Really Right Stuff, LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc. et al

Filing 1

Complaint. Filing fee in the amount of $400 collected. Agency Tracking ID: 0979-4386340 Jury Trial Requested: Yes. Included patents/trademarks: 6,773,172--8/10/2004--Real Right Stuff, LLC, 8,398,037--3/19/2013--Real Right Stuff, LLC, 9,063,397--6/23/2015--Real Right Stuff, LLC. Filed by Real Right Stuff, LLC against All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Proposed Summons Amazon.com, Inc., # 6 Proposed Summons B&H Foto, # 7 Proposed Summons Desmond Photographic, # 8 Proposed Summons Simmonds). (Pitchford, Susan)

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1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US008398037B2

United States Patent

(10)

Johnson et al.

(12)

(45)

(54)

EQUIPMENT SUPPORT

(58)

(76)

Inventors: Joseph M. Johnson, San Luis Obispo,
CA (US); Matthew L. Burk, San Luis
Obispo, CA (US)

Patent No.:
Date of Patent:

(56)

( *)

Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 85 days.

(21)

Appl. No.: 13/032,149

(22)

Filed:

(65)

Feb. 22, 2011

Oct. 27, 2011

Related U.S. Application Data

(60)

Provisional application No. 611343,114, filed on Apr.
23,2010.

(51)

Int. Cl.
F16M 11/00
(2006.01)
U.S. Cl. ................... 248/163.2; 2481168; 2481177.1

(52)

Mar. 19,2013

Field of Classification Search .................. 2481168,
2481163.1,163.2,166,167,177.1,176.3,
2481188.8
See application file for complete search history.
References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
911,508
2004/0129843
2006/0175848
200910250567
201110031358

A
Al
Al
Al
Al

*
*
*
*
*

2/1909
7/2004
8/2006
1012009
212011

Look ............................. 248/167
Pernstich et al. .......... 248/163.1
Akad ............................ 293/133
Raynaud ....................... 248/168
Fischer ......................... 248/168

* cited by examiner

Prior Publication Data

US 201110260016 Al

US 8,398,037 B2

Primary Examiner - Ramon Ramirez
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Chernoff
McClung & Stenzel, LLP

(57)
ABSTRACT
A support having a plurality of elongate hollow leg members,
each of which is at least partially supporting an apex selectively, detachably mountable to equipment. At least one leg
member has a circumferential wall of a thickness along a
major portion of its length no more than approximately 0.04
inches.
28 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets

