Quick-Fit Camera Plate Lever Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-fit devices for connecting video or photographic equipment to tripods require numerous components for assembly and lack a secure, accidental release prevention mechanism, making them cumbersome and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A quick-fit device with a reduced number of components, featuring a plate-shaped attachment member with a self-locking trapezoidal shape and a lever-operated presser mechanism, combined with a safety device to prevent accidental release, ensuring secure and easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a quick-fit device uses many component parts to ensure secure connection and prevent accidental release, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated quick-release mechanism. The lever simultaneously performs locking, securing, and accidental-release-prevention functions that traditionally required separate components. This merging reduces component count while maintaining connection security through the unified design of the lever mechanism that engages multiple retention points.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-fit device employs a multi-functional lever mechanism that serves multiple purposes: it locks the camera to the tripod, prevents accidental release through its engagement geometry, and provides a secure connection interface. This single component performs what would traditionally require multiple specialized parts, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a quick-fit device uses many component parts to ensure secure connection, then connection security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple security functions into a single lever operation, the device achieves secure connection while maintaining ease of use. The lever's integrated design allows one-handed operation for both attachment and detachment, eliminating the need to manipulate multiple separate components while still providing reliable locking and accidental-release-prevention functions.
3Reliability
If a quick-fit device uses many component parts, then connection security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by combining multiple functions into fewer components. The integrated lever mechanism eliminates the need to manufacture, assemble, and inventory multiple separate locking and securing parts. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces material costs, and lowers assembly complexity while maintaining connection security through the unified design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure, easy-to-use, and safe connection with fewer components, maintaining reliability even with improper operation, while offering a simplified and economical design with improved safety and reduced size.
Implementation Method 1
Presser 11 is resiliently forced by a torsion spring 14 towards a position (FIG. 1) in which it engages the larger side of the plate in the condition in which the plate is immobilised.
Implementation Method 2
A lever operated presser 11 pivots about an axis 12 in order to present a cam profile 13 to the larger side 8 of plate 3.
Implementation Method 3
Safety device 20 comprises a spring-loaded arm 21 hinged in a recess 22 in the base of seat 5
Data Source
AI summary
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.