Supports – Stand – To hold a particular article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-05
2001-02-20
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
To hold a particular article
C248S292120, C403S097000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189845
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tripod, and more particularly to a mini tripod that provides a considerable supporting force for supporting a photographic apparatus, that allows for easy and quick adjustment, and that is compact to carry and store.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
In general, the structure of a mini tripod is as that shown in FIG.
1
. It essentially comprises a platform A
1
for mounting lockably a photographic apparatus thereon, a substantially hollow frame A
3
, and a plurality of movable legs A
2
. A lower end of the platform A
1
is connected to a spherical connector A
11
to enable the connector A
11
to be accommodated within the frame A
3
. The frame A
3
is provided with an urging block A
5
that has a nest shaped upper surface that can be in contact with the connector A
11
. One lateral side of the frame A
3
is formed with a screw hole in a suitable position for passage of a rotary rod A
4
. The rotary rod A
4
has a rear end shaped substantially like a conic adapted to contact a lower end of the urging block A
5
. In use, the rotary rod A
4
is driven into or out of the frame A
4
. As the rear end of the rotary rod A
4
is conical and is in contact with the lower end of the urging block A
5
, when the rotary rod A
4
is turned outwardly, the urging block A
5
will lower, causing the connector A
11
connected to the lower end of the platform A
1
to come to a movable state, thus allowing adjustment of the position of the photographic apparatus B thereon. When the rotary rod A
4
is driven into the frame A
3
, the urging block A
5
will be urge upwardly due to the conical rear end of the rotary rod A
4
, thereby causing the connector A
11
to be clamped between the frame A
3
and the urging block A
5
in a secure manner. However, in this method that utilizes pressure to achieve positioning, the movable members are prevented from free movement totally by the utilization of friction. For relatively light photographic apparatus, the above-described structure can provide a certain securing function. However, for heavy (or precision) photographic apparatus, the securing effect is not very satisfactory. Oftentimes, because the weight of the photographic apparatus is far greater than the friction the tripod relies upon for securing purposes, the adjusted photographic angle or position may alter. And when the user wishes to re-adjust the angle or Position, he needs to apply a greater force to turn the rotary rod A
4
inwardly into the frame A
3
in order to obtain a greater securing frictional force. Upon a period of use, the urging block A
5
and the conical rear end of the rotary rod A
4
will wear, which leads to still smaller securing frictional force. Reduced securing friction means that a still greater force to turn the rotary rod A
4
. Thc consequence of such a vicious cycle is short service life of the tripod.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a tripod for mounting of a photographic apparatus. The tripod provides a firm and support and allows for easy adjustment. The tripod, provided with telescopic legs, is compact to carry and store.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tripod of the present invention includes a rotary knob having a screw rod that passes through a platform to screwably couple a right clutch, a left clutch, and a nut. By turning the rotary knob to drive the screw rod into a base, teeth of the left and right clutches inter-engage to achieve firm positioning. Turning of the rotary knob in a reverse direction causes the screw rod to retract, allowing the teeth of the left and right clutches to disengage. Aside from providing a stable locking function, the tripod reduces wear considerably. Furthermore, it does not require a large locking force in order to achieve firm positioning.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3490724 (1970-01-01), Ichikawa
patent: 3980409 (1976-09-01), Turner
patent: 5390885 (1995-02-01), Shen
patent: 5540017 (1996-07-01), Eilam et al.
patent: 5647565 (1997-07-01), Wei
patent: 5772164 (1998-06-01), Shen
patent: 5913382 (1999-06-01), Martin
patent: 6068224 (2000-05-01), Horiuchi
Braun Leslie A.
Casey, Esq. Donald C.
Wood Kimberly
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