12

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1
EQUIPMENT SUPPORT

2

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view if the apex of the tripod of
FIG. 1.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
FIG. 3A shows a view of the upper portion of an exemplary
APPLICATIONS
leg attached to the apex of the tripod of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3B shows a top view of the upper portion of the leg of
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provo App. No.
FIG. 3A, removed from the apex of the tripod of FIG. 1.
611343,114, filed Apr. 23, 2010.
FIG. 3C shows a vertical section of upper portion of the leg
of FIG. 3A.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 4A shows an attachment mechanism for securing a
The present invention relates to a portable support appara- 10 platform to the apex of the tripod of FIG. 1.
tus for equipment, such as a tripod or monopod.
FIG. 4B shows a sectional view of the attachment mechaEquipment support apparatus has been used for many
nism shown in FIG. 4A.
years. Typically, equipment support apparatus includes an
FI G. SA shows an enlarged top view of an angle stop for the
elevated mounting surface, upon which equipment may be
tripod of FIG. 1.
secured, such as a camera, telescope, musical equipment, 15
FIG. 5B shows an enlarged side view of an angle stop for
surveying equipment, anteuna, etc. The elevated mounting
the tripod of FIG. 1.
surface is supported by a plurality oflegs, which in the case of
FI G. 6A shows an insert resting in the pocket shown in FI G.
a tripod is typically three. Other numbers oflegs may likewise
3B.
be used, such as a single leg monopod, two legs or four or
FIG. 6B shows a sectional view of the insert shown in FIG.
20
more legs.
6A.
Equipment support apparatus, such as tripods, are designed
FIG. 6C shows a top view of a detached leg of the tripod of
to provide some optimal balance between a set of features.
FIG. 1, with an assembled insert resting in the pocket of the
For example, one feature of a tripod is stability, as it is often
desirable to insure that shaking or other movement of equipleg.
ment supported by the tripod is minimized so that, for 25
FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a platform supported
by the apex of the tripod of FIG. 1.
example, blur does not occur in an image taken by a camera
FIG. 7B shows a swivel hook mounted to the platform of
supported on the tripod. Tripods are often used portably,
hence, it is often desired to minimize the weight and/or
FIG.7A.
dimensions of the tripod so that it may be carried over great
FIG. 8 shows an exemplary foot for the legs of the tripod of
distances. Unfortunately, these stability and weight consider- 30 FIG. 1.
ations are often in conflict, i.e. a heavier tripod will provide a
FIG. 9 illustrates a leveling panning base.
high degree of stability but will be more burdensome to carry.
FIG. lOA illustrates a plan view of a video bowl.
FIG. lOB illustrates a perspective view of the video bowl of
Many existing tripods are both vertically collapsible with
FIG. lOA.
radially extendible legs. For example, a tripod may have three
leg assemblies, with each leg assembly pivotally counected to 35
FIG. 11A illustrates a first prospective view of a quick
colunm.
an elevated equipment support so that each leg may be pivoted
FIG. 11B illustrates a second prospective view of the quick
outwards when in use, and inwards when not in use. Also,
each leg assembly may have multiple elements that seleccolunm of FIG. 11A.
tively slide axially relative to each other. For example, a
FIG. 12 illustrates a stomping spike.
multi-stage tripod may have first, second, and third segments 40
FIG. 13 illustrates a rock claw.
FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary ratcheting mechanism.
for each leg. To adjust the height of the tripod, the first and
FIG. 15 is a second illustration of the exemplary ratcheting
second leg segments are slidably movable relative to each
other and the second and third leg segments are also slidably
mechanism of FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a third illustration of the exemplary ratcheting
movable relative to each other. Each pair of legs may be
selectively locked and unlocked at different positions. Tri- 45 mechanism of FIG. 14.
pods also may include an adjustable central colunm to change
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
the height at which equipment is supported by the tripod at a
EMBODIMENT
fixed extension of the tripod legs.
A multi-stage tripod is relatively lightweight and stable,
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary tripod 10. Though features are
with the caveat that the tripod's height and/or footprint are 50
discussed in reference to the depicted tripod, it should be
sacrificed for stability rather than weight. For example, by
understood that the features may be implemented in an equipfully pivoting the tripods legs outward, and/or only partially
ment support having any number oflegs.
extending the colunm, the stability of the tripod is improved
The tripod 10 may include a platform 12 for detachably
at the expense of height.
In view of the foregoing discussion, what is desired is an 55 securing equipment to the tripod lOusing a set screw or other
attachment mechanism. The tripod 10 may include a plurality
improved tripod portable support apparatus for equipment.
oflegs 14 to support the platform 12 at an elevated position.
The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advanThe platform 12 may be detachably mounted within an apex
tages of the invention will be more readily understood upon
18 of the tripod, which may be a ring into which the platform
consideration of the following detailed description of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw- 60 12 may be secured. Each of the legs 14 may include a plurality
of telescoping leg sections that nest together in a retracted
ings.
position by releasing an appropriate locking mechanism 16.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
Although the platform 12 is shown as having a fixed vertical
position with respect to the apex 18, it is understood that the
VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
65 platform 12 may be supported by a vertically-extensible colunm slidably engaged with the apex 18. The platform 12 may
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tripod that includes
include a spirit level 20 (see FIG. 2).
features disclosed in this specification.

