Abstract:
Light apparatus and systems to produce a diffused light source for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. A tube constructed from selected proportions of diffusion material and reflective material is secured at opposite ends to light reflectors or light reflecting umbrellas with light sources. The light generated by the light sources is reflected off of the reflectors and is also reflected off of the reflective material of the tube to produce a desirable light dispersion pattern across the length of the diffusion material of the tube.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/172,305 filed on Apr. 24, 2009 entitled Photographic Lighting Apparatus and Systems. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to lighting apparatus and systems for producing diffused light and particularly, apparatus and systems for producing light for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many lighting techniques to create diffused lighting have been used for photography. However, these conventional techniques and systems are often unreliable and inefficient in a field that demands new and improved techniques. A need exists for new and improved apparatus, systems and methods that overcome the limitations in conventional lighting techniques and which reliably produce diffused light for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Light apparatus and systems to produce a diffused light source for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. The invention includes a tube that is at least partially constructed of diffusion material in selected proportions and which is secured at opposite ends to light reflectors or light reflecting umbrellas each with a light source. 
         [0007]    The light generated by the light sources is reflected off of the reflectors and is also reflected off reflective material of the tube. The light is combined in a homogeneous, soft and even light dispersion pattern across the length of the diffusion material. Diffusion material placed in front of a light source scatters directional light that passes through the diffusion material scattering the light in a wide pattern. 
         [0008]    The resulting light that passes through the diffusion material appears softer and homogeneous. This softer light has several advantages for photographers. The light appears more natural, more uniform or more like daylight with undesirable shadows being minimized or eliminated. 
         [0009]    Other advantages are that the softer light conceals the fact that the subject being photographed is lighted by two or more sources in addition to generating a broader beam of light that allow photographers to light a larger area. One use of the invention would be a photography location where a large, soft and even light source is desirable, such as in confined areas, for example for photographing a car or other vehicle. 
         [0010]    The tube is constructed of two portions with the first portion constructed from a reflective material and the second portion constructed from a diffusion material. The tube is attached to the reflectors by elastic bands and by spandex transition pieces that are sewn to the reflective material and the diffusion material. 
         [0011]    The tube is stretched between two light reflectors and secured to the reflectors by the elastic bands and the spandex transition pieces. The light reflectors are parabolic or umbrella light reflectors with light sources and are known to persons skilled in the art. The light generated by the light sources is reflected off the reflective portion of the tube and off the reflectors and combined in a homogeneous, soft, even light dispersion pattern across the length of the diffusion material of the tube. 
         [0012]    The light sources can be constant or flash lighting sources. The light sources can be the same type of light source or the light sources can be mixed. Examples of light sources that can be used include flash, HMI, tungsten, incandescent, xenon, halogen and L.E.D.&#39;s. By mixing two different light sources having different color temperatures, a user is able to adjust the color temperature from 6200 K to 3000 K or by the use of colored gels adjust the color of the light by varying the power balance from one light source to the other light source. All light sources and the use of colored gels known to skilled persons are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0013]    The tube construction does not have to be constructed of equal portions of reflective material and diffusion material. The tube can be constructed from any combination of reflective material and diffusion material in embodiments of the invention. The invention includes embodiments with the tube 100% constructed from diffusion material. The invention includes embodiments with the tube constructed 10% from diffusion material and constructed from a larger percentage of reflective material such as 90%. All combinations of diffusion material and reflective material for use in constructing the tube are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0014]    Light weight, high temperature nonflammable materials are used for both the reflective material and the diffusion material. The materials used where the tube attaches to the reflectors are high temperature nonflammable materials. The materials and the thread used for sewing and constructing the tube are materials that can withstand high levels of ultraviolet light. 
         [0015]    Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the drawings and description set forth herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the invention illustrating an arrangement of a tube and light reflectors. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view illustrating a connection between the tube and a light reflector using an elastic band and a spandex piece. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a partial side view illustrating an embodiment of the reflective material and the diffusion material for the tube. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of one embodiment of the tube. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating one embodiment with the tube attached to light reflectors. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating an embodiment with the tube stretched between light reflectors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Reference is made to the Figures in which elements of the illustrated embodiments of the invention are given numerical designations so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is understood that the following description is exemplary of embodiments of the invention and it is apparent to skilled persons that modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein described. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the photographic lighting apparatus  10  of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus  10  includes the tube  12  stretched between and connected to a first reflector  20  and a second reflector  30  at the ends of the tube  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    The first reflector  20  includes a light source (not shown) in a conventional manner and is supported by a first support  22 . The second reflector  30  includes a second light source (not shown) in a conventional manner and is supported by a second support  32 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the tube  12  includes a portion constructed of a reflective material  14  and a portion constructed of a diffusion material  16 . The reflective material  14  includes a thin aluminum metalized foil that is laminated to a black polyester backing material. The reflective material  14  includes other reflective materials that reflect light and include, but are not limited to, flat white textile or fabric materials and a multi-layered embossed carbon fiber material with a laminated metalized film, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0027]    The diffusion material  16  includes 100% raw silk. The diffusion material  16  includes other materials that transmit light and are known to skilled persons including, but not limited to, plastic, nylon, silk materials, paper, glass, cotton and muslin, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment showing a connection between the tube  12  and the reflector  30 . An elastic band  40  is secured around a spandex piece  42  placed on the reflector  20  or  30  to connect the tube  12  to the reflector and to prevent light from coming out at these connections. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate one method for securing the tube  12  to the light reflectors  20  and  30 . The tube  12  is initially unfolded from its storage location such as from a carrying bag as shown in one embodiment in  FIG. 5 . The reflectors  20  and  30  are arranged so that the reflective portions of the reflectors are generally facing each other. One end of the now unfolded tube  12  is attached to the reflector  20  and the second or other end of the tube  12  is attached to the reflector  30  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The reflectors  20  and  30  are then moved apart so that the tube  12  is stretched as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0030]    Embossing. In embodiments of the invention, the reflective material  14  is produced by a multi-stage three dimensional embossing method. The embossing method increases the surface area of the reflective material  14  and dynamically alters the direction of the light reflected by the reflective material  14  to produce a highly desirable quality of light. 
         [0031]    In a first stage of the embossing method, the reflective material  14  is run through a set of fine rollers that imprint the material  14  with a fine textured pattern. In a second or subsequent stage, the material  14  is run through an embossing machine with an extremely aggressive matched set of rollers that imprint the material  14  with a deep coarse textured pattern. One embodiment of the textured pattern on the reflective material  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  for one embodiment of the tube  12 . 
         [0032]    Multi-Layer Material. In embodiments of the invention, the reflective material  14  is manufactured from a laminated multi-layer textile material. In one or more of these embodiments, the multi-layer textile material includes six layers. For these embodiments, the first layer is a backing material. The backing material is made from aramid fibers, carbon fiber or a combination of heat resistant polyester fibers used to make a woven cloth, all of which are within the scope of the invention. In embodiments of the invention, the first layer is treated with a flame retardant. 
         [0033]    The second layer is a high temperature black light blocking adhesive known to skilled persons and heat and pressure applied by conventional laminating machines also known to persons skilled in the art. 
         [0034]    The third layer is a reflective foil which is made from a thin metalized film known to skilled persons. In embodiments of the invention, the reflective foil can be colorized. 
         [0035]    The fourth layer is a clear, high temperature adhesive known to persons skilled in the art mixed with an iridescent opalescent coloring made from a combination of pigments. 
         [0036]    The fifth layer is a high temperature clear plastic film selected from commercially available plastic films. High temperature plastics can be used also depending on the level of heat protection desired by the user, all of which are known to skilled persons. 
         [0037]    The sixth layer is a layer of the iridescent opalescent coloring made from a combination of different pigments known to skilled persons. 
         [0038]    The process described herein produces a material that can be described as having a translucent iridescent effect. The material has a depth of color reminiscent of the mother of pearl surface on the inside of an oyster shell or alternatively, the surface of a pearl or the surface of an opal. 
         [0039]    While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein.