Monopod mounting apparatus

• US 20080056808A1
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia Srl (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia Srl (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Bevirt, JoeBen
• Application Number:
  US11/715,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20080056808A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/56
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/16 Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2078 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/566 Accessory clips, holders, shoes to attach accessories to camera if integral part of camera body G03B17/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32032 Plural ball and socket

Abstract

A flexible support apparatus adapted to wrap around and grip an element, such as a pole, while, in some embodiments, supporting a device such as a camera, flash unit, cell phone, or other item. The flexible support unit may consist of a series of ball and socket connectors interconnected into a flexible chain. The flexible support unit may have removable clips at one or both ends. The clips may be adapted to support different objects in different ways.

Claims

1. A flexible arm comprising:

a plurality of interconnected connectors, said plurality of interconnected connectors having a first end and a second end, said connectors comprising;

a connector main body, said main body comprising;

a socket engaging end surface at a first end, said socket engaging end surface being an external surface at said first end; and

an internal socket receiving cavity at a second end; and

a gripping portion, said gripping portion overmolded onto said connector main body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gripping portion comprises a rubberized compound.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said gripping portion comprises a circumferential ring co-molded onto the outer surface of said second end portion of said connector body.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod at a first end of said flexible arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod at its second end.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripping pod comprises a rubberized compound.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod connector at the first end of said flexible arm, said gripping pod connector comprising a gripping pod.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod connector at the second end of said flexible arm, said gripping pod connector comprising a gripping pod.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of the connector main body comprised a first material, and wherein the second end of the connector main body comprises a second material.

10. A flexible arm comprising:

a plurality of interconnected connectors, said plurality of interconnected connectors having a first end and a second end, said connectors comprising a connector main body, said main body comprising a first end and a second end; and

a first interconnect portion connected to said first end of said plurality of interconnected connectors, said first interconnect portion adapted to receive a first clip.

11. The flexible arm of claim 10 further comprising a first clip removably attached to said first interconnect portion.

12. The flexible arm of claim 10 wherein said connectors further comprise a gripping portion.

13. The flexible arm of claim 12 wherein said gripping portion is overmolded onto said connector main body.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said gripping portion comprises a circumferential ring overmolded onto the outer surface of said second end portion of said connector body.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a gripping connector connected to said second end of said plurality of interconnected connectors.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said gripping connector comprises a gripping pod.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a suction cup clip, said suction cup clip removably attached to said interconnect portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a clamp clip, said clamp clip removably attached to said interconnect portion.

19. The flexible arm of claim 10 further comprising a second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of interconnected connectors, said second interconnect portion adapted to receive a second clip, said second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of flexible connectors.

20. The flexible arm of claim 11 further comprising a second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of interconnected connectors, said second interconnect portion adapted to receive a second clip, said second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of flexible connectors.

21. The flexible arm of claim 20 further comprising a second clip, said second clip removably attached to said second interface portion.