WO2013117939A1

WO2013117939A1 - Splayable support apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2013117939A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Charles Luscombe
Original assignee: Labcraft Limited
Priority date: 2012-02-09
Filing date: 2013-02-08
Publication date: 2013-08-15
Also published as: GB201202290D0; GB2499232A

Abstract

Splayable support apparatus (10)comprises at least three splayable support legs (12, 14, 6)having respective foot and head ends (22, 24), and a device engagement element (18)for engaging a device (40)to be supported and which is at or adjacent to the head end (24)of a first said support leg (12, 14, 16). Two outriggers (20)are also provided and extend laterally of a longitudinal extent of the said first support leg (12)and on which second and third said support legs (12, 14, 16), respectively, are pivotably mounted in spaced relationship relative to the first support leg (12). The outriggers (20) extend at an angle to each other, so that the foot ends (22)of the support legs (12, 14, 16)approach each other when rotated to a storage condition and splay apart when rotated to an in use condition.

Description

Splayable Support Apparatus

The present invention relates to splayable support apparatus and more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to splayable light supporting apparatus.

Tripods are well known for holding stationary in an elevated condition portable mobile, generally electrical, devices such as cameras and recorders but also less commonly lighting units. Such tripods have three support legs which typically pivot at or adjacent to a main central mast a top which the electrical device can be supported. Short stabilising struts are also often included which span between the support legs partway therealong and the central shaft in order to stabilise the central shaft. However, such tripods only hold or support the device in a vertically elevated condition, and do not allow horizontal offset particularly away from the point of intersection of the support legs and even beyond the feet of the splayed support legs. Consequently, known tripods have particular difficulty in supporting the device on uneven or sloping ground and also over objects such as holes. The present invention therefore seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided splayable support apparatus comprising at least three splayable support legs having respective foot and head ends, a device engagement element for engaging a device to be supported and which is at or adjacent to the head end of a first said support leg, and two outriggers extending laterally of a longitudinal extent of the said first support leg and on which second and third said support legs, respectively, are pivotably mounted in spaced relationship relative to the first support leg, the outriggers extending at an angle to each other so that the foot ends of the support legs approach each other in a storage condition.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 23, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of temporarily supporting a portable mobile device using collapsible splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of splaying the support legs so that the apparatus becomes self-supporting, a head end of at least one of the support legs extending beyond a leg pivot portion of the apparatus, the portable mobile device being mountable to or adjacent to the said head end of the said at least one support leg via the device engagement element, the device engagement element being offset horizontally from a vertical axis having a centre of mass of the apparatus thereon.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of first embodiment of splayable support apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and shown in an in use first splayed condition;

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing the splayable support apparatus in an in use second splayed condition;

Figure 3 is a view similar again to that of Figure 1, showing the splayable support apparatus in an in use third splayed condition;

Figure 4 shows the splayable support apparatus of Figure 1 in use and supporting a camera;

Figure 5 shows the first embodiment of the splayable support apparatus in a folded storage and transport condition; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of splayable support apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and shown in an in use first splayed condition;

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, showing the splayable support apparatus in an in use second splayed condition; Figure 8 shows the second embodiment of the splayable support apparatus in a folded storage and transport condition; and Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the second embodiment of the splayable support apparatus.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown a first embodiment of splayable support apparatus 10 which comprises three support legs 12, 14, 16, a device engagement element 18, and two outriggers 20. Although in this embodiment three support legs 12, 14, 16 are provided, it may be feasible to utilise four or more legs.

Each support leg 12, 14, 16 is preferably metal or rigid plastics and in this case is straight. The longitudinal extent of a support leg 12, 14, 16 may be or include one or more arcuate or curved portions. Each support leg 12, 14, 16 is also preferably tubular which aids in reducing weight, and in this case each support leg 12, 14, 16 has a circular lateral cross-section but a non-circular lateral cross-section is possible. The support legs 12, 14, 16 are preferably cylindrical, having a uniform or substantially uniform lateral cross-section along at least a majority of their longitudinal extents. However, support legs 12, 14, 16 having non-uniform cross-section along their longitudinal extents may be utilised and/or beneficial.

Each said support leg 12, 14, 16 has a ground-engagable foot end 22 and a head end 24 which is opposite the foot end 22. A first said support leg 12, 14, 16 has the device engagement element 18 at its head end 24, and may include a foot pad, shoe or other suitable ground-engagable element at its foot end 22. The ground-engagable element may be removable and selectable dependent on supporting surface conditions.

