Tripod Leg Locking Ring for Faster Secure Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tripods used for lowering and raising personnel and/or objects into restricted access areas are time-consuming to lock into their operative configuration, and the locking pins can become detached or forgotten, leading to deformation or shearing issues.
Innovation Solution
A tripod design featuring a head assembly with a single rotatably coupled locking ring that automatically locks the legs in their operative configuration when extended and allows them to collapse by rotating the locking ring, reducing the number of moving parts and simplifying the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking pins are used to lock each leg in operative configuration, then the legs are securely locked, but the locking process becomes time-consuming and the pins can become detached or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate locking pins into a single locking ring that simultaneously locks all three legs. The locking ring rotates about the central axis and features three locking surfaces that engage with corresponding surfaces on each leg, consolidating multiple locking functions into one integrated component. This merging reduces the number of parts, simplifies the locking operation to a single rotational motion, and eliminates the risk of individual pins becoming detached or lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ring serves multiple functions: it simultaneously locks all three legs in operative configuration, provides a unified locking mechanism for the entire tripod structure, and enables quick release by simple rotation. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate locking pins on each leg, improving both reliability and operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If locking pins are used to secure legs, then the legs remain locked, but users may forget the legs are locked and attempt to collapse the tripod, causing deformation or shearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators (such as colored markers or positioned features) on the locking ring and/or legs that change orientation or become visible when the legs are locked. This provides an immediate visual confirmation to the user that the legs are secured, preventing accidental attempts to collapse the tripod while locked. The visual feedback mechanism ensures operational safety by making the locked state obvious.
3Reliability
If multiple locking pins are used for each leg, then individual legs can be secured, but the device complexity increases with more moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges three separate locking pins into a single locking ring component that performs the locking function for all three legs simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the total number of moving parts from three or more individual pins to one integrated ring, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliable locking security across all legs.
4Productivity
If a single locking ring is used to lock all legs simultaneously, then the tripod collapses quickly for transportation, but the mechanism requires precise alignment of apertures with legs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring is pre-configured with three apertures or notches positioned at specific angular intervals that correspond to the locations of the three legs when they are in their operative extended position. This preliminary arrangement of the apertures ensures that when the legs are extended, the apertures are automatically aligned with the legs, allowing the locking ring to engage all three legs simultaneously without requiring precise manual alignment during operation.
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 allows for quicker and easier collapse of the tripod for transportation and storage, reduces the risk of locking pin detachment, and ensures that the legs are securely locked in their operative configuration, preventing deformation or shearing.
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 portions of the locking ring engage each of the legs
Implementation Method 2
the locking ring is biased towards its first orientation. Thus, the head assembly may include one or more biasing elements
Data Source
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 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 peripheral 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.