Mounting apparatus using ball and socket joints with gripping features

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.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a body portion;    a plurality of flexible legs, said flexible legs comprising a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said body portion;    an interconnect portion connected to said body portion; and    a clip removably attached to said interconnect portion.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of flexible legs comprises a plurality of connectors, said connectors comprising: 
 a connector body, said connector body comprising: 
 a first end portion;  
 a second end portion; and  
 a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion;  
 a socket engaging end surface at said first end portion, said socket engaging end surface being the external surface at said first end portion; and  
 an internal socket receiving cavity at said second end portion.  
   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said connector body further comprises a gripping portion, said gripping portion co-molded to said connector.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said gripping portion comprises a rubberized compound.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said gripping portion comprises a circumferential ring co-molded into the outer surface of said second end portion of said connector body.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said interconnect portion comprises a lever, said lever adapted to release the removably attached clip.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein one or more of said second ends of said plurality of flexible legs comprise a suction cup.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the connector at said second end of each of said plurality of flexible legs is filled in its socket receiving end with gripping compound.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of flexible legs consists of three legs.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said body portion comprises a flexible joint, said flexible joint comprising: 
 a socket engaging end surface; and    an internal socket receiving cavity.    
   
   
       11 . A connector comprising: 
 a connector body, said connector body comprising: 
 a first end portion;  
 a second end portion; and  
 a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion;  
 a socket engaging end surface at said first end portion, said socket engaging end surface being the external surface at said first end portion;  
 an internal socket receiving cavity at said second end portion; and  
 a gripping portion, said gripping portion co-molded to said connector.  
   
   
   
       12 . The connector of  claim 11  wherein said gripping portion is co-molded to said second end portion.  
   
   
       13 . The connector of  claim 12  wherein said gripping portion is co-molded to the outside of said internal socket receiving cavity.  
   
   
       14 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein gripping portion is a circumferential ring.  
   
   
       15 . The connector of  claim 14  wherein said gripping portion comprises a rubber compound.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a body portion;    a plurality of flexible legs, said flexible legs comprising a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said body portion;    an interconnect portion connected to said body portion; and    a clip removably attached to said interconnect portion,    wherein each of said plurality of flexible legs comprises a plurality of connectors, said connectors comprising:    a connector body, said connector body comprising: 
 a first end portion;  
 a second end portion; and  
 a longitudinal axis extending from said first end portion to said second end portion;  
 a socket engaging end surface at said first end portion, said socket engaging end surface being the external surface at said first end portion; and  
 an internal socket receiving cavity at said second end portion, and wherein said body portion comprises a plurality of internal socket receiving cavities, said plurality of internal socket receiving cavities adapted to receive said flexible legs, said plurality of internal socket receiving cavities are flared to allow maximal range of motion of said flexible legs.