Abstract:
The present invention is a vertical mast positioner, wherein a telescoping mast can be installed is provided on a frame to be used in mobile surveillance applications. The frame is provided on a mobile platform. The vertical mast positioner is further comprised of at least two actuators which are connected to the frame via support arms and oriented perpendicular to one another. The actuators connect to a collar provided for the mast. The actuators are then extended or retracted to orient the telescoping mast in a perfectly vertical position when the mobile platform encounters an uneven surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/410,267 filed on Oct. 19, 2016, entitled “VERTICAL MAST POSITIONER FOR MOBILE SURVEILLANCE APPLICATIONS” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of mast positioners, and more specifically to mast positioners that serve to position a mast in a vertical orientation for masts that are installed and deployed from mobile surveillance platforms. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Generally, compact telescoping masts, adapted to receive camera systems, can be used for mobile surveillance systems. The telescoping masts may be mounted onto mobile platforms, such as the bed of pickup trucks or similar vehicles, to allow the surveillance system (i.e. mast and camera) to be easily transported into areas that the mobile platform can travel. In such a situation, the mast (and in turn camera) may be deployed (raised) without removal of the mast from the mobile platform. 
     Typically, a mast is rigidly attached to the bed of a pickup truck such that the mast pole is perpendicular to the plane of the bed of the truck. Under such conditions, the mast itself will necessarily be oriented vertically and at an angle exactly 90 degrees (i.e. perpendicular) to the plane of the mobile platform. Accordingly, if the mobile platform is parked on level ground (i.e. 0 degrees) then the mast will be oriented directly vertical in orientation relative to the ground. However, if the mobile platform is oriented on non-level ground then the mast will be oriented perpendicular to the ground plane angle, and therefore will be at a non-vertical angle. 
     Masts oriented at non-vertical angles can cause serious issues for mobile deployments. For instance, most mobile platforms (i.e. pickup trucks) have non-rigid suspensions systems, which may cause them to lean from side to side. Mast systems oriented at non-vertical angles may cause the vehicle to lean due to the moment created by the length of the mast, supplemented by the weight of the sensor atop the mast. As the mast is raised, these masts with a non-vertical orientation may exert larger moment forces on the mobile platform, increasing the angle of tilt of the platform, and potentially causing the vehicle to tip over. 
     Furthermore, if a telescoping mast is oriented out of a vertical position, the sections of the telescoping mast may slide unevenly when the mast is extending or retracting. The further the mast is oriented from a vertical angle, the greater the unevenness of the telescoping mast section sliding. This uneven sliding of the telescoping sections can cause the mast to wear quickly and may even cause the mast to bind, thereby preventing the mast from raising and lowering. 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a means to position mobile masts in a perfectly vertical orientation such that they may be deployed vertically even if the mobile platform is parked on non-level ground. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a vertical mast positioner. In the preferred embodiment, the mast positioner is comprised of a frame to be mounted onto a mobile platform. A telescoping mast is positioned near, or at, the center of the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the telescoping mast base is attached to the frame via a universal joint. 
     The top of the telescoping mast is provided with a camera system. In an embodiment, the telescoping mast is also fitted with a tilt sensor device, such as an inclinometer, for determining if the mast is level with the ground. 
     The vertical mast positioner is further comprised of two positioning mounting arms, wherein the bottom end of each positioning mounting arm is rigidly attached to the frame. The top of each positioning mounting arm is provided with a positioning actuator, which attaches to the positioning mounting arm via a swivel joint. The positioning actuators extend from the positioning mounting arms to a collar provided on the telescoping mast. The positioning actuators are attached to the mast collar via a ball joint. The positioning actuators are used to position the mast as necessary to cause the mast to become level. The positioning actuators can be a hydraulic ram, electric screw drive, or pneumatic piston type actuator. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the two positioning actuators are positioned perpendicular to one another and in alignment with the positioning mounting arms upon which they are mounted. The perpendicular arrangement of the two positioning actuators allows for separate and independent operation of each actuator to push or pull the mast without concern that the other actuator will bind. 
