Abstract:
The present invention provides a compact case for a surveillance camera having exterior notches, recesses and/or grooves for accommodating the electronic receptors, connectors, wires and/or cables leading from the back of the camera. The case is designed for use with a specialized mounting system and covers, or to fit inside a secure enclosure having the same overall (and minimal) profile as the camera case itself which eliminate exposure of the electronic components in the notches to the outside. An adjustable protective base is provided in one embodiment.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional application serial No. 60/245,402 filed on Nov. 1, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to surveillance camera systems, and more particularly to a case for holding the electronics and optics of a surveillance camera that has one or more notched out relief areas for accommodating the physical connectors and wire leads to the camera, such that the and camera case fits snugly inside a camera enclosure having interior dimensions that are essentially the same as the exterior dimensions of the camera case, and a protective swivel base for supporting such an enclosure. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of surveillance camera systems has become increasingly widespread. The surveillance cameras for such systems must frequently be deployed in places where there is very little available space for the camera or its enclosure. In addition, such cameras must often be mounted outdoors where they may be subjected to dramatic temperature, moisture and other climactic changes, as well as potential vandalism. Accordingly, there is a great need for smaller and more compact surveillance cameras and camera enclosures, as well as a need for a smaller and more secure camera enclosure. 
     Most existing surveillance cameras have physical wire connections for power input and video output, as well as other physical wire connections for controlling different functions (lens control, motor, etc.) of the camera. These wires are usually attached to connectors of some kind that attach to corresponding receptors or jacks on the back of the camera. The connectors and wires generally extend out and away from the back of the camera. 
     Typically, surveillance cameras are placed inside protective enclosures to prevent damage to the camera from moisture, temperature, climate changes and/or vandalism. The wires and coaxial cables extending away from the camera are usually bent inside the enclosure and routed through an opening, but such wires cannot be bent or twisted too severely or they may fail. As a result, a significant amount of space is required inside the typical surveillance camera enclosure for the connectors and wires which attach to and extend from the rear of the camera itself. The designs of many existing enclosures call for the wires leading from the camera enclosure to be exposed to the outside where they can be damaged or severed. 
     A wide variety of camera cases having different shapes and styles have been developed over the years having such features as external handles, support brackets and eye pieces. However, no camera case has been developed for the purpose of minimizing the overall exterior profile of the camera in order to conserve space to allow the camera and case to fit inside a similarly minimally-sized enclosure. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a minimally sized case and enclosure for a surveillance camera that allows the camera to be deployed in a small space, while keeping the wires and connectors leading from the camera inside the enclosure to prevent damage, deterioration or vandalism. It is also desirable to provide an adjustable mount or base for such a camera enclosure that keeps the wires leading from the enclosure inside, while also providing adjustability of the camera position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a notched camera case that can fit inside a secure enclosure having the same overall (and minimal) profile as the camera case itself which accommodates the receptors, connectors, wires and cables leading from the back of the camera using one or more notches in the camera case. In addition, according to the design of the present invention, a mounting system and covers are provided for the notched camera case which eliminates exposure of the receptors, connectors, wires and cables leading to or from the camera case to the outside. 
     The camera case of the present invention includes one or more notched recesses or relief notches on its exterior. These notches may be provided at the back, along the sides, and/or in the corners of the camera case. The receptor jacks for such connections as the video-out, power supply, lens control, etc. are provided in the notched recesses. One or more receptors may be provided in a single notch, or a plurality of notches may be provided for the various receptors. Each notch is of sufficient size to receive the connector(s) corresponding to the receptor(s) in the notch. Each notch also includes additional space for the wire(s) leading from the connector(s) to extend and bend away from the camera case. Elongated exterior recesses or grooves may also be provided in the camera case of the present invention as channels for receiving and guiding the wires leading from the camera case to a focal point. 
     The notched design of the camera case of the present invention provides space in the exterior of the case itself for all receptors, connectors, wires and cables that are attached to the case. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, an enclosure may be fitted around the notched camera case having the same overall dimensional profile as the exterior of the notched camera case without the need for extra room at the rear of the enclosure for receptors, connectors, wires and cables leading to or from the camera case. More particularly, the interior dimensions of an enclosure for the notched camera case may be the same as the exterior dimensions of the camera case itself without the notches. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a specialized mount is provided which takes advantage of the notches in the camera case by providing a protective covering for the notches as well as the connectors, wires and cables attached to the camera case so that none of them are exposed to the outside. 
     In another aspect of the invention, an adjustable base is provided which maintains the camera wires on the inside and provides a positioning and viewing range of one hundred eighty degrees (180°) in one plane and three hundred sixty degrees (360°) within the plane parallel to the wall or ceiling to which the base is mounted using a dual-ball socket coupler for connecting the base to the camera mount. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a small and compact case for a surveillance camera that includes one or more recessed exterior notches into which external electronic receptors, jacks and/or switches are deployed, the notches being of sufficient size to accommodate the connectors and wires which correspond to the receptors and jacks without affecting the overall dimensional profile of the case. 
