# US 2021/0278031 A1 · Tripod for video-photographic equipment which can be converted into a monopod > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0278031 A1 - Document ID: US20210278031A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/256,771 - Filed: 2019-06-20 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-02 - Assignees: Vitec Imaging Solutions S.P.A. - Applicants: Vitec Imaging Solutions S.P.A. - Inventors: Paolo SPEGGIORIN; Marco FRASSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210278031A1 ## CPC - F16M 11/32: Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs - F16M 11/046: {adapted to upward-downward translation movement} - F16M 11/34: Members limiting spreading of legs {, e.g. "umbrella legs"} - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - F16M 2200/022: by friction - F16M 2200/027: by friction - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - 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 tripod for video-photographic equipment comprises: —a plurality of legs (3) which are articulated to a cross-piece (2), in which at least one of the legs is a removable leg (30) which is connected to the cross-piece in a separable manner; —a column (5) which is provided with an attachment element (6) of a video-photographic equipment item and which is engaged with the ability to slide in the cross-piece (2) and which is separable from the cross-piece; —an end element (10) which is provided on the column (5) at the axially opposite side to the attachment element (6). The end element (10) comprises a first connection device (13) in order to removably fix the end element to the removable leg (30) so as to form a monopod (100) by connecting, by means of the end element (10), the removable leg (30) and the column (5) to each other when they are separated from the cross-piece. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tripod for video-photographic equipment comprising: a plurality of legs (3) which are articulated to a cross-piece (2), in which at least one of the legs is a removable leg (30) which is connected to the cross-piece in a separable manner in a region of a first end (3a) thereof; a column (5) which is provided at a first end (5a) thereof with an attachment element (6) of a video-photographic equipment, the column being removably engaged in a sliding manner inside a seat (4) which is formed in the cross-piece (2) and being separable from the cross-piece; an end element (10) which is separate from the column and which is connected to a second end (5b) of the column (5) at the axially opposite side to the attachment element (6); the end element (10) comprises a first connection device (13) in order to removably fix the end element to the removable leg (30) in the region of the first end (3a) of the removable leg (30) so as to form a monopod (100) by connecting, by means of the end element (10), the removable leg (30) to the column (5) when both are separated from the cross-piece. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tripod according to claim 1, wherein the end element (10) has a greater cross-section than the cross-section of the seat (4), in which the column is slidingly engaged, so as to prevent accidental removal of the column (5) from the cross-piece (2). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tripod according to claim 1, wherein the end element (10) comprises a second connection device (15) which is separate from the first connection device (13) and which is provided to removably fix the end element (10) to the second end (5b) of the column (5). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tripod according to claim 1, wherein the first connection device comprises a thread (13) which is formed on the end element and which is capable of engagement in a corresponding thread (14) which is formed on the first end (3a) of the removable leg (30). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tripod according to claim 1, wherein the cross-piece (2) comprises a sleeve (20) which is provided to receive an insertion portion (31) of the removable leg (30), and a locking mechanism (21) which is provided to lock and unlock the sliding of the insertion portion (31) in the sleeve (20). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tripod according to claim 5, further comprising respective positioning elements (24, 37) in the sleeve (20) and in the insertion portion (31) in order to allow the insertion portion (31) to be received in the sleeve (20) in a predefined angular position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tripod according to claim 6, wherein the positioning elements comprise a radially jutting out projection (24) which is formed in one of the sleeve (20) and the insertion portion (31) and a seat (37) which is formed in the other of the sleeve and the insertion portion and which is capable of engaging with the projection. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The tripod according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism (21) comprises a radially contractile collar (22) which is supported on the sleeve (20) and which is capable of being tightened around the insertion portion (31) in order to lock the sliding of the insertion portion (31) with respect to the sleeve (20). ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The tripod according to claim 5, further comprising a fall prevention element (36) on the insertion portion (31) which prevents sudden detachment of the removable leg (30) from the cross-piece (2) when the locking mechanism (21) is unlocked. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tripod according to claim 9, wherein the fall prevention element comprises a relief (36) which is formed on the insertion portion (31) in a position between the collar (22) and the first end (3a) of the removable leg (30), the relief abutting against the collar (22) when it is loosened to release the insertion portion (31).