Connecting device for easy connection of separate casings for electric apparatus

• US 5,306,174 A
• Filed: 11/18/1992
• Issued: 04/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kiga, Kazuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US07/978,416
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 439/310, 439/341, 439/347, 439/374, 439/376, 439/378, 403/405.1, 403/409.1
• US Class Current: 439/341
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements

Abstract

A connecting device for detachably connecting two separate casings, includes a first movable engaging member slidable on a first casing, a second stationary engaging member secured to the second casing, and a link assembly operatively connected to the first engaging member. An actuator handle is operatively connected to the link assembly. A stopper is provided for locking a movement of the actuator handle. When the actuator handle is operated in one direction, the first engaging member is moved through the link assembly toward the second engaging member so as to be engaged with the second engaging member. When the actuator handle is operated in the other direction, the first engaging member is moved through the link assembly remote from the second engaging member so as to be disengaged from the second engaging member.

Claims

1. A connecting device for detachably connecting a first casing with a second casing, comprising:

first and second wedges disposed on said first casing;

a third wedge secured to said second casing;

a fourth wedge slidably mounted on said second casing;

at least said second and fourth wedges being substantially parallel with each other when said first and second casings are in a mating position;

means for driving said fourth wedge on said second casing, said driving means comprising a link assembly which is operatively coupled with said fourth wedge; and

means for locking said fourth wedge at a locking position where said fourth wedge is engaged with said second wedge of said first casing;

wherein said link assembly comprises;

a first link rotatably mounted on said second casing; and

a second link connected, at one end thereof, with said first link and, at the other end thereof, with said fourth wedge;

wherein, when said first and second casings mate with each other and said link assembly is operated in one direction, said fourth wedge moves from a first position where said fourth wedge is located remotest from said second wedge, through a second position where said fourth wedge is located closest to said second wedge to be engaged therewith, into a third position where said fourth wedge is located between said first and second positions but still engaged with said second wedge.

2. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and third wedges serve as positioning means for placing said first and second casings in said mating position.

3. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, 7herein the locking of said fourth wedge by said locking means is performed by restricting a movement of said link assembly in said one direction and another direction reverse thereto.

4. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of said link assembly in said one direction is limited by abutment thereof against a part of said second casing at said third position of said fourth wedge.

5. A connecting device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising an actuator handle for operating said link assembly.

6. A connecting device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a stopper which locks a movement of said actuator handle.

7. A connecting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second casing includes a biassing means for biassing at least one of said first and second links in a direction whereupon said fourth wedge is urged toward said first position.

8. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first casing includes a wall having an upper portion on which said first wedge extends substantially horizontally, and a lower portion on which said second wedge extends substantially horizontally, said first wedge being formed with a slant lower face and said second wedge is formed with a corresponding slant upper second wedge is formed with a corresponding slant upper face, while said second casing includes a wall having an upper portion on which said third wedge extends substantially horizontally, and a lower portion on which said fourth wedge extends substantially horizontally, said third wedge being formed with a slant upper face which engages said slant lower face of said first wedge, said fourth wedge being formed with a slant lower face which engages said slant upper face of said second wedge.

9. A connecting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said slant upper face of said third wedge has a notch for receiving a pin which is disposed below said first wedge on the wall of said first casing.

10. A connecting device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said wall of said first casing has a first connector at a lower end thereof and said wall of said second casing has at a lower end thereof a second connector which engage said first connector, said engagement of said first and second connectors causing said first and second casings to be electrically interconnected.

11. A connecting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first casing is a camera adapter and said second casing is a camera.

12. A connecting device mounted on a second casing and including a link assembly for connecting said second casing with a first casing, said first casing having first and second wedges, comprising:

a third wedge secured to said second casing;

a fourth wedge slidably disposed on said second casing;

at least said second and fourth wedges being substantially parallel with each other when said first and second casings are in a mating position;

means for driving said fourth wedge on said second casing; and

means for locking said fourth wedge at a locking position where said fourth wedge is engaged with said second wedge of said first casing;

wherein said link assembly comprises;

a first link rotatably mounted on said second casing; and

a second link connected, at one end thereof, with said first link and, at the other end thereof, with said fourth wedge;

wherein, when said first and second casings mate with each other and said link assembly is operated in one direction, said fourth wedge moves from a first position where said fourth wedge is located remotest from said second wedge, through a second position where said fourth wedge is located closest to said second wedge to be engaged therewith, into a third position where said fourth wedge is located between said first and second positions but still engaged with said second wedge.

13. A connecting device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the movement of said link assembly in said one direction is limited by abutment thereof against a part of said second casing at said third position of said fourth wedge.

14. A connecting device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an actuator handle for operating said link assembly.

15. A connecting device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a stopper which locks a movement of said handle.

16. A connecting device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second casing includes a biassing means for biassing at least one of said first and second links in a direction whereupon said fourth wedge is urged toward said first position.

17. A connecting device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first casing includes a wall having an upper portion on which said first wedge extends substantially horizontally, and a lower portion on which said second wedge extends substantially horizontally, said first wedge being formed with a slant lower face and said second wedge is formed with a corresponding slant upper face, while said second casing includes a wall having an upper portion on which said third wedge extends substantially horizontally, and a lower portion on which said fourth wedge extends substantially horizontally, said third wedge being formed with a slant upper face which engages said slant lower face of said first wedge, said fourth wedge being formed with a slant lower face which engages said slant upper face of said second wedge.

18. A connecting device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said slant upper face of said third wedge has a notch for receiving a pin which is disposed below said first wedge on the wall of said first casing.

19. A connecting device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said wall of said first casing has a first connector at a lower end thereof and said wall of said second casing has at a lower end thereof a second connector which engage said first connector, said engagement of said first and second connectors causing said first and second casings to be electrically interconnected.

20. A connecting device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first casing is a camera adapter and said second casing is a camera.