Abstract:
A method, system, and device for manipulating of surveillance cameras and the like mounted on top of utility poles. The system comprises: a multi-link articulating mechanism connected to a base, having a distal end, and configured to change positions of said distal end between over the base and cantilevered beyond the base; an object support connected to at least two links of the mechanism and configured to rotate from upright position with the distal end being over the base to upside down position with the distal end being cantilevered beyond the base; a winch mounted to the object support having a cable extended through said object support and configured for attaching the detachable object; and control means configured to manipulate the detachable object between being mounted upright and hanged by the cable at a predetermined height.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to manipulating of detachable objects mounted at top edges of high structures and, more particularly, to manipulating of surveillance cameras and the like mounted on top of utility poles, masts, and towers that provides improved features and capabilities. 
         [0002]    Various objects requiring more or less regular and, sometimes, emergency maintenance are frequently installed at heights inaccessible without specialized equipment and/or specially trained workers. For example, surveillance cameras, lighting and signaling devices, as well as certain communication devices need to be placed at a significant elevation to perform their functions properly. Their maintenance, due to a use of specialized mobile platforms, necessitates a paved access in remote areas and causes traffic restrictions in built up areas. 
         [0003]    A partial solution to this problem is provided by hanging the object from a housing attached to a stationary arm cantilevered from the structure. In this arrangement, the object is attached to the housing with a cable and a latching mechanism, which includes a power/data connector and an orienting means. Typically, a female part of the connector and stationary part of the latching mechanism belong to the housing with a male part of the connector and removable parts of the latching mechanism are installed onto the object. 
         [0004]    The latching mechanism engages/disengages by pulling the cable that can be attached to a winch for lowering and rising the object. Generally, the cable reaches through the housing and the arm to the winch normally concealed at the structure base. Due to difficulties in controlling the pull forces while operating the latching mechanism, the cable has to be of greater size than otherwise required by the object parameters. 
         [0005]    An obvious shortcoming associated with this solution is a restricted viewing field. A blind zone angle is a function of a size of the structure and the length of the arm. While a restriction caused by a short arm is more severe, a long arm requires heavier structure for its support as a tradeoff for decreasing the restriction. That necessitates an installation and, in some cases, synchronization of additional objects to cover the restricted area. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a solution that provides an ability to lower the objects having unrestricted viewing field to the ground level for maintenance. It would be desirable to shorten the cable and decrease a number of bends as well as total bend angle between the object and the winch. Additionally, it would be desirable to decrease the cable size that would be beneficial for overall size and weight of the mounting device. Further, such device should preferably be controlled remotely. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention generally focuses on improved functionality and serviceability of surveillance cameras and the like mounted on top of utility poles, masts, and towers, specifically on providing unrestricted viewing field coupled with the ability to lower the camera to the ground level for maintenance. Particularly, in its various embodiments and implementations, the invention facilitates higher efficiency by providing, for example, a surveillance camera at a particular installation with the highest possible elevation and unobstructed view. Furthermore, the present invention provides for simplified and lower cost maintenance by excluding a necessity of using specialized mobile equipment and/or specially trained workers. Moreover, in its various embodiments and implementations, the invention provides for reducing indirect costs associated with having to utilize specialized mobile platforms like paved accesses, permits from cities to close/restrict public access to areas around work sites, traffic restrictions, and so on. 
         [0008]    In general, in one aspect, a method for manipulating a detachable object mounted with unrestricted viewing field comprises steps of: placing the detachable object in upright position at a certain vertical distance from and horizontally in proximity to an edge, rotating the detachable object unidirectional interdependently around a first axis positioned in proximity to the edge and a second axis positioned in proximity to said detachable object until said detachable object is cantilevered from said edge in upside down position, lowering the detachable object for a predetermined distance, rising the detachable object for the predetermined distance, and rotating the detachable object unidirectional interdependently around said first axis positioned in proximity to the edge and said second axis positioned in proximity to said detachable object until said detachable object returns into the initial position. 
         [0009]    Various embodiments and implementations of this aspect of the invention may include that said first and second axes may be horizontal axes, the steps of said rotating the detachable object may comprise a step of sensing at least one predetermined relative to the first axis position, and the steps of said lowering and rising of the detachable object may comprise a step of sensing at least one predetermined relative to the second axis position. 
         [0010]    In general, in another aspect, the invention relates to a system for manipulating a detachable object mounted with unrestricted viewing field that comprises: a multi-link articulating mechanism connected to a base, having a distal end, and configured to change positions of said distal end between generally vertical over the base and cantilevered to a certain position beyond the base; an object support connected to at least two links of the multi-link articulating mechanism, the object support configured to rotate from upright position with the distal end being generally vertical over the base to upside down position with the distal end being cantilevered to said certain position beyond the base; a winch mounted to the object support having a cable extended through said object support and configured for attaching the detachable object; and a control means configured to manipulate the detachable object between being mounted with unrestricted viewing field and hanged by the cable at a predetermined height. 
