Abstract:
A housing assembly permitting the adjustable positioning a surveillance camera enclosed therein. The housing assembly comprises a housing having a cylindrical camera opening therein for receiving the surveillance camera., a camera sled, a detachable lens assembly. The camera sled holds the surveillance camera and is slidably receivable in and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the camera opening. The camera sled includes positioning means for adjustably fixing the position and orientation of the camera sled assembly within the camera opening. The ballistic lens assembly encloses the camera sled and surveillance camera within the housing. 
     In an alternate embodiment the housing assembly further comprises a pan and tilt mechanism which permits the housing assembly to be manually position within a predetermined range of pan and tilt and acts as a wireway for the camera cabling. The pan and tilt mechanism is reversible and affords protection to camera wiring passing therethrough even when the housing assembly is fully tilted. In another embodiment of the invention, the lens assembly includes a replaceable protective transparent shield for the ballistic lens. The lens and protective shield can be made of ballistic or non-ballistic grade materials.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE INDEX 
     Not Applicable 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Copyright 1999. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materials which are subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all rights, copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to surveillance equipment and systems; and more particularly, to a fixed position housing assembly using a ballistic lens for housing surveillance equipment components including the surveillance camera which housing permits the continuous adjustment of the camera within the housing to overcome non vertical and non horizontal mounting positions, provides a replaceable shield for the ballistic lens and provides a tilt and pan bracket that substantially encloses the wiring connecting the camera to the surveillance system. 
     2. Background Information 
     Closed circuit video surveillance equipment is very useful and well established. For instance, video cameras can be installed throughout a facility such as a perimeter and public areas, places of business, parking lots, hospitals, government buildings, etc. A central command center is provided for selecting, displaying and recording of an output of any given video camera of the installed cameras. Thus, a small number of security personnel stationed at a central command center can officially monitor an entire facility by selecting, displaying and recording the output of any given camera. 
     Video surveillance equipment can be fixed positioned camera and zoom lenses. Fixed positioned cameras are useful for wide angle shots or limited view applications such as entrances and exits. Zoom lenses are used to increase a quality of captured video by allowing security personnel to zoom in on a small portion of a screen in order to evaluate and/or distinguish elements of the scene in greater detail. For targets that move within in a scene, the zooming function is of limited usefulness, unless the observation direction of the camera can likewise move. Therefore, cameras having zoom lenses are generally mounted on a pan and tilt mechanisms. Such pan and tilt mechanisms are typically controlled via the control command center by the security personnel. 
     In outdoor applications, an enclosure is employed to protect the camera from precipitation, extremes in temperature and unauthorized tampering. The optical quality of the window or lens through which the camera views its prescribed viewing area must be very good. For fixed position cameras, this window is often flat, typically made of a ballistic material and positioned at one end of a long housing containing the camera power supply, camera body and lens. Advantages of this type of housing include the ability to use window materials that are manufactured in sheet form and to completely seal the enclosure cost effectively using usually with o-rings in a cylindrical-type configuration. Cooling the interior of the sealed unit is usually accomplished by conduction only or by forced convection systems that circulate outside air into the enclosure typically are not used with such operations. 
     The cylindrical housings typically have the camera fixed within the housing and the housing is then mounted via bracket to a roof surface, a wall, a ceiling, or a overhang of the building. The bracket used for the mounting of these housings usually includes a means for tilting the housing and/or leveling the housing in a fixed positioned within a given range of tilt and pan. However, there are instances in which the housing cannot be positioned such that the camera produces an image that has normal viewing orientation. It would be advantageous to have a housing which would allow for the easy orientation of the camera despite a non-level positioning of the housing. 
     Also, with such housings which are permitted to tilt, at times the wiring and cables running into the housing for controlling the camera and providing the video output can be exposed as the housing is tilted on its bracket. It would be advantageous to have a bracket which would allow for the tilting of the housing yet keep the wiring inaccessible to persons attempting to damage the surveillance unit. Lastly, when dealing with fixed position surveillance cameras, the lens assemblies on the units are frequently spray painted or otherwise damaged by vandals. The lens material is usually constructed of a ballistic material which is expensive. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a protective shield which is readily replaceable so that if the unit were spray painted, the protective shield would bear the brunt of the attack protecting the ballistic lens. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a housing assembly permitting the adjustable positioning a surveillance camera enclosed therein after the housing is mounted. The housing assembly comprises a housing having a cylindrical camera opening therein for receiving the surveillance camera, camera sled, and a detachable lens assembly. The camera sled holds the surveillance camera and is slidably receivable in and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the camera opening. The camera sled includes positioning means for adjustably fixing the position and orientation of the camera sled assembly within the camera opening. The detachable lens assembly encloses the camera sled and surveillance camera within the housing. 
