Patent ID: 8419309

Claim:
An articulating tripod head joining a tripod to an optical device, such that the second element is rotatable around three axes relative to the first element, with controlled and even resistance around all three axes and lockable in any position within a range of articulation, the articulating tripod head comprising: a housing attaching the articulating tripod head to one of the tripod and the optical device; an essentially spherical ball attaching to an other of the tripod and the optical device the essentially spherical hall solely supported by four essentially equally spaced constraints; the four essentially equally sized constraints having essentially equally sized contact areas, mounted to the housing, essentially equidistant from each other, and solely in contact with the essentially spherical ball, restraining the essentially spherical ball, the essentially equal size and contact areas of the constraints and the essentially equidistance spacing of the constraints allowing the ball to rotate with controlled and even resistance around any axis relative to the housing; and wherein one or more of the four constraints further comprises at least one adjuster adjusting pressure on a corresponding at least one of the four constraints to the essentially spherical ball, wherein the at least one adjuster tightens and adjusts the at least one of the four constraints, to control one or more of a clamping pressure and a level of drag.