Photographic extension flash cord

Claim 1

A connector system for an electronic flash unit for use with a camera having a female hot shoe receptacle, which comprises: a first connector member comprising a lower portion and upper portion, the lower portion including a male hot shoe plug for electrically and mechanically engaging the female hot shoe receptacle of a camera, the upper portion comprising a female hot shoe receptacle for enabling connection thereto of an electronic flash unit having a male hot shoe connector, with the electronic flash unit being connected directly to said upper portion instead of being connected directly to the camera's female hot shoe receptacle; said first connector member upper portion comprising a pair of metal rods fixed to an insulative support and said first connector member lower portion comprising a pair of metal rods movable relative an insulative support and are coaxial with said fixed metal rods; means electrically coupling said upper portion to said lower portion so as to provide an electrical connection from the camera female hot shoe receptacle to the upper portion's hot shoe receptacle when the first connector member is connected to the camera, said electrically coupling means comprising metal spring means coupling said metal rods, said metal spring means encircling said metal rods and biasing said movable metal rods downwardly; electrically conductive extension lines in electrical contact with said first connector member, and means connecting said electrically conductive extension lines to said metal rods; a second connector member comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion of the second connector member comprising a female hot shoe receptacle and the lower portion of said second connector member defining a threaded aperture for receiving a tripod mount; said second connector member upper portion comprising a pair of metal rods fixed to an insulative support; and means connecting the electrically conductive extension lines to the fixed metal rods of said second connector member, whereby an electrical connection is provided, when the first connector member is connected to the camera, from the camera female hot shoe receptacle to the second connector member; said fixed metal rods each defining an axial bore and a radial passage from said bore to the outside thereof; said electrically conductive extension lines being connected through said passages to the walls defining said bore.