High strength engineered collapsible tripod
US6375135B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16M2200/027
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A high strength, engineered collapsible support has separate shear bearing surfaces and pivot elements which permit efficient manufacture and higher strength. Unitary brace attachment is achieved with designs which can be molded and yet both efficiently manufactured and made acceptably strong such that heavy items such as performance or commercial speakers can be mounted stably. An extendible sleeve permits adjustment; a semiautomatic as well as manual clutch assembly permits quick securement of the top mast to the tripod; compression rings allow a secure fitting to be established between various pieces; leg upper end caps allow the legs of the tripod to be coupled to the main mast of the tripod; an end plug can serve to reduce the number of parts necessary to couple the various leg braces to the bottom of the main mast. Strength is achieved through multiple shear surfaces located at a distance from a pivot retention element and with parallel braces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.