Patents by Inventor Eric L. McKinney

Eric L. McKinney has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • METROLOGY GRADE LIGHT WEIGHT TRIPOD
    Publication number: 20210293376
    Abstract: A tripod and a method of stabilizing a collapsible stand are provided. The tripod includes three legs attached to a base that swing open to a predetermined angle against a positive stop. The legs are locked into place in the open position via a leg spreader that forces (or pre-stresses/pre-loads) the legs outward against the stops. The method includes the steps of pivoting the legs of the collapsible stand to an open pivotal position into engagement with a stop, applying a load upon the legs to force the legs against the stop, and maintaining the load upon the legs while the stand is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Mark J. MEURET, Eric L. McKinney
  • Metrology grade light weight tripod
    Patent number: 11028966
    Abstract: A tripod and a method of stabilizing a collapsible stand are provided. The tripod includes three legs attached to a base that swing open to a predetermined angle against a positive stop. The legs are locked into place in the open position via a leg spreader that forces (or pre-stresses/pre-loads) the legs outward against the stops. The method includes the steps of pivoting the legs of the collapsible stand to an open pivotal position into engagement with a stop, applying a load upon the legs to force the legs against the stop, and maintaining the load upon the legs while the stand is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: BRUNSON INSTRUMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Meuret, Eric L. McKinney
  • METROLOGY GRADE LIGHT WEIGHT TRIPOD
    Publication number: 20190309896
    Abstract: A tripod and a method of stabilizing a collapsible stand are provided. The tripod includes three legs attached to a base that swing open to a predetermined angle against a positive stop. The legs are locked into place in the open position via a leg spreader that forces (or pre-stresses/pre-loads) the legs outward against the stops. The method includes the steps of pivoting the legs of the collapsible stand to an open pivotal position into engagement with a stop, applying a load upon the legs to force the legs against the stop, and maintaining the load upon the legs while the stand is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: MARK J. MEURET, Eric L. McKinney
  • Metrology grade light weight tripod
    Patent number: 10330245
    Abstract: A tripod and a method of stabilizing a collapsible stand are provided. The tripod includes three legs attached to a base that swing open to a predetermined angle against a positive stop. The legs are locked into place in the open position via a leg spreader that forces (or pre-stresses/pre-loads) the legs outward against the stops. The method includes the steps of pivoting the legs of the collapsible stand to an open pivotal position into engagement with a stop, applying a load upon the legs to force the legs against the stop, and maintaining the load upon the legs while the stand is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Brunson Instrument Company
    Inventors: Mark J. Meuret, Eric L. McKinney
  • METROLOGY GRADE LIGHT WEIGHT TRIPOD
    Publication number: 20110073722
    Abstract: A tripod and a method of stabilizing a collapsible stand are provided. The tripod includes three legs attached to a base that swing open to a predetermined angle against a positive stop. The legs are locked into place in the open position via a leg spreader that forces (or pre-stresses/pre-loads) the legs outward against the stops. The method includes the steps of pivoting the legs of the collapsible stand to an open pivotal position into engagement with a stop, applying a load upon the legs to force the legs against the stop, and maintaining the load upon the legs while the stand is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: MARK J. MEURET, Eric L. McKinney