JPH10220686A - Expandable leg - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust height easily and rapidly by providing clamp mechanism put in a state of loosening connection between leg elements so as to allow expansion of a leg and put in a state of tightening connection between the leg elements so as to impede expansion of the leg, and switching the state of the clamp mechanism by the operation of a remote switch. SOLUTION: In case of installing a tripod 9, the tripod 9 is opened at a stable angle and lifted to required height while holding a grip 8 and pressing a common remote switch 10. Then a current is carried to all clamp mechanisms 12 of three legs 7 from a power supply 11, and each clamp mechanism 12 becomes loose. Each leg 7 is therefore moved down by its own weight until the lower end part of a leg element 13 reaches the ground. When the common remote switch 10 is then released, power supply is stopped to put the clamp mechanism 12 in a tightened state, the length of the leg 7 is fixed, and the tripod 9 is installed in a stable state. In case of changing the height position and place of a camera 1, the common remote switch 10 is operated in the same way to set the position of the leg element 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an extendable leg used for an article.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional telescopic legs are monopods for cameras,
It has been used for tripods and the like. These are used to hold the camera stably on flat or sloping ground or to obtain the required height. FIG. 2 shows a side view of a usage example of a conventional camera tripod. The example of use of the figure is camera 1, pan head 2, ground 3,
The leg element C4, the leg element D5, and the clamp 6 are shown. The leg element C4 and the leg element D5 can be slid to adjust the length. The clamp 6 is manually clamped after being adjusted to a required length by the leg elements C4 and D5. The above camera tripod is used as follows. To determine the height of the camera from the ground, loosen all clamps 6 and remove all leg elements C
4. Determine the length with D5 and clamp. Next, in order to match the inclination of the ground, the necessary leg elements C4, D5,
Is adjusted by the clamp 6, the camera is roughly leveled, and the camera platform and the camera are held.

[0003]

By the way, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems to be solved. 1. In order to adjust the length of the leg 7, it took time and effort to manually loosen and tighten the clamp 6 and adjust the length between the leg element C4 and the leg element D5. 2. When performing horizontal adjustment on an inclined ground, it is necessary to adjust each leg one by one, but there was a risk of falling down due to instability. 3. In addition, as similar to the above problem, when chairs and tables used outdoors are placed on sloping ground, since the chairs and tables are installed horizontally, the inconvenience of compensating for the lack of leg length with stones is inconvenient. there were. The present invention has been made to solve the above points.

[0004]

The present invention employs the following structure to solve the above problems. <Structure 1> Attached so as to extend below the device to be supported, divided into two or more leg elements in the longitudinal direction, and each leg element smoothly slides in the longitudinal direction to extend and contract the entire length. A clamp mechanism that takes a state in which the connection between the leg elements is loosened to allow the leg to expand and contract, and a state in which the connection between the leg elements is tightened to prevent the leg from expanding and contracting; The clamp mechanism is disposed near a place where a hand can be assisted when lifting, and remotely controls switching of the clamp mechanism from a state in which the connection between the leg elements is loosened to a state in which the connection between the leg elements is tightened, and a switch in the opposite direction. And a telescopic leg provided with a remote switch. <Structure 2> An extendable leg according to structure 1, wherein a forced extension mechanism for applying a force in a direction in which the leg extends is provided. <Configuration 3> In configuration 1 or 2, the device has two legs.
The telescopic leg which is attached to more than one book, wherein the remote switch is a common remote switch for simultaneously operating the clamp mechanisms of all the legs. <Structure 4> In structure 1 or 2, the clamp mechanism is in a state where the connection between the leg elements is loosened when the operating force is applied by the remote switch, and when the operating force is released by the remote switch, the clamp mechanism is released. An extendable leg, wherein a connection between elements is tightened.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Overview> The present invention can be widely used as a telescopic leg for a camera monopod, tripod, chair, desk, table, table, or device. The main configuration is as follows. 1. One leg is divided into two or more in the longitudinal direction, such as an upper leg element and a lower leg element, respectively, and they are fitted and connected by being bundled with a suitable guide, and are smoothly connected to each other in the longitudinal direction. Slide to extend and retract legs. Since the leg elements smoothly slide in the longitudinal direction to extend and contract the legs, if the clamp mechanism is loosened when the entire apparatus is lifted, the legs automatically extend by their own weight. A force may be applied in the direction in which the legs extend by using a forced extension mechanism such as tension of a spring or air pressure. 2. A clamp mechanism is attached to a plurality of leg elements constituting one leg. The clamping mechanism loosens or tightens the connection between the leg elements electrically or mechanically. When the connection is loosened, the leg elements slide smoothly with each other, and the legs expand and contract. When the connection is tightened, the sliding of the leg element is prevented, and the leg does not expand and contract. The device may be supported by one telescopic leg. Two or three or more legs may be provided. The telescopic legs may be all or part of the legs for supporting the device. Configurations such as three out of four or two out of three are also possible. 3. The clamp mechanism maintains the tightened state without electric power when the legs are in use (when there is no need to expand or contract), and when mechanical, the force for loosening operation is not applied, and the clamp mechanism is smooth. It is preferable to maintain a state in which sliding is prevented. That is, when the operation force by the remote switch is released, the connection between the leg elements is tightened. For example, even if the battery runs out, the legs do not shrink. 4. Operation of the clamping mechanism is by means of a remote switch located at a place where one can assist when lifting the device. When the clamp mechanism is loosened by a remote switch, power is supplied in the case of electrical, and power is applied by operating a lever or the like in the case of mechanical. 5. If there are more than two legs, provide a common remote switch to loosen and tighten all clamping mechanisms simultaneously. The common remote switch may be a common electric switch in the case of electrical and a common remote lever in the case of mechanical. In this case, the operability is good because the clamp mechanisms of the plurality of feet operate simultaneously. <Specific Example 1> Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using specific examples. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a specific example of a camera tripod using telescopic legs according to the present invention. In this specific example, the lower leg element is lowered by its own weight, and the control of the clamp mechanism is an example using an electric method. Grip 8, common remote switch 10, power supply 11, clamp mechanism 12, leg element B1
3. The main components of the leg element A16, the sliding portion A17, the sliding portion B18, and the wiring 19 are constituted. At the time of use, the camera 1 and the camera platform 2 are mounted on the upper part and placed on the ground 3. <Description of Each Part> Grip 8: A part that is held by hand when all of the camera 1, the camera platform 2, and the tripod 9 are lifted. Common remote switch 10: As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 4, a switch for simultaneously supplying power from a power supply 11 to solenoids of a clamp mechanism 12 of three legs 7 by button operation. When each leg needs to be adjusted artificially, a switch may be provided for each clamp in addition to a common remote switch, although it is complicated. The switch is mounted at a position such that the button portion of the switch does not malfunction due to contact with an object and operates only when operated by an operator. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, operability is good if a switch is attached to a grip portion that is gripped by hand when lifting a tripod. Sliding part A17, sliding part B18: leg element A16, leg element B
A bearing mechanism such as a ball and a roller provided so as to smoothly slide between the 13 and a lubrication mechanism made of a material having a surface lubricity such as polystyrene. Leg element A16: Clamp mechanism 1 below grip 8
2 is attached. Supports leg element B13. Leg element B13: When the clamp mechanism 12 is loose, it descends by its own weight until it reaches the ground. Although FIG. 1 shows a two-stage tripod, in the case of a multistage, the same operation is performed by the lowering of the lower leg element due to its own weight and the clamp mechanism attached to the upper leg element. Clamp mechanism 12: As shown in FIG. 7, using a solenoid or the like, the leg elements are tightened when there is no power, and loosened when power is supplied. It is convenient to provide a manual operation function in the case of power loss. Power supply 11: dry battery or storage battery. A DC power supply may be used for special cases such as not carrying. Wiring 19: Connect between power supply, switch and clamp.

<Use and Operation> The above tripod is used and operates as follows. In FIG. 1, when the tripod 9 is installed, the tripod is opened at a stable angle, the grip 8 is held, and the common remote switch 10 is pushed and raised to a required height. Then, in the circuit of FIG. 4, power is supplied from the power supply 11 to the clamp mechanism 12 of the three legs 7 through the make contact of the common remote switch 10, and the clamp mechanism 12 is loosened.
Holding the grip 8, lifting the tripod 9 and pressing the common remote switch 10, all the clamp mechanisms 12
Power is supplied, the clamp is loosened, and the leg element B13 descends by its own weight until it reaches the ground. When the common remote switch 10 is released, the power supply is stopped, the clamp mechanism 12 is tightened, and the leg 7 is closed.
Is fixed, and the tripod 9 is stably installed. The effect is the same whether the ground is flat or sloped. Attach the camera platform 2 and the camera 1 to the tripod 9 to perform shooting. When changing the height position or location of the camera, hold the grip 8 and use the common remote switch 10
Is operated in the same manner to set the position of the leg element B13. If the tripod is ended after the photographing, the common remote switch 10 having the grip 8 is operated in the same manner, and the grip portion is pushed down to minimize the length of the leg 7. In the case of a camera monopod, loosen the clamp with a common remote switch or common remote lever,
Perform height adjustment. FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of a folding table using extendable legs according to the present invention. Also in this example, the lower leg element descends by its own weight, and the control of the clamp mechanism is an example of an electric method. Folding table 1
When the table surface 15 is leveled and raised to a suitable height and the common remote switch 10 is pressed, power is supplied from the power supply 11 to all the clamp mechanisms 12, and the clamp mechanisms 12 are loosened and fall by their own weight until the leg elements B13 reach the ground. I do.
When the common remote switch 10 is released, the supply of power is stopped, the clamp mechanism 12 is tightened, and the length of each leg 7 is fixed and the leg 7 is stably installed. The effect is the same whether the ground is flat or sloped. To restore them, loosen the clamp, push down the whole body, shrink the leg and clamp in the same manner as described above. The same is true of the desk, chair, table, and legs of the device. <Partial Description> FIG. 7 is a side view of a specific example in which a solenoid is used for the clamp mechanism 12. FIG. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view of the leg and the clamp in a state where the clamp mechanism is loosened, (b)
Is a sectional view taken along the line A-A, and FIG. 3C is a longitudinal sectional view of the leg and the clamp in a state where the clamp mechanism is tightened. Normally, since there is no power, the clamper 20 is inclined by the force in the pushing direction of the spring 21 and the weight of the leg element A16 side as shown in the right side (c), so that the inner hole 22 of the clamper 20 and the leg element B13.
And the clamp mechanism 12 is tightened, and the position of the leg element B13 is fixed. When the power is supplied, the solenoid 23 is on the suction side and the clamper 20 is pulled to the position of the stopper 24 as shown in FIG.
The clamper 20 and the leg element B13 are at right angles to each other, and the inner hole 22 does not contact the leg element B13 as shown in (b), the clamp mechanism 12 is loosened, and the position of the leg element B13 becomes free. As in the above example, the clamp mechanism 12 acts to fix the leg elements without power supply and release the fixation between the leg elements when power is supplied. FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of a camera tripod using telescopic legs according to the present invention. This example is
Each leg is provided with a spring in the direction in which the leg extends, and control of the clamping mechanism is an example of a mechanical method. Since the basic operation principle is the same as described above, different configurations will be described. This tripod consists of the following main parts. Grip 25,
Common rotating lever 26, wire 27 for transmitting rotational displacement of the common rotating lever, leg spring 28 for pushing out leg element B13, clamp mechanism 12, leg element B13, leg element A
16. When the common rotation lever 26 is rotated in a state where the entire tripod is lifted by the grip 25, the rotation displacement is transmitted to the clamp mechanism 12 via the wire 27.
For example, when the common rotation lever 26 is rotated rightward, the wire is extended. Thereby, the clamp mechanism 12 is loosened and the leg element B13 reaches the ground 3. When the common rotation lever 26 is rotated to the left, the wire contracts. This is wire 2
And transmitted to the clamp mechanism 12 via the
2 tightens and the position of the leg element 13 is fixed. FIG. 8 shows the operation of the clamp mechanism 12 as an example in the case of the mechanical method. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the clamp mechanism is tightened as in the case of FIG. FIG. 5 (a) shows that the rotational displacement of the common rotary lever 26 of FIG. 5 is transmitted to the push pin 32 via the wire 27, and the push pin 32 pushes down the clamper 20 to the stopper 24 and the leg element B1.
3 indicates a free state. FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a chair using extendable legs according to the present invention. This example is
Each leg is provided with a spring in the direction in which the leg extends, and control of the clamping mechanism is an example of a mechanical method. The method of use is to lift the chair, level the seat surface 29, and use the common remote lever 30.
, The force acting on the common remote lever 30 is transmitted to the transmission bar 3
1, the clamp mechanism 12 is loosened, and the clamp mechanism 12 is extended until the leg element B13 reaches the ground 3.
Then, when the common remote lever 30 is released, this movement is transmitted to all the clamp mechanisms 12 via the transmission bar 31, and the clamp mechanisms 12 tighten and fix the leg element B13.

