U.S. patent application number 09/854241 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-16 for accessory tray for a tripod.
Invention is credited to Ibrahim, Zafar Y..
Application Number | 20020056792 09/854241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26938709 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020056792 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ibrahim, Zafar Y. |
May 16, 2002 |
Accessory tray for a tripod
Abstract
Accessory trays supported between the legs of a camera tripod.
In a first embodiment, a semicircular tray having side walls is
supported on the stabilizing arms or the end cap of a camera tripod
and is attached to the lower portion of the center post by a
retaining device. In a second embodiment, two semicircular trays
are supported on the stabilizing arms of a camera tripod and
surround the center post. In the second embodiment, each
semicircular portion has a recess into which the center post fits.
In this second embodiment, the semicircular portions are attached
to each other in a variety of ways.
Inventors: |
Ibrahim, Zafar Y.;
(Lakewood, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD L HUFF
19304 OLNEY MILL ROAD
OLNEY
MD
20832
|
Family ID: |
26938709 |
Appl. No.: |
09/854241 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60247486 |
Nov 13, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/163.1 ;
248/170; 248/177.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/163.1 ;
248/170; 248/177.1 |
International
Class: |
F16M 011/00; F16M
011/32 |
Claims
1. A combination comprising: (i) a camera tripod having (a) three
supporting legs, (b) a hub having a central aperture, and (c) a
center post which slides vertically through the central aperture of
the hub, which center post has a lower portion below the hub, and
(ii) an accessory tray, which accuser tray has a base which: (a) is
semicircular in shape having an arcuate edge and a straight edge,
(b) has a peripheral wall extending upward from the arcuate and
straight edges, and (c) has a retaining device attached to the
straight edge, which retaining device attaches to the lower portion
of the center post.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tripod has a lower hub
having a central aperture, stabilizing arms which extend from the
supporting legs to the lower hub, and the accessory tray rests on
the stabilizing arms.
3. A combination comprising: (i) a camera tripod having (a) three
supporting legs, (b) a hub having a central aperture, (c) a lower
hub having a central aperture, and (d) a center post which slides
vertically through the central apertures of the hub and the lower
hub, which center post has a lower portion below the hub, and (e)
stabilizing arms extending from the legs to the lower hub and (ii)
an accessory tray having a circular configuration, which accessory
tray rests upon the stabilizing arms and which accessory tray
comprises two portions, each portion being semicircular in shape,
having an arcuate edge and a straight edge with a peripheral wall
extending upward from the arcuate edge and the straight edge, the
straight edges having recesses at their midpoints for receiving the
center post of the tripod, the straight edges being joined by means
selected from the group consisting of (a) cam locks and
spring-loaded pins, (b) button and slot configuration wherein the
button is extended from the straight edge with a shank, (c)
magnets, (d) hook and loop fasteners, (e) spring clips, and (f)
conical slotted pins fitting into corresponding apertures.
4. A combination consisting essentially of (i) a camera tripod
having (a) three supporting legs, p2 (b) a hub having a central
aperture, (c) a lower hub having a central aperture, and (d) a
center post which slides vertically through the central apertures
of the hub and the lower hub, which center post has a lower portion
below the hub, and (e) stabilizing arms extending from the legs to
the lower hub and (ii) an accessory tray having a circular
configuration, which accessory tray rests upon the stabilizing arms
and which accessory tray comprises two portions, each portion being
semicircular in shape, having an arcuate edge and a straight edge
with a peripheral wall extending upward from the arcuate edge and
the straight edge, the straight edges having recesses at their
midpoints for receiving the center post of the tripod, the straight
edges of the two portions being joined together.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority date of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/247,486, filed Nov. 13,
2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to trays that attach
to a cylindrical column. More particularly, the invention relates
to trays that removably attach to a central column of portable
support devices, such as a tripod used for photography, a book or
document holder, a sheet music stand, or an artist's easel.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The state of the art includes various trays that attach to
columns, none of which is well suited for use with a camera tripod
or similar device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,954 to Zaremba discloses a
donut-shaped tray for displaying items. The tray has a central
aperture which receives a pole. The pole must be slid through the
aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,265 to Bergerman discloses a tray for
use with an umbrella post for a patio table. The tray has a
circular-shaped single-piece body with a slot which receives the
post so the tray can be installed on the post without sliding the
post through an aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,803 to O'Brien
discloses two semicircular trays adapted to fit around the umbrella
pole of a picnic table to form a single round tray. The straight
sides of the tray contain upper and lower tabs which will serve to
hold the trays together. The upper tabs intrude upon the available
tray space and tend to gather hard-to-remove spilled materials in
the angles between the tray and the tabs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,514
to Robinson discloses trays designed for use with umbrella posts on
patio tables. The trays are circular in shape having two
semicircular pieces joined at the center. The two halves are
assembled around the post using a combination of dowel pins and
dowel seats and lock pins revovably seated into lock pin seats.
Here, again, spilled material accumulates in the lock pin seats,
and the small open area of these seats makes cleaning difficult.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,501,201 and 4,383,487 to Fitzner et al. disclose
trays that are clampable to a microphone stand or the like. The
circular tray is in two halves which bolt together along the joint.
