Tripod

This invention relates to improvements in TRIPODS and more particularly to tripod connections. The invention includes a link portion which links tripod leg portions either formed as legs for ground contact or as portions for engaging with legs for ground contact so as to enable the legs to be arranged into a tripod like configuration, converging toward one another and interconnected together adjacent an upper portion thereof. The tripod can be in the form of shear legs, scaffolding supports, ladders and the like. The tripod connection includes a link portion having one portion thereof pivotally connected in a captive manner with a first leg portion and second and third leg portions engaged also with the link portion and able to be positioned substantially remotely of the connection of the link and first leg portion on a curve portion whereby said link portion can be pivoted to a substantially "over center" position with a portion of said link portion remote from the pivot connection with said first leg portion bearing against said first leg portion with the second and third leg portions extending outwardly to provide the tripod like configuration, the assembly substantially securely mounted in that position. At least the second and third leg portions are axially moveable relative to their connection with the link portion to engage on curved portions which assist in orientating said leg portions in the splay condition in use.

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to tripods and more 
particularly to a tripod connection. 
Tripod arrangements are used in many instances where support is required 
such as in the form of trestles, ladders, stools and the like. 
Traditional tripod arrangements generally provide stable support when used 
on flat ground however, these can become quite unstable and even dangerous 
when used on sloping ground, especially if the ground is undulating or 
steep. 
Various solutions have been devised in attempts to overcome the problem; 
such as blocking one corner of the tripod, however, these are not 
completely satisfactory and can often lead to dangerous conditions of use. 
It is an object of this invention to at least come some way in overcoming 
the abovementioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful 
choice. 
Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following 
description. 
According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a tripod 
connection including a link portion pivotally mounted with leg portions, a 
first leg portion mounted to said link portion substantially oppositely of 
second and third leg portions, said leg portions and link portion 
pivotable into a condition whereby said leg portions are oriented 
converging towards one another adjacent said link portion in a tripod like 
condition, said link portion depending downwardly from the first leg pivot 
connection and generally upwardly of said second and third leg pivot 
connections, a portion of said link remote from said first leg pivot 
abutting an adjacent portion of said first leg portion to maintain said 
leg portions in the erected tripod like condition. 
Other aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel 
aspects, will become apparent from the following description.

