VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA RELEASE AND REMOVAL MECHANISM

Abstract: A surveillance camera assembly housing (28) is releasably locked to a base (24) for the housing. The base is installed in a ceiling or at another location remote from ground level. A removal tool (22) provided at the end of a pole (136) has fingers (36) which are inserted into apertures in the assembly housing. The tool engages the assembly housing by means of the fingers, while also being operated to release a mechanism which secures the housing to the base. The housing, now secured to the tool, is removed from the base and brought to ground level. In this way, removal of the surveillance camera is accomplished without resort to ladders or scaffolding.

Description: VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERA RELEASE AND REMOVAL MECHANISM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with video surveillance camera mounting assemblies and methods of installing video surveillance cameras and removing installed cameras . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to provide mounting structures for video cameras to be installed in or near buildings to be protected by a video surveillance system. The mounting structures typically include a housing that is secured to the ceiling of the building or at another suitable location on the building. The housing contains a video camera, motors and other components which permit the camera to be moved by remote control through a range of motion, and electronics for receiving control signalε and transmitting video signalε generated by the camera. Frequently, a portion of the enclosure is in the shape of a dome and is formed of plastic which permits incident light to enter and be captured by the video camera. The assembly, including the housing, the camera and aεsociated components, are together commonly referred to as a "dome", which takeε its name from the dome- shaped portion of the housing. After, the initial installation of the dome, the need arises from time to time to remove the dome for purposes such as routine maintenance, repair or replacement. To that end, it is known to mount on the upper part of the dome a plurality of spring loaded rods which are releasably inserted into suitably shaped brackets secured to the ceiling or other support structure. A safety lanyard also is provided on the dome, and a free end of the lanyard iε removably secured in another bracket mounted on the ceiling. Removal of the dome from the structure on which it is installed requires the individual assigned to perform the removal to be close enough to the dome so that the individual is able to reach by hand to disengage the spring-loaded bolts from the mounting brackets and to release the safety lanyard. It is common practice to install surveillance camera domes in high ceilings, or otherwise at a considerable distance from ground or floor level, both to provide satiεfactory fieldε of view for the cameras and to deter unauthorized interference with the cameras. In such installations, removal of the camera entails climbing a considerable distance upwards on a ladder, or deploying suitable scaffolding, in order to approach the dome. Two hands are generally needed to manipulate the spring-loaded bolts so as to release the dome from the mounting brackets, and to release the safety lanyard while holding the dome, leaving the individual concerned to maintain his or her balance on the ladder without aid of hands . It is also to be noted that dropping a dome during the removal process is likely to result in significant financial loss since domes are generally fragile and have a substantial replacement cost . In light of the preceding discussion, it is not surprising that many operators of video surveillance systems call upon the supplier of the system to dispatch a trained employee to the operators' premises when removal of a dome is needed. The cost and inconvenience entailed by this practice is considerable, raising a need for a dome mounting system that facilitates removal and replacement of the domes. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the invention to facilitate removal and replacement of video surveillance domes . It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for dome replacement and removal which does not require an individual to come into close proximity with the location at which the dome iε, or is to be, installed. It iε still another object of the invention to provide a dome removal and replacement system which minimizes the risk of damage to the dome. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a dome removal and replacement technique which can be readily performed by unskilled personnel . According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for releasably locking a surveillance camera assembly housing to a base for the housing, including first means provided on the housing for engaging a tool used for removing the houεing from the base, and second means mounted on at least one of the housing and the base for releasably securing the housing to the base. Further in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the first means may include a plurality of apertures in the housing provided spaced apart from each other at respective positions on the housing, and the second means may include a plurality of lock members provided on the base at respective positions corresponding to the positions of the apertures on the housing. Further, the lock members may be movable by the tool from a first position in which the lock members secure the housing to the base to a second position such that the housing is at least partially released from the base. The lock members may be locking clips mounted on the base and biased downwardly toward the first poεition, in which case the tool actε to move the locking clips upwardly from the first position to the second position. The apertures in the housing may be formed in a top wall of the houεing with the locking clipε engaging the apertures when the locking clips are in their first position. Each of the apertures may include a stepped slot formed in the top wall of the housing. Alternatively in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the tool may have a plurality of key portions, in which case the first means includes a plurality of lock barrels mounted on the housing, each for engaging a respective one of the plurality of key portions of the tool. In thiε case, the second means may include a plurality of latch slideε, each aεsociated with a respective one of the lock barrels for sliding movement in response to rotational movement of the respective lock barrel, and the second means may further include a plurality of latch pinε mounted on the baεe, each for engaging a reεpective one of the latch εlideε. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing a surveillance camera assembly housing from a base on which the assembly housing is lockingly mounted, the method including the εtepε of engaging the housing with a tool for removing the houεing from the base, and releasing a locking mechanism which secures the housing to the base. The engaging and releasing steps may be performed at least partially simultaneously, and the engaging step may include inserting a portion of the tool into the housing so that the portion of the tool is engaged by an aperture provided in the housing. The releasing step may include rotating the housing relative to the base to a poεition in which an opening provided in the houεing iε aligned with a locking εhelf provided on the base. Alternatively, the engaging εtep may include inserting a key portion provided on the tool into a lock barrel portion provided on the housing, and the releasing step may include sliding a latch slide provided on the housing so as to diεengage the latch slide from a latch pin provided on the base. The method may be performed so that the houεing is secured to the tool before the locking mechanism is released. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there iε provided a method of inεtalling a surveillance camera assembly housing on a mounting base, including the steps of engaging the housing with an installation tool, lockingly mounting the housing on the mounting base by manipulating the installation tool by which the housing iε engaged, and disengaging the installation tool from the housing. Further in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the mounting step may include placing a locking mechanism provided on at least one of the housing and the base in a locked condition, and disengaging step may be prevented unlesε the locking mechanism iε in the locked condition. Further, the engaging step may include inserting a portion of the installation tool into the housing so that the portion of the tool iε engaged by an aperture provided in the housing. Also, the mounting step may include rotating the housing relative to the base to a position in which a portion of the housing is supported on a shelf provided on the base. Further in accordance with the latter aspect of the invention, the disengaging step may include releasing a locking catch provided on the installation tool. Alternatively, the engaging step may include inserting a key portion provided on the inεtallation tool into a lock barrel portion provided on the houεing, and the mounting step may include sliding a slide latch provided on the housing so that the slide latch engageε a latch pin provided on the base. According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a tool for removing a surveillance camera asεembly houεing from a base on which the assembly is mounted, including a pole portion, and at least one insertion portion, mounted on the pole portion and adapted for being inserted into an opening provided in the housing. The inεertion portion may include a plurality of key portionε adapted for being inserted into lock barrels provided on the housing. In addition, the tool may include a support member mounted on the pole portion so that the pole portion is rotatable relative to the support member, a plurality of key- holding members rotatably mounted on the εupport member, each of the key-holding memberε having a reεpective one of the key portionε mounted thereon, and a drive member mounted for rotation with the pole portion and engaged with the key- holding memberε for rotatively driving the key-holding memberε upon rotation of the pole portion relative to the εupport member. Alternatively in accordance with thiε aεpect of the invention, the tool may include a cradle adapted for being brought into contact with a convex lower surface of the camera aεεembly housing and being mounted on the pole portion for movement relative to the pole portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pole portion, and a link mechanism for linking the cradle to the at leaεt one inεertion portion εo that the at leaεt one inεertion portion iε moved in a direction εubεtantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axiε of the pole portion in response to the movement by the cradle in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pole portion. As another alternative, the pole portion may have an open end and a second end opposite the open end, and be hollow from the open end along at least part of a length extent of the pole portion, and the at leaεt one insertion portion may include a plurality of L-shaped members each including a horizontal part and a vertical part substantially longer than the horizontal part, with the pole portion further including an inner pole mounted in the hollow part of the pole portion for movement relative to the pole portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pole portion, the inner pole extending outwardly from the open end of the pole portion and having a first end located outboard from the open end of the pole portion, a mechanism for biasing the inner pole in a direction from the second end to the open end of the pole portion, a cradle mounted on the first end of the pole portion and having a concave shape adapted for supportingly contacting a convex lower surface of the camera assembly housing, a cross-bar on the inner pole intermediate the cradle and open end of the pole portion and having opposite ends each pivotally linked to the vertical part of a respective one of the plurality of L-shaped members, and a plurality of link members each having a first end pivotally linked to the pole portion and a second end pivotally linked to the vertical part of a respective one of the plurality of L-shaped members. Alεo, the pole portion may include a latch mechanism for selectively locking the inner pole to the pole portion. Further in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the pole portion may include a telescoping part and a head part selectively mountable on the telescoping part, with the at least one insertion portion being mounted on the head part. The telescoping part may be selectively extendable to a length in excesε of ten feet . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a semi-schematic front view of a surveillance camera aεsembly provided in accordance with the invention and a removal tool provided in accordance with the invention for removing a portion of the assembly from its fixedly mounted base. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 1, with an insertion finger, provided on the tool of Fig. l, poised for insertion into the assembly. Fig. 3 is a perεpective view of interior features of a base portion of the aεεembly of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 iε an inverted plan view of the base portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the base portion, taken at the line V-V in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a houεing cap portion of the camera assembly of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the housing cap of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 iε a top plan view of the housing removal tool of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of an insertion finger provided on the tool of Fig. 1 according to an alternative embodiment of the tool . Fig. 10 is a partial side view of the camera assembly of Fig. 1, with the side walls of the base and housing cap portions removed. Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing an insertion finger of the tool of Fig. 1 inserted in an aperture in the camera assembly>housing. Fig. 12 iε a croεs-sectional view, taken at the line XII-XII in Fig. 11, of the camera assembly having the insertion finger inserted therein. Fig. 13 is a partially schematic perspective view of a surveillance camera assembly, and a tool for removing the same, provided according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 14 is a partially schematic crosε-εectional view of a locking mechanism provided in the camera aεεembly of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 iε an exploded perεpective view εhowing componentε of the locking mechanism of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the locking mechanism of Fig. 14, showing locked and unlocked positions of the locking mechanism. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional plan view of part of the locking mechanism of Fig. 14, taken at the line XVII-XVII in Fig. 14. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A first embodiment of the invention will now be described, initially with reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 20 generally indicates a surveillance camera assembly provided in accordance with the present invention. Also shown in Fig. 1 is a camera removal tool 22 provided in accordance with the invention. The camera assembly 20 is made up of a base portion 24 which is fixedly mounted to a ceiling 26, and a housing portion 28 which is removably mounted on the base portion 24 by means which will be described below. The housing portion 28 is made up of a cap portion 30 which is removably engaged to the base 24, and a dome portion 32 suεpended from the cap portion 30. As seen from Fig. 2, the cap portion 30 has an aperture 34 formed in an outer wall of the cap portion to permit inεertion into the houεing 28 of an inεertion finger 36 provided on the tool 22. In a manner to be deεcribed below, upon inεertion of the finger 3 V 6 into the aperture 34, the finger and the aperture come into engagement with each other εo that the tool 22 may be uεed to remove the housing portion 28 from the baεe 24 by a twiεt-unlock operation. Although not shown in the drawings, it iε to be underεtood that a video camera, aεsociated motors for operating the camera, and suitable electronic componentε, are all disposed within housing portion 28. Thus, removal of the houεing portion 28 permits access to the interior of the housing for the purpose of performing service activities and the like in connection with the camera and other componentε within the housing. Description of Base The structure of the base portion 24 will now be described in some detail, with reference to Figs. 3-5. The base 24 is preferably formed as a single piece of molded plastic. The base 24 includes a generally flat and circular top plate 38 and a cylindrical wall 40 which extends downwardly from the circular periphery of the top plate 38. The wall 40 is extended further downwardly, over most of the circumference thereof, by three arcuate flange portions 42. The flange portionε 42 have a thickneεs that is less than the thickness of the wall 40 (as seen, for example, from Fig. 5) and the outer surfaceε of the flange portionε 42 are fluεh with the outer εurface of the wall 40, εo that an inverted εetback 44 iε formed aε a horizontal εurface extending inwardly from the junction of the flangeε 42 and the wall 40. It will be obεerved that the flanges 42 are three in number and define therebetween three slots 46 which extend below the bottom surface 48 of the wall 40. The three slotε 46 are arranged at substantially equal angular intervals of about 120° around the periphery of the baεe 24. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the εpacing of the slots 46 (and corresponding portions of the base 24 and housing cap 30 which are discusεed below) iε varied from 120° by a small extent so as to define a single correct rotational orientation in which the cap 30 can be installed on the base 24. For example, two of the intervals may be 118° with the other interval then being 124°. As will be seen, the slotε 46 are provided to accommodate inεertion of the fingers 36 alluded to above. The bottom εurface 48 of the wall 40 iε flush and continuouε with the setback 44 formed by the flanges 42. In proximity to each of the three slotε 46, a corresponding projecting part 50 projects downwardly from the top plate 38 of the base 24. Integrally formed with each projecting part 50 is a reεpective horizontal, outwardly extending shelf 52. Each shelf 52 is located a short distance inwardly from the corresponding slot 46 and, as seen in Fig. 4, a εide of each shelf 52 is subεtantially aligned with an edge of a correεponding one of the arcuate flangeε 42 εo that each εhelf 52 is off-εet from itε corresponding slot 46 in a direction viewed as counter-clockwise in Fig. 4. Each of the projecting partε 50 also has formed integrally therewith a respective spring clip 54, which extends generally horizontally and in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) . Each of the spring clips is formed in an arcuate shape, aε best seen from Fig. 4, and is arranged a εhort diεtance inwardly and parallel to the circumference of the baεe portion 24. A locking member 56 is provided on the downward side of the free end of each spring clip 54. Each spring clip 54 iε positioned so that its locking member 56 is located substantially opposite, and inwardly from, a reεpective one of the εlotε 46. Aε will be seen, the shelveε 52 and εpring clip 54 are provided for securely but releasably mounting the housing cap 30 to the base portion 24. Other features of the base portion 24 include a rather large circular access hole 58 (Fig. 4) formed in the top plate 38 of the base portion. The access hole 58 is provided as a point of entry for power, control and video signal cabling (not shown) . Also included as features of the base 24 are a pair of adjacent PCB support fingers 60, three PCB positioning bosses 62, and a pair of PCB support members 64 (Fig. 4) . The elements 60, 62 and 64 are all provided to permit a printed circuit board 66 (not shown in Figs. 3-5, see Fig. 12) to be mounted in the base 24. Reinforcing ribs 67 are also provided at appropriate locations on internal surfaces of the base 24. Description of Housing Cap Some details of the housing cap 30 will now be described with reference to Figs . 6 and 7. Like the base 24, the cap 30 iε generally cylindrical in εhape. The cap 30 includeε a top plate 68 and a cylindrical side wall 70 formed of a central portion 72 provided between an upper set-back portion 74 and a lower set-back portion 76. A ledge 78 is formed at the junction of the central wall portion 72 and the upper set-back portion 74. The above-mentioned apertureε 34 are provided in the upper set-back portion 74, and each of the apertureε 34 extends upward to form a respective stepped εlot 80 in the top plate 68 of the housing cap 30. Serving to partially define each slot 80 is a first cut portion 82, extending inwardly a certain diεtance from the perimeter of the top plate 68, and a εecond cut portion 84 which extendε inwardly from the perimeter of the top plate by a greater diεtance than the cut portion 82. Like the εlotε 46 provided on the baεe 24, the apertureε 34 on the cap 30 are three in number, and are equally εpaced around the circumference of the cap 30. As will be seen, the apertures 34 permit insertion through the side wall 70 of removal tool inεertion fingerε, and alεo interact with the locking εpring clips 54 of the base 24. In addition, the stepped slots 80, and particularly the inwardly extending cut portions 84 of the top plate 68, are provided to interact with the outwardly extending shelveε 52 of the baεe 