WO2007017011A1

WO2007017011A1 - Tripod for photo-video equipment with built-in batteries

Info

Publication number: WO2007017011A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/006242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Speggiorin
Original assignee: Lino Manfrotto + Co. S.P.A.
Priority date: 2005-08-05
Filing date: 2006-06-28
Publication date: 2007-02-15
Also published as: ITPD20050249A1

Abstract

A tripod (1) for photo-video equipment, having incorporated batteries, includes a column (5) associated with a cross-member (3) in which the legs (4) of the tripod converge and at least one electrical accumulator battery (10) accommodated in the column (5). The accumulator battery (10) is accommodated removable in the column (5).

Description

Tripod for photo-video equipment with built-in batteries DESCRIPTION Technical Field

The invention relates to a tripod for photo-video equipment of the type including the features mentioned in the preamble of the main claim. Background Art

The video-photographic market has welcomed with particular enthusiasm the spread of electronic still cameras and video cameras and in particular digital equipment, the operation of which presupposes the availability of sources of electrical energy. Among these sources, the use of accumulator batteries is typical. The art in this field has proposed integrating these batteries in the tripods which support the photo-video equipment. A tripod including the features mentioned in the preamble of the main claim is known, for example, from FR-A-2745958. That tripod provides that the legs thereof, or other hollow elements, house accumulator batteries for supplying power to electrical consumers, such as the photo/video equipment mounted on the tripod.

However, that tripod has not enjoyed commercial success for various technical reasons. A first of these reasons is the fact that tripods produced in this manner are relatively heavy. Once the tripod has been assembled, the batteries cannot be reached without partially dismantling the tripod, which is not within the immediate capability of the user. A second reason is represented by the fact that, in order to recharge the batteries, it is necessary to bring the entire tripod close to an electrical source, which is clearly hardly practical. Disclosure of the invention

The main technical object of the invention is to make available a tripod for optical and photographic use which is designed structurally and functionally to overcome all of the disadvantages discussed with reference to the mentioned prior art.

This object is achieved by the invention by means of a tripod produced in accordance with the claims which follow.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view of a tripod produced in accordance with the present invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a central column of the tripod of

Figure 1.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

In the drawings, 1 indicates generally a tripod for optical equipment in general and in particular for still cameras or video cameras, which is produced in accordance with the present invention.

The tripod 1 comprises a cross-member 3 in which three legs 4 converge and are articulated, and a tubular cylindrical column 5 which is mounted slidably in a central hole 6 of the cross-member 3 and held slidably and adjustably therein. The column 5 has, at one axial end thereof, a plate-shaped attachment device 7 for an apparatus 9, such as a still camera or a video camera; normally, a photographic head 8 of the type known per se is interposed between the attachment device 7 and the apparatus 9 in order to facilitate the positioning of the apparatus with respect to the tripod. A direct-current accumulator battery 10 is accommodated removably in the column 5; the battery 10 comprises a flanged base 11 and a body 12 at the top of which electrical contacts 13 are provided.

The column 5 is open at the end opposite the attachment device 7 in order to facilitate the operations of inserting/removing the battery 10 and is closed by the flanged base 11 when the battery has been fitted. A quick- coupling device, such as a bayonet connection, or a sprung push-button device 14 fitted on the battery and capable of snap engagement with a seat 15 formed on the column (or vice versa), permits the immediate removal of the battery 10 from the tripod, for example, during transport, or when the battery is flat, so that the battery can be opportunely replaced by a suitably recharged reserve battery.

The column houses an electrical circuit indicated diagrammatically by 18 which includes contacts 19 provided to interface with the contacts 13 of the battery, when the battery is inserted in the column 5, and a socket 20 which is arranged, for example, on the attachment device 7 (or elsewhere) and in which a plug 21 of a cable 22 interfacing with the electrical consumer of the apparatus 9 can be engaged. This enables the battery 10 to be replaced without having to disconnect the cable 22 and/or the electrical consumer coupled thereto. Alternatively, the circuit 18 may be mounted directly on the battery 10, thus permitting easier access to the circuit 18 if necessary. In both cases, the circuit 18 may include an adapter 23 for varying the voltage and/or current parameters outputted at the socket 20 as desired by the user or having the function of self-adaptation to the voltage/current required by the apparatus 9.

The main advantages of the tripod described include that of leaving the user free to decide whether or not to transport the battery together with the tripod, depending on the specific requirements, and also that of permitting the replacement of the flat battery by another charged battery as necessary. The tripod is also very light and is adaptable to various electrical parameters for the supply of power to various consumers, and the replacement of the battery is quick and easy.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A tripod for photo-video equipment, having incorporated batteries, including a column (5) associated with a cross-member (3) in which the legs (4) of the tripod (1) converge and at least one electrical accumulator battery (10) accommodated in the column (5), characterized in that the at least one accumulator battery (10) is accommodated removably in the column (5).

2. A tripod according to claim 1, wherein the battery (10) is connected to the column (5) by means of a quick coupling.

3. A tripod according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the column (5) is tubular and is open at one end opposite an attachment (7) for the photo/video apparatus (9).

4. A tripod according to claim 3, wherein the battery (10) is introduced into the column (5) from the open end and constitutes a closure member for the column (5).

5. A tripod according to claim 4, wherein the battery (10) comprises a base flange (11) constituting the closure member.

6. A tripod according to one or more of claims 2 to 5, wherein the quick coupling comprises a sprung push-button (14) on the battery or column which is capable of snap engagement with a corresponding seat (15) on the column or battery.

7. A tripod according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the battery is of the rechargeable type and is accommodated replaceably in the column so that it can be exchanged for another battery.

8. A tripod according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein an electrical circuit (18) which is connected to the battery (10) when the battery is inserted in the column is arranged in the column (5) and is provided with an electrical socket (20) on the column, which socket is accessible to a plug (21) for connecting the battery (10) to the photo/video apparatus (9).

9. A tripod according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, wherein an electrical circuit mounted on and connected to the battery (10) is provided, the circuit being provided with an electrical socket (20) on the column, which socket is accessible to a plug (21) for connecting the battery to the photo/video apparatus.

10. A tripod according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the electrical circuit (18) comprises an adapter (23) for electrical parameters for varying the voltage and/or current parameters outputted at the socket.