Pivoting sensor mounting system
AssigneeWren Associates, Ltd.
InventorsFay Ann Schulte, Paul Anthony Williams, Justin Joseph Eikel, Seth Robert Allen, Jason Gregory Lockett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an innovative sensor mounting system featuring a pivot mechanism that allows the sensor unit to automatically return to its original sensor detection area after being displaced by impacts, such as those from forklifts, workers or the like. The pivot mechanism enables the sensor unit to maintain a comprehensive sensor detection area, ensuring complete visibility for monitoring loading and unloading operations.
Claims20
A sensor mounting system, comprising:
- at least one sensor unit, including;
- a sensor housing including a sensor;
- and
- a sensor housing arm coupled to the sensor housing;
- and
- a mounting base, including:
- a pivot mechanism, including:
- a rotating tubular member having a rotating tubular member connection arm coupled to the sensor housing arm;
- and
- an extension locking bracket;
- a mounting bracket coupled to the extension locking bracket;
- and
- a surface mounting tab and a track clamp mechanism each coupled to the mounting bracket,
- wherein the surface mounting tab is configured to be rigidly fixed to a surface and mounting security is provided by a compression force of the track clamp mechanism, and
- the pivot mechanism is configured to rotate in response to an impacting force applied to the at least one sensor unit or the rotating tubular member in either an inward direction or in an outward direction.
A mounting base for a sensor mounting system, comprising:
- a pivot mechanism, including:
- a rotating tubular member having a rotating tubular member connection arm coupled to a sensor housing arm;
- and
- an extension locking bracket;
- a mounting bracket coupled to the extension locking bracket;
- and
- a surface mounting tab and a track clamp mechanism each coupled to the mounting bracket,
- wherein the surface mounting tab is configured to be rigidly fixed to a surface and mounting security is provided by a compression force of the track clamp mechanism, and
- the pivot mechanism is configured to rotate in response to an impacting force applied to the at least one sensor housing arm or the rotating tubular member in either an inward direction or in an outward direction.
A pivot mechanism system, comprising:
- a sensor housing arm including one or more sensor housing arm fastener features;
- and
- a pivot mechanism, including:
- a rotating tubular member having:
- a rotating tubular member connection arm having one or more rotating tubular member connection arm fastener features;
- and
- a cam surface;
- a spring;
- a fixed tubular member configured for the rotating tubular member to rotate about;
- and
- a return mechanism comprising a roller assembly or a camming surface;
- wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to rotate in either an inward direction or in an outward direction by the cam surface moving upwards on the return mechanism thereby compressing the spring,
- the one or more sensor housing arm fastener features are configured to align with the one or more rotating tubular member connection arm fastener features, and
- the one or more sensor housing arm fastener features and the one or more rotating tubular member connection arm fastener features are configured to couple the sensor housing arm to the rotating tubular member connection arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.