WO2005068894A1

WO2005068894A1 - Support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment, such as a tripod or the like

Info

Publication number: WO2005068894A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/012609
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent David
Original assignee: Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A.
Priority date: 2004-01-08
Filing date: 2004-11-08
Publication date: 2005-07-28
Also published as: EP1702173A1; ITPD20040001A1

Abstract

Support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment, such as tripods or the like, comprising at least one loadbearing structure (4,5,10), at least part of which is constructed using resin reinforced with basalt fibre.

Description

Support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment, such as a tripod or the like

DESCRIPTION Technical field of the invention The invention relates to a support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment, such as tripod or the like.

Background Art Depending upon the number of legs which they have, these supports are typically called monopods (with one leg) or tripods if they have three or more legs. They normally comprise legs and/or a column provided with a loadbearing structure generally made of components which can move with respect to each other in order to allow the equipment to be placed in different positions and with support on surfaces which are not necessarily flat. In most cases the loadbearing structure of the legs includes a number of tubular members telescopically associated with each other. Two typical technologies are generally used for the construction of such tubular members. In the case of middle quality tripods the legs are constructed of tubes and castings of light alloy, generally aluminium alloy, which provide optimum robustness for a weight which is not excessive. In the case of higher quality tripods carbon fibre tubes are used instead. These tubes are obtained from carbon fibres impregnated with synthetic resins such as epoxy resins and the like. The latter tripods have the indisputable advantage of appreciable lightness and easy manoeuvrability. Their cost on the other hand is not negligible. Another disadvantage which is common to both types mentioned above is that both aluminium alloys and carbon fibres are highly conductive materials, which are capable of transferring any electrical discharges to the equipment supported or of developing antenna effects in relation to electromagnetic emissions. They are therefore not very suitable for special applications, when for example it is necessary to use radiofrequency transmitters and/or receivers to control the supported equipment or when it is necessary to work in places where strong electrical discharges to earth are possible. Disclosure of the invention The problem underlying this invention is that of providing a support which is suitable for the purposes indicated and which is structurally and functionally designed so as to overcome all the disadvantages mentioned in relation to the cited known art. This problem is resolved according to the invention through a tripod constructed in accordance with the following claims. Brief description of the drawing Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description which is given with reference to the appended drawings which are provided purely by way of non- limiting example and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tripod according to this invention. Best embodiment for carrying out the invention In the attached figure, 1 indicates as a whole a tripod support of the type specifically designed for optical, acoustic or photographic equipment. Support 1 comprises three legs, all indicated by 2 (but it is clear that it may also be constructed with just one leg), all hinged at a first extremity to a spider 3 and each including a loadbearing structure comprising at least two tubular members 4, 5 which are capable of providing corresponding sections of the leg which are telescopically associated with each other. In this context telescopic association means not only a condition of relative movement of one tubular member 4, 5 guided within the other, but also any other construction or structure which allows the two (or more) leg sections to move with respect to each other with axes which are substantially parallel, if not coincident. For example it is provided that the leg should have a first section (or member) constructed from two substantially parallel tubular sections spaced apart and ■ joined at the opposing ends by bridges and a second section (or member) with a single tube guided between the former two, for example by means of suitable holes provided on the bridges. Locking means 6 are provided to lock members 4, 5 with respect to each other in a condition of adjustable relative extension. Likewise it is provided that the sections should have a cross-section other than a tubular cross-section and/or that the leg may be formed from a single member. The tripod is also provided with a column 10, again tubular, mounted with the possibility of adjustable movement within spider 3. According to this invention the loadbearing structure of the legs and the column, in particular the tubular members comprising it, is constructed of resin reinforced with basalt fibre. The tubular members are provided at the opposing ends with terminal members 7 which are known per se, typically constructed from light alloy, which are used to hinge the legs to the spider, to guide the members within each other, to provide locking means 6 or merely means for terminal closure of the member in question. Surprisingly it has been found that the use of basalt fibre is particularly suitable for the construction of photographic tripods which are advantageously suitable for overcoming all the problems found with respect to tripods hitherto known. In particular it has been observed that tripods constructed in this way are suitable for use where a damping effect is necessary in relation to induced vibrations, that is the legs tend not to transmit any vibrations which might be induced in them to the supported equipment. In order to evaluate the importance of such a feature it is only necessary to think of a tripod positioned in a theatre close to a loudspeaker and supporting camera equipment. The strong vibrations induced by the sound emitted from the loudspeaker are damped and not transmitted to the camera equipment, thus preventing a harmful vibratory effect on the image recorded. Another characteristic advantage is that tripods constructed in this way have electrically insulating properties, are non-magnetic and do not affect electromagnetic emissions. The first property is advantageous when any electrical discharges to earth might have an adverse effect on the safety of the operator or the equipment supported. Lightning is a typical situation. The second and third properties are advantageous when the equipment supported ^■ is provided with microphones, radio controls or the like in respect of which the tripod can exert an antenna effect. In addition to this the construction of tubular members using basalt fibre is lighter than that using aluminium alloy and less costly than that using carbon fibre. Furthermore better electrical affinity has been found between tubular sections of resin reinforced with basalt fibre and the terminal members of light alloy, in particular if the alloy contains magnesium, in comparison with what occurs with carbon fibre tubular members. The latter in fact tend to develop electrolytic corrosion phenomena with the magnesium which makes their use in humid and/or aggressive environments (marine environments) not to be recommended. It is advisable that basalt with non-orientated fibres (mat) should be used using a technology known as "protrusion", although the use of fabrics of orientated basalt fibre and fabrics with a woven warp and weft are contemplated. Among the resins which can be used to impregnate the basalt fibre those based on polyesters, phthalic, epoxy and phenolic resins and possible mixtures thereof have proved to be particularly suitable. The invention thus achieves the specified objective providing all the advantages mentioned above.

Claims

1. Support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment, such as tripods or the like, having at least one loadbearing structure, in which at least part of the said loadbearing structure (4,5,10) is manufactured from resin reinforced with basalt fibre.

2. Support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment according to Claim 1, in which the said loadbearing structure comprises at least one section member (4,5,10) comprising part of the legs (2) and/or the column (10)of the said support.

3. Support for optical, acoustic and/or photographic equipment according to Claim 2, in which the said section member is tubular.

4. Support according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the said basalt fibres are used in the form of a mat.

5. Support according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the said basalt fibres are impregnated with a resin or a mixture of resins selected from the following: polyester resins, phthalic resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins.

6. Support according to one or more of the preceding claims in which the said loadbearing structure comprises tubular members (4,5) which are telescopically associated with each other.

7. Support according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising at least three legs (2) which are substantially identical with each other and are hinged to a spider (3) at a corresponding end.