Components and Camera Mounts

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly and a camera device. The assembly includes a first component, a second component, a hollow retaining member and a threaded fastener. The first component has a first slot with a first slot opening and a threaded hole extending from its bottom surface, and the second component has a second slot with a second slot opening. One of the first and second slots is provided with an entry restriction, and the hollow retaining member includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is arranged in the other of the first and second slots and connected to the associated first or second component, and the second portion protrudes from one of the first and second slot openings and is configured to be inserted into the second or first slot through the other of the first and second slot openings through the relative movement of the first component to the second component, so that the top section of the second portion of the hollow retaining member passes through the entry restriction under the elastic deformation of the top section and / or the entry restriction to achieve the connection between the first and second components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly and a camera device comprising such an assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly comprising a first component and a second component connected thereto. Background Art

[0002] The device may include an assembly including a first component and a second component that can be connected to each other. The first component may be configured to be mounted on a surface. It is in many cases beneficial for the assembly to include a tool for temporarily holding the first component and the second component together to facilitate different steps of installation (such as attachment or wiring). It is well known to use different types of clips as a tool for temporarily holding the first component and the second component together. The first component and the second component can then be fixed in an assembled state by means of a threaded fastener to complete the installation.

[0003] The device including the components as described above may be a camera device, such as a surveillance camera.

[0004] Surveillance cameras are typically used to monitor objects or people within a surveillance area by generating a video image stream that can be displayed and / or recorded for use by security personnel. In order to obtain a clear view of the surveillance area, surveillance cameras are typically mounted several meters above the ground, mounted to a wall, mounted to a column structure, or mounted to a ceiling structure. This complicates the installation procedure for the installer of the surveillance camera. To do this, the installer may need a scaffold or ladder, further complicating the operation of the surveillance camera. Therefore, a surveillance camera that is simple to install is needed. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly, which comprises a first component and a second component connectable thereto, and which is easy to install.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objects and other objects that will be apparent from the following description, there is provided, according to the present invention, a component having the following features. Preferred embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0007] More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a component is provided, which includes a first component, a second component, a hollow retaining member and a threaded fastener. The first component can be connected to the second component by means of the retaining member and the threaded fastener. The first component has a first slot having a first slot opening and a threaded hole extending from the bottom surface of the first slot, and the second component has a second slot having a second slot opening. The first slot opening and the second slot opening are configured to face each other when the first component and the second component are connected to each other, wherein one of the first slot and the second slot is provided with an entrance restriction. The hollow retaining member includes a first portion, which is arranged in the other of the first slot and the second slot and is connected to the associated first component or the second component. The hollow holding member includes a second portion, which protrudes from one of the first slot opening and the second slot opening and is configured to be inserted into the second slot or the first slot through the other of the first slot opening and the second slot opening respectively by relative movement of the first component to the second component, so that the top section of the second portion of the hollow holding member passes through the entrance restriction under elastic deformation of the top section and / or the entrance restriction, thereby achieving connection between the first component and the second component. The threaded fastener is configured to extend from the second component through the hollow holding member to the threaded hole of the first slot of the first component to engage with the threaded hole, thereby ensuring connection between the first component and the second component.

[0008] Thus, an assembly is provided that is easy to install. The hollow retaining member is supported by one of the first component or the second component and includes a second portion that can be inserted into a groove of the other of the first component or the second component, so that the top section of the second portion of the hollow retaining member passes through the entrance restriction under elastic deformation of the top section and / or the entrance restriction. Thereby, the first component and the second component become releasably connected to each other, allowing the installer to perform different installation steps, such as attaching wires, etc., while the first component and the second component are releasably held together by means of the hollow retaining member. Once the installation is completed, the first component and the second component can be fixed in the assembled state by means of threaded fasteners.

[0009] By allowing a threaded fastener to extend from the second component through the hollow retaining member to the threaded hole of the first groove of the first component to engage with the threaded hole, the connection between the first component and the second component is ensured, and the releasable connection of the first component and the second component and the subsequent connection and fixing can be achieved in a compact manner, thereby effectively utilizing space.

