Low level tripod configuration

The low level tripod configuration of this invention consists of an additional leg being attached to the tripod at or near the head of the tripod. Typically, a tripod holds a camera or any other optical device at specific heights above the ground. Usually the height can be set at anyplace between about 14 inches to about six feet. However, if a close up shot requires the camera to be in a lower position, the tripod can not be set for a lower position. Therefore, in accordance with this invention, an additional leg is added to the top portion of the tripod using various type of attachment methods. In this manner, the tripod can be set on the additional leg and two of the original legs of the tripod in a generally horizontal position. The camera or other optical device can be placed at any position from ground level to the height allowed by the tripod by using the configuration of this invention. The additional leg can be attached and locked in a range of positions. One embodiment has the additional leg stored within one of the three original tripod legs. The additional leg is simply removed and inserted through a hole on the upper portion of the tripod using various configurations and locked into a set position by a locking bolt. A leg spread bracket is also provided for applications that require additional support when the tripod is used in a horizontal position. This may be necessary for added stability when in a horizontal position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a low level tripod configuration and more 
particularly to a type of tripod configuration that allows positioning of 
a camera or other optical device at a low level for close up viewing or 
photography of low lying objects. 
Tripods of various designs are well know in the field of photography and 
are also know and used in other applications using various other optical 
devices. Tripods are used for telescopes and microscopes for viewing 
distant and near objects, respectfully. Tripods are also used in 
construction with levels and transits. All of these applications at times 
may require the optical device to be set at a very low level. However, the 
typical tripod only allows a lower height of about fourteen inches at the 
best. Some tripods the minimum height may even be greater. 
A need exists for a stable positioning of an optical device at levels at or 
near the ground. Close up photography of objects setting on the ground is 
the most prevalent example. An object setting on the ground can not have a 
close up photograph unless the camera is setting very near the object. A 
typical tripod does not allow the camera within about fourteen inches of 
the object. Therefore, the configuration of this invention allows a tripod 
to position a camera, or other optical device, at or near ground level. 
Other applications may also require the low level position afforded by this 
invention. Take for example a microscope used to observe small objects in 
nature that are on the ground. The configuration of this invention would 
allow the microscope to be placed near the object for better viewing. 
During construction a level or transit could also be positioned at low 
levels to overcome obstructions in the line of sight or could be used in 
places where height of the typical tripod could not be used, such as in a 
crawl space or under some structure. The configuration of this invention 
overcomes these problems. 
There have been other attempts at solving these problems such as a low 
tripod by itself, tripods with flexible legs, and tripods with attachments 
that connect to the lower portion of the tripod legs. All of these work to 
one extent or the other. However, they all require additional equipment to 
be carried, are inconvenient, bulky or not very user friendly and may not 
be very easily attached or detached. This invention overcomes these 
objection. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an low 
level tripod configuration that is adapted to provide the capability of 
positioning an optical device at level at or near the ground. With the low 
level tripod configuration of this invention it has been found that an 
optical device can be placed at any position from a low near ground level 
to the highest position allowed by the tripod. This invention provides the 
lower range of positioning not previously available with a standard or 
typical tripod. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved low level 
tripod configuration that is adaptable to virtually any tripod now or 
later known in the art, and to provide the tripod with the low level 
positioning made available by this invention. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide an low level tripod 
configuration that is adaptable to many different tripods by different 
means to satisfy the consumers and their desired to minimize cost and 
inconvenience. These various means substantially increases the 
availability and acceptability of this invention. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a low level 
tripod configuration in which the cost of implementing the configuration 
is modest in light of the benefits achieved. Any photographer that takes 
low level close up photographs may have equipment and supplies worth a 
small fortune. The cost of the various embodiments contained herein are 
very modest compared to the cost of other equipment. By having the various 
embodiments, there is a configuration that will be within the budget of 
even the most cost conscience photographer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there is 
provided a low level tripod configuration and more particularly to a low 
level tripod configuration that consists of an additional or fourth leg 
attached perpendicularly to the top portion of a tripod, so that the 
tripod can be supported in a horizontal position. 
