TWI896869B - Device for fixing camera - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for fixing a camera. According to the present invention, the device comprises: a bottom cover assembly (1) for accommodating a camera assembly; a mounting seat (3) for fixing to a mounting position, wherein the mounting seat (3) is provided with at least one first connecting portion (6); wherein the bottom cover assembly (1) is provided with at least one second connecting portion (7), wherein the at least one second connecting portion is adapted to be engaged with the at least one first connecting portion on the mounting seat (3) in a sliding manner by sliding the bottom cover assembly (1) on the mounting seat (3) along a sliding direction.

Description

Device for fixing cameras

The present invention relates to a device for fixing a camera.

Typically, to secure the camera, it can be pre-locked to the ceiling or wall using a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is pre-attached to the ceiling or wall using a fixing device.

In the prior art, there are two ways to pre-lock a camera to a mount: twist lock and snap lock. The mount and housing are each provided with corresponding connecting parts.

In the case of a twist lock, for example, a hook is provided on the mount, and a corresponding hook is provided on the housing that receives the camera. By twisting the housing relative to the mount, the hooks lock together, pre-locking the camera to the mount. While this locking method is easy to design, simple, and reliable, it cannot be used on some cameras due to user experience (UX) optimization. This is because the camera has a tube to protect the cable, which restricts the camera's rotational movement.

Due to the aforementioned limitations of twist locks, most current cameras use a snap-on pre-locking mechanism. For example, a hook is provided on the mounting base or the housing that receives the camera, and a corresponding snap-on structure is provided on the housing or mounting base. Pre-locking is achieved by the snap-on engagement of the hook and the snap-on structure. While this locking method offers a good user experience, it carries reliability risks. The snap-on process requires the hook or snap-on structure to exhibit a certain degree of flexibility and elastic deformation. Therefore, the hook is typically made of plastic rather than metal. Consequently, the strength and reliability of this locking structure are inferior to those using metal. From a design perspective, this locking mechanism is easy to install and remove, but difficult to adjust its locking force.

Therefore, there is a need for a reliable and convenient pre-locking device that does not have structural deformation, can use metal as the material of the connection part, and is not restricted in terms of usage behavior.

Against this backdrop, the present invention proposes an efficient solution for securing a camera. This solution not only overcomes the shortcomings of existing solutions but also achieves a particularly reliable engagement and ensures sufficient strength by sliding the bottom cover assembly relative to the mounting base.

According to the present invention, a device for securing a camera is provided. The device comprises: a bottom cover assembly for accommodating a camera assembly; a mounting base for securing to a mounting location, the mounting base having at least one first connecting portion; and at least one second connecting portion provided on the bottom cover assembly, the second connecting portion being adapted to slidably engage with the first connecting portion on the mounting base as the bottom cover assembly slides along a sliding direction on the mounting base.

The basic concept of the present invention is that, by providing corresponding first and second connecting portions on the bottom cover assembly and the mounting base, respectively, a snap-on or twist-lock method is achieved. Specifically, the present invention enables the bottom cover assembly to be connected to the mounting base on the mounting base in a sliding manner along a sliding direction by means of the first and second connecting portions, wherein the first and second connecting portions engage with each other in a sliding manner. Here, except for movement in the sliding direction, the movement or freedom of the bottom cover assembly in other directions is restricted or prevented, thereby achieving a reliable snap-on of the bottom cover assembly on the mounting base. As a result, not only can sufficiently high reliability and strength of the entire structure be ensured, but the user's usage behavior is completely unrestricted. In addition, based on this interlocking structure, the device can also achieve the advantages of snap lock and twist lock to a certain extent.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base is adapted to be secured to the mounting position in a first securing orientation via a first securing member. Furthermore, the bottom cover assembly is adapted to be secured to the mounting base in a second securing orientation via a second securing member. The provision of the first and second securing members improves the connection reliability between the bottom cover assembly and the mounting base, and allows the mounting base and the bottom cover assembly to be secured to a desired mounting position.

According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing device and/or the second fixing device are screws. The screw specification may be, for example, M4. Alternatively or additionally, the first fixing direction is parallel to or coincides with the second fixing direction. In other words, the first fixing device and the second fixing device may be installed facing the same direction. Alternatively or additionally, the sliding direction is non-parallel to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the sliding direction is perpendicular to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction. According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting portion and/or the second connecting portion are configured as snap hooks. Alternatively or additionally, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are configured to slide relative to each other only in the sliding direction. Alternatively or additionally, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are configured to prevent further sliding of the bottom cover assembly along the sliding direction when in the snapped state.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting portion is provided with a stop adapted to prevent the bottom cover assembly from sliding further in the sliding direction when in the engaged state. In the engaged state, the second connecting portion stops at the stop.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the bottom cover assembly is configured in a hollow cylindrical shape, in particular a hollow cylindrical shape. Furthermore, according to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting seat is configured in a disc shape, in particular a circular disc shape.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a pipe suitable for accommodating a cable for a camera, and the pipe is suitable for being fixed to the mounting base in a third fixing direction via a third fixing device.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the third fixing direction is non-parallel to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction. In particular, the third fixing direction is perpendicular to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base is provided with a lug, and the pipe is fixed to the lug via the third fixing device.

