IP Library › Granted Patent US 12710296
Granted Patent B2
US 12710296 · App. 19/319,254 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Pivoting sensor mounting system

Inventors: Fay Ann Schulte (Lohman, MO); Paul Anthony Williams (Loose Creek, MO); Justin Joseph Eikel (Centralia, MO); Seth Robert Allen (Jefferson City, MO); Jason Gregory Lockett (Columbia, MO)
Assignee: Wren Associates, Ltd.
G01D11/30F16C11/10G03B17/561H04N23/51H04N23/54
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12710296
App. No.
19/319,254
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (71)

1 . 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.

2 . The sensor mounting system of claim 1 , the sensor housing further comprising:

an image sensor, a processor, a data transmission circuitry, and a power supply connection;

wherein the at least one sensor unit is operable to capture and provide sensor data of a sensor detection area.

3 . The sensor mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to return the rotating tubular member to a system initial position and further comprises:

a spring;

a fixed tubular member configured for the rotating tubular member to rotate about;

a return mechanism, comprising:

a roller assembly, or a camming surface,

wherein the roller assembly or the camming surface are configured to interact with a cam surface of the rotating tubular member, and

the spring, the fixed tubular member, the return mechanism, and the cam surface are configured to enable the rotating tubular member connection arm to rotate in either an inward direction or an outward direction.

4 . The sensor mounting system of claim 3 , wherein the spring, the fixed tubular member, the return mechanism, and the cam surface are configured to enable the rotating tubular member connection arm to rotate in either an inward direction or an outward direction without operator interaction.

5 . The sensor mounting system of claim 3 , wherein:

in response to the impacting force being applied to a front side of the at least one sensor unit that pushes the at least one sensor unit from a system initial position in the outward direction, the cam surface is configured to move upwards on the return mechanism, thereby compressing the spring.

6 . The sensor mounting system of claim 5 , wherein, after the impacting force applied to the front side of the at least one sensor unit is removed, the pivot mechanism is operable to:

return the at least one sensor unit to the system initial position, wherein the spring is configured to decompress by a downward movement of the cam surface on the return mechanism.

7 . The sensor mounting system of claim 3 , wherein:

in response to the impacting force applied to a back side of the at least one sensor unit that pushes the at least one sensor unit from a system initial position in the inward direction, the cam surface is configured to move upwards on the return mechanism, thereby compressing the spring.

8 . The sensor mounting system of claim 7 , wherein, after the impacting force applied to the back side of the at least one sensor unit is removed, the pivot mechanism is operable to:

return the at least one sensor unit to the system initial position, wherein the spring is configured to decompress by a downward movement of the cam surface on the return mechanism.

9 . The sensor mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the impacting force is applied by a forklift, equipment, or a worker.

10 . 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.

11 . The mounting base of claim 10 , wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises:

a spring;

a fixed tubular member configured for the rotating tubular member to rotate about;

a return mechanism, comprising:

a roller assembly, or a camming surface,

wherein the roller assembly or the camming surface are configured to interact with a cam surface of the rotating tubular member, and

the spring, the fixed tubular member, the return mechanism, and the cam surface are configured to enable the rotating tubular member connection arm to rotate in either an inward direction or an outward direction.

12 . The mounting base of claim 11 , wherein:

in response to the impacting force being applied to a front side of the sensor housing arm that pushes the sensor housing arm from a system initial position in the outward direction, the cam surface is configured to move upwards on the return mechanism, thereby compressing the spring.

13 . The mounting base of claim 12 , wherein, after the impacting force applied to the front side of the sensor housing arm is removed, the pivot mechanism is operable to:

return the sensor housing arm to the system initial position, wherein the spring is configured to decompress by a downward movement of the cam surface on the return mechanism.

14 . The mounting base of claim 11 , wherein:

in response to the impacting force being applied to a back side of the sensor housing arm that pushes the sensor housing arm from a system initial position in the inward direction, the cam surface is configured to roll upward on the return mechanism, thereby compressing the spring.

15 . The mounting base of claim 14 , wherein, after the impacting force applied to the back side of the sensor housing arm is removed, the pivot mechanism is operable to:

return the sensor housing arm to the system initial position, wherein the spring is configured to decompress by a downward movement of the cam surface on the return mechanism.

16 . The mounting base of claim 10 , wherein the impacting force is applied by a forklift, equipment, or a worker.

17 . 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.

18 . The pivot mechanism of claim 17 , wherein the spring is configured to decompress by a downward movement of the cam surface on the return mechanism.

19 . The pivot mechanism of claim 17 , wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to position the sensor housing arm coupled to the pivot mechanism to or from a system initial position.

20 . The pivot mechanism of claim 17 , wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to position the sensor housing arm coupled to the pivot mechanism to or from a system inward position or a system outward position.