In-ceiling surveillance housing

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to an in-ceiling surveillance housing, and, more particularly, to a clamping mechanism for use with an in-ceiling surveillance housing.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an in-ceiling surveillance camera housing assembly;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the housing assembly of FIG. 1, further illustrating an inner portion of an interface module;

#Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplifications set out herein illustrate the invention, in one form, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed.

#Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, surveillance camera housing assembly 20 is shown including interface box 22, housing 24, camera 26, and window assembly 28. FIG. 1 also shows clamp 46 in a retracted position, denoted by clamp 46A, and a clamping position, denoted by clamp 46B, the details of which are described below.

#As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, interface box 22 includes side wall 31 with aperture 33. Aperture 33 accommodates passage of coupling 32 for connecting to an external electrical connection. Printed circuit board (PCB) 34 is provided in interface box 22 and includes pin connector 35 for connecting to pin connector 25 on housing 24 (FIG. 1). Pin connector 35 may be a high-density 44-pin D-subminiature connector. Advantageously, including PCB 34 in interface box 22 allows all wiring to be completed in assembly 20 prior to connection of camera 26. All signal and power wiring for assembly 20 enters interface box 22 via coupling 32. Alternatively, coupling 32 may be disposed in an aperture in cover 38 (FIG. 3). Plug 40 (FIG. 1) seals the aperture in cover 38 when not in use. Plug 40 may be rubberized or comprise any other suitable sealant material. Similarly, a plug (not shown) may seal aperture 33 when not in use. Cover 38 of interface box 22 may be snapped closed via engagement of clip 39 with protrusion 37. Ball stud retainers 36 may be provided with interface box 22 to ensure easy connect and disconnect to housing 24. Retainers 36 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) may be disposed on opposite sides of interface box 22 and engage with ball studs 41 (FIG. 1) to secure interface box 22 to housing 24.