support leg

Abstract

A support apparatus (10) and a support leg (12) are provided for supporting a camera or other device. The support leg includes a main leg portion (16) and a secondary leg portion (18). The secondary leg portion is movably engaged with the main leg portion for movement between an open condition in which the support leg is fully extended and a closed condition in which the support leg is fully retracted. A latching mechanism (28) is also provided for automatically locking the position of the secondary leg portion relative to the main leg portion when the closed condition is reached.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present specification relates to a support leg, and in particular to a quick set and fold support leg for supporting still or video cameras.

[0002] The present invention has been used in the quick set support legs of camera tripods or monopods and will be described hereinafter with reference to the specification. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND

[0003] The following discussion of the background to the application is intended to provide the proper technical context for the application, and to enable fully appreciated the relevant advantages. However, any discussion of the background of the application should not be taken as an admission that the technology was widely known or formed part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] Support devices, such as monopods, bipods, tripods or quadropods, are commonly used to support still and / or video cameras during use. Their primary function is to support the weight of the camera and hold its position so as to minimise unwanted movement during image and / or video capture. As will be known to those skilled in the art, monopods consist of one support leg, bipods comprise two legs and quadropods consist of four legs. However, more commonly used are tripods which comprise three support legs to provide a self-supporting frame. In all cases, the support legs used are typically comprised of two or more telescopically extendable tubular members which can slide between fully extended and fully retracted conditions, the smaller members nesting within the larger members. Positioning clips or other locking mechanisms are typically provided on the tubular members so that the relative positions between adjacent members can be positioned and locked at any point of their relative slidable engagement. In this way, each support leg can be locked at any length between its fully extended and fully retracted conditions to allow selective adjustment of the ideal height of the tripod.

[0005] To put matters into perspective, a typical set up of the support legs of the above described support devices will now be described. In this regard, starting from the closed condition, that is the normal condition in which these support devices are transported, to extend each support leg, each positioning clip is unlocked. The lowermost tubular member is then extended to the desired position relative to the adjacent member and the position is locked by reusing each positioning clip. The support device is then ready for use. In a similar manner, to fully fold each support leg after use, the user needs to unlock each positioning clip, fold each tubular member and then re-install each positioning clip so that the tubular members do not inadvertently slide out of each other during transport.

[0006] One problem with setting up these support devices is that the action of unlocking the positioning clips before extending each support leg can be time consuming. Subsequently, the action of locking the positioning clips after folding each support leg is also a time consuming process. Both actions also require bending down or lifting the support device to access the positioning clips, which can be difficult for some people to do.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. SUMMARY

[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a support leg for supporting a camera or other device, the support leg comprising: a main leg portion; a secondary leg portion moveably engaged with the main leg portion for movement between an open state in which the support leg is fully extended and a closed state in which the support leg is fully retracted; and a latching mechanism, wherein movement of the secondary leg portion to the closed state activates the latching mechanism to automatically lock the position of the secondary leg portion relative to the main leg portion to maintain the closed state.

[0009] In one embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a release button for unlocking the position of the secondary leg portion relative to the main leg portion when in the closed state.

[0010] In one embodiment, the latching mechanism comprises a latching plate provided on one of the leg portions. Preferably, the latching mechanism comprises a finger member extending axially from one of the leg portions, the finger member being engageable with the latching plate. Preferably, the latching plate is moveable laterally between a rest state and an active state. More preferably, the latching mechanism comprises a spring for biasing the latching plate to the rest state.

[0011] In one embodiment, the finger member comprises an elongate shaft extending to a head structure.

[0012] In one embodiment, the latching plate comprises a finger hole, the finger member being resiliently and slidably engageable with the finger hole as the secondary leg portion approaches the closed state.

[0013] In one embodiment, on reaching the closed state, the elongate shaft is received by the finger hole and the conical head structure substantially abuts the latching plate, thereby fixing the finger member relative to the latching plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, on actuation of the release button, the latching plate moves from the rest state to the active state. Preferably, in the active state, the conical head structure no longer abuts the latching plate, thereby no longer fixing the finger member relative to the latching plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the latching plate is provided on one end of the main leg portion, and the finger member extends axially from one end of the secondary leg portion.

