Mounting apparatus using ball and socket joints with composite connectors

• US 8,297,566 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vitec Imaging Solutions S.p.A. (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Day Men US Incorporated
• Inventors: Bevirt, JoeBen
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Teri P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Erin W
• Application Number:
  US11/803,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20080093516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,999 Days
• Field of Search: 248/163.1, 248/160, 248/176.1, 248/178.1, 248/177.1, 248/181.1, 248/187.1, 248/220.21, 248/220.22, 248/224.8, 248/222.11, 248/221.11, 248/310, 248/316.7, 403/56
• US Class Current: 248/163.1
• 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: Y10T 403/32032 Plural ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/45 Flexibly connected rigid members

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.

Claims

1. A tripod comprising:

a body portion;

an interconnect portion connected to said body portion;

a clip removably attached to said interconnect portion; and

a plurality of flexible legs, said flexible legs comprising a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said body portion;

wherein each of said three flexible legs is composed of a multiplicity of connector pieces that join together in ball and socket joints that permit pivotable movement between connecting ball and socket components to together provide each leg with sufficient flexibility, to substantially wrap around an object,

said connectors comprising;

a connector body,

said connector body comprising;

a ball end comprising a first material;

a socket end comprising a second material;

and a gripping portion, said gripping portion attached to the outside of the socket end of said connector,

wherein said gripping portion comprises a circumferential ring molded onto the outer surface of said socket end of said connector body,

wherein said first material comprises plastic, and where said second material comprises metal.

2. The tripod of claim 1 wherein said ball end is molded onto said socket end.

3. The tripod of claim 1 wherein said interconnect portion comprises a lever, said lever adapted to release the removably attached clip.

4. The tripod arm of claim 3 further comprising a clip removably attached to said interconnect portion.