FR2620833A1 - Accessory holder device for camera - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory holder device for camera, comprising a body having at least one pair of grooves, each making it possible to receive a photographic accessory, in particular a filter, the body comprising on its side opposite the said grooves means for mounting it on the camera. The said mounting means comprise, on the lower part 3 of the said body 1, and extending from the opposite face to that comprising the grooves, a base 2 extending perpendicular to the said body, the said base being capable of engaging under a camera and comprising means for fixing it onto the lower face of the said camera.

Description

 The present invention relates to an accessory device, in particular filter holder, for a camera, in particular a compact type photographic camera.

 It is often necessary in taking pictures, to obtain special effects, to have in front of the lens one or more filters, in particular one or more color filters and / or a polarizing rotating filter, as well as an additional element such as for example a sun visor or the like.

 The applicant has thus described in his French patent n 78 07309 (FR-A-2 420 150) an accessory-carrying device comprising a body having at least one pair of grooves making it possible to each receive a photographic accessory, in particular a filter, the body comprising on its side opposite said grooves, mounting means on the camera in the form of a removable annular ring provided with an external thread placed in a corresponding housing of said body.

 With this device, it is possible, with a single body, to provide a set of mounting rings each corresponding to a commercially available lens dimension.

 Such an assembly, using a threaded ring, is however not possible for many devices available on the market, in particular those of compact type whose objective does not include a thread capable of receiving such a ring. .

 It is nevertheless desirable with this type of camera to be able to produce special effects using in particular sliding or rotating filters and / or to install an accessory such as a sun visor.

 The present invention proposes to provide an accessory holder device easily adaptable to all existing cameras, whatever their format, in particular those of compact type, which is simple and economical and which makes it possible to receive various accessories such as in particular filters and / or a sun visor allowing the necessary relative movements of rotation and / or sliding in translation of the filters relative to the objective.

 The device according to the invention comprises a body having at least one pair of grooves each making it possible to receive a photographic accessory, in particular a filter, and means for mounting said body on the camera and is essentially characterized by the fact that said mounting means comprise, at the lower part of said body, and extending from its face opposite to that comprising said grooves, a base extending perpendicular to said body, said base being able to be engaged under a gripping device views and comprising means for fixing it to the underside of said camera.

 Most cameras have on their underside at least one threaded hole usable in particular for mounting, by engagement of a fixing screw, the camera on a stand.

 Such a tapped hole can advantageously be used for mounting the device according to the invention and for this purpose the base comprises a plurality of holes and / or preferably slots allowing the passage of a fixing screw passing through the base and engaging the tapped hole on the bottom surface of the camera.

 Advantageously, the base of the device according to the invention comprises a plurality of parallel slots preferably extending over the major part of the width of the base, that is to say transversely with respect to the gripping device. of views on which the device is mounted, thus defining a very large number of possible relative positions of the base relative to the camera and allowing the device according to the invention to be used with almost all devices of existing shots on the market.

 In a preferred embodiment, the slots made in the base are continuous and comprise at predetermined intervals bridges of material ensuring a stiffening of the base, these bridges being however easily breakable, if necessary, for a particular positioning of the device. compared to a camera.

 The base of the device according to the invention can be fixed relative to the body, but preferably, for reasons of space when the device is not mounted, the base is advantageously pivotally mounted relative to the body between a position rest where the base extends substantially along said body and a position of use in which the base is substantially perpendicular to the body, position in which the device can be fixed to a camera.

 Preferably, locking means in particular by snap-fastening are provided to immobilize the base relative to the body in its position of use.

 In a preferred embodiment, the base is separable from the body and it is thus possible to provide a set of several bases of different lengths, therefore comprising a different number of slots making it possible to adapt to different depths of gripping devices. of views.

 Other means of fixing the device according to the invention to the camera can be provided to replace or complement the slots described above for the engagement of a fixing screw.

Thus, the upper face of the base, capable of coming into contact with the lower face of the camera, can be provided with means of adhesion by pressure to the camera. For this purpose, for example, the upper face of the base and the lower face of the camera can be provided with two strips of an adhesive material by pressure and separable under the effect of traction, in particular a material with loops and hooks known under the name of
Velcro. The faces of the strips opposite to those carrying the cooperating loops and hooks may be provided with an adhesive coating for their attachment to the corresponding faces of the base and of the camera.

 The body of the accessory-carrying device according to the invention may include all or part of the characteristics described in the applicant's prior patent mentioned in the preamble.

 In particular, the pair or pairs of grooves are preferably made in two substantially parallel, opposite flanges, offset to the outside perpendicular to said body.

 The grooves of one of said pairs are preferably arranged opposite one another in the internal faces of the opposed flanges so as to allow reception between them of a filter of circular shape while allowing the relative rotation of this filter relative to said body, the latter further comprising, at its lower part, a stop preventing the disengagement of the rotating circular filter from the body. Preferably also, the two opposite flanges each have in its internal face, in addition to the groove for receiving the rotating circular filter, at least one groove, and preferably several grooves, for the reception between the grooves facing flat filters while allowing a sliding displacement in translation of the planar filter or filters with respect to the body.

 At least one of the sides of each of the grooves for receiving flat filters preferably also has a certain elasticity so as to allow the filter to be held in the corresponding grooves.

Finally, the external faces of the opposite flanges of the body advantageously each have a groove for the engagement of corresponding attachment tabs of an additional element, in particular a sun visor, capable of being mounted on the device.

 To increase the possibilities of special effects, it is of course possible to mount on the body of the device according to the invention an adapter device as described in the applicant's French patent No. 80 06225 (FR-A 2 478 835) allowing the installation of additional accessory-holding devices.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawing in which
FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in the position of use,
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1 in the position of use,
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of the device, in the folded position of non-use,
FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views in section substantially along AA of FIG. 1 corresponding respectively to the positions of FIGS. 2 and 3,
FIGS. 6 and 7 are views in section substantially along BB of FIG. 1 corresponding respectively to the positions of FIGS. 2 and 3, and
- Figure 8 is a top view of another base usable in the device according to the invention.

 The device according to the invention consists of a body generally designated by 1 and a base generally designated by 2.

 The body 1, preferably made in one piece by plastic molding, has in section substantially the shape of a U with a lower branch 3, horizontal in the use position, from which extend substantially at an angle right two vertical branches 4 in position of use.

 The body 1 comprises, projecting from the outer face of the branches 4, two flanges 5 parallel opposite. Each of the flanges 5 has on its face turned towards the opposite flange, a plurality of grooves four in number in the example shown, these grooves being produced between ribs of the flanges 5.

 Thus in the example illustrated, each of the flanges 5 has a groove 6 defined between the outer face of the branch 4 of the body and a rib 7 of the flange, a second groove 8 defined between the rib 7 and a rib 9, a third groove 10 defined between the rib 9 and a rib 11, and a fourth groove 12 defined between the rib 11 and an end rib 13.

 As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the ribs 7 and 11 each have a curved central part, 7a and 11a respectively, allowing elastic filters to be maintained (not shown) introduced into grooves 8 and 12 respectively.

 The possibilities of placing and sliding flat filters in such grooves made in flanges of an accessory device body, have been described in the prior French patent No. 78 07309 of the depositor to which reference may be made for In the same way, this document illustrates the installation and the possibilities of use of a circular filter which, in the present case, can be introduced into the groove 6 and maintained in this groove with possibility of rotation. relative by means of a stop 14 projecting outwards from the lower branch 3 of the body.

 As also described in the prior document, the flanges 5 each have on their external face a groove 15 for the installation of an additional accessory such as a sun visor.

 The body of the device according to the invention comprises, for the reception of the base 2, two curved legs 16 projecting towards the rear of the branch 3 of the body, and capable of forming rotational bearings for the base, like this will be explained later. Each of the legs 16 has a recess of semi-circular section 17 and ends in a part 18 curved in the direction of the branches of the body.

 The body also includes, in the central part of its lower branch 3, a horizontal tongue 19 which, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, is extended downwards by a recess 20 having an inclined bearing in the form of a ramp 21.

 The base 2, one embodiment of which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 and a second embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 8, is preferably made by molding in plastic material, comprises a plate 22 and respectively 22 'extended by in one piece by an end flange 23 extending substantially at right angles to the plate 22 and respectively 22 '.