         [0011]    Various embodiments and implementations of this aspect of the invention may include a latching mechanism configured to engage corresponding parts of the detachable object, sensors configured to detect at least one of limits of movement of the multi-link articulating mechanism and at least one position of the detachable object relative to the latching mechanism, and a drive, which may be a linear actuator, attached to at least one link of the multi-link articulating mechanism, said drive may be configured to move said multi-link articulating mechanism. The drive may be attached either to two links of the multi-link articulating mechanism or to the base and one of the links of the multi-link articulating mechanism. 
         [0012]    In general, in yet another aspect, the invention relates to a device for manipulating a detachable object mounted with unrestricted viewing field that comprises: a frame attached pivotally to a stationary base; an articulating leg comprising joined at a knee pivot a lower leg attached pivotally to said stationary base and an upper leg attached pivotally to said frame; and a hoist attached pivotally to said frame and linked to said articulating leg. Various embodiments and implementations of this aspect of the invention may include the following features: 
         [0013]    The hoist may comprise a winch, a nest, and a detachable object support, said detachable object support may be connected to the winch by a cable and may carry detachable parts of a latching mechanism corresponding to stationary parts of said latching mechanism attached to the nest. A linear actuator may be attached pivotally either to said frame and to said articulating leg or to said stationary base and to said articulating leg. Furthermore, the linear actuator may be attached pivotally coaxially with said lower leg to said stationary base and to said upper leg. A position with the detachable object mounted for unrestricted viewing field may correspond to the pivots of the articulating leg located approximately on a straight line. The hoist may be linked to said articulating leg either by a link attached pivotally to said hoist and to said lower leg or by meshed gear segments attached correspondingly to said hoist and to said upper leg. At least one sensor may be configured to detect at least one predetermined position of either said frame or said articulating leg or said detachable object support and at least one sensor may be configured to detect at least one predetermined position of said detachable object support relative to said stationary parts of said latching mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to present invention with a detachable object positioned for unrestricted viewing field. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts the side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with the device in an intermittent position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  depicts the side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with the device having the detachable object cantilevered. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts the side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with the device having the detachable object suspended with a cable. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the device according to present invention with a detachable object positioned for unrestricted viewing field. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict respectively perspective and side views of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  with the device in an intermittent position. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict respectively perspective and side views of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  with the device having the detachable object cantilevered. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  depicts the side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  with the device having the detachable object suspended with a cable. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0025]    In its various embodiments, the present invention focuses on an improved device for manipulating a detachable object mounted with unrestricted viewing field in general and a device for lowering a surveillance camera and the like mounted upright on top of a utility pole specifically. Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , in one embodiment, an articulating tripod  110  of the device  100  may comprise a two legged frame  111  that may be attached to a base  112  with pins  113  and joined to an upper leg  114 , with a pivot  115 . The base  112  may be configured for fastening to a vertical surface. A lower leg  116  may be attached to the base  112  with a pivot  117  and to the upper leg  114  with a pivot  118 . A body  119  of a linear actuator may be connected to the frame  111  by a pivot  120  and its rod  122 —to the upper leg  114  by a pivot  121 . A link  123  may be connected to the lower leg  116  with a pivot  124  and to a hoist  150  with a pin  125 . 
         [0026]    The hoist  150  rotatable on an axle  126  placed at a distal end of the frame  111  may comprise a winch  151  with a cable  152  driven by a gearmotor  153  and a nest  154 . The gearmotor  153  may be protected by an enclosure  155  shown only in  FIG. 2 . As well, for clarity of further descriptions, the winch  151  is shown without a cover in  FIGS. 3-5 . A latching mechanism  156  and the cable  152  may connect a detachable support  160  with a camera  170  to the nest  154 , wherein a stationary part  156   a  of the latching mechanism  156  may be fastened into the nest  154  and a detachable part  156   b  may be fastened to the support  160 . With the latching mechanism  156  engaged, a seal between the support  160  and the nest  154  may provide an electrical connector incorporated into the latching mechanism  156  with a protection against elements. A sensor  130  may be placed, for example, with the frame  111  while other sensors providing data for controlling the device  100  may be placed anywhere with or within components of the device, for example, the linear actuator body  119  or the latching mechanism  156 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , in another embodiment, an articulating tripod  210  of the device  200  may comprise a two legged frame  211  that may be attached to a base  212  with pins  213  and joined to an upper leg  214 , with a pivot  215 . The base  212  may be configured for fastening to a horizontal surface. Two symmetrically positioned lower legs  216  may be attached to the base  212  by a pivot  217  and to the upper leg  214  with a pivot  218 . A body  219  of a linear actuator may be pivotally connected to the base  212  coaxially and between the legs  216  by the pivot  217  and its rod  222 —to the upper leg  214  by a pivot  221 . A gear segment  225  may be fastened to the upper leg  214  and meshed with a pinion segment  257  fastened to a hoist  250 . 
