Mounting device for mounting a flashlight unit to a camera body

In a mounting device having one base secured to a camera body and another base secured to a flashlight unit, for mounting the flashlight unit to the camera body by coupling of said two bases,

• one of said two bases comprising:
• a. a protrusion;
• the other base including:
• b. a recess for receiving said protrusion therein;
• c. a restraining member for restraining said protrusion in its restraining position and for releasing said protrusion in its non-restraining position;
• d. means normally biasing said restraining member to its restraining position;
• e. a biasing member biased to retain said restraining member in said nonrestraining position, said biasing member being adapted to release such retention upon coupling action of said two bases to permit movement of said restraining member to said restraining position;
• f. an externally accessible first release member for bringing said restraining member to said nonrestraining position;
• g. an externally accessible second release member;
• and
• h. means urging said second release member to a position to prevent movement of said restraining member to said nonrestraining position;
• whereby the retention by said biasing member may be released upon coupling action of said two bases and the coupling of said two bases may be maintained by engagement between said restraining member when in said restraining position and said protrusion, and said second release member may be moved to permit said first release member to bring said restraining member to said non-restraining position, thereby disengaging said restraining member from said protrusion and uncoupling said two bases.