Tripod Leg Spreader Actuator for Single-Handed Length Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leg spreaders for tripods require time-consuming and awkward manual adjustments, often needing both hands to extend or retract, which is cumbersome, especially when adjusting multiple legs simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A leg spreader design featuring a latch and engagement region with an actuator that biases the latch towards an engaged position, allowing for easy length adjustment by disengaging the latch with a pressing force, either by hand or foot, enabling simultaneous height and leg length adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual screwing or twisting adjustment means are used, then the leg spreader can be extended and retracted, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and requires both hands
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring continuous rotational motion to maintain extension, the invention uses a latch mechanism that locks the extendible arm in position. The adjustment is initiated by a simple pressing or pushing motion that disengages the latch, allowing the arm to move freely, rather than requiring continuous hand manipulation of screw threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the adjustment function from the continuous rotational mechanism and separates it into distinct phases: a brief disengagement action (pressing the actuator) followed by free movement, then automatic or simple re-engagement. This removes the need for continuous manual intervention during the adjustment process.
2Ease of operation
If a latch mechanism with actuator is used, then single-handed or foot-actuated adjustment is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-locking, where the actuator automatically returns to the engaged position after disengagement. The spring-loaded design means the latch self-activates to lock the arm in position without requiring the user to manually re-engage it, reducing the number of user actions needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the latch body, the actuator, the spring element, and the engagement surfaces. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing and assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the latch is biased towards engaged position, then the leg spreader maintains stable length, but the actuator requires force to disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring bias force is designed to provide sufficient holding strength to maintain the latch in the engaged position under normal operational loads, while the actuator geometry and leverage are optimized to allow disengagement with reasonable force applied by a foot or hand press.
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
This design enhances ease of use by allowing single-handed adjustment of leg spreader length, reduces the complexity of components, and provides clear points of adjustment for precise tripod positioning, improving user efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the latch being biased towards the engaged position
Data Source
AI summary
A leg spreader (10) for a tripod comprising at least two portions (12, 14) selectably moveable with respect to one another along an axis; a first portion comprising a latch (16) and a second portion comprising an engagement region (18); the latch being releasably engageable with the engagement region, the latch being moveable by an actuator (20) between an engaged position in which the portions are substantially non-moveable with respect of one another and a disengaged position in which the portions are moveable with respect to one another; wherein the latch is biased towards the engaged position.