What the heck is it called?

[Captain Spaulding]

Either my brain has failed or I’m working with morons.

I’m doing some consulting work for a group that does some outdoor testing in a desert environment. Many of the devices they test and the equipment they use are mounted on fairly heavy tripod masts. They are having problems with alignment as the feet on the tripods settle into the soil during testing.

I suggested putting plates on the ends of the legs to make them more stable. Just got off a frustrating phone call with their welder.

My plan is two weld two tab brackets 2-1/8” apart, centered on a 12”x12” piece of 1/4” plate. Drill a hole through the 2” diameter tripod leg, and pin it between the tab brackets with a bolt so the plate can pivot to allow for different tripod settings and remain flat on the ground. 1/2” holes near the corners of the plates to drive rebar stakes to prevent sliding.

Seems simple to me, but I cannot convey the idea to the welder. Am I using the wrong terms? Is there a better name for such a joint? I’m sitting down to draw a picture to send him now.

 

[gearhead1]

I understand exactly what you’re saying, but a sketch will clear it right up.

 

[Kdfrancis]

I can understand what you're saying as well...just ask him if he's ever seen the pivoting feet on the bottom of a backhoe outrigger.

 

[ddawg16]

Your description is fine. I don't think there is a 'single word' description of what you are talking about.

But I would suggest maybe having one of the plates with a spike or something similar to go into the ground so it does not slide. Or, put a hole in the plate so you can drive a spike in if you want one.

 

[dr_clyde]

That welder isn't super with it if he can't grasp that.

Tell him to picture an outrigger on a crane or backhoe.

You just want a simple clevis on a plate.

Edit, some guys think the same way I do with the backhoe haha.

 

[Slackerzinc]

This is what I think you are talking about
https://www.scaffoldframe.com/Scaffolding_Swivel_Base_Plate_p/bpsset.htm

 

[Slackerzinc]

This is what I think you are talking about
https://www.scaffoldframe.com/Scaffolding_Swivel_Base_Plate_p/bpsset.htm

 

[Capt Chrysler]

I know zero about backhoes. But understood exactly what you wanted.

Capt. Chrysler

 

[rkevins]

I'm not a smart man, but I get what you are saying

 

[johnnyradiant]

Long before I finished reading the description I too understood the concept of your request.

Is the welder missing the boat entirely or is he getting hung up on your specific details? How big are these tri-pods? Are they sorta like surveyors size or lots beefier. The picture I conjured in your specific description makes me think the tripods are quite big compared to the surveyors type, and/or the testing area is like really soft, loose sand. Maybe he wants a spec. and/or drawing so that there are no hiccups at the pay-up time disputing size or design details.

 

[Chris Stapley]

I'd simply call them pivoting plates and see if the light does on,beyond that a drawing will suffice..

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Drawing worked, or at least he says he gets it now. This was a pretty urgent deal as they need to get some stuff done tomorrow if possible. Wish I’d thought of the outrigger plates as an example while I was in the phone.

They are testing with lasers and sensors over fairly long distances. Alignment takes about 3 hours and when the tripods were moving it pretty well killed the whole day.

They are fairly beefy tripods. Equipment on the order of 50-100lbs on them. Maybe even more counting batteries.

 

[1953mercury]

As John said above, you are going to need some provision to keep the plates from sliding. Mike

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Reported back today that all worked flawlessly. 15 plates manufactured overnight and they expect another 30 by end of day. Only hiccup was they forgot to take a sledge hammer out to the test site for the anchor pins and had to make a 60 minute round-trip to get some.

 

[Hagatronics]

What I like most about this thread that, with an important deadline and the need to get a sketch done fast, the first thing you did was post on Garage Journal

 

[bczygan]

What I like most about this thread that, with an important deadline and the need to get a sketch done fast, the first thing you did was post on Garage Journal

What I also liked, was how the OP followed up and reported how it all went down.

Bill

 

[ren71]

Reported back today that all worked flawlessly. 15 plates manufactured overnight and they expect another 30 by end of day. Only hiccup was they forgot to take a sledge hammer out to the test site for the anchor pins and had to make a 60 minute round-trip to get some.

How big are the pins? They couldn’t find a big rock, log, bottle jack, etc.?

 

[bradleykd]

How big are the pins? They couldn’t find a big rock, log, bottle jack, etc.?

They're probably engineers... Those things weren't required when they planned it.

 

[bugnut]

google "leveling swivel base" and many illustrations of the proposed are shown

PS I too like the fact that the original poster posted the results!