Video surveillance camera having a separable and removable gimbal

A video surveillance camera system having an easily removable and separable video camera housing comprised of a dome base, a rotational base, gimbal, and a spherically shaped transparent dome cover is disclosed. The dome base includes a surface mounting plate and a grommet. The rotational base has an outer rim being removably attachable to the dome base and rotatable about a first axis parallel to the dome base. The rotational base further includes a gimbal bracket attached to the outer rim and tiltable about a second axis perpendicular to the dome base; the gimbal bracket further includes a gimbal mount which is constructed and arranged to receive a gimbal. The separable and removable gimbal provides an electrically connected circuit board and zoom lens, wherein the circuit board includes an outlet for a CAT5 connection cable and a BNC connection cable and a switch to allow independent operation of either connection.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to video surveillance systems, and more particularly, to an easily removable gimbal for a video surveillance camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surveillance camera systems are widely used for safety, security and information gathering. For example, surveillance camera systems may be installed in and around a very wide variety of residential or commercial buildings, medical facilities, parking structures, larger sports facilities, casinos and the like, to provide personal safety, security of the grounds and/or to gather information related to potentially hazardous or illegal activity. The cameras are normally used to generate a video image of an area under surveillance for use by security personnel, either for “live” action viewing, or for later review of recorded data. In some cases, cameras are mounted to a wall or to a ceiling structure where they may be observed by people within the area under surveillance. In other cases, the cameras are hidden from view by being placed behind one-way mirror domes to avoid creating an objectionable presence to an honest person or make it difficult, to impossible, for potential wrongdoers to locate and see where the cameras are being directed.

Since surveillance cameras were first introduced, camera users have sought to mount their cameras in various locations and positions. The key to effective use of a security camera is to ensure that it is directed at the area to be observed. Prior art security cameras were typically mounted within a static bracket fixed in a single position. In other later cases, the camera mount became adjustable, but on only one axis. Because of the manner in which the camera modules in prior art security cameras have most often been mounted, there are severe limitations in the degree to which they may be tilted, which limits the potential range of coverage a security camera may have. Prior art devices suffer from the inability to adjust about two axes. Therefore, the cameras must be remounted or mounted in a different location should the area to be surveyed change or the line of sight becomes obscured. The present invention seeks to alleviate the aforementioned issues by providing a camera gimbal. A camera gimbal, or pivotal support, is generally smaller and lighter than typical camera mounts. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, the camera gimbal is adjustable in at least two axes and also rotationally adjustable about the axis of the camera.

With the advent of a camera gimbal that allows for adjustment of the camera about more than one axis, the next step is to determine the proper location to place, i.e. mount, the video surveillance camera. The idea of drilling holes through the walls of a home or office to run video and power cables for a security camera system could seem difficult and daunting. In order to find the right location to install a surveillance camera for a home or office, several factors are considered in order to provide the most advantageous location for installation. A good location is where the roof meets the walls of the housing or office structure because it shelters the camera from the elements, such as wind, rain, snow and sun. Additionally, placing the cameras near the roof provides a good viewing area with minimal risk of vandalism. Another advantage is, when running cables (power & video), the task becomes easier as many homes or office structures have a small gap or hole between the roof and the wall where cables can be routed.

When selecting the cable for video, RCA, BNC coaxial cable, or Category 5 twisted pair cables can be used. BNC cables generally have lower losses than RCA, are more rugged, and are most commonly constructed using coaxial cable, such as the one which runs in your home to connect with the cable company. This type of cable is referred to as RG-59. The BNC connectors are usually molded onto the cable end. BNC cable is used for analog cameras or one of the many HD-over analog technologies, such as TVI, CVI or HD-SDI. BNC cable is typically used by lower quality non-digital solutions. Although RG-59 cable is effective, it is relatively heavy, may be awkward to install, and requires special tools. With the advent of video baluns (a small lipstick size device) you can now run video and power over a Category 5 cable. The Category 5 cable, also known as Cat5, carries four pairs of wires which allows for more runs on a single cable, is much lighter and thus easier to work with. While distances beyond 500 feet become a video signal problem for BNC, Cat5 can comfortably extend out to 1,000 feet. Therefore, Cat5 is far preferable to BNC. Internet Protocol (IP) cameras typically use Cat5 cable, and can shoot in HD up to 5MP (2.5×1080P), thus whenever possible it is preferable to run a system with Cat5. However, for surveillance camera cabling, it is usually seen as advantageous to use the industry standard, which is typically the BNC cable. However, with increased use of HD, it would be more advantageous to have the flexibility to convert from a BNC to a Cat5 cable. The present invention seeks to alleviate this problem by providing a circuit board that allows for the connection of either a BNC or Cat5 cable on the same circuit board.