         [0028]    The hoist  250  rotatable on an axle  226  placed at a distal end of the frame  211  may comprise a winch  251  with a cable  252  driven by a gearmotor  253  and a nest  254 . The gearmotor  253  may be placed in an enclosure  255 . A latching mechanism  256  and the cable  252  may connect a detachable support  260  with a camera  270  to the nest  254 . Sensors providing data for controlling the device  200  may be placed anywhere with or within components of the device, for example, the linear actuator body  219  or the latching mechanism  256 . Methods and means of fixing positions of one part relative to another well known in the art so, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of means and/or structures for performing the functions. 
         [0029]    The embodiments of the present invention may function as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . With the camera  170  in upright (surveillance) position, the rod  122  is retracted and the pivots  115 ,  117 , and  118  are located on a straight line that makes the tripod  110  a rigid pyramid. When the rod  122  extends, it pushes the upper  114  and lower  116  legs and pivot  118  outward that decreases distances between pivots  115 , 117  and  124 ,  126 . As a result, the frame  111  pulled by the upper leg  114  around the pins  113  and the hoist  150  pushed by the link  123  around the axle  126  are rotated in the same direction until a control system (not shown) receives a signal from the sensor  130  that the hoist  150  is turned upside down. 
         [0030]    Then the control system switches the camera  170  off and the winch  151  on. The winch  151  pulls the cable  152  and, after releasing by that the latching mechanism  156 , reverses the direction to lower the support  160  with the camera  170  to predetermined height for maintenance. To return the camera  170  back into the upright position, the winch  151  pulls the cable  152  until the latching mechanism  156  engages sufficiently and, after that, reverses for a short time to release the cable  152  from the stress. With the latching mechanism  156  engaged, the rod  122  retracts returning the tripod  110  into initial rigid state with the camera  170  being upright. Determining the latching mechanism  156  state and, correspondingly, limiting the pull force of the cable  152  may be aided by a sensor embedded into the nest  154 . Latching mechanisms that include electrical connectors and orienting means are well known in the art. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , a function of an embodiment of the present invention  200  differs from depicted above in that the hoist  250  is rotated by an interaction of the gear  225  and pinion  257 . With the camera  270  in upright (surveillance) position, the rod  222  is retracted and the pivots  215 ,  217 , and  218  are located on a straight line that makes the tripod  210  a rigid pyramid. When the rod  222  extends, it rotates the upper leg  214  clockwise around the pivot  218  that decreases distances between pivots  215  and  217 . As a result, the frame  211  is pulled counterclockwise by the upper leg  214  around the pins  213  and the hoist  250  rotated counterclockwise as well by the interaction between the gear segment  225  and the pinion segment  257  around the axle  226  until a control system (not shown) receives a signal from the sensor  230  that the hoist  250  is turned upside down. 
         [0032]    Then the control system switches the camera  270  off and the winch  251  on. The winch  251  pulls the cable  252  and, after releasing by that the latching mechanism  256 , reverses the direction to lower the support  260  with the camera  270  to predetermined height for maintenance. To return the camera  270  back into the upright position, the winch  251  pulls the cable  252  until the latching mechanism  256  engages sufficiently and, after that, reverses for a short time to release the cable  252  from the stress. With the latching mechanism  256  engaged, the rod  222  retracts returning the tripod  210  into initial rigid state with the camera  270  being upright. Determining the latching mechanism  256  state and, correspondingly, limiting the pull force of the cable  252  may be aided by a sensor embedded into the nest  254 . 
         [0033]    Considering that a summary of angles of rotation of the frame  111 ,  211  with the hoist  150 ,  250  correspondingly equal 180°, a configuration of the device  200  may provide the greater angle for the frame  211  comparing to the frame  111  of the device  100  and, accordingly, the lesser angle for the hoist  250  comparing to the hoist  150 . 
         [0034]    Consequently, the present invention provides the improved device for manipulating a detachable object mounted with unrestricted viewing field. Furthermore, the invention provides that such device positions the detachable object at the highest possible elevation. Moreover, the present invention provides for decreasing the cable size and length as well as a number of bends and a total bend angle between the object and the winch. 
         [0035]    While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0036]    Accordingly, as indicated above, the foregoing embodiments of the invention are examples and can be varied in many ways. Such present or future variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 
         [0037]    All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
         [0038]    The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” 
         [0039]    The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
         [0040]    As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” 
         [0041]    “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
         [0042]    As used herein, the term “about” refers to a +/−10% variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to. 
         [0043]    As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited. In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.