GB2427821A

GB2427821A - Combined camera support and walking stick

Info

Publication number: GB2427821A
Application number: GB0513417A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Cedric Kay Harding
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-30
Filing date: 2005-06-30
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-30
Also published as: GB2427821B; GB0513417D0

Abstract

A device acting as an instrument support and a walking stick comprises a central column 1 with a member 2 which slides along the outside of the column. Attached to the sliding member by hinges 8 are three legs 3 arranged equidistantly around the column. A strut 4 is attached to the lower extremity of each leg and all three struts are hinged to a sliding anchor member 5 which moves within the central column. A secondary column 13 is inserted into and slides within the central column and carries a threaded stud 12 for the attachment of an instrument 14. A handle 10 and handgrip 11 are mounted on the central column, while a ball grip 17 may be screwed onto the threaded stud. When the device is folded the struts lie within the central column while the legs lie around the it.

Description

An instrument such as camera can be supported on the tripod or a single pole called a monopod. Walking sticks are also available with the means of supporting a camera or instrument. Current tripod designs do not function well as walking sticks.

The object of this invention is to combine these designs into one unit.

Accordingly this invention provides a compact tripod which is stable, can be easily transported, a pole for use as a monopod and a substantial walking or hill climbing aid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows the device in Tripod Mode. Mode I Figure 2 Shows the device in Monopod Mode. Mode 2 Figure 3 Shows the device in Walking stick mode. Mode 3.

Fig 4 Shows the legs and struts as configured for the tripod (Mode 1) Figure 5 Shows a view of a strut parked within the central column when the device is used as a monopod or walking stick (Mode 2 or 3).

Figure 6 Shows a view of all three struts parked within the central column in Mode 2& 3.

As shown in figure 1. The unit consists of central column (I). A member (2) which slides longitudinally on column (1). The sliding member (2) can be locked, to the central column (1) by a thumbscrew. (7). Attached by hinges (8) to member (2) are three legs (3) of suitable geometric section grouped around the central column. (I) Struts (4) , to act as stabilising members, are attached to the legs at their lower end, to ensure there is little or no bending moment produced on the legs (3). The other end of the struts (4) is hinged to a sliding anchor member (5) Figure 2 shows a secondary column (13) is inserted into and slides within column (1) .The top of the secondary column (13) carries a threaded stud (12) for the attachment of an instrument (14). The secondary column (13) can be extended and locked in position by a thumb screw (15) Figure 3 details the handle (10) and / or handgrip (11) mounted on column (1). Ball Grip (17) is screwed on to the threaded stud (12) Figure4 showsthe hinge mechanisms (16) ateitherend of the stuts (4).Hinges (16) may be of any material such as bungie rubber, cord, cable, rope, metal or other suitable materials to form a hinge. Anchor member (5) is able slide within the central column (1) and locked at its lower position within the central column by a catch (19).

Figure 5 shows one of the three struts (4) parked within column I when the device is in modes 2 or 3, Whist figure 6 illustrates all three struts within the column 1 when Mode 2 or 3 are in use.

Reference to figures 4 & 5 show how the device is converted from a tripod to a monopod or walking stick. Member (2) is lowered from the position, shown in Figure 4, until the legs (3) are vertical such that the struts (4) are able to enter into column (1). Member (2) is then raised on column (1) so that the struts (4) slide into and are parked within column (1) Figure 5. Figure 6 shows a section with all struts parked within the column (1) and the legs (3) laying around column (1). Afoot (18) can be temporally attached to the base of the closed legs to obtain a firm contact with the ground. Figure 2 shows this foot (18) can be stored on the handle (10) when the device is in mode 1 (Tripod) The device may be constructed of metal, wood, plastic, leather, rubber, composite material or from a combination of these. 3)

Claims

Claims 1. Device to act as a viable combined instrument support and

walking stick.
2. A device as claimed in claim I which has three legs, in the manner of the tripod, which will support an instrument without additional means.
3. A device as claimed in claim one which is also capable of being used as a walking stick or as an instrument support, known as a monopod.
4. The three legs claimed in claim 2 are supported at their lower ends by struts hinged to these legs such that little or no bending moment is produced in the legs under load.
5. The struts claimed in claim 4 are hinged at their upperends to a sliding block which transverses longitudinally within the central column.
6. The struts claimed in claim 4 are parked within the central column when the device is in monopod and walking stick mode as claimed in claim 3.
7. The three legs claimed in claim 3 are parked radially around the central column when the device is in monopod or walking stick mode as claimed in claim 3.
8. A device as claimed in any of the other preceding claims which is made of metal, wood, plastic, leather, rubber, or a composite material or from a combination of these.