[0016] In one embodiment, the support leg includes a lever mechanism for unlocking the position of the secondary leg portion relative to the primary leg portion when in the closed state. Preferably, the lever mechanism is engageable with the latch plate.

[0017] In one embodiment, the support leg includes one or more intermediate leg portions disposed between the primary leg portion and the secondary leg portion. Preferably, the support leg includes one or more locking clamps for locking the relative position of adjacent leg portions.

[0018] According to one aspect, the present application provides a tripod comprising: a base; three support legs as described above, the support legs being hingedly coupled to the base.

[0019] In one embodiment, the base includes a rotatably angular rotor. Preferably, the rotor includes three circumferentially and equally spaced drive lugs extending radially from an outer surface thereof, wherein each lug is engageable with a lever mechanism upon rotation of the rotor. More preferably, the rotor includes a spring for resiliently biasing rotation of the rotor.

[0020] According to one aspect, the present application provides a monopod comprising a support leg as described above.

[0021] According to one aspect, there is provided a camera stand comprising one or more support legs as described above.

[0022] Reference throughout this specification to "some embodiments" or "one embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in some embodiments" or "in one embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but can. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. As an example, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic can be combined with one or more other features, structures, or characteristics. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary tripod including a support leg in accordance with some embodiments of the present application.

[0025] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tripod of

[0026] Figure 3 Figure 1a front view of one of the support legs of the tripod of

[0027] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the 4-4 line of Figure 3

[0028] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the support leg of Figure 3 showing the disassembled configuration of the latching mechanism.

[0029] Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the tripod of Figure 1 in a diagonal configuration.

[0030] Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the tripod of Figure 1 in a collapsed configuration; and

[0031] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the tripod of Figure 1 in an open configuration and further showing the disassembled lower hub assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, detailed

[0033] Referring to the drawings, first to Figure 1 , Figure 1 a support device in the form of a tripod 10 is provided for supporting a camera or video camera. As is well known in the art, the illustrated tripod 10 can also be used to support other equipment such as rifles, lights, fans or optical stations used by surveyors without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0034] The tripod 10 includes three support legs 12 each of which is hingedly connected to a base 14 and is movable between a self-supporting open configuration as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 and a collapsed configuration as shown in Figure 7 in which the support legs 12 are rotated inwardly until they contact the base 14. In other applications, the support legs 12 of the present invention are used in a single support leg for a monopod, or a double tripod having two support legs 12, or even a quadrupod having four support legs 12.

[0035] ​As is well known in the art, in one embodiment, a mounting plate (not shown) can be fixedly attached to the base 14. The mounting plate can also be removably engaged with the camera or camcorder to support the camera in a stable position above a surface during use of the camera. In some applications, the present application further provides a pivot mechanism so that the camera can be rotated about a vertical and / or horizontal axis so that the camera can be moved during use. In further applications, the movement using the pivot mechanism can be biased in one or more directions and can be blocked to minimize jarring movement during use.

[0036] Returning to Figure 1 In order to provide the tripod of the illustrated embodiment with variable height, each support leg 12 includes two or more leg sections that are removably engaged with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, each support leg 12 includes a primary leg section 16, a secondary leg section 18, and an intermediate leg section 20 that is positioned between the primary leg section and the secondary leg section.

[0037] The leg sections are in the form of tubular nesting members that are telescopically and slidably engaged with one another. Thus, the leg sections are movable between an open condition, in which each support leg 12 is fully extended, as shown in Figure 1 , and a closed condition, in which each support leg 12 is fully retracted, as shown in Figure 2 .

[0038] It will be appreciated that, by virtue of the telescopic nesting engagement, the secondary leg section 18 can be inserted directly into the intermediate leg section 20. The intermediate leg section 20, in turn, can be inserted directly into the primary leg section 16. As is well known in the art, the construction of each leg section only permits movement to the point of full insertion into the adjacent leg section.