24. Other features of the cap portion 30 include a PCB holding bracket 86 (Fig. 12) which extends inwardly from the central portion 72 of the εide wall 70. The holding bracket 86 iε provided to permit mounting of a printed circuit board 88 (shown in Fig. 12, not shown in Figs. 6 and 7) within the cap portion 30. A rather large circular acceεε hole 90 (best seen in Figs. 6 and 7) iε provided at a central location in the top plate 68 of the cap 30> to permit power and εignal connectionε between the printed circuit board 66 mounted in the base 24 and the printed circuit board 88 mounted in the housing cap portion 30. As εomewhat schematically illustrated in Fig. 12, such connections may be made by means of an extender part 92 which extends downwardly from the PCB 60 and carries brushes 94 for making contact with suitable contacts (not εhown) provided on the PCB 88. Preferably, the contactε on the PCB 88 are formed aε concentric arcuate traces at radial positionε that correεpond to the reεpective bruεheε 94 of the cap 24. Alεo provided in the top plate 68 of the houεing cap 30 are connector acceεε holes 96 provided to accommodate connectors (not shown) which attach the dome portion 32 of the housing 28 to the capped portion 30. Description of Removal Tool Features of the camera removal tool 22 will now be described, initially with reference to Figε . 1 and 8. At the outεet, it is to be noted that in Fig. 1, for the purpose of simplifying the drawing, only two insertion fingers 36 are shown. However, a preferred embodiment of the camera removal tool 22 includes three insertion fingers 36, (as indicated in Fig. 8, which is a top plan view of the tool 22) ; that is, an insertion finger 36 is provided for insertion into and engagement with each one of the three apertures 34 provided in the housing cap 30. Also, as will be seen, each insertion finger 36 interacts with a corresponding one of the three spring clips 54 provided on the base 24 of the camera assembly 20. Referring now to Fig. 1, the removal tool 22 includes a pole head 98 which is in the form of an elongate hollow cylindrical tube. The pole head 98 has an open end 100 and a cloεed end 102. An inner pole 104 iε mounted within the pole head 98 for εliding movement within the pole head. A spring loading assembly 106 biaseε the inner pole 104 away from the cloεed end 102 of the pole head 98. The inner pole 104 has an outer end 108 on which iε mounted a cradle 110. The cradle 110 is convexly shaped εo aε to match the contour of the dome portion 32 of the camera aεεembly 20. Intermediate the cradle 110 and the open end 100 of the pole head 98, the outer end 108 of the inner pole 104 carries horizontally extending crosε pieces 112 (three in number, see Fig. 8) . A respective L-shaped member 114 is pivotally mounted at the end of each of the croεε pieceε 112. Each one of the L-shaped members 114 includeε a horizontal portion which conεtituteε one of the above-deεcribed inεertion fingerε 36, aε well aε a relatively long vertical portion 116. It will be obεerved that each of the fingerε 36 extends inwardly from an upper end of the vertical portion 116. Pivotally mounted to a lower end of each of the vertical portions 116 of the L-shaped members is an end of a respective link member 118. The oppoεite end of each link member 118 is pivotally mounted on the exterior of the pole head 98 near the open end 100 of the pole head 98. A latching mechaniεm 120 is provided on the pole head 98 below the link members 118. As somewhat εchematically repreεented in Fig. 1, the latching mechaniεm 120 includeε a latch member 122 pivotally mounted on the pole head 98. The latch member 122 includeε a lock part 124. An access hole 126 is provided in the pole head 98 at a position opposite the lock part 124 for permitting the lock part 124 to project into the interior of the pole head 98. A locking hole 128 is provided in the inner pole 104 for selectively engaging the lock part 124 of the latch member 122. A bias spring 130 is mounted on a mounting member 132 which extends outwardly from the pole head 98. The biaε εpring 130 iε connected to the latch member 122 and biases the latch member 122 in a direction for inserting the lock part 124 into the accesε hole 126 and also for insertion into the locking hole 128 at times when the locking hole 128 iε aligned with the acceεε hole 126. A lengthy cord 134 iε connected to the latch member 122 to permit a human operator of the tool 22 to pivot the latch member 122 againεt the biaεing force of the biaε spring 130, so as to disengage the lock part 124 from the locking hole 128. The pole head 98 is detachably mounted on an extension pole 136 by meanε of a conventional mounting mechaniεm which iε not shown. The extension pole 136 may be a conventional type of telescoping extension pole, extendable to a length of ten feet or more. Removal of Camera Assembly Housing Operation of the first embodiment of the invention will now be described, including, initially, a procedure for removing the housing portion 28 of the camera asεembly 20 from the base portion 24. By use of the extension pole 136 which forms part of the removal tool 22, the individual charged with removing the housing 28 from the base 24 can do so without mounting on a ladder or scaffold, even if the camera asεembly is installed at a considerable distance from floor or ground level. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the removal of the houεing portion 28 of the camera assembly 20 is commenced by bringing each of the insertion fingers 36 into alignment with a respective one of the apertureε 34 provided in the cap portion 30 of the houεing 28. The cradle 110 of the removal tool 22 iε then brought into contact with the bottom of the dome portion 32 of the housing 28 (making use of the extension pole) , and the pole head 98 iε pushed upwardly against the dome portion 32 εo that the inner pole 104 is pushed down (relative to pole head 98) inside the pole head 98 and against the biaεing force of the εpring loading aεεembly 106. The downward movement of the inner pole 104 relative to the pole head 98 causeε the link memberε 118 to pivot downwardly and outwardly as indicated by the arrows 138. The downward and outward pivoting movement of the link members 118 rotates the L-shaped members 114 so that the insertion fingerε 36 are moved inwardly (as indicated by arrows 140) for insertion into the apertures 34 of the housing cap 30. When the inner pole 104 has been pushed downwardly relative to the pole head 98 by a predetermined amount, the locking hole 128 of the inner pole 104 comes into alignment with the access hole 126, so that the lock part 124 of the latch member 122 is inserted into the locking hole 128 by means of the biasing force provided by the biaε εpring 130, and the lock part 124 accordingly becomes engaged in the locking hole 128. The inner pole 104 is therefore locked relative to the pole head 98 and the insertion fingers 36 are alεo locked in an inεerted poεition relative to the apertureε 34 of the houεing cap 30. Fig. 10 illustrates the condition of the housing cap 30 and the base 24 prior to insertion of the insertion fingers 36. Although not shown in Fig. 10, it εhould be understood that the slots 46 in base 24 are each aligned with a respective one of the apertures 34, so that the fingers 36 are inserted between the flanges 42 of the base 