The first support leg 12 may also be telescopic, thereby allowing the head end 24 to be extended and retracted. The first support leg 12 therefore in use forms a boom 26 by which the device engagement element 18 can be positioned horizontally offset from the vertical. The two outriggers 20 are rigid elongate axles which extend laterally of a longitudinal extent of the first support leg 12. The second and third support legs 14, 16 are pivotably mounted on their respective outriggers 20, at or adjacent to their head ends 24 and so as to be in spaced relationship relative to the first support leg 12. Longitudinal extents of the outriggers 20 extend at an angle to each other so as to form a V-shape. Advantageously, the outriggers 20 may be formed from a single metal or plastics rod or bar which laterally crosses the longitudinal axis of the first support leg 12.

To connect the outriggers 20 to the first support leg 12, a head-end releasably lockable collar 28 is slidably engaged with the first support leg 12. The outriggers 20 are engaged with and pass underneath the head-end collar 28 so as to project symmetrically from each side.

The second and third support legs 14, 16 are fixedly attached to their respective outriggers 20, so as to be pivotable whilst also remaining clearly outwardly separated from the first support leg 12.

Due to the angles of the outriggers 20, when in a folded storage condition as shown in Figure 5, the foot ends 22 of the support legs 12, 14, 16 approach each other and the head ends 24 are splayed apart. When in an in use erected condition, the majority of the longitudinal extents of the support legs 12, 14, 16 are splayed apart so that the foot ends 22 are spaced from each other and the head ends 24 of at least the second and third support legs 14, 16 generally approach each other, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Leg connection means is also provided to stabilise the apparatus 10 when erected, thereby preventing or inhibiting collapse due to one of the support legs 12, 14, 16 accidentally shifting or slipping. The leg connection means interconnects a head end 24 of the second support leg 12, 14, 16 with the foot end 22 of the third support leg 12, 14, 16, and the head end 24 of the third support leg 12, 14, 16 with the foot end 22 of the second support leg 12, 14, 16, each via the first support leg 12.

This is accomplished, in this embodiment, by the leg connection means comprising head and foot releasably lockable collars 30, 32 which are slidably engaged with each of the second and third support legs 14, 16 support legs 12, 14, 16, a foot-end releasably lockable collar 34 which is slidably engaged with the first support leg 12, and two flexible elongate elements 36, 38.

Each flexible elongate element 36, 38, which may be for example a metal or plastics wire or cord, is attached to a respective head collar 30 of one of the second and third support legs 14, 16 at a suitable attachment point, which may be an eyelet. The flexible elongate element 36, 38 slidably extends through an eyelet or other suitable receiver of the foot-end collar 34 on the first support leg 12, before being fastened to a suitable attachment point of the foot collar 32 of the other of the second and third support legs 14, 16. In this way, the longitudinal extents of the two flexible elongate elements 36, 38 cross each other at the foot-end collar 34 of the first support leg 12. As such, the second and third support legs 14, 16 are interlinked whereby they effectively stabilise each other against accidental or undesirable movement.

To provide for various relative positional adjustments of the first, second and third support legs 12, 14, 16, head and foot collars 30, 32 of the second and third support legs 14, 16 are releasably lockable and, once released, slidably adjustable along their respective support leg 14, 16. For example, as shown in Figure 2, by adjusting the foot collars 32 upwards towards the head collars 30, the splayed extent can effectively be increased, increasing stability and lowering the projecting boom angle of the first support leg 12.

Alternatively, the foot collars 32 can be independently adjusted, as shown in Figure 3, to accommodate uneven mounting surfaces. However, by crossing the flexible elongate elements 36, 38, each support leg 14, 16 effectively aids in stabilising the other support leg 14, 16. The head-end collar 28 and the foot-end collar 34 of the first support leg 12 may also be slidably adjustable relative to each other and along the longitudinal extent of the first support leg 12, as necessity dictates. However, it is also feasible that the head-end collar 28 and the foot-end collar 34 are permanently fastened in place, whereby sliding movement or adjustment is not intended. Additionally or alternatively, the head collars 30 of the second and third support legs 14, 16 may also be fixed and not intended to be released.

Releasable fastening means for the foot and, if necessary, head collars 30, 32 of the second and third support legs 14, 16, and if necessary the head-end and foot-end collars 28, 34 of the first support leg 12 may conveniently be by a grub screw or wing-nut bolt, for example.

So that a portable mobile device 40, such as a camera as shown in Figure 4, can be raised not only vertically but also supported horizontally offset from the foot ends 22 of the support legs 12, 14, 16 and beyond an area described by the foot ends 22, it is preferable that a centre of mass of the apparatus 10 is as low as possible in any splayed condition. Therefore, a point of intersection of longitudinal axes of the outriggers 20 is preferably below a line interconnecting the respective pivot points of the second and third support legs 14, 16. As such, in a vertical plane including a point of intersection of longitudinal axes of the second and third support legs 14, 16, the first support leg 12 is preferably below that point of intersection.