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4

Referring also to FIG. 2, each of the legs 14 preferably
pivots about a respective axis 22 proximate the apex 18.
Through a selective choice of respective angles between each
of the legs 14 and the apex 18, along with a desired telescoped
length of each respective leg, equipment attached to the tripod
10 may be supported on a wide variety of terrain.
As previously noted, two competing characteristics of a
tripod are stability and portability. Heavier tripods typically
having large legs and footprints which can be extremely
stable even while fully extended and supporting heavy equipment above the apex. Unfortunately, heavy tripods tend to be
bulky and burdensome to carry to different locations. A desirable tripod 10 achieves high stability, relative to its weight,
and is also able to collapse to a very portable size.
Each of the legs 14 is preferably formed of carbon-fiber
material selected for its light weight and high strength. The
tripod legs 14 may include a plurality of hollow, nested telescoping sections, for examples, leg sections 14A, 14B, 14C
and 14D, where the largest section of each leg, into which the
other leg sections selectively retract, is preferably less than
approximately 3132 inches thick 15 along a major portion of its
length, more preferably less than approximately 0.08 inches
thick along a major portion of its length, and even more
preferably less than approximately 0.04 inches thick along a
major portion of its length. The term "approximately" in this
context means within a range of plus and/or minus 10%.
Although conventional wisdom would suggest that such a
thin wall thickness 15 would detract from the strength of the
respective legs, and hence hamper the ability of the tripod 10
to support large weights in a stable manner, the tripod 10
overcomes such a limitation by having legs of a relatively
large diameter 17. For example, the largest section of the legs
14, into which the other leg sections selectively retract, may
preferably be approximately 1.5 inches or greater along a
major portion of its length.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the tripod 10 preferably
includes legs 14 that pivot about the axis 22 off-center from a
longitudinal centerline of the respective legs 14. This offcenter pivot axis serves two principal functions. First, the
off-center pivot axis 22 for the respective legs allows the legs
to pivot inwardly to occupy a smaller circumference when
collapsed and carried, than the tripod 10 would occupy with a
pivot axis 22 centered with the respective leg. Furthermore,
the off-center pivot axis enhances the stability of the tripod 10
when extended and used. Preferably the pivot axis 22 is offset
from the centerline of a respectively associated leg 14 by
approximately one tenth the diameter of the leg 14 or more.
More preferably the pivot axis 22 is offset from the centerline
of a respectively associated leg 14 by approximately one
eighth the diameter of the leg 14 or more. Even more preferably, the pivot axis 22 is offset from the centerline of a
respectively associated leg 14 by approximately one sixth the
diameter of the leg 14 or more.
This off-center pivot is further explained in referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3C. The tripod 10 preferably includes graduated
ratcheting surfaces 24, 26, and 28, along with a retractable
angle stop 30. In operation, the pivot angle of the legs may be
adjusted so that the angle stop 30 rests against a desired one of
the ratcheting surfaces 24, 26, or 28, which then prevent the
weight of the attached equipment from further pivoting the
legs. The angle stop 30 transfers loading forces from the apex
18 to the legs 14. If the angle stop 30 of the tripod, particularly
when positioned on the upper ratcheting surface 28, is not
aligned with the wall of the leg to which it is associated, then
the transmitted load by the equipment creates large bending
moments on the legs 14. With an off-center pivot axis 22, the
tripod 10 aligns the loading forces with the walls of the legs 14

