Tripod Head Locking Ring for Fast Leg Locking and Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripods for lowering and raising personnel and/or objects into restricted access areas are time-consuming to lock and unlock, with locking pins often becoming detached or forgotten, leading to deformation or shear issues.
Innovation Solution
A tripod design featuring a single rotatably coupled locking ring that automatically locks the legs in their operative configuration upon extension, allowing for quick and easy collapse with a biasing mechanism and orientation lock element, reducing the complexity and likelihood of misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking pins are used to lock each leg in its operative configuration, then the tripod maintains stability in use, but the locking process becomes time-consuming and the pins can become detached or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate locking functions into a single locking ring that simultaneously locks all three legs. The locking ring rotates about the central axis and engages with all three legs at once, eliminating the need for three separate locking operations. This merging of locking functions resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining reliability through centralized locking while dramatically reducing the time required to secure the tripod.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ring serves multiple functions: it locks all three legs simultaneously, provides a centralized control mechanism, and eliminates the need for multiple individual locking pins. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive leg locking through a single component, thereby maintaining stability while reducing locking time and the risk of lost parts.
2Reliability
If locking pins are used to secure the legs, then the legs remain locked in operative configuration, but users may forget the legs are locked and attempt to collapse the tripod, causing deformation or shear
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring provides visual and tactile feedback to the user about the locked state. When the legs are in operative configuration, the locking ring naturally assumes a locked position that is easily identifiable. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the locked state obvious, preventing users from attempting to collapse the tripod accidentally, while maintaining reliable locking of the legs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ring automatically engages with the legs when they are in the operative configuration, without requiring separate locking actions for each leg. The design makes the locked state self-evident and self-enforcing, resolving the contradiction by providing clear indication of the locked state while maintaining secure locking through the mechanical engagement of the ring with all legs simultaneously.
3Reliability
If multiple locking pins are used for each leg, then individual leg stability is ensured, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate locking pin functions into a single locking ring that engages with all three legs simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the number of locking components from three or more to one, resolving the technical contradiction by maintaining individual leg stability through the ring's engagement with each leg while dramatically reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ring performs the locking function for all three legs through a single component, eliminating the need for multiple individual locking pins. This universal locking mechanism resolves the contradiction by ensuring each leg is securely locked while reducing the total number of parts, thereby simplifying the device structure and reducing complexity.
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
The design simplifies the locking and collapsing process, enhancing stability and reliability while reducing the risk of damage to the tripod, making it quicker to use and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
the locking ring rotatably coupled to the head body; wherein the locking ring has a first orientation relative to the head body in which contact portions of the locking ring engage each of the legs
Implementation Method 2
the head assembly includes one or more biasing elements. In such embodiments, the legs may be locked in their operative configuration simply by extending outwards the distal end of each leg
Data Source
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AI summary
A tripod comprising a head assembly and three legs, wherein each of the three legs is pivotally coupled at a proximal end thereof to the head assembly, the legs having a closed configuration in which they are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and an operative configuration in which the distal ends of the legs are extended outwards; wherein the head assembly includes a head body and a locking ring rotatably coupled to the head body; wherein the locking ring has a first orientation relative to the head body in which contact portions of the locking ring engage each of the legs in their operative configuration and the locking ring prevents displacement of each leg from its operative configuration to its closed configuration; and the locking ring has a second orientation relative to the head body in which contact portions of the locking ring are spaced from each of the legs and the legs are permitted to be displaced from their operative configuration to their closed configuration.