According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the third fixing direction is parallel to the sliding direction. According to another optional embodiment of the present invention, the end of the tube connected to the lug is tapered to form a step, wherein the third fixing member is a nut that, when fixed, clamps the lug onto the step. In particular, the nut is of M8 specification.

According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the at least one first connection portion includes three first connection portions, and the bottom cover assembly is configured such that, upon movement along the sliding direction, the three first connection portions simultaneously engage with corresponding second connection portions. According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first connection portion and/or the second connection portion are made of metal. Providing multiple, particularly three, first and second connection portions and using metal materials for the connection portions enables more stable engagement of the connection portions, thereby improving the overall installation stability and operational reliability of the device.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned in the foregoing description and the features and combinations of features mentioned in the following description of the drawings and/or shown exclusively in the drawings may be used not only in the respectively specified combinations but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following are also considered to be encompassed and disclosed by the present invention: these are not explicitly shown and not explicitly explained in the drawings, but instead result from and result from a combination of separate features from the explained contents. The following are also considered to be disclosed: they do not have all the features of the originally written independent claims. In addition, the following contents and feature combinations are deemed to be particularly disclosed by the above contents: the feature combinations defined in the references that exceed or deviate from the scope of the patent application.

1: Bottom cover assembly

2: Screws

3: Mounting Base

4: Nut

5: Pipe fittings

6: First connection part

7: Second connection part

8: Screws

Other optional details and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the components of the device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the device according to the present invention in an assembled state; FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrate steps for assembling the device according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 exemplarily illustrates the engagement between the first connecting portion of the mounting base and the second connecting portion of the bottom cover.

To further clarify the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial technical effects of the present invention, the present invention is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

FIG1 exemplarily shows an exploded view of the components of a device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one exemplary embodiment, the device according to the present invention includes a bottom cover assembly 1, screws 2, a mounting base 3, nuts 4, pipe fittings 5, and screws 8 (see FIG3 ) for securing the mounting base 3 to a mounting location, such as a wall or ceiling. In this exemplary embodiment, the mounting base 3 is disc-shaped, and the bottom cover assembly 1 is correspondingly configured as a cylindrical hollow cover. Here, the mounting base 3 and the bottom cover assembly 1 are each made of a metal material, such as stainless steel, through a forming process. However, the mounting base and bottom cover assembly according to the present invention are not limited to the materials, shapes, and manufacturing methods mentioned in this exemplary embodiment. In addition, four screws 2 are shown here as an example, with a size of, for example, M4. Clear holes matching the size of these screws 2 are provided in the bottom cover assembly 1, and threaded holes matching the size of these screws 2 are provided in the mounting base 3 at positions corresponding to the clear holes. The nut 4 is, for example, M8 in size. The pipe 5 is a hollow circular tube made of a bendable, electrically insulating material, such as plastic. According to the present invention, a first connection portion 6, three in this example, is provided on the mounting base 3, and three second connection portions 7 corresponding to these connection portions 6 are provided in the bottom cover assembly 1 (see Figure 2). Furthermore, according to this exemplary embodiment, a lug is formed on the mounting seat 3 perpendicular to the plane of the mounting seat 3 and has a through-hole slightly larger than the size or inner diameter of the nut 4. Here, the pipe 5 is exemplarily designed in a stepped manner at one end, and a section having an external thread corresponding to the internal thread of the nut 4 is formed on the outer circumference of the step.

Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary device according to the present invention in an assembled state. As can be seen from Figure 2, in the secured state, the nut 4 clamps the lug onto the step, and the base cover assembly 1 is pre-locked onto the mounting base 3 by means of the interlocking first and second connecting portions 6 and 7 and is securely connected to the mounting base 3 via the screw 2.

Figures 3 to 5 exemplarily illustrate the assembly steps of the device according to the present invention.

FIG3 shows a first step in which, according to an exemplary embodiment, mounting base 3 is mounted on a wall or ceiling using screws 8, in this case four screws 8. A pipe 5 is then fixed, in particular screwed, to the lug of mounting base 3 using nuts 4. The cable for the camera is passed through pipe 5 to the mounting base.

