초록 ▼

The All-in-one Tripod/Monopod is single-shaft assembly with a base section located at the bottom and telescoping sections that form both a tripod and a monopod of unlimited height. The base is a section with three legs individually hinged at the bottom of the section. The legs can be pivoted indepen

The All-in-one Tripod/Monopod is single-shaft assembly with a base section located at the bottom and telescoping sections that form both a tripod and a monopod of unlimited height. The base is a section with three legs individually hinged at the bottom of the section. The legs can be pivoted independently. All legs pivoted downward form a tripod. All legs pivoted upward form a monopod. Minimum length and portability are provided when all sections are retracted and all legs are pivoted upward. Modularity allows sections to be individually added and removed so that they can be used in whole or in part. Modularity is provided for through a three position latch assembly. Both the top section of the shaft, and the tripod/monopod handle have a threaded screw for mounting a camera or other device. Individual sections, when detached, make special purpose monopods, chest pods, belt pods and extendable poles.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A dual-mode device support, comprising: an elongated tubular central base portion having a length and an equilateral triangular cross-section shape defining three sides of equal width joined along three edges in the direction of the length, the base portion having a rectangular opening through on

1. A dual-mode device support, comprising: an elongated tubular central base portion having a length and an equilateral triangular cross-section shape defining three sides of equal width joined along three edges in the direction of the length, the base portion having a rectangular opening through one side proximate a first end;three splined hinge blocks, one each fastened securely to each of the three sides of the central base portion at a second end opposite the first end, each of the hinge blocks having a width less than the width of the side to which it is attached, and each hinge block presenting multiple splines outwardly in a circular pattern angled downward;at least one tubular central extension portion having an equilateral triangular cross-section smaller than that of the central base portion, inserted into the central base portion from the first end of the central base portion, the central extension portion having a rectangular stopper opening proximate an end first inserted into the central base portion, and a stopper element joined to a cantilevered spring element fasted to an inside wall of the extension portion, such that the stopper element normally extends through the stopper opening, but is retractable against the spring force of the cantilevered spring element, such that with the central extension portion fully extended from the central base portion the stopper element extends through the stopper opening and into the rectangular opening proximate the first end of the central base portion, preventing the extension portion from disengaging completely from the central base portion, unless the stopper element is urged out of the rectangular opening in the central base portion;a locking mechanism at the first end of the central base portion, the locking mechanism comprising a first flat side securely joined to one side of the central base portion, covering a first portion of the rectangular opening proximate the first end of the central base portion, and having an operating opening positioned to align with a second portion of the rectangular opening proximate the first end of the central base portion, a second flat side joined to the first flat side along one edge of the central base portion such that the second flat side lies adjacent to a second side of the central base portion, but is not joined to the second side of the central base portion, the second flat side along one edge extending beyond the first end of the central base portion and having a friction pad directed inwardly, such that the friction pad is normally urged against a side of the inserted extension portion, the locking mechanism further comprising a rotatable leg normally positioned over the operating opening of the first flat side and joined by a hinge collinear with the edge along which the first and second flat sides are joined to the first flat side, the locking mechanism by virtue of construction and placement having three operating positions: (i) a normal position wherein the pressure pad is urged against a side of the extension portion regardless of the extent of extension, holding the extension portion and the base portion together, (ii) a first operating position at which an operator rotates the second flat side away from the adjacent side of the base portion just enough to release the friction pad so the extension portion may be further extended or retracted, and (iii) a second operating position wherein the extension portion is fully extended with the stopper element urged through the stopper opening and preventing the extension portion from becoming fully removed from the base portion, wherein the operator, by rotating the second flat side further than the first operating position, causes the rotatable leg to bear against and deflect the cantilevered spring element, causing the stop element to retract to a point wherein the extension element is fully removable from the base portion;a male threaded interface at an end of the extension portion away from the central base portion, engaging a cylindrical handle portion at one end, the cylindrical handle portion having a male threaded interface at an opposite end for engaging a female threaded interface of a device to be supported;three legs each having a tubular leg base portion of a substantially flat aspect, a length, and a width substantially equal to the width of the sides of the central base portion, each leg base portion having two extensions from a first end spaced apart spanning the width of one of the hinge blocks, and joined rotatably to the hinge block by pins forming an axis whereby each leg pivots to lie adjacent to the side of the central base portion to which each hinge block is attached;a spring-loaded tab with an operating lever, the tab guided within each leg base portion, presenting the tab toward the splines of the splined hinge block with a force, the tab having an angled face such that the tab rides over the downwardly-angled splines as a leg is rotated away from the central base portion, but prevents the leg from rotating toward the central base portion unless the operator withdraws the spring loaded tab by the operating lever;a telescoping extension from each one of the three tubular leg base portions, enabled to extend from an end of each leg base portion away from the end attached to the splined hinge block, such that each leg is extendable to a different length; anda foot element rigidly attached to the central base portion at the second end, the foot element having the cross-section shape and area of the central base portion where attached to the central base portion, and exhibiting a diminishing area with the same shape extending away from the central base portion. 2. The dual-mode device support of claim 1 wherein the foot comprises a rubber-like material. 3. The dual-mode device support of claim 2 wherein the foot cross-section area diminishes to substantially a point at the end away from the central base portion.