The low level tripod configuration of this invention includes an additional 
leg attached to the tripod at or near the head of the tripod. The 
additional leg can be attached to the collar, column or head of a typical 
tripod. Typically, a tripod holds a camera or other optical device, at 
specific heights above the ground. The height can be set at anyplace 
between about 14 inches to about six feet. However, if a close up shot 
requires the camera to be in a lower position, the tripod can not be set 
for a lower position. Therefore, the additional leg, of this invention, is 
simply added to the head, or near the head, of the tripod when needed. In 
this manner, the tripod can be set on the additional leg and two of the 
original legs of the tripod. The camera will be placed very near or at the 
ground level using this configuration. 
The additional leg can be attached and locked in a set position. The 
additional leg is simply inserted through a hole in an attachment means 
and locked into a set position by a locking bolt. In another embodiment, 
an adapter or bracket is used to attach the additional leg to the column 
of the tripod. In this embodiment, the bracket is positioned on the column 
and the additional leg in inserted through a hole in the adapter. The 
additional leg can be stored within one of the three original legs of the 
tripod. 
A leg spread bracket may be inserted between the three legs of the tripod 
for added stability. This may be necessary to support the legs when in a 
horizontal position. The leg spread bracket is installed on the portion of 
the column located between the legs and under the collar joining the legs. 
The leg spread bracket has tabs or arms located adjacent to the leg 
positions. When in use the leg spread bracket is rotated so the arms will 
be inline with the legs. The legs are folded onto the arms. When not in 
use the leg spread bracket can be rotated so the arms fit between the 
folded legs. 
These and other objects and features of the present invention will be 
better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description 
of the embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and 
shown in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to the drawings in general there is shown the preferred 
embodiments for the low level tripod configuration of this invention. The 
configuration of this invention consists of an additional leg being 
attached to a tripod at or near the head of the tripod using one of 
several attachment means. Typically, a tripod holds a camera at specific 
heights above the ground. The height can be set at anyplace between about 
14 inches to about six feet. However, if a close up shot requires the 
camera to be in a lower position, the tripod can not be set for a lower 
position. Therefore, the additional leg is added to the head, or near the 
head of the tripod. In this manner, the tripod can be set in a generally 
horizontal position supported by the additional leg and two of the 
original legs of the tripod. The camera can be placed very near the ground 
using this configuration. 
The preferred embodiment and the best mode contemplated of the low level 
tripod configuration 10 of the present invention are herein described. 
However, it should be understood that the best mode for carrying out the 
invention hereinafter described is offered by way of illustration and not 
by the way of limitation. It is intended that the scope of the invention 
include all configurations, modifications and alterations which 
incorporate its principal design features. 
The low level tripod configuration 10 of this invention uses a typical 
tripod 1 known in the industry and in the art. The low level tripod 
configuration 10 of this invention allows the tripod 1 to be positioned to 
take low level close up photography or viewing that could not be taken 
without the configuration. The configuration of this invention can be used 
on existing tripods 1 or it can be incorporated into a tripod 1 during 
manufacture. It is a very versatile modification that can be applied to 
virtually all tripods 1. The tripods 1 for which this low level tripod 
configuration 10 has been designed is typically used with optical devices 
such as a camera for taking still pictures or a video camera for taking 
moving and live pictures. Any optical device that needs low level 
positioning can also utilize this configuration including transits, 
levels, microscopes, telescopes and others. 
The low level tripod configuration 10 uses a tripod 1 generally described 
as having a plurality of legs 2 pivotally attached to a collar 3. The legs 
2 can be telescopic or fixed. A column 4 is typically adjustably supported 
by a center opening through the collar 2. Some type of locking means is 
used to lock the column 2 in a given position within the collar 3. This is 
typically a type of rack and pinion gear arrangement. As the pinion is 
rotated, the rack attached to the column 4 moves the column 4 in either an 
upward or downward motion. This usually provides height adjustment for the 
optical device 6 attached to the head 5. A head 5 for holding an optical 
device 6 is typically attached to the top of the column 4. The head 5 can 
be any of the many types known and available within the field. Some heads 
5 are relatively fixed in that the optical device 6 is not allowed a great 
deal of angle adjustment. Others allow the optical device 6 to be angled, 
swiveled, or rotated to about any position. These later types of heads 5 
will generally perform much better because of the wide range of 
positioning possible. The optical device 6 can be a still camera, video 
camera, digital camera, telescope or any other device that the user 
desired to position at a low level. 
