Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for supporting and easily adjusting the position of a surveillance camera in an enclosure. Embodiments of the present invention also provide systems, methods and apparatus for keeping the front panel of a camera enclosure clear during cold temperature periods. Finally, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for the efficient transfer of heat out of a camera enclosure during warm temperatures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to surveillance camera systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for supporting a surveillance camera inside an enclosure, as well as methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature inside such an enclosure. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of surveillance cameras and related systems is becoming increasingly more prevalent. Not only are surveillance cameras used in such traditional institutions as banks and casinos, but their use has spread to retail and business establishments, indoor and outdoor entry points, airport security checkpoints, government buildings, parking lots, and the like. 
     In the field of surveillance cameras, it is often necessary for a surveillance camera to be mounted in a housing that is located in a remote or outdoor location such as the top of a pole, on a ledge, on the side of a wall, the underside of an eave, etc. Such locations often make it difficult for installation or service personnel to access the enclosure and the camera inside during both installation and maintenance. During installation, the camera must be properly positioned within the enclosure in order to operate correctly. In many cases, camera enclosures are relatively small leaving little room for adjustability. The camera lens must be positioned an appropriate distance from the viewing panel so that clear images are received, but this positioning should not crowd or unnecessarily bend the wires and cables leading from the camera or the related electronics. Excessively bent wires may break or fail and/or may reduce the rate of data transfer to and from the camera and electronics. 
     Traditionally, a surveillance camera is installed on a plate using a screw that is tightened through the plate into a receiving opening in the bottom of the camera. The plate with installed camera is then attached to a surface in the camera housing ordinarily using two or more additional screws. Only after the camera has been screwed to the plate, and the plate screwed to the housing is the installer able to determine whether the position of the camera on the plate is acceptable. If not, the plate must be unscrewed from the housing, and the camera unscrewed from the plate in order to adjust its position. In many cases, such camera mounting plates include a series of openings through which the camera mounting screw extends. If a given opening does not provide the correct position for the camera, another opening must be selected which could be as far as ¼ inch or ½ inch away from the initial opening. This may result in an over-adjustment of the position of the camera, which must be re-attached using a screw through the new opening in the plate, and the plate again attached with screws to the enclosure. This is a time-consuming, frustrating and inefficient process. 
     The same kinds of difficulties are encountered when an installed camera is replaced with a new or different camera. The lens and body of the new camera may be of a different length than the original camera, requiring the same cumbersome positioning process to be repeated for the new camera in the field. This process can become more cumbersome, frustrating and time-consuming if the camera is mounted in a location that is remote or difficult to access. Accessing such a camera may be further compounded if special tools are required to first open the enclosure and to then remove the camera. 
     Thus, when installing or servicing a surveillance camera in the field, it is desirable that a minimum number of tools be needed in order to gain access to the camera and electronics inside the enclosure. It is also desirable to provide a support structure for a surveillance camera that is easy to attach and remove, and that allows the position of the camera to be easily adjusted thereon. 
     Many existing camera housing enclosures include heating elements to help keep the front viewing panel clear of moisture on cold days. Such heating elements are generally deployed at the side(s), top and/or bottom of the viewing panel so that heat may readily reach the panel. However, positioning front panel heaters near the front panel itself takes up a considerable amount of the limited space inside the enclosure, and can interfere with the operation of the camera and electronics. During warm temperatures, surveillance cameras and their related electronics must not become excessively hot or their functionality will be affected, so it is important to be able to remove heat from the camera at such times It is therefore desirable to provide more efficient ways of keeping the front panel of a camera enclosure clear during cold temperature periods, and for providing efficient transfer of heat out of the camera enclosure during warm temperatures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for supporting and easily adjusting the position of a surveillance camera in an enclosure. Embodiments of the present invention also provide systems, methods and apparatus for keeping the front panel of a camera enclosure clear during cold temperature periods. Finally, embodiments of the present invention also provide systems, methods and apparatus for efficient transfer of heat out of a camera enclosure during warm temperatures. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, embodiments of a camera mounting plate are provided having an elongated central opening therein. In embodiments of the invention, the opening or slot in the mounting plate receives a mounting screw used to attach a camera to the plate. The position of the camera on the plate may be adjusted by loosening the screw from the camera without disconnecting it, sliding the screw in the slot to move the camera to another location on the plate, and then tightening the screw. In some embodiments, the plate is made of plastic or other rigid material including metal. In other embodiments, the slot is provided in a metallic fitting that is installed flush with the top surface of the camera mounting plate. This allows for the plate itself to be made of non-metallic material. In some embodiments, the metallic fitting is formed so that a camera may be attached against an upper surface of the fitting, and the lower surface makes contact with a housing wall of the camera enclosure. In these embodiments, the metallic fitting may act as a conductor for transferring heat away from the camera to the housing wall and into the exterior environment. 
     In another aspect of the invention, embodiments of a camera mounting plate are provided that snap fit into place on a lower camera housing structure. In these embodiments, the plate is elongated, and has a pair of outwardly protruding knobs or buttons on each side at one end. A pair of clips are provided at the opposite end of the plate. The knobs on each side of the plate of these embodiments fit into or under correspondingly located slots or shoulders on the lower housing structure toward the rear. The end of the plate having the knobs thereon is inserted first into the rear of lower housing structure, with the knobs being inserted into such slots or under such shoulders. The plate then pivots around the knobs, allowing the opposite end of the plate to move through an arc until it comes into contact with the housing structure such that the opposite end of the plate is just behind the front viewing panel of the enclosure. At this point, the clips on either side of the opposite end of the plate snap into place against corresponding ridges or shoulders in the lower housing structure, securing the plate in place. In these embodiments, an upwardly extending tab is associated with each clip such that moving these tabs releases or disengages the clips from the ridge or shoulder to which they were engaged, allowing the plate to be removed. In some embodiments, the plate embodiments having the knobs and clips may also be provided with a slotted camera mounting opening as described herein, and/or such plate embodiments may also be provided with the metallic fitting as described herein. 
     In some of the snap-fit plate embodiments, the pivoting knobs may be provided at the ends of a pair of arms that extend out from the back of the plate. These arms provide a gap between them, and cause the location of the pivot point for the knobs to be closer to the back of the enclosure. 
     In some of the snap-fit plate embodiments, the clips are provided in the form of flexible arms located on both sides of the front portion of the plate. In these embodiments, each of these arms includes an outwardly extending lower flange or lip that snaps into place below a corresponding flange or shoulder on the lower housing structure. In these embodiments, upwardly extending tabs are provided on the flexible arms allowing the user to move the arms by moving the tabs. Such movement makes it possible to move the lower flanges or lips out from under the corresponding flange or shoulder of the lower housing structure, releasing the front end of the plate. It is to be appreciated that the clips of these embodiments may be provided through any suitable detachable mechanism. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more channels are provided in the lower surface of the support plate, extending from rear to front, leading to an opening at the front of the plate. When these embodiments of the plate are installed, this opening is located just below the front viewing panel of the enclosure. The channel(s) in the plate allow for direct communication of air from the rear of the housing to the front viewing plate. In these embodiments, one or more heating elements and a blower are provided at the rear of the housing. The heating element(s) and blower may be activated in order to cause warm air to flow through the channel(s) against the front plate to keep it clear of moisture in cold temperatures. The warm air evaporates moisture from the front viewing panel and front lens of the camera. The heating element may also be used to change or control the temperature inside the chamber. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide systems, methods and apparatus for supporting and easily adjusting the position of a surveillance camera in an enclosure. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide systems, methods and apparatus for keeping the camera lens and front panel of a camera enclosure clear during cold temperature periods. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide systems, methods and apparatus for efficient transfer of heat out of a camera enclosure during warm temperatures. 
     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 top perspective exterior view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective exterior view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  partially installed in a housing. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective exterior view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  fully installed in a housing. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention and a camera housing. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is an end sectional view along the line labeled “middle” of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention supporting a camera. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is an end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to  FIGS. 1-3 , it is seen that the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a generally rectangular plate  22  having a central opening therein. In the illustrated embodiments, a fitting  25  is inserted into the opening such that it is flush with the upper surface of plate  22  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Fitting  25  is preferably made of a temperature-conductive material such as metal. An elongated slot  27  is provided in fitting  25  extending a distance from front to rear along plate  22 . It is to be appreciated that in alternative embodiments fitting  25  may be omitted and slot  27  may be provided directly on plate  22  (not shown). 
