Improved center column CAM locks and camera plate clamps

Abstract

Improved center column cam locks and auto-locking plate clamps, as well as tripods with one or both of the improved center column cam locks and plate clamps are provided. In one aspect, an auto-locking plate clamp for attaching a camera to a tripod is provided. In another aspect, a center column cam lock for a tripod is provided. In yet another aspect, a tripod with a center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location is provided. In yet another aspect, a tripod with a center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location and an auto-locking plate clamp is provided.

Description

IMPROVED CENTER COLUMN CAM LOCKS AND CAMERA PLATE CLAMPS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 669,030 filed July 9, 2024, teaching of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to improved center column cam locks and plate clamps for tripods and tripods with one or both of the improved center column cam locks and plate clamps .SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An aspect of this disclosure relates to an autolocking plate clamp for attaching a camera to a tripod.

[0004] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a tripod with an auto-locking plate clamp.

[0005] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a center column cam lock for a tripod with an adjustable pivot location .

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a tripod with a center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a tripod with a center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location and an auto-locking plate clamp.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIGs. 1 through 9 depict various views of a nonlimiting embodiment of tripods with an auto-locking plateclamp and a center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location as disclosed herein.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view diagram of the upper portion of a tripod in the closed position depicting the autolocking plate clamp and the center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location as disclosed herein.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view diagram of the upper portion of a tripod in an open position depicting the auto-locking plate clamp and the center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location as disclosed herein.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top side view of an auto-locking plate clamp of this disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the upper face of an autolocking plate clamp of this disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a top side view of the lower face of an auto-locking plate clamp of this disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the lower face of an autolocking plate clamp of this disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view diagram of the upper portion of a tripod in the closed position depicting the center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location without a ball head as disclosed herein.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view diagram of the upper portion of a tripod in the open position depicting the center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location without a ball head as disclosed herein.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a closer cross-sectional view of a center column cam lock with an adjustable pivot location of this disclosure..

[0018] Provided by this disclosure are improved center column cam locks and plate clamps and tripods with the improved center column cam locks and / or plate clamps .

[0019] FIGs . 1 through 6 show various views of a nonlimiting embodiment of an auto-locking plate clamp 20 of this disclosure for attaching a camera to a tripod . The plate clamp 20 of this disclosure comprises a clamp chassis 21 with an upper face 22 and lower face 23 and a fixed claw 24 positioned opposite to a linearly translating claw 25 on its upper face 22. Use of the linearly translating claw, which moves in and out on a sliding axis , allows for wider tolerance of camera plate sizes than available devices with a rotating claw . The auto-locking plate clamp 20 further comprises a trigger 26 positioned between the fixed claw 24 and translating claw 25 connected to a non-backdriveable mechanism 30 positioned in the lower face 23 of the clamp chassis 21 and a rotating ring 27 . In one nonlimiting embodiment, the non-backdriveable mechanism comprises an internal cam profile 28, a bushing 29 , chassis 31 and torsion spring 35 linked to the rotating ring 27 surrounding the clamp chassis which act together to move the rotating ring automatically to slide and lock the translating claw 25 into a closed position when the trigger is pressed down, for example by insertion of a camera into the plate clamp 20. This mechanism allows for attachment and much tighter locking of the camera via stored energy in the spring mechanism. Further, only a single action by the user is required without any requirement for manual rotation of a locking ring by the user as needed by many other conventional camera plates . However, if a tighter grip is desired, a user may push lightly on the rotating ring further toward the closed position . Movement of therotating ring 27 which translates rotational motion of the rotating ring 27 into translational motion of the translating claw 25 in the opposite open direction results in release of a camera attached to the auto-locking plate clamp 20. In one nonlimiting embodiment , the rotating ring 27 has a finger hold 40 for easier rotation of the ring . In one nonlimiting embodiment , the auto-locking plate clamp further comprises a safety switch 32 with an internal pin which limits rotation of the rotating ring and accidental unlocking of the clamp .

[0020] FIGs . 1 and 2 and 7 through 9 show various views of a nonlimiting embodiment of a tripod with a center column cam lock 2 which controls up and down movement of a center column within the tripod .