The configuration of this invention requires an additional leg 12 that is 
attached to the upper end of the tripod 1. In application, the additional 
leg 12 could be attached to the column 4, collar 3, or to the head 5 of 
the tripod 1. The additional leg 12 would extend outward from the top of 
the tripod in a generally perpendicular relationship. The additional leg 
12 would have to be easily installed and removed, in such a manner that 
the tripod 1 can be used in a standard manner. The additional leg 12 would 
also have to be adjustable in that it should be locked or secured in any 
desired position. 
The additional leg 12 is a short leg consisting of either a solid bar, tube 
or hollow elongated cylinder. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the 
additional leg 12 consists of a short leg that fits within a lower end of 
one of the plurality of legs 2 on the tripod 1. A boot or rubber foot 78 
will typically be included on the lower end of the additional leg 12. The 
foot 78 provides a non-slip foot and protects the surface on which the 
tripod is used. In the embodiment that fits within one of the legs 2, a 
locking cap/foot combination 80 attaches to the lower end of the 
additional leg 12. The locking cap/foot combination 80 is used to secure 
the additional leg within the leg 2 of the tripod 1. It also acts as the 
rubber foot 78 for both the additional leg 12 and the leg 2 of the tripod 
1 containing the additional leg 12. 
An attachment means 14 is used for attaching the additional leg 12 to the 
upper portion of the tripod 1. The upper portion consisting of the collar 
3, column 4 and head 5. The additional leg 12 and a pair of the plurality 
of legs 2 act together to support the tripod 1 in a generally horizontal 
position. This allows the head 5 to be positioned at very low levels and 
for positioning the optical device 6 at a low level. With the optical 
device 6 being held upside down on the head 5, the optical device 6 can be 
placed at or near ground level. Therefore, with this low level tripod 
configuration 10, the optical device 6 can be positioned anywhere from 
ground level to the maximum height allowed by the tripod 1. 
There are various embodiments of the attachment means 14 depending upon the 
type and model of tripod 1 being used and the desires of the user. There 
is a head block extension 16, FIGS. 3 and 4; leg attachment brackets 18, 
20 and 22, FIGS. 5, 6 and 7; a tripod clamp 24 and 26, FIGS. 8 and 9; and 
an insert 28 within column 4, FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Other variations of the 
attachment means 14 as herein disclosed herein are also possible without 
departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concepts. 
A leg spread bracket 74 is also included for holding the legs 2 of the 
tripod 1 in a spread position during use in a horizontal position. 
The head block extension 16 is basically a block. Generally, the block will 
be cylindrical in shape, but the head 5 and column 4 design will dictate 
the exact shape and configuration. The head block extension 16 is attached 
between the top of the column 3 and the head 5. The main features of the 
block head extension 16 is a lateral bore 30 and a locking bolt 34. The 
head block extension 16 has a lateral bore 30 through the block for 
receiving the additional leg 12. A threaded bore 32 also extends laterally 
through the block perpendicular to the lateral bore 30 for use in locking 
the additional leg 12 in the head block extension 16. A threaded bolt is 
screwed into the threaded bore 32 and tightened against the additional leg 
12 to secure and hold the additional leg 12 in any given position. 
The block head extension 16 may have attaching bolts holes 36 and a center 
bore 38 for attachment to the column 4 and for attaching the head 5. These 
will be arranged in accordance with the tripod and head design. They may 
also be counterbored, threaded or not threaded as dictated by the 
application. Other modification may also be necessary to fit other 
tripods. 
