Quick device for video and photographic equipment
A quick-fit device for video and photographic equipment comprises a first attachment member in the form of a plate which can be fixed to the equipment and a second attachment member including a seat for the plate which can be fixed to a supporting head; a safety device comprising a spring-loaded arm bearing a stop tooth acting on a presser designed to removably lock the plate in the seat is provided in the seat. The tooth has a ramp with an inclined plane from the part facing the seat and a stop shoulder on the opposite part; the presser has an appendage which is capable of riding over the tooth passing from a position against the ramp to a position against the shoulder in passing from a position in which the plate is released to a position in which the same is locked in the seat.
1. A quick-fit device for video and photographic equipment comprising
a first attachment member in the shape of a plate which can be fixed to the equipment and a second attachment member including a seat for said plate which can be fixed to a supporting head for said equipment, said second member comprising means for retaining said plate in said seat which will engage an edge of the plate to hold it in said seat, a cam presser positioned in said seat opposite said retaining means to press the edge of said plate against said retaining means and a safety device to prevent accidental release of said presser,
wherein said safety device comprises a spring-loaded arm which can tilt in the seat and has a stop tooth acting on the presser, said tooth including a ramp with an inclined plane in the part facing said seat and a stop shoulder on the opposite part, said presser including an appendage which can ride over the tooth passing from a position against the ramp to a position against the shoulder in passing from a position in which the plate is released in which it can be removed from the seat and a locked position in which the plate is locked in the seat.
2. A quick-fit device according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprise at least one retaining edge provided in said seat.
3. A quick-fit device according to claim 1 wherein said seat is enclosed on three sides and open at the side corresponding to said presser.
4. A quick-fit device according to claim 1 wherein said arm comprises a projection capable of interacting with said plate when the latter is inserted in said seat causing the arm to tilt and lowering said ramp to the level of said appendage.
5. A quick-fit device according to claim 1 , wherein said presser comprises a torsion spring acting between the presser and said seat to urge said presser in engagement with the plate.
6. A quick-fit device according to claim 5 wherein said torsion spring is such as to generate a thrust component when the appendage of said presser engages said ramp, sufficient to tilt the said arm for said appendage to ride over said tooth.
7. A quick-fit device according to claim 5 wherein said tooth comprises a shoulder at the base of said ramp against which said appendage abuts when the plate is removed from said seat to retain the presser in a position such as not to interfere with insertion of said plate into said seat.