MOUNTING APPARATUS USING BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS WITH GRIPPING FEATURES

摘要

The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.

主权项

1. A tripod suitable for supporting a camera, the tripod comprising:
three flexible legs, each of said flexible legs having sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object, each of said legs having a first end attached to the body of the tripod; and a body having a central axis and three sockets and having a first series of interconnected ball and socket connectors, each of said three sockets having an associated opening and being arranged to pivotally receive an associated leg, wherein the socket openings are flared relative to the central axis such that they do not face in the same direction, to thereby facilitate a greater range of motion in their associated legs in a direction away from the central axis than would be possible if the openings all faced in the same direction.