Patent Application
20230340980
The invention relates to tripod legs. Specifically, it relates to a tripod leg locking system enabling distal locking of a tripod leg, thereby allowing the lock activation mechanism to be located relatively higher up on a tripod leg.
Traditional multi-segment tripod legs use a variety of locking means, such as clamps and lever locks, which create friction locks at the bottom of each leg section to secure the leg segments at a desired length. Because the traditional locking means generate locking force directly on an adjacent surface of the tripod leg, they must be located at the bottom of the leg segment, to create the most efficient locking orientation. Such positioning the locks at the bottom of the leg segments make the locks more difficult to access and manipulate.
The present invention provides a locking system capable of distal locking of a tripod leg segment. A switch couples with a rod, which extends along the length of a first leg segment towards an angled bushing. A biasing device couples at the opposing end of the rod. The switch can be manipulated into a locked position, in which the biasing device engages and forces the angled bushing into the second leg segment, thereby creating a friction fit lock, in which the legs are held stationary relative to each other.
This distal locking ability enables the switch to be placed at the top of the leg, where it is more easily manipulated, while the locking force may be exerted at a distal, more optimal position of the leg. The switch and biasing device may be oriented so that movement of one causes oblique or perpendicular of the other. This enables lateral movement of the switch to cause vertical movement of the biasing device downward to create a distal lock.
All three legs 500 may couple with a bowl 200. An articulating half ball 270 may couple a tripod head 100. The tripod head 100 may comprise a mounting system 101 as means of coupling a camera or other auxiliary device. In a closed position 10 (see
The legs 500 may pivotably couple with the bowl 200 via components of a leg rotation system. An angle selector ratchet 428 aspect of the bowl 200. An angle selector pin 422 may be inserted into the angle selector ratchet 428, enabling the leg to rotate into an open position 20 (see
The legs 500 may be configured to create an intervening leg cavity 510.
Each leg may be comprised of a first segment 520, second segment 540, and third segment 560. The second segment 540 may operatively couple with the first segment 520. “Operatively couple” means connection of the components with the ability to at least one component to move relative to another. The third segment 560 may operatively couple with the second segment 540. The second 540 and third segment 560 may extend from and retract up into the adjacent segment (520, 540; see
The first segment 520 may house locking system components. A rod 524 may be housed within the first leg segment 520, between the first segment tube 522 and second segment tube 542 (see
The switch 410 and riser lock 412 may be comprised of aluminum or other metal or rigid material. The rod 524 may be comprised of steel and the biasing device 526 made of aluminum. The tube lower 528 and it's angled bushing aspect 530 may be comprised of a polyoxymethylene, another thermoplastic or another material enabling the requisite pliability.
The switch 410 may be rotated into a lock position 60. In a lock position 60 the riser lock and rod are forced against an angled bushing 530 aspect of the tube lower. The tube lower 528 sleeves the second segment tube 542, allowing it to pass through when the switch 410 is in a slide position 50. In a locked position 60, the rod forces the biasing element 526 down into the angled bushing 530. The interfacing surfaces of the biasing element 526 and angled bushing 530 may be beveled so that downward movement of the biasing element forces the angled bushing inward toward the second segment tube 542. In a locked position 50, the angled bushing 530 engages the second segment tube 542, locking it in position.
The third segment 560 may extend from the second segment 540. The second segment 540 may contain locking means enable the third segment 560 to be locked relative to it. A bottom latch 558 may serve as the locking means.
An articulating half ball 270 may be disposed between the bowl 200 and the tripod head 100. The articulating half ball 270 may be hemispherical and bowl shaped, with a recess in which an internal half ball 276 may be disposed. An anchor 280 couples with the internal ball and extends downward, through a half ball aperture 272 in the articulating half ball 270 and through an opening in the bowl 200. The anchor 280 connects with an internal knob 252 aspect of a locking knob 254.
A ball cap 298 aspect of the articulating half ball 270 may couple with the tripod head 100. A head screw 290 may couple the tripod head 100 and ball cap 298. The articulating half ball 270 is capable of movement relative to a tilt axis 5. The half ball aperture 272 may be configured to enable a certain tilt range which is limited by the articulating half ball 270 contact with the intervening anchor 280. The ball cap 298 and the tripod head 100 tilt with the articulating half ball 270, moving independently of the bowl 200, internal ball 276 and anchor 280. The ball cap 298 may be an integral aspect of the articulating half ball 270, or a modular component coupled the articulating half ball 270 via screws or other means. The ball cap 298 may be made of aluminum, another metal or thermoplastic. The internal ball 276 and articulating half ball 270 may be comprised of polyoxymethylene or other thermoplastic. The bowl 200 may be comprised of aluminum. The internal knob 252 may be comprised of steel or other metal or thermoplastic. The locking knob 254 may be comprised of aluminum or other metal or thermoplastic.
The bowl knob 250 may enable adjustment of the internal ball 276 to a plurality of tilt orientations relative to the tilt axis 5. In the tilt position, the internal ball 276 is disengaged from the articulating half ball 270, enabling the articulating half ball 270 to move relative to the tilt axis 5, as discussed above. Rotation of the locking knob 254 aspect of the bowl knob 250 around the tilt axis 5, may move the anchor 280, and in turn the internal ball 276 downwards into engagement with the articulating half ball 270. When a predetermined amount of pressure is exerted on the articulating half ball 270, it is locked between the internal ball 276 and bowl 200, thereby establishing the stable position. Rotation of the bowl knob 250 in the opposite direction may move the internal ball 276 in the opposite direction, into a tilt position.
A bowl knob 250 may extend into the leg cavity 510. Because the bowl knob 250 remains stationary along the tilt axis 5, the legs may be oriented into the closed 10 position around it. Any tilt position may be maintained with the legs irrespective of leg 500 orientation.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary methods and embodiments. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essence or characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the claims.