     In a preferred embodiment, if one positioning actuator is operated (ie. energized) while the other is not, the mast will be pushed or pulled generally in the direction of travel of the operating positioning actuator, and in an arc about the swivel joint where the non-operating positioning actuator is connected to its positioning mounting arm. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the vertical mast positioner may also consist of one non-positioning mounting arm, wherein the bottom of this non-positioning mounting arm is also rigidly attached to the frame and wherein this non-positioning mounting arm is perpendicular to one of the other two positioning mounting arms. The top of the non-positioning mounting arm is provided with a non-positioning actuator, which attaches to the non-positioning mounting arm via a swivel joint. The non-positioning actuator extends from the non-positioning mounting arm to the collar provided on the telescoping mast. The non-positioning actuator is attached to the mast collar via a ball joint. The non-positioning actuator freely follows the movement of the mast as it is being moved by the positioning actuators but will lock in place once the mast positioning operation has ceased. Once the non-positioning actuator is locked, it provides a third point of structural support for the mast, along with the structural support already provided by the other two positioning actuators. The non-positioning actuator can be a hydraulic ram, pneumatic piston, or similar mechanical configuration to affect the purpose of the non-positioning actuator. 
     The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the vertical mast positioner, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vertical mast positioner, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3-4  are detail views of the vertical mast positioner&#39;s universal joint, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
     In reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a vertical mast positioner  100  is shown with a mast  15  fully retracted and in a perfectly vertical orientation. A camera system  5  is mounted to the top of the mast  15 . In an embodiment, the camera system is provided with a camera, sensors, and gimbal to capture panoramic images. In an embodiment, the camera system is further provided with a brush guard  6 . The brush guard  6 , provides protection for sensors and the coiled conduit (not shown) provided to house the wiring of the camera system and sensors. In the preferred embodiment, the brush guard  6  will remain in place as camera system is raised by the telescoping mast. The telescoping motion of the mast will be driven by the mast motor  11 . 
     The bottom of the mast is rigidly attached to a mast base  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the mast base  10  is provided with one or more apertures to allow a universal joint  20  to engage into the mast base  10 . In said embodiment, the universal joint  20  is comprised of two pivot hinges  21 / 22  aligned orthogonally, relative to one another, and joined to each other by a cross shaft  23 . The top pivot hinge  21  is positioned directly on top of the bottom pivot hinge  22 . In the embodiment, the top pivot hinge  21  is joined to the mast base  10  by means of hinge tabs  24  while the bottom pivot hinge  22  is joined to the frame  25  by means of hinge tabs  24 . Each pivot hinge is further comprised of an axle bolt  26 , which inserts through its respective hinge tab  24 . A bearing  27  is provided between the axle bolts  26  and the hinge tabs  24 , such that the mast base  10  is free to pivot about each pivot hinge  21 / 22 . This dual pivot hinge configuration of the universal joint  20  enables the mast base  10  and by extension mast  15  the freedom to pivot in all directions. The frame  25 , attaches to the mobile platform via bolts or other suitable attachment depending on the configuration of the mobile platform (not shown). 
     In an embodiment, the vertical mast positioner  100  is further provided with a rear positioning mounting arm  30  and side positioning mounting arm  40  attached to the frame  25 . A rear positioning actuator  50  is attached to the rear positioning mounting arm  30  via a swivel joint  81 . Additionally, a side positioning actuator  60  is attached to the side positioning mounting arm  40  via swivel joint  83 . In an embodiment, the side positioning actuator  60  and rear positioning actuator  50  are attached to a mast collar  70  via ball joints  84  and  82 , respectively. In the embodiment, the side positioning actuator  60  and rear positioning actuator  50  are positioned perpendicular to one another. 