24. It will be observed that the cap 30 is supported on the εhelveε 52 of the baεe 24 by meanε of the cut portion 84 of the top plate 68 of the cap 30 (εee alεo Fig. 6) . At the εame time, and continuing to refer to Fig. 10, the locking members 56 of the spring clips 54 of the base 24 are engaged with the apertures 34 of the cap 30 so aε to inhibit rotation of the cap 30 relative to the base 24. As beεt seen in Figs. 12 and 2, each insertion finger 36 is tapered at itε reεpective tip εo aε to form an inclined cam surface 142 at the tip of the finger. Upon the above- described insertion of the insertion fingers 36 into the apertures 34, the locking members 56 of the spring clips 54 are caused to ride upwardly on the cam surfaces 142 so that the locking members 56 are lifted clear of their respective apertures 34. The individual who is removing the housing 28 then twiεtε or rotateε the removal tool 22 around its longitudinal axis so aε to rotate the cap 30 relative to the baεe portion 24 in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed by the individual. This rotating motion is repreεented by the arrow 144 in Fig. 11. The rotation continueε until the shelf 52 of the base 24 is in alignment with the relatively wide portion of the stepped slot 80 which corresponds to the cut portion 82 in the housing cap 30. At this time, the housing 28, which iε εtill graεped by the inεertion fingerε 36 of the removal tool 22, may be removed directly downwardly from the baεe 24. The εhelveε 52 emerge from the εtepped εlot 80 aε the houεing 28 iε moved downwardly. The individual who is removing the housing 28 then manipulates the tool 22 by shifting hiε or her grip hand¬ over-hand up the extenεion pole 136 (or by teleεcoping the extenεion pole) until he or εhe is able to grasp by hand the pole head 98, by which the housing 28 remainε engaged. The pole head 98 may then be detached from the extenεion pole 136 and the individual may pivot the latch member 122 (by pulling on the cord 134, for example) εo as to unlock the inner pole 104 from the pole head 98. Upon unlocking of the inner pole 104, the spring loading asεembly 106 puεheε the inner pole 104 outwardly, thereby cauεing outward movement of the inεertion fingerε 36 and releaεing the houεing 28 from the removal tool 22. Removal of the aεεembly 28 iε then complete. Reinεtallation of Camera Aεsembly Housing There will now be described use of the tool 22 to install a houεing 28 on a base portion 24 which is installed on a ceiling but doeε not have a housing 28 mounted thereon. Initially, the housing 28 is mounted on the tool 22 by pushing down on the cradle 110 with the dome portion 32 of the housing until the fingers 36 of the tool are inserted in the apertures 34 and the locking hole 128 in the inner pole is engaged with the lock part 124 of the latching mechanism 120. The pole head 98 may then be attached to the extension pole 136. The tool 22 iε then poεitioned, using the extension pole 136, so that each of the stepped slotε 80, and in particular, the relatively wide portionε thereof are brought into alignment with the εhelves 52 of the base 24. The housing 28 is then moved directly upwardly so that the εhelveε 52 are inεerted into the εlotε 80. Positioning of the cap 30 relative to the base 24 is aided by the flanges 42 of the base 24. The flanges 42 define an inner diameter of the base 24 which correεponds to the outer diameter of the upper set back portion 74 of the side wall 70 of the cap 30 (refer to Figs. 3 and 6) . When the cap 30 has been raised sufficiently to bring flanges 42 of the base 24 into contact with the ledge 78 on the side wall 70 of the cap 30, the tool 22 iε rotated along itε longitudinal axis so as to turn the housing 28 in a clockwise direction (as viewed by the individual installing the housing) so that the cut portions 84 of the housing cap 30 are positioned directly above and supported on the shelveε 52 (aε illustrated in Fig. 11) . To complete the installation of housing 28, the cord 134 on the tool 22 is pulled so as to unlock the inner pole 104 from the pole head 98. The biasing force of the spring loading assembly 106 pushes the inner pole 104 outwardly relative to the pole head 98, thereby removing the fingers 36 from the apertures 34. Thiε permits the locking members 56 of the spring clips 54 to move downwardly, as a result of self-biaεing action by the εpring clips 54, so that the locking members 56 come into engagement with the apertures 34, as shown in Fig. 10. It is contemplated to modify the first embodiment of the invention to aid in preventing unauthorized removal of camera houεing. Specifically, a key slot 146 may be formed (as shown in Fig. 9) at the tip of each insertion finger (indicated by reference number 36' in Fig. 9) , and a key pin (not εhown) may be provided at correεponding poεitions in each aperture 34 of the housing cap 30, so that only a tool 22 having matching key slotε can be uεed to remove the houεing from the baεe. The firεt embodiment of the invention, employing the above deεcribed twiεt-and-lock technique for installing the camera housing 28, provides a convenient and reliable system for installing and removing camera asεemblieε from ceilingε or other installation locations that are far above floor or ground level. The proviεion of the removal tool 22, including the extenεion pole 136, allowε dome removal and reinstallation to be performed without use of a ladder or scaffolding, so that relatively untrained personnel are able to carry out the procedure eaεily and εafely. In addition, this embodiment provides manufacturing economieε in that both the base 24 and housing cap 30 can be formed by molding, and the secure handling of the dome assembly permitted in thiε embodiment makes it unnecessary to provide the safety lanyard arrangement used in prior art dome mounting syεtemε . Second Embodiment A εecond embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 13-17. A camera asεembly provided in accordance with the second embodiment iε generally indicated by reference numeral 200 in Fig. 13, and reference numeral 202 indicateε a camera removal tool provided in accordance with the εecond embodiment . Deεcription of Camera Aεεembly Referring to Fig. 14 aε well aε Fig. 13, the camera assembly 200 includes a baεe 204 to be fixedly mounted in a ceiling or other mounting location, a mounting plate 206 adapted for detachable installation on the base 204, and a dome portion 208 εuεpended from the mounting plate 206. Housed within the dome portion 208 and/or mounted on the mounting plate 206 are conventional camera dome components such as the camera itself, camera motors, and camera electronics, none of which are shown in the drawingε . The base 204 includes a side wall 210 from which a mounting shelf 212 extends horizontally and inwardly. A latch pin 214 extends vertically upwardly from the mounting shelf 212. A plurality of lock assemblieε including an exemplary lock assembly 216 shown in Fig. 14 are mounted on the top side of the mounting plate 206 to selectively lock the mounting plate to the base 204. Key holes 218 are provided in the mounting plate 206 for the respective lock asεemblies. Referring to Fig. 15 in addition to Fig. 14, each lock assembly 216 includes a lock barrel 220 and a latch slide 222 slidably mounted on the lock barrel 220 by means of fasteners 224. Each lock assembly 216 also includeε a tumbler assembly 226 (Fig. 14; not shown in Fig. 15) . The lock barrel 220 and tumbler assembly 226 are held between the mounting plate 206 and a mounting ring 228 which is secured to the mounting plate 206 by fasteners 230 (Fig. 15) . As seen from Figs. 14 and 15, the latch slide 222 is in general in the shape of a "J", including a relatively long horizontal top portion 232 in which a elongate slot 234 iε formed extending in the longitudinal direction of the top portion 232. As indicated in the exploded rendering of the lock assembly presented in Fig*. 