Really Right Stuff, LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc. et al

Filing 1

Complaint. Filing fee in the amount of $400 collected. Agency Tracking ID: 0979-4386340 Jury Trial Requested: Yes. Included patents/trademarks: 6,773,172--8/10/2004--Real Right Stuff, LLC, 8,398,037--3/19/2013--Real Right Stuff, LLC, 9,063,397--6/23/2015--Real Right Stuff, LLC. Filed by Real Right Stuff, LLC against All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Proposed Summons Amazon.com, Inc., # 6 Proposed Summons B&H Foto, # 7 Proposed Summons Desmond Photographic, # 8 Proposed Summons Simmonds). (Pitchford, Susan)

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111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 US006773172Bl United States Patent (10) Johnson et ai. (12) (45) (54) QUICK-RELEASE CLAMP FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (75) Inventors: Joseph M. Johnson, P.O. Box 6531, Los Osos, CA (US) 93412; Mark W. Ames, San Luis Obispo, CA (US) (73) Assignee: Joseph M. Johnson, Los Osos, CA (US) ( * ) Notice: (21) Patent No.: US 6,773,172 Bl Date of Patent: Aug. 10,2004 References Cited (56) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 2,824,504 2,840,334 3,356,325 3,677,509 4,929,973 5,601,265 5,870,641 6,196,504 6,435,738 Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.c. 154(b) by 0 days. (22) Filed: Aug. 20, 2003 (51) Int. CI? ................................................ G03B 17/00 (52) U.S. CI. ..................................... 396/428; 248/187.1 (58) Field of Search ................................. 396/419,420, 396/422, 428; 248/187.1 2/1958 6/1958 12/1967 7/1972 5/1990 2/1997 2/1999 3/2001 8/2002 Bethmann Cauthen Schnase O'Connor Nakatani Lopez Chrosziel Lemke Vogt FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 97395 JP Appl. No.: 10/645,419 A A A A A A A B1 B1 4/2000 Primary Examiner-David M. Gray (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Chernoff, McClung & Stenzel, LLP Vilhauer, ABSTRACT (57) A clamp for securely mounting photographic equipment to a support, such as a tripod. 29 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets 62 18 38 14 , A 36 16 57 '1 60 A 28- ______ ~ 20 THRUST WASHER 48 BRONZE 24 ", 5~' I I I 0'- 39 ~ THRUST WASHER STAINLESS STEEL I\l) ~CAMLEVER DOWEL PIN EXHIBIT A - Page 1 of 16 46 \ 38 ~ ASSEMBLY STUD/BODY 61 ~SPRINGS u.s. Patent Aug. 10,2004 Sheet 1 of 10 FIG. 1 FIG. 2 EXHIBIT A - Page 2 of 16 US 6,773,172 B1 u.s. Patent Aug. 10, 2004 us 6,773,172 Bl Sheet 2 of 10 I l'-- 26 FIG. 3 18 24 I ~26 28 FIG. 4 EXHIBIT A - Page 3 of 16 u.s. Patent US 6,773,172 Bl Sheet 3 of 10 Aug. 10,2004 Force first position ~ ) FIG. 5 EXHIBIT A - Page 4 of 16 " second first second intennediate intermediate position position position Position d • rJl • ~ ~ ..... ..... 62 ~ 38 14 ~ '1 = _, 36 16 ~ 38 57 60 28---....~ 20 THRUST WASHER BRONZE l 26, 46 ""-- STUDIBODY 61 ASSEMBLY ""-- SPRINGS ~ ~ '""'" ~c N C C ~ 48 'JJ. =- 54 ~ ~ ..... THRUST WASHER STAINLESS STEEL 5,9"'~ ~ ~ o ...., '" c"'" 58~ 22/ &_ 39 ~56 ""10 ""--CAM LEVER ""-- DOWEL PIN e rJ'l -..CJ\ ""-l tj -.. I--" FIG. 6 ""-l N ~ I--" EXHIBIT A - Page 5 of 16 u.s. Patent Aug. 10,2004 Sheet 5 of 10 - N EXHIBIT A - Page 6 of 16 US 6,773,172 Bl d • rJl • ~ ;If FIG.8B ~ ..... ..... ~ = 63 58·56 ~ ~-....... I... - II I ______________ ~ -n > = ~ '""'" ~c N ]56 24 I ;:: ,!:II eI 58 II ~ dl I I I II 22 'JJ. =- ~ ~ ..... 0'1 0 FIG.8C 58 --.... c c FIG.8E ...., '" c"'" e rJ'l // 56 0'1 ~ ""-l ~ FIG.8D ~ ""-l N ~ I--" EXHIBIT A - Page 7 of 16 u.s. Patent Aug. 10,2004 EXHIBIT A - Page 8 of 16 Sheet 7 of 10 US 6,773,172 Bl u.s. Patent Aug. 10,2004 Sheet 8 of 10 US 6,773,172 Bl u o ~ 0\ / EXHIBIT A - Page 9 of 16 u.s. Patent Aug. 10,2004 o EXHIBIT A - Page 10 of 16 Sheet 9 of 10 US 6,773,172 Bl u.s. Patent Aug. 10, 2004 EXHIBIT A - Page 11 of 16 Sheet 10 of 10 US 6,773,172 Bl US 6,773,172 B1 1 2 QUICK-RELEASE CLAMP FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT lever. This problem is exacerbated with quick release clamps that use an adjustment screw to adjust the spacing between the side walls of the channel rather than a lever, as it is difficult to rotate the screw while the camera is mounted over it. It is therefore desired to provide a clamp for easily, quickly, and securely mounting photographic equipment to a support. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a clamp for mounting photographic equipment to a support, such as a tripod or ball head. Photographic equipment may be mounted to a camera BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS stand in a variety of ways. Some camera bodies, for 10 example, have threaded sockets in their base so they can be FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp that incorporates directly mounted to a bolt that extends upwardly from the aspects of the present invention where the clamp has a lever support. The camera body is positioned over the support so in a disengaged position where photographic equipment may that the bolt fits within the socket and the camera body is be inserted into, or removed from, the clamp. spun around several times to screw the camera body to the 15 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 support. Alternatively, and particularly when a heavy, elonshowing the lever in a first intermediate position between an gate camera lens is attached to a camera body, the camera engaged and disengaged position, where the channel