Field of the Invention

[1 ] The present invention relates to a bracket mount for a thermal imaging device.

Background of the Invention

[2] Handheld thermal imaging devices are used for thermal detection to view and capture thermal imaging to quickly detect objects of interest in darkness and through glaring light or haze. Such devices can also record geotagged video and still images for playback. Typically, the device is configured for single-hand operation.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a bracket mount for mounting a thermal imaging device to a spotlight mount to which a spotlight is mounted, the bracket mount comprising: an upper platform having a flat top for mounting the thermal imaging device thereto in a removable manner; and a central connection portion for attachment to the spotlight mount such that the thermal imaging device is positioned on top of the spotlight, wherein the central connection portion is a generally flat plate which extends generally vertically in use and includes a central aperture through which a bulb housing of the spotlight can extend through.

[6] In one embodiment, the spotlight mount is mounted to a pivot mount such that the thermal imaging device can pivot with the spotlight.

[7] In another embodiment, the spotlight mount includes a base and a vertical plate, and the central connection portion is connectable to the vertical plate.

[8] In another embodiment, the central connection portion includes side flanges which extend in the forward direction for engaging side edges of the vertical plate.

[9] In another embodiment, the upper platform includes connector tabs extending downwardly from each side thereof, and the connector tabs are connected to the side flanges of the central connection portion. [10] In another embodiment, the bracket mount further includes a lower extension extending from the central connection portion, the lower extension being offset rearwardly and extending downwardly from the central connection portion.

[1 1 ] In another embodiment, the angular orientation and vertical position of the upper platform relative to the central portion is adjustable via the connection between the connector tabs and the side flanges.

[12] The invention in another aspect provides an assembly comprising: a spotlight mounted to a spotlight mount; the bracket mount of any one of the above attached to the spotlight mount, wherein a thermal imaging device can be mounted to the bracket mount to position the thermal imaging device on top of the spotlight.

[13] In an embodiment, the orientation of the thermal imaging device relative to the spotlight is adjustable.

[14] The invention in another aspect provides a mount assembly for a spotlight and a thermal imaging device, the spotlight having a bulb housing and a retention ring, the mount assembly comprising: a central connection portion having an aperture through which the bulb housing can extend though, at which the retention ring can be attached to the bulb housing to retain the spotlight to the central connection portion, and an upper platform extending from the central portion, the upper platform having a flat top for removable mounting of the thermal imaging device thereto.

[15] In another embodiment, the bracket mount further includes a base extending from a lower end of the central portion for mounting the mount assembly to a pivot mount.

[16] The invention in another aspect provides a mount assembly for a spotlight and a thermal imaging device, the mount including a generally crescent shaped body shell having a flat base, a flat top, and a curved back portion which extends between rear edges of the base and the flat top, and side flanges extending along side edges of the base, back portion and the top, wherein the thermal imaging device can be removably attached to the flat top.

[17] In an embodiment, the flat top is generally parallel to the base, and is generally disposed above the base.

[18] In another embodiment, the side flanges extend internally from the side edges of the base, the back portion and the flat top, thus forming an internal channel within the shell. [19] In another embodiment, end flanges extend from distal ends of the base and the flat top, with the end flanges joining with the side flanges.

[20] In another embodiment, the free edges of the side flanges and the end flanges are shaped in a curved manner to follow the external shaped curve of a spotlight.

[21 ] In another embodiment, electrical components for the spotlight and the thermal device can be housed within the channel.

[22] In another embodiment, the base includes an aperture for receiving a bolt of a handle extension therethrough which mounts the bracket mount thereto.

