A support system which allows for the use and mounting of a smart phone, or similar electronic device, in a variety of ways. The support system may be adapted to function as a hand grip while supporting the smart phone during image acquisition, or while watching images on the smart phone. In another configuration, the support system may be adapted to attach to the user's belt. In another configuration, the support system may function as a support stand. In another configuration, the support system may be mounted on a tripod. The support system may include a kit of parts which allow for the modification of support accessories to allow for different configurations. The support system may include a removable shutter which may actuate the camera functions via wireless communication.

This application discloses a stand assembly that includes an upper portion for holding electronic components and a lower portion for supporting the upper portion. The lower portion including a base, a joint, and a second fastener structure configured to mate with a first fastener structure of the upper portion. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured to respectively provide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the upper portion with respect to the lower portion. Movement of the upper portion at the first degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through first part of a first full range of motion associated with the first degree of freedom of motion. Movement of the upper portion at the second degree of freedom has substantially consistent resistance through a second full range of motion associated with the second degree of freedom.

Adjustment of a posture of a ball joint is facilitated. A support device includes a pan head unit, a ball joint having a first end to which the pan head unit is attached and a second end provided with a ball portion, a ball holder configured to selectively fix the ball portion, a ball fixing screw connected to the ball holder and configured to move the ball holder between a locked position at which the ball portion is fixed and an unlocked position at which the ball portion is freely rotatable, and an elastic member configured to urge the ball holder toward the ball portion. The ball holder and the ball fixing screw are connected to each other so as to be strokable with a predetermined stroke amount. The predetermined stroke amount is smaller than a movement amount of the ball fixing screw between a first position corresponding to the locked position and a second position corresponding to the unlocked position.

A convertible hiking stick includes a handle extending along a center axis and a first leg and a second leg that couple to the handle and extend along the center axis. The hiking stick is convertible into a tripod such that the first leg is in a first bore of the handle, the second leg is in a second bore of the handle, the first leg extends transverse to the second leg, and the first leg, the second leg, and the handle together support the hiking stick with respect to a surface.

A stand for photographic equipment includes a connecting member, a pedestal, and a locking assembly connected therebetween. The locking assembly includes a support rod, a guiding member mounted around the support rod, a locking pin fixed on the support rod and engaged with the guiding member, a spring member located between the pedestal and the guiding member, and a driving member pivotally connected to the support rod. One end of the support rod and the connecting member are rotatably connected with each other by a universal ball. The locking assembly is configured to make the locking pin move along the guiding member to a first fixed position or a second fixed position by pressing the driving member. In the first fixed position, a top end of the guiding member abuts against and locks the connecting member. In the second fixed position, the guiding member releases the connecting member.

A camera supporting base includes a mounting platform with a mounting surface, a lower surface, and a recess area. The mounting surface is raised above and non-coplanar with the lower surface of the mounting platform. The camera supporting base also includes a pliable mass surrounding the mounting platform. The mounting surface of the mounting platform is recessed below a highest contour of the pliable mass.

One variation of a mobile tripod includes a device case, including a first set of magnetic elements, and a tripod including: a mounting plate defining a leg receptacle and an aperture; a second set of magnetic elements arranged about the leg receptacle and configured to couple to the first set of magnetic elements to retain the mounting plate against the device case; a set of socket sections coupled to the mounting plate, arranged within the aperture, and defining a socket; a leg assembly configured to seat within the leg receptacle in a retracted position and deploy outward from the exterior face of the device case to mount to a base surface in a deployed position; a spherical end, coupled to the leg assembly, and configured to rotate within the socket, encapsulated by the set of socket sections, to pivot the leg assembly between the retracted position and the deployed position.

A camera built into a cylindrical housing couples to a stand with a stand member that inserts into an opening having a magnet attracted to ferromagnetic material integrated in the stand member. The stand member holds the ferromagnetic material in an adapter interior that integrates a tilt hinge rotationally coupled to the stand member and fixedly coupled to the ferromagnetic material to provide tilt of the camera relative to the stand member about a rotation axis internal to the camera when the stand member adapter inserts in to the camera housing opening.

A camera built into a cylindrical housing couples to a stand with a stand member that inserts into an opening having a magnet attracted to ferromagnetic material integrated in the stand member. The stand member may couple to a bracket that holds the camera at a display or to a tripod that places the camera between the display and an end user participating in a video conference. A lens cover couples over a front face of the camera with magnetic attraction and is stored at a rear face of the camera with magnetic attraction. In various embodiments, sensors detect lens cap and/or stand member position to control camera power and/or camera visual image capture operations.