[0039] As is well known in the art, in order to achieve the closed condition using this arrangement, the secondary leg section 18 is inserted into the intermediate leg section 20 until the secondary leg section 18 reaches the end of its travel, at which point the intermediate leg section 20 will begin to be inserted into the primary leg section 16. Alternatively, the intermediate leg section 20 is inserted into the secondary leg section 18, which is then inserted into the primary leg section 16. In most cases, the user need only grasp the distal end of the secondary leg section and push it upwardly to cause the secondary leg section and the intermediate leg section to be fully inserted into the primary leg section to achieve the closed condition.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, a first locking clamp 22 is provided at the lower end of the primary leg 16 for locking the position of the intermediate leg 20 relative to the primary leg 16. Likewise, a second locking clamp 24 is provided at the lower end of the intermediate leg 20 for locking the position of the secondary leg 18 relative to the intermediate leg 20. A grip stop 26 is secured by a screw at the distal end of each secondary leg 18 to improve the grip with the ground. Each grip stop allows for fine tuning of the extension length of each support leg 12 by screwing in and out of the secondary leg.

[0041] To extend each support leg 12 from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to the open position shown in Fig. 2, or any length between the closed and open positions, the first and second locking clamps 22 and 24 are disengaged simultaneously or consecutively. Each leg is then pulled out, or allowed to fall under its own weight, to the desired length. Alternatively, the individual extension of the relevant leg can be achieved by first loosening the relevant locking clamp and extending the leg as desired. Once fully extended, the locking clamp is re-engaged, locking the leg and support leg 12 at the selected length. Figure 2 Figure 1 To fold each support leg from the open position shown in Fig. 2 to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, the user again disengages the first and second locking clamps and then pushes the lower secondary leg 18 towards the upper primary leg 16. By doing so, the secondary leg 18 is inserted into the intermediate leg 20, which is inserted into the primary leg 16. Once the support leg 12 is fully folded, it reaches the closed position.

[0042] To extend each support leg from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to the open position shown in Fig. 2, or any length between the closed and open positions, the first and second locking clamps 22 and 24 are disengaged simultaneously or consecutively. Each leg is then pulled out, or allowed to fall under its own weight, to the desired length. Alternatively, the individual extension of the relevant leg can be achieved by first loosening the relevant locking clamp and extending the leg as desired. Once fully extended, the locking clamp is re-engaged, locking the leg and support leg 12 at the selected length. Figure 1 Figure 2 To fold each support leg from the open position shown in Fig. 2 to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, the user again disengages the first and second locking clamps and then pushes the lower secondary leg 18 towards the upper primary leg 16. By doing so, the secondary leg 18 is inserted into the intermediate leg 20, which is inserted into the primary leg 16. Once the support leg 12 is fully folded, it reaches the closed position.

[0043] Generally, to maintain each support leg 12 in the closed position, with the secondary leg 18 fully inserted into the intermediate leg 20, and the intermediate leg 20 fully inserted into the primary leg 16, the first and second locking clamps 22 and 24 are re-engaged. However, in accordance with the present invention, there is no need to re-engage the locking clamps, as the closed position is automatically achieved even if the first and second locking clamps 22 and 24 are disengaged. More specifically, to achieve this functionality of the present invention, a latching mechanism 28 is provided which automatically locks the position of the secondary leg 18 relative to the primary leg 16 once the closed position is achieved. Furthermore, due to the engagement between the secondary leg 18 and the intermediate leg 20, the intermediate leg will also automatically lock position once the secondary leg 18 is locked relative to the primary leg 16. In this way, using the support leg 12 of the present invention, there is no need for the step of re-engaging the first and second locking clamps 22 and 24 to maintain the legs in the closed position.

[0044] It will be appreciated that although only three legs are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is equally applicable to more than three legs. ​​

[0045] Referring now to the drawings Figures 3 to 5 to describe the automatic locking operation, the latch mechanism 28 includes a slidable latch plate 30 that is engageable with a finger member 32 upon reaching the closed condition. As discussed in greater detail below, the latch plate 30 is retained at one end of the primary leg 16, while the finger member 32 is retained in position relative to the secondary leg 18.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 the latch plate 30 includes a finger hole 41 and is transversely secured by a guide portion 40 that is slidably mounted within a slide plate 38. The slide plate 38 includes a slot 42 for receiving a spring tab 44 that extends orthogonally from the bottom surface of the latch plate 30, as well as a central hole 39. A spring 46 is also disposed within the slot 42 and acts upon the spring tab 44 to bias the spring tab 44 and the latch plate 30 toward one end of the slot 42.