     In an alternate embodiment the housing assembly further comprises a pan and tilt mechanism which permits the housing assembly to be manually positioned within a predetermined range of pan and tilt and acts as a wireway for the camera cabling. The pan and tilt mechanism is reversible and affords protection to camera wiring passing therethrough even when the housing assembly is fully tilted. In another embodiment of the invention, the lens assembly includes a replaceable protective transparent shield for the lens. The lens and protective shield can be made from non-ballistic or ballistic grade materials. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention reference may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings where: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric drawing of the housing of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B are cut away isometric views of the housing of the present invention illustrating the positioning adjustment means shown in the released position in FIG.  2 A and in the engaged position in FIG.  2 B. 
     FIG. 2C is a view of a cam used as an implementation of the positioning means for the housing. 
     FIGS. 3A through 3D are isometric cut away views of the invention showing the rotation of the camera sled assembly illustrating, in FIGS. 3A,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D, respectively, 0 degree, 45 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree clockwise rotation of the camera sled assembly within the housing. 
     FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of the housing of the present invention shown mounted on a wall bracket. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the pan and tilt assembly utilized in the present invention. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B are exploded isometric drawings showing the reversibility of the housing bracket; with FIG. 6A illustrating the bracket positioned for a normal installation position on a rooftop or wall bracket and FIG. 6B illustrating the bracket position in a reversed position for an inverted installation position under an overhang. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are isometric drawings of the invention illustrating the wire protection feature of the present invention with FIG. 7A showing the housing in a level or non-tilted position and FIG. 7B showing the housing in a fully tilted position with the internal wiring remaining substantially enclosed. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the housing assembly  10  of the current invention. Shown in FIG. 1 is outer housing  12  having a sun shield  14  installed about the upper portions of the housing  12 . The housing  12  has a mounting flange  16  having a plurality of holes  18  there through positioned radially about the flange. Also attached to housing  12  is a pan and tilt assembly  19  comprising a housing cradle  20  and attached bracket  24 . Bracket  24  is used for mounting the housing  12  to a roof or to a mounting stand (not shown). Preferably, housing  12  is cylindrical in shape and has a cylindrical opening  28  in one end extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing  12 . For reference purposes, the end of the housing having opening  28  is termed the front, front end or front face. The opposite end of the housing is termed the rear, rear end or the rear face. 
     Inserted into opening  28  of housing  12  is a camera sled assembly, generally indicated at  30 . The camera sled  30  is slidably receivable and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the opening  28  in housing  12 . The camera sled  30  comprises an annular sled plate  32  having an outer diameter such that the sled plate is closely received in the opening  28  while being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of opening  28 . Depending from rear surface  33  of sled plate  32  is a planar camera bed  34  on which is mounted the surveillance camera  36  and a printed circuit board  38 . Camera bed  34  is sized such that the sides do not touch the wall  29  of opening  28 . This permits easy rotation of camera sled assembly  30 . Preferably, camera bed  34  is spaced away from the longitudinal axis of the opening  28  to allow camera lens  40  to be substantially in line with the longitudinal axis. Camera bed  34  is attached to sled plate  32  by anyone of several fastening meanings as is known in the art, e.g. welding, brazing, bolts, a keyed slot. The fastening means used for camera bed  34  is not crucial. A slot  35  is provided in camera bed  34  and is used for the attachment of camera  36  to camera bed  34 . Camera lens  39  is aligned with annular opening  40  in sled plate  32 . Opening  40  is of sufficient diameter so as not to occlude or block camera lens  39 . Camera sled  30  includes positioning means for fixing the position and orientation of the camera sled within the opening  28 . 
