Camera mounting system for sports goal structures

Abstract

There is herein described a camera mounting system for sports goals which is installed completely within at least one of the upright posts constituting the goal for the purpose of providing the viewer with a closeup view of activity within and adjacent the goal mouth itself. The upright post is hollow and has a cutout portion extending for approximately 270° and facing generally toward the opposite post. A television or motion picture camera is mounted for panning rotation on a fixed platform opposite the cutout which is provided with a transparent window cover. The operation of the camera controls and its rotation is effected remotely through electronic means.

1 . A camera mounting system for a sports goal structure comprising: 
 a. a fixed platform adapted to be mounted within a sports goal structure;    b. said goal structure being hollow and having a cutout in its wall adjacent said platform;    c. a video or motion picture camera mounted for panning rotation on said platform opposite said cutout;    d. and control means remote from said camera for adjusting the parameters of the camera and its panning movement.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a transparent window is flush mounted on said sports goal structure wall overlying said cutout.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said transparent window is formed of an acrylic resin and is secured to the goal structure by an epoxy resin.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , and further including a motor means mounted below said platform and operatively connected to said camera for providing said panning rotation.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , and further including a turntable mounted upon said platform and operatively connected to aid motor means, a bracket fixedly secured to said camera and to said turntable.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said goal structure is circular in cross section and said cutout extends for approximately 270 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , and further including a control head secured to said motor and having a plurality of electrical inputs and outputs each of which are connected by wiring to said remote control means.  
   
   
       8 . A sports goal camera system comprising: 
 a. a goal structure having two hollow spaced apart upright posts,    b. a hollow crossbar connecting said posts,    c. camera means mounted in each of said upright posts for panning rotation therein,    d. a cutout opening in the surface of each of said upright posts to permit the camera to view the area adjacent said goal structure,    e. motor means to pan said cameras about a vertical axis, and    f. control means remote from said goal structure, said control means being connected electrically to said camera and to said motor means for operation thereof.    
   
   
       9 . The sports goal camera system as defined in  claim 8  wherein each camera is mounted on a turntable which is supported for rotation on horizontal platform fixed within each related upright post.  
   
   
       10 . The sports goal camera system as defined in  claim 8  and further including a transparent cover flush mounted on each upright post over said cutout openings.  
   
   
       11 . In combination with a sports goal having two hollow upright goal posts, at least one of said posts having a cutout opening in its wall surface, 
 a fixed platform mounted within at least one of said posts adjacent to said opening;    a video or motion picture camera mounted for panning rotation on said platform opposite said cutout;    and control means remote from said camera for adjusting the parameters of the camera and its panning movement.    
   
   
       12 . The structure of  claim 11 , wherein the cutout opening in at least one of said posts in located within the upper half of the length of the post.  
   
   
       13 . The structure of  claim 11  wherein a transparent window is flush mounted on said post wall overlying said cutout.  
   
   
       14 . The structure of  claim 11  and further including motor means mounted below said fixed platform and operatively connected to said camera for providing said panning rotation.  
   
   
       15 . The structure of  claim 11  and further including a turntable mounted upon said platform and operatively connected to aid motor means, a bracket fixedly secured to said camera and to said turntable.  
   
   
       16 . The structure of  claim 11 , wherein said posts are circular in cross section and said cutout extends for approximately 270 degrees.  
   
   
       17 . The structure of  claim 11  wherein said sports goal is a soccer goal.  
   
   
       18 . The structure of  claim 11  and further including a control head secured to said motor and having a plurality of electrical inputs and outputs each of which are connected by wiring to said remote control means.