     In an embodiment, the mast collar  70  is fixed to the mast  15 . In another embodiment, the mast collar  70  is able to slide about the mast  15  for adjustment purposes. In a preferred embodiment, the side positioning actuator  60  and rear positioning actuator  50  are electrically driven screw drive actuators as known in the art. In another embodiment, the side positioning actuator  60  and rear positioning actuator  50  are of the hydraulic ram type, as is known in the art. In yet another embodiment, the side positioning actuator  60  and rear positioning actuator  50  are of the pneumatic piston type, as is known in the art. In an embodiment, the rear positioning mounting arm  30  and the side positioning mounting arm  40  are further provided with a stabilization plate  35 . The ends of the stabilization plate  35  are fastened to the side and rear positioning mounting arms to prevent undesired movement, shaking, or vibration between the two positioning mounting arms. In an embodiment, the stabilization plate  35  may be fastened to the positioning mounting arms via screws, rivets, or another means of fastening deemed suitable by one skilled in the art. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the vertical mast positioner is provided with a non-positioning mounting arm  33  mounted to the frame  25 . This mounting arm can be fitted with a non-positioning or safety actuator ( 53 ). In the embodiment, the non-positioning actuator does not provide movement force to position the mast as the rear positioning actuator  50  and side positioning actuator  60  do. Rather the non-positioning actuator ( 53 ) provides a locking mechanism when the rear and side positioning actuators are no longer positioning the mast. Wherein the non-positioning actuator is only activated to lock the mast in position, the non-positioning actuator is used as a third point of support for the mast  15 , along with the support provided by the rear positioning actuator  50 , and side positioning actuator  60 . In the embodiment, the non-positioning mounting arm  33  and non-positioning actuator ( 53 ) are oriented perpendicular to the rear positioning mounting arm  30  and directly opposite of the side positioning mounting arm  40 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the vertical mast positioner  100  is further provided with integrated power source, tilt sensors, central processing unit (CPU) and integrated circuitry (IC) to control the side positioning actuator  60  and rear positioning actuator  50  to position the mast in a vertical orientation regardless of the terrain the mobile platform is parked on. In said embodiment, the mast base  10  may be outfitted with one or more tilt sensing components for detecting the orientation of the mast  15  relative to the ground. The data obtained by the tilt sensors is then interpreted in a central processing unit (CPU) with a provided algorithm. The CPU then signals the integrated circuit (IC) to supply the appropriate power, from a provided power source, to engage the appropriate positioning actuator in a direction which will position the mast  15  to a perfectly vertical orientation. Feedback from the tilt sensors will then cause the CPU to signal the IC to stop the positioning actuators when the mast  15  is perfectly level in orientation. When both positioning actuators stop positioning the mast, the CPU with a provided algorithm engages the locking mechanism for the non-positioning actuator so as to provide a third point of support for the mast  15 . 
     In an embodiment, the battery or batteries which power the mast and actuators are contained in a battery enclosure  90 . Additionally, the electronic components and sensors of the vertical mast positioner may be contained within the electronic enclosures  95 . The enclosures provide protection for the electrical components against the natural elements and weather which may be encountered during use. 
     In an embodiment, the vertical mast positioner is provided with a manual control system to allow a user to manually control the mast orientation by means of a hand held pendant (not shown) attached to an electronic enclosure on the vertical mast positioner. In an alternate embodiment, wherein a vehicle is provided as the mobile platform, the driver of the mobile platform may be provided with controls on a laptop or other computer contained in the vehicle passenger compartment to allow the operator to control the mast orientation by means of software that is linked to the vertical mast positioner. In another embodiment, the user will be able to set the speed at which the actuators extend and retract to adjust the rate at which the mast is moved to a level orientation upon activation of the leveling operation. 
     In an embodiment, the vertical mast positioner and its components may be comprised of metal, composite, plastic, or any material deemed appropriate by one skilled in the art. 
     The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.