[0010] The hollow holding member may be made of an elastically deformable material.The hollow holding member may be made of plastic.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the top section of the second part of the hollow holding member may have a shape that tapers toward the distal end of the top section. Thus, the second part may be easily inserted into the first or second slot and the top section may be moved through the inlet restriction.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the second portion of the hollow holding member may be provided with at least one slit extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow holding member. The at least one slit in the second portion may provide the required elasticity to ensure that the top section may pass through the inlet restriction in the event of elastic deformation of the top section.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the first part of the hollow holding member can be releasably connected to the first component or the second component. To this end, the first part of the hollow holding member can be provided with a protruding elastic lug, and the side surface of the first slot or the second slot can be provided with a groove, wherein the hollow holding member can be releasably connected to the first component or the second component by means of the protruding elastic lug being received by the groove. Alternatively, the first part of the hollow holding member can be releasably connected to the first component or the second component by means of a threaded joint.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the first portion of the hollow holding member may be connected to the first component or the second component by means of an adhesive.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the first or second slot can be provided with an inner guide surface, which extends between the first slot opening or the second slot opening and the inlet restriction, respectively, so as to form an inlet channel having a shape that tapers toward the inlet restriction. Thus, the insertion of the second part into the first or second slot can be facilitated.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the assembly may further include an additional component that can be connected to the first component by means of a threaded fastener, wherein the second component is interposed between the additional component and the first component. By arranging the second component between the first component and the additional component, the second component can be clamped between the first component and the additional component by means of the threaded fastener.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the inlet restriction is formed integrally with the first component or the second component.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the inlet restriction may be formed by a resilient member arranged in the first or second slot close to the first slot opening or the second slot opening, respectively. The resilient member may be formed as a separate piece. The resilient member may be a metal clip or an O-ring.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the first component may comprise a base provided with a strut structure having a distal end, wherein a first socket may be provided in the strut structure, wherein the first socket opens towards the distal end.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the first component and / or the second component may be made of plastic or metal material.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera device, comprising the assembly as described above.

[0022] In general, all terms used in the claims should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field unless otherwise explicitly defined herein. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all references to "a / an / the [element, device, component, tool, step, etc.]" should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, tool, step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed unless explicitly stated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a camera device providing an assembly including a first component connected to a second component.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first component in the form of a mounting bracket for a camera device.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hollow retaining member of the assembly.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a portion of a first component shown in , the first component being provided with a hollow retaining member supported by a first socket of the first component.

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of the component in an assembled state.

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of an alternative embodiment of the assembly in an assembled state.

[0029] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a resilient member.

[0030] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of yet another embodiment of an assembly in an assembled state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the present preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0032] The foregoing as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used for similar elements, and in which:

[0033] In the reference Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , a camera device 1 is shown. The camera device 1 comprises an assembly 2, the assembly 2 comprising a first component 3 and a second component 4, the first component 3 and the second component 4 being connected by means of a hollow holding member 5 (such as Figure 2 As shown) and the threaded fastener 6 are connected to each other. As illustrated in the illustrated embodiment, the assembly may also include an additional component 7, which is connected to the first component 3, wherein the second component 4 is arranged between the additional component 7 and the first component 3.

[0034] The first component 3 has a first socket 8 having a first socket opening 9 and a threaded hole 10 extending from the bottom surface of the first socket 8. The second component 4 has a second socket 11 having a second socket opening 12, wherein the first socket opening 9 and the second socket opening 12 are configured to face each other when the first component 3 and the second component 4 are connected to each other. Figure 5 The first and second pockets 8, 11 are described in more detail.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the first component 3 of the assembly 2 is a mounting bracket and the second component 4 of the assembly 2 is a camera unit. The mounting bracket is configured for mounting on a mounting surface. The camera unit comprises a camera body. The illustrated embodiment further comprises an additional component 7 in the form of a dome ring connected to the mounting bracket, wherein the camera unit is interposed between the dome ring and the mounting bracket.

[0036] The camera device 1 may further comprise a dome window 13 which is attached to the assembly 2 by means of a dome ring.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the dome ring and the outer sleeve ring of the camera unit are made transparent in order to better illustrate the structure of the camera device 1 .