With the apparatus 10 in a storage condition and due to the angled outriggers 20 or axles, a longitudinal extent of the first support leg 12 is offset from a plane in which the longitudinal extents of the folded second and third support legs 14, 16 lie. This offset of the first support leg 12 forms a grip 42 whereby the apparatus 10 can be conveniently grasped and transported.

During storage and/or transportation, to prevent or limit the foot ends 22 of the support legs 12, 14, 16 splaying apart, the foot-end collar 34 on the first support leg 12 may include a laterally extending, preferably fixed, rest 44. Foot-end portions 46 of the second and third support legs 14, 16 are thus seatable on respective sides of the rest 44 following rotation to a closed or folded condition.

Regarding the device engagement element 18, this can take any suitable form. For example, it may be an opening 48 at the head end 24 of the telescopic first support leg 12 whereby an insert associated with the device 40 to be held can be slid therein. A grub screw or other releasable fastener can be utilised to retain the device insert. Additionally or alternatively, the device engagement element 18 may be a bracket 50 and/or platform for releasably mounting the device 40 to be supported thereto. See Figure 6. The bracket 50 or platform itself may be releasably engagable with the head end 24 of the first support leg 12. Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, there is shown a second embodiment of splayable support apparatus. Like references refer to parts which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment, and therefore further detailed description is omitted.

The apparatus 10, as above, comprises the three splayable support legs 12, 14, 16, device engagement element 18 for engaging a supportable and typically portable and mobile device 40, and the two outriggers 20 to which the second and third support legs 14, 16 are mounted for rotation. The head-end and foot-end collars 28, 34 are provided on the telescopic first support leg 12, and the two flexible elongate elements 36, 38 cross-wisely interconnect the second and third support legs 14, 16 via the first support leg 12.

For powering the supported device 40, which in this case is a light emitting device 52, two battery packs 54 are provided as shown in Figure 9. Conveniently, the second and third support legs 14, 16 each include a battery-pack housing 56 therewithin. Each battery-pack housing 56 is dimensioned to receive its respective battery pack 54 as a close fit, and preferably the battery pack 54 is receivable within the housing 56 from the head end 24 of the support leg 14, 16. The housing 56 is preferably closed at its lower end 58, and releasable closure elements 60 close and preferably watertightly seal the battery-pack housing 56.

Each closure element 60 preferably includes a jack or plug 62 for connecting an exterior power cable to the battery pack 54. The exterior power cable is electrically connected to the supported device 40 to provide power.

As an alternative, the power cable leading from each battery pack 54 may be run internally within the apparatus 10. In this case, the power cable preferably extends internally along each outrigger 20 from the second and third support legs 14, 16 and into the first support leg 12. By utilising a coiled power cable within the first support leg 12, the telescopic extension and retraction of the first support leg 12 can be accommodated. The power cable runs internally within the first support leg 12 to the head end 24 and the device engagement element 18, whereby electrical connection to the supported device 40 can be undertaken. The battery-pack housings 56 may not extend along the entire longitudinal extent of the second and third support legs 14, 16, as in this embodiment, and thus a lower portion 64 of the second and third support legs 14, 16 may be tapered towards the respective foot end 22 to form a spiked or substantially spiked end and thereby a smaller contact area with the supporting ground. This is advantageous for softer ground, since the foot ends 22 of the second and third support legs 14, 16 can be pushed into the ground for a firmer engagement and therefore more stable erection of the apparatus 10.

Additionally or alternatively, a battery pack may be included at or in the region of the foot end 22 of the first support leg 12. In this case, the telescopic extension and retraction of the first support leg 12 must be accounted for, but an elongate cylindrical battery pack 54, for example, may be accommodated.

In this embodiment, the head and foot collars of the second and third support legs 14, 16 of the first embodiment are dispensed with, but it is feasible to provide adjustment means 66, for example, via a track and releasably lockable runner. In this embodiment, to enable adjustment of the flexible elongate elements 36, 38 on the second and third support legs 14, 16, a substantially linear row of apertures 68 is provided along or adjacent to each inside exterior edge 70 from or substantially from the battery-pack housing 56 to or adjacent to the respective foot end 22. Each flexible elongate element includes at at least its tail end a releasable aperture engagement element, such as a hook or carabineer, for releasable engagement with a said aperture 68.

