Modified tripod and “multi-pod” for cameras and other equipment

• US 7,780,126 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vitec Holdings Italia Srl (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Icr - Johnson Screens Peru S.A.C.
• Inventors: Esarey, Graeme, Leugers, Martin Aaron, Grant, Andrew, Druker, Josh, Feng, Hao Yu, Law, David, Mongan, Ryan, Abed, Tark
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohseni; Alaeddin
• Application Number:
  US11/696,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20080245945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 248/177.1, 248/439
• US Class Current: 248/168
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/045 adapted to left-right translation movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• 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 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/24 changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each otherF16M11/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/242 by spreading of the legs F16M11/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/32 Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• 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 13/005 integral with the apparatus or articles to be supported
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/065 with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction

Abstract

As one of the examples, one of the main features is that the setup is small enough that it can live with the camera full-time, and carried around by the user. The legs fold into a very compact size that fit within the footprint of the camera, used for any type camera, e.g. compact point-and-shoot camera, camera phone, or SLR camera. The tripod can then live unnoticed on the bottom of the camera, until a shot requiring a tripod is needed. Then, the legs can be deployed to act as a firm stand. Another one of the main features of this tripod is that all the legs do not share a common end-point or pivot-point. This allows the legs to form a very wide stable platform, even when they are short. In general, for N legs, some legs may have common end-points or pivot-points, but not for all N legs. (N is a positive integer, greater or equal to 3.) This invention can be applied to any camera (e.g. compact camera) and any measurement equipment that uses a conventional tripod or similar setup, such as the ones used by civil engineers or surveyors for the survey of the land and construction measurements or calibrations, or the ones used in optical measurements or laser experiments (e.g. for general level measurements and adjustments). Other variations are also discussed.

Claims

1. A tripod or a standing assembly to support or hold a camera or an object, comprising:

at least 3 legs, each leg generally defining a planar surface and having a proximal end and a distal end, the legs having a deployed configuration and a folded configuration,

wherein in the deployed configuration, said legs are generally splayed,

wherein the proximal ends of at least two of said legs are not originated at the same point, termination, connection, or hinge, and wherein said proximal ends are disposed adjacent a first surface of the camera or object to which the tripod or standing assembly is coupled,

wherein when in the folded configuration, said legs fold such that the planar surfaces of said legs lie on a single plane parallel to a planar surface of the first surface of the camera or object.

2. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera or object is an optical device, laser device, land survey device, or construction device.

3. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pivoting part or leg configured to support a large or heavy camera or object.

4. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the object is selected from one or more of the following items:

a picture frame, clock, notebook, calculator, solar cell array, battery, pen holder, pen, pencil, magnetic plate, magnetic decoration, magnetic pieces, Velcro, hook-and-loop, dual lock, fastener, rubber band, light, LED, LCD, display, TV, radio, thermometer, pressure gauge, biometric sensor, thumb or fingerprint recognition module, combination lock, lock, password entry input, keyboard, input device, pointing device, speaker, microphone, telephone set, keychain ring, hook, video game, music player, downloading unit, wireless unit, communication unit, antenna, small computer, small web browser, voice, video, or picture recorder, or any electronic or mechanical device, apparatus, system, toy, decoration, or equipment.

5. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said legs comprise one or more of the following:

pivoting legs, hinged legs, flexible legs, rigid legs, goose-neck legs, segmented legs, snake-shaped flexible legs, telescopic legs, foldable legs with one or multiple folds or hinges per leg, hydraulic legs, mechanically-raising-legs, inflatable legs, balloon-type legs, tube-type legs, legs made of series of small beads, flat legs, cylindrical legs, legs with the suction cups at the end or bottom of the legs, curved legs, S-shaped legs, T-shaped legs, plate-shaped legs, sliding-plate-shaped legs, pairs of legs, multiple small legs, flexible small legs, horizontally-connected legs, independently-adjusted legs, or any conventional legs or supports.

6. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said tripod standing assembly is permanently connected or attached to the camera or object.

7. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera or object is rotatable on said tripod or standing assembly.

8. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a base coupled to the proximal end of said legs, wherein the base comprises a planar surface coupled to the first side of the camera or object, and wherein in the folded configuration, the planar surfaces of the legs fold against the base.

9. A tripod or standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the distal ends of said legs in the deployed configuration define a planar polygon on a flat floor or on a resting or supporting flat surface.

10. A tripod or standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least three legs comprise at least four legs and wherein the distal ends of said legs in the deployed configuration define a non-planar polygon with vertices located on a stepped, sloped, curved, or inclined surface.

11. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the camera or object is a compact point-and-shoot camera, camera phone, or SLR camera.

12. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the tripod or standing assembly adjusts for pitch, roll, and yaw of the compact point-and-shoot camera, camera phone, or SLR camera.

13. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein at

least one of said legs is adjustable for length or angle relative to the first surface of the camera or object to adjust the pitch, roll, and yaw.

14. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 11, further comprising a hinge mechanism to allow the compact point-and-shoot camera, camera phone, or SLR camera to be positioned for portrait mode and landscape mode.

15. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a display shield or cover configured to cover a display of the camera or object.

16. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said display is an LCD or OLED.

17. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said display shield or cover is configured to be pivoted or slid away from the display so that buttons or controls on the camera or object become accessible.

18. A tripod or a standing assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein

said display shield or cover, or other parts of said tripod or standing assembly, is made of or comprised of one or more of the following materials or structures:

plastic, elastic material, nylon, bubble-protection material, layered material, soft material, synthetic material, shock absorbent material, hard material, solid material, liquid-containing material, gas-containing material, pressurized-gas-containing material, balloon-type material, inflatable material, gel-type material, natural material, leather, water-proof material, oil-protected surface, paper, cardboard, stretchable material, elastic band, net-shape material, mesh, hollow material, cushion material, solid object, magnetic material, metallic material, metallic sheet, metallic chain, array of metallic rings, 2-dimensional structure, multi-dimensional structure, flat structure, non-smooth plate, smooth plate, folded structure, hinged objects, hinged plates, hinged micro-plates, connected tiles, Lego-shaped material, brick-shaped material, ceramic tiles, stone tiles, artificial material tiles, glass tiles, transparent material, translucent material, clear material, reflective material, containing mirror, fluorescent material, metal-plated material, painted material, rug, woven material, bamboo, carpet material, wooden material, sticks, insulation material, water-cooling jacket, air-cooling jacket, heating-element jacket, insulation jacket, or any compound, chemical, or composite material.