Pylon-mounted camera assembly with mounting structure

Abstract

Wired portable or permanent pylon-mounted, single or multiple camera assemblies providing high-definition images, remote video parameter adjustment, real time imaging, lower camera mounting, microphone use, no overheating problems, longer run times, and installation and removal without disturbing field surface. Pylon is molded from high-density, impact resistant foam, integrated with a break-away connect providing for non-destructively breaking and remaking electrical connections. Increased content of high impact, resistant material provides player and pylon protection. Camera wiring extends internally to integral connecting base fitted with magnets for quick and accurate mating with stationary turf base. Wires in turf carry signals from camera to a fiber optic transmitter that powers the pylon cameras, converts the electrical signals to optical signals, and receives control signals converting them to electrical signals. Thousands of meters range optical signals converted back to electrical high-definition video signals by fiber optic receiver and recorded by replay devices for instant viewing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, comprising:
 a pylon; 
 one or more high-definition camera sub-assemblies; 
 one or more cooling fan sub-assemblies; 
 electrical wiring, and 
 electrical connectors,
 said pylon molded from high-density, impact resistant foam, 
 said pylon having one or more cavities therethrough, each of said one or more cavities having a first cavity end and a second cavity end, 
 at least one of said one or more cavities having one of said camera sub-assemblies contained in said first end and one of said fan assemblies contained in said second end, 
 said electrical wiring connecting each camera sub-assembly to a pylon-integral electric-conducting break-away pylon connector. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said pylon connector is fitted with electric conducting pogo pins. 
     
     
       3. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a base connector fitted with electrical connection pads for electrical connection with said pogo pins. 
     
     
       4. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said pylon connector is shaped to key-fit said base connector. 
     
     
       5. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein when said pylon-mounted camera assembly is assembled and installed for use, electrical wires extending from said electrical connection pads are connected to a transmitter, completing the electrical circuit to carry power, data, and video signals between the camera and a transmitter causing said pylon-mounted camera assembly to provide high-definition images, remote video parameter adjustment, real-time imaging, lower camera mounting, and no overheating problems. 
     
     
       6. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising where said pylon connector and said connector base are fitted with magnets that assist in the orientation of the connector for quick and accurate mating. 
     
     
       7. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein when said pylon contains a multiple number of said cavities, said cavities do not intersect providing for a “crush zone” between cavities. 
     
     
       8. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each camera sub-assembly includes a camera, interchangeable lens, a camera housing, and a camera-flange. 
     
     
       9. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each fan sub-assembly includes a fan, and a fan-flange. 
     
     
       10. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing weight in said pylon. 
     
     
       11. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a microphone. 
     
     
       12. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said pylon-mounted camera assembly is a permanently mountable pylon-mounted camera assembly. 
     
     
       13. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said permanently mountable pylon-mounted camera assembly is fitted with a base mounting structure. 
     
     
       14. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said base mounting structure comprises:
 a base member providing a ninety-degree horizontal to vertical conduit turn connected to 
 a coupler, said coupler having external fins arranged around a circumference of the coupler to provide resistance to any externally applied radial force, connected to 
 an upper conduit section having anti-rotation pins inserted into a portion of the upper conduit section, 
 a wedging plug and a rubber plug inserted into a top opening of the upper conduit section, 
 a foam rubber washer positioned on top of the rubber plug and 
 a locking nut screwed onto the wedging plug, said locking nut fastened to a bottom surface of said connector base of said pylon-mounted camera system, said base mounting structure therein providing for permanent electrical connection of said camera system to a transmitter. 
 
     
     
       15. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said base mounting structure further comprises:
 said base member connected to a base section of 
 a base mounting flange that is connected to 
 a lower conduit section that is connected to 
 a bottom of said coupler, said connected to 
 a lower section of said upper conduit section having said wedging plug and said rubber plug inserted into the top opening of the upper conduit section with said foam rubber washer positioned on top of the rubber plug, the locking nut screwed onto the wedging plug, said locking nut fastened to a bottom surface of said connector base, said connector base having said pylon-mounted camera system attached to its top surface of connector base. 
 
     
     
       16. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising said electrical wires from said electrical connection pads extending through said base member of said base mounting structure to continue within a conduit in the ground to carry the electrical signals that travel from the camera through the pylon connector, connector base, base mounting structure and the conduit in the ground to a fiber optic transmitter that powers the pylon cameras and converts the electrical signals to optical signals. 
     
     
       17. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said pylon-mounted camera assembly is a portable assembly having electrical connection between the camera and the transmitter made through a non-locking connector, said non-locking connector providing for said pylon to non-destructively break away from ground wires. 
     
     
       18. The wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said non-locking connector is a USB3 connector. 
     
     
       19. A wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, comprising:
 a pylon; 
 one or more high-definition camera sub-assemblies; 
 one or more cooling fan sub-assemblies; 
 electrical wiring, and 
 electrical connectors,
 said pylon molded from high-density, impact resistant foam, 
 said pylon having one or more cavities therethrough, each of said one or more cavities having a first cavity end and a second cavity end, 
 at least one of said one or more cavities having one of said camera sub-assemblies contained in said first end and one of said fan assemblies contained in said second end, 
 said electrical wiring connecting each camera sub-assembly to a pylon-integral electric-conducting break-away pylon connector, 
 said pylon connector is fitted with electric conducting pogo pins, 
 
 a base connector fitted with electrical connection pads for electrical connection with said pogo pins, 
 said pylon connector shaped to key-fit said base connector, 
 wherein when said pylon-mounted camera assembly is assembled and installed for use, electrical wires extending from said electrical connection pads are connected to a transmitter, completing the electrical circuit to carry power, data, and video signals between the camera and a transmitter causing said pylon-mounted camera assembly to provide high-definition images, remote video parameter adjustment, real-time imaging, lower camera mounting, and no overheating problems. 
 
     
     
       20. A wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, comprising:
 a pylon; 
 one or more high-definition camera sub-assemblies; 
 one or more cooling fan sub-assemblies; 
 electrical wiring, and 
 electrical connectors,
 said pylon molded from high-density, impact resistant foam, 
 said pylon having one or more cavities therethrough, each of said one or more cavities having a first cavity end and a second cavity end, 
 at least one of said one or more cavities having one of said camera sub-assemblies contained in said first end and one of said fan assemblies contained in said second end, 
 said electrical wiring connecting each camera sub-assembly to a pylon-integral electric-conducting break-away pylon connector, 
 said pylon connector is fitted with electric conducting pogo pins, 
 
 a base connector fitted with electrical connection pads for electrical connection with said pogo pins, 
 said pylon connector shaped to key-fit said base connector, 
 said pylon connector and said connector base are each fitted with magnets that assist in the orientation of the connectors for quick and accurate mating, 
 said cavities of a pylon containing a multiple number of said cavities do not intersect providing for a “crush zone” between cavities, 
 said pylon containing a stabilizing weight, 
 said pylon-mounted camera assembly further comprising a microphone, 
 said pylon-mounted camera assembly being either a permanently mountable pylon-mounted camera assembly or a portable pylon-mounted camera assembly, 
 wherein when said pylon-mounted camera assembly is assembled and installed for use, electrical wires extending from said electrical connection pads are connected to a transmitter, completing the electrical circuit to carry power, data, and video signals between the camera and a transmitter causing said pylon-mounted camera assembly to provide high-definition images, remote video parameter adjustment, real-time imaging, lower camera mounting, and no overheating problems. 
 
     
     
       21. A wired high-definition pylon-mounted camera assembly, comprising:
 a pylon;   two or more high-definition camera sub-assemblies;   one or more cooling fan sub-assemblies;   electrical wiring, and   electrical connectors,   said pylon having one or more cavities therethrough, each of said one or more cavities having a first cavity end and a second cavity end,   at least one of said one or more cavities having one of said camera sub-assemblies contained in said first end and one of said fan assemblies contained in said second end,   said electrical wiring connecting each camera sub-assembly to an electrical-conducting break-away pylon connector.   
     
     
       22. A pylon-mounted camera assembly, comprising:
 a pylon having a body comprised of resilient foam;   at least a first camera sub-assembly arranged to be mounted at least partially within said body, said first camera sub-assembly including an open and rigid frame, the open and rigid frame including:
 a first flange; 
 a second flange spaced apart from said first flange; and, 
 a plurality of rigid connectors, each of said plurality of rigid connectors comprising an elongated spacer having a first end and a second end, said first end of each of said elongated spacers connected to said first flange proximate an outer edge of said first flange, said second end of each of said elongated spacers connected to said second flange proximate an outer edge of said second flange, each of said elongated spacers having a length extending substantially between said first and said second flanges; 
   a first camera having a lens, said first camera affixed to and at least partially surrounded by said open and rigid frame of said first camera sub-assembly; and,   an internal electrical wiring assembly comprising at least one cable at least partially contained within said pylon and in electrical communication with said first camera, said at least one cable terminated by one of: a plug and a receptacle,   wherein one of: said plug and said receptacle of said at least one cable is arranged to engage at least one external cable, said at least one external cable terminated by one of: an other plug and an other receptacle, thereby forming a non-locking connector between said at least one cable and said at least one external cable.   
     
     
       23. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22 further comprising a camera housing, said camera housing arranged to surround said first camera, said camera housing affixed to and at least partially surrounded by said open and rigid frame of said first camera sub-assembly. 
     
     
       24. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 23 further comprising a fan, said fan affixed to said open and rigid frame. 
     
     
       25. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein each of said plurality of rigid connectors comprises:
 a bolt; and,   a nut; wherein said bolt is arranged to engage said nut thereby connecting said first flange and said second flange of said open and frame.   
     
     
       26. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 25, wherein each of said plurality of rigid connectors further comprises a sleeve, said sleeve arranged between said first flange and said second flange, wherein said bolt is arranged within said sleeve. 
     
     
       27. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein said first camera has a field of view in a direction outward from said pylon. 
     
     
       28. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein said first camera is affixed to one of: said first flange and said second flange of said open and rigid frame. 
     
     
       29. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein each of said plurality of rigid connectors comprise a bolt that secure said first flange to said second flange, each bolt of said plurality of rigid connectors are arranged to be received in a respective substantially cylindrical sleeve. 
     
     
       30. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein said elongated spacer is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
       31. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein said elongated spacer comprises a bolt. 
     
     
       32. The pylon-mounted camera assembly recited in claim 22, wherein said elongated spacer comprises at least one of:
 a bolt;   a sleeve; and,   said bolt and said sleeve, wherein said bolt is arranged to be disposed within said sleeve.