Quick-release clamp for photographic equipment

An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to a support, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to a second side wall;
• (b) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement;
• (c) a substantially compressible member operably interconnected between said lever and said first side wall;
• and
• (d) a rail slidably engaged with said member.

A method for securing a camera to a tripod where said camera may be selectively moved laterally with respect to said tripod, said method comprising;

• (a) securing a first member to said camera, said first member having an first outwardly flanged portion selectively grippable by an upper clamp defining a channel having a first side wall capable of selective lateral movement between an inner position and an outer position with respect to a second side wall, said upper clamp being slidably mounted to a rail;
• (b) securing said camera and said first member to said upper clamp by inserting said first outwardly flanged portion into said channel while said first side wall is in said outer position, then moving said first side wall to said inner position so that said channel grips said first outwardly flanged portion;
• (c) securing a second member to said rail, said second member having a second outwardly flanged portion selectively grippable by a lower clamp defining a channel having a first side wall capable of selective lateral movement between an inner position and an outer position with respect to a second side wall;
• (d) securing said camera, said first member, said upper clamp, and said second member to said lower clamp by inserting said second outwardly flanged portion into said channel while said first side wall is in said outer position, then moving said first side wall to said inner position so that said channel grips said second outwardly flanged portion;
• and
• (e) securing said tripod to said lower clamp.

A system comprising:

• (a) a first member selectively securable to a tripod, said first member defining a channel having a first side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to a second side wall and an actuator capable of selectively causing said movement;
• (b) a second member selectively securable to said first member, said second member having a rail and a channel portion, said channel portion defining a channel having a first side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to a second side wall and an actuator capable of selectively causing said movement;
• and
• (c) an attachment member selectively attachable to a camera and alternately securable to said first member when said second member is not secured to said first member and said second member when said second member is secured to said first member.