15, the fasteners 224 are inserted through the slot 234 for insertion into mounting holes 236 -provided on the top surface of the lock barrel 220. A cut-out 238 is provided at one end of the top portion 232 of the slide latch, defining a latch finger 240. The latch slide 222 also includes a vertical member 242 which extends downwardly from the top portion 232 at an oppoεite end thereof from the latch finger 240. A guide member 244 is provided at the bottom end of the vertical member 242 and extendε horizontally in the direction of the latch finger 240. It will be noted that the guide member 244 iε εubstantially shorter in length than the top portion 232 of the latch slide 222. A guide opening 246 is provided in the lock barrel 220 to accommodate insertion of the guide member 244 into the guide opening 246. The guide opening 246 has a profile that subεtantially correεpondε to a cross- section of the guide member 244. The guide member 244 and guide opening 246 cooperate, aε do the slot 234 and fasteners 224, to guide the latch slide 222 for sliding motion relative to the lock barrel 220. The direction of sliding motion is defined by the long dimension of the slot 234. A cam wall 248 (Fig. 16; not shown in Fig. 14) is provided either on the mounting plate 206 or on the base 204. The cam wall 248 includes a cam surface 250 by which, as will be seen, the latch slide 222 is cammed for εliding movement during rotation of the lock barrel 220. Description of Removal Tool Referring again to Fig. 13, the camera removal tool 202 includes a pole head 252. A driving gear 254 is fixedly mounted on an end of the pole head 252, positioned such that the plane of the gear 254 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole head 252, and the end of the pole head is at the center of the gear 254. A horizontal support member 256 iε mounted on the pole head 252 adjacent to the driving gear 254. The support member 256 is mounted in a manner such that the pole head 252 and driving gear 254 are free to rotate, relative to the member 256, around the longitudinal axiε of the pole head 252. A plurality of driven gears 258 are mounted ■ at respective ends of the support member 256. The gears 258 are mounted for rotation on the support member 256 and are interlocked with the driving gear 254 so that the gears 258 are driven to rotate in response to rotation of the gear 254. Each of the driven gears 258 has mounted thereon a key portion 260 which extends upwardly from the center of rotation of the reεpective gear 258. The overall conεtruction of the removal tool 202 iε such that the spacing of the key portionε 260 correεpondε to the spacing on the mounting plate 206 of the key holes 218. The opposite end of the pole head 252 from the end which carrieε εupport member 256 and the driving gear 254 iε provided with an attachment mechanism (not shown) by which the pole head 252 may be detachably mounted on the type of extenεion pole referred to in connection with the firεt embodiment of the invention. Dome Removal Procedure A procedure in which the camera dome iε removed from the baεe 204 using the removal tool 202 will now be described, with reference to Figε . 13, 14 and 16. Initially, the individual charged with removing the dome rotateε the pole head 252 relative to the support member 256 until the key portions 260 are properly oriented to correspond to the orientations of the key holes 218. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the proper orientation of the key portions 260 is pointed inwardly, that is toward the pole head 252. Next, the pole head is mounted on an extension pole (not shown) and the key portions 260 are presented to the key holes 218 as shown in Fig. 13. Then the key portions 260 are inserted in the key holeε 218 so that each key portion 260 comes into engagement with a corresponding one of the lock barrels 220 (Fig. 14) . The pole head 252 iε then rotated (by suitable manipulation of the extension pole) so that the key portions 260 are rotationally driven via the driving gear 254 and the driven gears 256, to rotate the lock barrels 220. It will be understood that each key portion 260 is shaped to interact with the tumbler aεεembly 226 (Fig. 14) so that the lock barrel 220 is εusceptible to being rotationally driven by the key portion 260. The rotation of the lock barrel 220 causeε the slide latch 222 to be moved from a locked poεition (indicated in phantom at reference numeral 222' in Fig. 16) , in which the latch finger 240 engageε the latch pin 214, to an unlocked poεition (indicated by the εolid line repreεentation of latch εlide 222 in Fig. 16) , in which the latch slide 222 is clear of both the latch pin 214 and the mounting shelf 212 of the base 204. The movement of the latch slide 222 from the locked position to the unlocked poεition is carried out both by rotation of the latch slide 222 with the lock barrel 220 and by a camming action brought about by interaction of the latch slide 222 with the cam εurface 250 in response to the rotation of the latch slide 222. At the time when the latch slide 222 iε in its unlocked position shown in Fig. 16, the key portion 260 is engaged by the lock barrel 220 in a manner εuch that the key portion 260 cannot be withdrawn from the lock barrel 220. At the same time, since the latch εlide 222 iε free of the locking portionε of the baεe 204, the dome can be removed from the base 204 simply by being drawn downward on the removal tool 202. As in the first embodiment, the extension pole can be handled so that the individual removing the dome can graεp by hand the pole head 252 and the dome portion 208 and the extenεion pole can then be detached from the pole head. Then the pole head 252 iε rotated to rotate the key portionε 260 into appropriate orientationε for removal from the lock barrelε 220 and withdrawal from the key holeε 218. Removal of the dome is then complete. Dome Reinstallation Procedure Next there will be described a procedure for mounting a dome on a base 204. First, the removal tool 202 is manipulated (by rotating pole head 252 relative to the support member 256) , to properly orient the key portions 260 for insertion into the key holes 218. Then the key portions are inserted into the key holes and are rotated to rotate the lock barrelε 220 and move the εlide latcheε 222 to "unlocked" positions, which correspond to positions of the lock barrels 220 in which the lock barrels 220 firmly engage the key portions 260. The dome iε now secured via the key portions 260 to the tool 202, which can be attached to an extension pole used for lifting the dome up into contact with the base 204. As indicated in Figs. 17 and 14, receεεeε 262 formed in the εide wall 210 of the baεe 204 cooperate with the mounting ringε 228 on the mounting plate 206 to guide the dome into a