[0047] A release button 48 is engaged with a button tab 50 that extends orthogonally from the outer side of the latch plate 30. This arrangement allows the latch plate 30 to move along the slide plate 38 upon actuation of the release button, thereby compressing the spring 46. It will thus be appreciated that the release button 48 is always in an extended position due to the biasing force provided by the spring 46. This extended position of the release button generally defines the rest condition of the latch mechanism 28.

[0048] As shown in the cross-section of Figure 4 , in this rest condition, the finger hole 41 will not be concentrically aligned with the central hole 39 of the slide plate 38 due to the biasing force provided by the spring 46, but there will be some overlap between the two holes. Upon actuation of the release button 48, however, the finger hole 41 will move into alignment with the central hole 39 to define the actuated condition of the latch mechanism 28.

[0049] The latch plate 30, slide plate 38, spring 46 and release button 48 are secured in position by fasteners 54 to a tubular cap 52. The cap 52 is located at the proximal end of the primary leg 16 and is secured thereto using an adhesive or any other fastening means known in the art.

[0050] According to the illustrated embodiment, the latching mechanism 28 further includes an auxiliary drive lever subassembly 60. The auxiliary drive lever subassembly 60 includes a link plate 62 pivotally connected at one end to a lever member 64 by a pin 66. The lever member 64 is hingedly connected to the exterior of the cap 52 by a hinge 68. The link plate 62 enters the cap 52 through a slot 69 and is connected and engaged to the latching plate 30 at the other end, so that upon actuation of the lever member 64, the latching plate 30 will move toward the lever member and again compress the spring 46 to again define the actuated state of the latching mechanism 28. Thus, it can be appreciated that the actuation of the release button 48 and the lever member 64 will result in the same movement of the latching plate 30.

[0051] The finger member 32 includes a stepped shaft 34 and a tapered head structure 36 that is fixedly engaged to the proximal end of the secondary leg 18. To achieve this engagement, opposing clamping members 70 are provided that are slidably engaged with tracks 72 of a disc member 74. In this manner of engagement, both clamping members 70 are clamped to one end of the finger member 32. Opposing cover plates 76 are also provided to snap lockingly engage the outer surfaces of the clamping members 70 and define a finger assembly 78. The finger assembly 78 is positioned and retained to the proximal end of the tubular secondary leg 18 by means of adhesion as is known in the art. It should be appreciated that the clamping force is provided by the clamping members 70 after the finger assembly 78 is fixed to the proximal end of the secondary leg 18. Thus, the finger member 32 is fixed centrally to the proximal end of the secondary leg 18 and extends therefrom and will move with the secondary leg as it moves from the open state to the closed state.

