US3795378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-adjusting tripod
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-01-03
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A tripod whose platform can be adjusted to any desired level or angle in one operation with a minium of adjustment includes a sealed reservoir attached to the platform. A valve in the platform has an inlet coupled to the reservoir by a tube and a plurality of outlets. Each leg is pivotally attached to the platform and comprises a plurality of telescopic, hollow cylinders. Means are provided for coupling the interior of each leg to a corresponding outlet of the valve. The reservoir is filled with both a hydraulic fluid and a pneumatic fluid, under pressure. When the valve is open, the pneumatic fluid forces the hydraulic fluid through the tube, the valve, and the coupling means into each leg so as to exert an extending force thereon. The pneumatic fluid pressure is chosen so that extension can be regulated by manual pressure exerted on the platform. When a desired angle or position is reached, the valve is closed to lock the hydraulic fluid in each leg and thus maintain the platform in the desired angle or position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Clarke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:39
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/20; F16M11/24; F16M11/26; F16M11/32; F16M11/02; F16M11/16; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/04; F16M2200/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A self-adjusting tripod comprising a platform, a reservoir attached to said platform, said reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid and a pneumatic fluid, under pressure, a plurality of legs pivotally secured to said platform, each of said legs including a plurality of telescopic sections, at least one of said sections including means defining a cylinder and further including an adjacent section including means defining a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, said platform including valve means having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, one outlet for each of said legs, means providing communication between said valve inlet and said reservoir, and means providing communication between each of said valve outlets and the cylinder within each of said legs, said valve means including a manually-operated control means for providing simultaneous communicating paths between said valve inlet and said plurality of valve outlets, said valve comprising means defining a chamber in said platform which is in communication with said valve inlet, means defining a plurality of apertures in said platform which are in communication with said plurality of valve outlets, and wherein said means for providing simultaneous communicating paths comprises a member situated between said plurality of apertures therethrough, said member being rotatable to a position where said second plurality of apertures are in alignment with said plurality of apertures in said platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A self-adjusting tripod comprising a platform, a reservoir attached to said platform, said reservoir containing a hydraulic fluid and a pneumatic fluid, under pressure, a plurality of legs pivotally secured to said platform, each of said legs including a plurality of telescopic sections, at least one of said sections including means defining a cylinder and further including an adjacent section including means defining a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, said platform including valve means having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, one outlet for each of said legs, means providing communication between said valve inlet and said reservoir, and means providing communication between each of said valve outlets and the cylinder within each of said legs, said valve means including a manually-operated control means for providing simultaneous communicating paths between said valve inlet and said plurality of valve outlets, said valve comprising means defining a chamber in said platform which is in communication with said valve inlet, means defining a plurality of apertures in said platform which are in communication with said plurality of valve outlets, and wherein said means for providing simultaneous communicating paths comprises a member situated between said plurality of apertures therethrough, said member being rotatable to a position where said second plurality of apertures are in alignment with said plurality of apertures in said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
198 words
A self-adjusting support structure comprising: a platform, a plurality of leg means connected to said platform, at least one of said leg means having a first portion thereof associated with a cylinder means and a second portion therefof associated with a piston means, said piston means translatable in said cylinder means for reciprocally extending and retracting said second portion of said leg means relative to said first portion of said leg means, reservoir means connected to said platform defining a first reservoir portion containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, said reservoir means defining a second reservoir portion containing a pressurized pneumatic fluid, said second reservoir portion being in pressure communication with said first reservoir portion, and valve means defining at least one inlet in fluid commuNication with said first reservoir portion and at least one outlet in fluid communication with said cylinder means, said valve means selectively operable to place said first reservoir portion in fluid communication with said cylinder means whereupon said pressurized pneumatic fluid can exert sufficient fluid pressure upon said hydraulic fluid in said cylinder means to create a force upon said piston means tending to translate said piston means relative to said cylinder means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
198 words
A self-adjusting support structure comprising: a platform, a plurality of leg means connected to said platform, at least one of said leg means having a first portion thereof associated with a cylinder means and a second portion therefof associated with a piston means, said piston means translatable in said cylinder means for reciprocally extending and retracting said second portion of said leg means relative to said first portion of said leg means, reservoir means connected to said platform defining a first reservoir portion containing a supply of hydraulic fluid, said reservoir means defining a second reservoir portion containing a pressurized pneumatic fluid, said second reservoir portion being in pressure communication with said first reservoir portion, and valve means defining at least one inlet in fluid commuNication with said first reservoir portion and at least one outlet in fluid communication with said cylinder means, said valve means selectively operable to place said first reservoir portion in fluid communication with said cylinder means whereupon said pressurized pneumatic fluid can exert sufficient fluid pressure upon said hydraulic fluid in said cylinder means to create a force upon said piston means tending to translate said piston means relative to said cylinder means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said leg means have a cylinder means and a piston means, said valve means having an outlet in fluid communication with each of said cylinder means and wherein said valve means includes a manually-operated control means, and means responsive to said manually-operated control means for providing simultaneous communicating paths between said inlet and said outlets, and means for introducing a pressurized pneumatic fluid into said reservoir means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein each of said leg means comprises a hollow, elongated tube defining said cylinder means, and a second, adjacent section therein comprises a cylindrical elongated member slidable in said tube which has an enlarged portion at one end thereof forming said piston means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein said reservoir means contains a pneumatic fluid which comprises compressed air and a hydraulic fluid which comprises a mixture of alcohol and water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |