JP4087076B2 - Accessories for camera holding - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camera holding accessory that is detachably attached to a camera body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various electric circuits are provided in a camera, and these are supplied with electric power by a battery housed in the camera body. The battery consumption varies depending on the usage of the camera. For example, if flash photography is frequently used, the battery life is remarkably shortened and the frequency of battery replacement is increased. Therefore, conventionally, a camera has been proposed in which an accessory that can accommodate a larger number of batteries than in the camera body is detachably attached to the camera body so that it can be used without replacing the battery for a long period of time.
[0003]
On the other hand, the camera is usually set in a state where the shutter button is located at the upper right side when viewed from the photographer, that is, in the horizontal position, but depending on the purpose, the camera is rotated 90 degrees around the optical axis of the photographing optical system. In some cases, the position is determined. However, when the position is set to the vertical position, the shutter button is positioned at the upper part of the left side as viewed from the photographer, and the shutter release operation becomes difficult. Therefore, conventionally, in addition to the first shutter button provided on the camera body, a second shutter button is provided on the accessory containing the battery, and the same state as the horizontal position, that is, the second shutter button is viewed from the photographer. There is known a camera configured to be located on the upper right.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A locking device is provided in the accessory for detachably attaching such a holding accessory to the bottom of the camera body, and a lock lever that protrudes from the slit formed in the accessory housing moves along the slit. By doing so, the lock device can be configured to be operated. However, according to such a configuration, there is a possibility that foreign matters such as dust may enter the interior of the accessory from the gap of the slit.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the accessory from the slit formed in the holding accessory.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is detachably attached to the camera body via a lock device, and a lock lever for operating the lock device protrudes from the slit formed in the housing and moves along the longitudinal direction of the slit. A free holding accessory includes a lever curtain that is provided at an edge that defines the periphery of the slit, covers the slit, and allows the lock lever to move along the slit.
[0007]
The lever curtain is, for example, a rectangular cloth having a rubber layer formed on one surface. By forming the rubber layer, a restoring force is generated in the lever curtain. In the lever curtain, the portion pressed by the lock lever is bent, but the portion released from the lock lever is restored, and the slit can be reliably closed. .
[0008]
The lever curtain is preferably formed with a cut extending along the width direction of the lever curtain and reaching the long side of the lever curtain. Due to the incision, the lever curtain is bent only in the vicinity where the lock lever interferes, and the other portions can reliably block the slit.
[0009]
Preferably, incisions are formed at both ends in the range in which the lock lever moves within the slit. Preferably, the cut is formed at a position where the lock lever stops, and the lock lever interferes with the cut at the stop position. Furthermore, it is preferable that the vicinity of the long side of the cut lever curtain is chamfered.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a state where a camera body 10 and a holding accessory 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention are separated, and the camera body 10 is set in a lateral position. The accessory 20 is detachably attached to the bottom surface of the camera body 10.
[0011]
In the camera body 10, an interchangeable lens 11 is detachably attached to the front surface, and a finder 12 is provided at the center of the upper surface. Further, in the camera main body 10, a first grip part 13 protruding forward is formed at the left end portion when viewed from the front so that the photographer can easily hold the camera main body 10, and the upper surface of the first grip part 13 is formed. Is provided with a first shutter button 14. Triangular rings 15 and 16 for attaching straps are attached to the left and right shoulders of the camera body 10.
[0012]
In the accessory 20, a bulging portion 21 that protrudes forward so as to have a horizontal cross-sectional shape that matches the lower end portion of the first grip portion 13 is formed at the left end when viewed from the front. The 2nd grip part 22 extended in the horizontal direction protrudes. A second shutter button 23 is provided at a location near the bulging portion 21 of the second grip portion 22. That is, in the vertical position where the camera body 10 is rotated about 90 degrees clockwise as viewed from the front, the second shutter button 23 faces upward.
[0013]
In addition to the battery, the accessory 20 is provided with various electric circuits that generate predetermined electric signals by operating the second shutter button 23 and the like. On the upper surface of the accessory 20, an insertion member 24 incorporating a lead wire for supplying electric power generated by the battery to an electric circuit in the camera body 10 is provided. The insertion member 24 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the camera body 10. A signal contact pin 25 for transmitting an electric signal to an electric circuit in the camera body 10 is provided on the upper surface of the accessory 20. Further, on the upper surface of the accessory 20, when connecting the accessory 20 to the camera body 10, a positioning pin 26 for positioning between the two and a first and a first for fixing the accessory 20 to the camera body 10. Two connecting members 27 and 28 are provided.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the accessory 20 as seen from the rear.
