Tripod assembly

Claim 1

A tripod assembly comprising: joint means in the general configuration of a bell housing, with an open bottom and means defining a central opening through the top thereof, the inner wall thereof being provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting, equispaced, upwardly tapering surfaces having a predetermined configuration; nut means shaped to be accommodated within said joint means in nested, mating non-rotational relationship therewith, said nut means being provided with a plurality of equispaced, recessed surfaces thereabout, said recessed surfaces also having a predetermined configuration, said nut means having a central, threaded hole extending vertically therethrough; screw means insertable through said joint means opening and having a threaded outer surface mating with the threaded hole in said nut means; and a plurality of curved, supporting legs each having an upper end having an external configuration mating with the internal configuration of the inner tapered surfaces of said joint means and the recessed surfaces of said nut means, said surfaces thus defining chambers having substantial surface areas, whereupon insertion of said leg upper ends into their respective said chambers and threading of said screw means through said joint means opening, into said nut means, said nut means is caused to withdraw into said joint means and tightly embed said leg means ends within their respective said chambers, due to the substantial surface area, face to face contact of said chambers with said leg upper ends to thereby form a rigid, unitary tripod structure.