[0038] As described above, the first component 3 and the second component 4 can be connected to each other by means of the hollow retaining member 5 and the threaded fastener 6. More specifically, one of the first and second grooves 8 and 11 is provided with an inlet restriction 14, and the hollow retaining member 5 includes a first portion 15, Figure 3 , the first portion 15 is arranged in the other of the first slot 8 and the second slot 11 and is connected to the associated first component 3 or the second component 4, wherein the hollow retaining member 5 includes a second portion 16, which protrudes from one of the first slot opening 9 and the second slot opening 12 and is configured to be inserted into the second slot 11 or the first slot 8 respectively through the other of the first slot opening 9 and the second slot opening 12 through the relative movement of the first component 3 to the second component 4, so that the top section 17 of the second portion 16 of the hollow retaining member 5 passes through the entrance restriction 14 under the elastic deformation of the top section 17 and / or the entrance restriction 14, thereby realizing the connection between the first component 3 and the second component 4, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0039] The threaded fastener 6 is configured to extend from the second component 4 through the hollow holding member 5 to the threaded hole 10 of the first socket 8 of the first component 3 to engage with the threaded hole 10 , thereby ensuring the connection between the first component 3 and the second component 4 .

[0040] Now refer to Figure 2 , illustrating a first component 3 in the form of a mounting bracket.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, the first component 3 forms a base provided with four strut structures 18 distributed circumferentially along a peripheral portion of the first component 3. Each strut structure 3 may be provided with a first socket 8 of the type described above.

[0042] Each strut structure 18 has a distal end 19 , wherein a first socket 8 is provided in the strut structure 18 , wherein a first socket opening 9 opens towards the distal end 19 .

[0043] In the embodiment shown, two of the strut structures 18 are associated with the hollow retaining member 5 .

[0044] Each hollow holding member 5 comprises a first portion 15 and a second portion 16 as described above. In the embodiment shown, the first portion 15 of each hollow holding member 5 is arranged in the associated first socket 8 and connected to the first component 3, while the second portion 16 protrudes from the first socket opening 9.

[0045] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The hollow retaining member 5 and the strut structure 18 provided with the first socket 8 accommodating the first portion 15 of the retaining member 5 are shown in detail in FIG, to which reference is now also made.

[0046] The hollow holding member 5 may be made of plastic.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow retaining member 5 comprises a cylindrical body defining a channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the retaining member 5 .

[0048] The lower portion of the cylindrical body forms the first portion 15 of the retaining member 5 .

[0049] In the embodiment shown, a protrusion in the form of an elastic lug 20 is arranged on the first portion 15 protruding from the envelope surface of the body. The lug 20 is movable in the radial direction so that the first portion 15 of the retaining member 5 can be inserted into the first recess 8. Figure 4 As shown, the side surface of the first socket 8 may be provided with a groove 21 configured to receive the lug 20 when the first portion 15 of the hollow retaining member 5 is inserted into the first socket 8 so that the hollow retaining member 5 can be releasably connected to the first component 3.

[0050] The upper part of the cylindrical body forms the second part 16 of the hollow holding member 5. In the embodiment shown, the second part comprises a bulb-shaped top section 17. The bulb shape tapers towards the distal end of the top section 17.

[0051] The hollow holding member 5 may be provided with at least one slit 22 extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow holding member 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow holding member 5 is provided with three slits 22.

[0052] The top section 17 of the second portion 16 of the hollow holding member 5 is configured so that it can pass through the inlet restriction 14 under elastic deformation as explained above. In the embodiment shown, the elastic deformation is achieved by means of the slits 22.

[0053] Figure 5 The cross-sectional view shown in exemplifies an assembly 2 of the above-described type in the assembled state.

[0054] As is evident from the figure, the first component 3 and the second component 4 are connected to each other by means of a hollow retaining member 5 , and the connection is secured by means of a threaded fastener 6 .

[0055] The first component 3 and the second component 4 are arranged such that the first socket opening 9 of the first socket 8 faces the second socket opening 12 of the second socket 11 .

[0056] The first portion 15 of the hollow holding member 5 is arranged in the first socket 8 and is releasably connected to the first component 3 by means of the resilient lug 20 being received by the groove 21 of the first socket 8 .

[0057] The second part 16 of the hollow holding member 5 protrudes from the first socket 8 and has been received in the second socket 11 via the second socket opening 12 .