of the lens will include a support having a threaded socket posiclamp is at its minimum width. tioned below the lens so that the lens may be mounted to the FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 support in the same manner as a camera body. 20 showing the lever in a second intermediate position between These methods take an appreciable amount of time and an engaged and disengaged position, where the channel of require care to ensure that the threads of the stud are the clamp is at its minimum width and pivot axis of the lever properly aligned with the threads in the socket. Further, there is at its maximum distance form the channel. is often insufficient time to screw the camera body or lens to 25 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 the tripod before a particular shot should be taken. This lack showing the lever in an engaged position where the photoof time requires that the camera either be held in-hand, graphic equipment may be secured to the clamp. potentially resulting in image blur from the shake of the FIG. 5 is a graph of a force profile generated by the clamp hand, or that the shot be missed altogether. of FIG. 1 as the lever is moved over a range of motion from These difficulties can be reduced by using a quick-release clamp to mount photographic equipment to a support. Such 30 a first position to a second position. FIG. 6 is an assembly drawing of the clamp shown in FIG. quick-release clamps are typically designed to screw onto 1 the bolt of the support while the photographic equipment is releasably secured to the upper surface of the clamp so that FIG. 7 is an assembly drawing of a portion of the clamp it can quickly be secured to, or released from, the support. 35 shown in FIG. 1 showing the manner in which the stud is To secure photographic equipment to such a quick-release secured to the clamp. clamp, the photographic equipment such as a camera body FIGS. 8A-8E are views of the cam lever of the clamp of will typically include two parallel, opposed rails extending FIG. 1. from its base. The opposed rails may be provided by the FIGS. 9A-9C are views of the stud shown in FIG. 6. equipment or in the form of a plate secured to the equipment. 40 FIGS. 10A-lOE are views of the adjustable arm shown in The rails are spaced apart so that they fit within an upwardly FIG. 6. facing channel defined by the clamp. The clamp includes a FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the stud shown in FIG. 6 lever that moves between two positions to adjust the spacing inserted into the body shown in FIG. 6. between the side walls of the channel so that, when in a first, locking position, the channel grips the rails connected to the 45 FIGS. 12A-12C are views of a thrust washer shown in camera system and when in a second, released position, the FIG. 6. channel disengages the rails so that the photographic equipDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ment may be lifted from the clamp. In this manner, the lever PREFERRED EMBODIMENT may be used to quickly secure or release the photographic equipment from the support. FIG. 1 shows a clamp 10 that comprises a body 12 and an 50 Unfortunately, existing quick-release clamps have certain adjustable arm 14 (shown in FIGS. 10A-lOE) that together disadvantages. In order to provide for relative movement of form a channel 16 having opposed side walls 18 and 20. The the side walls of the channel, one or more springs apply an body 12 may define an opening 32 through which the clamp outward force to the side walls, so that they move apart as 10 may be secured to the upper portion of a tripod or other the lever is moved to the second position. This outward force 55 support. The adjustable arm 14 is slidably engaged along the tends to likewise push the lever away from the first, locking cantilevered portion 59 of a stud 36 (shown in FIGS. 6, 7, position, thus loosening the fitting between the photographic and 9A-9C) securely mounted in the body 12, as shown in equipment and the clamp. Further, as a result of usage over FIG. 11. Movement of the adjustable arm 14 selectively time, the lever and the clamp tend to loosen from one adjusts the width of the channel 16 and is accomplished another, thereby widening the spacing of the channel walls 60 through manual operation of a lever 22 fastened to the distal in the locked position and thus loosening the fitting between end 60 of the stud 36. The lever 22, attached to the adjustable the photographic equipment and the clamp when in the arm 14, permits quick adjustment of the spacing between the locked position. side walls 18 and 20 so that the channel 16 may selectively either grip or release a pair of rails attached to the base of a Further, the lever in existing quick-release clamps is positioned solely on an outer lateral side of the clamp, 65 camera body (not shown). Each respective side wall 18 and 20 is preferably angled upward and inward to facilitate underneath one side of the camera body. This position makes it awkward to reach underneath the camera to operate the engagement with such rails. In this manner, photographic EXHIBIT A - Page 12 of 16 US 6,773,172 B1 3 4 equipment may be quickly engaged or released from a tripod increase over that of the springs 28 because the adjustable or other support. arm 14 may not move any further while the locking member 30 will continue to compress. The lever 22 may be a cam lever that includes a cam