Ball Head Interface With Self-Aligning Teeth for Anti-Rotation Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ball head mechanisms used in tripod heads and similar devices often experience bending and deformation under high pressure, particularly when securing heavy equipment like rifles, due to insufficient torque transfer between the clamp and the ball, leading to slippage and performance deterioration.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a modified tongue and groove structure with increased teeth, such as 16 teeth, provides enhanced torque transfer and self-alignment capabilities, ensuring the ball head securely engages and resists rotational movement without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ball head is secured with maximum force to prevent slippage under high pressure, then the position stability is improved, but the interface between the ball head and locking device bends and deforms
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple discrete engagement points (teeth) distributed around the circumference. Instead of relying on a single large contact surface that bends under load, the force is distributed across multiple smaller teeth, preventing deformation while maintaining secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface combines multiple engagement features (teeth, grooves, and locking surfaces) into a composite structure that distributes and manages mechanical loads. This composite interface design allows the system to withstand high forces without localized bending or deformation.
2Device complexity
If a simple clamp structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the torque transfer capability is insufficient under high pressure applications
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp structure incorporates multiple teeth instead of a simple smooth surface. This segmentation increases the effective contact area and provides multiple engagement points, significantly enhancing torque transfer capability while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from a simple two-dimensional clamp surface to a three-dimensional multi-tooth structure that engages with corresponding grooves. This dimensional enhancement provides mechanical interlocking that dramatically improves torque transfer without requiring excessive clamping force.
Data Source
AI summary
A head suitable to be supported by a tripod or a monopod includes a rotatable ball contained within a body defining a socket where the rotatable ball includes a shaft extending therefrom suitable to attach to a retainment structure to support a device thereon. A first movable member selectively increases and decreases the ability of the ball to freely rotate. A terminal end of the shaft includes a retainment structure that includes at least four angularly arranged “V” shaped members protruding from the terminal end, where each of the “V” shaped members extends over 90 percent of the distance from a central opening defined by the shaft and an exterior peripheral surface defined by the shaft.