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet restriction 14 of the second slot 11 is formed integrally with the second component 4. The inlet restriction 14 is arranged at a distance from the second slot opening 12, and the second slot 11 is provided with an inner guide surface 23 extending between the second slot opening 12 and the inlet restriction 14, thereby forming an inlet channel having a shape that tapers toward the inlet restriction 14.

[0059] The width W1 of the inlet restriction 14 substantially corresponds to the width W2 of the main body of the hollow holding member 5 The top section 17 of the second portion 16 of the hollow holding member 5 has a width W3 which is greater than the width W1 of the inlet restriction 14 .

[0060] In the illustrated assembled state, the top section 17 of the second portion 16 of the hollow retaining member 5 has passed through the inlet restriction 14 by the relative movement of the first component 3 toward the second component 4. As explained above, the top section 17 is configured to elastically deform when passing through the inlet restriction 14. The inner guide surface 23 of the second slot 11 and the tapered shape of the top section 17 formed in the shape of a bulb will promote the elastic deformation. Once the top section 17 has passed through the inlet restriction 14, the top section will restore its original shape, thereby enabling the first component 3 and the second component 4 to be loosely connected.

[0061] Thus, when performing an installation comprising the assembly 2 as described above, the first component 2 and the second component 3 can be releasably connected to each other by means of the hollow retaining member 5. Thus, the hollow retaining member 5 enables a simple and sufficiently reliable connection of the first component 3 and the second component 4 during installation. When the installation is complete, the connection can be secured by means of the threaded fastener 6.

[0062] exist Figure 5 In the figure, a threaded fastener 6 in the form of a screw is illustrated to ensure the connection of the first component 3 and the second component 4. The threaded fastener 6 extends through a threaded hole 10 of the hollow holding member 5 from the second socket 11 to the first socket 8 to engage therewith.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 2 further comprises an additional component 7 in the form of a domed ring, wherein the second component 4 is arranged between the first component 3 and the additional component 7, and the threaded fastener 6 extends from the additional component 7, so that the additional component 7, the second component 4 and the first component 3 are fixed in the assembled state.

[0064] exist Figure 6, an alternative embodiment of an assembly 2 for a camera device 1 is shown, comprising a first component 3 in the form of a mounting bracket, a second component 4 in the form of a camera unit and an additional component 7 in the form of a dome ring. In the assembled state of the assembly 2, the dome ring is connected to the mounting bracket by means of threaded fasteners 6, wherein the camera unit is arranged in between. The first component 3 and the second component 4 can be releasably connected to each other by means of a hollow holding member 5, wherein the threaded fastener 6 extends from the additional component 7 through the hollow holding member 5 via the second component 4 to the first component 3.

[0065] In the embodiment shown, the hollow holding member 5 comprises a cylindrical body provided with a top section 17 formed in the shape of a light bulb.

[0066] The lower part of the cylindrical body forms a first portion 15 of the retaining member 5 which is arranged in the first socket 8 of the first component 3 and connected to the first component 3 by means of adhesive. Alternatively, the first portion may be connected to the first component by means of threads.

[0067] The second portion 16 of the hollow retaining member 5 protrudes from the first slot opening 9 and extends into the second slot 11 of the second component 4. The top section 17 of the second portion 16 has passed through the entrance restriction 14 of the second slot 11, which is formed by the elastic member 24 arranged in the second slot 11 near the second slot opening 12. Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the resilient member 24 is a clip made of, for example, spring steel. Figure 7 4 defines a width W4 that is less than the width W3 of the top section 17 of the hollow retaining member 5. The clip is configured to elastically deform in response to the top section 17 passing through the inlet restriction 14 by means of relative movement of the first component 3 toward the second component 4. When the top section 17 has passed through the inlet restriction 14, the clip will resume its original shape, thereby being able to releasably connect the second component 4 to the first component 3.

[0068] Alternatively, the elastic member 24 may be made of Figure 8 The O-ring formation is shown.

[0069] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first part of the hollow retaining member is disclosed as being arranged in the first slot and connected to the first component. Further, the second part of the hollow retaining member is disclosed as protruding from the first slot and being inserted into the second slot via the second slot opening, so that the top section passes through the entrance restriction of the second slot under the elastic deformation of the top section or the entrance restriction. However, it should be understood that when the second part of the hollow retaining member protrudes from the second slot, the first part of the hollow retaining member can also be arranged in the second slot and connected to the second component. In this case, the entrance restriction can be arranged in the first slot, so that the second part of the hollow retaining member can be inserted into the first slot via the first slot opening. Therefore, under the elastic deformation of the top section and / or the entrance restriction, the top section of the hollow retaining member can pass through the entrance restriction arranged in the first slot to achieve the connection between the first component and the second component.

[0070] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Therefore, several modifications and variations are conceivable within the scope of the invention specifically defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a first component (3), a second component (4), a hollow retaining member (5) and a threaded fastener (6), wherein the first component (3) is connectable to the second component (4) by means of the hollow retaining member (5) and the threaded fastener (6), The first component (3) has a first socket (8) having a first socket opening (9) and a threaded hole (10) extending from a bottom surface of the first socket (8), The second component (4) has a second groove (11), and the second groove (11) has a second groove opening (12), wherein the first slot opening (9) and the second slot opening (12) are configured to face each other when the first component (3) and the second component (4) are connected to each other, wherein one of the first groove socket (8) and the second groove socket (11) is provided with an inlet restriction (14), wherein the hollow retaining member (5) comprises a first portion (15) which is arranged in the other of the first socket (8) and the second socket (11) and is connected to the associated first component (3) or second component (4), The hollow retaining member (5) comprises a second portion (16), the second portion (16) protruding from one of the first slot opening (9) and the second slot opening (12) and configured to be inserted into the second slot (11) or the first slot (8) via the other of the first slot opening (9) and the second slot opening (12) respectively by relative movement of the first component (3) to the second component (4), so that the top section (17) of the second portion (16) of the hollow retaining member (5) passes through the inlet restriction (14) under elastic deformation of the top section (17) and / or the inlet restriction (14), thereby achieving connection between the first component (3) and the second component (4), and The threaded fastener (6) is configured to extend from the second component (4) through the hollow retaining member (5) to the threaded hole (10) of the first groove (8) of the first component (3) to engage with the threaded hole (10), thereby ensuring the connection between the first component (3) and the second component (4).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the top section (17) of the second part (16) of the hollow retaining member (5) has a shape that tapers toward a distal end of the top section (17).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second portion (16) of the hollow holding member (5) is provided with at least one slit (22) extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow holding member (5).

4. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (15) of the hollow retaining member (5) is releasably connectable to the first component (3) or the second component (4).

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first portion (15) of the hollow retaining member (5) is provided with a protruding elastic lug (20), and wherein the side surface of the first groove (8) or the second groove (11) is provided with a groove (21), wherein the hollow retaining member (5) can be releasably connected to the first component (3) or the second component (4) by means of the protruding elastic lug (20) being received by the groove (21).

6. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first portion (15) of the hollow retaining member (5) is releasably connectable to the first component (3) or the second component (4) by means of a threaded joint.

7. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (15) of the hollow retaining member (5) is connected to the first component (3) or the second component (4) by means of an adhesive.

8. A component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first slot (8) or the second slot (11) is provided with an internal guide surface (23), and the internal guide surface (23) extends between the first slot opening (9) or the second slot opening (12) and the entrance restriction (14) respectively, thereby forming an entrance channel having a shape that tapers toward the entrance restriction (14).

9. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an additional component (7) which is connectable to the first component (3) by means of the threaded fastener (6), and the second component (4) is interposed between the additional component (7) and the first component (3).

10. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet restriction (14) is formed integrally with the first component (3) or the second component (4).

11. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet restriction (14) is formed by an elastic member (24), which is arranged in the first slot (8) or the second slot (11) close to the first slot opening (9) or the second slot opening (12), respectively.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the resilient member (24) is a metal clip or an O-ring.

13. A component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first component (3) includes a base, which is provided with a support structure (18) having a distal end (19), wherein the first slot (8) is provided in the support structure (18), and the first slot opening (9) is open to the distal end (19).

14. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first component (3) and / or the second component (4) is made of plastic or metal material.

15. A camera device comprising the assembly according to claim 1 or 2.

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