Tripod and method

A tripod has an extensible strut for improving the stability thereof by tying the strut to a sturdy object. In another aspect of the invention, a method of using a tripod includes attaching the tripod to a sturdy object. In another aspect of the invention, a novel caster wheel mechanism permits easy relocation of the tripod. In another aspect of the invention, a multi-function support is provided. In yet another aspect of the invention, a tool rack is provided supported by the tripod.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present disclosure relates to tripods. More specifically, this disclosure relates to exemplary tripods suitable for supporting a three dimensional coordinate measurement apparatus and method of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

There are many instances where a stable support is required to ensure that the object or device being supported remains fixed with respect to a solid surface such as a floor. For example, laboratory equipment and measurement equipment, such as three-dimensional coordinate measurement instrument, are often required to remain fixed with respect to a sturdy object or the floor to ensure that the relative position between the measurement device and the object being measured remains fixed.

One common method of ensuring stability of an apparatus has been physically bolting the apparatus to a sturdy table or floor. However, this method requires permanently altering the table or floor and makes repositioning difficult.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,582, issued on Apr. 4, 1995 to Simon Raab and wholly incorporated herein by reference, shows a prior art floor stand support atFIG. 3having a three-dimensional coordinate measuring device and monitor stand supported by a large-diameter post24and angled support legs extending up from a solid platform. Such a design is sufficiently sturdy to allow the coordinate measurement device to easily measure coordinates within a spherical space ranging from six to eight feet (1.8-2.4 m) in diameter with a measuring accuracy of 2{circle around (9)}±0.005 inch (0.13 mm), wherein {circle around (9)}=one standard deviation.

However, it would be desirable to provide a support that is at least as sturdy as the prior art support, but one that is easily moved from one place to another within a room and collapsed for storage or transportation.

Tripods are well known in the prior art for providing a stable support that is collapsible. However, for some applications, they are not stable enough. Specifically, in applications where the center of mass of the supported device is moved from directly above the center of the tripod, the bending moment imposed on the tripod legs can cause impermissible movement of the supported device, particularly in sensitive measurement applications such as that discussed above.

In addition, existing tripods remain difficult to move from one location to another. For example, if one wishes to move a device supported by a tripod from one location in a room to another location, he or she would have to lift the device and tripod together off the floor and carry it to the new location, while avoid tripping on the extended legs. If the legs collapse downwardly, then they then must be spread back out when the tripod reaches its destination. If the apparatus being supported by the tripod is very heavy, this compounds the difficulty of carrying it as the whole assembly becomes top-heavy.

While the tripod's ability to be collapsed for storage and transportation has made them indispensable in many fields since their introduction, they remain cumbersome to set up and take down, particularly where hand tools are required for tightening clamps and other adjustments in the case of heavy-duty tripods. One reason for this difficulty is that there has not been adequate provisions in prior art tripods for storing needed hand tools so that they are readily available.

SUMMARY

The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by a novel tripod having an extensible strut for stabilizing purposes. In another aspect, a novel caster wheel mechanism permits easy relocation of the tripod. In another aspect, a multi-function support is provided. In yet another aspect, a tool rack is provided supported by the tripod. In yet another aspect, a method of using a tripod includes attaching the tripod to a stable object.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the presently described tripod will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2show a tripod100having three legs130each comprising a crutch136and a lower leg138. Each crutch136includes two crutch-struts137depending from a leg pivot132to a crutch clamp143. Crutch clamp141includes a knob143for tightening crutch clamp141onto lower leg138, thereby fixing said crutch clamp141to lower leg138. Lower leg138is therefore adjustable and extensible from crutch136. At a lower end of each lower leg138is a caster adapter150and pod140. In an exemplary embodiment, caster adapters150are configured to pivot approximately 180° around lower legs138into either an engaged position, in which casters152are in contact with the floor and pods140are raised as shown inFIG. 2, or a disengaged position, in which casters152are raised off the floor and pods140are supporting tripod100as shown inFIG. 1. However, such pivot angle may be less than 180°, as long as such pivot is sufficient to disengage the casters from the horizontal floor.

Referring again to the exemplary embodiment illustrated byFIGS. 1 and 2, extending vertically downward between tripod legs130from head105is stay rod guide160. Stays139extend from a stay rod yoke145to each crutch clamp141thereby coordinating legs130. Stay rod yoke145includes a knob permitting stay rod yoke145to be clamped to stay rod guide160so that the collapse and expansion of legs130can be selectively prevented or permitted.

Exemplary platform110is bolted to head105using the threaded holes in head105shown inFIG. 2. Platform110includes, e.g., a first support112for attaching a three dimensional coordinate measurement apparatus and a second support114for attaching a computer display or monitor, as will be discussed below with reference toFIGS. 7-9. Attached to platform110is a tool rack120and one or more struts170(two shown).

Exemplary tool rack120will now be described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 4a. To the side of platform110is a tool rack120supporting a pair of tools including a wrench125and T-handle wrench123. A cable122passes through a handle of T-handle wrench123and of wrench125thereby tying the tools to tripod100, i.e., the rack120comprises a loop, or equivalent shaped aperture, through which the tools cannot pass and if both tools are removed, the cable will pass through the loop, effectively preventing either tool from being separated from tripod100.

In an exemplary embodiment, opposite tool rack120on platform110are two struts170that are shown inFIGS. 1 and 4hanging down. Each strut includes an extensible rod with a mounting bracket at its distal end. Although the struts170are attached directly to platform110, they may be instead be mounted to head105or any other object fixed thereto, in which case the struts170would be indirectly attached to platform110.

Exemplary struts170are shown in detail inFIGS. 5 and 6. In one embodiment, at a proximal end portion, each strut170has a first ball joint172that is bolted or otherwise attached to platform110. Extending from ball joint172is a first strut portion173, which terminates in strut clamp174. Strut clamp174is configured for clamping a second strut portion175that is received within first strut portion173and is extensible therefrom. First and second strut portions173and175therefore cooperate in a telescoping fashion, with strut clamp174acting to lock the two strut portions in place with respect to each other. At the distal end portion of second strut portion175is a second ball joint177and clamp disk179. While ball joints172and177have been specified, it is to be recognized that other types of joints are contemplated for use with such arm.

Struts170provide additional stability to tripod100by anchoring platform110to a solid object or wall. For example, tripod100is shown anchored to a table200inFIG. 7by struts170clamped to an edge thereof. Mounted on platform110is a three dimensional coordinate measurement apparatus210and a computer display220. Exemplary tripod100is again shown inFIG. 8, this time attached to workbench205.FIG. 9shows another view of the tripod100, this time in use. It will be appreciated that struts170provide additional stability to tripod100when the center of mass of apparatuses210and220is moved from directly above the center of tripod100.