Concentric Tripod Legs with Soft Lock Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tripods are bulky, difficult to set up and take down, and have excessive negative space due to their design, which hampers portability and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A tripod with concentric third legs and a center column, featuring nesting shaft segments that can easily slide and lock into place using a soft lock mechanism, allowing for a compact storage and efficient setup and teardown process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional tripod design with separate legs and external locking mechanisms is used, then stability and support function are achieved, but the tripod becomes bulky and difficult to transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetripod volumeVSAvoidsetup and teardown ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing one shaft segment inside another, with the first shaft segment containing the second shaft segment, and the third shaft segment containing both previous segments. This nested configuration eliminates negative space between legs and creates a compact cylindrical package that is easy to transport while maintaining the ability to extend to full tripod configuration when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If multiple joints with knobs and locking mechanisms are used on each leg, then stability and adjustability are achieved, but the tripod becomes time-consuming to set up and take down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetup speedVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the locking mechanisms of multiple shaft segments into a single unified soft lock mechanism located at one end of the nested structure. This single mechanism simultaneously locks or unlocks all shaft segments, eliminating the need to operate multiple separate knobs and joints, thereby dramatically reducing setup and teardown time while maintaining stability and adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If concentric nesting configuration is used, then compact storage is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidshaft alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements concentric nesting of shaft segments where each segment is precisely fitted within the previous one, creating a compact cylindrical storage configuration. The design accepts that manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for accurate concentric alignment, but this is offset by the significant reduction in storage volume and the simplification of locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9360744B2Camera tripod

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 PEAK DESIGN

AI summary

A camera tripod for preventing camera movement and providing stability. More specifically, a camera tripod comprising an adjustable center column; three adjustable legs having a plurality of shaft segments, the legs being in concentric thirds around the center column when in a closed position; a camera attachment platform; and a soft lock mechanism on each shaft segment. The camera tripod can be efficiently set up and taken down and greatly improves portability and ease of use.