proper rotational relationεhip with the baεe 204. It will be noted that the rings 228 are positioned on the mounting plate 206 to provide an effective width of the dome asεembly at the elevation of the mounting ringε 228 that is greater than the inner diameter of the base 204, unless the mounting plate is poεitioned to align the ringε 228 with the recesses 262. With the dome properly positioned, the pole head 252 is rotated (by suitable manipulation of the extension pole) to rotate the key portions 260 so as to place the lock assemblies 216 in a locked condition. That is, the lock barrels 220 are rotated by the key portions 260 so that the latch εlide 222 iε moved from itε unlocked poεition (shown with solid lines in Fig. 16) to its locked position (shown in phantom at 222' in Fig. 16) . (The engagement of the rings 228 by the recesses 262 prevents the dome from rotating relative to the base during rotation of the pole head.) The rotation of the latch slide 222 imparted by rotation of the lock barrel 220 is accompanied by sliding of the latch slide 222 in the leftward direction relative to the lock barrel 220 by camming action provided by contact of the latch slide 222 with the side wall 210 of the base 204. As the latch slide 222 is brought into its locked position with the latch finger 240 engaging the latch pin 212, the key portions 260 reach a rotational poεition in which the εame can be withdrawn from the lock barrel 220 and from the key holeε 218. At this point, the camera dome iε εupported on the εhelveε 212 of the baεe by meanε of the latch εlides 222, and installation of the dome on the base 204 iε complete. Like the first embodiment, the εecond embodiment allowε for εafe, efficient and secure removal and reinstallation of the dome, and eliminates the need for the safety lanyard provided in prior art devices. A particular advantage of the second embodiment is that, during removal of the dome, the locking mechanism which secures the dome to the base is not released until after the dome is securely engaged by the removal tool. Thuε the dome iε εecurely held at all timeε either by the baεe or the removal tool. Alεo during reinstallation of the dome, either the tool or the base securely holds the dome at all times. The second embodiment has been shown as including two lock aεsemblies 216 on the mounting plate and two key portions 260 on the removal tool. However, it is contemplated to include a larger or smaller number of lock assemblies on the mounting plate 206, with a corresponding number of key portions on the removal tool 202. By the εame token, the firεt embodiment of the invention may be altered to provide a εmaller or larger number of locking arrangementε than the three locking arrangementε εhown therein. Variouε changeε to the foregoing dome removal and inεtallation εyεtem, and modifications in the described practices, may be introduced without departing from the invention. The particularly preferred methods and apparatus are thus intended in an illustrative and not limiting sense. The true spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. Apparatus for releasably locking a surveillance camera asεembly housing to a base for said housing, comprising: first meanε provided on εaid houεing for engaging a tool used for removing εaid housing from εaid base,- and second meanε mounted on at leaεt one of said housing and said base for releasably securing said housing to said base. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first meanε includeε a plurality of apertureε in εaid housing provided spaced apart from each other at respective poεitionε on εaid houεing, and εaid second means includes a plurality of lock members provided on said baεe at respective positions corresponding to the positionε of said apertures on said housing. 3. Apparatuε according to claim 2, wherein said lock members are movable by said tool from a first position, in which said lock members secure said houεing to said base, to a second poεition such that said housing iε at least partially released from said base. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said lock members are locking clips mounted on said base and biased downwardly towards said first position, εaid tool acting to move said locking clips upwardly from said first position to said second position. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said apertureε iε formed in a εide wall of εaid housing, and said locking clips engage εaid apertureε when εaid locking clips are in said first position. 6. Apparatuε according to claim 5, wherein each of εaid apertureε includeε a stepped slot formed in a top wall of said housing. 7. Apparatuε according to claim 1, wherein εaid tool has a plurality of key portions, and said first means includes a plurality of lock barrels mounted on said houεing, each for engaging a respective one of said plurality of key portions of εaid tool . 8. Apparatuε according to claim 7, wherein εaid second meanε includes a plurality of latch slideε, each aεεociated with a reεpective one of εaid lock barrelε for sliding movement in response to rotational movement of the respective lock barrel . 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second means further includes a plurality of latch pins mounted on said base, each for engaging a respective one of said latch εlideε. 10. A method of removing a surveillance camera asεembly houεing from a baεe on which the aεεembly houεing is lockingly mounted, the method comprising the steps of: engaging said housing with a tool for removing εaid housing from said base,- and releaεing a locking mechaniεm which secures said housing to said base. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said engaging and releasing stepε are performed at leaεt partially simultaneously. 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said housing is secured to said tool before said locking mechaniεm iε releaεed. 13. A method according to claim 10, wherein εaid engaging step includes inserting a portion of said tool into εaid houεing εo that said portion of said tool is engaged by an aperture provided in said housing. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said releasing step includeε rotating εaid houεing relative to εaid baεe to a poεition in which an opening provided in said houεing iε aligned with a locking εhelf provided on εaid baεe . 15. A method according to claim 10, wherein εaid engaging step includes inserting a key portion provided on said tool into a lock barrel portion provided on said housing. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said releasing step includes sliding a latch εlide provided on said housing so as to disengage εaid latch slide from a latch pin provided on said base. 17. A method of installing a surveillance camera assembly housing on a mounting base, comprising the stepε of : engaging εaid houεing with an installation tool ; lockingly mounting said housing on said mounting base by manipulating said installation tool by which εaid housing is engaged; and disengaging said installation tool from εaid houεing. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein εaid mounting step includes placing a locking mechanism provided on at least one of said housing and said base in a locked condition. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said disengaging step iε prevented unless said locking mechanism iε in εaid locked condition. 