Tripod Support Base

Abstract

The tripod includes a base, an extension member, and a tripod leg mounting member including a tripod leg mounting interface configured to mount the tripod legs and a plurality of tripod leg positioning interfaces configured to allow the tripod legs to be positioned at a variety of different angles relative to the base.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Priority information This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 63 / 191,063, filed May 20, 2021. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 63 / 191,063, filed May 20, 2021, are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 63 / 308,886, filed February 10, 2022. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 63 / 308,886, filed February 10, 2022, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a tripod support base, and more particularly to a tripod support base including a mounting platform and a plurality of leg mounting modules connected to the mounting platform, the leg mounting modules configured to allow mounting of removable legs at one of a plurality of angles. [Background technology]

[0003] Figure 1 shows a conventional tripod arrangement in which a camera 20 is mounted on a positionable ball head 10 having a positioning clamp lever 11. The positionable ball head 10 is mounted on a tripod base 35 to which tripod legs 30 are connected.

[0004] Note that the tripod legs 30 are connected at an angle and may be extendable to allow adjustment of the height of the tripod base above the surface on which the tripod is placed.

[0005] A drawback of the conventional tripod arrangement is that the tripod is not very compact when not in use.

[0006] Furthermore, because the tripod legs 30 are connected at an angle, limiting the degree of movement of each leg, it is not possible to utilize a conventional tripod arrangement on uneven surfaces as the tripod cannot effectively conform to irregular surfaces.

[0007] It is therefore desirable to provide a compact tripod.

[0008] It is further desirable to provide a tripod arrangement that includes a base configured to allow the removable legs to be attached at one of a number of angles, thereby enabling the tripod to effectively conform to irregular surfaces. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] The drawings are for purposes of illustrating various embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0010] [Figure 1] A camera mounted on a tripod is shown. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the tripod base. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a foot mounting member for the tripod base of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 shows a base mounting member for mounting the foot mounting module to a tripod base. [Diagram 5] 1 shows another embodiment of a tripod base. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of a tripod base with a leg mounting module and a tripod leg. [Figure 7] 1 shows a leg mounting member having multiple tripod leg mounting locations. Summary of the Invention

[0011] For general understanding, reference is made to the drawings, in which like references are used throughout to designate identical or equivalent elements, and it should be noted that the drawings may not be drawn to scale and that certain areas may be intentionally drawn out of proportion so as to properly illustrate features and concepts.

[0012] 2 is a bottom view of a tripod support base. As shown in FIG. 2, the tripod base 100 includes a support base 110 having a connection interface 115. The connection interface 115 is configured to connect and interface with a device such as a camera. For example, the connection interface 115 is configured to have a screw thread for receiving a screw connection.

[0013] The tripod base 100 includes an extension member 120 extending from the support base 110. The extension member 120 may be removable from the support base 110. The extension members 120 may extend outwardly from the support base 110 such that the angle between adjacent extension members is 120°.

[0014] At the end of each extension member 120, the tripod base 100 includes a tripod leg mounting module 130. Each tripod leg mounting module 130 includes a base mounting member 135 that connects the extension member 120 to a leg mounting member 140. The leg mounting member 140 includes a tripod leg mounting interface 150 for receiving a tripod leg (not shown).

[0015] It should be noted that the extension member 120 may be extendable to adjust the distance between the support base 110 and the tripod leg mounting module 130 .

[0016] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a leg mounting member for the tripod base of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the leg mounting member 140 includes a tripod leg mounting interface 150 for receiving a tripod leg (not shown). The leg mounting member 140 also includes a tripod leg positioning interface 145 configured to allow the tripod leg (not shown) to be rotated so that the tripod leg can be positioned at a variety of different angles relative to the tripod base 100.

[0017] As shown, the tripod leg positioning interface 145 is an opening in a surface of the leg mounting member 140 and may be configured to receive a locking mechanism 137, such as a pin, peg, rivet, screw, bolt, or the like, from the base mounting member 135.

[0018] Such a locking mechanism may be a pin, peg, or rivet that is biased into an engaged position such that a user must pull the locking mechanism 137 outwardly, away from the tripod leg positioning interface 145, to disengage it from the tripod leg positioning interface so that the tripod leg can be rotated to a new position relative to the tripod base.

[0019] The leg mounting member 140 may be spherical as shown, but may be any shape that allows for including multiple tripod leg mounting interfaces configured to allow the tripod legs to be rotated so that they can be positioned at a variety of different angles relative to the tripod base 100.