     Preferably, a rear sled plate  46  is attached to the rear end of camera bed  34 . The rear sled plate is circular and is sized to be closely received and rotatable within opening  28 . Rear sled plate  46  includes an opening  47  therethrough through which the cabling is run to camera  36 . Rear sled plate  46  may be formed from a portion of camera bed  34  which is bent substantially perpendicular to the plane of the top surface of camera bed  34  (see FIG. 2) with the bent portion have arcuate outer edges that are closely received within opening  28 . Rear sled plate  46  helps to support the weight of camera bed  34 , camera  36  and printed circuit board  38  which can alternatively be mounted on the front surface of rear sled plate  46  (see FIG.  2 ). Because rear plate  46  is in contact with the wall  29  of opening  28 , camera bed  34  and camera  36  are prevented from vibrating within opening  28 . Use of rear sled plate  46  allows the thickness of sled plate  32  and camera bed  34  to be thinner than if camera bed  34  is cantilevered from sled plate  32 . Also the tolerance or space between the sled plate  32  and the wall  29  of opening  28  can be greater than if no rear sled plate was used. Further, if sled plate  46  is not used, sled plate  32  and camera bed  34  must be of sufficient stiffness so as to substantially dampen any vibrations that may cause camera bed  34  and camera  36  to oscillate. 
     The positioning means for sled assembly  30  depends from front surface  37  of sled plate  32  and is comprised of a tab  41  having a threaded hole therein  42  for receiving set screw  44 . Hole  42  and set screw  44  are positioned such that when set screw  44  is threaded into hole  42  the end of set screw  44  will contact wall  29  of opening  28  to fix the position and orientation of the camera with respect to the housing  12 . Preferably, tab  41  is formed by cutting two parallel slots into sled plate  32  and bending the plate material intermediate the slots about 90 degrees to form tab  41 . Tab  41  may also be attached to sled plate  32  by other well known fastening means such as welding, brazing, bolts, a keyed slot, etc. In lieu of tab  41  a nut may be welded or brazed to the front surface  37  of sled plate  32 . Also the positioning means can be located on the rear surface of sled plate  32 , in which case it would be accessed via opening  40  or an opening provided in camera bed  34  for that purpose. When camera sled assembly  30  is inserted into the opening  28  of housing  12 , sled assembly may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of opening  28  in housing  12 . When the proper orientation of the camera is achieved, set screw  44  is tighten against wall  29  of opening  28 . This slightly cants or angles sled assembly  30  thereby locking its position in place within the opening  28 . A groove (not shown) can be machined into wall  29  of opening  28  which would receive the end of set screw and would also serve as a insertion guide when camera sled assembly  30  is slidably positioned therein. Alternatively, a spring loaded positioning means can be used in conjunction with a ring of detents machined into wall  29  as is known in the art. By pulling on a spring loaded pin, the pin would be released from a detent allowing for the rotation of camera sled assembly. When the desired orientation of the camera is achieved, the pin is released to seat in a detent. In a further embodiment of the positioning means, a cam may be rotatably mounted on sled plate  32  adjacent the edge of the plate, as shown in FIG  2 C. When the desired orientation of the camera is achieved, the cam would be rotated into contact with wall  29  also forcing the edge of sled plate  32  opposite the cam into contact with the wall  29  of opening  28 . 
     The adjustability of the camera sled  30  is illustrated in FIGS. 2A,  2 B, and  3 A- 3 D. FIG. 2A illustrates set screw  44  in the released position allowing for rotation and positioning of camera sled assembly  30  within opening  28  while FIG. 2B illustrates set screw  44  in the engaged position with wall  29  of opening  28 . FIG. 3A illustrates camera sled  30  in a normal position such as would be used if the housing assembly  10  were mount on a flat horizontal surface. X, Y, and Z axes are shown. The X+-X− axis represents the horizontal, the Y+-Y− axis, the vertical, and the Z+-Z− axis, the longitudinal axis of opening  28  in housing  12 . FIG. 3B illustrates a 45 degree clockwise rotation of camera sled assembly  30 . FIG. 3C illustrates a 90 degree clockwise rotation of camera sled assembly  30 . FIG. 3D illustrates a 180 degree clockwise rotation of camera sled assembly  30 . Rotation of camera sled assembly  30  can continue through 360 degrees of rotation or more depending upon the amount of slack in the wires  100 . Rotation can be either clockwise or counter-clockwise in direction. 
