U.S. patent application number 09/753144 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-26 for portable light reflector or diffusor.
Invention is credited to Geller, Wolfgang-Peter.
Application Number | 20010009513 09/753144 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7936133 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010009513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geller, Wolfgang-Peter |
July 26, 2001 |
Portable light reflector or diffusor
Abstract
A portable light reflector or diffusor includes a reflection or
diffusion cloth attached to a foldable framework composed of
longitudinal struts and a transverse strut which is stiff with
respect to compression and connects the two longitudinal struts,
wherein the transverse strut has ends bent in the direction towards
the plane defined by the longitudinal struts and the reflection or
diffusion cloth attached to the longitudinal struts, wherein the
angle between the bent ends and the intermediate piece between the
ends is greater than 90.degree.. A belt extends parallel to the
transverse strut in such a way that the longitudinal struts are
pressed apart for tensioning the reflection or diffusion cloth.
Inventors: |
Geller, Wolfgang-Peter;
(Garlstorf, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Friedrich Kueffner
Suite 1921
342 Madison Avenue
New York
NY
10173
US
|
Family ID: |
7936133 |
Appl. No.: |
09/753144 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 7/18 20130101; G03B
15/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/319 |
International
Class: |
F21V 007/05 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2000 |
DE |
200 00 923.0 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A portable light reflector or diffusor comprising a foldable
framework comprised of two longitudinal struts and a transverse
strut which is stiff with respect to compression and connects the
two longitudinal struts, and a reflection or diffusion cloth
attached to the two longitudinal struts, wherein the transverse
strut has ends bent in a direction towards a plane defined by the
longitudinal struts and the reflection or diffusion cloth attached
to the longitudinal struts, wherein each bent end defines with a
connecting piece of the transverse strut between the ends an angle
greater than 90.degree., further comprising a belt extending
parallel to the transverse strut and connected to the longitudinal
struts, such that the longitudinal struts are pressed apart for
tensioning the reflection or diffusion cloth.
2. The light reflector or diffusor according to claim 1, wherein
the belt has an adjustable length for tensioning the reflection or
diffusion cloth.
3. The light reflector or diffusor according to claim 1, wherein
the transverse strut is attached near an end of each longitudinal
strut forming short sides of the longitudinal struts, wherein the
belt is connected to the short sides of the longitudinal
struts.
4. The light reflector or diffusor according to claim 1, further
comprising a tripod attached to the transverse strut, wherein the
tripod has an adjustable support belt connected to the belt for
tensioning the reflection or diffusion cloth.
5. The light reflector or diffusor according to claim 4, wherein
the support belt is connected to a clamping sleeve of the tripod.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable light reflector
or diffusor which includes a reflection or diffusion cloth or
fabric attached to a foldable framework. The framework is composed
of two longitudinal struts and a transverse strut which is stiff
with respect to compression and connects the two longitudinal
struts. The transverse strut is at its end bent towards the plane
defined by the longitudinal struts and the reflection or diffusion
cloth or fabric attached to the longitudinal struts, wherein the
angle between the respective ends of the transverse strut and the
connecting piece between the ends is greater than 90.degree..
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A light reflector of the above-described type is disclosed
in EP 0 579 199 B1. This known light reflector includes a stable
framework which is formed by two longitudinal struts and at least
two transverse struts. This light reflector is held together and
tensioned by the spring tension of the reflection cloth or fabric
which is made of an appropriately spring-elastic material. This
known light reflector forms a three-dimensional framework which is
tensioned and held together by the spring force which is inherent
in the reflection cloth or fabric.
[0005] German utility model 1 991 505 discloses a lampshade which
includes a tensioning strap 23 for mounting the lampshade on a
circular frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide
a lighter and simpler light reflector or diffusor of the
above-described type.
[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a belt extends
between the longitudinal struts parallel to the transverse strut in
such a way that the longitudinal struts are pressed apart for
tensioning the reflection or diffusion cloth or fabric.