throughout the range of movement of each leg as it pivots
about the axis 22. To further align the loading forces with the
legs, each of the legs 14 of the tripod 10 may have, at the end
proximate the angle stop, an outwardly-bulging support surface 32 to fully support the angle stop 30.
Tripods are often carried from one location to another with
the equipment, e.g. a camera, still attached. In this situation,
it is sometimes the base of the platform 12, and hence the
equipment, that is not securely attached to apex 18 causing
the equipment to detach and fall to the ground. This can be
disastrous if the equipment is expensive. To reduce the likelihood of such a disastrous event, the tripod 10 may include a
visual warning system 40, illustrated in FIGS. 4Aand4B, that
indicates to a user when the platform 12 is not securely
fastened to the apex 18. Both the apex 18 and the platform 12
may include respective channels 42 and 44 that align with
each other when the platform 12 rests in the apex 18. A
ring-shaped spring 46 is pre-compressed into the channel 42
of the apex 18, preferably extending over a major portion of
the circumference of the apex 18, e.g. approximately 270
degrees or greater. One or more threaded slots 48 are formed
in the apex 18, perpendicular to and intersecting the groove
42, so that respective warning members 50 may be inserted
into the respective threaded slots 48.
When it is desired to secure the platform 12 to the apex 18,
each of the warning members 50 may be rotated in their
respective slots in a direction that pushes the spring 46 inward
to engage with the groove 44 of the platform 12, preventing its
separation from the apex 18. When it is desired to release the
platform 12 from the apex 18, each of the warning members
50 may be rotated in their respective slots in an opposite
direction to allow the spring 46 to move outward to disengage
from the groove 44 of the platform 12, allowing its separation
from the apex 18. Preferably, the warning members 50
include an outer surface 52 that is flush with the surface 54 of
the apex 18 when the platform 12 is fully locked into the apex
18. In this manner, a user can be quickly visually warned
when the platform is not securely engaged because the warning members 50 will be extended radially-outward from the
outer surface 54 of the apex 18.
Preferably, the tripod 10 includes several warning members 50 spaced apart around the circumference of the apex 18
so that a user may be warned that a platform is not securely
attached when the tripod when viewed from multiple angles.
For example, the tripod 10 may include three warning members 50 spaced around the circumference of the tripod 10.
Referring to FIGS. 2, SA, 5B, 6A, and 6B, the tripod 10
may include a ratcheting mechanism for quickly locking the
leg 14 into a desired position. As noted previously, an angle
stop 30 prevents legs from pivoting under the weight of a load
whenever the angle stop 30 bears against any of the ratcheting
surfaces 24,26, and 28, as shown in FIG. 2. The legs 14 of the
tripod 10 can be quickly snapped against a desired one of the
surfaces 24, 26, and 28. The angle stop 30 preferably includes
a pin 60 around which is positioned an engagement spring 62.
The engagement spring 62 may slidably engage with a curved
channel 68 of an insert member 66 positioned in a pocket 34
of a respective leg 14, as shown in FIG. 6C. The curved
channel 68 is shaped, and the insert member 66 is sized within
the pocket 34, so that the spring 62 is never fully uncompressed, i.e. cannot through its own spring action be fully
removed from the channel 68 while the insert 66 is fitted in the
pocket 34 of an assembled tripod 10.
In operation, a user pulls outwardly on a tab 64 of the angle
stop 30 so as to disengage the angle stop 30, for example, from
a respective ratcheting surface. When pulling the tab 64, the
spring 62 will move inwardly into the channel to a fully

