Ball and Socket Joint Tripod for Uneven Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tripods are limited in their ability to provide flexible support and adapt to various mounting surfaces, as they are typically rigid and lack the functionality to function as both a tripod and a grip mount for vertical members.
Innovation Solution
The development of ball and socket joint connectors that form a flexible assembly, allowing for interconnection and forming a mounting apparatus with flexible legs that can adapt to uneven surfaces and wrap around objects, incorporating a gripping portion for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid legs are used in tripod assemblies, then structural strength and stability are improved, but adaptability to uneven surfaces and vertical members deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid legs with flexible legs composed of multiple ball and socket joint connectors that can dynamically adjust their configuration. Each connector can rotate and articulate relative to others, allowing the leg structure to adapt its shape and angle in real-time to match uneven surfaces or wrap around vertical members, while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected joint mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing each leg into multiple discrete ball and socket joint connectors rather than using a single rigid component. This segmentation allows each connector to independently adjust its orientation, enabling the overall leg structure to conform to irregular surfaces while distributing mechanical loads across multiple connection points, thereby maintaining strength through distributed load bearing
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional tripod structure is used, then stability on flat surfaces is improved, but functionality as grip mount for vertical members deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the flexible leg assembly to perform multiple functions: it can stabilize on flat surfaces through its adjustable three-point contact capability, wrap around vertical members for grip mounting, and adapt to uneven terrain. The same ball and socket joint mechanism enables both traditional tripod stability and novel grip mounting functionality without requiring separate specialized structures
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible assembly with ball and socket joints is used, then adaptability and positioning options are improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the complex ball and socket joint mechanism from the overall leg structure and implementing it as standardized, modular connector units. Each connector is a self-contained component with integrated ball and socket joints that can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing the complexity of the overall system by breaking it into manageable, interchangeable parts rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.