A power supply unit for extending a function of an apparatus (image pickup
apparatus) unloadably loaded with a flat parallelopiped battery having a
roughly square principal surface includes the flat battery, and a power
supply (for example, a control grip including a cell or cells and a
control portion which includes a power supply button, a shutter button, a
zoom switch) electrically connected to the flat battery through a plate
having the same shape as that of the flat battery and detachably mounted,
projected portions are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction
of a back surface opposite to an insertion surface of the plate, along
the back surface, and one of the projected portions is formed with a
locked surface to be locked by a lock means (lock pawl) possessed by the
apparatus, whereby mis-insertion of the plate into the apparatus is
prevented, and a function of the apparatus is extended.