Positive-lock-and-release device for camera mounting

• US 6,196,504 B1
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maurice W. Lemke
• Original Assignee: Maurice W. Lemke
• Inventors: Lemke, Maurice W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Application Number:
  US09/333,548
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 248/187.1, 248/177.1, 248/223.41, 396/428
• US Class Current: 248/187.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• 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 2200/028 by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections

Abstract

A quick-release device that accommodates an interface connection between a camera and a support having a base plate (32) and a release plate (12) that has a predetermined configuration (21) (22) to allow for a locking plate (14), a detent pin (36), and a clamping block (34) that, when used in combination, provides for a quick, reliable and rigid joining of a camera and support device.

Claims

1. A coupling mechanism that controllably joins a camera device to a support device, comprising:

(a) a base plate having a longitudinally extending slot, the boundaries of said slot defined by one solid side wall, and a second side wall having a predetermined space to accommodate a movable clamping block, said base plate having an aperture of a predetermined shape and location that allows for a detent pin mechanism that controllably couples a release plate to said base plate;

(b) a release plate having a first shape that is of equal length on four sides and slideably engages within the slot of said base plate, said release plate having a lower surface whose periphery has a plurality of striations of a predetermined shape that mates with a detent pin mechanism and said release plate having an upper surface being defined by a raised boss portion that is substantially square providing anti-torsional engagement when mated to a locking plate, said upper surface of said release plate having a slot for attachment to said camera;

(c) a clamping block having a predetermined cross-sectional shape that mates within the said second side wall of said base plate and by slideable engagement generates torsional clamping of the release plate;

(d) a detent pin mechanism having a shape that mates with said aperture of said base plate, allowing slideable engagement of said dentent pin mechanism with the plurality of striations of the release plate; and

(e) a locking plate having a first shape cut-out which mates with said raised boss portion of said release plate, the width of said cut-out predetermined to controllably allow a slideable engagement between said release plate and said locking plate.

2. The coupling mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking plate has a second extended angular shape at one end of said locking plate to engage the vertical surface of said camera device to control rotational coupling.