Patent Publication Number: US-2013242526-A1

Title: Studio light-deflection and control cone

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to lighting control systems and, more particularly, to a studio light-deflection and control cone. 
     Conventional studio lighting can be very harsh. Such harsh lighting can show wrinkles and imperfections on actors&#39; faces, resulting in unflattering facial features for the purpose of photography. Conventional light softening devices are usually time consuming to assemble, bulky and only include a single layer of light deflecting material that is time consuming to change. Moreover, most conventional light softening devices have no venting system and are difficult, if not impossible, to adjust to fit different size lamps. These light softening devices are usually not very durable and are difficult to store. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved studio light deflection and control device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a studio light adjustment device, comprises a cone; a primary flange adapted to removably attach a primary gel frame to the cone at a first end thereof; a secondary flange adapted to removably attach a secondary gel frame to a second, opposite end of the cone; and a control grid adapted to be removably attached to the cone. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a cone lighting system comprises a cone having an ultra-white finish on an interior thereof; a primary flange adapted to removably attach a primary gel frame to the cone at a first end thereof; adjustable ears attached to the primary flange, the adjustable ears adapted to connect the primary flange to a lamp; a secondary flange adapted to removably attach a secondary gel frame to a second, opposite end of the cone; and a control grid adapted to be removably attached to the cone. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a studio light deflection and control cone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the studio light deflection and control cone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top, exploded perspective view of the studio light deflection and control cone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a gel frame used in the studio light deflection and control cone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a control grid used in the studio light deflection and control cone of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view showing a secondary gel frame being inserted in the studio light deflection and control cone of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a studio light and deflection cone used in studio lighting applications. The function of the cone is to soften the harsh light that is produced by studio lighting instruments, in order to show less wrinkles and imperfections on the actors&#39; faces and to create more appealing and flattering facial features for the purpose of photography. By deflecting the light rays or bending them you are softening the light. The more you bend the light rays the softer the light. The softer the light the more flattering and less noticeable the winkles and imperfections are. By having two layers of light deflecting material attached to interchangeable frames the lights ray are being bent to the maximum creating the ultimate soft light with the ability to control it. The cone attaches to the front of a studio lighting instrument. As light is projected into the rear of the cone, it passes through the primary gel frame that is covered with light deflecting material that spreads the beam. Inside the cone, the light reflects off the ultra-white interior of the cone and is intensified, then passes through the secondary gel frame that is covered with light deflecting material and is softened even further. Upon leaving the cone, it passes through the control grid at the very front of the cone that narrows the spread of the light exiting the cone in degrees to produce a very soft and controlled light. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , a studio light deflection cone system  10  includes three sections. The first section includes a primary flange  14  located at the rear of a cone  12 . The primary flange  14  may be made from sheet metal and can be used to attach the unit to a studio lamp  30  by means of adjustable ears  14   a  on the back of the flange  14 . These ears  14   a  may interlock with ears (not shown) on the front of the studio lamp  30  to secure the cone  12  to the lamp  30 . The primary flange  14  may also support the rear of the cone  12 . Furthermore, the primary flange  14  may support a guide track  14   b  that a primary gel frame  16  can slide in and out thereof. 
     The second section of the cone system  10  includes the cone  12 . The cone  12  may be made from, for example, corrugated plastic that may be treated with flame and heat retardant paint. The cone  12  can contain the light rays traveling through the cone  12  to a secondary flange  18 . The cone  12  can also intensify the light as it reflects of an interior  28  of the cone  12 . Typically, the interior  28  of the cone  12  may have a ultra-white surface. 
     The third section of the cone system  10  is located at a front end of the cone system  10  and includes the secondary flange  18 . The secondary flange  18  is typically made from aluminum and can support the front of the cone  12 . The secondary flange  18  may also serve as a guide (see  FIG. 6 ) for a secondary gel frame  20  to slide in and out thereof. The secondary flange  18  may also hold a control grid  22 . 
     The control grid  22  may be used to narrow the spread of the light exiting from the cone system  10  to produce a very soft and controlled light. The control grid  22  may be optional, and may be varied to configure the desired spread of light. The control grid  22  may include a plurality of arms  24  that extend from the control grid  22  to engage with recesses  26  on the cone  12 . Other connections may be used to connect the control grid  22  to the cone  12 . For example, the arms  24  may include a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro® to attach to a hook and loop fastener disposed on the cone  12 . 
     As light is projected into the rear of the cone  12 , it passes through the primary gel frame  16  that is covered with light deflecting material that spreads the beam. Inside the cone  12 , the light reflects off the ultra-white interior  28  of the cone  12  and is intensified. The light then passes through the secondary gel frame  20  that is covered with light deflecting material and is softened even further. Upon leaving the cone  12 , the light passes through the control grid  22  at the very front of the cone  12 . The control grid  22  narrows the spread of the light exiting the cone  12  in degrees to produce a very soft and controlled light. 
     The cone system  10  may be used with or without both gel frames. For example, the secondary gel frame  20  may be removed if desired. Also, the control grid  22  may be removed if desired. The material of the gel frames  16 ,  20  may be varied, depending on the desired level of light softening. The shape and size of the cone system  10  may vary to accommodate various studio lights. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.