Patent ID: 7532248

Claim:
An adapter device to which a video camera device can be attached, the adapter device comprising: An adapter body having a receptacle including a front receptacle surface, a rear receptacle surface, and a bottom receptacle surface, the front receptacle surface defining an imaging aperture, and the rear receptacle surface is located opposite to the front receptacle surface and is configured to open and close to allow insertion and withdrawal of the video camera device into and from the receptacle; A mechanical connecting mechanism provided with the front receptacle surface, the mechanical connecting mechanism is configured to operatively lock and unlock a lens-unit mount on the video camera device to the front receptacle surface; and An electrical connecting mechanism provided with the bottom surface of the receptacle, the electrical connecting mechanism includes a connector, and the electrical connecting mechanism is configured to electrically connect the connector receptacle and with the video camera device by receiving a terminal block of the video camera device; Wherein the electrical connecting mechanism further comprises: A base attached to the bottom receptacle surface; A connector attached to the base; A hollow cover member operatively connected to the base in a first range of motion substantially parallel to the bottom receptacle surface, and the cover member includes a cover member opening adapted to allow the connector to enter and depart from the cover member during the first range of motion of the cover member.