[0020] 4 illustrates a base mounting member for mounting the leg mounting module to a tripod base. As shown in FIG. 4, the base mounting member 135 includes an extended mounting interface 162 configured to couple the base mounting member 135 to the base. The extended mounting interface 162 may be an opening for receiving a peg, rivet, or bolt. It is noted that the base (not shown) has a corresponding opening for receiving the peg, rivet, or bolt. It is further noted that the opening may be threaded.

[0021] The base mounting member 135 includes a leg mounting member positioning interface 166 configured to lock the tripod leg (not shown) in a desired position by allowing engagement of the leg mounting member with a locking mechanism (not shown), such as a pin, peg, rivet, screw, bolt, etc., that engages the tripod leg positioning interface. The tripod leg positioning interface may be an opening that receives the pin, peg, rivet, screw, bolt, etc. The opening may be threaded.

[0022] Additionally, it should be noted that the locking mechanism (not shown) may be a pin, peg, or rivet that is biased into an engaged position such that the user must pull the locking mechanism (not shown) outwardly, away from the leg attachment member positioning interface 166, to disengage it from the tripod leg positioning interface so that the tripod leg can be rotated to a new position relative to the tripod base.

[0023] Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a tripod base. As shown in Fig. 5, the tripod base 1000 includes a support base having a connection interface 115. The connection interface 115 is configured to connect and interface with a device such as a camera. For example, the connection interface 115 is configured to have a screw thread for receiving a screw connection.

[0024] The tripod base 1000 is configured with an extension member 120. The extension member 120 may be removable from the support base. The extension members 120 may extend outwardly from the support base such that the angle between adjacent extension members is 120°.

[0025] At the end of each extension member 120, the tripod base 1000 includes a tripod leg mounting module. Each tripod leg mounting module includes a base mounting member 135 that connects the extension member 120 to a leg mounting member (not shown).

[0026] The tripod leg mounting module includes a base mounting member 135 and an extended mounting interface 162 configured to couple the base mounting member 135 to the base. The extended mounting interface 162 may be an opening for receiving a peg, rivet, or bolt. It is noted that the base (not shown) has a corresponding opening for receiving the peg, rivet, or bolt. It is further noted that the opening may be threaded.

[0027] The base mounting member 135 includes a leg mounting member positioning interface 166 configured to lock the tripod legs (not shown) in a desired position by allowing engagement of the leg mounting member with a locking mechanism (not shown), such as a pin, peg, rivet, screw, bolt, etc., that engages the tripod leg positioning interface. The tripod leg positioning interface may be an opening that receives the pin, peg, rivet, screw, bolt, etc. Additionally, it is noted that the opening may be threaded.

[0028] Additionally, it should be noted that the locking mechanism (not shown) may be a pin, peg, or rivet biased into an engaged position such that a user must pull the locking mechanism (not shown) outward, away from the leg attachment member positioning interface 166, to disengage the tripod leg positioning interface so that the tripod leg can be rotated to a new position relative to the tripod base.

[0029] It should be noted that the extension member 120 may be extendable to adjust the distance between the base and the tripod leg mounting module.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a side view of a tripod base with a leg mounting module and a tripod leg. As shown in FIG. 6, the tripod base includes an extension arm 120 connected to a leg mounting module 130. A tripod leg 190 can be connected to the tripod base via the leg mounting module 130. The leg mounting module 130 is configured to allow the tripod leg 190 to be connected at different angles, effectively allowing a user to orient the tripod leg 190 to fit the surface on which the tripod is placed. In other words, one tripod leg can be connected to one leg mounting module at an angle of 120° and a second tripod leg can be connected to another leg mounting module at an angle of 135°.

[0031] Figure 7 shows a leg mounting member having multiple tripod leg attachment sites. As shown in Figure 7, leg mounting member 140 is a sphere having a tripod leg attachment interface (not shown) and multiple tripod leg positioning interfaces 145 located on the outer surface of the sphere opposite the tripod leg attachment interface. The spherical shape of leg mounting member 140 allows multiple tripod leg positioning interfaces 145 to create different angles at which the tripod lugs can be positioned.

[0032] In the various embodiments described above, the tripod legs can be moved from side to side and from top to bottom. The tripod legs can be configured to be removable from the extension member. The extension member can also be configured to be removable from the tripod base.

[0033] Also, in the various embodiments described above, the leg mounting member can be made of metal or synthetic material, can be drilled to allow the tripod legs to have various positions, and can have holes for the tripod legs to be attached thereto.