The juncture is made by a ridge of material extending below the
tray and the tray is fixedly clamped to the stand. U.S. Pat. No.
4,953,716 to Rapoport discloses an accessory tray designed to clamp
on the center post of a camera tripod. The tray is rectangular in
shape and has a V-groove type clamp. The tray is designed to attach
to the portion of the center post above the juncture of the tripod
legs, and will not readily pivot since it is clamped to the post.
Because of the size and shape of the tray, it cannot be installed
on the lower portion of the center post to be sheltered by the
tripod legs. It must be installed on the upper portion of the
center post where it extends out into the air. Consequently,
articles on the tray may inadvertently be knocked off by someone
brushing against the tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an improved accessory tray
designed for use with a camera tripod which attaches to, and
readily pivots about, the center post below the juncture of the
tripod legs so it is sheltered by the tripod legs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lower section of a
camera tripod typically used with a tray of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tripod of FIG. 1 with
one embodiment of a tray of the present invention installed.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of the tray of FIG. 2 and the center
post of the tripod showing the tray detached from the post.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of two trays of FIG. 2 installed on a
center post of a tripod.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two separated trays of a
second embodiment of the invention having two trays designed to
join together.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the trays of FIG. 5 showing
the trays joined together.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two separated trays of a
third embodiment of the invention having two trays designed to join
together.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the trays of FIG. 7 showing
the trays joined together.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating how two trays join
together using spring clips mounted on the outside of one tray.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating how two trays
join together using spring clips mounted on the inside of one
tray.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating how two plastic
trays may be joined together using conical slotted pins and
associated apertures.
[0018] FIG. 12a is a view along 12-12 of FIG. 2 illustrating the
position of a tray of FIG. 2 relative to tripod legs and its
rotation about the center post.
[0019] FIG. 12b is a view along line 12-12 of FIG. 2 illustrating
the position of a tray of FIG. 8 relative to tripod legs and its
rotation about the center post.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tray of the present invention
is preferably used with a tripod 10 such as shown. The tripod 10
has three supporting legs 13 and a center post 14. The legs 13 are
pivotally attached to a hub 16, and center post 14 slides
vertically through a central aperture in the hub 16. The center
post 14 has an upper portion 14a above the hub 16 and a lower
portion 14b below the hub 16. When the tripod 10 is set up,
stabilizing arms 18 extend from the legs 13 inward to a lower hub
20 which also receives the center post 14. The present invention
provides a tray 22 that installs on a lower portion 14b of the
center post 14 of a tripod 10 and may pivot about it while being
supported by the stabilizing arms 18. The tray 22 has a peripheral
wall 24 that clears the legs 13 of the tripod 10 as the tray 22
pivots.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one embodiment, the tray 22
is semicircular in shape. It has a flat base 26 and a peripheral
wall 24 extending upward from the base 26 along the peripheral edge
of the base 26. The peripheral wall 24 has a semicircular-shaped
portion 28 and a straight portion 30. A retaining device is
attached to the straight portion 30 of the peripheral wall 24 at
the longitudinal center of the straight portion 30. The retaining
device could be any suitable device which allows removable
attachment of the tray 22 to the post 14. The preferred retaining
device is a C-shaped spring clip 32 designed to receive the lower
portion 14b of the center post 14. The spring clip 32 captures the
post 14 and provides some resistance to the pivotal motion of the
tray 22 about the post 14. Alternatively, the retaining device may
be a clamping device which more firmly fastens the tray 22 to the
post 14.
[0022] With a spring clip 32 as the retaining device, a vertical
support for the tray 22 is necessary to prevent the tray 22 from
sliding down and off the center post 14. With tripods 10 such as
the one shown in FIG. 1, the bottom of the base 26 rests on
stabilizing arms 18, the lower portion 14b of the center post 14
typically has an end cap which prevents the spring clip 32 from
sliding completely off the lower end of the center post 14. For
such an application, the relatively high load on the spring clip 32
requires a strong clip 32 and a strong fastener between the clip 32
and the straight portion 30.
[0023] To install the tray 22 on the lower portion 14b of the
center post 14, the tray 22 is manipulated into the space between
the legs 13 and above the stabilizing arms 18, then positioned
horizontally and pushed against the center post 14 so that the
spring clip 32 engages the center post 14. The process is reversed
to remove the tray 22 from the center post. The tray 22 is designed
so that the radius of the semicircular portion 28 is sufficiently
small to allow the spring clip 32 and the semicircular portion 28
to clear the center post 14 and legs 13, respectively, when the
tray 22 is horizontal on top of the stabilizing arms 18 before and
after installation on the center post 14.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, two trays 22 of the configurations
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be attached to the center post 14
opposite one another to form a tray 22 of generally circular
configuration. This is facilitated by vertically staggering the
spring clips 32 on the pair of trays 22 so that one clip 32 is
disposed above the other when both trays 22 are installed on the
center post 14.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5-10, another embodiment of the present
invention has a circular tray assembled around the lower portion
14b from first 40 and second 42 tray portions. The two portions 40,
42 are semicircular with an outer vertical wall like the tray 22 of
FIG. 3. The first 44 and second 46 straight portions of the tray
portions 40, 42 have recesses 48, 50 for receiving the center post
14. When the portions 40, 42 are joined, such as in FIGS. 6 and 8,
the straight portions 44, 46 abut each other. In the preferred
embodiment, the recesses 48, 50 provide clearance for the center
post 14 when the portions 40, 42 are joined. Such a configuration
is used when the tray portions 40, 42 are to be used with a tripod
10 having stabilizing arms 13 to support them. Alternatively, the
recesses 48, 50 may be designed to frictionally interface with the
center post 14 when the portions 40, 42 are joined. This may be
accomplished by several methods, such as closely controlling the
dimensions of the recesses 48, 50, applying a resilient friction
material to the recesses 48, 50, or providing resiliency in the
mechanisms for fastening the portions 40, 42 together.
