Patent ID: 7756414

Claim:
An image capturing apparatus comprising: a flash housing configured for receiving a flash unit therein, the flash housing pivotably attached on the image capturing apparatus, and moving between a first position and a second position relative to the image capturing apparatus, the flash housing including at least one positioning hole formed thereof; a drive lever moving between a third position and a fourth position relative to the image capturing apparatus; and a locking lever abutting against the drive lever, the locking lever having at least one locking protrusion perpendicularly extending upward from a longitudinal side thereof; wherein, when the drive lever is positioned at the third position, the at least one locking protrusion engages with the at least one positioning hole so as to lock the flash housing at the first position; when the drive lever moves from the third position to the fourth position, the flash housing is released to the second position after the at least one locking protrusion moving along a linear direction away from the drive lever and separating from the at least one positioning hole; a first elastic member; and a sleeve receiving the first elastic member therein; wherein the sleeve has a first opening and a second opening formed at two opposite ends thereof, and a diameter of the first opening is larger than that of the second opening; the drive lever extends through the first elastic member and the first and second openings of the sleeve; when the driver lever is positioned at the fourth position the first elastic member is compressed, the first elastic member capable of restoring to return the driver lever from the fourth position to the third position.