# US 8,740,160 B2 · Mounting apparatus using ball and socket joints with gripping features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,160 B2 - Document ID: US8740160B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/006,434 - Filed: 2011-01-14 - Published: 2011-05-12 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-03 - Assignees: Daymen US, Inc. - Applicants: Joeben Bevirt - Inventors: Joeben Bevirt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740160B2 ## CPC - F16M 11/40: by means of coilable or bendable legs {or spiral shaped legs} - F16C 11/0661: {the two co-operative parts each having both convex and concave interfaces} - F16M 11/14: with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 {; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30}) - F16M 11/16: Details concerning attachment of head-supporting legs, with or without actuation of locking members thereof - F16M 11/2078: {with ball-joint (ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06)} - F16M 13/00: Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} - F16M 13/022: {repositionable} - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus} - Y10T 403/32008: Plural distinct articulation axes - Y10T 403/32032: Plural ball and socket - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tripod suitable for supporting a camera, the tripod comprising: three flexible legs, each of said flexible legs having sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object, each of said legs having a first end attached to the body of the tripod; a body having a central axis and three sockets, said body comprising a first plurality of movably interconnected pieces movably interconnected to allow movement of a clip support, each of said three sockets having an associated opening and being arranged to pivotally receive an associated leg, wherein the socket openings are flared relative to the central axis such that they do not face in the same direction, to thereby facilitate a greater range of motion in their associated legs in a direction away from the central axis than would be possible if the openings all faced in the same direction; and a clip support carried by the body, wherein said clip support is attached to one of the pieces of said first plurality of movably interconnected pieces, the clip support having a releasable latch, wherein the clip support is suitable for releasably receiving a clip member to facilitate attaching or releasing the clip member to the tripod. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tripod of claim 1 wherein said clip support is integral to one of the pieces of said first plurality of movably interconnected pieces. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A tripod as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said three flexible legs is composed of a multiplicity of connector pieces that join together in ball and socket joints that permit pivotable movement between connecting ball and socket components to together provide each leg with sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object, and wherein each of said legs has a ball feature on said first end interconnected with an associated socket of said body of said tripod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A tripod as recited in claim 3, wherein each ball and socket joint in the legs has a socket member portion having a maximum diameter, and a socket opening that receives an associated ball member, each ball and socket joint further comprising a gripping member formed on an exterior surface of the associated socket member portion, the gripping member being formed from a different material than the associated socket member portion and having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the associated socket member portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A tripod as recited in claim 1, wherein said clip support further comprises a base, a floor carried by the base, and flanges that define slots that extend above the floor and splay apart towards a clip receiving opening, and wherein said releasable latch is pivotably secured to the base and includes a tab. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A tripod as recited in claim 5, wherein the releasable latch further includes a spring loaded lever that includes the tab and a push button, and wherein the releasable latch is arranged such that the tab protrudes through the floor sufficiently to be capable of engaging a clip in a latched position and such that the tab does not substantially protrude through the floor in an unlatched position. ### Claim 7 A tripod suitable for supporting a camera, the tripod comprising: three flexible legs that have sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object, wherein each of said three flexible legs is composed of a multiplicity of connector pieces that join together in ball and socket joints that permit pivotable movement between connecting ball and socket components to together provide each leg with sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object, and wherein each ball and socket joint in the legs has a socket member portion having a maximum diameter, and a socket opening that receives an associated ball member, each ball and socket joint further comprising a gripping member formed on an exterior surface of the associated socket member portion, the gripping member being formed from a different material than the associated socket member portion and having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the associated socket member portion; a body having three ports and having a first plurality of movably interconnected pieces movably interconnected to allow movement of a clip support, each port being arranged to receive an associated leg; and a clip support carried by the body, wherein said clip support is attached to one of the pieces of said first plurality of movably interconnected pieces, the clip support having a releasable latch, wherein the clip support is suitable for releasably receiving a clip member to facilitate attaching or releasing the clip member to the tripod. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The tripod of claim 7 wherein said clip support is integral to one of the pieces of said first plurality of movable interconnected pieces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A tripod as recited in claim 7, wherein said clip support further comprises a base, a floor carried by the base, and flanges that define slots that extend above the floor and splay apart towards a clip receiving opening, and wherein said releasable latch is pivotably secured to the base and includes a tab. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A tripod as recited in claim 9, wherein the releasable latch further includes a spring loaded lever that includes the tab and a push button, and wherein the releasable latch is arranged such that the tab protrudes through the floor sufficiently to be capable of engaging a clip in a latched position and such that the tab does not substantially protrude through the floor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The tripod of claim 7, wherein said releasable latch is adapted to release a clip from said clip support by manipulating a release portion. ### Claim 12 A tripod suitable for supporting a camera, the tripod comprising: three flexible legs that have sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object, said legs comprising a plurality of interconnected pieces, said legs comprising a plurality of gripping members formed on one or more exterior surfaces of said legs, the gripping members being formed from a different material than the associated interconnected pieces and having a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the associated socket member portion; a body having three ports and having a first plurality of movably interconnected pieces movably interconnected to allow movement of a clip support, each port being arranged to receive an associated leg; and a clip support carried by the body, wherein said clip support is attached to one of the pieces of said first plurality of movably interconnected pieces, the clip support having a releasable latch, wherein the clip support is suitable for releasably receiving a clip member to facilitate attaching or releasing the clip member to the tripod. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tripod of claim 12 wherein said clip support is integral to one of the pieces of said first plurality of movable interconnected pieces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A tripod as recited in claim 12, wherein said clip support further comprises a base, a floor carried by the base, and flanges that define slots that extend above the floor and splay apart towards a clip receiving opening, and wherein said releasable latch is pivotably secured to the base and includes a tab. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A tripod as recited in claim 14, wherein the releasable latch further includes a spring loaded lever that includes the tab and a push button, and wherein the releasable latch is arranged such that the tab protrudes through the floor sufficiently to be capable of engaging a clip in a latched position and such that the tab does not substantially protrude through the floor.