Abstract:
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. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,994 to Bevirt, filed Jan. 3, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     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 connectors and assemblies using ball and socket joint connectors.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Typical prior art ball and socket connectors are constructed out of the same material for both the ball and the socket. However, as most of the ball portion typically is under compressive stress, while most of the socket is under tensile stress, it may be desirable to use one material for the ball and another material for the socket.  
         [0006]     Certain types of plastics may be well suited for ball and socket connectors but be subject to creep under tension. Thus, a connector made from a composite of materials may allow the benefits of differing materials to be realized.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     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. The internal cavity end portion may be of a material that is less subject to creep, and which may have high stiffness. The socket end portion may be made of a softer material that allows for sufficient deflection to allow for mating but is not as subject to creep as this portion is predominantly in compression.  
         [0008]     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  
       [0009]     FIGS.  1 A-B illustrate an end view and cross-sectional view of a composite connector according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0010]     FIGS.  2 A-B illustrate an side view and cross-sectional view of a composite connector according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0011]     FIGS.  3 A-B illustrate an end view and cross-sectional view of a pair of composite connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  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]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  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.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a flexible arm assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a view and cross-section of a main body of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a ball and socket connector  10  according to some embodiments of the present invention. A connector  10  has a first end portion  12  and a second end portion  13 . A socket engaging end surface  14  is present at the first end  12 . The first end portion  12  is substantially hollowed out in some embodiments.  
         [0022]     The second end portion  13  has a body  16  with an internal socket receiving cavity  17 . The inner surface  11  of the an internal socket receiving cavity  17  is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface  14  of another connector  10 , or of another piece with a similar socket engaging end surface. A neckdown  15  separates the first end portion  12  from the second end portion  13 . A stop nub  18  acts as a mechanical stop to prevent over angulation and possible unintentional separation of a ball and socket joint connector pair.  
         [0023]     The first end portion  12  and the second end portion  13  may be of different materials. For example, the socket engaging end surface  14 , along with the rest of the first end portion  12 , may be of an ABS plastic. The internal socket receiving cavity  17 , as well as the second end portion  13 , may be of another material, such as aluminum. The selection of differing materials may offer a variety of advantages. For example, the frictions between the two materials may be ideal for a particular use. Also, as in the case of using a metal such as aluminum, the connector may be much stiffer than a connector made solely of plastic. In the case of a support structure made of a length of connectors, the stiffness added to each connector may greatly affect the stiffness of the overall structure. This may be especially important with some types of support structures where wobbling or vibration interferes with the intended use, as may be the case with support structures for cameras and the like. The use of a stiffer material in the neckdown region  15  may also lead to a substantially stiffer structure when the connectors are used in an interconnected assembly.  
         [0024]     Another distinct advantage of a composite connector may be that using a metal for the socket, which is primarily under tensile stress, as opposed to a plastic, reduces the likelihood over time of creep induced relaxation of the fit of the ball and socket. Also, if the ball and socket are ever disengaged, it may be that the plastic socket is more susceptible to permanent deformation, and the use of a metal socket may allow the connectors to be connected and disconnected in a manner that may not be suitable with all plastic connectors.  
         [0025]     Although the foregoing discussion has involved plastic and metal, other combinations of materials may be used. For example, nylon may be used with plastic. Other suitable combinations may also be used. The connector may be symmetric around a primary axis in some embodiments. The end surface planes of the first and second end portions of the connector may be perpendicular to the primary axis in some embodiments.  
         [0026]     In some embodiments, the bulk of the second end portion  13  may machined from metal, such as aluminum. The internal mating surface  11  of the socket receiving cavity  17  may be machined to a desired roughness. A series of grooves  20  may be left on the external surface of the second end portion to facilitate the molding of the first end portion  12  over the second end portion  13 . A pin  18  may also be molded at the same time and of the same material. A grip strip  19  may be molded of the same material, or of a softer material, as desired. The grip strip may be added with a softer or more grippy material in a second molding process. Grooves or other structure may be present in the outer surface of the second end portion to better facilitate the adherence of the grip strip  19  to the second end portion.  
         [0027]     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 4 , a flexible arm assembly  32  has been constructed out of a plurality of connectors  10 . The flexible arm assembly may include a gripping pod  31  on one or both ends in some embodiments.  
         [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  may be substantially hollowed out in some embodiments.  
         [0029]     The second end  123  has a body  121  with an internal socket receiving cavity. The inner surface 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]      FIGS. 6 and 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. 6 , 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. The ball and socket connectors may be constructed of a variety of materials as illustrated in earlier embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0031]     In some embodiments, the body sockets  252  are equally spaced around the center of the body portion  201 . 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.  
         [0032]     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  201  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.  
         [0033]     Although the flexible legs are illustrated as functioning legs in  FIG. 6 , 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.  
         [0034]     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.  
         [0035]     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 . 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.  
         [0036]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the interconnect portion  205  is adapted to receive a clip  220 . The clip  220  may have rails adapted to slide into slots 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.  
         [0037]     A mounting screw  221  may be recess mounted into the clip  220  in some embodiments. The screw  221  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 by a slight ridge in the molding of the recess in some embodiments.  
         [0038]     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 7 , a flexible arm  310  is adapted for twisting and flexing. In some embodiments, the flexible arm  310  consists of a plurality of interconnected connectors  311 . The connectors  311  may be ball and socket connectors. The connectors  311  may be multi-material connectors according to other embodiments of the present invention. The connectors  311  may have a gripping portion  314 . The gripping portion  314  may be of a rubberized compound. The gripping portion  314  allows for better friction when the flexible arm  310  is wrapped around a feature such as a pole, for example. In some embodiments, the gripping portion is co-molded into the connector body. The co-molding process may also be referred to as overmolding or double injection molding. An end connector  312  may have a gripping pod  313 . The gripping pod  313  may be of rubberized compound. In some embodiments, the flexible arm  310  may have an end connector on both ends of the flexible arm. The gripping pod may also be co-molded onto the connector. In some embodiments, the connector onto which the gripping pod is overmolded may vary from the other connectors in order to be better adapted to receiving the gripping pod. Connectors that support a gripping pod may be termed a gripping pod connector.  
         [0039]     In some embodiments of the present invention, a flexible arm, or monopod, consists of a plurality of interconnected connectors  311  with an interconnect portion  316  on one end. The interconnect portion  316  is adapted to receive a clip  317  into its opening  324 . The clip  317  may be inserted into the opening  324 , which will capture the rails  325  of the clip  317 , which will be captured by the interconnect portion  316 . In some embodiments, the clip will have a recess in its bottom surface in the shape of a slot. A spring loaded tab connected to a release lever with a button resides in the interconnect portion, allowing the clip to be pushed in and then retained as the tab first is pushed down by the insertion of the clip and then springs back up into the slot in the underside of the clamp. A spring loaded release button  318  may be pushed to release the clip  317 . A rotating locking ring  334  may lock the spring loaded release button from being able to release. While a variety of different types of clips may be used with the monopod, the clip  217  shown in  FIG. 7  is adapted to receive a camera flash unit.  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. A plurality of flexible legs  401  are connected to a main body  404  to form a tripod. The connectors  402  interconnected to form the flexible legs  401  may be composite connectors in some embodiments. A gripping pod  403  may be present at the ends of the flexible legs.  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a view and cross-section of a main body of an apparatus  400  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The main body  404  has a plurality of socket receiving cavities  405  spaced around a vertical axis and splayed out at an angle from vertical. A threaded stud  406  allows for connection to a device to be supported.  
         [0042]     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.