US4063258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spotlight mounted camera for vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-07-15
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Granted: 1977-12-13
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Expires: 1996-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A combined vehicular spotlight and camera assembly. In a preferred form the invention comprises a housing adapted to be attached to the vehicle roof, a spotlight disposed internally of the housing to illuminate an object to be photographed and a camera associated with the spotlight and simultaneously aimed therewith. Appropriate linkage for controlling the apparatus extends into the vehicle through an appropriate orifice in the vehicle roof. Means are provided for remotely actuating the camera shutter and film advance mechanisms. In an alternate form of this invention a camera is associated with an externally located, door post-mounted spotlight, operated simultaneously therewith through linkage extending into the vehicle interior.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:41
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/035; B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/04; B60R2011/0001; B60R2011/004; B60R2011/0042; B60R2011/008; B60R2011/0085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A combined spotlight and camera assembly mounted on a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a spotlight for illuminating a subject to be photographed, said spotlight being supported externally of a vehicle on mounting means for pivotal movement horizontally and vertically; a camera for photographing a subject, said camera being connected to said spotlight and mechanically movable therewith on said mounting means; an extension of said mounting means projecting inside the vehicle and having a hand gripping segment thereon, said hand grip segment being manipulable inside the vehicle to simultaneously aim said spotlight, and said camera therewith, towards a subject of pivotal movement on said mounting means, whereby said camera may be utilized to photograph a subject after being directed to the subject with the spotlight to which it is connected; and means for actuating said camera mounted on said extension within the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A combined spotlight and camera assembly mounted on a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a spotlight for illuminating a subject to be photographed, said spotlight being supported externally of a vehicle on mounting means for pivotal movement horizontally and vertically; a camera for photographing a subject, said camera being connected to said spotlight and mechanically movable therewith on said mounting means; an extension of said mounting means projecting inside the vehicle and having a hand gripping segment thereon, said hand grip segment being manipulable inside the vehicle to simultaneously aim said spotlight, and said camera therewith, towards a subject of pivotal movement on said mounting means, whereby said camera may be utilized to photograph a subject after being directed to the subject with the spotlight to which it is connected; and means for actuating said camera mounted on said extension within the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: a lens focusing actuator is positioned on said hand grip segment inside of the vehicle and operatively associated with a focusing adjustment on the lens of said camera, whereby the focus of the camera may be adjusted inside the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said camera is equipped with an electrically operable zoom lens and said actuator is a control switch in the electrical power supply to said lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: a switch to operate said spotlight is mounted inside the vehicle on said extension of said mounting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said spotlight and said camera are housed within a common enclosure attached to the vehicle roof in surrounding relation to a aperture therein through which heated air may circulate into said enclosure from the interior of the vehicle to keep said camera at a warm temperature for satisfactory operation, said mounting means is affixed to said enclosure, and said mounting means extension projects inside the vehicle through said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said spotlight is pivotally movable independently of said camera about a horizontal axis, and an elongated connector extends between said spotlight and said hand grip segment, whereby said hand grip segment may also be manipulated back and forth to impart linear movement to said elongated connector for independent pivotal movement of said spotlight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein: said extension of said mounting means angles downwardly into the interior of said vehicle and said elongated connector extends through said extension.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said camera comprises a movie camera and said camera actuating means comprises a trigger on said hand grip segment adapted to be manually manipulated for operating said movie camera.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2464067A
Cited
US3783261A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-12 | 1981-06-13 | 1981-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-12 | 1985-06-13 | 1985-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-12 | 1989-06-13 | 1989-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |