Lock device for accessory-grip

• US 20020136553A1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kaneko, Hidefumi, Machida, Katsuki
• Granted Patent: US 6,826,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/388
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies

Abstract

A lock device is provided for locking an accessory-grip to a camera body. A lock lever is movably supported by a housing. The lock lever is moved and can be stopped at a lock position, a partial release position, and a complete release position. First and second connecting members are movably supported by the housing, and can be displaced in association with the lock lever. When the lock lever is positioned at the lock position, the first and second connecting members are engaged with the camera body. When the lock lever is positioned at the partial release position, the first connecting member is released from the camera body and the second connecting member maintains the engaged state.

Claims

1. A device for locking an accessory-grip to a camera body, said device comprising:

a housing;

a lock lever that is movably supported by said housing, said lock lever being moved at least between a lock position and a partial release position different from said lock position; and

first and second connecting members that are movably supported by said housing, and that can be displaced in association with said lock lever;

said first and second connecting members being engaged with said camera body when said lock lever is positioned at said lock position, said first connecting member being released from said camera body while said second connecting member continuing to be engage with said camera body when said lock lever is positioned at said partial release position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting members are released from said camera body when said lock lever is moved from said partial release position to a complete release position different from said lock and partial release positions.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting members move in the opposite directions to each other.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first connecting member comprises a first connecting claw which has a flat plate inclining relative to the moving direction of said first connecting member by approximately 45 degrees, and said second connecting member comprises a second connecting claw having a rising portion extending vertically to the moving direction and an engaging portion extending from an upper end of said rising portion and inclining by an angle close to the horizontal.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said camera body has a first opening, with which said first connecting claw engages, and a second opening, with which said second connecting claw engages, a first moving range of said first connecting claw being a half the breadth of said first opening, a second moving range of said second connecting claw being approximately the same as the breadth of said second opening.

6. A device according to claim 5, further comprising pads disposed on said housing and close to said first and second openings.

7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a click-stop mechanism giving a predetermined resistance against the movement of said lock lever when said lock lever is switched between said lock position and said partial release position.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said first connecting member has a third opening, in which signal contact pins for electrically connecting an electric circuit provided in said accessory-grip and an electric circuit provided in said camera body, are positioned.

9. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a lock release member disposed at a position, which is close to an end portion of said lock lever fixed at said lock position, and which is opposite to said partial release position relative to said lock lever, said lock release member being movable in a direction substantially vertical to the moving direction of said lock lever.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein an end surface of said lock release member is inclined to a plane vertical to the moving direction of said lock release member.

11. A device for locking an accessory-grip to a camera body, said device comprising:

a housing having a guide slot;

a lock lever that is provided for locking said accessory-grip to said camera body and releasing said accessory from said camera body, said lock lever projecting from said guide slot and being movable along said guide slot; and

a lever curtain that is provided to a periphery of said guide slot to cover said guide slot and allow said lock lever to move along said guide slot.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said lever curtain is a rectangular piece of cloth having a surface which is coated by a rubber layer.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein said lever curtain has a slit, which extends along the breadth direction of said lever curtain and reaches a long side of said lever curtain.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said slit is formed at an end of a range within which said lock lever is moved.

15. A device according to claim 13, wherein said slit is formed at a position where said lock lever is stopped, said lock lever interferes with said slit at the stopped position.

16. A device according to claim 13, wherein, in said lever curtain, an end portion of said slit close to said long side is chamfered.