Removable tripod foot with securement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12158235-B2
Application number	US-202318336676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 16, 2023
Priority date	May 23, 2011
Publication date	Dec 3, 2024
Grant date	Dec 3, 2024

Abstract

Installation of a removable tripod foot is facilitated by a cross-axis aperture in the foot and loosening of the threaded connection of the foot and the tripod's leg is resisted by a resilient element engaging interfacing surfaces of the foot and the leg.

First claim

I claim:

1. A foot for a tripod comprising:
(a) a body including an interface region including a portion arranged to engage a terminal portion of a leg of a tripod and an elongate threaded portion with a terminal portion at the end thereof furthest distant from said interface region arranged substantially normal to the portion of the interface region, where said interface region has an outer diameter, where said elongate threaded portion has an outer diameter, where said outer diameter of said interface portion is greater than said outer diameter of said threaded portion;
(b) a resilient element at least partially positioned between the interface region and said terminal portion of said elongate threaded portion;
(c) wherein at least a portion of said resilient element is positioned proud of the portion of said interface region arranged to engage the leg of the tripod;
(d) wherein said interface region includes an outer peripheral edge and said resilient element is sized such that at least a portion is within a region defined by said outer peripheral edge of said interface region;
(e) wherein said resilient element has an outer diameter and further said body includes a body outer peripheral surface with an outer diameter proximate said outer peripheral edge;
(f) wherein said body includes a crenated wall defining a plurality of facets arranged to engage a surface supporting said tripod, wherein each of said facets has an end portion thereof to engage said surface supporting said tripod;
(g) where said outer diameter of said resilient element is greater than said outer diameter of said elongate threaded portion;
(h) wherein said body defines an opening in said body, wherein said body defines said opening in said body at a location aligned with said elongate threaded portion.

2. The foot for said tripod of claim 1 wherein the interface region includes a portion defining a circular groove and the resilient element comprises an elastomeric toroid retained in the groove with a portion of a surface of the resilient element projecting proud of the portion of the interface region arranged to engage the leg of a tripod.

3. The foot for said tripod of claim 1 wherein said elongate threaded portion of said body comprises a portion defining a threaded aperture.

4. The foot for said tripod of claim 1 further comprising said tripod.

5. A foot for a tripod comprising:
(a) a body including an interface region including a portion arranged to engage a terminal portion of a leg of a tripod and an elongate threaded portion with a terminal portion at the end thereof furthest distant from said interface region arranged substantially normal to the portion of the interface region, where said interface region has an outer diameter, where said elongate threaded portion has an outer diameter, where said outer diameter of said interface portion is greater than said outer diameter of said threaded portion;
(b) a resilient element at least partially positioned between the interface region and said terminal portion of said elongate threaded portion;
(c) wherein at least a portion of said resilient element is positioned proud of the portion of said interface region arranged to engage the leg of the tripod;
(d) wherein said interface region includes an outer peripheral edge and said resilient element is sized such that at least a portion is within a region defined by said outer peripheral edge of said interface region;
(e) wherein said resilient element has an outer diameter and further said body includes a body outer peripheral surface with an outer diameter proximate said outer peripheral edge;
(f) wherein said body includes a spike arranged to engage a surface supporting said tripod;
(g) where said outer diameter of said resilient element is greater than said outer diameter of said elongate threaded portion;
(h) wherein said body defines an opening in said body, wherein said body defines said opening in said body at a location aligned with said elongate threaded portion.

6. The foot for said tripod of claim 5 wherein the interface region includes a portion defining a circular groove and the resilient element comprises an elastomeric toroid retained in the groove with a portion of a surface of the resilient element projecting proud of the portion of the interface region arranged to engage the leg of a tripod.

7. The foot for said tripod of claim 5 wherein said elongate threaded portion of said body comprises a portion defining a threaded aperture.

8. The foot for said tripod of claim 5 further comprising said tripod.

9. A foot for a tripod comprising:
(a) a body including an interface surface including a portion arranged to engage a terminal portion of a leg of a tripod and an elongate threaded portion arranged substantially normal to the portion of the interface surface arranged to engage a leg of a tripod;
(b) said interface surface defining a depression in a circular pattern encircling said elongate threaded portion, where a center of said circular pattern is co-located with a center of said elongate threaded portion, where said circular pattern is suitable for receiving a resilient element for engaging the interface surface that includes a portion extending proud of the portion of said interface surface arranged to engage the leg of a tripod;
(c) wherein said body includes a crenated wall defining a plurality of facets arranged to engage a surface supporting said tripod, wherein each of said facets has an elongate portion perpendicular to the axis of said elongate threaded portion, wherein a respective arc is defined in said crenated wail extending the entire distance between each of said plurality of facets, where each of said respective arc does not define a discontinuity therein between each of said plurality of facets;
(d) wherein said body defines a first opening in said body at a location directly above a first said facet at an elevation above the upper portion of each of said arc defined on either side of said first facet;
(e) wherein said body defines a second opening in said body at a location directly above a second said facet at an elevation above the upper portion of each of said arc defined on either side of said second facet;
(f) wherein said first opening is aligned with said second opening, said first opening and said second opening are aligned with said elongate threaded portion;
(g) wherein said body defines an upper exterior surface at an elevation above said upper portion of each of said arc defined on either side of said first facet, and at an elevation above said upper portion of each of said arc defined on either side of said second facet;
(h) wherein said body defines a lower exterior surface at an elevation below said upper exterior surface and adjacent thereto;
(i) wherein said upper exterior surface and said lower exterior surface define a discontinuity therein around said body.

10. The foot for said tripod of claim 9 further comprising said tripod.

Assignees

• Really Right Stuff Llc

Inventors

• Johnson Sr Joseph M

Classifications

• G03B17/561

  Support related camera accessories · CPC title

• F16M2200/08

  Foot or support base · CPC title

• F16B7/182 Primary

  for coaxial connections of two rods or tubes · CPC title

• F16M11/34

  Members limiting spreading of legs {, e.g. "umbrella legs"} · CPC title

• F16B35/06

  Specially-shaped heads (special shape in order to rotate the bolt F16B23/00 {; separate hook adaptors for bolts F16B43/025}) · CPC title