Tripod Leg Spreader Latch for One-Handed Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leg spreaders for tripods require time-consuming and awkward manual adjustments, necessitating 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 it with a pressing force, either by hand or foot, enabling simultaneous adjustment of the tripod height and leg length.
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 adjusted in length, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and requires both hands to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a latch member with engagement protrusions, an actuator member with release protrusions, and a spring member. This segmentation allows the complex adjustment function to be broken down into simple, intuitive actions - pressing the actuator releases the latch, enabling quick one-handed adjustment without time-consuming screwing or twisting motions
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring continuous manual operation (screwing/twisting) to maintain adjustment, the invention inverts the approach by using a latch that automatically maintains position once set. The actuator reverses the normal logic: rather than continuous input needed to hold position, a single pressing action releases the latch, and the spring automatically returns it to the engaged state, enabling quick adjustment and stable positioning
2Productivity
If both hands are required for adjustment, then precise control can be achieved, but simultaneous adjustment of multiple legs becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Each leg spreader is equipped with its own independent actuator and latch mechanism, segmented from the other legs. This allows each leg to be adjusted independently and simultaneously with simple one-handed operations, greatly improving productivity during tripod setup compared to coordinated two-handed screw adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member automatically returns the latch to the engaged position after release, and the engagement protrusions automatically align with the recesses in the other leg spreader. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual positioning and holding, allowing quick simultaneous adjustment of multiple legs by simply pressing the actuators
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 simplifies the adjustment process, allowing users to easily change the length of the leg spreader with minimal effort, improving ease of use and allowing for precise positioning of tripod legs, while also enabling single-handed operation to maintain stability during camera use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member moveable between a first position in which the actuator is in communication with the latch member and a second position in which the actuator is not in communication with the latch member, the spring member being biased towards the first position
Data Source
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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.