Abstract:
A mounting clip and structures to support the mounting clips. A clip may narrow in width and thickness to facilitate firmer mounting and to facilitate ease of clipping into a mating receiver. The clip may have different sections along its outer rail of different thicknesses and different widths.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/637,611, filed Dec. 12, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,026, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/324,994 to Bevirt, filed Jan. 3, 2006 now abandoned, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to device mounting, and more specifically to mounting clips that may be used to mount various items to a tripod or other apparatus. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Mounting devices may come in a variety of forms. Some mounting devices are used to mount various types of hardware to a variety of types of structure. Tripod structures may be used to mount devices. 
     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. Such tripods are limited in the manner in which they support devices. In addition, new mounting clips are needed to meet the need for mounting a variety of devices. 
     Another aspect of device mounting may involve a mounting clip which may be attached 
     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. What is also called for is a clip that can be used to mount cylindrical objects. What is also called for are accessory clips for mounting of different items to tripods and monopods. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a mounting clip and structures to support the mounting clips. A clip may narrow in width and thickness to facilitate firmer mounting and to facilitate ease of clipping into a mating receiver. The clip may have different sections along its outer rail of different thicknesses and different widths. 
     The mounting clips may be used with a tripod or a monopod, and in some embodiments a tripod with flexible legs utilizing 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. 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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an annular clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an annular clip with a flashlight therein according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of an annular clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an annular clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of a clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an annular clip with a flashlight therein according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an annular clip with a flashlight therein according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a tripod and an annular clip with a flashlight according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a suction clip in the open position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of a suction clip in the open position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a rear view of a suction clip in the open position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom view of a suction clip in the open position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective of a suction cup according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a tripod and a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a top perspective view of a flash clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a bottom perspective view of a flash clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of a flash clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a side view of a flash clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a rear view of a flash clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a sketch of a unipod with a suction clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a sketch of a unipod with an electronic device mounted on it according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a side view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  illustrates an end view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a side view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 36  is illustrates a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 37 and 37A  are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 38  is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 39  is an illustration of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-sectional view of a body and interconnect portion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 41  is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 42  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. 
         FIG. 43  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. 
         FIG. 44  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. 
         FIG. 45  is a top perspective view of a clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a side view of a clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a clip  601  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The clip has a main body  602  which includes an annular ring  630 . The clip  601  has a clip base  604  adapted to be clipped into a mating support structure. The clip base  604  is located on the external periphery of the annular ring  630  of the main body  602 . The main body may be made from an acetyl material in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the annular ring  630  is completely circumferential. In some embodiments, the annular ring may be partially circumferential. 
     One or more grip strips  603  are located along the inside surface of the annular ring. The grip strips  603  are of a softer compound than the main body and are adapted to compress when an item is inserted into the annular ring  630 . The grips strips provide a frictional fit for an item that is somewhat smaller in external diameter than the internal diameter of the ring. In some embodiments, the grips strips are a rubberized compound. The grips strips may be overmolded onto the main body, which itself may be a molded product. In some embodiments, the grips strips are substantially parallel to principal axis of the cylinder inscribed by the annulus of the main body. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a flashlight  610  inserted into a clip  601 . The cylindrical portion  611  of the flashlight has been inserted into the clip  601 . The light  612  will shine in the direction selected by the user once the clip  601  has been placed in a supporting structure, such as a tripod. The flashlight  610  is held in place within the annulus of the clip  601  with the grip strips which have been compressed by the insertion of the flashlight. The grips strips provide sufficient friction to keep the flashlight in place. Although shown here in use with a flashlight, other objects may be held within the clip  601 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are a front view and a top view, respectively, of a clip  601  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The interior surface  606  of the annular ring  630  is seen and is substantially circular in aspect. The grips strips  603  are substantially parallel to the axis of the cylinder of the annulus. The grip strips may be molded into slots which were in the interior surface of the annulus. The clip interface portion may have a flat bottom surface  605  and rails  613  along its sides, or along three sides. The rails  613  allow for the clip to be inserted into a mating interface which is adapted to receive a flat bottomed clip and which has grooves along its sides to receive the rails of the clip. A front opening  607  and a back opening  608  allow for the through passage of an item such as a flashlight through the clip to a point where it is perhaps more balanced, and therefore more stable when held in a support structure, such as a tripod. The grip strips are adapted to retain the item in position after it is pushed by the user to the desired position. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are a bottom perspective view and a side view of a clip, respectively, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A slot  609  is seen in the bottom of the planar plate of the clip interface portion. The slot  609  is adapted to allow for the capture of the clip by a tab when slid into an interfacing portion of a support structure, such as may be used with a tripod. A neckdown  614  on the rail allows for easier insertion of the clip into its interfacing connector. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a flashlight  610  inserted into a clip  601  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The flashlight may be inserted to a point where the mass is relatively balance between the front and back of the clip. Once the user has inserted the flashlight to a chosen depth of insertion, the grip strips will hold the flashlight in this location. 
       FIG. 9  is a sketch of a tripod and a flashlight inserted into a clip. The flashlight and clip assembly  622  are seen attached to a tripod  631 . The flashlight and clip assembly  622  is adapted to be attached into the tripod&#39;s interconnect portion  617 . A release lever  618  allows for the release of the clip from the interconnect portion of the tripod. The release lever may release a tab that catches within the slot  609  on the bottom of the clip. The main body  616  of the tripod is seen with three flexible legs  619 ,  620 ,  621  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The flexible nature of the legs allows the tripod to also be used for gripping to vertical members by wrapping around them. 
       FIGS. 10-16  illustrate a suction clip  700  in a closed position according to some embodiments of the present invention. The suction clip  700  is adapted to be removably attached to a support structure such as a tripod or a unipod. A suction cup  701  is attached to and overlays the clip base  704 . A release lever  703  is seen embedded within the clip base  704 . A release tab  702  is attached to the suction cup  701 . The clip base  704  is of a relatively rigid material such as a plastic or acetyl. The suction cup is of a more compliant material such as rubber or rubberized compound. 
     The suction clip  700  has a clip base  704  adapted to be clipped into a mating support structure. The clip base may have a flat bottom surface  705  and rails  713  along its sides, or along three sides. The rails  713  allow for the clip to be inserted into a mating interface which is adapted to receive a flat bottomed clip and which has grooves along its sides to receive the rails of the clip. A slot  711  is seen in the bottom surface  705  of the planar bottom of the clip base  704 . The slot  711  is adapted to allow for the capture of the clip by a tab when slid into an interfacing portion of a support structure, such as a tripod. A neckdown  714  on the rail allows for easier insertion of the clip into its interfacing connector. 
     The suction clip may be used with a support structure as a removably attached clip. The removable aspect of the clip allows the support structure to be used with different types of clips when desired by the user. In addition, the user may want to attach the clip to the device and remove the device with the clip attached from the support structure. 
     A cup bowl  709  forms the upper part of clip base  704 . The cup bowl  709  provides a bowl shaped support for the suction cup  701 . Along the underside of the clip base  704  is a mechanism for providing suction, via the suction cup  701 , to a surface of an item to be adhered to the suction clip  700 . The release lever  703  is hinged to the suction cup base  706  around a hinge line  708 . The release lever  703  is hinged to the clip base  704  with a hinge pin  707 . The suction cup base is attached to the suction cup  701 . In some embodiments, the suction cup base  706  is co-molded to the suction cup  701 .  FIG. 22  illustrates a suction cup assembly with the suction cup  701  co-molded to the suction cup base  706 . The suction cup base may be of a relatively rigid material such as an acetyl, and the suction cup may be of a more ductile, rubberized material. 
       FIGS. 17-20  illustrate the suction clip  700  in an open position. A mechanism for applying suction via the suction cup to the item to be attached resides within the suction cup base  706 . The release lever  703  has been rotated from a first closed position in plane with the bottom surface of the clip base to a second position. The rotation occurs around a hinge line  708 . The rotation of the release lever  703  moves the suction cup base  706  upwards away from the bottom surface  705  of the clip base. As seen in  FIG. 18 , the suction cup  701  may also raise off of the suction cup bowl  709  with the raising of the suction cup base  706 . 