The outer wall of the housing of the accessory 20 includes a front cover 31 (see FIG. 3) and a rear cover 32, and an opening formed on the side surface is closed by a lid member 37. A slit 61 extending in the horizontal direction is formed in the rear cover 32, and a lock lever 62 of a lock device that holds the accessory 20 connected to the camera body 10 is inserted into the slit 61. The lock lever 62 is movable along the slit 61. An unlocking member 63 is provided near the right end of the slit 61 when the accessory 20 is viewed from the rear. The unlocking member 63 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the wall surface of the rear cover 32.
[0015]
In the rear cover 32 of the accessory 20, a power switch 64 is provided below the lock release member 63, and an AE lock button 65 is provided on the right side of the power switch 64. By operating the power switch 64, power supply from the battery provided in the accessory 20 to the electric circuit in the camera body 10 is started. By operating the AE lock button 65, the exposure condition is fixed for a predetermined time. In the rear cover 32, on the right side of the AE lock button 65, a remote control switch 66 for turning on and off the remote control shooting mode and remote control light reception for receiving infrared light emitted from the remote control (not shown) during remote control shooting. A window 67 is provided.
[0016]
The configuration of the housing of the accessory 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 3, the insertion member 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is omitted.
[0017]
The housing of the accessory 20 includes a front cover 31 corresponding to the front surface of the camera body 10, a rear cover 32 corresponding to the rear surface of the camera body 10, and a partition member 33 provided between the front cover 31 and the rear cover 32. Is provided. Each of the front cover 31 and the rear cover 32 is substantially equal to the width of the camera body 10, that is, the length in the left-right direction, and is fixed to the partition member 33 by screws 34. As described above, the front cover 31 includes the bulging portion 21 and the second grip portion 22, and the first notch 35 is provided at the end of the second grip portion 22 opposite to the bulging portion 21. Is formed. A second notch 36 is formed at a position corresponding to the first notch 35 of the rear cover 32. In a state where the front cover 31, the rear cover 32, and the partition member 33 are assembled, the opening defined by the first and second cutouts 35 and 36 is closed by the lid member 37 as described above.
[0018]
The middle partition member 33 is slightly shorter than the front cover 31 and the rear cover 32, but extends over substantially the entire left and right direction of the camera body 10. On the wall surfaces of the front cover 31, the rear cover 32, and the partition member 33, a large number of ribs 38 that are cut out in an arc shape along the outer surface of the battery are formed. That is, in the state where the front cover 31, the rear cover 32, and the partition member 33 are assembled, as clearly shown in FIG. 4, a battery chamber 41 for accommodating a plurality of batteries is partitioned and formed. Constitutes a wall that partitions a plurality of batteries in the battery chamber 41. Further, the partition member 33 has a flat plate 39 perpendicular to the optical axis of the interchangeable lens (shooting optical system) 11. The flat plate 39 increases the bending rigidity of the accessory 20 and improves the strength performance. In addition, a tripod female screw 43 for connecting a tripod is provided in a hole 42 formed at a substantially lower portion in the center of the longitudinal direction of the partition member 33 (width direction of the camera body 10).
[0019]
The front cover 31, the rear cover 32, and the middle partition member 33 are made of synthetic resin, and are formed by a mold composed of an upper mold and a lower mold that are displaced laterally in FIG. That is, by adopting a configuration in which the housing of the accessory 20 is divided into the front cover 31 and the rear cover 32 and connected by the intermediate partition member 33, it is easy to release from the mold in the manufacturing process of these resin molded products. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the accessory 20 can be suppressed.
[0020]
On the bottom surfaces of the front cover 31 and the rear cover 32, the portions including the portions where the screws 34 for connecting to the inner partition member 33 are provided are recessed, and the bottom rubber cover 46 is provided in these recessed portions 44. It is done. On the other hand, an outer appearance rubber cover 47 is attached to the upper surface of the front cover 31. A metal support plate 68 is placed on the upper surface of the middle partition member 33, and the opening formed above the front cover 31 and the rear cover 32 is closed by the upper plate 48. The upper plate 48 has openings 48a, 48b, and 48c.
[0021]
The configuration of the locking device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the lock lever 62 is in the locked position and the accessory 20 is firmly connected to the camera body 10, and FIG. 6 is a state in which the lock lever 62 is in the partial release position and the accessory 20 is still partially in the camera body 10. Shows a state of being connected. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the lock lever 62 is in the complete release position and the accessory 20 is completely separated from the camera body 10.
[0022]
The lock lever 62 is rotatably supported along the support plate 68 by a pivot pin 68 a fixed to the support plate 68. The arm 62a of the lock lever 62 projects outward from the edge of the support plate 68, and a lock button (operation unit) 62b is provided at the projecting end of the arm 62a. A guide pin 62c projects from the surface of the arm 62a on the support plate 68 side, and the guide pin 62c is formed in the support plate 68 and fits into an arc-shaped elongated hole 68b having the pivot pin 68a as the center of curvature. Match. That is, the lock lever 62 is rotatable within a range in which the guide pin 62c can move within the elongated hole 68b. The lock lever 62 includes first and second projecting portions 62e and 62f extending from the pivot pin 68a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the arm 62a. An annular collar 62g is pivotally attached to the tip of the first overhang 62e, and a pressing pin 62h is fixed to the tip of the second overhang 62f.
[0023]
The first connecting member 27 is guided by four guide rollers 68c provided on the upper surface of the support plate 68, and is movably supported by the support plate 68, that is, the housing. The connecting claw 27a formed at one edge of the first connecting member 27 protrudes from the opening 48a (see FIG. 3) of the upper plate 48 and is displaced in conjunction with the lock lever 62 as will be described later. Thus, it can be locked to the edge of the opening formed on the bottom surface of the camera body 10. The first connecting member 27 has a rectangular opening 27b. A signal contact pin 22 for electrically connecting the electrical circuit in the accessory 20 and the electrical circuit in the camera body 10 is located inside the opening 27b. The signal contact pin 22 protrudes from an opening 48 b (see FIG. 3) of the upper plate 48 and can contact an electrical contact provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 10.
[0024]
The first connecting member 27 and the support plate 68 are connected by a pair of tension springs 69, and the first connecting member 27 is always urged in the direction opposite to the lock lever 62 side, that is, the connecting claw 27a. The edge of the first connecting member 27 opposite to the connecting claw 27a is provided with a leaf spring 27c bent in a “<” shape, and the collar 62g of the lock lever 62 is engaged with the leaf spring 27c. Is possible. That is, the first connecting member 27 is pressed by the lock lever 62 via the leaf spring 27c, and is displaced to the connecting claw 27a side, that is, the outside.
[0025]
The intermediate lever 71 is rotatably supported by a pivot pin 68d fixed to the support plate 68. The edge 71a on the lock lever 62 side of the intermediate lever 71 is formed in an arc shape in order to avoid interference with the pressing pin 62h, and the pressing pin 62h is provided at the end of the edge 71a on the pivot pin 68d side. A notch 71b to be engaged is formed. The pin 71 d fixed to the intermediate lever 71 and the pin 68 e fixed to the support plate 68 are connected by an omega spring 73. Thereby, the intermediate lever 71 is in a first position (see FIG. 7) rotated to the lock lever 62 side and a second position (see FIGS. 5 and 6) rotated to the second connecting member 28 side. Stabilizes stably. As will be described later, the intermediate lever 71 has a hole 71e with which a connecting pin 28d provided on the second connecting member 28 is engaged.
[0026]
The second connecting member 28 is guided by four guide rollers 68f provided on the upper surface of the support plate 68, and is movably supported by the support plate 68, that is, the housing. The moving direction of the second connecting member 28 is parallel to the moving direction of the first connecting member 27, but the directions are opposite to each other. One of the four guide rollers 68f also serves as the pin 68e described above. A connection claw 28 a is formed on the second connection member 28. The connecting claw 28a protrudes from the opening 48c (see FIG. 3) of the upper plate 48 and is displaced in conjunction with the lock lever 62 as will be described later, whereby the edge of the opening formed on the bottom surface of the camera body 10. Can be locked. The second connecting member 28 is formed with first and second guide slits 28b and 28c extending along the moving direction. The first guide slit 28b is engaged with the pivot pin 68a, and the second guide slit 28c is engaged with the pivot pin 68d. The connecting pin 28 d fixed to the connecting member 28 is engaged with the hole 71 e of the intermediate lever 71.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the locking device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the lock lever 62 is in the locked position, the lock button 62b is in a position where the side surface 62i is close to the unlocking member 63, and the collar 62g presses the vicinity of the bent portion 27d of the leaf spring 27c. ing. Accordingly, the first connecting member 27 is biased by the spring force generated when the collar 62g presses the leaf spring 27c, and is displaced outward against the spring force of the tension spring 69. On the other hand, the intermediate lever 71 is stationary at the position where the second connecting member 28 is pressed to the connecting claw 28 a side, that is, the outside by the spring force of the omega spring 73. That is, the first and second connecting members 27 and 28 are positioned and fixed in directions away from each other. When the accessory 20 is attached to the camera body 10, the connecting claws 27 a and 28 a are the bottom surfaces of the camera body 10. The accessory 20 and the camera body 10 are firmly connected to each other.