Figure 4 illustrates the second step. Here, the mounting seat 3 is disc-shaped, while the bottom cover assembly 1 is a cylindrical, hollow cover. The diameter of the disc-shaped cross-section of the bottom cover assembly 1 is slightly larger than that of the mounting seat 3. The arrows in Figure 4 exemplarily indicate the sliding direction of the bottom cover assembly 1 relative to the mounting seat 3. In this second step, the bottom cover assembly 1 is first aligned with the mounting seat 3. That is, the front inner wall of the bottom cover assembly 1, as indicated by the arrow, rests against the front edge of the mounting seat 3, as indicated by the arrow. The first connection portion 6 of the mounting seat 3 and the second connection portion 7 of the bottom cover assembly 1 are offset by a distance in the direction of the arrow, as shown in the right image of Figure 4. The bottom cover assembly 1 is then slid on the mounting base 3 in the direction of the arrow, causing the first connection portion 6 of the mounting base 3 to engage with the second connection portion 7 of the bottom cover assembly 1. Here, by moving the bottom cover assembly 1 relative to the mounting base 3 in the direction of the arrow, a sliding, snap-fit connection of the bottom cover assembly 1 on the mounting base 3 is achieved. According to one exemplary embodiment, a stopper is provided on the first connection portion 6 to prevent the mounting base 3 from continuing to move in the direction of the arrow. In other words, the stopper prevents the second connection portion 7 from moving beyond the first connection portion 6 after the first and second connection portions 6 and 7 are fully engaged. According to one exemplary embodiment, when the first connecting portion 6 and the second connecting portion 7 are fully engaged, the rear inner wall of the bottom cover assembly 1, as shown in the left image of Figure 4 , lies precisely against the rear edge of the mounting base 3, as shown in the left image. When the first connecting portion 6 and the second connecting portion 7 are fully engaged, the clear hole in the bottom cover assembly 1 and the threaded hole in the mounting base 3 are aligned perpendicular to the plane of the mounting base 3.

Figure 5 shows the third step, in which screw 2 passes through the smooth hole provided on the bottom cover assembly 1 and is tightened into the threaded hole provided on the mounting base 3, thereby firmly connecting the bottom cover assembly 1 to the mounting base 3.

Figure 6 illustrates the engagement between the first connecting portion 6 of the mounting base 3 and the second connecting portion 7 of the bottom cover assembly 1. As shown in Figure 6, the connecting portions 6 and 7 are hook-shaped, or in other words, configured as engaging hooks. When the first and second connecting portions 6 and 7 are engaged, their movement or freedom in all directions except the sliding direction is restricted or prevented, thereby reliably securing the bottom cover assembly 1 to the mounting base 3.

Other advantages and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative structures, and exemplary embodiments shown and described. Rather, various modifications and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the basic spirit and scope of the present invention.

1: Bottom cover assembly 2: Screws 3: Mounting base 4: Nuts 5: Fitting 6: First connection 7: Second connection

Claims (10)

A device for fixing a camera, characterized in that the device comprises: a bottom cover assembly (1) for accommodating a camera assembly; a mounting seat (3) for fixing to a mounting position, the mounting seat (3) being provided with at least one first connecting portion (6); wherein the bottom cover assembly (1) is provided with at least one second connecting portion (7), the second connecting portion being adapted to be slidably engaged with the first connecting portion on the mounting seat (3) by the bottom cover assembly (1) sliding along a sliding direction on the mounting seat (3). The device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: the mounting seat (3) is adapted to be fixed to the mounting position in a first fixing direction by a first fixing device; and the bottom cover assembly (1) is adapted to be fixed to the mounting seat (3) in a second fixing direction by a second fixing device. The device according to claim 2 is characterized in that: the first fixing element and/or the second fixing element are screws; and/or the first fixing direction is parallel to or coincides with the second fixing direction; and/or the sliding direction is non-parallel to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction. The device according to claim 3 is characterized in that: the sliding direction is perpendicular to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction; and/or the first connecting portion and/or the second connecting portion are configured as engaging hooks; and/or the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are configured to slide relative to each other only in the sliding direction; and/or the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are configured to prevent the bottom cover assembly (1) from sliding further in the sliding direction when in the engaged state. The device according to claim 4 is characterized in that: the first connecting portion is provided with a stopper adapted to prevent the bottom cover assembly (1) from continuing to slide along the sliding direction in the engaged state; and/or the bottom cover assembly (1) is constructed in a hollow cylindrical shape; and/or the mounting seat (3) is constructed in a disc shape. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 is characterized in that the device further comprises a pipe (5) suitable for accommodating a cable for a camera, the pipe (5) being suitable for being fixed to the mounting seat (3) in a third fixing direction by a third fixing device. The device according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The third fixing direction is non-parallel to the first fixing direction and/or the second fixing direction; and/or The mounting seat (3) is provided with a lug, and the pipe (5) is fixed to the lug by the third fixing device. The device according to claim 7 is characterized in that: the third fixing direction is parallel to the sliding direction; and/or the end of the tube (5) connected to the lug is tapered to form a step, wherein the third fixing device is a nut, and the nut clamps the lug onto the step in a fixed state. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 to 8 is characterized in that: the at least one first connection portion (6) includes three first connection portions, and the bottom cover assembly (1) is configured to be adapted to simultaneously engage the three first connection portions with the corresponding second connection portions by moving along the sliding direction. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7 to 8 is characterized in that the first connecting part and/or the second connecting part are made of metal.