[0008]

The extendable leg of the present invention described above has the following effects. 1. To adjust the height of the device, press and release the button on the common remote switch while lifting the entire device,
Or you just pull the common remote lever and release it, so you don't have to. 2. Regardless of whether the device is installed flat or inclined, the legs automatically extend until they touch the ground, and stop automatically when they hit the ground, so that the legs can be set to the desired angle while the device is raised. 3. Due to the above features, it is convenient as an extendable leg for any equipment such as portable photographic monopods and tripods, outdoor chairs and tables, etc. It is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a camera tripod using extendable legs according to the present invention (a lower leg element is a method of descending by its own weight, and control of a clamp mechanism is an example of an electric method).

FIG. 2 is a side view of a usage example of a conventional camera tripod.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the folding table using extendable legs according to the present invention (the lower leg element is a method of descending by its own weight, and the control of the clamp mechanism is an example of an electric method).

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a camera leg using telescopic legs according to the present invention (a spring is provided for each leg in a direction in which the leg extends, and control of a clamp mechanism is an example of a mechanical method). ).

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a chair using extendable legs according to the present invention (a spring is provided for each leg in a direction in which the leg extends, and control of the clamp mechanism is an example of a mechanical method).

FIG. 7 is a side view of a specific example when a solenoid is used for the clamp mechanism 12.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the clamp mechanism 12 as an example in the case of a mechanical method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Camera 2. Head 3. Ground 7. Legs 8. Grip 9. Tripod 10. Common remote switch 11. Power supply 12. Clamp mechanism 13. Leg element B16. Leg element A 17. Sliding part A 18. Sliding part B 19. wiring

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A device which is attached so as to extend below a device to be supported, is divided into two or more leg elements in a longitudinal direction, and each leg element smoothly slides in the longitudinal direction to extend and contract the entire length. And a clamp mechanism that takes a state in which the connection between the leg elements is loosened to allow expansion and contraction of the leg, and a state in which the connection between the leg elements is tightened to prevent expansion and contraction of the leg. The clamp mechanism is disposed near a place where a hand can be assisted when lifting the device, and remotely switches the clamp mechanism from a state in which the connection between the leg elements is loosened to a state in which the connection between the leg elements is tightened, and a reverse direction. An extendable leg provided with a remote switch for operation. 2. The extendable leg according to claim 1, further comprising a forced extension mechanism for applying a force in a direction in which the leg extends. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has two or more legs, and the remote switch comprises:
A telescopic leg, wherein the leg is a common remote switch for simultaneously operating a clamp mechanism of all legs. 4. The clamp mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the clamp mechanism is configured to loosen the connection between the leg elements when applying the operating force by the remote switch, and release the operating force by the remote switch. An extendable leg, wherein a connection between the leg elements is tightened.