[0034] Further, in the various embodiments described above, each extension member can be configured for insertion into a base with a member for securing the extension member to the base.

[0035] Further, in the various embodiments described above, the leg mounting member is rigidly coupled to the extension member. The leg mounting member has a tripod leg mounting interface so that the legs can be attached thereto. Opposite sides of the leg mounting member have a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings cover approximately half the range of the leg mounting member, allowing the coupled tripod legs to have a wide range of motion.

[0036] It should be noted that the base member and the extension member may be permanently attached. Additionally, it should be noted that the base member and the extension member may be permanently attached in a hinge configuration.

[0037] It should also be noted that the leg mount module may be permanently attached to the extension member.

[0038] The tripod comprises a base, an extension member, and a tripod leg mounting member including a tripod leg mounting interface configured to mount the tripod legs and a plurality of tripod leg positioning interfaces configured to allow the tripod legs to be positioned at a variety of different angles relative to the base.

[0039] The tripod may further include a base mounting member configured to connect the tripod leg mounting member to the extension member.

[0040] In this case, the base mounting member may include a locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the tripod leg mounting member.

[0041] The tripod leg mounting member may be removably coupled to the base mounting member.

[0042] The extension member may be removably coupled to the base mounting member.

[0043] The locking mechanism may be configured to be biased into engagement with the tripod leg mount.

[0044] The extension member may be removably coupled to the base.

[0045] The tripod leg mounting member may be rotatable.

[0046] The base mounting member may be rotatably coupled to the tripod leg mounting member and statically coupled to the extension member.

[0047] The tripod comprises a base, an extension member, a tripod leg mounting member, and a tripod leg, the tripod leg mounting member including a tripod leg mounting interface configured to mount the tripod leg thereto, and a plurality of tripod leg positioning interfaces configured to allow the tripod leg to be positioned at a variety of different angles relative to the base.

[0048] The tripod may further include a base mounting member configured to connect the tripod leg mounting member to the extension member.

[0049] In this case, the base mounting member may include a locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the tripod leg mounting member.

[0050] The tripod leg mounting member may be removably coupled to the base mounting member.

[0051] The extension member may be removably coupled to the base mounting member.

[0052] The locking mechanism may be configured to be biased into engagement with the tripod leg mount.

[0053] The extension member may be removably coupled to the base.

[0054] The tripod leg mounting member may be rotatable.

[0055] The base mounting member may be rotatably coupled to the tripod leg mounting member and statically coupled to the extension member.

[0056] It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications, and that various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements not presently foreseen or anticipated may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the foregoing description and the following claims.

Claims

1. a mounting platform comprising: a. a positioning mounting platform comprised of two to four adjacent extensions, each extension having a locking mechanism; b) a spherical ball disposed at the end of each extension, the ball having a plurality of spaced apart locating hole openings, each hole opening configured to engage and lock with a locking mechanism, thereby allowing the ball to be positioned and repositioned in at least one of a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation relative to the corresponding extension; Mounting platform.

2. 10. The mounting platform of claim 1, further comprising two to four legs configured to connect to corresponding ball leg mounting holes, the leg mounting holes being located on a front surface of the ball opposite the plurality of spaced locating hole openings.

3. 2. The mounting platform of claim 1, wherein a ball cover is connected to an end of an extension and configured to couple the ball cover to the ball such that the ball can rotate relative to the ball cover when the locking mechanism of the extension is locked or unlocked with one of the locating hole openings in the ball.

4. The mounting platform of claim 1 , wherein the extension is configured to connect to a main support.

5. a mounting platform comprising: a. a positioning mounting platform comprised of two to four extensions extending from one another; b. at least one of the ball cover or extension includes a locating hole to allow for positioning and repositioning of the ball, the ball being configured to connect to at least one of the ball cover or extension to allow for rotation of the ball relative to the ball cover or extension; c) the ball is configured as two separable segments, a spherical segment and an elongated surface segment, the elongated surface segment having a locking mechanism that locks and unlocks with a positioning hole in at least one of the ball cover or extension, thereby allowing the ball to be positioned and repositioned in at least one of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions relative to the corresponding extension; Mounting platform.

6. The mounting platform of claim 5 , further comprising a leg configured to connect to the ball leg mounting hole.

7. The mounting platform of claim 5 , wherein the ball is removably connectable to at least one of a ball cover or an extension.

8. The mounting platform of claim 5 , wherein the extension is configured to connect to a main support.

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