Abstract:
A miniature tripod assembly adapted to mount to the bottom of a camera, or other device, and to be small enough to fit within the profile of the device. The miniature tripod assembly may use ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. 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 some embodiments, device may use flexible and extendable legs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/201,875 to Bevirt, filed Dec. 15, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a miniature mounting apparatus for cameras, and more specifically to a mounting apparatus using flexible or gripping legs. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     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 also typically are large enough that they are not stored attached to the device, such as a camera, which they are used to support. 
     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. What is also called for is a miniature tripod small enough to be mounted to the camera and to not interfere with normal use of the camera when the tripod is not used. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed towards a miniature tripod assembly adapted to mount to the bottom of a camera, or other device, and to be small enough to fit within the profile of the device. The miniature tripod assembly may use ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. 
     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 some embodiments, device may use flexible and extendable legs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an end view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of connected connectors according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is illustrates a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a connector with a gripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a camera with a miniature mounting apparatus in a stowed position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of a camera with a miniature mounting apparatus in a deployed position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of a camera with a miniature mounting apparatus in a mounted position according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a leg of a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a view of a leg of a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a view of a leg of a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a camera with a miniature mounting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       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. 
     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. 
     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. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , 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. 
       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. 
     In some embodiments, 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 of the tripod has an interconnect portion that is adapted to receive a clip. A clip is removably fastened to the interconnect portion. The clip may have a threaded post adapted to fit into a camera or other device in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 7 , a camera and miniature tripod assembly  30  is seen with a camera  20 . A miniature tripod assembly  10  is seen with a leg  11  of the tripod. In some embodiments, the miniature tripod assembly is designed such that it does not protrude past the extended profile of the camera to which it is mounted. In some embodiments, the legs of the tripod are flexible. In some embodiments, the flexible legs have a rubbery or otherwise frictional outer surface such that the flexible legs may be wrapped around a feature to attach the tripod as gripping mounting structure for the tripod. In some embodiments, the legs of the tripod may have ball and socket connectors as described above. In some embodiments, the ball and socket connectors may have a gripping portion as described above. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a miniature tripod assembly  10  is seen in the stowed position, which is adapted to allow for mounting to the tripod mounting hole of a camera, which is typically on the bottom of the camera. In some embodiments, the miniature tripod assembly  10  has three legs  11 ,  12 ,  13  which are adapted to stow flat along the bottom of the camera to which the miniature tripod assembly  10  is mounted. 
     In some embodiments, the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13  are attached to an interconnect  14  by pivots  31  which may allow for the deployment of the upper portion of the legs  11 ,  12 ,  13  but may be adapted to have sufficient friction that the upper portion of the legs remains at the set angle of the pivot under the normal loads associated with supporting the camera. In some embodiments, all legs have a pivot or other device such that the legs may be rotated flat along the bottom of the camera in the same direction, greatly minimizing the envelope of the stowed tripod. The interconnect may be adapted to support a removable clip  15  in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the interconnect may be adapted to be directly attached to the camera. The clip  15  may incorporate a threaded stud  16  which is typically the method of attachment up into the bottom of the camera. The clip  15  may clip into a slot  32  in the interconnect, and may lock in place. A release clip  17  may be used to release the clip  15  from the slot  32 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a camera and miniature tripod assembly with the tripod legs  11 ,  12 ,  13  in the deployed position. The camera  20  may be supported by the legs in this position in the manner of a typical tripod. In some embodiments, the legs may be deployed to slightly different angles to allow for placement on uneven surfaces. In some embodiments, the legs may be flexible, such as with the use of ball and socket features, and may be flexes to accommodate uneven mounting surfaces. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a camera and miniature tripod assembly with the legs in a mounted position. As seen, the legs have been wrapped around a pole  21 . Thus, the camera  20  is able to mounted to unusual features, such as a gate, or fence, using a tripod that is adapted to fit within the outline of the bottom of the camera. In some embodiments, the legs will be ball and socket features with gripping portions on their exteriors adapted to better grip the item being mounted to. In some embodiments, the legs may be flexible and have an exterior gripping surface adapted to be mounted to irregular features. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in  FIG. 12 , a miniature tripod assembly  40  is seen in the stowed position, which is adapted to allow for mounting to the tripod mounting hole of a camera, which is typically on the bottom of the camera. In some embodiments, the miniature tripod assembly  40  has three legs  44 ,  45 ,  46  which are adapted to stow flat along the bottom of the camera to which the miniature tripod assembly  40  is mounted. 
     In some embodiments, the legs  44 ,  45 ,  46  are attached to an interconnect  41  by pivots or other means which may allow for the deployment of the upper portion of the legs  44 ,  45 ,  46  but may be adapted to have sufficient friction that the upper portion of the legs remains at the set angle of the pivot under the normal loads associated with supporting the camera. The interconnect may be adapted to support a removable clip in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the interconnect may be adapted to be directly attached to the camera. The clip may incorporate a threaded stud which is typically the method of attachment up into the bottom of the camera. The clip may clip into a slot  42  in the interconnect, and  42 . 
     In some embodiments, as seen in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the leg  50  of the miniature tripod assembly may be extendable. The outer portion  51  may have an extension  53  which extends from the outer portion  51 . A tip  52  may be found on the end of the extension  53 . In some embodiments, the leg  50  may be flexible. In some embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 15 , the outer portion  55  of the leg may be roughed or of a gripping material to allow for a variety of deployed uses. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a camera  20  with a miniature tripod assembly  60  attached to its bottom surface. In some embodiments, the legs  62 ,  63 ,  64  are adapted to reside underneath the profile of the exterior of the camera  20  such that the camera may be easily used when the miniature tripod is in the stowed position. This may allow the miniature tripod to be attached to the camera during use, and be available for use as needed, yet not interfere with the use of the camera when a tripod is not desired. 
     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.