[0052] In operation, as the support leg 12 is moved from the open state to the closed state, the intermediate leg 20 will move through the primary leg 16 and the secondary leg 18 will move through the intermediate leg 20 and the primary leg 16 until the finger member 32 reaches the central aperture 39 of the slide 38. The finger member 32 will then pass through the central aperture 39 to the finger aperture 41 of the latching plate 30. However, since the latching plate 30 is biased in the rest state, the finger aperture 41 will be off-center from the central aperture 39 and continued movement of the finger member will cause the tapered head structure 36 to contact one side of the finger aperture 41. Further movement of the finger member 32 will cause the latching plate 30 to move laterally along the slide 38 from the rest state to the actuated state until the tapered head structure 36 moves past the latching plate 30. Once this occurs, the latching plate 30 will snap back onto the finger member 32 to restrain the finger member 32 and the secondary leg 18 in position since the tapered head structure 36 is resting against the latching plate 30. As shown, the closed state of the support leg 12 has been achieved at this point and the secondary leg 18 and the intermediate leg 20 will not be able to be moved apart until the release button 48 is actuated to move the latching plate 30 to the actuated state. Likewise, further movement of the secondary leg 18 into the primary leg 16 will not be possible. Figure 4 In operation, as the support leg 12 is moved from the open state to the closed state, the intermediate leg 20 will move through the primary leg 16 and the secondary leg 18 will move through the intermediate leg 20 and the primary leg 16 until the finger member 32 reaches the central aperture 39 of the slide 38. The finger member 32 will then pass through the central aperture 39 to the finger aperture 41 of the latching plate 30. However, since the latching plate 30 is biased in the rest state, the finger aperture 41 will be off-center from the central aperture 39 and continued movement of the finger member will cause the tapered head structure 36 to contact one side of the finger aperture 41. Further movement of the finger member 32 will cause the latching plate 30 to move laterally along the slide 38 from the rest state to the actuated state until the tapered head structure 36 moves past the latching plate 30. Once this occurs, the latching plate 30 will snap back onto the finger member 32 to restrain the finger member 32 and the secondary leg 18 in position since the tapered head structure 36 is resting against the latching plate 30. As shown, the closed state of the support leg 12 has been achieved at this point and the secondary leg 18 and the intermediate leg 20 will not be able to be moved apart until the release button 48 is actuated to move the latching plate 30 to the actuated state. Likewise, further movement of the secondary leg 18 into the primary leg 16 will not be possible.

[0053] When the release button 48 is actuated, the latching mechanism 28 moves to the actuated state, causing the latch plate to move laterally, aligning the finger hole 41 with the center hole 39 to release the finger member 32. This allows the secondary leg 18 to be removed from the primary leg 16. Similarly, actuation of the lever 64 causes the latch plate 30 to move, releasing the finger member 32 from its reserved position. At this point, with the first locking clamp 22 and the second locking clamp 24 disengaged, the user can pull out and extend the leg, or the leg can disengage under its own weight, to achieve the desired length of the support leg 12. The first locking clamp 22 and the second locking clamp 24 then re-engage, holding the support leg 12 at the desired length.

[0054] Now for reference Figures 6 to 8 As previously described, the tripod 10 in the illustrated embodiment includes three support legs 12, each hinged to a base 14. Figure 6 In the image, the tripod is shown with its three supporting legs 12 in an open position. Figure 7 In the image, the outriggers are shown in a closed or retracted state. Figure 8 In the middle, the tripod is in the open position again, but the base 14 part has been disassembled.

[0055] According to another aspect of the invention, the base 14 includes a rotor 80 rotatably engaged with its bottom surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 80 is angularly movable between two positions, generally not exceeding 120°. The rotor 80 includes a rotational spring 82 for limiting and biasing angular rotation, and a rotor cover 84 for securing the rotor 80 and spring 82 in position. The rotor 80 includes three circumferentially and angularly equidistant drive lugs 86 extending radially from its outer surface. The lugs 86 are spaced apart such that, as the rotor 80 rotates, each lug will align and contact a corresponding lever 64 on each support leg 12, but only when the support leg is in position... Figure 7 This is only true when the rotor 80 is in the retracted state shown. To achieve smooth engagement with each lever 64, the lug 86 includes a tapered leading portion or the lug 86 is chamfered. To facilitate user gripping of the rotor 80, an actuator arm 88 is further provided for typical engagement with the user's thumb.

[0056] Therefore, once the tripod is in Figure 7 In the retracted position shown, the user simply rotates rotor 80, causing each lug to contact each of the three levers 64. The actuation of the levers causes each latch plate 30 in each latching mechanism 28 to move to the latched state (as shown). Figure 4 and 5This in turn results in the release of each finger member 32 in each support leg 12, thereby simultaneously releasing each secondary leg portion 18, bringing each support leg to its open state. In this way, although still possible, the user does not need to engage each release button 48, all support legs 12 can be released in one motion.

[0057] It is contemplated that each leg portion be formed of any rigid and durable hollow material, such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, plastic, or carbon fiber material or combinations thereof. Furthermore, although the leg portions are described as being round tubular concentric and nested components adapted for telescoping engagement, in other embodiments the leg portions can be any outer shape, even non-tubular axial components that are movably slidingly engaged. In these cases, similar leg portion latching or release means as described above will be utilized.

[0058] In other embodiments not shown, the latching mechanism 28 can take different forms to achieve automatic locking upon reaching the closed state. In another embodiment, the latching mechanism can include a laterally movable, spring biased ball or pin disposed at one end of the secondary leg portion 18. The ball or pin will engage a hole in one end of the primary leg portion 16 to proportionally increase the locking of the secondary leg portion to the primary leg portion upon reaching the closed state. A release button can then be used to disengage the ball or pin from the hole to unlock the secondary leg portion from the primary leg portion. The latching mechanism of this embodiment can take different forms than the previously described embodiment forms, however, it will achieve the same function. In this case, however, the assistance provided by the secondary drive lever subassembly 60 will not be achieved.

[0059] In another embodiment, the leg portions can be pivotally engaged relative to each other, thereby defining a scissor-lift support leg arrangement. In this case, another latching mechanism is also provided that automatically locks the lowermost leg portion to the uppermost leg portion upon reaching the closed state.

[0060] Returning to the illustrated embodiment, in use, initially the tripod 10 is started in the closed state as shown in Fig. 1. The user then adjusts each support leg 12 to the desired length by pulling out each leg portion 16, 18, 20 until the desired length is achieved. Once the desired length of each support leg 12 is achieved, the first and second locking clamps 22, 24 are re-engaged to lock the support leg 12 at the desired length. Figure 2 The user then adjusts each support leg 12 to the vertical orientation and depresses the release button 48. In this way, the lower secondary leg portion 18 and the intermediate leg portion 20 are disengaged from the upper primary leg portion 16 under the force of gravity. Alternatively, if the vertical orientation is not desired or possible, the user can pull out each leg portion until the desired length is achieved. By using the former method, where each support leg is in the vertical orientation, the user can quickly set each support leg 12 to the desired length. Once the desired length of each support leg 12 is achieved, the first and second locking clamps 22, 24 are re-engaged to lock the support leg 12 at the desired length.

[0061] To fold each support leg 12 from the open state to the closed state, the user first disengages the first locking clamp 22 and the second locking clamp 24. Then, assuming again the up-down vertical orientation, the user simply pushes the secondary leg 18 upward toward the primary leg 16 until a "click" sound is heard or felt. At this point, the latching mechanism 28 has automatically locked the position of the secondary leg 18 and the intermediate leg 20 relative to the upper primary leg 16 and has automatically reached the closed state.

[0062] When using the rotor 80 described in the Figures 6-8 above, the user simply rotates the rotor 80 when the tripod is in the collapsed state shown in the Figure 7 above, causing each of the three latching mechanisms 28 to be actuated simultaneously. This results in all of the support legs 12 being unlocked so that they can reach their desired lengths in one motion. Once each support leg reaches its desired length, the locking clamps 22 and 24 can engage to lock the adjacent legs in their relative positions. Thus, the tripod 10 of the present application is much faster to set up than prior art tripods.

[0063] While the illustrated tripod has each support leg 12 comprising a primary leg, a secondary leg, and an intermediate leg, the present application is equally applicable to support legs having four legs. In this case, the latching mechanism according to the present application locks the lowermost leg with the uppermost leg regardless of the number of intermediate legs. In fact, the present application is applicable to support legs having two or more legs.

[0064] Furthermore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present application is also applicable to monopods that provide only one support leg, or bipods that provide two support legs. Likewise, the present application is also applicable to support devices having any number of support legs. In fact, the present application is applicable to any support device and is not limited to the field of camera use.

[0065] It will be appreciated that the time to collapse the tripod or monopod using the support leg 12 of the present application is greatly reduced by eliminating the step of having to re-engage the locking clamps in achieving the closed state. Likewise, the time to set up the tripod or monopod using the support leg 12 of the present application is also greatly reduced by eliminating the step of disengaging the locking clamps during leg extension. Furthermore, by eliminating these steps, both the collapsing and set up processes are more convenient, require less physical exertion, and require less bending of the user's body to access the locking clamps.

[0066] The present application is advantageously applicable to professional videographers because their subjects sometimes move quickly. In these cases, the reduced physical exertion and the reduced time to set up and collapse would be highly beneficial, especially considering that the tripods used in these applications can be relatively heavy.