     Referring again, to FIG. 1, a detachable lens assembly  50  is used to enclose the sled assembly  30  within opening  28  of housing  12 . Preferably, lens assembly  50  comprises an annular cap plate  54 , flange gasket  58 , lens gasket  62 , protective shield  66 , lens  70 , annular end plate  74 , and lens fastening means such as bolts  76  and assembly fastening means such as bolts  52 . Cap plate  54  has two sets of holes therethrough—a first set  53  radially positioned at a first distance about the outer edge of the cap so as to be aligned with holes  18  in flange  16 , the second set of holes  55  radially positioned at a second distance adjacent the opening  57  in cap plate  54 . The first gasket, the flange gasket  58 , has a plurality of holes  60  therethrough corresponding to the first set of holes  55  in cap plate  54 , seats against the rear surface of cap plate  54  and front surface  17  of flange  18  and seals the connection between end plate  54  and the housing  12  occurring at flange  16 . The second gasket, lens gasket  62 , is positioned inside of flange gasket  58  and seats against the rear surface  59  of the cap end plate  54 . Lens gasket  62  has a plurality of radially positioned holes  63  that correspond to and align with holes  55  in cap plate  54 . Cylindrical transparent shield plate  66  is positioned between gasket  62  and lens  70 . Shield plate  66 , lens  70  and end plate  74  each have a plurality of radially positioned holes  67 ,  71 , and  75 , respectively, that correspond to and align with holes  55  in cap plate  54 . Preferably, transparent shield plate  66  is made out of a thin polycarbonate material such as LEXAN® brand polycarbonate and lens  70  is made from a ballistic grade of polycarbonate material such as LEXGARD® SP-1250 brand of polycarbonate laminate, both being manufactured by GE Plastics division of General Electric Company. The thickness of shield plate  66  is about ¼ inch (0.635 cm) and that of lens  70  is about {fraction (11/2)} inches (3.8 cm). Alternatively shield plate  66  and lens  70  can be made from acrylic, styrene, and glass. Shield plate  66  can also be made of ballistic grade polycarbonate. 
     A plurality of bolts  76  is used to attach end plate  74 , lens  70 , protective shield  66  and lens gasket  62  to rear surface  59  of cap plate  54  via holes  75 ,  71 ,  76 , and  63 . After these are attached, the lens assembly can then be attached to flange  16  via holes  53  and  18  using bolts  52 . The lens gasket  62 , shield plate  66 , lens  70  and end plate  74  are sized to be easily received within opening  28 . The annular openings in lens gasket  62 , and end plate  76  correspond in diameter to annular opening  40  in sled plate  32 . The annular opening  57  in cap plate  54  is of a smaller diameter than that used for end plate  74  in order to provide a seating surface on cap plate  54  for lens gasket  62 , shield plate  66 , lens  70  and end plate  74  but annular opening  57  is at least as large as the diameter of camera lens  39  so as not to block the view of camera  36 . 
     In the event that the surveillance camera housing has been vandalized by painting or other means to block the view of the camera, shield plate  66  would receive the brunt of the abuse protecting lens  70 . Because shield plate  66  is made out of material that is usually less expensive than lens  70 , this material is more easily replaced in comparison. 
