Level and accessory mounting attachment for cameras

• US 4,591,250 A
• Filed: 11/01/1984
• Issued: 05/27/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Woodruff
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Woodruff
• Inventors: Woodruff, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews, A. A.
• Application Number:
  US06/667,102
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 354/76, 354/80, 354/145.1, 354/295, 354/126, 354/219, 354/224, 352/243, 33/334, 33/379-390, 358/229, 358/305
• US Class Current: 396/50
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories

Abstract

A level attachment for cameras is flanged to interengage with channel tracks of a camera hot shoe in either of two positions on orthogonal axes. The arrangement enables leveling the camera side-to-side and fore-and-aft. The level attachment is screw-threaded and can serve as a mounting for various camera accessories directly or through a threaded adapter.

Claims

1. A leveling attachment for cameras which includes an accessory shoe for the mounting of a flash attachment on a camera comprising a camera leveling module including a bubble level element having one orthogonal axis, and the camera leveling module including a mounting base engageable with the accessory shoe on either of two orthogonal axes whereby the bubble level element may have its axis extending from side-to-side or fore-to-aft on the camera.

2. A leveling attachment for cameras as defined in claim 1, and the mounting base of the module comprising a rectangular plate adapted to enter between two channel tracks of a camera accessory shoe in either of two right angular positions.

3. A leveling attachment for cameras as defined in claim 2, and said plate being provided with two intersecting right angular grooves in its bottom face to enable passage of a projecting electrical contact element of the accessory shoe during engagement of the module therewith along either orthogonal axis.

4. A leveling attachment for cameras as defined in claim 1, and said module including a block-like body portion having an upper corner recess, and the bubble level element being fixedly held in said recess.

5. A leveling attachment for cameras as defined in claim 1, and a threaded bore in said module adapted to receive a threaded coupling element of a camera accessory.

6. A leveling attachment for cameras as defined in claim 5, and the threaded bore being across the axis of the bubble level element and perpendicular to said mounting base.

7. A leveling attachment for cameras as defined in claim 5, and a double-ended threaded coupling screw adapted for threaded engagement at one end with the threaded bore of said module and adapted for threaded engagement at its other end with a threaded opening of a camera accessory.