     In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention, slot  27  receives a mounting screw  35  used to attach a camera  37  to the plate  22  as shown in  FIGS. 10-14 . The position of the camera on the plate may be adjusted by loosening the screw  35  from the camera  37  without disconnecting it, sliding the screw  35  in slot  27  to move the camera to another location on plate  22 , and then re-tightening the screw. 
     In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention, the fitting  25  is metallic, and is formed so that a camera  37  may be attached against its upper surface, and the lower surface  26  of fitting  25  makes contact with a housing wall  31  of the camera enclosure. In these embodiments, the metallic fitting  25  may act as a conductor for transferring heat away from the camera  37  to the housing wall  31  and into the exterior environment. 
     In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention, plate  22  has an elongated shape, and has a pair of outwardly protruding knobs or buttons  29  on each side at the rear end. A pair of clips  42  are provided at the opposite end of plate  22 . The knobs  29  on each side of plate  22  of the illustrated embodiments fit into or under correspondingly located slots or shoulders  36  on the lower housing structure  31  toward the rear. The back end of plate  22  is inserted first into the rear of lower housing structure  31 , with the knobs being inserted into such slots or under such shoulders, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The plate  22  then pivots around knobs  29 , allowing the opposite end of plate  22  to move through an arc until it comes into contact with the housing structure  31  such that the front end of plate  22  is just behind the front viewing panel  44  of the enclosure, as shown in  FIG. 3 . At this point, the clips  42  on either side of the front end of plate  25  snap into place against corresponding ridges or shoulders  38  in the lower housing structure  31 , securing the 
     plate  22  in place. In the illustrated embodiments, an upwardly extending tab  43  is associated with each clip  42  for manipulation purposes such that moving tab  43  releases or disengages the clip  42  from the ridge or shoulder  38  to which they were engaged, allowing plate  22  to be removed. In the illustrated embodiments, a plate  22  having the knobs  29  and clips  42  is also be provided with a slotted camera mounting opening  27  and metallic fitting  25 . It is to be appreciated that these features may be separated from each other and provided independently or in different combinations in different embodiments of the invention. 
     In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the pivoting knobs  29  are provided at the ends of a pair of arms  28  that extend out from the back of plate  22 . Arms  28  provide a gap  48  between them, and cause the location of the pivot point for the knobs  29  to be closer to the back of the enclosure. It is to be appreciated that in the embodiments having arms  28 , knobs  29  may protrude inward, or outward (as shown), or in both directions. 
     In some embodiments, the clips are provided in the form on flexible arms  42  located on both sides of the front portion of plate  22 . In these embodiments, each of these arms  42  is urged in an outward direction, and includes an outwardly extending lower flange or lip  45  that snaps into place below a corresponding flange or shoulder  38  on the lower housing structure, in alternative embodiments (not shown), arms  42  may be urged in an inward direction, and may include an inwardly extending lower flange or lip  45  that snaps into place below a corresponding flange or shoulder  38  on the lower housing structure, in these embodiments, upwardly extending tabs  43  are provided on the flexible arms  42  to allow the user to move the arms  42  by moving the tabs  43 . Such movement makes it possible to move the lower flanges or lips  45  out from under the corresponding flange or shoulder  38  of the lower housing structure  31 , releasing the front end of plate  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . It is to be appreciated that the clips used to hold the front of plate  22  into housing  31  may be provided through any suitable detachable mechanism. 
     In embodiments of the present invention, one or more channels  51  are provided in the lower surface of the support plate  22 , extending from rear to front, leading to an opening  53  at the front of the plate. See  FIGS. 5-9 . When these embodiments of the plate are installed, opening  53  is located just below the front viewing panel  44  of the enclosure. The channel(s)  51  in the lower surface of plate  22  allow for direct communication of air from the rear of the housing to the front viewing plate  44 . In these embodiments, one or more heating elements and a blower (not shown) are provided at the rear of the housing. The heating element(s) and blower may be activated in order to cause warm air to flow through the channel(s)  51  against the front plate  44  to keep it clear of moisture in cold temperatures. The warm air evaporates moisture from the front viewing panel  44  and front lens  39  of the camera  37 . The heating element and blower in conjunction with channels  51  and opening  53  may also be used to change or control the temperature inside the chamber. 
     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 disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.