# US 2010/0166418 A1 · Camera accessory coupling apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166418 A1 - Document ID: US20100166418A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/635,781 - Filed: 2009-12-11 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-26 - Assignees: Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Chi-hun Hwang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166418A1 ## CPC - G03B 17/00: Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor (lens hoods or caps G03B11/04) - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A camera accessory coupling apparatus capable of easily and quickly coupling a camera body to a camera accessory is provided. The camera accessory coupling apparatus includes a holder selectively detachable from the camera body; a locking pin, disposed in the holder, a portion of which may enter the holder or exit from the holder; an elastic member contacting the locking pin and applying an elastic force to the locking pin; and a locking lever coupled with the holder and selectively contactable with the elastic member to control the entering and exiting of the locking pin with respect to the holder. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera accessory coupling apparatus for coupling a camera body to a camera accessory, the camera accessory coupling apparatus comprising: a holder that is detachable from the camera body; a locking pin disposed in the holder that can enter and exit the holder; an elastic member contacting the locking pin and applying an elastic force to the locking pin; and a locking lever coupled with the holder that is contactable with the elastic member to control the entering and exiting of the locking pin with respect to the holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: when the locking lever rotates in a first direction along an outer circumference of the holder and presses down the elastic member, a first portion of the locking pin exits from the holder; and when the locking lever rotates in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the outer circumference of the holder, the locking lever is separated from the elastic member and the first portion of the locking pin enters the holder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein: when the locking lever rotates in the first direction and the first portion of the locking pin exits from the holder, the locking lever contacts a depressed portion of an upper surface of the holder; and when the locking lever rotates in the second direction and the first portion of the locking pin enters the holder, the locking lever is separated from the depressed portion of the upper surface of the holder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the locking lever moves in a third direction parallel to a rotational axis of the locking lever while rotating along the outer circumference of the holder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the locking lever is substantially ring-shaped, and an elastic member pressing unit protrudes from an upper surface of the locking lever. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 5, wherein when the locking lever rotates in the first direction along the outer circumference of the holder, the elastic member pressing unit of the locking lever presses down the elastic member, and the elastic member presses down the locking pin causing the first portion of the locking pin to exit from the holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 5, wherein a groove is formed on an upper surface of the holder, a part of the groove is inclined, and when the locking lever is rotated, the locking lever is slidable on the inclined surface of the groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 7, wherein when the locking lever rotates, the elastic member pressing unit of the locking lever moves along the inclined surface of the holder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: one end of the elastic member is a fixed end, and the other end of the elastic member is a free end; and the free end of the elastic member is contactable with the locking pin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is inclined at an angle with a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis of the locking lever. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein a housing on which the camera accessory is seated is disposed on an upper surface of the holder, and an inner circumference of the housing includes inclined portions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 11, wherein the locking lever further comprises guide units for guiding a rotation path of the locking lever, and when the locking lever rotates, the guide units of the locking lever move along the inclined portions of the housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a locking pin spring providing elasticity to the locking pin in a direction in which the locking pin exits from the holder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera accessory coupling apparatus is coupled to a hot shoe formed on the camera body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The camera accessory coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera accessory is a strobe. ### Claim 16 A method for coupling an accessory to a camera body that includes a locking pin aperture, the method comprising: rotating a locking lever in a first direction along an outer circumference of an accessory holder disposed on the camera body, the accessory holder including a locking pin; sliding a portion of the locking lever along a groove in the upper surface of the holder; and pressing down an elastic member causing a first portion of the locking pin to exit from the holder and to enter the locking pin aperture of the camera. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising moving the locking lever in a substantially vertical direction while rotating the locking lever. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the portion of the locking lever that slides along the groove in the upper surface of the holder is an elastic member pressing unit that protrudes from an upper surface of the locking lever. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the accessory is a strobe. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the elastic member includes a fixed end and a free end and the method further comprises the step of contacting the locking pin with the free end of the elastic member.