Sliding-Leg Tripod Hinge for Precise Angle Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripods have complex mechanisms that lead to external lever protrusion, making them prone to accidental movement or damage, entanglement, and increased cost, particularly unsuitable for small tripods due to numerous parts and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A tripod design featuring hinging pins with radial blocking heads and cylindrical actuation elements that allow for secure, precise positioning and easy adjustment of legs, eliminating the need for external levers and reducing part count, enabling simple and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a complex positioning mechanism with external lever is used, then the tripod can be positioned at predefined angles, but the lever protrudes externally making it prone to accidental movement or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external lever from the positioning mechanism. Instead of using a lever that protrudes outward, the invention integrates the positioning function directly into the leg structure with internal blocking elements (teeth) that engage with corresponding features on the cross-piece, eliminating the vulnerable external component while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism is nested within the leg structure itself. The blocking teeth are integrated into the leg's internal geometry, with the positioning features contained within the leg's cross-sectional profile rather than extending externally, making the mechanism compact and protected from accidental activation
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex positioning mechanism with external lever is used, then the tripod can be positioned at predefined angles, but the mechanism has a considerable number of parts increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into unified structures. The leg serves both as a support element and as the positioning mechanism carrier, with blocking teeth and engagement features integrated directly into the leg and cross-piece structures. This merging eliminates separate positioning components, reducing part count while maintaining positioning functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The leg structure is designed to serve multiple purposes: structural support, articulation with the cross-piece, and positioning control. The same leg components that provide mechanical support also contain the positioning features, making the structure multi-functional and reducing the need for dedicated positioning parts
3Manufacturing precision
If a complex positioning mechanism with external lever is used, then the tripod can be positioned at predefined angles, but the lever may remain entangled during transport or use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external lever that could become entangled during transport or use. The positioning function is achieved through internal geometric features (blocking teeth and engagement surfaces) that are contained within the leg structure, eliminating the vulnerable external component that could snag on surrounding objects
4Manufacturing precision
If a complex positioning mechanism with external lever is used, then the tripod can be positioned at predefined angles, but the mechanism is not suitable for small tripods
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is nested within the leg's cross-sectional profile. The blocking teeth and engagement features are integrated into the internal geometry of the leg, allowing the positioning function to be contained within the leg's own volume without requiring additional external space. This makes the mechanism suitable for compact, small-sized tripods
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 3A
AI summary
A support tripod (1) for video-photographic equipment comprises a cross-piece (2) which is provided with engaging means (9) for a piece of video-photographic equipment, a plurality of support legs (4) which can be pivoted with respect to the cross-piece (2) in order to open/close the tripod (1), each leg (4) comprising a first leg portion (41) which is articulated to a corresponding hinge element (3) which is provided on the cross-piece (2) in such a manner that the leg (4) can be pivoted between a closed configuration (W), in which the legs (4) are arranged almost parallel with each other, and at least one operative configuration (K, K1), in which the legs are apart with respect to the cross-piece (2), and a second leg portion (42) which is intended to be supported on a support surface of the tripod (1), which is parallel with the first leg portion (41) and which is connected to the first leg portion (41), the second leg portion (42) having a member (40) which extends mainly along a longitudinal axis (Y), wherein the second leg portion (42) can slide along the longitudinal axis (Y) in order to be moved with respect to the first leg portion (41) in order to release the leg from the cross-piece (2) in order to make the leg pivotable with respect to the cross-piece (2).