Patent ID: 8398315

Claim:
A photographic support apparatus comprising: (a) a base plate selectively securable to a first photographic member and including a portion defining a slot having a depressed bottom surface defined by a peripheral edge extending taperingly toward a center of said bottom surface from a first edge of said base plate to a rear surface of said slot remote from said first edge and a peripheral surface projecting from said peripheral edge at a bevel angle; (b) a locking tab secured to said base plate proximate said first edge and resiliently urged to a first position blocking access to said slot; and (c) a top plate selectively securable to a second photographic member and including a flange having a substantially planar flange surface defined by a peripheral edge taperingly extending toward a longitudinal center of said flange surface from an edge of said top plate to a leading edge of said flange surface and a peripheral surface projecting from said peripheral edge at a bevel angle in opposition to said bevel angle of said peripheral surface of said slot, said top plate lockingly engageable with said base plate with a single motion of said top plate toward said rear surface of said slot from an initial position with said leading edge proximate said bottom surface and said flange surface at a non-zero angle of incidence to said bottom surface, engagement of said beveled surfaces causing said flange surface to depress said locking tab to a second position substantially flush with said bottom surface against said resilient urging incrementally prior to a resiliently return of said locking tab to said first position to lock said top plate in engagement with said base plate.