In use, the battery packs 54 provide a weighted base to further counterbalance the supported device 40, in this case, light emitting device or lighting unit 52. With the flexible elongate elements 36, 38 engaged with the correct apertures 68 on the second and third support legs 14, 16, the second and third support legs 14, 16 are rotated to splay apart from each other and the first support leg 12. The head end 24 of the first support leg 12 with the lighting unit 52 attached to the device engagement element 18 is extended or retracted as required. Consequently, the first support leg 12 forms the boom 26 by which the lighting unit 52 can be offset horizontally from the vertical, allowing a greater degree of positional flexibility when locating and orientating the lighting unit 52. For storage, the first support leg 12 is retracted and the second and third support legs 14, 16 are simply rotated towards the foot end 22 of the first support leg 12. Due to the angularity of the outriggers 20, the foot ends 22 of the support legs 12, 14, 16 are brought together or substantially together, and the foot ends 22 of the second and third support legs 14, 16 are seated on the rest 44 of the foot-end collar 34, as shown in Figure 8. The lighting unit 52 may also be folded down to increase the overall compactness of the collapsed apparatus 10. The first support leg 12 can then be grasped for carrying the apparatus 10.

It is beneficial that at least the first support leg is telescopic. As such, all of the support legs may be telescopic, or in the alternative the support legs may all have fixed non- telescopic lengths.

Although flexible elongate elements are utilised to interconnect and thus stabilise the second and third support legs, it may be feasible to utilise a mechanical linkage or gear mechanism, for example, extending through or incorporating the outriggers. Alternatively, each of the second and third support legs may be independently indexable, for example, by utilising a sprung-push pin and recess detent mechanism, to set their specific angular displacement relative to the first support leg.

It is thus possible to provide splayable support apparatus which is simple to use, highly adjustable and which can form an easily collapsible and transportable boom for holding a portable device, such as a light or optical device, in a vertically raised but also horizontally offset condition.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Splayable support apparatus comprising at least three splayable support legs having respective foot and head ends, a device engagement element for engaging a device to be supported and which is at or adjacent to the head end of a first said support leg, and two outriggers extending laterally of a longitudinal extent of the said first support leg and on which second and third said support legs, respectively, are pivotably mounted in spaced relationship relative to the first support leg, the outriggers extending at an angle to each other so that the foot ends of the support legs approach each other in a storage condition.

2. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising leg connection means for interconnecting the second and third legs, whereby movement of the second or third leg causes movement of the other of the said second or third leg.

3. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the leg connection means includes a foot-end collar and at least one elongate flexible element which interconnects the second and third legs with the foot-end collar.

4. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said foot-end collar is releasably lockable and slidable on the first support leg.

5. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the elongate flexible element extends from or adjacent to the head end of each of the second and third support legs and to the respective foot ends.

6. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in an y one of claims 3 to 5, wherein two said elongate flexible elements are provided, one said elongate flexible element extending from the head end of one of the second and third support legs to the foot end of the other of the second and third support legs via the foot-end collar, and the other said elongate flexible element extending from the remaining head end of the second and third support legs to the remaining foot end of the other of the second and third support legs via the foot-end collar.

7. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein at least one end of the or each elongate flexible element slidably engages its respective support leg via a selectably adjustable connector.

8. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the selectably adjustable connector is a releasably lockable and slidable collar.

9. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the elongate flexible element is slidably engaged with the foot-end collar.

10. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the foot-end collar includes a rest on which foot-end portions of the second and third support legs are seatable in a storage condition.

11. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in a storage condition, a longitudinal extent of the first support leg is offset from a plane in which the longitudinal extents of the second and third support legs lie, the offset first support leg forming a grip for carrying the apparatus.

12. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a head-end collar, the outriggers being connected to the head-end collar.

13. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the head-end collar is releasably lockable and slidable on the first support leg.

14. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first support leg is telescopic.

15. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, in a splayed condition, a point of intersection of longitudinal axes of the outriggers is below a line interconnecting the respective pivot points of the second and third support legs, whereby the first support leg is suspended below a point of intersection of longitudinal axes of the second and third support legs.

16. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein at least one said support leg includes a battery pack housing.

17. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the second and third support legs includes said battery pack housing.

18. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein a power cable extends between an interior of at least one of the second and third support legs to the interior of the first support leg.

19. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the power cable extends internally to the device engagement element at the head end of the first support leg.

20. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the or each power cable extends within a respective outrigger, whereby at least a majority of a longitudinal extent of the said cable is covered.

21. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, further comprising a battery pack housed within the battery pack housing of the said at least one support leg.

22. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising a lighting unit held by the device engagement element.

23. Splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising an optical device held by the device engagement element.

24. A method of temporarily supporting a portable mobile device using collapsible splayable support apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the step of splaying the support legs so that the apparatus becomes self- supporting, a head end of at least one of the support legs extending beyond a leg pivot portion of the apparatus, the portable mobile device being mountable to or adjacent to the said head end of the said at least one support leg via the device engagement element, the device engagement element being offset horizontally from a vertical axis having a centre of mass of the apparatus thereon.