     It is also a primary object of the present invention to provide a compact case for a surveillance camera having one or more exterior recesses or grooves for accommodating the external receptors, jacks, switches, connectors and/or wires associated with operation of the camera without changing the exterior dimensional profile of the case itself. 
     It is also a primary object of the present invention to provide specialized covers for protecting the electrical components located in the exterior recesses of the notched camera case of the present invention. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a compact camera case having exterior notches therein for accommodating external electrical components associated with the camera, and an enclosure having the same dimensional profile as the case for snugly surrounding the case to protect the electrical components in the notches. 
     It is also a primary object of the present invention to provide a small and efficient mounting apparatus for a notched camera case and its associated mounts, covers and/or enclosure having coordinated attachments that accommodate and protect the notches, exterior electrical components and wires leading from the camera case, while providing support for the case itself. 
     It is also an important object of the present invention to provide an adjustable base for the notched camera case and mount of the present invention which protects the camera wires by routing them through the inside, and which provides a positioning and viewing range of one 180° in one plane and 360° within the plane parallel to the wall or ceiling to which the base is mounted. 
     Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the notched camera case of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof. 
     FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view thereof. 
     FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view thereof. 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view thereof. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view thereof. 
     FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view showing detail of an embodiment including an attachment of an upper support bracket and wire guide on the case of the present invention together with associated detail of the video wire connection and routing. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 showing the attachment of electrical connectors, the routing of wires, and the attachment of an embodiment of a mount and cover plates to the camera case of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a partially exploded view of the surface mounting structure for the mount and camera case embodiment shown in FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is seen that the notched camera case of the present invention, generally  40 , includes one or more cut out areas (recesses, notches)  41 ,  42  at the rear. The camera case profile without the notches is illustrated in phantom lines in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings, a first longitudinal notch  41  is provided at the left rear corner of case  40  extending from the top to the bottom. In the illustrations, a video jack  55  and lens control wire jack  56  are provided in this notch, together with a bank of resettable control switches  57 . A second similar notch  42  is provided at the right rear corner of case  40 , also extending from top to bottom. In the illustrations, the power supply jack  57  is provided in notch  42 . 
     A video cable  51  having connector  54  is installed by attaching connector  54  to video jack  55  and routing cable  51  through notch  41  to the back of the camera case  40  as shown in FIG.  9 . Notch  41  is large enough to accommodate connector  54  and a portion of cable  51  that must extend straight out from connector  51  to avoid breakage. A control lens cable  53  with connector  52  is also installed in notch  41  by attaching connector  52  to jack  56  as shown in FIG.  9 . Notch  41  is also large enough to accommodate connector  52  and a portion of cable  53  that must extend straight out from connector  52  to avoid breakage. Power supply wires  59  with connector  60  are installed in notch  42  by attaching connector  60  to jack  58  as shown in FIG.  9 . Notch  42  is large enough to accommodate connector  60  and a portion of wires  59  that must extend straight out from connector  60  to avoid breakage. 
     It is to be appreciated that either of notches  41  or  42  may be eliminated, and/or additional notches may be provided such that the invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in the illustrations. First notch  41  may be larger or smaller in size, and may be used to accommodate any of the following: video jack  55 , lens control wire jack  56 , control switches  57  and/or power supply jack  58  together with corresponding connectors wires and/or cables. Additional jacks and wires may also be provided in notch  41 , depending upon the needs of the particular camera in use. Similarly, notch  42  may be larger or smaller in size, and may also be used to accommodate any of the following (depending upon whether a notch  41  is provided, and if so, which of these are already accommodated by notch  41 ): video jack  55 , lens control wire jack  56 , control switches  57  and/or power supply jack  58  together with corresponding connectors wires and/or cables. As with notch  41 , additional jacks and wires may also be provided in notch  42 , depending upon the needs of the particular camera in use. 
     It is also to be appreciated that grooves may be provided in the camera case leading from the notches to provide pathways for wires running to or from the connectors in the notches. Accordingly, a wide variety of different numbers, sizes, shapes and combinations of notches and grooves, as well as a wide variety of deployments of different jacks and wires in the different notches, are all contemplated by the present invention. 
     The notches in the camera case of the present invention accommodate the connectors, wires and cables of the camera thereby allowing the case to be deployed inside a camera enclosure having interior dimensions substantially the same as the exterior dimensions of the camera case without the notches. Such an enclosure may be very close to the same size as the camera case of the present invention, allowing it to be mounted in an area where space is at a premium. No extra space is required at the rear of the enclosure for the connectors, wires and cables as these are deployed in the notches of the camera. Thus, the notched camera case of the present invention may be efficiently deployed in a wide variety of camera enclosures that may or may not take advantage of the space saving feature of the notches. 
     FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a preferred mounting structure for a notched camera case of the type described above. A support bracket  61  is provided for attachment to the top of case  40  as shown in FIG.  9 . Bracket  61  includes a guide  62  for the lens control cable  53 , and an annular rear mount  65  for attachment to a support. An elongated top cover  71  is provided to cover bracket  61  (and cable  53  inside guide  62 ) protecting these elements from the outside. Cover  71  corresponds in size to bracket  61 , and fits snugly against the top of case  40  and against rear mount  65 . A back cover  73  is provided for attachment over the rear of notched camera case  40  as shown in FIG. 10 to protect rear notches  41  and  42  and the jacks, wires and connectors deployed therein. Cover  73  also fits snugly against case  40 , rear mount  65  of bracket  61 , and top cover  71 . The attachment of bracket  61  and covers  71  and  73  to case  40  forms a complete camera enclosure having rear mount  65 . This enclosure covers cable  53  and notches  41  and  42  together with the connectors, wires and cables deployed therein, leaving an annular opening  66  at the rear through which wires  59  and cable  51  are routed. 
     A support base is provided which includes a closed hollow conduit  25  that is attached at rear mount  65  for receiving wires  59  and cable  51  and channeling them to a surface mount. Conduit  25  also provides support for bracket  61  which, in turn, supports camera case  40  and covers  71  and  73 . Conduit  25  may be provided in a rigid form such as a metal pipe, or it may be provided in a flexible form such as a sectional or spring-loaded tube. 
     In one embodiment, one end of conduit  25  may be provided with helical threads for engagement with corresponding threads provided on rear mount  65 . Alternatively, the end of conduit  25  may be bolted or welded to rear mount  65 . The opposite end of conduit  25  may likewise be threaded, bolted or welded to a surface mounted support structure. 
     A surface mounting plate  11  is provided to receive the opposite end of conduit  25 . Plate  11  is provided with an annular opening and grommet  72  for receiving the wires and cables leading from conduit  25 . As with the connection to the camera mount  65 , the opposite end of conduit  25  may be provided with helical threads for engagement with corresponding threads provided on grommet  72 . Alternatively, the opposite end of conduit  25  may be bolted or welded to grommet  72 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, conduit  25  is in the form of a dual-ball coupler having an axial bore therethrough. Coupler  25  supports the camera enclosure and mount (including elements  40 ,  71 ,  73 ,  61  and  65 ) and receives the wires and cables leading therefrom. The dual-ball coupler  25  has a barbell shape and includes a pair of spherical structures or balls  21 ,  23  joined together by a central rod member  24 . A bore  22  is provided through the center of the dual-ball coupler  25 , passing through each of the balls  21 , 23  and the central rod  24 . Wires and cables may be run from the camera enclosure to the base plate  11  through this bore. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, it is seen that the surface mount for this embodiment includes a cover plate  11  for attachment to a flat surface  12  (such as a wall or ceiling), and a ball socket joint  72  for receiving one end of a dual-ball coupler  25 . Plate  11  may be attached to surface  12  using mounting screws, bolts or other suitable means that pass directly through plate  11  into the mounting surface  12 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, a small support bracket  19  may be mounted to surface  12 , and plate  11  fitted over bracket  19 . Plate  11  may then be tightened against the bracket  19  using an Allen screw  18  or other similar device. 
     In this embodiment, the ball socket joint  72  on the mounting base  11  includes a rounded recessed area for receiving a ball  21  of the dual-ball coupler  25 . An opening is provided in this recessed area to allow wires  59  and cable  51  to pass from the ball joint coupler  25  to and through base  11 . Ball  21  of coupler  25  is placed in the recessed area, and cover  13  is fitted over ball  21  to hold it in place. Ball  21  may then be rotated 45° or more in any direction. Tightening set screw  27  fixes the location of the ball  21  and the angle of attachment to the base plate  11 . 
     This embodiment also includes a second cover  31  provided at rear mount  65  of support bracket  61 . Mount  65  includes a rounded recessed area for receiving ball  23  of the dual-ball coupler  25 . An opening is provided in the recessed area, and a corresponding opening  66  is provided in bracket  61  to allow wires and cables to pass from the notches in camera case  40  to and through the ball joint coupler  25 . Surrounding the recessed area is a cover  31 . Ball  23  of the coupler  25  is placed in the recessed opening, and cover  31  is fitted over ball  23 . Set screw  28  may then be tightened to hold ball  23  in place. Prior to tightening, ball  23  may be rotated 45° or more in any direction. Tightening screw  28  fixes the location of the ball  23  and the angle of attachment to bracket  61 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the 45° range of rotation of ball  21  in cover  13  together with the additional 45° angle of rotation of ball  23  in cover  31  allows for a combined angle of rotation of 90° in any single direction. This allows for a combined potential rotation of a full 180° in both directions. It is also to be appreciated that the dual-ball coupler  25  allows the camera to be rotated a full 360° in the plane parallel to mounting surface  12  of bracket  19 . 
     Changing of the position of the camera may be accomplished by loosening either or both of set screws  27  and  28 , adjusting the camera to the desired position, and then re-tightening set screws  27  and  28 . 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments or illustrations disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.