Camera Support with Spring-Braked Hinged Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports for videophotographic equipment are either unstable due to uneven surfaces or require laborious adjustments, making it difficult to maintain equipment positioning and framing, especially with heavy equipment or uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A compact support with a plate and three rotatable legs that can be adjusted continuously and independently to any desired inclination, using springs to maintain stability without the need for locking mechanisms, allowing for versatile positioning on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a compact support with four bearing points is used, then the support is stable on flat surfaces, but it becomes unstable on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into three independent legs instead of a rigid four-point base. Each leg can be adjusted independently in length and angle, allowing the support to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining stability through the triangular configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are made movable and adjustable rather than fixed. Each leg can be independently positioned and locked at different angles and lengths, transforming the static four-point support into a dynamic three-legged structure that adapts to various surface conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If three legs are used instead of four, then adaptability to uneven surfaces improves, but adjustment becomes laborious and locking mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The support leverages the inherent stability of the triangular configuration formed by the three legs and the plate. This geometric self-locking property eliminates the need for additional locking mechanisms, making the structure self-stabilizing once the legs are positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
Each leg is equipped with specific adjustment features at its connection points, allowing independent adjustment of length and angle. This localized adjustability maintains ease of operation while enabling adaptation to uneven surfaces through the three-legged configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If locking mechanisms are added to fix leg positions, then position stability during use improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support leverages the inherent stability of the triangular configuration formed by the three legs and the plate. This geometric self-locking property eliminates the need for additional locking mechanisms, making the structure self-stabilizing once the legs are positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding locking mechanisms to prevent movement, the design uses the natural geometric stability of the three-legged triangular configuration to inherently maintain position. The structure is designed to be stable by default through its configuration rather than through added locking components.
4Measurement precision
If continuous adjustment of leg inclination is enabled, then positioning precision improves, but ease of operation decreases due to lack of fixed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are made movable and adjustable rather than fixed. Each leg can be independently positioned and locked at different angles and lengths, transforming the static four-point support into a dynamic three-legged structure that adapts to various surface conditions.
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
The support provides stable and precise positioning of videophotographic equipment on uneven surfaces, simplifying adjustments and maintaining the equipment's position during use, resulting in high-quality shots without the need for additional locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
provided with three support legs (9-11), rotatable in relation to the plate (3) about respective axes of rotation (X1, X2), disposed substantially parallel to one another, and provided with at least one spring (20) suitable for regulating and braking the rotation of each support leg (9-11) in relation to the plate (3)
Data Source
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Figure 9~10
AI summary
A support (1; 100) for videophotographic equipment (2; 200), comprises a plate (3; 3') fixable by suitable fixing means (5; 5') to an item of videophotographic equipment (2; 200) to be supported, support elements (7; 7') hinged on said plate (3; 3') by means of respective hinge means (8; 8') so as to be moved between a closed position (Y) in which said support elements (7; 7') are folded onto said plate (3; 3') and at least one open position (Z) in which said support elements (7; 7') are opened out from said plate (3; 3') to support the latter, said hinge means (8; 8') comprise a resilient element (20; 20') that is housed in a receiving seat (22; 22') defined in said plate (3; 3') and exerts on hinge portions (14, 15; 14', 15') of said support elements (7; 7') a thrust force which thrusts said hinge portions (14, 15; 14', 15') against walls (23; 23') of said seat (22; 22') to brake the rotation of said support elements (7; 7') in relation to said plate (3; 3'), the resilient element comprises at least one spring (20; 20') interposed between said hinge portions (14, 15; 14', 15').