The next step in installing video surveillance is to find a point of entrance from the outside to the inside of the structure. Most structures have an attic or crawl space which is a convenient place to run cable lines through. Within the attic, one can designate a specific location for the DVR and monitor to be stationed and bring all the cable lines to that designated room from the attic. As for the power, two choices are available: one can run each power line separately into an outlet (using pig tails) and an AC Adapter, or one can get a power supply box, plug all power lines into the power supply, and from the power supply only one power line is needed into the outlet. Lastly, once the video and power lines are connected, all that remains is to power the DVR and attach a Monitor thereto.

Surveillance camera systems of the types just described have had numerous problems and limitations associated with their use. Maintenance of cameras in domes or other enclosures is difficult and time consuming as the camera mount mechanism commonly used is firmly secured within the dome containing the associated control electronics. Replacing circuit boards or cables becomes very difficult as the entire dome structure must be removed from the structure or the base, and then the camera mount mechanism must be removed from the dome base in order to make the necessary maintenance changes. Typically, the removal from either the structure or the dome base requires removal of screws and then physical removal of the camera mount which may result in damage to the camera mount before attempting to make the necessary maintenance changes.

Prior art surveillance camera systems have been complex electromechanical structures with the following disadvantages: these structures have been expensive, difficult to install, and difficult to maintain. When servicing was required, it would usually require removal of the entire structure, which was not always an easy, time-effective procedure.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,057 discloses a surveillance camera gimbal mechanism which utilizes a rotationally adjustable disk and support arrangement to afford smoothly adjustable, fastener-free, and stable diagonal adjustment that also provides axial compliance. The diagonal adjustment mechanism is integrated with a pan and tilt gimbal mechanism to allow smooth and stable single-point manual fixation of pan and tilt positions without creating depressions in the mating parts which make readjustment difficult.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a cost-effective surveillance camera system which is easy to install, adaptive to various connection cables, and easy to maintain by providing a gimbal that is separable from the base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a video surveillance camera system having an easily removable and separable video camera housing comprised of a dome base, a rotational base, a gimbal, and a dome cover. The dome base has an open top, an outer peripheral edge, and a closed bottom with a grommet to allow cables therethrough, and a surface mounting plate thereon. The rotational base has an outer rim removably attachable to the dome base and rotatable about a first axis parallel to the dome base. Further, the rotational base includes a gimbal bracket attached to the outer rim and tiltable about a second axis perpendicular to the dome base. The gimbal bracket also includes a gimbal mount which is constructed and arranged to receive a gimbal. The separable and removable gimbal provides an electrically connected circuit board and zoom lens, wherein the circuit board includes an outlet for a CAT5 connection cable or a BNC connection cable and a switch to allow independent operation of either the CAT5 or BNC connection. The spherically shaped transparent bubble cover is attached to the dome base to enclose the rotational base and gimbal within the dome base and dome cover.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to enable a video surveillance camera system to have an easily removable and separable gimbal for easy maintenance and circuit board or lens repair.

It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a video surveillance camera system whereby the dome base remains affixed to a surface and the gimbal and rotational base are removable and separable therefrom.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a video surveillance camera system that avoids the risk of damaging the circuit board during maintenance because the gimbal, which includes the circuit board and lens, is removable and separable.

It is a still further objective of the instant invention to provide a video surveillance camera installation that allows for either BNC or CAT5 connection thereto.

