needed for particularly awkward installations.

The elongated arm and elongated projections may alternatively take the form of a brush 18 with elongated bristles extending from the elongated arm as shown in Fig. 7. The brush 18 provides greater interference between the camera and the elongated arm as the bristles may be soft and flexible. The soft and flexible bristles allow the elongated arm to be passed across the edges of the camera casing/sun shield etc removing all cobweb/spiderweb connections. The flexible bristles require little or no trimming, the same size brush fitting a number of differently shaped lenses. The bristles will also wipe the lens/image taking surface clean of dust etc.

The rotary actuator 4 may be an electric rotary actuator whose output shaft rotates through approximately 90 degrees about axis A when energised. Alternatively other types of actuators such as linear type actuators may be used. The device 1 is powered independently of the CCTV camera. The power supply may be electric, however other suitable power sources such as pneumatic, hydraulic magnetic, solar, battery may also be used.

If battery operated the battery source may be fitted to a control box at a low accessible level so it can be easily recharged and/or replaced. The control box may also incorporate a timer, on/off switch, manual override switch etc. Communication between the control box and the device may be wired or wireless.

The actuator may be manually operated without the need for any electrical power source. The device may be operated via a cord (string) routed from the device down to a convenient accessible height above ground level where the operator simply pulls the cord by hand to effect movement of the elongated arm.

As shown in Fig. 2 the rotary actuator 4 is attached to a support bracket 6. The support bracket 6 is used to attach the device 1 to a CCTV camera housing/body 10 and or to a protective cover 11 such as sun shield for example. The support bracket 6 may also be used to attach the device 1 to a wall near the CCTV camera. The elongated arm may be sized to pass the elongated projections over quite a large area around the front of a CCTV camera and its housing unit.

The elongated arm 2 may be angled or "cranked" as shown in Fig. 5 to accommodate the best fitting position. The angled arm also ensures the device of the invention reaches and removes cobwebs and spider webs in as big an area as possible in front of a CCTV camera lens.

The actuator 4 is energised by applying a pulse of electricity causing the output shaft (and hence the elongated arm 2) to rotate through approximately 90 degrees. Once it reaches the stroke end the pulse is released and the elongated arm 2 returns to the "home" position. Fig. 1 shows the device 1 with the elongated arm 2 in its home resting position. In this position the device does not impede the vision from the camera lens of the camera. Fig. 2 shows the device 1 in an actuated position with the elongated arm 2 passing across the lens 12 of a CCTV camera. If required in particularly awkward installations a further adjustment of the projections 3 on the elongated arm 2 may be made about axis B.

The electrical pulse may be delivered by a variety of different methods depending on the application and camera working environment for example: by timer or remotely by a person viewing the camera or using a photoelectric switch etc.

The elongated arm may be manufactured from a flexible plastic material and may be easily replaced when worn out.

The design of the comb-like projections may encourage spiders to use the comb itself as an anchor point for webs. However when the elongated arm 3 is moved any cobwebs are dislodged.

The device of the present invention may be fitted to any shape of camera including round, oval etc. etc. It may be positioned anywhere around the circumference of the camera, i.e. top, bottom, left or right sides. The device may be attached to the sun shield 11, the main body 10 of the camera or beside a CCTV camera set-up. If attached to the sun shield once the sun shield is removed so too is the web remover allowing for easy maintenance and/or repair of the camera.

The device of the present invention is compact. In many instances the space around where a CCTV camera is positioned can be quite limited. Therefore any device to be attached needs to be neat and compact.

Wiper systems for CCTV cameras are commercially available. These are used to remove water or snow from the face of a camera lens. Although they may remove spider webs that are close to the lens they do not remove cobwebs further away than the depth of the wiper blade and holder.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The device 20 may be quickly and easily retrofitted onto an existing conventional wiper blade system 17 to enhance a conventional wiper system. The device 20 has elongated projections 15 and an attachment section 16 which simply attaches to the existing wiper system, in this way the surface of the camera lens is kept clean with the wiper blade while at the same time the area in front of the camera lens line of vision is kept clear of obscuring cobwebs and/or spider webs.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein before described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

1. A device for removing obstructions and maintaining an unimpeded view from the area in front of the lens of a CCTV camera comprising; a base section comprising actuator means; and an elongated arm section comprising a plurality of elongated projections extending outwardly along the length of the elongated arm and extending outwardly from opposed sides of the elongated arm in a planar orientation; wherein the elongated arm is pivotally mounted to the base section and the actuator means rotates the arm from a resting position to a working position wherein the elongated arm passes across the area in front of the camera lens dislodging and removing obstacles such as cobwebs, spider webs or debris.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongated arm is cylindrical and the elongated projections extend outwardly substantially perpendicular to the elongated arm.

3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the distal ends of the outwardly extending elongated projections are curved or shaped to accommodate the shape and size of the lens on the CCTV camera.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the radius of curvature of the elongated projections substantially corresponds with the area in front of the camera lens to be cleared of obstructions.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongated arm is angled.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an adaptor section connecting the elongated arm to the base section of the device.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the elongated projections are manufactured from a flexible material. 5

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the actuator means comprises a rotary actuator.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an attachment bracket for attachment of the device to a CCTV camera body or protective casing of a CCTV 10. Camera.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an attachment bracket for attachment of the device to an area adjacent to a CCTV camera.

11. 15 11. A device for removing obstacles from an area in front of a CCTV camera lens substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.