[0026] The portions 40, 42 can be fastened together in ways which
will provide abutment between the two portions without providing
areas which will collect spilled materials, thus providing portions
which are easy to assemble, dissassemble, and clean.. For example,
conventional mechanical fasteners can be used through apertures in
the straight portions 44, 46 or other types of fasteners, such as
cam-locks and spring-loaded pins may be used. To avoid needing
separate fasteners, for example, a button and slot arrangement may
be used as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 whereby the first straight
portion 44 has buttons 52 extending out from it with shanks 54. The
straight portion 46 has associated slots 56 which receive the
shanks 54. The length of the shanks 54 corresponds with the
thickness of the straight section 46 so that the buttons 52 are
snugly secured against the inside of the straight portion 46 when
the portions 40, 42 are joined as shown in FIG. 6. If the recesses
48, 50 are to be tight against the center post 14, the shanks 54
may be made of resilient material to provide a clamping force, or
the inner face of the buttons 52 may have resilient material for
that purpose.
[0027] To avoid having slots or apertures in the second straight
portion 46 of the second tray portion 42, fastening devices may be
attached to the straight portions 44, 46 of the tray portions 40,
42. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, one such device may be a
magnet 58 which can be used if at least the second tray portion 42
is made of magnetic material. Preferably, magnets 58 are installed
into the first straight portion 44 flush with its outer surface,
thereby allowing the first 44 and second 46 straight portions to
abut each other as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, magnets 58 may
be attached, such as by bonding, to the straight first straight
portion 44 so that they may protrude from the outer surface of the
first straight portion 44. Magnets 58 may be used with trays made
of non-magnetic material, such as plastic, if pieces of magnetic
material are installed on or in the second straight portion 46 of
the second tray portion 42 to correspond with locations of the
magnets 58 in the first straight portion 44 of the first tray
portion 40. For plastic trays, such inserts and magnets may be
molded directly into the tray.
[0028] Hook and loop fastener material may also be used in a
similar fashion to fasten the first straight portion 44 to the
second straight portion 46. The hook portion of the material may be
attached to one of the straight portions 44, 46, and the loop
portion of the material may be attached to the other of the
straight portions 44, 46, such as by bonding or adhesive. With such
fastening material, straight portions 44, 46 would not abut each
other when the tray portions 40, 42 are joined.
[0029] Spring clips 60 may also be used to join the tray portions
40, 42, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Spring clips
60, resembling hair pins, are connected to the first straight
portion 44 of the first tray portion 40 and receive the second
straight portion 46 of the second tray portion 42. The spring clips
60 may be attached to the outside of the first straight portion 44
as illustrated in FIG. 9 such as by bonding, riveting, or tack
welding. Alternatively, spring clips 62 may be attached to the
inside of the first straight portion 44 and extend over the outside
of it as illustrated in FIG. 10. With this arrangement, the clips
62 need not be attached to the first straight portion 44, but
rather may be separate elements installed over both first 44 and
second 46 straight portions when first 40 and second 42 tray
portions are joined.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 11, if the trays are plastic, various
devices well known in the art of joining plastic parts can be used
to attach the first 40 and second 42 tray portions. One such
device, for example, provides conical slotted pins 64 extending
outward from the first straight portion 44 and corresponding
apertures 66 in the second straight portion 46. The conical
portions 68 of the slotted pins 64 pass through apertures 66 as the
pins 64 compress together and are retained on the inside of the
straight portion 46. The shape of the conical portions 68 can be
designed to facilitate optimal assembly and disassembly forces
required.
[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12b, trays of the present
invention can be manually pivoted about the center post 14. To
assure smooth movement during pivoting, the bottom of the base 26
preferably should be smooth and flat with no significant
protrusions to bump into the stabilizing arms 18. Likewise, the
joints between two mating tray portions 40, 42 should not have
structure that extends downward from the base 26 since that would
interfere with rotation.
[0032] The accessory tray of the present invention provides a
stable platform that removably attaches to the lower portion 14b of
the center post 14 of a camera tripod 10. The tray is sheltered by
the tripod legs 13 to minimize risk of items on the tray being
inadvertently knocked off. The tray may be manually pivoted about
the center post 14 to allow easy access to items on the tray from
any side of the tripod 10.
[0033] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in
detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of
illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of
limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be
limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *