Apparatus and method for conducting remote video inspection from above

摘要

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for conducting remote subsurface inspections from above, comprising:
a support structure adapted to be positioned above a working surface, said support structure having an articulating radial arm, said articulating radial arm having a pivot at one end and a coupling at the other end, said pivot having a rotation axis substantially normal to said working surface;
a mast held by said coupling and born generally upright in use by said support structure, said mast having a portion that is downwardly extendable below the working surface and that has a mounting thereon;
an imaging system held by said mounting on said extending portion of said mast;
said apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises an offsetting mechanism operative to displace said imaging system laterally from a vertical reference axis beneath said coupling when said extending portion of said mast has been extended below the working surface.