Monopod mounting apparatus
A flexible support apparatus adapted to wrap around and grip an element, such as a pole, while, in some embodiments, supporting a device such as a camera, flash unit, cell phone, or other item. The flexible support unit may consist of a series of ball and socket connectors interconnected into a flexible chain. The flexible support unit may have removable clips at one or both ends. The clips may be adapted to support different objects in different ways.
1 . A flexible arm comprising:
a plurality of interconnected connectors, said plurality of interconnected connectors having a first end and a second end, said connectors comprising:
a connector main body, said main body comprising:
a socket engaging end surface at a first end, said socket engaging end surface being an external surface at said first end; and
an internal socket receiving cavity at a second end; and
a gripping portion, said gripping portion overmolded onto said connector main body.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gripping portion comprises a rubberized compound.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said gripping portion comprises a circumferential ring co-molded onto the outer surface of said second end portion of said connector body.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod at a first end of said flexible arm.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod at its second end.
6 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gripping pod comprises a rubberized compound.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod connector at the first end of said flexible arm, said gripping pod connector comprising a gripping pod.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flexible arm further comprises a gripping pod connector at the second end of said flexible arm, said gripping pod connector comprising a gripping pod.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first end of the connector main body comprised a first material, and wherein the second end of the connector main body comprises a second material.
10 . A flexible arm comprising:
a plurality of interconnected connectors, said plurality of interconnected connectors having a first end and a second end, said connectors comprising a connector main body, said main body comprising a first end and a second end; and
a first interconnect portion connected to said first end of said plurality of interconnected connectors, said first interconnect portion adapted to receive a first clip.
11 . The flexible arm of claim 10 further comprising a first clip removably attached to said first interconnect portion.
12 . The flexible arm of claim 10 wherein said connectors further comprise a gripping portion.
13 . The flexible arm of claim 12 wherein said gripping portion is overmolded onto said connector main body.
14 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said gripping portion comprises a circumferential ring overmolded onto the outer surface of said second end portion of said connector body.
15 . The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a gripping connector connected to said second end of said plurality of interconnected connectors.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said gripping connector comprises a gripping pod.
17 . The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a suction cup clip, said suction cup clip removably attached to said interconnect portion.
18 . The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a clamp clip, said clamp clip removably attached to said interconnect portion.
19 . The flexible arm of claim 10 further comprising a second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of interconnected connectors, said second interconnect portion adapted to receive a second clip, said second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of flexible connectors.
20 . The flexible arm of claim 11 further comprising a second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of interconnected connectors, said second interconnect portion adapted to receive a second clip, said second interconnect portion connected to said second end of said plurality of flexible connectors.
21 . The flexible arm of claim 20 further comprising a second clip, said second clip removably attached to said second interface portion.