[23] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[25] Figure 1 is a side view of a bracket mount in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in use attached to a spotlight mount;

[26] Figure 2 is a front view of the installed bracket mount of Figure 1 with a thermal imaging device;

[27] Figure 3 is a side perspective view of the bracket mount of the first embodiment;

[28] Figure 4 is a side view of the bracket mount, the mount being in the inverted orientation;

[29] Figure 5 is a rear view of the bracket mount in the inverted orientation;

[30] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the bracket mount in the inverted orientation;

[31] Figure 7 is a top view of the bracket mount with a quick release clamp half for the thermal device;

[32] Figure 8 is a side view of a bracket mount in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in use attached to a spotlight pivot mount;

[33] Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a shell for the bracket mount of the second embodiment shown in Figure 8;

[34] Figure 10 is a side perspective view of the shell for the bracket mount of Figure 8;

[35] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the shell for the bracket mount of Figure 8;

[36] Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the bracket mount with power electrical components installed; [37] Figure 13 is a side view of the bracket mount of Figure 12;

[38] Figure 14 is a front view of the bracket mount of Figure 12.

Description of Embodiments

[39] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[40] Figure 1 shows a bracket mount 10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention installed in use attached to a spotlight mount 100 for a spotlight 150. The spotlight mount 100 is mounted on top of a roof 200 of a vehicle. The spotlight mount 100 includes a base 102 and a vertical plate 104. The vertical plate 104 has an aperture through which a threaded bulb housing 154 of the spotlight 150 extends through. The bulb housing 154 houses the base of the bulb for the spotlight 150 and also receives the electric cable for the bulb. A retention ring screw 152 or similar engages the bulb housing 154 to lock the spotlight 150 to the vertical plate 104 and thus to the spotlight mount 100.

[41 ] The base 102 is mounted to a pivot mount 106 which extends from the base 102 into the interior of the vehicle which allows a driver or passenger to pivot the spotlight 150 (sweep left/right, tilt up/down) to focus on a specific area as desired.

[42] The bracket mount 10 is used to mount a thermal imaging device 500 in a position on top of the spotlight 150 and facing the same general direction as the spotlight 150. The thermal imaging device pivots with the spotlight 150 and thus points in generally the same direction as the spotlight 150.

[43] Figure 3 to 7 show the bracket mount 10 which comprises an upper platform 12, a central connection portion 14, and a lower extension 16. The central connection portion 14 is generally a flat plate which extends vertically in use and includes a central aperture 18. The central connection portion 14 also includes side flanges 20 which extend in the forward direction. The upper platform 12 includes a flat top and connector tabs 24 extending downwardly from each side thereof. The connector tabs 24 are connected to the side flanges 20 of the central connection portion 14. The lower extension 16 is offset rearwardly and extends downwardly from the central connection portion 14.

[44] In use, the upper platform 12 provides a flat top for a half of a quick release clamp 300 for the thermal imaging device 500 for mounting the thermal imaging device 500 thereto in a removable manner. The clamp half 300 is attached to the top portion 12 by screws or other suitable fastener.

[45] To attach the bracket mount 10, the ring screw 152 is removed, and the central connection portion 14 is disposed to the rear of the vertical plate 104, with the bulb housing 154 extending through the central aperture 18. The ring screw 152 is reattached which retains the bracket mount 10 and the spotlight 150 to the spotlight mount 100. The side flanges 20 extend along the side edges of the vertical plate 104 to provide additional support and prevent sideways rotation of the central connection portion 14. When the bracket mount 10 is attached, the upper platform 12 is disposed to be substantially aligned or above a top peripheral edge of the spotlight 150.

[46] A thermal imaging device 500 with a corresponding half of the clamp 300 will thus be positioned above the spotlight 150 and facing the same general direction. The angular orientation and vertical position of the upper platform 12 relative to the central connection portion 14 is adjustable via the connection between the connector tabs 24 and the side flanges 20. In this manner, the spotlight 150 for example can be directed mostly downwardly to the ground in front of the vehicle to view the surface to be driven on, with the thermal device being able to be directed generally forwardly to view further down the road or track.