Another embodiment of the attachment means 14 consists of a leg attachment 
bracket. Three basic embodiments, referenced as 18, 20 and 22, shown in 
FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, are illustrated as representative of a leg attachment 
bracket in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Other 
configurations and modifications not described herein may be needed based 
upon the exact tripod design. These basic embodiments are for illustration 
purposes and should fit most tripod designs. However, other modifications 
may be made as needed and are included within the scope and spirit of the 
inventive concepts herein disclosed. 
The leg attachment brackets 18, 20 or 22 attach to the column 4 and holds 
the additional leg 12 in a perpendicular relationship to the column 4. The 
leg attachment bracket 18, 20 and 22 have a lateral bore 40 therethrough 
to receive and hold the additional leg 14. A locking device, such as a 
threaded bolt screwed through a threaded bore 42 and tightened against the 
additional leg 12, secures and locks the additional leg 12 in the lateral 
bore 40. This feature provides height adjustment for the low level tripod 
configuration 10. 
The various leg attachment brackets 18, 20 and 22 all have an opening 44 
for attachment to the column 4. The configuration of the opening 44 
constitutes the various differences between these embodiments. In leg 
attachment bracket 18, FIG. 5, the opening 44 is defined by a circular 
bore through the body of the bracket. A lateral slit 46 extends through 
the body to the opening 44. A threaded bore 48 is provided across the slit 
46. A bolt screwed into the threaded bore 46 squeezes the slit 46 together 
and tightens the leg attachment bracket 18 onto column 4. 
Leg attachment bracket 20, FIG. 6, is similar except that the slit 46 is 
located on the opposite side of opening 44. In addition, a groove 50 is 
included within the opening 44 for clearance of a rack gear used as a 
height adjustment means on column 4. 
Leg spread brackets 18 and 20 are installed on column 4 by removing head 5, 
slipping the leg attachment bracket 18 or 20 over the top of column 4 and 
tightening a bolt in the threaded bore 48 to secure the leg attachment 
bracket at the proper location on column 4. 
Leg attachment bracket 22, FIG. 7, is somewhat different, in that half of 
the body comprising the opening 44 is removable. This forms a half circle 
section 52. Half circle section 52 is tightened together with the body 54 
by a pair of bolts or screws in threaded bores 48. The bolts or screws may 
also be counter sunk as shown. By tightening the half circle section 52 to 
the body 54, the leg attachment bracket 22 is tightened to column 4 in the 
proper position. This embodiment, as well as any other, may also include a 
groove 50 for the rack gear on column 4. 
The preferred embodiment for attachment means 14 is an insert 56 installed 
and secured within the column 4, FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. The insert 56 is a 
solid cylindrical plug sized to fit within column 4. In the preferred 
embodiment, a pair of countersunk screws 58 are screwed through the column 
4 into the insert 56 to secure the insert in position. A lateral bore 60 
extends through both the column 4 and insert 56. The lateral bore 60 
receives the additional leg 12 and positions the additional leg 12 
perpendicular to column 4. A locking bolt 62 is screwed through a threaded 
bore that extends through the column 4 and the insert 56 perpendicular to 
the lateral bore 60. The bolt 62 is tightened against the additional leg 
12 installed within the lateral bore 60 to secure the leg in a given 
position. Since the additional leg 12 is removable, the screws 58 would be 
countersunk to prevent interference in the use of the tripod 1 when the 
column 4 is raised or lowered. 
Another type of attachment means is a tripod clamp 24 and 26, FIGS. 8 and 
9. The tripod clamps 24 and 26 are similar to a C-Clamp design but with 
significant differences. The body 64 of tripod clamps 24 and 26 contains a 
lateral bore 66 therethrough. The lateral bore 66, as in other embodiments 
described above, is for receiving the additional leg 12. The tripod clamp 
24, 26 attaches to the column 4 by tightening a threaded bolt 68 having a 
clamping member 70 against the column 4. The column 4 is squeezed between 
the body 64 of the clamp and the clamping member 70 to lock and secure the 
clamp 24, 26 in a given position on the column 4. 
