Tripod Mounting Interface with Spherical Ball and Socket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tripods with swiveling heads lack flexibility and stability when mounting interfaces need to be adjusted to various positions, particularly when wrapping around objects, due to insufficient friction and potential loosening of ball and socket connections.

Innovation Solution

A tripod design featuring flexible legs with ball and socket connectors and a mounting interface that can move around a spherical surface, incorporating a socket skirt for added rigidity and friction retention, allowing the interface to be positioned vertically, tilted, or horizontally and retain selected positions securely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mounting interface is made movable around a spherical surface to increase flexibility, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to potential loosening of ball and socket connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting interface flexibilityVSAvoidball and socket connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting interface utilizes a spherical ball and socket connection, where the ball rotates within the socket to enable multi-directional movement. The spherical geometry allows the mounting interface to achieve positions in all directions while maintaining a compact structure, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction characteristics of the ball and socket connection are modified by changing the material parameters of the socket. The socket is made from a material with high friction coefficient that maintains grip under load, allowing the connection to remain stable even when the ball is rotated to different positions around the spherical surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If cutouts are added to the socket to reduce material and simplify structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the friction retention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocket structure complexityVSAvoidfrictional grip retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The socket structure incorporates cutouts only in specific regions where they do not compromise the frictional grip. The material removal is localized to areas that do not affect the ball contact surfaces, allowing structural simplification while maintaining the reliability of the frictional connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The socket is constructed from composite materials or materials with specific mechanical properties that provide both the necessary friction for grip retention and the structural integrity despite material removal. The material composition is optimized to maintain reliability even with reduced material volume from cutouts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mounting interface is positioned perpendicular to the main axis for wrapping around objects, then the adaptability is improved, but the load retention deteriorates due to potential loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting interface positioningVSAvoidload retention capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting interface is pre-loaded with sufficient friction force when in the vertical position. This preliminary frictional grip is maintained as the interface is rotated to perpendicular positions, ensuring that the connection remains secure and retains load-bearing capacity throughout the range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The friction coefficient of the socket material is optimized to maintain adequate grip force even when the mounting interface is positioned perpendicular to the main axis. The material parameters are selected to ensure that the frictional force is sufficient to prevent loosening under load in any orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 tripod provides stable support for cameras or devices by maintaining frictional grip and tension in ball and socket joints, even with cutouts, ensuring secure positioning and load retention across different configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The interface between the mounting interface and the tripod body has sufficient friction to allow a selected position to be retained

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a socket skirt for added rigidity and friction retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStructural rigidity:

Implementation Method 3

maintaining frictional grip and tension in ball and socket joints

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS10760729B2Tripod

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 VIJIM LTD

AI summary

A tripod with flexible legs with a mounting interface for a camera, mounting clip, or electronic device that is movable into a variety of positions. The mounting interface may move around a spherical mating surface and may also be moved to a position perpendicular to the main axis of the tripod. The legs may have ball and socket connectors with external gripping rings adapted to wrap around an object such as a pole.