It is another further objective of the instant invention to provide a video surveillance camera installation where the dome base and dome cover can be constructed of various materials.

It is still yet further an objective of the instant invention to provide a video surveillance camera installation that allows for easy removal or maintenance of the gimbal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIG. 1, a video surveillance camera1having an easily removable gimbal70is described herein. The video surveillance camera1is comprised of a dome base10, a rotational base40, gimbal70, and dome cover90. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the dome base10has an open top12, closed bottom14, and an outer peripheral edge16. The closed bottom14on the base10contains a grommet18to allow cables therethrough. The grommet18is preferably located at the center of the closed bottom14of the dome base10. Also included on the closed bottom14is a surface mounting plate20. The surface mounting plate20is preferably comprised of a plurality of apertures22constructed and arranged to accept screws for mounting the dome base10to a surface. In order to install the video surveillance camera1, four holes are drilled using the dome base apertures22as a template against surface.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the outer peripheral edge16of the dome base10includes a plurality of screw openings24. Each screw opening24is sized to accept a screw to attach the rotational base40to the dome base10. Although the dome base10is attached to the rotational base40using screws, it is contemplated that other fastener means to attach such include a snap-lock, rivets, snap fasteners, pins, latches, or the like. The rotational base40includes an outer rim42, a gimbal bracket44, and gimbal mount46. The outer rim42is removeably attachable to the outer peripheral edge16on the dome base10using corresponding screw openings48that attach the rotational base40to the dome base10. The outer rim42is also rotatable about a first axis50parallel to the dome base10. The gimbal bracket44is attached to the outer rim42and tiltable about a second axis52perpendicular to the dome base10. The gimbal bracket44is constructed and arranged to hold and maintain the gimbal70within the gimbal mount46. The gimbal bracket44is comprised of a pair of posts54that extend outward from the outer rim42. The pair of posts54are attached to the gimbal mount46, which is defined as a circular ring56sized for entry of the gimbal70. The attachment of the gimbal70to the circular ring56includes, but is not limited to snap-locks, rivets, snap fastener, pins, latches, or the like. Not shown, a motor is provided to rotate the outer rim and gimbal bracket about their corresponding axes. The gimbal is separable from the dome base and rotational base allowing for easy removal or maintenance of the circuit board or lens attached to the gimbal.

The gimbal70is sized to be received within the gimbal mount46. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the gimbal70has an electrically connected circuit board72, power outlet74, and zoom lens76. The circuit board72includes an outlet for a CAT5 connection cable78and an outlet for a BNC connection cable80. The outlets are configured with corresponding pins to match with the BNC or CAT5 connection cable, not shown. The outlets for the CAT5 and BNC connection,78and80, are controlled by a switch82on the circuit board72that allows for independent operation of either the CAT5 connection78or BNC connection80. When using a CAT5 connection78, the switch82is set to CAT5, and when using a BNC connection80, the switch82is set to BNC.

FIGS. 7-10depicts the circuit board employed by the present invention to allow it to operate between both CAT5 and BNC connections. As seen, the circuit board incorporates an integrated video balun component84which is used to send the video signal over UTP (CAT5) cable. A side switch86on the circuit board is used to select the video connection type, either 75-ohm standard coaxial cable (BNC) or UTP (CAT5) connection. Setting the switch to BNC bypasses the video balun component84and the corresponding portion of circuitry as shown in the diagram.

Once the dome base10is installed on a surface, the rotational base40is then attached thereto. Next, the BNC or Cat5 cable, as well as the power cable, which runs through surface is run through the grommet18on the dome base10and then through the circular ring56on the gimbal mount46. The BNC or Cat5 cable is then connected to the receiving CAT5 and or BNC connection outlet,78or80, on the gimbal circuit board72and the switch82is set to the particular connection setting. Power is then supplied to the power outlet74, and the gimbal70is placed within the gimbal mount46. Lastly, the dome cover90is a spherically shaped transparent cover piece that attaches to the dome base10and encloses the rotational base40and gimbal70within, as shown inFIG. 6.