The difference between the two tripod clamps 24 and 26 is the means in 
which the additional leg 12 is secured within the lateral bore 66. Tripod 
clamp 24, FIG. 8, utilizes a locking member 72 installed between the 
lateral bore 66 and inside of the open portion the clamp body 64. As the 
column 4 is secured in tripod clamp 24, by tightening the threaded bolt 
68, the column 4 contacts and pushes the locking member 72 against the 
additional leg 12. As the locking member 72 presses against the additional 
leg 12, it is locked and secure in a given position. By utilizing this 
embodiment, one action of tightening threaded bolt 68 locks both the 
tripod clamp 24 and the additional leg 12 in a given position. This save 
one step when attaching the additional leg 12. 
Tripod clamp 26, FIG. 9, has an additional threaded bore perpendicular to 
the lateral bore 66. This threaded bore receives a bolt 74 that locks and 
holds the additional leg in a desired position perpendicular to the 
column. 
During use of the low level tripod configuration, the additional leg 12 is 
used in conjunction with two of the legs 2 of the tripod 1. The low level 
tripod configuration 10 sets the tripod in a horizontal position supported 
by the additional leg 12 and the two legs 2. In order to establish a 
stable arrangement, the legs 2 should be spread and held in the spread 
position. This provides stability in the horizontal position. Some tripods 
1 may not need any other means than what is provided on the tripod itself. 
Other tripods 1, however, will require additional support for the legs 
spread in this configuration. 
A leg spread bracket 74, FIGS. 13 and 14, is provided for holding the 
spread legs in a stable position for the tripods 1 requiring such 
additional support. Again, the configuration, model and design of the 
tripod will dictate the exact configuration of the leg spread bracket. 
Basically, the leg spread bracket 74 attaches to the tripod 1 between the 
plurality of legs 2. The leg spread bracket 74 will have a leg spread 
position and a leg closed position. In the leg spread position the two 
legs 2 used in supporting the tripod in the horizontal position are held 
by a generally secure means in the spread position. In the leg closed 
position, the legs 2 are allowed to fold inward without interference for 
transportation and storage. 
In the preferred embodiment, the leg spread bracket 74 is rotatably 
attached to a lower end of the column 4 beneath the collar 3 and between 
the legs 2. The leg spread bracket 74 is rotated between the leg spread 
position and the leg closed position. 
In a basic configuration, the leg spread bracket 74 will have two arms 76 
extending from a central ring 78 at 120 degrees from each other. The 
central ring 78 in this embodiment is attached to the lower end of column 
4. In this manner, the leg spread bracket 74 can be rotated between the 
legs as needed. In the leg closed position, the legs 2 would fold inward 
without interference from the leg spread bracket 74. In the leg spread 
position the legs 2 would rest upon the outer ends of arms 76. The arms 76 
would provide the additional support needed for holding the legs 2 in a 
spread position when the tripod 1 is positioned in a horizontal position. 
The length of the arms 78 would depend on the model and style of the 
tripod 1. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate two basic models of the leg spread bracket 74. 
Models that have longer arms 76 as illustrated in FIG. 14 may also include 
a bore 80 for storing the additional leg 12. A means of tightening the 
central ring 78 on the column 4 is also shown on FIG. 14. This is 
basically a slit 82 cut in the central ring 78 with a threaded bore 84 for 
receiving a screw or bolt for tightening the central ring 78 on the column 
4. The central ring 78 may attach to the bottom end of the column 4 
without any modification to the tripod in most instances. 
In use, the attachment means 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 or 56 is installed on 
either the collar 3, the column 4 or on the head 5. The additional leg 12 
is attached to the attachment means such that the additional leg 12 
extends in a generally perpendicular relationship to the column 4 of the 
tripod 1. The tripod 1 can then be positioned in a generally horizontal 
position supported by a pair of the plurality of legs 2 on the tripod 1 
and the additional leg 12. The optical device 6 on the head 5 is now 
placed in a low level and can be placed near a low lying object as 
desired. 
Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that Configurations may be made of the invention without 
departing from the spirit of the inventive concept herein described. 
Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to 
the specific and preferred embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, 
it is intended that the scope of the invention be determined by the 
appended claims and their equivalents.