     In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the lens assembly comprises an annular cap plate having a plurality of through holes radially positioned about the plate, a protective shield, and a ballistic lens. Fastening means, such as bolts, for coaxially and removably attaching the ballistic lens and shield to the cap plate are provided. The protective shield is positioned between the front of the lens and the rear surface of the end plate. Here the lens assembly can be attached to the housing  12  using flange  16 . Alternatively, cap plate and the portion of the wall  29  adjacent the front of the housing can be threaded allowing the lens assembly to be screwed into opening  28 . An O-ring can be provided to help seal the opening between the lens assembly and the wall  29  of opening  28 . With this arrangement, flange  16  on housing  12  would not be used. Although the lens assembly is shown for use with a housing assembly that is described as being mounted outdoors, such housing assembly can also be used indoors. Also, the lens assembly may also be used with an indoor housing assembly such as those found in an elevator or in corridors. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the cross section of an assembled unit  10  is shown mounted a hollow wall mount arm  81 . The assembled lens cap assembly  50  is shown mounted on housing  12  using bolts  52 . Positioned to the rear or behind end plate  74  is camera sled assembly  30  having camera  36  mounted thereon. As shown in this view, camera lens  39  extends through annular opening  40  of sled plate  32  and comes in contact with sled plate  32 . This helps to further stiffen camera sled assembly  30 . Slot  35  provided in the plate  32  for attaching camera  36  allows camera  36  to be slidably positioned along the longitudinal axis of the opening  28  and to extend through opening  40 . Camera  36 , once positioned, is held in place by a fastening means such as a bolt (not shown). Camera sled assembly  30  is slidably positioned in opening  28  so that the rear end of camera sled assembly  30  is adjacent to but spaced apart from bottom  27  of opening  28  allowing space for wires  100  that are attached to camera  36 . Wires  100  are routed through an opening  47  (See FIG. 1) provided in rear sled plate  38 . Opening  47  is preferably positioned about the longitudinal axis of opening  28 . Wires  100  are then routed into space  82  formed between sled bed  34  and bottom  15  and wall  29  of opening  28 . Wires  100  exit housing  12  via openings  84  provided for that purpose. Also shown in this figure are strain relief fittings  86  which may be used with the wires as they exit housing  12 . Wires  100  pass through a passageway  88  formed by the cradle  20  and the bracket  24  and exit the housing assembly  10  through hole  90  provided in the base of bracket  24 . Wires  100  enter the interior  92  of wall arm  81  and then into the wall  94 . Advantageously, the routing of wires  100  from camera  36  into the wall is such that wires  100  are substantially inaccessible to outside parties. Nuts  98  and bolts  96  are used to secure bracket  24  to mounting arm  81 . Bolts  96  are received in opposed arcuate slots provided in the base of bracket  24  (See FIG.  5 ). These slots allow housing assembly  10  to be panned within a limited range. Nuts  98  and bolts  96  are then be tightened when housing assembly  10  has been panned to the desired surveillance position. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, housing cradle  20  is comprised of a first and second pair of spaced apart opposed walls,  110 A ,  110 B and  114 A,  114 B, respectively. The walls extend substantially perpendicularly from exterior  118  of housing  12  and define a substantially enclosed cavity  122  therebetween. Walls of housing cradle  20  are positioned about openings  84 , and, if provided, strain relief fittings  86 . Four threaded holes  126 ,  128 ,  127 , and  129  are provided in first pair of opposed walls  110 A and  110 B. Holes  126  and  128  are in wall  110 A and holes  127  and  129  are in wall  110 B. Hole  126  is opposite hole  127  and hole  128  is opposite hole  129 . Holes  126  and  128  in wall  110 A and holes  127  and  129  in wall  110 B, respectively, are symmetrically positioned about their respective vertical centerlines  130 ,  131  and are adjacent the respective tops  132  and  134  of their respective walls. 
     Bracket  24  has a base  150  having an opening  152  therethrough for the passage of wires  100 . Bracket  24  also has a first and second pair of spaced apart opposed walls,  160 A,  160 B and  164 A  164 B, respectively, extending substantially perpendicularly from base  150  and positioned about base opening  152 . Base  150  and the wall pairs form a substantially enclosed central cavity  168  therebetween. Cavity  168  is sized to receive the housing cradle walls as shown in FIG.  4 . Hole  170  and arcuate slot  172  are provided in wall  160 A. Hole  171  and arcuate slot  173  are provided in wall  160 B. Hole  170  is opposite hole  171  and slot  172  is opposite slot  173 . End  174  of slot  172  and hole  170  are position adjacent base  150  and are also symmetrically positioned about the vertical centerline of wall  160 . The radius of curvature for arcuate slot  172  is about the center of hole  170  and slot  170  extends toward the top of wall  160 A. Hole  171  and slot  173  in the opposite wall are similarly positioned. Holes  126 ,  127 ,  128 ,  129 ,  170  and  171  are of approximately the same diameter and the widths of slots  172  and  173  are approximately the same size as the diameter of the holes. Opening  179  in wall  164 B and notch  181  in wall  114 B are vertically aligned with one another and provide an alternate wiring route into cavities  122 ,  168 . A conduit fitting can be attached to bracket  24  using opening  179 . Notch  181  is used to prevent pinching of any wires that may be entering the housing assembly via opening  179 . With the second pair of opposed walls  164 A,  164 B in bracket  24 , wall  164 B is substantially the same height as the walls  110 A or  114 B while wall  164 A is substantially shorter. This allows housing assembly  10  to tilt or pivot while also serving to block any opening or gap between the end of wall  114 A of the housing cradle  20  and base  150  of bracket  24  thus protecting the camera wiring. Panning of the housing assembly can be done using a nipple threadably secured in base opening  152 . Preferably, two opposed arcuate slots  194 A,  194 B are provided in base  150  coaxial with base opening  152  but spaced apart therefrom. These slots along with two bolts (see FIG. 4) that are threadably received in threaded openings in the mounting arm  81  allow for panning of the housing assembly within a predetermined range. 
