Loading patent…
AssigneeNorth Rim Investment Group Ltd.
InventorChris A. Dunn
Estimating the term…
Unique securement devices, usable for example as tripod feet, each feature a bistable spring band encapsulated in an outer skin with a set of optionally magnetic embedments discretely spaced along the band, and a coupler at one end for attachment to a tripod leg or other component. Unique ball and socket joints employ both a snap fit and a secondary retention mechanism to reliably secure together various components, including said securement devices and tripod legs. One joint includes an externally convex and internally concave ball coupler for optional mating with either a larger socket coupler or smaller ball. One joint includes a stabilization sleeve for angularly locking the ball and socket joint. An elongated support, usable as a tripod leg for example, features threaded connection ports usable to either directly mount threaded third-party componentry, or to receive a threaded ball coupler by which socket-equipped componentry can be indirectly attached.
A securement device for coupling an item or assembly to a surface or object, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band, an outer skin encapsulating at least a substantial portion of the bi-stable spring band, and at least a first set of embedments at least partially encapsulated inside the outer skin with said bi-stable spring band, said first set of embedments residing at discrete locations along a length of said bi-stable spring band, wherein said bistable spring band has a length dimension measured along a longitudinal axis thereof, a lesser width dimension measured perpendicularly of said length dimension, and an even lesser thickness dimension measured perpendicularly of both said length dimension and said width dimension, and said bistable spring band is shape-stable in both a linear first state, in which opposing first and second sides of the bistable spring band have respective concave and convex shapes in the width dimension and the longitudinal axis of said bistable spring band spans linearly within a flat plane, and a coiled second state in which said longitudinal axis instead follows a spirally curved path about a transverse coil axis that lies perpendicularly of said longitudinal axis and parallel to said width dimension, and the bistable spring band is switchable from said linear first state into said coiled second state by depression of the convex shape of second side with sufficient force to snap the opposing concave side out of its concave shape, whereupon the bistable spring band self-winds into its coiled second state.
A securement device for coupling an item or assembly to a surface or object, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band, a plurality of securement elements connected thereto at discrete locations therealong on a same side thereof for use in securing the device to said surface or object, and a coupler connected to the bi-stable spring band to enable selective coupling of said securement device to the item or assembly via a mating coupler provided thereon, wherein said bistable spring band has a length dimension measured along a longitudinal axis thereof, a lesser width dimension measured perpendicularly of said length dimension, and an even lesser thickness dimension measured perpendicularly of both said length dimension and said width dimension, and said bistable spring band is shape-stable in both a linear first state, in which opposing first and second sides of the bistable spring band have respective concave and convex shapes in the width dimension and the longitudinal axis of said bistable spring band spans linearly within a flat plane, and a coiled second state in which said longitudinal axis instead follows a spirally curved path about a transverse coil axis that lies perpendicularly of said longitudinal axis and parallel to said width dimension, and the bistable spring band is switchable from said linear first state into said coiled second state by depression of the convex shape of second side with sufficient force to snap the opposing concave side out of its concave shape, whereupon the bistable spring band self-winds into its coiled second state.
A securement device for coupling an item or assembly to a surface or object, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band, an outer skin encapsulating at least a substantial portion of the bi-stable spring band, and a coupler situated adjacent a respective end of the bi-stable spring band and connected thereto to enable selective coupling of said securement device to the item or assembly via a mating coupler provided thereon, wherein said coupler is partially encapsulated by the outer skin, and said bistable spring band has a length dimension measured along a longitudinal axis thereof, a lesser width dimension measured perpendicularly of said length dimension, and an even less thickness dimension measured perpendicularly of both said length dimension and said width dimension, and said bistable spring band is shape-stable in both a linear first state in which opposing first and second sides of the bistable spring band have respective concave and convex shapes in the width dimension and the longitudinal axis of said bistable spring band spans linearly within a flat plane, and a coiled second state in which said longitudinal axis instead follows a spirally curved path about a transverse coil axis that lies perpendicularly of said longitudinal axis and parallel to said width dimension, and the bistable spring band is switchable from said linear first state into said coiled second state by depression of the convex shape of second side with sufficient force to snap the opposing concave side out of its concave shape, whereupon the bistable spring band self-winds into its coiled second state.
A camera or lighting support comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.