     The release lever  703  has a cam  720  which fits within an opening  721  in the suction cup base  706 . The movement of the release lever  703  raises or lowers the suction cup base  706  working with a cam motion. The cam  720  is rotationally fixed to the release lever  703 . In some embodiments, they are a single piece. The pin is held in place in holes in the suction cup base  704 . 
     The item to be adhered to the suction clip is placed on the suction cup while the release lever  703  is in the open position. Preferably a smooth planar portion of the item to be adhered is in contact with the suction cup. The outer periphery of the suction cup makes a seal on the item to be adhered to. The release lever is then moved from the second open position to the first, closed position. This motion of the release lever pulls the bottom of the suction cup down and away from the item to be adhered to. The bottom of the suction cup is pulled by the leveraged motion of the suction cup base, which is pivotally attached to the release lever. The pulling down of the suction cup base imparts lower or negative pressure to the area between the suction cup and the item, adhering the item to the suction clip. The suction cup base is pulled down through a guide hole through which the suction cup base may travel vertically. The suction cup bowl holds up the suction cup near its outer periphery but does not impede the pulling down of the central area of the suction cup. After release of the negative pressure, the item that had been adhered to by the suction cup can be helped to be released from the suction cup by the pulling of the pull tab  702 . 
     As the case with other clips described herein, the use of a clip that can be fastened to an item, such as a cell phone, flashlight, flash, camera, etc., separate from attachment to the support structure provides greater ease and more versatility for the user. 
       FIG. 23  is a sketch of a suction clip  700  attached to a tripod  741  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The clip base has been inserted into the interface portion  743  of the tripod. A release button  742  is adapted to allow for the easy removal of the suction clip  700 . The release button  742  releases a tab that was in a slot on the bottom surface of the clip base. 
       FIGS. 24-28  illustrate a flash clip  900  according to some embodiments of the present invention. The flash clip  900  is adapted to attach to a modern flash unit interface, and then be clipped into a support structure such as a tripod. The clip base may have a flat bottom surface  903  and rails  708  along its sides, or along three sides. The rails  708  allow for the clip to be inserted into a mating interface which is adapted to receive a flat bottomed clip and which has grooves along its sides to receive the rails of the clip. A slot  905  is seen in the bottom surface  903  of the planar bottom of the clip base  901 . The slot  905  is adapted to allow for the capture of the clip by a tab when slid into an interfacing portion of a support structure, such as a tripod. A neckdown  906  on the rail allows for easier insertion of the clip into its interfacing connector. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 24-28  and  FIGS. 45-46 , the clip and its rails may have geometries adapted to allow for a good fit to a mating receiver. The mating receive may have reciprocal geometries, and the fit achieved with these reciprocal geometries may be more stable, tighter, and provide for better function of the item being supported by the clip and the supporting structure to which the clipped is attached. For example, a stable connecting interface may be sought after in the case where the clip is attached to a camera, and a more stable connection between the clip and the support structure may work to reduce jitter in the camera. 
     A clip according to embodiments of this invention may have variations in the width of the clip, as well as variations in the height (thickness) of the rail around the main flat plate of the clip. As seen in top view in  FIG. 26 , the clip has a main body consisting at least in part of a plate  1260 , the flat plate having rails  1261 ,  1262  around its periphery. The width of the clip, which in some embodiments will be defined as the distance between the outer edges of the two rails on opposing sides of the plate, may vary along the length of the clip. In some embodiments the clip may have a first neckdown portion  1241  which narrows the clip width along the direction towards the insertion end of the clip, that is to say, the end of the clip adapted to be inserted into a mating receiver. Closer to the insertion end of the clip, there may be a second neckdown portion  1242 . In some embodiments, the angle of the neckdown may be different in the second neckdown portion  1242  than the angle of the neckdown in the first neckdown portion  1241 . In some embodiments, the angle of the neckdown in the second neckdown portion  1242  may be steeper than the angle of the neckdown in the first neckdown portion  1241 . The steeper neckdown in the second neckdown portion  1242  may be useful in allowing for easier insertion of the clip into a mating receiver, as the narrower portion need not be as closely aligned as one attempts to clip the clip into the receiver, gradual widening of the clip may allow for self-alignment of the clip in the receiver as the clip is further inserted into the receiver. 
     In some embodiments, there may be an intermediate portion  1243  of the clip wherein the width of the clip does not change. The variation of the clip width in this fashion may allow for both easier insertion of the clip into a receiver, and also provide for firmer, more stable attachment of the clip into the receiver. In some embodiments, a clip as described above may be a clip adapted to be attached to another device, such as a camera, light, flash unit, video player, or other device. In some embodiments, a clip as described above may be part of another device, such as a camera, light, flash unit, video player, or other device. 
       FIGS. 45 and 46  illustrate another aspect of the present invention according to some embodiments of the present invention. The height (thickness) of the clip rails may vary along the length of the rail. In some embodiments, the rail height may lower along one or more areas of the length of the rail at different rates of change. In some embodiments, both the width of the clip and the height of the clip rail may vary along the length of the rail. In some embodiments, the rail may decrease in thickness along a first portion  1244  at a first rate. The rail thickness may decrease in thickness along a second portion  1246 , at the same or a different rate. There may be an intermediate portion  1245  which may not have a change of thickness. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion  1244  of the height change of the rail may coincide with the first neckdown portion  1141 , the intermediate portion  1245  of the rail height may coincide with the intermediate portion  1243  of the rail width, and the second portion  1246  of the rail height may coincide with the with the second neckdown portion  1242  of the rail width. In some embodiments, the clip may be adapted to clip into a receiver with reciprocal geometries with regard to the rails. In some embodiments, the clip may not be adapted to be an intermediate bridge to another device but instead may be part of another device, such as a camera, light, flash unit, video player, or other device. 
     In some or all of the embodiments of the clip, the clip may have recess on its bottom surface adapted to be filled by a tab on a spring loaded lever that is part of the mating receiver. 
     An opening  902  is adapted to receive a modern flash unit. The mating structure of the flash unit slips into the opening  902  which has interior slots along its three sides. A hole  907  is adapted to receive a pin that extends from the flash unit. The flash unit may be a remotely fired unit such that the tripod, or other support unit, in which the flash and clip are mounted may be place in a position away from the camera. The clip allows mating of the flash to the clip in advance, and with ease, so that the clip/flash combo may be easily inserted into and removed from the support structure when desired. 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  illustrate a monopod, or unipod, with removably attached clips according to some embodiments of the present invention. A monopod  750  is seen with a series of ball and socket connectors with an overmolded grip strip as seen in other embodiments of the present invention. The monopod  750  may have an interface portion which is adapted to receive clips according to embodiments of the present invention. The monopod  750  allows for mounting to members, such as a vertical member  752 . An electronic item  751 , or other item, may be attached to a mounting clip and supported by the support structure. 
       FIGS. 31 ,  32 , and  33  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. 
     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. 
     As seen in  FIG. 34 , 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. 
     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. 
     In some embodiments, as seen in  FIGS. 36 ,  37  and  37 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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
       FIG. 33  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. 
       FIG. 38  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, 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. 
     Although the flexible legs are illustrated as functioning legs, 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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as further illustrated in  FIGS. 39 ,  40  and  41 , 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. 
     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. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23 , 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. 
     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. 
       FIGS. 45 and 46  illustrate a clip according to some embodiments of the present invention. A clip  1100  is shown with a main body  1101  and a grip surface  1102 . The clip  1100  is adapted to attach to a support structure such as a tripod. The clip  1100  may have a substantially flat bottom surface with a recess therein. The recess may be adapted to be filled by a tab which is adapted to be filled by a tab on a spring loaded lever. 
     When the clip is attached to an electronic device such as a camera, the threaded portion  1104  is threaded up into the device. This is done when the clip is not attached to the support structure, and allows for the clip to be attached to camera, or other device, just once, and from then on the clip may be clipped to the support structure without requiring repetitive threading into the device. The clip is small enough that it may be stored with the camera. 
     In some cases, there may be concern that the camera may rotate relative to the clip  1100  even after tightening of the threads up in to the camera. A grip surface  1102  allows for a grabbier surface  1103  to be in contact with the device or camera. The grip surface  1102  may be overmolded onto the main body  1101  in some embodiments. The grip surface  1102  may compress somewhat when the camera is threaded on to the clip. The grip surface may greatly reduce the likelihood of rotary movement of the camera relative to the clip. 
     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.