# US 10,309,581 B2 · Multipod with variable independently angularly articulating lockable legs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,581 B2 - Document ID: US10309581B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/523,281 - Filed: 2015-10-05 - Published: 2017-12-28 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-29 - Assignees: Deep Blue Design, LLC - Applicants: Deep Blue Design, LLC - Inventors: Stephen N. Underwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309581B2 ## CPC - F16M 11/32: Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs - F16B 7/105: {locking in discrete positions, e.g. in extreme extended position} - F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus} - F16M 11/08: around a vertical axis {, e.g. panoramic heads (F16M11/12 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/16: Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof - F16M 11/245: {Members limiting spreading of legs, e.g. "umbrella legs" (for supports with three or more telescoping legs F16M11/34)} - F16M 11/28: Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar - F16M 11/36: Members preventing slipping of the feet - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - F16M 2200/024: by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections - F16M 2200/028: by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A multipod apparatus and a monopod tip apparatus are described. The multipod apparatus includes a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs formed as a leg assembly wherein each leg assembly includes an upper leg section and a lower leg section, a base coupled to the upper leg sections of the plurality of legs and including a leg lock plate and a securing mechanism engaged with the leg lock plate of the base and configured to apply pressure to the leg lock plate so as to secure each of the plurality of legs at a desirable angle. The monopod tip apparatus includes a monopod tip including a cap section and a base section and a concealable stud, wherein the cap section includes a tip cap hingedly connected to a cap body and arranged to conceal the concealable stud therein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for supporting a component, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs formed as a leg assembly wherein each leg assembly includes an upper leg section and a lower leg section; b. a base coupled to the upper leg sections of the plurality of legs and including a leg lock plate; and c. a securing mechanism engaged with the leg lock plate of the base and configured to apply pressure to the leg lock plate so as to secure each of the plurality of legs at a desirable angle, wherein the leg lock plate engages the upper leg with interlocking gear teeth. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism is engaged with the leg lock plate through a rotatable shaft and wherein the securing mechanism is a threaded knob coupled to the rotatable shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising for each lower leg section of each leg assembly a spoon foot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each spoon foot is coupled to the lower leg with a spoon foot pivot assembly that is configured to allow the spoon foot to be pivoted to various angles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a pivot stake coupled to each spoon foot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the pivot stake is a triangular spike with an elongated teardrop slot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 the pivot stake is a triangular spike with an elongated teardrop slot and a plurality of retaining ports. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the plurality of retaining ports includes one or more threaded ports and one or more unthreaded ports. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for supporting a component, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs formed as a leg assembly wherein each leg assembly includes an upper leg section and a lower leg section; b. a base coupled to the upper leg sections of the plurality of legs and including a leg lock plate; and c. a securing mechanism engaged with the leg lock plate of the base and configured to apply pressure to the leg lock plate so as to secure each of the plurality of legs at a desirable angle, wherein the base is a clamshell base formed of a top clamshell base and a bottom clamshell base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the clamshell base forms a pivotable receptacle for each of the plurality of legs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the upper leg section of each of the plurality of legs terminates in an axle configuration that is pivotable within the clamshell base. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for supporting a component, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of legs, each of the plurality of legs formed as a leg assembly wherein each leg assembly includes an upper leg section and a lower leg section; b. a base coupled to the upper leg sections of the plurality of legs and including a leg lock plate; and c. a securing mechanism engaged with the leg lock plate of the base and configured to apply pressure to the leg lock plate so as to secure each of the plurality of legs at a desirable angle, wherein each of the leg assemblies further includes an upper leg washboard track, a leg length adjuster collar, a length adjuster tab, a leg length adjuster pin and a leg length adjuster spring. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of the upper leg washboard tracks includes a plurality of depressions and wherein the leg assemblies are operated by depressing the tab to disengage the tab from the upper leg washboard track allowing for lower leg length adjustment and releasing the tab into a selectable one of the washboard track depression to secure the leg in a chosen position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the upper leg washboard track may be formed by any of a series of detents, raised ridges or protrusions.