Quick-connect mount for a camera and tripod

• US 4,570,887 A
• Filed: 10/17/1983
• Issued: 02/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald K. Banister
• Original Assignee: Gerald K. Banister
• Inventors: Banister, Gerald K.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSS, J
• Application Number:
  US06/542,673
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 248/187, 248/177, 248/176, 248/188, 248/223.4, 354/293, 354/82, 354/81
• US Class Current: 248/187.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/32 Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 by friction

Abstract

A quick-connect mount for a camera and tripod. A dovetail connector plate is attached to the camera by a flat-head screw. A receiving member with a similarly configured slot is attached to the tripod by threaded engagement between a threaded aperture in the receiving member and the threaded stud on the tripod. The tip of a thumb screw which is threadingly engaged through the side of the receiving member extends into a recess in the edge of the connector plate to lock the connector plate into the receiving member and, hence, the camera onto the tripod.

Claims

1. A quick-connect mount for attachment of a camera to a tripod, said mount comprising:

(a) a receiving member having a longitudinally extending slot with a first shape, the shape of said slot being defined by first immovable wall portions;

(b) first means for attaching said receiving member to said tripod, said first attaching means preventing translational and rotational displacement between said tripod and said receiving member;

(c) a connector plate having a second shape which mates with the slot of said first shape by sliding engagement, said second shape being defined by second immovable wall portions, engagement between said connector plate and said receiving member preventing relative translation between said plate and said member along two of the three dimensional axes and relative rotation about all three axes;

(d) second means for attaching said connector plate to said camera, said second attaching means preventing translational and rotational displacement between said camera and said connector plate; and

(e) means for securing said connector plate to said receiving member to prevent translation along the third dimensional axis, thereby securing said camera to said tripod.

2. The quick-connect mount of claims 1 wherein said first shape of said slot is a dovetail.

3. The quick-connect mount of claim 1 wherein said first means for attaching said receiving member to the tripod comprises a threaded stud fixedly attached to said tripod and a threaded aperture in said receiving member.

4. The quick-connect mount of claim 1 wherein said second means for attaching said connector plate to said camera comprises a threaded aperture in said camera and a matable flat-head screw which is received in a through bore extending through the approximate center of said connector plate.

5. The quick-connect mount of claim 4 wherein the through bore of said connector plate has a countersunk portion for receiving a tapered portion of said flat-head screw.

6. The quick-mount of claim 1 wherein said means for securing said connector plate to said receiving member comprises a recess in a side of said connector plate and a thumb screw received in a threaded through bore in the side of said receiving member, the tip of said screw being received in the recess of said connector plate.

7. The quick-connect mount of claim 6 wherein said means for securing said connector plate to said receiving member further comprises staked material at one end of said receiving member forming a longitudinal stop.