Tripod Leg Flip Lock Layout to Reduce Snagging and Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tripod leg locks, such as flip locks and twist locks, face issues like snagging, bulkiness, and vulnerability to damage, while also limiting versatility due to their design and operation complexity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of nesting flip locks on the inward-facing sides of tripod legs, combined with a modular center column and detachable components, enhances usability and versatility by reducing snagging risks and allowing for different leg configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flip locks are seated on the outward-facing side of telescoping legs, then ease of use and speed of deployment are improved, but the tripod becomes more susceptible to snagging and damage from impacts and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidsnagging risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional placement of flip locks from the outward-facing side to the inward-facing side of the telescoping legs. This reversal allows the lock mechanism to be protected within the leg structure while still providing accessible operation. The lever remains operable from the outside while the locking components are positioned inside the leg tube, eliminating exposure to external hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The flip lock mechanism is nested within the hollow interior of the telescoping leg sections. The locking components are housed inside the leg tube structure, with only the operational lever extending outward. This nesting approach protects the critical locking components from damage while maintaining operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If flip locks are seated on the outward-facing side of telescoping legs, then ease of use is improved, but the tripod increases in bulk and is more vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidvulnerability to damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the lock placement to the inward-facing side, the vulnerable locking components are positioned inside the protective leg structure rather than exposed on the outside. This inversion maintains the operational simplicity of flip locks while dramatically reducing their vulnerability to impacts and environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is nested within the hollow leg sections, providing physical protection for the locking components. The leg tube structure acts as a protective enclosure, shielding the flip lock mechanism from external impacts and environmental factors while keeping the operational lever accessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If twist locks are used instead of flip locks, then susceptibility to snagging is reduced, but the complexity of operation and maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnagging susceptibilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by placing the flip lock mechanism on the inward-facing side of the legs. This configuration eliminates the snagging issue that plagues conventional outward-facing flip locks while preserving the simple quarter-turn operation that users prefer over complex twist locks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If twist locks are used, then snagging is reduced, but versatility is limited to circular legs only

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesnaggingVSAvoidleg shape compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the flip lock placement to the interior of the leg sections, the design accommodates various leg cross-sections (circular, rectangular, oval) while maintaining simple operation. The internal positioning allows the locking mechanism to work with different leg geometries without requiring complex adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11988322B2Tripod design and manufacture

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 HOURIGAN BRADEN

AI summary

A tripod may be provided herein with nesting flip locks on inside faces of the tripod legs. The tripod may comprise a hub and a plurality of telescoping legs. Each of the telescoping legs may be coupled, at a proximal end of each of the plurality of legs, to the hub. Each of the plurality of legs may comprise a plurality of hollow leg sections and at least one nesting flip lock. The nesting flip lock may be coupled to an inward-facing side of one hollow leg section of the plurality of hollow leg sections. The nesting flip lock may comprise a collar coupled to a distal end of the one hollow leg section and a lever coupled to the collar, wherein the lever may comprise a cam mechanism to manage an engagement and disengagement of the nesting flip lock.