Hinged Binocular Tripod Adapter for Balanced Barrel Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional binoculars lack a stable mounting solution for tripods, as they often do not have a female threaded receptacle, making it difficult for outdoor enthusiasts to stabilize and elevate them for extended use.
Innovation Solution
A binocular/tripod adapter system featuring a hinged clamping mechanism that securely attaches to the binoculars' outer wall without requiring modifications, using a releasable retainer and a mount with a standard tripod connection, allowing for balanced and stable mounting on a tripod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If binoculars are designed without a female threaded receptacle to maintain a simple and lightweight structure, then the binoculars remain lightweight and simple, but they cannot be mounted on a tripod for stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that bridges the binoculars (without threaded receptacle) and the tripod (requiring threaded receptacle). The adapter includes a clamping mechanism that attaches to the binoculars barrel and a female threaded receptacle that interfaces with the tripod, thus enabling mounting without modifying the original binoculars structure
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting solution is segmented into separate components: the adapter body, the clamping mechanism, and the threaded receptacle. This allows the binoculars to remain lightweight and unmodified while the adapter provides the necessary mounting functionality independently
2Reliability
If a conventional mounting solution with a strap and support member is used, then the binoculars can be held on the support member, but the mounting mechanism becomes complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamping function and the mounting receptacle into a single integrated adapter body. The clamping members are directly attached to the adapter housing, eliminating the need for separate straps and support members required by conventional solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it provides clamping to attach to the binoculars barrel, provides a female threaded receptacle for tripod mounting, and positions the mounting point to balance the binoculars on the tripod. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
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 secure, balanced, and stable mounting of binoculars on a tripod without modifying the binoculars, improving user experience by providing a versatile and adaptable solution for various binocular models.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge rotationally coupling such first clamping member and such second clamping member about a first axis of rotation, such hinge configured to enable articulation of such first clamping member and such second clamping member between an open configuration and a barrel-clamping configuration
Implementation Method 2
a releasable retainer configured to releasably retain such first clamping member and such second clamping member in such barrel-clamping configuration
Implementation Method 3
joined with such first clamping member, a mount configured to removably mount such first clamping member on the tripod
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a binocular/tripod adapter to releasably couple a binocular lens barrel to a photographic-type tripod. The system provides an offset mount to assist in centering the binocular assembly over the tripod. The system is hinged at the halfway point, thus allowing the device to be located centrally on the binoculars. The system does not require the binoculars to be modified from its original state.