Extensible leg structure for tripod or the like

Claim 2

In a portable standard: a. a central column or hub; b. a plurality of leg members each having one end connected to the column or hub and having the other end adapted to contact the floor; c. a companion leg extension member for each of the leg members, one of the companion members being in the form of a bar having flanges extending substantially at right angles with respect to each other, and the other of said companion members being in the form of a bar of substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration mounted to abut one of said flanges at the angular limits of movement of said leg extension member; d. a pin and slot connection between each leg extension member and its corresponding leg member; e. the pin part of said connection mounting said leg extension member for angular movement between a retracted position in which said leg member and leg extension member are in juxtaposed relationship and a projected position in which said leg extension member extends beyond said leg member; f. each slot having a surface forming a wedge releasable fitting between the corresponding pin and flange for holding the respective extension member tightly against the corresponding flange only when in the retracted position; g. the slot part of said connection mounting said leg extension member for relative sliding movement both at retracted and projected positions and between limits at one of which said leg extension is free to move angularly between its angular limits and at another of which said leg extension member is not allowed to move; h. said leg extension members having floor contacting ends remote from the corresponding pin and slot connections.

Claim 3

The portable standard as set forth in claim 1 together with friction means associated with the pin parts of said connections for restraining relative angular and longitudinal movement of said members.

Claim 4

In a portable standard: a. a central column or hub; b. a plurality of legs each having one end connected to the column or hub and having the other end adapted to contact the floor in a small diameter circle; said legs each having an angular cross section and comprising a pair of flanges extending substantially at right angles with respect to each other with one of the flanges extending substantially in a vertical plane and the other of the flanges extending along the top or at least in spaced relationship to the bottom of the said one of said flanges; c. a leg extension for each of the legs and comprising a bar of substantially rectangular cross section, one end of said leg extension being rounded off; said leg extension having adjacent said one end a slot extending at a slight incline to the edge of said bar; d. a pin carried on the vertical flange of each of said legs and extending in the slot of the corresponding leg extension; e. the distance from one end of said slot to said rounded off end being less than the distance between said pin and said other flange so that each leg extension is movable from a retracted position in which a first elongated edge of said leg extension abuts the under surface of said other flange to a projected position in which the second elgate edge of said leg extension abuts the under surface of said other flange, all upon longitudinal positioning of the leg extension in one direction in which said pin is at said one end of said slot; f. said slot being inclined away from said bar first longitudinal edge to provide a wedging action eliminating rattling of said leg extension when in said retracted position, the maximum distance of said slot from said bar second longitudinal edge being less than the distance between said pin and said other flange so that said pin seats against the other end of said slot when said leg extension is in said projected position.

Claim 5

In a portable standard: a. a central column or hub; b. a plurality of legs each having one end connected to the column or hub and having the other end adapted to contact the floor in a small diameter circle; said legs each having an angular cross section and comprising a pair of flanges extending substantially at right angles with respect to each other with one of the flanges extending substantially in a vertical plane and the other of the flanges extending along the top or at least in spaced relationship to the bottom of the said one of said flanges; c. a leg extension for each of the legs and comprising a bar of substantially rectangular cross section, one end of said leg extension being rounded off; said leg extension having adjacent said one end a slot extending at a slight incline to the edge of said bar; d. a pin carried on the vertical flange of each of said legs and extending in the slot of the corresponding leg extension; e. the distance from one end of said slot to said rounded off end being less than the distance between said pin and said other flange so that each leg extension is movable from a retracted position in which a first elongated edge of said leg extension abuts the under surface of said other flange to a projected position in which the second elgate edge of said leg extension abuts the under surface of said other flange, all upon longitudinal positioning of the leg extension in one direction in which said pin is at said one end of said slot; f. said slot being inclined away from said bar first longitudinal edge to provide a wedging action eliminating rattling of said leg extension when in said retracted position, the maximum distance of said slot from said bar second longitudinal edge being less than the distance between said pin and said other flange so that said pin seats against the other end of said slot when said leg extension is in said projected position.

Claim 6

The portable standard as set forth in claim 3 together with friction means for restraining longitudinal movement of said leg extensions, comprising a spring surrounding each of said pins and urging the leg extension against the vertical flange of the corresponding leg.