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compressed position where the lateral spring force on the
channel 68 such that the spring 62 will not move according to
its own spring force in a direction out of the channel 68. As the
leg 14 is pivoted upwards to a position proximate the highest
ratcheting surface 28, however, gravity will slide the angle
stop 30 a sufficient distance that the lateral wings 63 of the
spring move along the curved surface of the channel 68 to
apply a force against the channel that cause the pin 60, and
hence the angle stop 30, to snap against the upper ratcheting
surface 28. As the leg is manually rotated downwards, this
spring force will cause the angle stop 30 to successively snap
into position against each successively lower ratcheting surface 26 and 24. In this manner, the described ratcheting
mechanism may be used to very quickly lock a leg into any
one of a desired number of pre-set angular positions.
Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, an exemplary operation
of the ratcheting mechanism is shown. The leg 14 is preferably swung inwardly slightly and the angle stop 30 is disengaged by sliding it outwardly. Then the leg is swung to a more
horizontal position at which the angle stop will preferably
automatically engage. Then the leg is lowered while the angle
stop will ratchet down automatically.
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tripod 10 may include a
platform 12 having a fastener 70 attached to the bottom surface of the platfonn 12. The fastener 70 is preferably shaped,
in profile, as a hook with a leg portion 72 and an upwardlydirected tail portion 74, thereby forming a generally concave
surface 76 into which, for example, a strap supporting a
camera back may be suspended from the fastener to provide
additional weight on the tripod 10 for further stabilization.
The tenn concave, in reference to the fastener 70 does not
require a smoothly-curved surface 76, as the hook shape of
the fastener 70 may be achieved by square or other angles, as
well. The surface 76 preferably defines closed-loop aperture
78 by which a carabineer or similar attachment device may be
securely attached to the fastener 70. The fastener 70 preferably swivels about a vertical axis so that the fastener 70 may
be easily oriented to a position that most conveniently allows
a weighted object to be slung from the tripod 10. In this vein,
the fastener 70 preferably includes an opening 79 through
which a fastening screw 77, used to secure equipment to the
platform 12, also secures the fastener 70 to the lower surface
of the platfonn 12.
Referring to FIG. 8, each of the legs 14 of the tripod 10 may
include a foot 80 having a shape that includes an upper portion secured to a respective leg and a lower portion defining a
convex surface 86 that extends radially beyond the diameter
of the respective leg 14 to which the foot 80 is attached. This
mushroom shape ensures that the convex surface 86 is tangent
to a supporting surface, such as the ground, over the full arc
through which the leg pivots. This serves two functions. First,
it ensures that the walls of the leg 14 do not contact the
ground, enhancing the durability of the tripod 10. Also, the
contact between the foot 80, which may be rubber for
example, and the supporting surface inhibits slippage of the
leg 14 regardless of the angle of the leg 14 relative to the apex
18.
Referring to FIG. 9, a leveling panning base 102 may be
engaged with the apex of the tripod in a manner similar to the
manner of engagement of the platform.
Referring to FIGS. lOA and lOB, a video bowl 104 may be
engaged within the apex of the tripod, in a manner similar to
that of the platform. In this manner, a ball base of a standard
video camera may detachably engage with the video bowl.
Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a quick colunm 106 may
be engaged within the apex of the tripod, in a manner similar
to that of the platform. By loosening and tightening the

knurled stem 108, the head 110 of the quick colunm 106 may
be raised and lowered, and selectively secured in position.
This provides a platform for equipment of variable height in
a manner generally independent of the height of the tripod.
Referring to FIG. 12, stomping spikes 120 may be engaged
at the end of the legs, thereby replacing the typical feet. The
spikes include a teardrop shaped pedal 121 to allow for them
to be readily driven into the ground with the user's foot. This
permits stabilization of the tripod in heavy crosswinds and on
shifty terrain.
Referring to FIG. 13, rock claws 122 may be engaged at the
ends of the legs, thereby replacing the typical feet. The rock
claws include a cup shape to allow them to be readily engaged
with rocks and other hard surfaces. This pennits stabilization
of the tripod on hard and wet terrain.
The tenns and expressions that have been employed in the
foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention, in the use
of such tenns and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the
features shown and described or portions thereof, it being
recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and
limited only the claims that follow.

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We claim:
1. A support having a plurality of elongate hollow leg
members, each at least partially supporting an apex selectively, detachably mountable to equipment and defining a
supporting surface for said equipment, at least one leg member selectively pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to said
supporting surface and at an off-center position in relation to
a circumference of said at least one leg member.
2. The support of claim 1 where said at least one leg
member is operatively engaged with a selectively releasable
angle stop that, together with said apex, defines a plurality of
fixed angular positions around said pivot axis at which angular rotation of said at least one leg member around said pivot
axis is inhibited.
3. The support of claim 2 where said angle stop has a lower
surface that bears against said at least one leg member, and
where said at least one leg member includes an off-center
support surface that bears against said angle stop along a
major portion of said lower surface in each of said plurality of
fixed angular positions.
4. The support of claim 3 where said off-center support
surface bears against said angle stop along all of said lower
surface in each of said plurality of fixed angular positions.
5. The support of claim 2 where said apex defines a supporting surface for said equipment, and where said angle stop
automatically ratchets into a next sequential one of said fixed
angular positions as said at least one leg member is pivoted
towards a perpendicular position with respect to said supporting surface.
6. A support having an apex selectively, detachably mountable to a platform for securing equipment to said platform,
said apex comprising:
(a) an attachment member selectively attachable to a said
platform; and
(b) at least one warning member having a first state that
indicates that said platform is securely engaged with
said apex and a second state that indicates that said
platform is not securely engaged with said apex.
7. The support of claim 6 where said at least one warning
member is viewable from any angle around said tripod.
8. The support of claim 6 where said apex fonns a perimeter surface into which said platfonn is selectively insertable.
9. The support of claim 8 including a spring member compressed into a recessed position within said perimeter surface.