[0028]
In order to remove the accessory 20 from the camera body 10, first, the lock release member 63 is pushed into the first connecting member 27 side to expose the side surface 62i of the lock button 62b. As a result, the lock lever 62 is easy to operate. When the side surface 62i is pushed toward the second connecting member 28, the collar 62g deflects the leaf spring 27c and gets over the bent portion 27d. 62h stops when engaged with the notch 71b of the intermediate lever 71. This state is the partial release position shown in FIG. 6, and the leaf spring 27c is released from the collar 62g. Therefore, the first connecting member 27 is displaced inward (on the lock lever 62 side) by the tension spring 69. As a result, the connecting claw 27 a of the first connecting member 27 is released from the opening edge of the bottom surface of the camera body 10. On the other hand, the second connecting member 28 is urged by the omega spring 73 to be stationary, and the connecting claw 28 a is maintained in a state of being locked to the opening edge portion of the bottom surface of the camera body 10. In this state, the connecting claw 27a side of the accessory 20 can be separated from the camera body. However, the positioning pin 26 engages with the inner wall of the insertion hole of the camera body 10 and cooperates with the connecting claw 28a. The state of being connected to the camera body 10 via the second connecting member 28 is maintained. Therefore, even if the user removes the accessory 20 from the hand, the accessory 20 does not fall.
[0029]
When the lock lever 62 is further moved from the partial release position (FIG. 6) to the second connecting member 28 side, the pressing pin 62h presses the notch 71b, and the intermediate lever 71 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the second connecting member 28 moves inward (on the lock lever 62 side) via the connecting pin 28d and stops at the complete release position shown in FIG. In this state, the connection claw 28 a of the second connection member 28 is released from the opening edge of the bottom surface of the camera body 10. That is, the connection claws 27 a and 28 a of the first and second connection members 27 and 28 are both released from the camera body 10, and the accessory 20 is removed from the camera body 10.
[0030]
When attaching the accessory 20 to the camera body 10, first, the accessory 20 is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the camera body 10, and the connecting claws 27 a and 28 a are engaged with the openings on the bottom surface of the camera body 10. Then, the lock lever 62 determined at the complete release position (see FIG. 7) may be tilted toward the first connecting member 27 and set at the lock position (see FIG. 5). As a result, the connecting members 27 and 28 are displaced outward, and the connecting claws 27 a and 28 a are locked to the opening edge of the bottom surface of the camera body 10.
[0031]
As described above, in the operation of removing the accessory 20 from the camera body 10, the lock lever 62 is rotated from the lock position (FIG. 5) and is temporarily fixed to the partial release position (FIG. 6). The connecting member 28 is connected to the camera body 10. Therefore, the accessory 20 is not accidentally dropped. In addition, the operation of moving the lock lever 62 from the lock position to the complete release position through the partial release position and the operation of setting the lock lever 62 from the complete release position to the lock position may be performed simply by rotating the lock lever 62. The attachment and removal operations of the camera body 10 are extremely simple.
[0032]
Further, since the leaf spring 27c is provided on the first connecting member 27, the lock lever 62 is moved with sufficient force to allow the collar 62g to get over the bent portion 27d of the leaf spring 27c in the turning operation of the lock lever 62. Must be pressed. Thus, by providing the click stop mechanism that gives a predetermined resistance to the movement of the lock lever 62, it is possible to prevent the lock lever 62 in the lock position from being inadvertently operated.