[47] The rear extension 16 provides space for attaching a power supply 32 or similar thereon as needed for the thermal imaging device. In use, the thermal imaging device 500 is electrically wired with the spotlight 150 such that both are powered at the same time. The thermal device batteries are also recharged every time the spotlight 150 is turned on in use. The thermal imaging device 500 as is known is connected via wires or wirelessly via Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth to a smart device such as a tablet or smartphone for viewing the videos and images it sees. The smart device is installed inside the vehicle and the user is able to pivot the spotlight and the thermal device with the pivot mount handle and view the thermal device images or video via the smart device.

[48] Figure 8 shows a second embodiment bracket mount 50 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the base 102 and the vertical plate 104 of the spotlight mount 100 are omitted, and the bracket mount 50 is mounted directly to the pivot mount 106.

[49] Figure 7 to 9 show a shell 52 for the bracket mount 50. The shell 52 comprises a generally crescent shaped body having a flat base 54, a flat top 56, a curved back portion 58 which extends between rear edges of the base 54 and the top 56, and side flanges 60 extending along side edges of the base 54, back portion 58 and the top 56.

[50] The flat top 56 is generally parallel to the base 54, and is generally disposed above the base 54. The back portion 58 in the embodiment is formed via plates connected in angled orientation to each other. The side flanges 60 extend internally from the side edges of the base 54, back portion 58 and the top 56, thus forming an internal channel 62 within the shell 52. End flanges 61 extend from distal ends of the base 54 and the top 56, with the end flanges joining with the side flanges 60. [51 ] The free edges of the side flanges 60 are the end flanges 61 are shaped in a curved manner to follow the external shaped curve of the spotlight 150. As shown in Figures 12 to 14, the free edges of the side flanges 60 and end flanges 61 are covered with a rubber piping 65 to protect the spotlight 150 from scratches and to form a fluid seal. Electrical components 260 (e.g. power supply) for the spotlight 150 and the thermal imaging device 500 can then be housed within the channel 62. The clamp half 300 can be mounted to the flat top 56 for mounting the thermal imaging device 500 thereon in a removable manner. The base 54 includes an aperture 55 for receiving a bolt of the pivot mount 106 therethrough, which mounts the bracket mount 50 thereto. The spotlight 150 in this embodiment is mounted to the shell 52 via suitable mounting means.

[52] The invention thus provides a mount for attaching Thermal Monocular Imaging Scopes on top of search lights to work in sync with the search lights. The thermal imaging device is balanced with the search light mounted on a remote search light handle.

[53] The bracket is designed in a way that when the thermal imaging device is clipped onto it (and is cantered with the mounting point of the search light), there is minimal resistance from the weight of the thermal imaging device on top of the search light when both operating a vehicle and operating a remote spotlight handle.

[54] The bracket can be fitted with a power supply mounted inside it to enable charging of the thermal imaging device while in use.

[55] The invention addresses the following:

• The thermal imaging device battery is always charged providing no need for any charging leads or battery packs. The thermal imaging device can be charged whilst in use.

• Being able to get the full potential out of both the spotlight and the thermal imaging device

• The operator can manoeuvre a remote spotlight handle and the extra weight of the thermal imaging device only provides minimal resistance

• The field of view of the thermal imaging device is substantially in sync with the field of motion of the spotlight

[56] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. [57] The thermal imaging device for example can be directed to a different direction to the spotlight, such as at 90° or 180° orientation relative to the spotlight direction. This adjustment can be made via the quick release clamps 300 for example.

[58] As shown in Figure 8, the bracket mount 50 can include a spring or springs 310 extending from a front end of the flat top 56 to the top front rim of the spotlight 150. The springs 310 help support the spotlight 150 to the bracket 50 and prevents the spotlight 150 from falling off the bracket 50 due to vibration.

[59] The quick release mount 320 at the flat top 56 can also be customised to allow the thermal imaging device 500 to be adjustable in position backwards or forwards, and also its focus point being adjustable vertically upwards or downwards.

[60] The mount 50 can also include a separate mount plate 330 for attachment to the pivot mount 106 which allows for easier mounting of the bracket mount 50.