The invention in this preferred form of the invention includes a tripod 
connection for mounting leg portions of a tripod or tripod like assembly. 
In this specification, the term "leg portions" is to be understood to refer 
to those portions which actually form the legs of a tripod, or portions 
connected with the legs of the tripod such as stubs for securement thereto 
and the like. 
The tripod connection of this invention is in this preferred form of the 
invention formed in substantially robust and durable materials such as and 
preferably metals, for example stainless steel, mild steel and the like 
however, it is to be appreciated that in alternative arrangements other 
materials can be utilised without departing from the scope or spirit of 
the invention and depending on the requirements of the conditions of use. 
The tripod connection is in this preferred embodiment provided to be used 
with a ladder, scaffolding support and the like however, it is to be 
understood that the tripod connection of this invention can be used in 
alternative arrangements where tripod or tripod like support is to be 
provided. 
Now turning to the drawings, the tripod connection is generally indicated 
with reference to arrow 1 in the drawings. 
The tripod connection is in the embodiment of the invention shown in the 
drawings, provided for mounting at the converging end portion 4 of tripod 
forming leg portions 5 hereinafter described as first leg portions 2 and 
second and third leg portions 3. 
For the purposes of this description, second and third leg portions 3 are 
referred to collectively, as essentially they act in a similar but 
opposite manner in relation to the first leg portion 2. 
In the preferred form of the invention with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the 
tripod connection 1 is provided with leg portions 5 as stub ends as is 
shown by FIG. 2 securable with leg portion extensions 5a for example by a 
spigot and socket engagement however, referring to the remaining 
embodiment of the invention, it will be seen that the leg portions 5 may 
be alternatively provided without departing from the invention. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tripod connection is in this 
preferred form of the invention provided with a linkage portion 6 which in 
this form of the invention is preferably provided in substantially robust 
metal bar material, for example stainless steel bar and the like of 
substantially round cross-section. The upper end portions 4 of the leg 
portions 5 are each pivotally connected with adjacent portions of the link 
portion 6 preferably via apertures provided in the end portions 4 of each 
leg portion 5, engaging over substantially round cross section portions of 
said linkage portion 6. 
Preferably, the linkage portion 6 in this form of the invention is provided 
of a substantially angularly arranged open "C" shape and end portions 4 of 
said first leg portion 2 are engaged adjacent a first end portion 6a of 
said linkage portion 6 preferably between flange washers 7 and a removable 
securing means 8 such as and preferably a nut mounted on an externally 
screw-threaded portion of said end portion 6a. 
It will be appreciated that the end portion 4 of the first leg portion 2 is 
pivotally mounted relative to said end portion 6a. The second and third 
leg portions 3 are in this form of the invention mounted to the link 
portion 6 substantially oppositely of said end portion 6a on preferably a 
substantially arcuate or curved portion 6b positioned substantially 
medially of an orthoganal line drawn through the end portion 6a with which 
the first leg portion 2a is mounted. 
Preferably, the outer end of the curved portion 6b has a removable 
securement 9 mounted thereon, for example in the form of a nut, circlip 
and the like, and further, preferably the mid portion 6c of the curved 
portion 6b is provided as a substantially straight portion arranged 
substantially parallel yet spaced from the end portion 6a. 
It will be appreciated that the leg portions 5 are each pivotable relative 
to the adjacent portion of the link portion 6 with which they are engaged 
via the apertures in the upper end portions 4 of the leg members 5 and 
further, that the linkage portion and thus the upper end portions 4 of the 
second and third leg portions 3 are pivotable relative to the first leg 
portions 2 so that mid portions 6c of said curved portion 6d may abutt 
against an adjacent portion of said leg portion 4 when said linkage 
portion 6 depends downwardly therefrom substantially as in shown in the 
accompanying drawings. 
In the preferred form of the invention, preferably the apertured engagement 
in the upper end portions 4 of the second and third leg portions 3 are 
reinforced for example by means of bushes and the like so as to provide 
additional wear resistance in that area. 
Preferably, the engagement of the second and third leg portions with the 
like portion 6 is a substantially fine tolerance to enable substantial 
axial movement of said second and third leg portions 3 relative to at 
least said curved portion 6 and to enable the second and third leg 
portions 4 to be brought together and lie parallely in position adjacent 
the mid portion 6c. It will be appreciated that depending on their 
position on the arcuate curved portion 6b the second and third leg 
portions 3 will adopt a degree of angularity in relation to the first leg 
portion 2. 
Referring to the preferred embodiment, the tripod as is shown with 
reference to FIG. 2 is preferably arranged into the erected condition with 
the leg portions 5 generally converging toward an upper portion and the 
tripod connecting means 1. 
The second and third leg portions 3 are preferably slid outwardly in 
relation to the curved portion 6b so that they mount on at least partially 
the arcuate portion (as distinct from the straight portion 6c) and thus 
splay outwardly. 
The legs are preferably extended substantially forwardly until their outer 
ends engage the ground surface and the first leg portion 2 is separated 
from the second and third leg portions 3 to form a tripod like 
arrangement. 
Should the ground be uneven, the degree of angularity and splaying effect 
of the second and third leg portions 3 and indeed the first leg portion 2 
can be altered to suit so that a tripod like assembly is provided and 
preferably the assembly is supported by maintaining the first leg portion 
2 in a substantially held condition whereby it will be appreciated that 
the linkage portion 6 depends downwardly therefrom supporting the upper 
ends 4 of the second and third leg portions 3 directly therebeneath. 
Upon the leg portions being engaged with the ground surface in the desired 
position, thereafter the operator merely releases the support of the first 
leg portion 2 which causes the upper end 4 of the first leg portion 2 to 
pivot towards the second and third leg portions 3 and cause the opposite 
portion (in this case the straight portion 6c) to impinge against portions 
of the first leg portion 2 in a substantially over-centre type of action 
to thus maintain the tripod like erection of the legs 5. 
It will be appreciated that owing to the geometry of the curved portion 6b 
in relation to the upper end portions 4 of the second and third leg 
portions 3 and in relation to the pivotal mounting of the first leg 
portion 2, a certain degree of binding or jambing action occurs, upon the 
leg portions and linkages passing substantially over centre from the 
merely downwardly depending position described hereinbefore. This binding 
or jambing action assists in the holding of the leg portion 5 in a secure 
position by the apparatus of this invention. 
Now referring to the remaining figures and the further embodiments, FIG. 3 
discloses the arrangement of this invention wherein first leg portion 2 is 
provided in the form of a substantially traditional ladder-like 
arrangement and whereby the second and third leg portions 3 are provided 
as supporting legs so that a substantially step ladder like arrangement is 
provided. 
To facilitate use of the arrangement over uneven ground, the ground 
engaging portions 30 of the first leg portion 2 are provided with 
substantially adjustable foot portions 31 thereon to facilitate convenient 
adjustment of the length of the spaced ground engagement portions 30 of 
the first leg portion 2. 
Further, ground engaging portions 32 of the second and third leg portions 3 
are also preferably provided with suitable ground engaging means 34 
thereon, in the first instance a substantially adjustable foot member 35 
is provided for example with a resilient and gripping pad portion 36 
thereon to accommodate engagement with a variety of hard or otherwise 
slippery surfaces and in the second instance, a spike portion 37 on the 
other ground engaging portion 32. 
Still further, the second or third leg portions 3 can be provided in a 
substantially telescoping or at least shortenable manner, and in this form 
of the invention, a socket means 38 is provided on at least one supporting 
leg portion 3 so as to enable radical shortening of that leg by removal of 
a lower segment 39 therefrom, should conditions of use so dictate. 
Referring to FIG. 4, this invention discloses an alternative embodiment of 
the invention of FIG. 3 whereby it will be appreciated that the first leg 
portion 2 is provided as a substantially singular upright member, with a 
single ground engaging portion 30 thereon, treads 40 being provided and 
engaged adjacent the mid portion thereof with an outer face of the first 
leg portion 2. 
Now turning to FIG. 5, in this form of the invention the first leg portion 
5 is provided as a stub member 50 mounting sub frame members 51 for 
suitable engagement with a standard ladder and the like. This assembly, it 
will be appreciated, enables the apparatus of this invention to be 
utilised with any pre-existing or standard ladder assembly either as a 
permanently mounted arrangement or as an assembly which enables a ready 
and convenient fit should conditions so dictate. 
Whilst the invention is described with reference to the link portion 6 
being provided as a substantially open "C" shaped member, it is to be 
appreciated that the shape of the linkage portion 6 is variable and may in 
certain instances be formed as a substantially circular annular member or 
in the form of an oval or part oval structure. 
It will be appreciated that the tripod connection of this invention 
facilitates the provision of a tripod which is readily collapsible when 
not required for use, yet which in use, enables the legs to orientate 
through a wide variety of angles to enable accommodation of uneven ground 
conditions and a wide variety of heights of the ground engaging portions 
of each leg portion 5. 
It is to be appreciated that modifications may be made to the invention 
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in 
the appended claims. 
Thus, by this invention there is provided an improved tripod connection 
means and tripod including such connection means.