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10. The support of claim 9 including at least one locking
member that selectively causes said spring member to engage
with a said platform mounted in said apex.
11. The support of claim 10 where said locking member is
a said at least one waming member.
12. The support of claim 11 where said locking member has
a visible warning surface flush with an exterior surface of said
apex when said spring member is engaged ~ith s~id platform.
13. The support of claim 9 where smd spnng member
extends around a major portion of said perimeter surface.
14. The support of claim 13 including plural locking members that selectively cause said spring member to engage with
a said platform mounted in said apex at locations approximately equidistant from each other.
15. The support of claim 6 where said platform is attachable to said attachment member at a selective height relative
to said apex.
16. A support comprising:
(a) at least one elongate leg element at least partially supporting an apex selectively, detachably mountable to
equipment;
.
(b) a selectively releasable angle stop that, togethe~ ~Ith
said apex, defines a plurality of fixed angular posItions
around a pivot axis at which angular rotation of said at
least one leg element around said pivot axis in a first
direction is selectively, automatically inhibited; where
(c) said angle stop has a first position that permits manual
rotation of said leg element in said first direction without
said angle stop engaging with said apex in at least one of
said fixed angular positions, and a second position where
manual rotation of said leg element in a second direction
causes said angle stop to automatically engage into a
next sequential one of said fixed angular positions.
17. The support of claim 16 where said apex has a support
surface for supporting said equipment, and said first position
causes said angle stop to engage in only the one of said fixed
angular positions closest to said support surface.
18. A support comprising:
(a) an apex supported by at least one elongate leg capable
of pivoting about a pivot axis parallel to a support surface of said apex; where

(b) said pivot axis is offset from a centerline of a cross
section of said elongate leg, said centerline parallel to
said pivot axis.
19. The support of claim 18 where said offset measures at
least one-tenth the minimum dimneter of said elongate leg.
20. The support of claim 18 where said offset measures at
least one-eighth the minimum diameter of said elongate leg.
21. The support of claim 18 where said offset measures
approximately one-sixth the minimum dimneter of said elongate leg.
.
..
22. A support for supporting equipment, smd compnsmg:
(a) at least one elongate leg element at least partially supporting an apex selectively, detachably mounta~le to
equipment, where said leg includes a first end proxImate
said apex and a second end distal said apex, and where
said leg is pivotal about an axis proximate said first end
throughout a limited arc; and
(b) a foot at said second end having a curved surface that,
while said support supports equipment above a supporting surface, is tangent to said supporting surface
throughout said arc.
23. The support of claim 22 where said curved surface is
convex and extends radially beyond an outer diameter of said
leg proximate said foot.
24. The support of claim 22 where said foot has a mushroom shape.
25. A platform selectively, detachably mountable to an
apex of a support having a plurality of legs extending ~rom
said apex, said platform including an open-ended hook mtegrally forming a closed-loop aperture, said hook rotatable
about a substantially vertical axis.
26. The platform of claim 25 where said hook is capable of
selectively, detachably supporting a weight from a closedloop strap.
27. The platform of claim 26 where said hook is capable of
securely interlocking with a carabineer.
28. The platform of claim 26 where said aperture is generally perpendicular to said hook.

EXHIBIT B - Page 21 of 21

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