Double-Telescopic Tripod Spreader for Wide Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tripod spreaders have a limited height range due to single telescopic stages, requiring complex adjustments and potentially leading to breakage if not properly disengaged during folding, with dependent angular positions that complicate quick setup and storage.

Innovation Solution

A double telescopic spreader design with two extendable stages per arm, featuring a sawtooth actuation mechanism for controlled extension and automatic retraction, allowing for greater height adjustment and quick closure via a cord mechanism, ensuring stability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a single telescopic stage is used in spreader arms, then the structure is simple, but the height adjustment range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment rangeVSAvoidtelescopic stage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spreader arm is divided into multiple telescopic stages (at least two stages) that can extend and retract independently. Each stage has its own locking mechanism, allowing the arm to achieve a greater overall extension range while maintaining structural simplicity through modular segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If complex locking mechanisms are used to maintain angular positions, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the adjustment speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position accuracyVSAvoidadjustment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the arm's position. When the arm reaches a desired angular position, the locking mechanism self-activates to maintain that position, eliminating the need for manual intervention and thereby increasing adjustment speed while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If telescopic stages are made extendable in both directions, then the adjustment flexibility is improved, but the risk of accidental extension during folding increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidsafety during folding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring active engagement to extend the telescopic stages, the design allows free extension in one direction while requiring active actuation for controlled extension in the opposite direction. This inversion of the locking logic prevents accidental extension during folding operations, as the stages can only retract when actively commanded, not passively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 double telescopic spreader provides a wide range of height adjustment, simplifies the setup process, and ensures safety by allowing automatic closure under compression, while being economical and resistant to traction loads.

Implementation Method 1

said actuating mechanism being so realized that, for the extension of said two stages, it is required an action by an operator, while the retraction of said two stages is free as a result of a simple action of compression of said two telescopic stages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSawtooth engagement mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP3510316B1Improved spreader for video-photographic tripod
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 CARTONI SPA
  • EP3510316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3510316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3510316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a spreader (100) for video-photographic tripods (200) comprising at least three arms (101) pivoted, at one end, on a central spider (102), and provided, on the other end, with coupling means (21) with the tripod (200), each one of the arms (101) of said spreader (100) being comprised of a housing or casing (1), within which there are slidably provided two telescopic stages (2; 3), extendable in opposite directions relative to one another, said telescopicity stage (2) extending far from said central spider (102) providing, on its end outer with respect to said casing (1), said coupling means (21) with the tripod (200), between said housing (1) and said two telescopic stages (2, 3) being provided a mechanism (4, 5) for actuating the extension and retraction of said two telescopicity stages (2, 3).