Connection structure for camera and accessory

• US 6,169,857 B1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kaneko, Hidefumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W. B.
• Application Number:
  US09/334,618
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 396/301, 396/388, 396/425, 396/420, 396/419
• US Class Current: 396/301
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04

Abstract

A camera system including a camera, and an accessory to be secured to the camera by means of a screw provided to an upper surface of the accessory and a threaded hole formed on a bottom surface of the camera. At least first and second circuits are respectively provided in the camera and the accessory. First and second connectors, each of which are electrically connected to the first circuit, are provided on the bottom surface of the camera. The first and second connectors arranged at opposite portions, with respect to the threaded holes on the bottom surface of the camera. Further, third and fourth connectors to be respectively connected to the first and second connectors are provided on the upper surface of the accessory. Each of the third and fourth connectors, which are electrically connected to the second circuit, are arranged at portions corresponding to the first and second connectors.

Claims

1. A connection structure for connecting at least first and second circuits respectively provided in first and second devices, said first and second devices respectively having first and second surfaces, said second device being secured to said first device, with said first and second surfaces in contact by a single screw provided to said second device and a threaded hole, which receives said screw, formed on said first device, said connection structure comprising:

first and second connectors provided on said first surface, each of said first and second connectors electrically connected to a common electrical line of said first circuit, said first and second connectors arranged at opposite sides of said threaded hole on said first surface;

third and fourth connectors respectively connectable to said first and second connectors, said third and fourth connectors provided on said second surface, each of said third and fourth connectors electrically connected to a common electrical line of said second circuit, said third and fourth connectors arranged at positions corresponding to said first and second connectors.

2. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein said first contact, said threaded hole, and said second contact are arranged substantially on a same line.

3. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed between a line connecting said first contact and said threaded hole, and another line connecting said threaded hole and said second contact is within a range between 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

4. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a signal related to an operation of one of said first and second circuits is transmitted from the other of said first and second circuits, through said first, second, third and fourth connectors.

5. The connection structure according to claim 1, wherein electrical power is supplied from one of said first and second circuits to the other of said first and second circuits, through said first, second, third and fourth connectors.

6. A connection structure for connecting at least first and second circuits respectively provided in first and second devices, said first and second devices respectively having first and second surfaces, said second device being secured to said first device, with said first and second surfaces in contact by a single screw provided to said second device and a threaded hole, which receives said screw, formed on said first device, said connection structure comprising:

first and second connectors provided on said first surface, each of said first and second connectors electrically connected to a common electrical line of said first circuit;

third and fourth connectors respectively connectable to said first and second connectors, said third and fourth connectors provided on said second surface, each of said third and fourth connectors electrically connected to a common electrical line of said second circuit;

said first, second, third and fourth connectors being configured such that;

(a) said first and second connectors being connected to said third and fourth connectors, respectively in a neutral condition,

(b) if said first connector is detached from said third connector, a connection between said second and fourth connectors are tightened, and

(c) if said second connector is detached from said fourth connector, a connection between said first and third connectors are tightened.

7. The connection structure according to claim 6, wherein said first contact, said threaded hole, and said second contact are arranged substantially on a same line.

8. The connection structure according to claim 6, wherein an angle formed between a line connecting said first contact and said threaded hole, and another line connecting said threaded hole and said second contact is within a range between 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

9. The connection structure according to claim 6, wherein a signal related to an operation of one of said first and second circuits is transmitted from the other of said first and second circuits, through said first, second, third and fourth connectors.

10. The connection structure according to claim 6, wherein electrical power is supplied from one of said first and second circuits to the other of said first and second circuits, through said first, second, third and fourth connectors.

11. A camera system, comprising:

a camera;

an accessory to be secured to said camera, at least first and second circuits being respectively provided in said camera and said accessory, said accessory being secured to said camera by a screw provided to an upper surface of said accessory and a threaded hole formed on a bottom surface of said camera,

first and second connectors provided on said bottom surface of said camera, each of said first and second connectors electrically connected to a common electrical line of said first circuit, said first and second connectors arranged at opposite sides of said threaded hole on said bottom surface of said camera; and

third and fourth connectors respectively connectable to said first and second connectors, said third and fourth connectors provided on said upper surface of said accessory, each of said third and fourth connectors electrically connected to a common electrical line of said second circuit, said third and fourth connectors arranged at positions corresponding to said first and second connectors.

12. The camera system according to claim 11, wherein said second circuit supplies electric power for operation to said first circuit through said first, second, third and fourth connectors.

13. The camera system according to claim 12, wherein said accessory is a battery grip, and wherein said second circuit includes a battery.

14. The camera system according to claim 13, wherein said first connector includes electrodes provided in a battery chamber of said camera, and wherein said third connector includes electrodes provided on a adapter to be inserted in said battery chamber.

15. The camera system according to claim 11, wherein said second circuit supplies a signal related to an operation of said first circuit through said first, second, third and fourth connectors.

16. The camera system according to claim 11, wherein said second circuit includes a switch member, and wherein said second circuit transmits a signal upon operation of said switch member.

17. The camera system according to claim 11, wherein an angle formed between a line connecting said first contact and said threaded hole, and another line connecting said threaded hole and said second contact is within a range between 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

18. The camera system according to claim 11, wherein an angle formed between a line connecting said first contact and said threaded hole, and another line connecting said threaded hole and said second contact is within a range between 225 degrees to 180 degrees.