Camera Base Plate With Retractable Leveling Screw Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base plates for photographic equipment face issues with the manual insertion and removal of leveling screws, limited up-down movement, closed belt slots, lack of a carrying handle, small carabiner holes, and insufficient spike foot positions, particularly at the lower center.
Innovation Solution
A base plate with permanently attached rotatable leveling screw assemblies that allow for adjustable angular deployment and up-down motion, integrated with a control mechanism for easy use and storage, featuring open belt slots, a carrying handle, large carabiner openings, and multiple spike positions, including at the lower center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If leveling screws are manually inserted and removed from the base plate, then the base plate can be adjusted for leveling, but the operation becomes time-consuming and requires storage of the screws
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling screw is permanently integrated into the base plate as a fixed assembly, eliminating the need for separate insertion and removal operations. The screw becomes an inherent part of the plate structure, allowing quick adjustment without time-consuming manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling screw is pre-positioned and permanently attached to the base plate in its operational location, so that when needed, it is already in place and ready for immediate use without requiring prior insertion steps.
2Productivity
If leveling screws are permanently attached to the base plate, then the operation becomes quicker and easier, but the screws cannot be removed for storage or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into functional modules: the leveling screw assembly is one module permanently attached to the plate body. This segmentation allows the screw to be fixed for quick operation while the overall system remains adaptable through other design features.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanently attached leveling screw serves multiple functions: it provides leveling adjustment, acts as a grip point for the underlying surface, and eliminates the need for separate storage operations, making the system more versatile despite the fixed attachment.
3Device complexity
If the leveling screw is limited to perpendicular motion only, then the mechanism is simpler, but the ability to grip various surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling screw assembly is designed with rotational capability, transforming it from a static perpendicular motion device to a dynamic multi-angular device. This allows the screw to adapt its orientation to grip different surface angles while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling screw is given rotational freedom around its attachment point on the base plate, adding an angular dimension to its motion. This allows the screw to move not only up and down but also rotate to different angles, enhancing gripping capability without significantly increasing complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the base plate includes permanently attached leveling screw assemblies with rotational capability, then the ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling screw assembly is designed to be self-contained and self-operating. The user simply rotates the screw to the desired angle and extends or retracts it as needed, without requiring complex external control mechanisms or multiple components to work together.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and easy leveling and deployment on various surfaces, improved handling and storage, enhanced versatility with adjustable spike positions and additional mounting options, and increased user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Each control mechanism includes a rotatable threaded hub in which is threaded a leveling screw, with the hub and leveling screw being rotatable to selected positions in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base plate
Implementation Method 2
Each leveling screw has a pointed tip at one end of the screw to enable the screw to provide gripping action to an underlying surface
Data Source
AI summary
A base plate for the mounting thereon of photographic equipment includes leveling screw assemblies securely attached to the base plate. Each leveling screw assembly includes a leveling screw and a controlling mechanism for housing and retaining the leveling screw while enabling the leveling screw to: (a) be deployed at various selected angles relative to the base plate to grip an underlying surface; (b) be rotated to enable up-down motion between the leveling screws and the base plate; and (c) be retracted to a predetermine position alongside the base plate for safe storage and ease of reuse.