Supports and securements for cameras, lighting and other equipment, and novel couplers and accessories for same

A snap fit ball and socket joint comprising:

• a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exterior surface;
• a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket therein that is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of the ball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned to provide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is inserted into the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation of the couplers from one another;
• and
• a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplers when the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providing supplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from one another;
• wherein:
• the secondary retention mechanism comprises a male insertion member carried on a first one of the couplers and a female receiver located on a second one of the couplers into which the male insertion member is insertable to accomplish the engaged state of the secondary retention mechanism;
• and
• the male insertion member comprises an elongated element projecting from said first one of the couplers and at least one enlargement carried on said elongated element, and the female receiver comprises an opening in the second of the couplers that is sufficiently sized to accept insertion of the at least one enlargement through said opening.

A snap fit ball and socket joint comprising:

• a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exterior surface;
• a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket therein that is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of the ball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned to provide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is inserted into the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation of the couplers from one another;
• and
• a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplers when the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providing supplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from one another;
• wherein:
• the secondary retention mechanism comprises a male insertion member carried on a first one of the couplers and a female receiver located on a second one of the couplers into which the male insertion member is insertable to accomplish the engaged state of the secondary retention mechanism;
• and
• the female receiver further comprises a latching mechanism movable between a closed position blocking withdrawal of the male insertion member from the female receiver, and an open position allowing withdrawal of the male insertion member from the female receiver.

A snap fit ball and socket joint comprising:

• a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exterior surface;
• a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket therein that is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of the ball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned to provide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is inserted into the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation of the couplers from one another;
• and
• a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplers when the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providing supplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from one another;
• wherein a first one of either the ball coupler or the socket coupler is provided on a tripod leg a second one of either the socket coupler or the ball coupler is provided on a tripod yoke to which said tripod leg is connected or connectable by said snap fit ball and socket joint.

A snap fit ball and socket joint comprising:

• a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exterior surface;
• a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket therein that is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of the ball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned to provide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is inserted into the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation of the couplers from one another;
• and
• a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplers when the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providing supplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from one another;
• wherein a first one of either the ball coupler or the socket is provided on a tripod leg a second one of either the socket coupler or the ball coupler is provided on a tripod foot connected or connectable to said tripod leg by said snap fit ball and socket joint.

A snap fit ball and socket joint comprising:

• a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exterior surface;
• a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket therein that is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of the ball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned to provide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is inserted into the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation of the couplers from one another;
• and
• a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplers when the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providing supplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from one another;
• wherein a first one of either the ball coupler or the socket is provided on a tripod center column or monopod, and a second one of either the socket coupler or the ball coupler is provided on a base plate that is connected or connectable to said center column or monopod by said snap fit ball and socket joint to create a ball head mount atop said center column or monopod.

A snap fit ball and socket joint comprising:

• a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exterior surface;
• a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket therein that is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of the ball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned to provide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is inserted into the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation of the couplers from one another;
• and
• a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplers when the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providing supplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from one another;
• wherein a first one of either the ball coupler or the socket is provided on a selfie-stick, and a second one of either the ball coupler or the socket is provided on an accompanying smartphone holder, whereby the smartphone holder is connected or connectable to said selfie-stick by said snap fit ball and socket joint.