[0021] As shown therein, the center column cam lock 2 of this disclosure comprises a cam lever 3 and a brake 4 with a top 5 , center 6 and bottom 7 positioned between the cam lever 3 and a tripod center column . The cam lever 3 is pivotably attached to a tripod near its hub via a cam lever pivot 8 so that the cam lever 3 can be moved from a closed position wherein the center 6 of the brake 4 is pressed against a center column locking it in position and an open position wherein the center 6 of the brake 4 is released allowing the center column to move up and down within the tripod . In one nonlimiting embodiment , as shown in FIGs . 3 and 4 , the cam lever 3 has a cam profile with respect to the tripod when closed . In one nonlimiting embodiment , in the closed position, the cam lever 3 presses against the brake 4 at a contact point between a flat surface of the brake 4 and the cam profile of the cam lever 3 so that force from the cam lever 3 is transferred to the brake 4 , causing the brake 4 to apply sufficient pressure to a tripod center columnfrom or near the middle 6 of the brake 4 to lock the center column in place . The center column cam lock 2 further comprises a preload spring 11 which applies a lower constant force on the brake 4 so that the brake is always lightly pressed against the center column . The preload spring provides a sufficient amount of running friction to keep the center column from dropping due to gravity, but not enough force to support the weight of a camera . In some nonlimiting embodiments, a dust seal 12 is positioned below the cam lever profile in such a way as to prevent dust / dirt ingress to the assembly . The center column cam lock 2 of this disclosure may further comprise an adj ustment means 9 such as a screw connected to a brake pivot 10 positioned at the bottom 7 of the brake 4 which allows for adjustment of the pivot location and cam closure and holding force of the center column cam lock without requiring a spring . Elimination of any need for a spring to absorb manufacturing tolerances in the center column cam lock of this disclosure provides for higher holding force and tripod stability . Negating the need for a spring to absorb manufacturing tolerances also allows the mechanism to be fine-tuned on each individual assembly to account for manufacturing tolerances of each part , yielding a product that can provide consistent and stable clamping force from unit-to-unit even if the manufacturing tolerances of the parts comprising each assembly are not well controlled.

[0022] Tripods of this disclosure may further comprise a set of leg position control assemblies 50 configured to enable deployment of legs of the tripod into a set of predefined leg positions . In particular, each leg, in the set of legs , can include a leg position control assembly 50integrated into the leg and / or coupled to a corresponding leg mount in the set of leg mounts .

[0023] In this nonlimiting embodiment , the leg position control assembly is configured to : enable rotation of the leg relative the corresponding leg mount from the collapsed position toward a first extended position defined by a first angle of the leg extending outward from the central axis of the tripod; constrain further rotation of the leg away from the central axis at the first leg position ; enable rotation of the leg from the first extended position to a second extended position defined by a second angle , exceeding the first angle, of the leg extending outward from the central axis responsive to actuation of a leg-locking tab 51 , of the position control assembly by a user; and constrain further rotation of the leg away from the central axis at the second extended position . In this variation, the position control assembly can be configured to similarly enable rotation of the leg toward a third extended position, a fourth extended position, etc . , and constrain further rotation of the leg at each of these extended positions .

[0024] In one implementation, a position control assembly can include a pivotable tab, also referred to herein as a leglocking tab 51 configured to transiently insert into a series of notches 52 corresponding to a series of leg positions to lock legs of the tripod in the series of leg positions .

[0025] The leg-locking tab 52 can be configured to seat within a receptacle in the closed position when the first leg occupies the collapsed position such that an outer surface of the leg-locking tab seats approximately flush with the outer face of the first leg in the collapsed position; and pivot about the pivot axis to deploy outward from the receptacle in the open position when the first legoccupies an extended position (e . g . , extending outward from the central axis) such that a first end of the leg-locking tab extends outward from the receptacle and a second end of the leg-locking tab can interface with the series of notches to regulate positioning of the first leg .

[0026] In particular, the leg-locking tab defines : a first end configured to transiently mate with (e . g . , insert into) the series of notches to constrain rotation of the first leg at the series of leg positions ; and a second end opposite the pivot axis from the first end configured to seat within the receptacle while the first leg is in the collapsed position and pivot outward from the receptacle during deployment of the first leg into an extended position ( See FIG . 2 ) . The leg-locking tab can therefore pivot inward into the receptacle responsive to application of a force ( e . g . , by a user ) on the second end of the leg-locking tab that overcomes a spring force applied by the spring to draw the first end of the leg-locking tab outward from a notch, in the series of notches , and thus unlock the position of the first leg and pivot upward away from the receptacle responsive to release of the force on the second end of the leg-locking tab to force the first end of the leg-locking tab into a subsequent notch, in the series of notches, and thus lock a position of the first leg .

[0027] Further, a boss arranged proximal the receptacle can be configured to engage the first end of the leg-locking tab while the first leg occupies the collapsed position to constrain rotation of the first end into the receptacle, thereby constraining the second end of the leg-locking tab within the receptacle in the closed position; and retract from the receptacle and thereby disengage the first end of the leg-locking tab when the first leg is deployed to anextended position thereby enabling a spring to drive the second end outward from the receptacle and drive the first end inward into a particular notch .

[0028] This configuration allows for the tripod to maintain its substantially uniform effective diameter when collapsed without the leg position assemblies protruding thus enabling the user to pack away the tripod without extraneous knobs or protrusions snagging on other equipment or bag f laps / openings . For example, when fully collapsed (e . g . , in the collapsed position) , the tripod can approximate a cylindrical form with minimal negative space , thereby exhibiting high volumetric efficiency . Further, the tab receptacles provide added protection for the leg-locking tabs, thus preventing their damage or breakage .

Claims

Claims1 . An auto-locking plate clamp for attaching a camera to a tripod, said plate clamp comprising : a clamp chassis with an upper face and lower face ; a fixed claw positioned on the upper face of the plate ; a linearly translating claw positioned on the upper face of the plate opposite to the fixed claw; a trigger positioned between the fixed claw and translating claw; and a non-backdriveable mechanism in the lower face of the plate which automatically locks the translating claw into position when the trigger is pressed down .2 . The auto-locking plate clamp of claim 1 further comprising a rotating ring surrounding the plate ; and an internal cam profile in the lower face of the plate which translates rotational motion of the rotating ring into translational motion of the translating claw to release a camera attached to the auto-locking plate clamp .3 . The auto-locking plate clamp of claim 2 further comprises a safety switch which limits rotation of the rotating ring and accidental unlocking of the clamp .4 . A tripod comprising the auto-locking plate clamp of any of claims 1 through 3 .

5. The tripod of claim 4 further comprising a center column cam lock .

6. The tripod of claim 5 wherein the center column cam lock for a tripod comprises : a cam lever;a brake with a top, center and bottom positioned between the cam lever and a tripod center column; a cam lever pivot for pivotably attaching the center column cam lock to a tripod near its hub so that the cam lever can be moved from a closed position wherein the center of the brake is pressed against a center column locking it in position and an open position wherein the center of the brake is released allowing the center column to move up and down within the tripod; an adjustment screw; and a brake pivot connected to the adjustment screw positioned at the bottom of the brake which allows for adjustment of pivot location and cam closure and holding force of the center column cam lock without requiring a spring .7 . The tripod of claim 6 wherein the center column cam lock further comprises a preload spring between the cam lever and brake which presses against the center of the brake when the cam lever is closed to lock a center column of a tripod in place .8 . The tripod of claim 7 wherein the center column cam lock further comprising a dust seal positioned above the preload spring .

9. A center column cam lock for a tripod comprising : a cam lever; a brake with a top, center and bottom positioned between the cam lever and a tripod center column; a cam lever pivot for pivotably attaching the center column cam lock to a tripod near its hub so that the camlever can be moved from a closed position wherein the center of the brake is pressed against a center column locking it in position and an open position wherein the center of the brake is released allowing the center column to move up and down within the tripod; an adj ustment screw; and a brake pivot connected to the adj ustment screw positioned at the bottom of the brake which allows for adj ustment of pivot location and cam closure and holding force of the center column cam lock without requiring a spring .

10. The center column cam lock of claim 9 further comprising a preload spring between the cam lever and brake which presses against the center of the brake when the cam lever is closed to lock a center column of a tripod in place .11 . The center column cam lock of claim 10 further comprising a dust seal positioned above the preload spring .12 . A tripod comprising the center column cam lock of any of claims 9-11.

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