Abstract:
Skins for light reflecting umbrellas and for methods of using light reflecting umbrellas. The invention includes skins with a series of panels in stripes of alternating colors, in a shifted configuration, in a checkered shift configuration, in a half and half configuration, in a modified half and half configuration with a center portion having a separate color combination, in a tricolor configuration, in a shifted tricolor configuration and in a center black configuration.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/068,579 filed on Mar. 6, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This present invention is directed to improved skins or surfaces for light reflector umbrellas and methods of using light reflecting umbrellas. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Photographers use different types of lighting devices to create diffused light for photographing their subjects. Light directly from a light source, such as a strobe, comes in a straight line and can produce harsh, hard shadows on a subject. Conventional devices create soft diffused light by directing light through a diffusing material or by bouncing light off a second surface. A conventional lighting umbrella is one type of light “bouncing” source. In the conventional umbrellas, light from a bulb is bounced off the inside of the metalized umbrella to create a soft indirect light that creates softer shadows on the subject. A need exists for an improved light umbrella that expands the lighting options that photographers can use to shape the light and produce diffuse lighting to photograph their subjects. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of novel skins for light reflecting umbrellas and for methods of using light reflecting umbrellas. The invention described herein can be utilized for skins used with common reflectors known to skilled persons. Embodiments of the invention include the skin having a series of panels in stripes of alternating colors, in a shift configuration, in a checkered shift configuration, in a half and half configuration, in a modified half and half configuration with a center portion having a separate color combination, in a tricolor configuration, in a shifted tricolor configuration and in a configuration with a center portion having a different color. Other embodiments of the invention include the use of sequins secured onto the skin. Other and further advantages will appear to skilled persons from the written disclosure and figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention illustrating one arrangement of panels on the skin. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention in a shift configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention in a checkered shift configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention in a half and half configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of further embodiments of the invention in a half and half configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention in a tricolor configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention in a tricolor shift configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of embodiments of the invention with a center portion having a separate color. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     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. The shading in the figures is used to identify color as described herein. 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. 
     As described herein, the color champagne includes the typical color of the beverage champagne including pale tints of yellowish orange that are close to a beige color. The term silver includes the well known silver colors including a soft silver color and a hard silver color that includes tints of gray. 
     As shown in the Figures, a light reflector or umbrella  10  is shown supported on a support  12  in a conventional manner with an attached umbrella skin  14 . The umbrella  10  includes the parabolic reflectors known to persons skilled in the art. The umbrella  10  includes a center aperture  16  as shown in  FIG. 1  for securing a light source thereto for use in stage, studio, motion picture and still photography. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 1 , the skin  14  is arranged in a series of panels in stripes of alternating colors. The panels  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  are of one color and the odd numbered panels  21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  29 ,  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 ,  39 ,  41  and  43  are of a color different than the color of the even numbered panels. The even numbered panels are a white color and the odd numbered panels are a different color, including a black color, a champagne color or a silver color. In further embodiments, the even numbered panels are silver in color and the odd numbered panels are a black color or a champagne color. In additional embodiments, the even numbered panels are a champagne color and the odd numbered panels are black in color. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the skin  14  is shown in a shift or shifted configuration from the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . Panels numbered  50 - 73  are arranged on the skin  14  as shown in  FIG. 2  with the even numbered panels being of one color and the odd numbered panels a different color. The color combinations for the panels, include, but are not limited to, black and white, gold and white, silver and white and champagne and white. The panels numbered  80 - 103  are arranged on the skin  14  as shown in  FIG. 2  with the even numbered panels being of one color and the odd numbered panels a different color. The same color combinations are available as for panels  50 - 73 . In embodiments of the invention, a panel that is diagonally adjoining a panel in a different ring of panels may be of the same or different color as the adjoining ring and all such color combinations are within the scope of the invention. 
     In embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the panels numbered  110 - 133  are arranged on the skin  14  with the even numbered panels being of one color and the odd numbered panels: a different color. The color combinations for the panels, include, but are not limited to, black and white, gold and white, silver and white and champagne and white. The panels numbered  140 - 163  are arranged on the skin  14  as shown in  FIG. 3  with the even numbered panels being of one color and the odd numbered panels a different color. The same color combinations are available as for panels  110 - 133 . 
     The panels  170 - 193  are arranged on the skin  14  with the even numbered panels being of one color and the odd numbered panels a different color. The same color combinations are available as for panels  110 - 133  and as for panels  140 - 163 . In embodiments of the invention, a panel that is diagonally adjoining a panel in a different ring of panels may be of the same or different color as the adjoining ring and all such color combinations are within the scope of the invention. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the panels  200 - 211  of the skin  14  are of one color and the panels  212 - 223  are of one color that is different from the color of panels  200 - 211 . The color combinations for the different colored panels include, but are not limited to, black and white, gold and white, silver and white and champagne and white. For example, panels  200 - 211  are a black color and panels  212 - 223  are a white color in one embodiment. 
     In embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the panels  224 - 246  of the skin  14  are of one color and the panels  248 - 270  are of a different color. The color combinations for the different colored panels include, but are not limited to, black and white, gold and white, silver and white and champagne and white. Also as shown in  FIG. 5 , these embodiments include panels  225 - 247  which are of one color and panels  249 - 271  that are of a different color. The color combinations for the different colored panels include, but are not limited to, black and white, gold and white, silver and white and champagne and white. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the skin  14  is shown in a tricolor configuration. In these embodiments, panels  271 - 294  are arranged in a striped configuration in three alternating colors. In one or more embodiments, the panel colors alternate from black, to silver and to white and in other embodiments, the panel colors alternate among hard silver, soft silver and white. However, the invention includes any combination of alternating colors. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the skin is shown in a tricolor shift configuration. In these embodiments, the panels numbered  300 - 322  are arranged on the skin  14  with these panels alternating among three colors. The color combinations for the panels, include, but are not limited to, black, white, gold, silver and champagne. The panels numbered  323 - 346  are arranged on the skin  14  as shown in  FIG. 7  with these panels alternating among three colors. The same color combinations are available as for panels  300 - 322 . The panels  350 - 373  are arranged on the skin  14  with these panels alternating among three colors. The same color combinations are available as for panels  300 - 322  and as for panels  323 - 346 . In embodiments of the invention, a panel that is diagonally adjoining a panel in a different ring of panels may be of the same or different color as the adjoining ring and all such color combinations are within the scope of the invention. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the skin  14  is shown in an embodiment with the center portion  382  having a different color than the exterior portion  380  of the panels. The colors for the center portion  382 , include, but are not limited to, black, gold, silver and champagne. The colors for the exterior portion  380  include, but are not limited to, white, silver, gold and champagne. 
     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 and the invention is entitled to the full breadth and scope of the claims.