[0033]
FIG. 8 is a view of the rear cover 32 as viewed from the inside of the housing. The slit 61 formed in the rear cover 32 extends in the horizontal direction. A lever curtain 81 is affixed to the upper edge of the lower side wall 61 a that defines the periphery of the slit 61. The lever curtain 81 is a rectangular cloth having substantially the same length as the slit 61, and one surface is rubberized to form a rubber layer. The upper long side 81 a of the lever curtain 81 is located in the vicinity of the edge of the upper wall portion of the slit 61, and the lever curtain 81 covers the slit 61. In the lever curtain 81, notches 81b and 81c are formed in the vicinity of both ends thereof. The positions where the notches 81b and 81c are formed are both ends in the range in which the lock lever 62 moves within the slit 61. Each of the notches 81b and 81c extends along the width direction of the lever curtain 81 and reaches the long side 81a on the upper side of the lever curtain 81.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the tip of the lock lever 62, that is, the lock button 62 b protrudes from the slit 61 to the outside of the housing. The lock lever 62 is rotatable around the pivot pin 68 a, and the arm 62 a of the lock lever 62 moves along the longitudinal direction of the slit 61 along with this rotation. The upper portion 81d (see FIG. 12) of the lever curtain 81 that interferes with the arm 62a is bent outward of the rear cover 32 by the arm 62a. A portion where the arm 62a of the lever curtain 81 does not interfere maintains an upright state by its restoring force. That is, the lever curtain 81 covers the slit 61 while allowing the lock lever 62 to move along the slit 61, and foreign matter such as dust is prevented from entering the accessory 20 from the slit 61. .
[0035]
When the lock lever 62 is stopped at the lock position (see FIG. 9), the arm 62a interferes with one notch 81b of the lever curtain 81. On the other hand, when the lock lever 62 is in the partial release position (see FIG. 10), the arm 62a does not interfere with any of the notches 81b and 81c, but when the lock lever 62 is in the complete release position (see FIG. 11). The arm 62a interferes with the other notch 81c. Therefore, when the lock lever 62 is in the locked position, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the small piece 81e on the end side of the notch 81b (FIG. 8) of the lever curtain 81 is bent horizontally by the arm 62a. The central portion 81f is greatly curved. Thereby, the lever curtain 81 can cover the slit 61 as much as possible, and when the lock lever 62 moves to the partial release position side, the arm 62a can smoothly bend the central side portion 81f, and the lever curtain 81 is damaged. Is prevented.
[0036]
FIG. 14 shows another example of the lever curtain 81, in which the vicinity of the long side 81a of the notch 81b is chamfered to form a triangular notch 81g. According to this configuration, in the state shown in FIG. 13, the curvature of the curvature of the central portion 81 f of the lever curtain 81 is further increased, and the slit 61 can be covered more completely.
[0037]
In any of the above embodiments, the lever curtain 81 has only one long side end attached to the upper edge of the lower side wall 61a, and the long side end facing the other upper plate 48 side. The side is freely deformable. For this reason, when the accessory 20 is disassembled and assembled, it is not necessary to peel off and bond the lever curtain. In addition, since the portion that is elastically deformed by the arm 62a is located farthest from the attaching position, it is most easily bent and restored. In these respects, it is advantageous compared to a configuration in which a slit is cut in the center of the curtain and the arm 62a is passed through the slit.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, foreign matter such as dust can be prevented from entering the accessory from the slit formed in the accessory for holding.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a camera body and a holding accessory according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holding accessory as seen from the rear.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing of a holding accessory.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a holding accessory.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the lock device when the lock lever is in the lock position.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the lock device when the lock lever is in a partial release position.
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the lock device when the lock lever is in a complete release position.
FIG. 8 is a view of the rear cover as viewed from the inside of the housing.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a lock lever and a slit in a lock position.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a lock lever and a slit in a partial release position.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a lock lever and a slit in a complete release position.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an interference state between the arm of the lock lever and the lever curtain.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lock lever bends the lever curtain.
FIG. 14 is a view showing another example of a lever curtain.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Camera Body 20 Accessory 61 for Holding 61 Slit 62 Lock Lever 81 Lever Curtain

Claims (4)

A holding accessory detachably attached to the camera body via a lock device, wherein a lock lever for locking or unlocking the camera body and the accessory by the lock device is provided from a slit formed in the housing. In a holding accessory that protrudes out of the slit and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the slit, the accessory is provided on an edge that defines the periphery of the slit, covers the slit, and the lock lever extends along the slit. A lever curtain that allows movement; and the lock lever has a plate-like arm having a predetermined width along the longitudinal direction of the slit, and the lever curtain has a width direction of the lever curtain. A notch that extends to the long side of the lever curtain There is formed, the cut is the lock lever is formed at a position to stop at a stop position, said arm interferes with the cut above, with folding the piece of the end side from the cut of said lever curtain, An accessory for holding a camera , wherein a center side portion of the lever curtain is curved with respect to the notch .   The accessory for holding according to claim 1, wherein the lever curtain is a rectangular cloth having a rubber layer formed on one surface.   The accessory for holding according to claim 1, wherein the notches are formed at both ends in a range in which the lock lever moves within the slit.   The accessory for holding according to claim 1, wherein the vicinity of the long side of the cut is chamfered.

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