Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

In the photos below: A & C are obviously tripod “Parts”.

Shot “A” is the locking device (Part) that locks the telescoping leg positions.

Shot “C” is the “PART” that connects the leg to the collar.(Maybe not the right term)

This “PART” obviously lets the round tube top section of the leg to connect to the “PART” that functions as a hinge for the leg, and also to adjust to different angles by depressing the button.

Bare with me here…PLEASE!

Question #1: Where do you get these “PARTS”?
I have searched the web for days; asking for “Tripod Parts…Hinges….Tubing Connectors…etc. etc. with absolutely no luck. Do you know of a website, or manufacture of these “PARTS”?

In the photos below: Shot “B” is of a hinge that is designed to connect SEPARATE SECTIONS OF “SQUARE STOCK” tubing together. It also has 10 degree positive locking positions. I am looking for a similar hinge that will connect SEPARATE SECTIONS OF “ROUND TUBING” together.

Question #2: Do you know of a manufacture that makes something like this?

Really….I looked all over and can’t find these “PARTS”.

Obviously, someone manufactures them for the many different Tripod company’s.
If you can help me…in any way….I would greatly appreciate it! Any assistance will be wonderful.
As always…I thank you all!! Thanks, Boone.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

what brand

http://www.bogentripodparts.com/parts/3021PRO.htm

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Your tripod looks like a Manfrotto from the pics. What model is it. I stock a large selection of common parts for Manfrotto and Bogen tripods and may have what you need. If not, and I can identify the part needed, I can get them directly from Manfrotto in Italy within 7 - 10 days.

As for your "hinge" part, I have no idea what it is off of so I can not help you there.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Dirtpusher I thank you for the link. That is further then I got in a week! Puts my search light years ahead. Thanks so very much for the reply! Thanks, Boone.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Thanks MT!
No it's not a Manfrotto. I have two carbon fiber tripods. One Sunpak and one Dolica. Neither of them are broken...I am working on the development of a new tripod/monopod with an engineering company. (You would think they would know) I am also working with a manufacture of carbon tubing out of NY that will supply the tubing for the legs.

We are currently looking for a supplier for the "Parts" that we can experiment with for locking the leg sections, as well as the "Part" that would attach the legs to the collar and would adjust the angels of each leg as most premium tripod have. We are having trouble finding these critical "Parts".

As for the "Hinge Part" ("B") to connect two round tubes together, that hinge I showed is for multiple uses in general and is manufactured by "Adjustable Locking Technologies" out of MI. I have that hinge on approval, but as you can see...It has a "Square receiver". We are looking for something similar that will accept the round carbon fiber tubes.

I really appreciate your reply, and your willingness to help me, and for that I thank you!
I really need to find a company that will sell us the parts we need for our prototype.

Your gesture is very much appreciated.

BTW...I visited your site for the "Cottage", and it was really great with a lot of "Special Touches" to it! Thanks again! Still looking, Boone.

Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Your best option would be to see if you can find someone that would be willing to give away or to sell at a low cost a tripod that is exactly the same as yours and then, swap out the parts if your tripod is in better condition than is theirs.
Either that, contact the company that had manufactured the tripod that you have ?

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Good idea if I had a broken tripod, but I am only looking for "Parts" for a different project. I very much appreciate your suggestions, and your effort to help.

Thanks much for the reply! :thumbup: Thanks, Boone.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Leg locks, leg hinges, and "Spiders" (the top center mount) are all proprietary to each manufacturer, that is why no major brands are interchangeable. These parts will often be patented in may cases.
My advice would be to check with a major Chinese wholesale site like Alibaba.com and search for generic tripod manufacturers. Almost every tripod brand that is made in Japan is manufactured by one of only two factories there. These tripods have the wholesale buyers name applied to them either prior to shipment, or later by the end retailer of that item. One specific tripod I know of sells under 7 different brand names and its the exact same tripod! (Dolica being one of those 7 names).
Doing this would allow you to contact these tripod manufacturers and obtain those parts in bulk, or possible even design your own parts to your specific needs. Your carbon fiber manufacturer should be aware of foundries that can do the aluminum parts somewhere, as well as the plastic components, but they will all have to be designed to fit together in the final assembly.
Good luck but be prepared to spend some big bucks to avoid a patent infringement issue.

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Thanks again MT.
I have my search on Alibaba.com now, but it is hard to get your point across due to the language barrier. I have received several reply's from China and elsewhere.

As far as patent right infringements, I hold two US patents at present (non related to photography) and have a law firm in DC that is handing this. They handled both of my other patents in the past, and surprisingly it is more of a headache with the paper work and the time involved then it is a financial issue.

Regardless, I thank you for the right terminology for the "Parts". LOL

Thanks again for always being willing to assist people. I like that! :thumbup: Thanks, Boone