 In this rim 23 are made axis elements in the form of substantially semi-cylindrical bearing surfaces 24 intended to engage in the recesses 17 of the legs 16 of the body, so as to allow the pivoting of the base relative to the body between the positions illustrated respectively in FIGS. 2 and 3.

 To ensure locking of the base in the position of use illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the plate 22 of the base is at right angles to the branches of the body, provision is made in the vicinity of the central part from the rim 23 of the base, a tongue projecting from the rim, which is best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, generally designated by 25 and which comprises an end spout 26 and a straight reach 27 perpendicular to the plane of the plate 22 and respectively 22 'of the base.

 To illustrate the possibility of locking the base on the body in the use position, reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7.

 In the position of Figure 6, the bearing 27 is applied plane on plane against the front face of the tongue 19 and achieves a blocking of the base in this position.

 To pass from the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to that illustrated in FIG. 7, it suffices to apply a force, either to the upper end of the body or to the end of the base, so that the spout d the end 26 of the tongue 25 resiliently pushes the tongue 19 and is guided by the ramp-shaped seat 21 to the position of FIG. 7.

 To place the device in the use position from the folded position in FIG. 7, the reverse operation is carried out until the spout 26 emerges from the recess 20 at the end of the ramp-shaped span 21 and that thus the range 27 applies to the tongue 19 of the body. As explained above and as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pivoting movement of the base relative to the body is allowed by the engagement in rotation of the bearing surfaces in the form of elements of axis 24 of the base. in the recesses 17 of the legs 16 projecting from the body.

 In the embodiment shown, the base can be easily separated from the body by exerting an upward pull in the position of FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, so as to release the axis elements 24 from the recesses 17 by pushing elastically the curved end portions 18 of the lugs 16. The installation of a base is carried out conversely by snap-fitting by engaging the axis elements 24 as far as in their retaining position in the recesses 17 by elastically pushing the curved end portions 18 of the legs 16.

 For the attachment of the device to a camera, the base illustrated in FIGS. I to 7 comprises a continuous slot 28 and a set of three slots 29, 30 and 31 aligned parallel to the slot 28. In the variant illustrated in FIG. 8, there are provided seven parallel continuous slots 32 having, at intervals, bridges of material 33 which are easily breakable, the number and the arrangement of the slots are in no way limiting.

 To install the device according to the invention on a camera, the device is first placed in the position of use illustrated in FIG. 2, after which the base 2 is positioned relative to the underside of the camera until the body 1 is correctly positioned relative to the lens both in the transverse direction and in the direction of the optical axis and one of the grooves of the base is located opposite the thread usually provided on the underside of the camera allowing the introduction of a fixing screw and tightening thereof.

 Although the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it can be brought to many variations and modifications without departing from its scope or nor of his mind.

Claims (8)

 1. Accessory device for a camera, comprising a body having at least one pair of grooves for receiving each a photographic accessory, in particular a filter, the body comprising on its side opposite to said grooves mounting means on the 'camera, characterized in that said mounting means comprise, at the lower part (3) of said body (1), and extending from its face opposite to that comprising said grooves (6,8,10 , 12) a base (2) extending perpendicular to said body, said base being able to be engaged under a camera and comprising means (28 ... 32) for fixing it on the underside of said camera. Shooting.  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base comprises a plurality of slots (28 ... 32) allowing the passage of a fixing screw passing through the base and engaging in a tapped hole of the bottom surface of the camera.  3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of parallel slots (32) extending over the major part of the width of the base.  4. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the slots (32) made in the base are continuous and comprise at predetermined intervals bridges of material (33).  5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (2) is pivotally mounted relative to the body (1) between a rest position where the base extends substantially along said body and a position of use in which the base is substantially perpendicular to the body.  6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the body comprises projecting from its rear face legs (16) having recesses (17) of substantially semi-circular section defining bearings for the rotation of substantially semi-bearing surfaces circular (24) formed in an end flange (23) of the base.  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking means, in particular by snap-fastening, cooperating on the body (19,20,21) and respectively on the base (25, 26,27) to immobilize the base relative to the body in its position of use.  8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base is separable from the body.