Including Specific Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/16)
  • Patent number: 5530627
    Abstract: An electronic flash head for photographic lighting, or a "strobe head", contains a miniaturized circuit that is potted to protect and electrically insulate the components. The flash head is small, and has a socket so the flash tube can be replaced to take different amounts of power input. A clamp quickly fastens to the body of the flash head for connection of any desired reflector, soft box or other accessory. A tail extends from the flash head, the tail being of a size to fit into a light socket for support; and, a threaded socket in the tail allows connection of many different supporting devices to the head. The one flash head can therefore be used in almost any photographic lighting situation through selection of the support, the reflector and the flash tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: John J. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5523562
    Abstract: An optical scanner having enhanced depth of illumination may comprise an elongate light source positioned along a longitudinal axis for illuminating points contained within a scan plane bounded at an upper edge by a far limit focal plane and at a lower edge by a near limit focal plane. A first light shade and a second light shade are positioned in spaced apart relation to one another and to the elongate light source. The first and second light shades define a lamp aperture that subtends a first angle with respect to a first line defined by the intersection of the scan plane with the near limit focal plane and that subtends a second angle with respect to a second line defined by the intersection of the scan plane with the far limit focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Larry E. Maple
  • Patent number: 5436804
    Abstract: A light modifier is disclosed for use in photography, comprising a frame and a screen supported by the frame. The frame comprises a spine member with first and second limbs pivotally connected to the spine member at spaced apart locations thereon. The frame is mounted on an external support with the first and second limbs retaining in screen supporting positions substantially orthogonal to the spine member such that the screen is tensioned between the first and second limbs. The first limb is seated in a first bracket attached to the spine member and the second limb is seated in a second bracket attached to the spine member. The first and second tubular collars are slidingly mounted on the first and second limbs respectively, the first and second tubular collars fitting when the first and second limbs are in the screen supporting position, over apexes of the first and second brackets respectively so as to prevent pivotal movement of the first and second limbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Sean B. J. Henry
  • Patent number: 5432683
    Abstract: A photographic lighting system provides both direct and modified light to a target from a single light source. The light source itself comprises an electrical bulb having an electrical connection inner end, a light emitting outer end and a light emitting sidewall between the inner end and the outer end of the bulb. The system further includes a mounting assembly which mounts the bulb in the system and the system includes a light modifying material fitting region which receives material positioned to modify light emitted from the side wall while allowing direct light to be emitted from the outer end of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Douglas Brown
  • Patent number: 5430282
    Abstract: The system has an optical scanning device formed of a plurality of pixel elements for providing a scan output signal representative of a scanned region of an object. The system has a reflector, an illumination source, a light compensator, and an object positioner. The reflector defines an ellipse. The object positioner disposes the object substantially near the major axis of the ellipse. The illumination source emits and applies light energy to the object disposed at a first focus of the ellipse. The light compensator, which varies the light energy emitted from the illumination source, has one or more dedicated pixels of the optical scanning device. The light compensator also has fiber optical transmitters that receive light transmitted from the illumination source and couple to the dedicated pixels, which are unavailable for receiving reflected light from the scanned region of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Smith, Joseph P. Mulligan, Gregory P. Skinger, Robert H. Esslinger
  • Patent number: 5394307
    Abstract: A photographic flash device includes a bar-like flash discharge tube for emitting light, and a reflector having a rectangular-shaped opening for irradiating light beams emitted from the flash discharge tube toward and through the rectangular-shaped opening. The dimension of the depth of opposing side wall portions of the reflector for reflecting light beams along the long side of the opening of the flash discharge tube is longer than that of an inner part of the reflector whose cross section is a curved surface nearly substantially semi-elliptical in shape, which cross section covers the flash discharge tube. Light beams directed beyond an angle of view are reflected by the elongated opposing side wall portions so that they are kept within the angle of view. The opposing extreme edge portions of the upper and lower reflection plates along the long side of the opening of the reflector are extended toward the front by means of parallel flat reflection plates whose inner surfaces are reflective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Matsuura
  • Patent number: 5390084
    Abstract: An illumination device of this invention includes a flash light source for radiating flash light, a reflector, arranged on a side opposite to an object with respect to the flash light source, for reflecting a light beam radiated from the flash light source, and a refractor for projecting a light beam directly radiated from the flash light source and a light beam reflected by the reflector toward the object. The refractor adopts a Fresnel lens having a rotation-symmetrical shape with respect to its lens optical axis, a surface, on the object side, of the Fresnel lens is a flat surface perpendicular to the lens optical axis, and the other surface of the Fresnel lens is a Fresnel surface. The optical axes of the flash light source and the reflector are coaxial with each other, and define the reference optical axis of the illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Ohtake, Koichi Ohshita
  • Patent number: 5282091
    Abstract: A courtesy/reading light lens (24) includes a translucent body (26) having a surface (28) covered with an array of opaque dots (30) for selectively controlling the distribution of lights as it passes through the translucent body (26). The opaque dots (30) are organized in multiple sections (32, 34, 26) that together form a dot pattern. The opaque dots (30) within each section (32, 34, 36) are arrayed at a substantially uniform spacing and have a substantially uniform two-dimensional diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Grabowski, Robert D. Muller, Carl G. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 5278744
    Abstract: The illumination device comprises a housing, a lampholder, a reflector and an electric lamp having a base rigidly connected to its light-diffusing lamp vessel. A light source within the lamp vessel is disposed substantially coaxially with an optical axis of the reflector. The reflector is polygonal in cross sections transverse to its axis and shapes the light generated into a beam, the intensity of which increases from I.sub.o along the optical axis to a value of 105 to 130% thereof at an angle of 5 to 25% to the axis. Scenes illuminated by the device yield evenly exposed photo, film and video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jaak M. J. Geboers, Manfred Kiesling
  • Patent number: 5251115
    Abstract: A reflector for modifying the light intensity distribution patterns of a cylindrical light source has a first reflecting surface formed to provide a desired light intensity distribution pattern in the vertical plane and at least one other reflecting surface extending from one end of the first reflecting surface and which is oriented and formed to provide a second desired light intensity distribution pattern in the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: William H. Parsons
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Hillman, William H. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5235497
    Abstract: A luminescent fixture for providing sustained illumination suitable for television, video and film production includes a plurality of parallel mercury vapor luminescent lamp tubes aligned in close proximity in a common plane bisecting an acute concave angle defined by high reflectivity facing surfaces of a pair of longitudinal reflector panels. A plurality of separate electronic ballasts located at the base of the extending reflector panels provide a plurality of unsynchronized electrical current pulse trains each for exciting pulsed ultraviolet light emissions from Hg vapor within a particular set of lamp tubes at a rate sufficient to excite/stimulate sustained luminescent light emission from the phosphors in the emulsion coating lining the interior of the light tubes, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventor: Paul D. Costa
  • Patent number: 5209557
    Abstract: A photographic light comprises a main reflector with a light aperture, which is closed by a diffuser, and light sources, arranged in the photographic light casing and emitting luminous rays that reach the diffuser. A portion of the diffuser is exposed to the luminous rays of at least one second light source which reach the diffuser in addition to the luminous rays of at least one first light source. The additional second light source creates an area of increased light concentration at the diffuser. During the photographic step the photographic light is arranged such that the mat gloss objects to be photographed are positioned in the area of the increased light concentration, thereby generating strong reflections at the mat gloss surfaces, which are easily discernable from the surrounding areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Bron Elektronik AG
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Larboulette, Walter Haberthur
  • Patent number: 5168302
    Abstract: A light permeating apparatus preferably employable for an exposing equipment, a drying equipment, a printing equipment for forming a pattern on a printed circuit board is disclosed. The apparatus includes an opposing pair of light permeable plates, a casing fixedly secured to the light permeable plates, a filter disposed in the inclined state in the flat space defined between the light permeable plates to divide the interior of the flat space into two parts, a liquid supply tube attached to the fore end of the casing and liquid discharge tubes attached to the rear end of the casing. The opposite sides and the rear side of the casing are designed in the flow passage-shaped configuration, and a plurality of holes are formed on the inner wall of each of the flow passages on the opposite sides and the rear side of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: ORC Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Watanuki
  • Patent number: 5160192
    Abstract: In an illuminating instrument, a reflector is composed of a combination of two ellipses whose respective optical axes are spaced from each other in a cross-sectional plane containing an optical axis of an illuminating optical system. A light source has its center located between the optical axes of the respective ellipses. A condenser is arranged at an opening of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Saburo Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5154503
    Abstract: A photographic light modifier has a frame structure moveable from a closed, substantially planar, position to an open position for attachment to a light source. A pair of pivotally mounted arms are each provided with hooks or loops of a pad member which cooperate with hooks or loops fastened to the engagement surface of the light source for engaging the light modifier thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: F. J. Westcott Company
    Inventor: Daniel M. Sternsher
  • Patent number: 5047900
    Abstract: In an electronic flash assembly, an elastomeric strap secures a flash tube and a reflector housing relative to one another and is induced to yieldably bias the reflector housing firmly against a covering flash lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Anthony DiRisio
  • Patent number: 5024525
    Abstract: A photosensing device in which a camera picks up through a see through-hole formed through a light diffuser reflection board an image of an object to be photosensed that has a high light reflectivity and that is indirectly irradiated upon by a light source, a member having a light reflectivity substantially same as that of the light diffuser reflection board and a property to pass therethrough the light is tightly fit to the see through-hole, and the camera picks up the object to be photosensed through the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Hajime Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5023756
    Abstract: An improved light diffusion box for photographic, industrial and consumer uses. The light diffusion box includes a hollow housing of fabric material provided with a front screen and having means for securing a ring to the rear end thereof, the ring being adapted to mount a light source within the housing. The housing has sides which are coupled together and each side has a silver laminate layer adjacent to a thin, white nylon layer. A deflection/transmission panel is between the light source and the front screen. A graduated or alternated deflection/transmission pattern is printed on at least one face of the panel and such pattern is equal and opposite to the naturally-occurring light fall-off from the light source. The center of the pattern forces the strong light nearest the source to be largely deflected into the sidewalls of the housing and only slightly transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: Gary L. Regester
  • Patent number: 5023757
    Abstract: A collapsible light reflector apparatus of the umbrella type having a skeleton frame comprising outer relatively longer ribs and relatively shorter inner ribs adapted to be stretched when the umbrella is in open position, a covering of light reflecting material disposed over the outer ribs completely covering the outer surfaces thereof and a inner covering adapted to completely cover the inner ribs and an inner portions of the outer ribs wherefor the umbrella has a complete covering both on the outer and inner frame surfaces thereof except for covering on the lower part of a rod on which the ribs are mounted providing a covering of all lower surfaces of the upper and lower ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Inventor: John Shirilla
  • Patent number: 4979021
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing a video camera to produce a video signal to selectively cue special effects, comprising an optical chromakey field including a transparent assembly an illumination apparatus. The transparent assembly is placed in the field of view of the video camera. The on-camera talent can see through the transparent assembly to view a monitor or other object located behind the transparent assembly. The illumination apparatus selectively illuminates the transparent assembly. The transparent assembly presents light of a certain color for reception by the video camera. When special effects are selected, the video camera produces a characteristic video signal operative to cue the special effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Milton L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4921344
    Abstract: An apparatus for a camera utilized in intra-oral photography including a lens housing which mounts to the camera. A lens is positioned within the lens housing, and a circular flash with a transparent face and having an inner circumference and an outer circumference generally circumscibes the lens and is secured to the lens housing. A shield is removably positioned over a portion of the circular flash for blocking out a predetermined portion of the illumination from the circular flash from a circular illuminated flash into a directional or point illuminated flash. The shield includes a flange section and a lens shield section integrally bound to the flange section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Shannon S. Duplantis
  • Patent number: 4881091
    Abstract: A data card illumination arrangement for use within a compact identification card camera system and for providing uniform indirect illumination over the entire information bearing surface of a data card. The arrangement includes a pair of illumination assemblies subtended by a pair of side reflector elements. Each of the illumination assemblies includes a strobe tube, a U-shaped channel member having a comb filter portion, and a planar reflector. One of the assemblies is located adjacent and parallel to the upper surface of the data card while the other is located adjacent and parallel to the lower surface of the data card. Illumination provided by each of the strobe tubes is directed away from the data card. The planar reflectors redirect the illumination toward the data card. This redirected illumination passes through the comb filter portions of the channel members to facilitate uniform indirect illumination of the data card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Donald G. Josephson
  • Patent number: 4855874
    Abstract: A light modifier is disclosed that is intended to be used primarily for photographic purposes. The light modifier is used in conjunction with a light source to provide various types of diffused light for photographic purposes. The light modifier includes an inflatable structure having a translucent panel and a reflective panel. A passageway is connected to the inflatable structure and the passageway is in communication with the interior of the inflatable structure. The passageway is disposed for supplying a fluid under pressure to the interior of the inflatable structure. At least one closeable opening is positioned in the inflatable structure to provide access to the interior of the light modifier. A light source can be mounted in the interior of the light modifier. The light source can be aimed directly at the translucent panel or first reflected off the reflective panel to diffuse the light even more before it passes through the translucent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: The F. J. Westcott Company
    Inventor: Thomas A. Waltz
  • Patent number: 4843521
    Abstract: A wide angle flash tube reflector has dual involute surfaces thereon intersecting at a cusp and bent in the horizontal to intercept light from a light source adjacent the cusp and to reflect such light in a dispersion pattern that spreads the flash coverage to match extended light coverages of lenses from a normal focal length to extreme wide angle. One light source is in the form of a bent tube having adjustable positioned cathode and anode electrodes for varying the length of a plasma arc to control the extent of the dispersion pattern reflected from the dual involute surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Fred A. Plofchan
  • Patent number: 4833571
    Abstract: The reflector panel includes a unitary structure comprised of longitudinal sections of corrugated paper or cardboard having one reflecting side and folding lines to allow folding for compact portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Vladimir Granovksy
  • Patent number: 4794503
    Abstract: A lamp including a reflector and a light source for illuminating a target area in which the light rays on the target and have a small average local divergence. The reflector and light source are configured so that the predominant portion of the light rays which strike the target area do not cross the axis of the reflector. The reflector may be segmented and the light source is located so that various points on the target receive radiation which is reflected from a different number of segments with points near the periphery of the target area receiving radiation from a greater number of segments than those near the center of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Fusion Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Wooten, Robert J. Sweetman, Andrew D. P. Harbourne, Michael G. Ury
  • Patent number: 4783687
    Abstract: The output of a segmented filament lamp is made more uniform by placing a reflector assembly adjacent the lamp, the reflector assembly having a plurality of spherical segments formed along its length. Each spherical segment is located so as to reflect light from the filaments back to the filament plane to form a real image of each filament in interfilament space. The lamp output thus appears as a uniform and constant source. This type of filament lamp is especially useful in conjunction with an imaging system which requires a very uniform light level at a projection lens or at the surface of a document platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Rees
  • Patent number: 4755838
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting a camera for close-up photography, includes a flash hood attachment for the flash unit of the camera for reflectively spreading a beam of light from the flash unit to distribute the light over the field of view for very close subjects. Other attachments provide for reducing the light received by an auto-exposure system of a camera, for blocking a portion of a viewfinder window to correct for parallax problems, and for covering the lens of the camera with a pin hole to convert the camera to a fixed focus camera, all for converting a conventional camera for close-up photography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventor: Edgar S. Lemmey
  • Patent number: 4719493
    Abstract: The output of a segmented filament lamp is smoothed and made more uniform by placing a reflector assembly adjacent the lamp, the reflector assembly comprising a plurality of joined specular hybrid cylindrical/roof mirror segments. Each segment is located so as to reflect light from a portion of each filament back into the filament plane to form an image of each filament in interfilament space. The lamp output thus appears as a uniform and constant source. This type of improved filament lamp is especially useful in conjunction with an imaging system which requires a very uniform light level at a projection lens or at the surface of a document platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Dominick J. Maiorano
  • Patent number: 4702581
    Abstract: A flash device for a camera having a light emitting window of rectangular shape oriented so that the long side of the window is nearly perpendicular to a long side of the film format in the camera. An optical panel in the light emitting window is constructed in such a way as to satisfy the following conditions:0.5<f1/f<1.5f2/f<0.5,where f1 is the focal length of an end portion of the longitudinal length of the optical panel, f2 is the focal length of a central portion of the optical panel, and f is the focal length of a photographic lens of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Yamada, Yasuhisa Sato, Hiroki Nakayama, Kouji Oizumi
  • Patent number: 4695130
    Abstract: A means and method of generating disparate information for imparting depth perception to an image. An image is formed with a shadow from a plurality of energy sources. The energy sources each having a different locus. In one embodiment, using only two energy sources the image is detected by an image detector which permits the portion of the shadow formed by one energy source to be distinguished from the portion of the shadow formed by another source. In either a static-imaging system such a still photograph or a dynamic system, such as television, means are provided for optically segregating the shadows viewed by each eye. In a monocular version of the dynamic imaging system, such as a motion picture film, a three-dimensional perception is created by successively displaying images formed with different shadows.In a particular embodiment (of the present invention), a filter is provided for a conventional camera flash system. The filter comprises two light transmitting segments separated by an opaque segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Inventors: Antonio Medina, Yehoshua Y. Zeevi
  • Patent number: 4690637
    Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array includes a printed circuit board with a common circuit extending along one edge and a plurality of contact pads along an opposite edge and a plurality of flashlamps mounted in a direction normal to the edges of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd G. Brower
  • Patent number: 4669031
    Abstract: A photographic light box comprised of a housing having a side wall with a pair of opposed ends, one of the ends being larger than the other end and the side wall progressively increasing in cross section as the smaller of the two ends is approached. A panel capable of transmitting diffused light is secured to the side wall across the larger end of the housing, the smaller end being open to receive a light source including a lamp disposed within the housing and capable of being energized to produce light. The housing has a plurality of flexible rods extending along the side wall at spaced locations thereon and the ends of the rods near the smaller end of the housing are inserted into holes in spaced block carried by a strap surrounding the light source as the light source extends into the opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: Gary L. Regester
  • Patent number: 4651262
    Abstract: When examing visually uneven surfaces the problem is the disappearing of the areas remaining in the shade from the picture. To the lighting device in accordance wiht the invention for illumination of and elimination of shades from uneven surface (1) belong a source of light (2), a mainly globular reflecting contrivance (3), the interior surface of which is equipped with reflecting material, and to which openings (4, 5) for the examining of the surface and holes (6) for conducting of the light into the reflecting contrivance are formed, as well as a reflector element (7) for reflecting of light through the opening (4) into the reflecting contrivance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Valtion teknillinen tutkimuskeskus
    Inventor: Timo H. Piironen
  • Patent number: 4634248
    Abstract: A photographic camera for producing a composite picture comprises a casing including means for focussing an image of an external object or scene on a first portion of an unexposed photographic medium disposed in an image plane within the casing and a plurality of projection systems for focussing respective static thematic images, illuminated by a flash tube within the casing, on other respective portions of the medium. The flash tube is located within a portion of the casing which is separated from the thematic images by a light-diffusing plate, the light-diffusing plate being located close to the thematic images for illumination thereof. The projection systems have different aperture sizes each related to the distance of the flash tube from the portion of the plate adjacent the thematic image which is focussed on the medium by the respective projection system, whereby uneven illumination of the different thematic images by the flash tube is at least partially compensated at the image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Happycard International Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich Ostermeier
  • Patent number: 4616293
    Abstract: A light-diffusion box for illuminating a subject by means of a lamp placed within the box comprises in combination: a hollow rear casing having multiple facets and a reflecting internal face, the casing being constituted by a first sheet of opaque semi-rigid material provided with folding lines between the facets for collapsing the box to a flat state or for erecting the box in three dimensional form in readiness for use; a light-diffusing screen consisting of a translucent second sheet which is capable of assuming a flat shape; fasteners fitted respectively on the edges of the first sheet and on the edges of the second sheet; a central opening formed in the first sheet in order to place a light source in position within the diffusion box; folding lines which extend from the central opening to the periphery of the first sheet; a series of peripheral cut-outs formed in the first sheet with fastenable edges for converting the first sheet to a hollow casing; a polygonal contour at the periphery of the second she
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Mardick Baliozian
  • Patent number: 4581682
    Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array including a transparent plastic cover member with the cover member having at least one prismatic barrier divider extending outwardly therefrom between a pair of parallel arrayed flashlamps. The prismatic barrier divider serves as a shield whereby sympathetic flashing of adjacent flashlamps is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4570203
    Abstract: Improved light reflector apparatus for use in an electronic flash unit or the like is formed by an injection molding operation, which causes both precise shaping of a reflector and accurate mounting of the reflector securely within a housing. A light-reflecting flexible sheet is placed in a mold so that its light-reflecting front surface is centrally positioned adjacent a mold forming surface. The forming surface, which is larger than the sheet, has a contour adapted for shaping the sheet to reflect light into a beam of illumination. Liquid plastic is injected into the mold under pressure against the opposite surface of the sheet, thus pressing its light-reflecting surface into intimate contact against the forming surface. Because the sheet is smaller, the border of the forming surface is not covered by the sheet. Plastic flows beyond outer edges of the sheet against the uncovered border of the forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Daniels, Jeffrey R. Stoneham, John K. Erickson
  • Patent number: 4539624
    Abstract: A diffusion device for a flash gun is provided in the form of a translucent box-like structure which fits on the end of a commercial flash gun. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, opaque shields are provided for the front and back of the diffusion device which can be selectively added or removed to produce special effects. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a slot is provided in the top of the diffusion device for retaining a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Inventor: Kenneth Stone
  • Patent number: 4514794
    Abstract: An attachment provision is provided for exchangeable accessories for illumination bodies, which comprises an adapter plate having a receiving opening and which plate is attached to an illumination body for supporting an accessory having an axis. The adapter plate has at least two recesses for receiving and supporting an adapter flange of an accessory. The recesses are disposed at a distance, but are not disposed such that they would meet the requirements of an n-fold rotation axis with n equal to or larger than 2 for said axis. The accessory is provided with an adapter flange with at least two cam toes to grip through the recesses of the adapter plate. The cam toes are disposed at a distance, but are not disposed such that they would meet the requirements of an n-fold rotation axis directed vertically to the flange plane with n equal to or larger than 2 for said axis and where the cam toes support the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Bron Elektronik AG
    Inventor: Walter Haberthur-Heilig
  • Patent number: 4507254
    Abstract: Improved light reflector apparatus for use in an electronic flash unit or the like is formed by an injection molding operation, which causes both precise shaping of a reflector and accurate mounting of the reflector securely within a housing. A light-reflecting flexible sheet is placed in a mold so that its light-reflecting front surface is centrally positioned adjacent a mold forming surface. The forming surface, which is larger than the sheet, has a contour adapted for shaping the sheet to reflect light into a beam of illumination. Liquid plastic is injected into the mold under pressure against the opposite surface of the sheet, thus pressing its light-reflecting surface into intimate contact against the forming surface. Because the sheet is smaller, the border of the forming surface is not covered by the sheet. Plastic flows beyond outer edges of the sheet against the uncovered border of the forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Daniels, Jeffrey R. Stoneham, John K. Erickson
  • Patent number: 4490776
    Abstract: A rigid, collapsible light box is disclosed. The light box comprises a back panel having an opening in which a light unit can be mounted, a rear side panel hingedly connected to each side edge of the back panel and a front side panel hingedly connected to each rear side panel. A light diffuser panel is hingedly coupled to the front side panels. The light box is collapsible to a stacked two-layer structure wherein the back panel and rear side panels form one layer and the front side panels and the light diffuser panel form the other layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Inventor: Michael M. Kluch
  • Patent number: 4475146
