Tripod Top Bracket With Spherical Cavity for Leveling Support Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tripods face challenges in accommodating both standard cylindrical top plates and leveling supports with spherical sides, as the difference in diameters often requires disassembly and specialized tools, limiting versatility and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A top bracket design featuring a central opening with a cylindrical upper section, a spherical cavity, and optional cuts allows for easy insertion and adjustment of both cylindrical top plates and spherical leveling supports, utilizing a flexible material and adjustable bolts to accommodate various diameters and enable leveling without the need for complex assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the top bracket uses a fixed cylindrical opening with standard diameter, then standard cylindrical top plates can be accommodated, but spherical leveling supports with different diameters cannot be inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different top plates and leveling supportsVSAvoidstructure of the opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is divided into three distinct sections: an upper cylindrical section for guiding and supporting cylindrical top plates, a middle spherical cavity for receiving spherical leveling supports, and a lower cylindrical section for additional support. This segmentation allows each section to serve its specific function while collectively accommodating different types of accessories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it can accommodate both cylindrical top plates (through the cylindrical sections) and spherical leveling supports (through the spherical cavity), making the top bracket universal and compatible with various accessories without requiring separate brackets for each type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If the top bracket material is made rigid for stability, then structural strength is improved, but the gap cannot be opened sufficiently to insert spherical leveling supports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of the top bracketVSAvoidease of insertion for leveling supports

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The top bracket incorporates a flexible gap section that can be temporarily opened to accommodate spherical leveling supports during insertion, then returns to its original position to provide stable support. This flexibility is achieved through careful material selection and structural design that maintains overall rigidity while allowing localized deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a narrow vertical gap is used for fastening the top plate, then the structure remains compact, but the gap cannot be opened wide enough to accommodate spherical supports with diameter differences of 1.5 to 3 mm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate different diametersVSAvoidwidth of the gap

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The gap is designed as a dynamic element that can change its width according to the insertion needs. During normal operation, the gap remains narrow for structural integrity, but can be temporarily widened to accommodate spherical leveling supports, then returns to its compact state. This dynamic behavior allows the structure to adapt between two extreme states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 seamless integration of standard top plates and spherical leveling supports, enhancing user convenience and eliminating the need for expensive leveling systems, while allowing for adjustable height and easy leveling without requiring specialized tools.

Implementation Method 1

to allow the gap open under the effect of the flexibility of the material of the top bracket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11226063B2Top bracket for tripods

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 KARMAN BALAZS

AI summary

A top bracket (10) for tripods provided with a center opening (22) and comprises respective leg supports (12, 13, 14), the opening (22) has a cylindrical upper section (27), and further comprises an adjustable fastening means that fixes the position of said top plate (30) when being inserted and allows removal of the top plate (30) when loosened, wherein a spherical cavity (29) is provided in the opening (22) starting under the cylindrical upper section (27) which has a height much smaller than the height of the cylindrical cavity (29) under it, and the diameter of the spherical cavity (29) increases under the cylindrical upper section (27) until at a central height region of the body (11) it takes the highest equatorial diameter (D) and narrows down in downward direction, and the opening (22) is designed to receive either the cylindrical top plate (30) with a cylindrical side surface at its upper part (31) or to receive a leveling support (40) that has a spherical side (43) that fits in the spherical cavity (29), and the top bracket (10) comprises a mechanism that allows insertion and removal of the leveling support (40) in the opening (22).