[0008] The reflection or diffusion cloth or fabric according to the
present invention is not of a spring-elastic material, but a
conventional cloth or fabric which is not spring-elastic. The cloth
or fabric is tensioned by means of the belt which can be tensioned
or shortened until the reflection or diffusion cloth or fabric
assumes the desired shape and position. The transverse strut
essentially forms a lever around whose ends the longitudinal struts
are pivotable, wherein pivoting is carried out by shortening the
belt until the reflection or diffusion cloth or fabric assumes the
predetermined shape and position. In this manner, a configuration
is formed which can be easily folded together and set up, and which
is very light and can be manufactured inexpensively.
[0009] In accordance with an advantageous feature, the length of
the belt can be adjusted for tensioning the cloth or fabric. In
accordance with another feature, the transverse strut is mounted at
a short distance from one end of each longitudinal strut, wherein
the belt is connected to the longitudinal struts at the short sides
thereof. This ensures that the reflection or diffusion cloth or
fabric is located essentially on one side and the transverse strut
and the tensioning belt can be easily manipulated.
[0010] In accordance with another very advantageous feature, a
tripod can be attached to the transverse strut, wherein the tripod
is connected through an adjustable support belt to the belt for
tensioning the reflection or diffusion cloth or fabric. In
accordance with another feature, the support belt is connected to a
clamping sleeve of the tripod. Accordingly, a tripod can be mounted
at that end of the light reflector or diffusor at which the
transverse strut and the tensioning belt are located, so that the
light reflector or diffusor can also be mounted in an overhead
position or any other desired position. This is of particular
interest in movie production where the light reflector or diffusor
must be mounted invisibly above the actors.
[0011] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects
attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] In the drawing:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a mounted light
reflector or diffusor in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the light reflector or diffusor of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side view from the other side of the
illustration of FIG. 1, wherein the light reflector or diffusor
assumes an upwardly directed oblique position; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, however, with the
light reflector or diffusor mounted horizontally.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The light reflector or diffusor illustrated in the drawing
is composed of a reflection or diffusion cloth 1 of a stiff textile
material. This reflection or diffusion cloth is connected to two
parallel longitudinal struts 2 by means of appropriate sleeves
formed in longitudinal direction of the cloth. Mounted near one end
of each longitudinal strut 2 is a transverse strut 3 which is
shaped as illustrated particularly in FIG. 2. Thus, the transverse
strut 3 has bent ends and the intermediate piece of the transverse
strut between the ends is located outside of the plane of the
reflection or diffusion cloth 1, so that a three-dimensional
framework is formed. The angle 12 between the ends of the
transverse strut 3 and the middle piece is greater than
90.degree..
[0018] The reflection or diffusion cloth is tensioned by means of a
belt 4 connected to renforced sleeves 5 of the cloth 1 placed over
the short sides of the longitudinal struts 2. The length of the
belt 4 is adjustable by a buckle 6. It can be easily seen that when
the belt 4 is shortened, the transverse strut 3 acts as a lever
around whose ends the longitudinal struts 2 can be slightly pivoted
until the reflection or diffusion cloth 1 assumes the desired
tensioned position.
[0019] The light reflector or diffusor can be easily set up or
folded together. The light reflector or diffusor has a light weight
and, thus, can be easily manipulated.
[0020] The light reflector or diffusor can also be mounted on a
tripod which is composed of a tripod tube 7 with a telescopic
extension 8 which can be connected to each other and locked through
a clamping sleeve 9. The tripod is attached to the transverse strut
3 through a clamping device 11. For ensuring additional stability
and assuming the desired three-dimensional position, a support belt
10 is provided which extends between the clamping sleeve 9 and the
belt 4 for tensioning the reflection or diffusion cloth 1.
[0021] Using the tripod, the light reflector or diffusor can assume
different positions, particularly overhead positions, as they are
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. It can be seen that by shortening the
support belt 10, the light reflector or diffusor has assumed in
FIG. 3 a different position than in FIG. 4.
[0022] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it
will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise
without departing from such principles.
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