Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,994 to Bevirt filed Jan. 3, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to connectors which interconnect into a flexible assembly, and more specifically to a mounting apparatus using ball and socket joint connectors.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Typical tripod assemblies consist of three rigid legs which are splayed out to form a support structure for devices such as cameras. The legs are usually rigid and adapted to provide support off of the ground or other flat surface. Some tripods have some adjustment to leg length which may allow for some deviation from flatness in the surface upon which they are mounted.  
         [0006]     Such tripods are limited in the manner in which they support devices such as cameras. What is called for is a mounting apparatus that may function as a tripod and also as a grip mount for the mounting to vertical members.  
         [0007]     SUMMARY  
         [0008]     The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Each connector includes a body with a first and second end portion. An external socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engaging surface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of another to interconnect the connectors.  
         [0009]     In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a mounting apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an end view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is illustrates a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 6 and 6 A are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side and cross-sectional view of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side and cross-sectional view of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side and cross-sectional view of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]      FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  illustrate a plurality of ball and socket joint connectors  101  according to some embodiments of the present invention. A connector  101  has a first end portion  102  and a second end portion  103 . A socket engaging end surface  104  is present at the first end  102 . The first end portion  102  is substantially hollowed out.  
         [0025]     The second end portion  103  has a body  106  with an internal socket receiving cavity  107 . The inner surface  110  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  107  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  104  of another connector  101 , or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  105  separates the first end portion  102  from the second end portion  103 . A stop nub  108  acts as a mechanical stop to prevent over angulation and possible unintentional separation of a ball and socket joint connector pair.  
         [0026]     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the connector  101  has a primary axis  111  in some embodiments. The connector  101  may be symmetric around the primary axis  111  in some embodiments. The end surface planes of the first and second end portions of the connector may be perpendicular to the primary axis  111  in some embodiments.  
         [0027]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the wall thicknesses of the internal socket receiving cavity or the socket engaging end surface, or both, are constructed so that an interference fit remains after the ball and socket joint connectors are connected. In some embodiments, the interference fit is designed such that the material is stressed to a stress level below that of the plastic limit but above the creep limit. The material may then creep until the interference is at or below the creep limit, typically down to the upper end of the elastic deformation stress range of the material. In such an embodiment using a plurality of connectors connected together to form a longer chain, the stresses will tend to equalize in the different connector pairs. This equalization of stresses will tend to equalize the frictions of the various connector pairs. An equalization of the frictions in the connector pairs in a long chain of connected connectors will tend to allow the chain of connectors to bend in a smooth fashion when the chain is subjected to bending forces. For example, in a 10 unit chain bent to a 45 degree angle, the bending may be well spread among the connector pairs.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments, as seen in  FIGS. 5, 6  and  6 A, a connector  120  includes a gripping portion  122 . The connector  120  has a first end portion  125  and a second end portion  123 . A socket engaging end surface  124  is present at the first end  125 . The first end portion  125  is substantially hollowed out.  
         [0029]     The second end  123  has a body  121  with an internal socket receiving cavity  130 . The inner surface  129  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  130  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  124  of another connector, or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  128  separates the first end portion  125  from the second end portion  123 . A gripping portion  122  allows the connector to grip surfaces more readily. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is co-molded into the connector body. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is a rubberized compound. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is a circumferential ring molded into the outer surface of the connector. The gripping portion may provide a higher friction interface when the connector is set upon or wrapped around an object.  
         [0030]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface  109  of the socket engaging end surface  104  may be lubricated. Lubrication of the outer surface  109  of the socket engaging end surface  104  may allow for more even frictions between various connections in a chain of connectors. In some embodiments, the inner surface  110  of the internal socket receiving cavity  107  may be lubricated. Lubrication of the inner surface  110  of the internal socket receiving cavity  107  may allow for more even frictions. In some embodiments, both the outer surface  109  of the socket engaging end surface  104  and the inner surface  110  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  107  may be lubricated. In some embodiments, the surfaces may be coated with an adhesive. With some connector materials, such as acetyl materials, Delrin, and Nylon, compounds normally used as adhesive may function as a lubricant when used in an interference fit ball and socket joint connector.  
         [0031]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface  109  of the socket engaging end surface  104  may be textured. The texture may take the form of a surface roughness. Texturing of the outer surface  109  of the socket engaging end surface  104  may allow for more even frictions between various connections in a chain of connectors. In some embodiments, the inner surface  110  of the internal socket receiving cavity  107  may be textured. The texture may take the form of a surface roughness. Texturing of the inner surface  110  of the internal socket receiving cavity  107  may allow for more even frictions. In some embodiments, both the outer surface  109  of the socket engaging end surface  104  and the inner surface  110  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  107  may be lubricated.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of ball and socket joint connectors. In some embodiments of the present invention, a stop nub  108  resides within the internal socket receiving cavity. The inner rim  140  of the socket engaging end surface  104  is adapted to contact the stop nub  108  as the two connectors reach a certain angle relative to each other. The contact of the stop nub  108  and the inner rim  140  of the socket engaging end surface  104  acts as a mechanical stop with regard to further angulation of the two pieces relative to each other. The mechanical stop function works to prevent over-rotation and possible disconnection of the two connectors.  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates a tripod apparatus  200  according to some embodiments of the present invention. A body portion  201  provides a base of support for three flexible legs  202 ,  203 ,  204 . The flexible legs  202 ,  203 ,  204  consist of a series of interconnected ball and socket joint connectors. The flexible legs are able to be flexed into a variety of positions and can be used to support the body portion  201  by forming tripod support. The flexible legs are able to adapt to uneven surfaces to allow the tripod to function in a variety of situations. Although three legs are used here for illustration, more legs may be present in some embodiments. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the body portion  201  itself may have a series of interconnected ball and socket joint connectors within it, allowing for even more flexibility with regard to its mounting function.  
         [0034]     Although the flexible legs are illustrated as functioning legs in  FIG. 7 , the legs are of sufficient flexibility that the may be used to wrap around items such as bars or other objects in order to fasten the tripod apparatus to objects that would not be suitable for mounting of a typical tripod. In conjunction with the gripping portion, this allows the tripod apparatus to be fastened to a variety of objects. For example, when used to position a digital camera, the legs may wrap around a vertical gate rail, allowing the mounting of the camera for a photo taking opportunity not previously available.  
         [0035]     In some embodiments, the body portion  201  is connected to an interconnect portion  205 . A clip  220  is removably fastened to the interconnect portion  205 . The clip  220  may have a threaded post adapted to fit into a camera or other device in some embodiments.  
         [0036]     In some embodiments, the flexible legs  202 ,  203 ,  204  may use connectors that have a co-molded gripping portion  208 . The gripping portions  208  may allow for use of the tripod in a variety of ways, including wrapping of the legs around a post or other object. In some embodiments, the flexible legs may be terminated with a gripping pod  207 . As seen in cross-section in  FIG. 3 , the gripping pod  207  may be fully molded into the cavity of the connector. In some embodiments, the terminal connector of each leg has a socket engaging end surface on its first end and a suction cup on its second end. The suctions cups may allow for a secure attachment of the tripod apparatus  200  to a variety of surfaces.  
         [0037]     In some embodiments of the present invention, as further illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 8  and  9 , the interconnect portion  205  is adapted to receive a clip  220 . The clip  220  may have rails  228  adapted to slide into slots  227  within the interconnect portion  205 . The clip  220  may have recess  226  adapted to be filled by a tab  225  on a spring loaded lever  222 . The clip is removably attached to the interconnect portion  205  and may be released by pressing on the lever  222 . In some embodiments, the lever  222  is on the same side of the interconnect portion  205  as which the clip  220  slides in on. In other embodiments, the lever  222  is on the side opposite that which the clip  220  slides in on.  
         [0038]     A mounting screw  221  may be recess mounted into the clip  220  in some embodiments. The screw  223  may be of the standard size and thread to attach to a camera in some embodiments. The head  223  of the screw  221  may be held into the recess  224  by a slight ridge in the molding of the recess in some embodiments.  
         [0039]     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 10, 11 ,  12 , and  13 , a tripod apparatus  500  utilizes a body portion  501  which spaces and locates the legs of the apparatus in a different configuration. The spacing of the body sockets  502  allows for better use of the tripod legs as attaching arms in some uses. In some embodiments, the body sockets  502  are equally spaced around the center of the body portion  501 . The body sockets are also flared at an angle relative to the ground (in typical usage). In some embodiments, the flared angle is 45 degrees. The flaring of the body sockets allows a different range of potential wrapping angles for the legs of the tripod.  
         [0040]     With the flaring of the body sockets, the tripod legs may still be utilized as in the case of a typical tripod. The range of motion of the body sockets and the connectors which form the legs still allow for vertical positioning of the legs. Thus, the body portion  501  retains the tripod&#39;s usual functionality. The flaring, however, allows for greater bending of the legs in cases where the legs are used as gripping arms, such-as when wrapped around vertical bars and the like. Thus the body portion  501  adds to the range of positions and to the types of uses that the apparatus may entertain.  
         [0041]     As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown-and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general invention.