Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A camera mounting and quick release mechanism includes a stationary base plate and cover plate, with a movable cam plate captured between them. The base plate includes a first clamping flange extending upward along one side, a spring-loaded lock pin movable into and out of the base plate, and an actuating spring to urge the cam plate in a clamping position. The base plate and cover plate together support cam pins which extend through the cam plate. The cam plate is movable between a clamping position and a release position, and include cam slots for engagement with the cam pins, a lock aperture for locking engagement with the lock pin when the cam plate is in its release position, and a second clamping flange movable with the cam plate relative to the first clamping flange for releasable engagement with a camera dovetail base. In another embodiment, a safety lever is rotatable on the base plate between a safety position to prevent release movement of the mechanism, and an open position to permit its release movement. The safety lever is held in its safety position by the actuating spring, and is movable to its open position by manual force opposed to the force on the cam plate release tab.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim