Level indicator clip for tripods and other structures

• US 20090101772A1
• Filed: 05/12/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• 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:
  US12/152,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20090101772A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/180.100
• 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 11/2078 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

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mounting clips and structures to support the mounting clips. The mounting clips may use a bubble level or other device to allow the user to level the item supported, such as a camera. The mounting clips may be used with a tripod or a monopod, and in some embodiments a tripod with flexible legs utilizing ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. The use of flexible mounting apparatus allows the user to mount an item such as a camera in a variety of locations, but this in turn may make it difficult for the user to level the view from the camera. A clip with a level device within it allows for such leveling.

Claims

1. A level clip, said level clip comprising:

a clip body, said clip body comprising a flat plate; and

a level indicator.

2. The level clip of claim 1 wherein said flat plate has rails along its sides.

3. The level clip of claim 2 wherein said clip comprises a threaded fastener.

4. The level clip of claim 3 wherein the threads of said threaded fastener protrude through the top of said clip body.

5. The level clip of claim 4 wherein said clip body comprises a hole in its bottom surface, wherein the head of said threaded fastener resides in said hole.

6. The level clip of claim 5 wherein said head of said fastener is restrained in said hole by a ridge portion in the bottom of said clip.

7. The level clip of claim 1 wherein said level indicator comprises a bubble level device.

8. The level clip of claim 4 wherein said level indicator comprises a bubble level device.

9. The level clip of claim 7 wherein said bubble level device is a single axis bubble level device.

10. The level clip of claim 8 wherein said bubble level device is a single axis bubble level device.

11. The level clip of claim 7 wherein said bubble level device is a two axis bubble level device.

12. The level clip of claim 8 wherein said bubble level device is a two axis bubble level device.

13. The level clip of claim 9 wherein said bubble level device is adapted to measure level in a plane parallel to said flat plate.

14. The level clip of claim 10 wherein said bubble level device is adapted to measure level in a plane parallel to said flat plate.

15. The level clip of claim 13 wherein said clip body is adapted to be inserted into a receiver along an insertion axis, and wherein said bubble level device is adapted to measure level in a plane perpendicular to said insertion axis.

16. The level clip of claim 14 wherein said clip body is adapted to be inserted into a receiver along an insertion axis, and wherein said bubble level device is adapted to measure level in a plane perpendicular to said insertion axis.

17. A tripod comprising:

three legs;

a body;

a clip support carried by the body, the clip support having a releasable latch, wherein the clip support is suitable for releasably receiving a clip member to facilitate attaching a camera to the tripod; and

a level clip, said level clip comprising a level indicator, said level clip adapted to clip into said clip support.

18. The tripod of claim 17 wherein said legs are flexible legs.

19. The tripod of claim 17 wherein said clip support further comprises a base, a floor carried by the base, and flanges that define slots that extend above the floor and apart towards a clip receiving opening, and wherein said releasable latch is pivotably secured to the base and includes a tab.

20. The tripod of claim 19 wherein said level indicator comprises a bubble level device.