[0067] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the application which follow, and of which specific embodiments are described herein, are illustrative of the principles of the present application. Thus, numerous modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the claimed application. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alterations and modifications that fall within the scope and range of equivalents of the herein disclosed embodiments are to be considered as falling within the scope of the present application. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first, second, top and bottom, upper and lower, front and rear, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action where multiple entities or actions are discussed. The terms are not meant to denote relative importance or to prefer one entity or action over another. It is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed application but rather to exhaustively describe the various features of the present application. It is further understood that the use of the terms "a" and "an" are meant to include both singular and plural unless otherwise indicated. It is further understood that the use of the term "or" is meant to encompass both exclusive and inclusive uses unless otherwise indicated. It is further understood that the use of the term "about" is meant to encompass both "exactly" and "not exactly" unless otherwise indicated.

[0068] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the application can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

[0069] While there have been described herein the principles of the present application, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that other and further modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the application. For example, any of the formulas given above are representative of procedures that can be used. Functions can be added or deleted from the block diagrams, and operations can be interchanged among functional blocks. Methods described within the scope of the present application can have steps added or removed.

Claims

1. A support leg for supporting a camera or other equipment, the support leg comprising: Main legs; A secondary leg, movably engaged with the main leg, is used to move between the fully extended open state of the supporting leg and the fully retracted closed state of the supporting leg. as well as A latching mechanism wherein the auxiliary leg is moved to the closed state to activate the latching mechanism thereby automatically locking the position of the auxiliary leg relative to the main leg to maintain the closed state, the latching mechanism including a release button for unlocking the position of the auxiliary leg relative to the main leg when in the closed state.

2. The support leg according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latching mechanism includes a latch plate disposed in one of the main leg and the secondary leg.

3. The support leg according to claim 2, characterized in that, The latching mechanism includes a finger-like member extending axially from one of the main leg and the secondary leg, the finger-like member being capable of engaging the latch plate.

4. The support leg according to claim 3, characterized in that, The finger-like component includes an elongated shaft extending into the head structure.

5. The support leg according to claim 2, characterized in that, The latch plate is capable of moving laterally between a stationary state and a driven state.

6. The support leg according to claim 5, characterized in that, The latching mechanism includes a spring for biasing the latch plate to the stationary state.

7. The support leg according to claim 4, characterized in that, The latch plate includes finger holes, and the finger-like component can elastically and slidably engage with the finger holes when the secondary leg approaches the closed state.

8. The support leg according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the closed state is reached, the elongated shaft is received by the finger hole, and the tapered head structure substantially abuts against the latch plate, thereby securing the finger member relative to the latch plate.

9. The support leg according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the release button is activated, the latch plate moves from a stationary state to an activated state.

10. The support leg according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the driving state, the conical head structure no longer abuts against the latch plate, thus no longer fixing the finger-like component relative to the latch plate.

11. The support leg according to claim 3, characterized in that, The latch plate is disposed at one end of the main leg, and the finger-like member extends axially from one end of one of the secondary legs.

12. The support leg of claim 2, comprising a lever mechanism for unlocking the position of the secondary leg relative to the primary leg when in the closed state.

13. The support leg according to claim 12, characterized in that, The lever mechanism can engage with the latch plate.

14. The support leg according to claim 1, comprising one or more intermediate legs disposed between the main leg portion and the secondary leg portion.

15. The support leg of claim 1, comprising one or more locking clamps for locking the relative positions of adjacent legs.

16. A tripod, comprising: Base; Three support legs according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the support legs are hinged to the base.

17. The tripod according to claim 16, characterized in that, The base includes a rotor that can be rotated at an angle.

18. The tripod according to claim 17, characterized in that, The rotor includes three circumferentially spaced and equally spaced drive lugs extending radially from its outer surface, wherein each lug engages with a lever mechanism when the rotor rotates.

19. The tripod according to claim 18, characterized in that, The rotor includes a spring for elastically biasing the rotation of the rotor.

20. A monopod comprising a support leg according to any one of claims 1-15.

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