     When housing cradle  20  is inserted into bracket  24  in a first or normal position, holes  170 ,  171 ,  128  and  129  are aligned while holes  126  and  127  and slots  173  and  172  are aligned. When housing cradle  20  is inserted into bracket  24  in a second or reverse position, holes  170 ,  171 ,  126  and  127  are aligned while holes  128  and  129  and slots  173  and  172  are aligned. Threaded bolts  190 A-D are inserted through hole  170 , slot  172 , hole  171  and slot  173  respectively and are threaded into holes  128 ,  126 ,  129  and  127 , respectively to connect housing cradle  20  with bracket  24 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, walls  110 A,  110 B,  114 A and  114 B of cradle  24  are held in a spaced apart relationship from base  150  of bracket  24  allowing for easier tilting. Housing assembly  10  can be tilted or pivoted about a tilt axis defined by bolts  190 A and  190 C. When the desired tilt position is reached, bolts  190 A- 190 D are tightened. Flat washers  200  (see FIG. 6A) may also be used with bolts  190 B and  190 D. Bolts  190 A-D, slots  172 ,  173 , and holes  126 - 129  provide means for removably connecting the first pair of walls of the housing cradle with the first pair of walls in the bracket when the housing cradle is inserted into the bracket and the positioning of the holes keeps the end of the walls of the cradle in a spaced apart position with respect to the bracket base. This also allows the housing cradle to be adjustably tilted about the tilt axis within a pre-determined range as allowed by the length of the slots and to be fixed in place when the desired degree of tilt is achieved. With respect to the bracket, preferably four bolts are used for connecting the bracket to the housing cradle. However, a single bolt can be used which extends from one side of the bracket through the housing cradle and out the other side. We have found, however, that it is most cost effective to use the four bolts. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the reversible mounting feature of the housing assembly  10 . FIG. 6A illustrates the housing unit when the housing cradle in inserted into the bracket in the first or normal position. As shown there the pivot or tilt axis is nearer to the front of the housing assembly. This position would typically be used for a roof top type mounting of the housing assembly  10 . FIG. 6B illustrates the housing unit when the housing cradle is inserted into the bracket in the second or reversed position. As shown there the pivot or tilt axis is nearer to the rear of the housing assembly. This position would typically be used for an eaves-type or overhang type mounting. In FIG. 6B, it can be seen that bracket  24  has been reversed in position with respect to cradle housing  20 . 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the wiring protection feature of the housing assembly  10 . In FIG. 7A the housing assembly  10  is shown in a level or non tilted position and the wires  100  are substantially enclosed by the pan and tilt mechanism  19 . In FIG. 7B, the housing assembly is shown in its full tilted position. The walls of housing cradle  20  and bracket  24  still substantially enclose wires  100 . 
     In use, once the mount for housing assembly  10  has been positioned in the desired location, housing  12  is then attached thereto via pan and tilt mechanism  19 . The wiring is run into housing  12  and camera sled assembly  30  is connected to the wiring then inserted in housing  12 . At this point in the setup for the unit  10  the following can occur in either order: (1) the camera is rotated into the proper orientation and the positioning means is engaged to fix the position of the camera sled assembly  30  orientation; (2) the unit  10  is then panned and tilted and then secured in its final position and (3) the ballistic lens assembly is then fasten to housing  12 . 
     Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or from practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification be considered as exemplary only with the scope and spirit of the present invention being indicated by the following claims,