20. A method according to claim 17, wherein said engaging step includeε inεerting a portion of εaid inεtallation tool into εaid houεing so that said portion of said tool is engaged by an aperture provided in said housing. 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said mounting step includes rotating said houεing relative to εaid baεe to a. position in which a portion of said housing is supported on a shelf provided on said base. 22. A method according to claim 17, wherein said disengaging εtep includes releasing a locking catch provided on said installation tool. 23. A method according to claim 17, wherein said engaging step includes inserting a key portion provided on said installation tool into a lock barrel portion provided on said housing. 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said mounting step includes εliding a εlide latch provided on εaid houεing εo that εaid slide latch engages a latch pin provided on said base. 25. A tool for removing a surveillance camera asεembly housing from a base on which the asεembly iε mounted, compriεing: a pole portion; and at leaεt one inεertion portion, mounted on εaid pole portion and adapted for being inserted into an opening provided in said housing. 26. A tool according to claim 25, wherein said at least one inεertion portion includeε a plurality of key portionε adapted for being inserted into lock barrels provided on said housing. 27. A tool according to claim 26, further comprising: a support member mounted on said pole portion so that said pole portion is rotatable relative to said support member; a plurality of key-holding memberε rotatably mounted on εaid εupport member, each of εaid key-holding memberε having a respective one of said key portionε mounted thereon; and a drive member mounted for rotation with εaid pole portion and engaged with εaid key-holding members for rotatively driving said key-holding members upon rotation of said pole portion relative to said support member. 28. A tool according to claim 25, further comprising: a cradle adapted for being brought into contact with a convex lower surface of εaid camera aεεembly houεing, εaid cradle being mounted on said pole portion for movement relative to said pole portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of said pole portion; and link means for linking said cradle to said at leaεt one inεertion portion εo that said at least one insertion portion is moved in a direction subεtantially orthogonal to εaid longitudinal axis of said pole portion in response to said movement by said cradle in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said pole portion. 29. A tool according to claim 25, wherein εaid pole portion haε an open end and a εecond end oppoεite εaid open end, and iε hollow from εaid open end along at leaεt part of a length extent of said pole portion; and εaid at leaεt one inεertion portion includes a plurality of L-shaped members each including a horizontal part and a vertical part εubεtantially longer than the horizontal part; and further compriεing: an inner pole mounted in εaid hollow part of εaid pole portion for movement relative to εaid pole portion in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axiε of εaid pole portion, said inner pole extending outwardly from said open end of said pole portion and having a first end located outboard from said open end of said pole portion; means for biasing said inner pole in a direction from said second end of said pole portion towards said open end of said pole portion; a cradle mounted on said first end of said inner pole, said cradle having a concave shape adapted for supportingly contacting a convex lower surface of said camera assembly housing; a crossbar on said inner pole intermediate said cradle and said open end of said pole portion, said crossbar having opposite ends each pivotally linked to the vertical part of a respective one of said plurality of L- εhaped member ; and a plurality of link members, each having a first end pivotally linked to said pole portion and a second end pivotally linked to the vertical part of a reεpective one of εaid plurality of L-εhaped memberε. 30. A tool according to claim 29, further comprising latch means for εelectively locking εaid inner pole to εaid pole portion. 31. A tool according to claim 25, wherein εaid pole portion includes a telescoping part and a head part selectively mountable on said telescoping part, εaid at least one insertion portion being mounted on said head part . 32. A tool according to claim 31, wherein said telescoping part iε selectively extendable to a length in excess of ten feet. 33. A surveillance camera mounting syεtem, compriεing: a base mounted on a support structure; a surveillance camera asεembly houεing for being removably mounted on εaid base,- a tool for removing εaid houεing from εaid baεe; firεt means provided on said housing for engaging said tool ; and second means mounted on at leaεt one of εaid houεing and εaid base for releasably securing εaid houεing to said base. 34. A surveillance camera mounting εyεtem according to claim 33, wherein said first meanε includeε a plurality of apertureε in εaid housing provided spaced apart from each other at reεpective poεitions on said housing, and said second means includes a plurality of lock memberε provided on εaid baεe at respective positions corresponding to the poεitionε of said apertures on said housing. 35. A surveillance camera mounting syεtem according to claim 34, wherein said lock members are movable by said tool from a firεt poεition, in which εaid lock memberε εecure εaid housing to εaid base, to a second poεition such that said housing is at least partially released from said base. 36. A surveillance camera mounting εyεtem according to claim 35, wherein said lock members are locking clips mounted on said base and biased downwardly towards said first poεition, εaid tool acting to move εaid locking clips upwardly from said first position to said second position. 37. A surveillance camera mounting syεtem according to claim 36, wherein each of εaid apertureε is formed in a side wall of said housing, and said locking clips engage said apertures when said locking clips are in said first position. 38. A εurveillance camera mounting system according to claim 37, wherein each of said apertures includes a stepped slot formed in a top wall of said housing. 39. A surveillance camera mounting system according to claim 33, wherein said tool has a plurality of key portionε, and εaid first means includeε a plurality of lock barrels mounted on said housing, each for engaging a respective one of εaid plurality of key portionε of εaid tool. 40. A εurveillance camera mounting εystem according to claim 39, wherein εaid second means includeε a plurality of latch slides, each associated with a respective one of said lock barrels for sliding movement in responεe to rotational movement of the respective lock barrel . 41. A surveillance camera mounting system according to claim 40, wherein said second means further includeε a plurality of latch pinε mounted on said base, each for engaging a respective one of said latch slideε.

Inventors: SCHIELTZ STEVEN W, SCHIELTZ, STEVEN, W.
Applicants: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORP, SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G03B29
IPC codes: G03B29, G08B13, G08B15