portion 24 that rotates about a pivot axis 26 as the cam lever FIG. 3 shows the lever 22 in a second intermediate is moved between a first, unlocked position (shown in FIG. 5 position where the locking member 30 is applying a maximum inward force on the adjustable arm 14. This is a 1) and a second, locked position (shown in FIG. 4). The cam position where the cam portion 24 preferably abuts the portion 24 has an asymmetrical shape about the pivot axis 26 locking member 30 at a maximum distance d2 from the pivot so that the lever 22 pushes the adjustable arm 14 inward as the lever 22 is moved from a first position for releasing axis 26. In this position, the inward force applied by the photographic equipment from the clamp 10 to a second 10 locking member 30 to the adjustable arm 14 is substantially greater than the outward force applied by the springs 28. position for gripping photographic equipment to the clamp Further movement of the lever 22 toward either the first or 10. Conversely, as the lever 22 is moved from the second second position will relax the locking member 30 with position to the first position, a pair of counterforce springs respect to the maximum inward force as the distance from 28, housed within the body 12, push outward on the adjust15 the pivot axis 26 on which the locking member 30 abuts the able arm 14 so that the channel 16 expands. cam portion 24 decreases. The outwardly directed force applied by the springs 28 on FIG. 4 shows the lever 22 in the second position. In this the adjustable arm 14 is at a maximum when the lever 22 is position, the lever 22 is in an over-center detent configurain the second position, i.e. when the channel 16 is intended tion such that movement of the lever 22 toward the first to grip photographic equipment. The force applied by the springs 28 therefore acts to undesirably loosen the grip on 20 position will act to compress the locking member 30. Thus the locking member 30 resists movement of the lever 22 the photographic equipment. The disclosed clamp 10, toward the first position. Preferably, when in this position, however, includes a locking member 30 that prevents any the inward force applied by the locking member 30 to the outward movement of the adjustable arm 14 that might adjustable arm 14 is still greater than the outward force otherwise result from the force applied by the springs 28. The locking member 30 may be substantially compressible, 25 applied by the springs 28. Alternatively, the two forces could be precisely counterbalanced. In this manner, the adjustable such as a compression spring, and interposed between the arm 14 is locked into place because the springs 28 do not lever 22 and the adjustable arm 14. FIG. 6, for example, apply a sufficient force to overcome that force applied by the shows a series of Belleville washers 30 that together operate locking member 30. as a compression spring. Alternatively, the locking member 30 could be a helical compression spring or any other 30 The locking member 30 preferably applies a force to the appropriate force generating member. Further, the locking adjustable arm 14 and the lever 22 that varies with the member 30 may be interposed between the adjustable arm position of the lever 22. The force preferably increases as the 14 and the body 12. The locking member 30 may preferably lever is moved from the first position towards the second apply an inwardly-directed force on the adjustable arm 14 position. The force preferably reaches a maximum before that increases as the lever 22 is moved from the first position 35 the lever reaches the second position. More preferably, the force applied by the locking member 30 is less than that towards the second position. The inward force applied on the adjustable arm 14 by the locking member 30 may preferably maximum when in the second position, so that the force applied by the locking member also increases as the lever is be greater than the outward force applied by the springs 28 moved from the second position towards the first position. when the lever 22 is in the second position. Also, the lever 22 may preferably include an over-center detent position. 40 The locking member 30 together with the lever 22 will The manner in which clamp 10 may be operated to achieve a force profile generally depicted in FIG. 5. This achieve the foregoing advantages is seen in reference to figure indicates that as the lever 22 is moved over a range of FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 shows the clamp 10 where the lever 22 motion extending from the first position to the second is in the first position, i.e. the released position. In this first position, the force increases to a maximum at a second position, the adjustable arm 14 is spaced apart from the body 45 intermediate position and then decreases as the lever 22 12 by an applied force from the springs 28, thus widening continues to the second position. the channel 16 to allow the insertion or removal of photoIt should also be noted from this figure FIG. 5 the graphic equipment. The cam portion 24 is oriented such that adjustable arm 14 may cease its inward motion at a first the locking member 30, which in this instance is a series of intermediate position before the locking member has Belleville washers that act as a compression spring, is 50 reached its maximum force. This may be preferable so that sufficiently relaxed so as to not apply a sufficient inward the inward force applied by the locking member 30 on the force on the adjustable arm 14 to overcome the outward adjustable arm 14, when the lever is in the second position, force of the springs 14. In this position, the cam portion 24 can still overcome the outward force applied by the springs preferably abuts the locking member 30 at a minimum 28 even though the force applied by the locking member 30 distance dl from the pivot axis 26. As the lever 22 is moved 55 has fallen from its maximum. It should be further noted that from the first position toward the second position, the cam the movement of the adjustable arm 14 corresponds to the portion 24 pushes the locking member 30 and the adjustable movement of the lever. Therefore, it is desirable that the arm 14, inward. The locking member 30 begins to compress lever move through a large percentage of it range of motion to counterbalance the outward force of the springs 28 before the adjustable arm ceases to move, and achieve a applied to the adjustable arm 14 as it moves inward. 60 maximum force in the remaining range of motion of the lever. For that reason, the force applied by the locking FIG. 2 shows the lever 22 in a first intermediate position member 30 in the disclosed clamp 10 achieves its maximum where the lever 22 has been moved to a position where the value at approximately 80-90% of the lever's range of adjustable arm 14 is flush with the body 12. In this position, the forces applied by the locking member 30 and the springs motion. It should be understood, however, that other 28 counterbalance each other; further movement of the lever 65 embodiments may achieve a maximum force anywhere along the lever's range of motion, but preferably greater than 22 towards the second position, however causes the inward force applied by compression of the locking member to 50%. EXHIBIT A - Page 13 of 16 US 6,773,172 B1 5 6 12. The adjustable arm 14 may then be pushed against the The force profile depicted in FIG. 5 is smooth, i.e. as the springs 28 until the adjustable arm 14 is engaged with the lever is moved from the first position, the force increases continuously to a maximum and decreases continuously body 12 and the stud 36 protrudes through the adjustable until the lever reaches the second position. Alternative arm 14. The locking member 30, which may comprise a embodiments may design a lever that permits the force 5 series of washers 52 and 54, may be engaged over the stud profile to decrease at certain intervals on the lever's path 36 to fit within the partially bored opening 50 within the from the first position to the second intermediate position of adjustable arm 14. The lever 22 may then be secured to the maximum force, or to increase on the lever's path from that distal end 60 of the stud 36 to secure the assembly in place. second intermediate position to a lesser force at the second Referring to FIGS. 8A-8E, the cam lever 22 comprises a position, or both. Preferably, however, the force profile is 10 shape that assists the convenient operation of the clamp 10. increasing over at least 65% of the lever's path from the first Existing clamps employ levers that are exclusively posiposition to the second intermediate position and is decreastioned to one of the lateral sides of the clamp. Camera bodies ing over at least 65% of the path from the second intermeare typically positioned directly over these existing levers, diate position to the second position. which often makes them difficult to reach when engaging or Though the force profile depicted in FIG. 5 is achieved by 15 releasing the clamp. The cam lever 22, however, includes a using a lever 22 in conjunction with the locking member 30, handle portion 56 that extends from the yoke 58. The handle it should be understood that levers of other shapes may be portion 56 is elongate and has a sufficient length to extend used to achieve the same or similar force profiles. Further, beyond, and curve around, a lateral corner 61 of the clamp other structures may be substituted for the lever, such as a 10 when the cam lever is in the second, or locked position 20 as seen in FIG. 4. The cam lever also extends beyond the plunger or a button. opposed lateral corner 62 when the cam lever is in the first Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the clamp 10 may comprise position as seen in FIG. 1. The cam lever 22 therefore is a body 12 constructed of any sufficiently rigid material such easily accessible even cured to the clamp. as metal, plastic, or composite material. The body 12 prefThe terms and expressions that have been employed in the erably defines the side wall 18 of the channel 16 as well as a central opening 32 by which the clamp 10 may be secured 25 foregoing specifications are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use to a tripod or other support using a bolt, pin, or other similar protrusion. The opening 32 may be threaded to receive a of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it bolt, or alternately may not be threaded such that interconbeing recognized that the scope of the invented is defined nection with a tripod or other support may be made using a 30 and limited only the claims that follow. wing nut or other fastener. What is claimed is: The body 12 may also define a sleeve 34 (shown in FIG. 1. An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to 7) into which the stud 36 may be inserted. The stud 36 and a support, said apparatus comprising: the sleeve 34 are preferably threaded to ensure a rigid connection. If further means are desired to ensure a rigid (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall connection between the stud 36 and the body 12, they may 35 capable of lateral movement with respect to a second side wall; each define aligned holes 40 and 42 through which a fastening pin 44 may be inserted. Alternatively, a thread (b) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement; and locking compound may be used. The body preferably also (c) a substantially compressible member operably interdefines two symmetrically opposed sockets 38 into which connected between said lever and said first side wall. the springs 28 may be inserted. The sockets 38 and the 40 2. The apparatus of claim 1 where said lever is a cam sleeve 34 may also preferably be parts of a slot 46 defined lever. by the body 12. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 where said substantially The adjustable arm 14 preferably defines the side wall 20 compressible member is a spring. as well as a ledge 48 sized to fit snugly within the slot 46. 45 4. The apparatus of claim 3 where said spring comprises The springs 28, when inserted into their respective sockets a series of Belleville washers. 38 will push on the ledge 46 as the adjustable arm is engaged 5. An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to with the body 12. The adjustable arm 14 may also define a a support, said apparatus comprising: partially bored opening 50 so that the opening 50 may (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall simultaneously retain the locking member 30 within itself 50 capable of lateral movement with respect to a second while permitting the stud 36 to extend completely through side wall between a first location and a second location, the adjustable arm 14. where said second location is spaced further from said The locking member 30 may comprise a plurality of second side wall than is said first location; and adj acent Belleville washers that together function as a (b) a lever and a substantially compressible member compression spring. Optionally, a thrust washer 54 (shown 55 operably interconnected between said lever and said in FIGS. 6 and 12A-12C) may be located at either or each first side wall, said lever and said substantially comend of the plurality of Belleville washers. pressible member together capable of causing said Referring to FIGS. 8A-8E, the lever 22 may comprise a lateral movement and said lever moveable between a handle portion 56 and a yoke 58. The yoke 58 may also first position associated with said second location and define the cam portion 24 that, as previously described, 60 a second position associated with said first location, operates the locking member 30 as the lever 22 is rotated. said second position being an over-center detent. The yoke 58 preferably receives the distal end 60 of the stud 6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a substantially 36. The stud 36 may be secured to the yoke 58 using a dowel compressible member operably interconnected between said pin 39 that is inserted into aligned openings 57 and 63 lever and said first side wall. formed by the stud 36 and the yoke 58, respectively. 7. The apparatus of claim 5 where said substantially 65 compressible member maintains said lever in said detent As can be seen by FIG. 6, the clamp 10 may be assembled position. by first inserting the stud 36 and the springs 28 into the body EXHIBIT A - Page 14 of 16 US 6,773,172 B1 7 8 8. An apparatus for engaging a photographic equipment to force increases when said lever is moved from said first position towards said intermediate position and said a support, said apparatus comprising: force increases when said lever is in said second (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall position and is moved towards said intermediate posicapable of lateral movement with respect to a second tion. side wall between a first location and a second location, 5 18. The apparatus of claim 17 where said force is at a where said second location is spaced further from said maximum at said intermediate position. second side wall than is said first location; 19. The apparatus of claim 18 where said lever has a range (b) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement and of motion from said first position to said second position and moveable between a first position associated with said said intermediate position is located between 50 percent and second location and a second position associated with 10 90 percent of said range of motion. said first location; and 20. The apparatus of claim 18 where said lever has a range (c) a force generating member capable of applying a force of motion from said first position to said second position and to said first side wall and said lever where said force said intermediate position is located between 60 percent and increases when said lever is in said first position and is 90 percent of said range of motion. 15 moved towards said second position. 21. The apparatus of claim 18 where said lever has a range 9. The apparatus of claim 8 where said force generating of motion from said first position to said second position and member is a compression spring. said intermediate position is located between 70 percent and 10. The apparatus of claim 8 where said compression 90 percent of said range of motion. spring comprises a plurality of Belleville washers. 22. The apparatus of claim 18 where said lever has a range 11. An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to 20 of motion from said first position to said second position and a support said apparatus comprising: said intermediate position is located between 80 percent and 90 percent of said range of motion. (a) a first member defining a channel having a first side 23. An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to wall capable of lateral movement with respect to a second side wall; a support, said apparatus comprising: 25 (b) a second member capable of causing said lateral (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall movement and moveable between a first position and a capable of lateral movement with respect to a second side wall; second position; (c) a third member capable of applying force to said first (b) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement and side wall and said second member where said force 30 moveable between a first position and a second position increases when said second member is in said first and through an intermediate position; position and is moved towards said second position and (c) a force generating member capable of applying force said force increases when said second member is in to said first side wall and said lever, where said force said second position and is moved towards said first increases when said lever is moved from said intermeposition. diate position towards said second position and said 35 12. The apparatus of claim 11 where said second member first side wall does not move with respect to said second is moveable to an intermediate position between said first side wall when said lever is moved from said intermeposition and said second position and where said force diate position to said second position. decreases when said second member is moved from said 24. An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to intermediate position towards either said first position or 40 a support, said apparatus comprising: said second position. (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall 13. The apparatus of claim 12 where said second member capable of travel with respect to a second side wall has a range of motion from said first position to said second from a first location to a second location in response to position and said intermediate position is located between 50 actuation of an actuator, said first side wall capable of percent and 90 percent of said range of motion. remaining in said second location without further 45 14. The apparatus of claim 12 where said second member actuation of said actuator; has a range of motion from said first position to said second (b) said actuator being capable of causing said lateral position and said intermediate position is located between 60 movement by transmitting a force to said first side wall percent and 90 percent of said range of motion. where said force increases over a major portion of said 15. The apparatus of claim 12 where said second member 50 travel, said force varies over an interval from a first has a range of motion from said first position to said second time to a second time while said second side wall position and said intermediate position is located between 70 remains in said second location, said force reaches a percent and 90 percent of said range of motion. maximum value between said first time and said second 16. The apparatus of claim 12 where said second member time, and said force at said second time is greater than has a range of motion from said first position to said second 55 said force at said first time. position and said intermediate position is located between 80 25. The apparatus of claim 24 where said actuator is a percent and 90 percent of said range of motion. lever. 17. An apparatus for engaging photographic equipment to 26. The apparatus of claim 25 where said lever is capable a support, said apparatus comprising: of movement between a first and a second position through (a) a member defining a channel having a first side wall 60 an intermediate position, said first position is associated with capable of lateral movement with respect to a second said first location and said intermediate position through said side wall; second position is associated with said second location and (b) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement and said interval. moveable between a first position and a second position 27. The apparatus of claim 24 where said force increases and through an intermediate position; 65 over at least 65% of said travel. 28. The apparatus of claim 24 where said force increases (c) a force generating member that capable of applying force to said first side wall and said lever where said over all of said travel. EXHIBIT A - Page 15 of 16 US 6,773,172 B1 9 29. 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; 5 (b) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement and movable between a first position and a second position, EXHIBIT A - Page 16 of 16 10 said lever engaged on a side of said member, said side defining opposed first and second corners; and (c) a handle portion of said lever where said handle portion extends beyond said first corner when in said first position and extends beyond and around said second corner when in said second position. * * * * *

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