Abstract: A camera module for use in a surveillance camera system is provided. The camera module includes a housing and a pan-and-tilt mechanism that is mounted to the housing. The pan-and-tilt mechanism includes a pan motor for panning a camera and a tilt motor for tilting the camera. The pan motor is mounted on the pan-and-tile mechanism so as to be stationary relative to the housing. A slip ring, mounted to the pan-and-tilt mechanism, provides electrical connections to the tilt motor and the camera and a flex cable connects the camera to the slip ring. Also provided are methods for controlling unique functions of the surveillance camera system. Calibration of a home pan position for the camera is achieved by monitoring an optical homing sensor. Calibration of a home tilt position for the camera is accomplished by driving the camera against a stop. Thereafter, pan and tilt positions of the camera are tracked relative to the home pan and tilt positions.

Abstract: A video surveillance system includes a plurality of remote surveillance units, each of which has a video camera mounted in a dome housing. The video camera is panned and/or tilted to a desired orientation within the dome by a pan motor and/or a tilt motor. The surveillance system also includes a keyboard for entering user commands, a joystick for controlling the positioning of the cameras, a central processing unit for interpreting the user commands and the joystick movements, and a communication system for issuing operating commands to the remote surveillance units. Each remote surveillance unit is constructed and arranged to store and to recall selected camera control parameters in association with selected pan and tilt coordinates in response to commands entered by the user. The camera control parameters include white balance, focus, and shutter speed settings for the camera. Additionally, automatic control of the camera exposure, white balance, and focus is provided.

Abstract: A sealed and pressurized housing for a TV camera. The camera is mounted on a cradle which includes the sealing mechanism for both ends of the housing. Both ends are sealed with conventional "O" ring seals and end plates which are secured to the cradle. Since pressure is always equalized against both end plates and they are mechanically connected, when the housing is opened, no parts can be dangerously propelled upon release of the pressure. The cradle is also mounted so that, despite the internal pressure, it can be rotated relative to the fixed outer casing in order to adjust the angle of the camera to the horizontal.

Abstract: A low torque apparatus for tilting platforms. A leg attached to the platform protrudes from the bottom of the platform to a motor shaft which penetrates one of two vertical sides which form a box-like support structure for the platform. The platform pivots on supports which slide in horizontal slots near the top of each vertical side. The motor is mounted so that it slides in near vertical slots in the vertical sides of the support box to maintain the fixed distance between the motor shaft and the tilting platform.

Abstract: A lubrication retainer and distribution system for a worm gear and the mating worm. Porous pads saturated with lubricating fluid are attached to both sides of the worm gear and located so that they spread slightly and wipe the high ridges of the worm. To equalize the fluid distribution between the pads, at least one through hole is formed in the worm gear between the pads, and the hole's size is selected so that capillary action transfers the fluid between the pads as required. Also, to retain the lubricating fluid on the worm, "O" rings are fitted tightly upon the worm shaft just beyond the spiral thread of the worm to act as barriers to prevent fluid from escaping from the system along the worm shaft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus embrace loading electrical conductor wires (100) into a wire retainer (36) which in turn is made to engage and become part of a frame (30) having grooves (37) therein and apertures (34, 35) adapted to receive the retainer and/or components (120) which are terminated to wires implanted in said grooves. The wire retainer may be in the form of a simple wire organizer or an electrical connector. Wire implantation via rolling is taught wherein a roller (114) is driven to cause frame movement beneath the roller.

Abstract: Method and apparatus embrace implanting electrical conductor wires (16) into grooves (38) in a structural element (30) of an apparatus unit (10) to form a harness (14) for power and signal distribution in said unit and thereafter terminating the wires by terminals (70) and adding components (82) to the structural element. Wire placement features rolling of the wire into grooves of the structural element with grooves provided in tooling to extend wires along the structural element. Rolling is achieved along paths extending in X and Y directions. The structural element bearing wires, terminals, and connectors and components is then mechanically secured to the apparatus unit to form a structural part thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for repositioning and adding or removing individual wires of a series of wires extending longitudinally in side-by-side relation in a row comprising a guide block formed with a cruciform slot defining a guide path and wire escapement; means to move the wires between the guide path and escapement and means to move the guide path along the row to align the escapement with a predetermined wire position in the row. In a method and apparatus for positioning wires, wires are fed from a supply through tubes having fixed wire entry ends and wire exit ends movable to vary the position of the leading ends of the wires.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for direct application of color-coded wires into an electrical connector. A notched disc is rotatable in a first direction to drape an individual wire over a row of terminals in the connector half. The wire then escapes from the disc and is fed by a transferring mechanism into an automatic wire trimming and inserting mechanism which loads the wire into a selected terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a series of terminals having contact portions located at different pitches at different faces of the connector. The terminals are formed from identical blanks and have looped body portions integrally joining the contact portions which body portions are deformable both laterally to accommodate the pitch-change and longitudinally to enable the contact portions to lie in coplanar places at respective faces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism fabricated with elongated chords which undergo deflection to displace a force applying ram.

Abstract: An electrically operated tool is disclosed for inserting one or more insulated electrical wires into a barrel shaped, slotted terminal. A modified solenoid provides a hammer action power stroke which is initiated by partially retracting the toolhead inwardly of the tool upon movement of the tool against the barrel terminal. A trigger circuit applies line voltage to the solenoid windings, saturating the core, to provide rapid power stroke, so that the solenoid armature hammers against a strike plate of the toolhead. The trigger circuit includes a high and low power adjustment.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which includes a carriage having mounted thereon tooling for trimming wires and inserting trimmed wires into electrical contacts successively along an electrical connector mounted on an anvil. A stepping motor drive transports and repeatedly stops the carriage and the tooling successively in alignment with the multiple contacts preparatory to insertion of corresponding trimmed wires therein. The tooling is quickly replaceable and follows along a reference surface of the connector for positive alignment with the contacts.

Abstract: A tool is disclosed for dispensing connectors from a multiple chamber magazine and for assembling the connectors onto multiple electrical wires. The tool includes a ram which is adjustable in size to accommodate different sized connectors. One handle of the tool incorporates a passageway having multiple walls which align and support each chamber of the magazine. A spring loaded ejector or thrust arm slideably straddles one magazine chamber and enters an open side of the chamber to urge the connectors therein toward a work station of the tool whereat the connectors are engaged by the ram for assembly onto the wires.