Multiple adapter plug for instamatic-type cameras

Claim 2

In combination with an electronic flash unit, improved means for connecting said flash unit to a camera, said improved connecting means being adapted for use with a camera having sockets adapted to receive either flash cube or flash bars, said flash cube sockets having strikers thereto, said strikers being positionable outward, said flash bar sockets having electrically conductive elements positioned therein, said improved connecting means comprising: plug means having two male ends; the first of said two ends being shaped and dimensioned to engagingly cooperate with a flash bar socket on a camera; said first of said two ends having conductive means therein corresponding to said electrically conductive elements in said flash bar socket; the second of said two ends being shaped and dimensioned to engagingly cooperate with a flash cube socket on a camera; said second of said two ends having contact means therein positioned to be engaged by said striker when said striker is outwardly positioned; means connecting said plug means to said electronic flash unit; and means to selectively position said flash unit on a camera; said positioning means being adapted to face said flash unit forward when mounted on said camera.

Claim 3

The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a wire having two electrically conductive elements insulated one from the other.

Claim 4

The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said contact means comprises a pair of conductive elements resiliently mounted within said plug means.

Claim 5

The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises: a clamp body having two ends and a connecting member therebetween, said ends forming with said member generally a C-shape; a threaded shaft having two ends; a knob mounted on the first of said shaft ends; the second of said shaft ends threadably engaging one of said clamp ends and extending therethrough toward the second of said clamp ends; a platform rotatably mounted on said second shaft end, said platform being selectively positionable between said clamp ends by rotating said shaft with said knob; and means rotatably affixing said connecting element of said clamp to said electronic flash unit.

Claim 6

In combination with an electronic flash unit, improved means for connecting said flash unit to a camera, said improved connecting means being adaptable for use with cameras having either flash cube or flash bar sockets, said improved connecting means comprising: a plug having two males ends; a shoe formed at the first of said two ends, said shoe being shaped and dimensioned to engagingly cooperate with a flash bar socket on a camera; said shoe having electrically conductive means therein corresponding to said electrically conductive elements in said flash bar socket: a housing formed at the second of said two ends; said housing having protruding therefrom a post, said post being shaped and dimensioned to engagingly cooperate with the flash cube socket on a camera, said housing having therein an electrically conductive contact, said contact cooperating with means in said flash cube socket to complete an electrically conductive path; means connecting said plug to said electronic flash unit, said connecting means cooperating with said conductive means in said shoe and said contact means in said housing to form a conductive path from said camera to said electronic flash unit; and a clamp body having two ends and a connecting member therebetween, said ends forming with said member generally a C-shape, a threaded shaft having two ends; a knob mounted on the first of said shaft ends, the second of said shaft ends threadably engaging one of said clamp ends and extending therethrough toward the second of said clamp ends, a platform rotatably mounted on said second shaft end, said platform being selectively positionable between said clamp ends by rotating said shaft with said knob, and means adjustably affixing said connecting member of said clamp to said electronic flash unit, whereby said flash unit may be faced forward when mounted on said camera.

Claim 7

In combination with an electronic flash unit, improved means for connecting said flash unit to a camera, said improved connecting means being adaptable for use with cameras having either flash cube or flash bar sockets, said improved connecting means comprising: a plug having two males ends; a shoe formed at the first of said two ends, said shoe being shaped and dimensioned to engagingly cooperate with a flash bar socket on a camera; said shoe having electrically conductive means therein corresponding to said electrically conductive elements in said flash bar socket: a housing formed at the second of said two ends; said housing having protruding therefrom a post, said post being shaped and dimensioned to engagingly cooperate with the flash cube socket on a camera, said housing having therein an electrically conductive contact, said contact cooperating with means in said flash cube socket to complete an electrically conductive path; means connecting said plug to said electronic flash unit, said connecting means cooperating with said conductive means in said shoe and said contact means in said housing to form a conductive path from said camera to said electronic flash unit; and a clamp body having two ends and a connecting member therebetween, said ends forming with said member generally a C-shape, a threaded shaft having two ends; a knob mounted on the first of said shaft ends, the second of said shaft ends threadably engaging one of said clamp ends and extending therethrough toward the second of said clamp ends, a platform rotatably mounted on said second shaft end, said platform being selectively positionable between said clamp ends by rotating said shaft with said knob, and means adjustably affixing said connecting member of said clamp to said electronic flash unit, whereby said flash unit may be faced forward when mounted on said camera.