Abstract: A tripod includes a vertically movable center column dividable into an upper column member and a lower column member. A lower flange on a lower end of the lower column member prevents the center column from slipping off the tripod when fully extended. When a user removes the lower column member for an activity such as low-angle photography, a number of stopper protrusions prevent the upper column member from slipping off the tripod. When the user reattaches the lower column member, the stopper protrusions disengage to permit free movement of the center column. The present invention thus allows low-angle photography, provides a wide range of vertical motion of the center column, and prevents the user from accidentally damaging a camera when the lower column member is removed.

Abstract: A base member such as an elevation pipe of a photographic tripod is severed and rack teeth are formed thereon in a single operation while the base member remains clamped in a V-block. The first rack tooth on each side of the location where the base member is severed includes half of a trough portion between adjacent rack teeth. Additional trough portions forming the remainder of the teeth are formed, either in the same severing and shaping operation, or in a later shaping operation. The formation of the inner half trough portions ensures that, when the two severed ends of the base member are brought together, a smooth transition will exist between the two rack portions. In addition, since the two severed ends always include half troughs immediately adjacent thereto, weaknesses and chipping resulting from the presence of partial rack teeth in these locations is avoided.

Abstract: A panhead for a tripod has a panning base for rotation about a vertical axis, a tilting base hinged to the panning base for tilting in a vertical plane, a handle attached to the tilting base, and a camera mounting hinged to the tilting base for turning a camera between a landscape and a portrait position, the hinge of the camera mounting being situated so that the camera viewfinder remains on the right hand side of the panhead handle in either the portrait or landscape positions of the camera and the photographer is not forced to change grips on the handle between these positions.

Abstract: Smooth vertical movement of the center column of a tripod is assured by resilient sleeves fitted on the column and urged by a spring against stationary inclined inner surfaces which deflect end portions of the sleeves against the column to maintain continuous frictional resistance against movement of the column through the bore.

Abstract: A panning head for a photographic tripod has an improved horizontal pan adjustment for setting the force required to turn the pan head.

Abstract: A panning head for a photographic tripod or the like has a base and a panning body rotatable about a pan axis. A pivot shaft on the base extends into a cavity in the panning body, and a transverse forked retaining wedge captures the shaft to keep the base and panning body together, and includes an exteriorly accessible screw setting for adjusting the degree of friction between the two and consequently the effort required to turn the panning body on the base.

Abstract: A fixing device comprising a first clamp for clamping a mount and a second clamp which is adapted to be clamped to a stationary member. The second clamp is operatively connected to the first clamp by a tubular coupling member so that each clamp may be manually rotatable about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of each of the clamps. The clamps are held in position by a bolt-and-nut arrangement extending through the tubular member.