Tripod Column Repositioning With Nested Horizontal Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripods for photographic equipment lack flexibility in positioning the column, leading to increased dimensions and safety risks during column repositioning, which affects compactness and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A tripod design featuring a capsizable column with a through opening on the spider and an auxiliary positioning element, allowing the column to slide in two directions, including a sleeve that can be moved between operational and non-operational positions for safe and quick repositioning without detaching from the spider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pair of opposed jaws is mounted on the spider to allow horizontal column positioning, then the flexibility of engagement is improved, but the overall dimensions of the tripod increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary positioning element is nested within the existing spider structure, with the sleeve receiving the column inside the through opening. This allows the column to be positioned horizontally without adding external jaws that would increase the tripod's overall dimensions, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the column to move from a single vertical dimension to two dimensions (vertical and horizontal) by utilizing the through opening and auxiliary positioning element. This allows flexible positioning without requiring additional external structures that would increase volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the column is physically separated from the spider for repositioning, then the positioning flexibility is improved, but the risk of equipment fall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to maintain continuous engagement between the column and spider throughout the repositioning process. The column is guided through the through opening and secured by the locking mechanism without complete separation, preventing equipment falls while enabling flexible positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary positioning element acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates column repositioning while maintaining continuous support. The sleeve and locking mechanism provide a controlled transition path that eliminates the need for complete physical separation, thereby ensuring safety.
3Ease of operation
If the column positioning mechanism is simplified for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of secure positioning may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the through opening for column insertion, the auxiliary positioning element with sleeve for horizontal positioning, and the locking mechanism for secure fixation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply and effectively, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A tripod for supporting video/photographic equipment comprises: a spider (2) on which are articulated a plurality of legs (3); a column (5) engaged in the spider and slidable in a first direction (X) between a retracted position, in which a supporting surface of the photographic equipment is close to the spider, and an extended position, in which the supporting surface (7) is remote from the spider; and an auxiliary positioning element (10) associated with the spider and comprising a seat (12) provided to house the column (5) in engaged manner in such a way as to be able to slide in a second direction (Y), which differs from the first direction (X). The seat (12) is provided on a sleeve (11) engaged in the spider (2) in such a way as to be able to slide in the first direction (X), between a non-operational position in which the seat (12) is concealed inside the spider and an operating position in which the seat (12) projects out from the spider to permit the column to slide in the second direction (Y).