    Abstract: A special front lighting system for use in a relatively narrow room in which a large track mounted camera photographs subjects held on a subject holder. A pair of light sets located on support panels on opposite sides of the optical axis of the camera emit diverging light beams in opposite directions toward the side walls of the room. Mirrors are situated in the paths of the light beams to reflect light onto the subject holder with the same effect as imaginary light sets emitting beams directly toward the subject holder from locations outside of the room beyond the side walls. Light containment shields extend between each light support panel and mirror. The components of the lighting system are contained on self-supporting stands, each of which includes one light support panel, one light shield and one mirror panel hinged or otherwise held in a fixed position together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Opti-Copy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph H. Wally, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4464705
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating small animate or inanimate objects which employs at least one fiber optic bundle disposed on a selected area of a diffusion dome illuminated by a dual light source comprising, for example, an annular shaped light source having disposed along its central axis a linear-shaped source or a point light source relative to the size of the annular light source. The invention also relates to a method for accurately illuminating small animate or inanimate objects for observation or to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Ross M. Horowitz
  • Patent number: 4460942
    Abstract: An electronic flashtube is fixedly mounted to a reflector housing by an elongated elastomeric strap having openings therethrough at opposite ends thereof for engaging respectively the opposite end portions of the flashtube which extend from the reflector housing. The elongated strap extends across the exterior of the reflector housing so as to yieldably bias the flashtube toward that portion of the reflector housing across which the strap extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Donato F. Pizzuti, Narvous Stamps, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4460946
    Abstract: The reflector arrangement consists of a several plate-shaped elements (12) having abutting edges and being placed to meet in one plane. The plate-shaped elements (12) are held together by a mounting (10) the front plate (13) of which partly covers the elements (12). The front surface of plate (13) is also reflective. A clamping rail (15) is secured to the plate (13) via a clamping hinge. The reflector arrangement can be used in connection with one of the plate-shaped elements (12) or with four plate-shaped elements (12) in total, but it can be also utilized only with the use of the front plate (13) of the mounting (10) as a reflector and without the plate-shaped elements (12). The elements (12) can be piled thus permitting to fold the reflector screen (11) without the formation of creases or breaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Lunos Luftung GmbH & Co. Ventilatoren KG
    Inventor: Bernhard H. Tinz
  • Patent number: 4443837
    Abstract: A mounting fixture for supporting up to two electronic flash lamps and a reflective light umbrella on a photographic light stand is disclosed. The fixture includes two orthogonal flash lamp shoe brackets and an integral deflectable locking arm for securing the fixture body to a vertical post of a light stand. A locking bolt passes through coaxial bores in the arm and the fixture body. The locking bolt includes a cylindrical head having a transverse bore for receiving a shaft of a reflective umbrella. A tubular locking collar is interposed on the shaft of the bolt between the fixture body and the head of the locking bolt. The locking collar includes a pair of diametrically opposed semicircular recess cut into its tubular end edge which are alignable with the openings of the bore in the head of the bolt. The locking collar, together with the bolt head, operates to secure an umbrella shaft in place when the bolt is tightened to secure the mounting fixture on a light stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignees: Philip M. Casady, Melvin A. Pfaelzer
    Inventors: Albert Migliori, Stephen D. Northup
  • Patent number: 4412276
    Abstract: A strobe lighting unit--and a reflector assembly forming part thereof--include a concave reflector having a predetermined shape, typically including a parabolic cross-section. The reflector is formed in situ as part of an assembly process by pressing a thin precut planar blank of reflective material, preferably an aluminum alloy foil having selected mechanical properties, into a die cavity in the reflector housing with a conforming die plunger to bend the blank into the predetermined shape. During the bending process residual tension forces are induced intentionally into the blank and these forces urge the foil into contact with surfaces defining the die cavity to supportively maintain the reflector in the predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Igor Blinow
  • Patent number: 4399490
    Abstract: A multilamp photoflash unit includes a housing member having a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities of a relatively opaque material with a reflective surface adjacent the lamp whereby back radiation from the lamp is reduced. Also, a reflector having cavities of opaque pigmented plastic resin material and a reflective surface may be disposed within a plastic housing and serve to inhibit back radiation from a lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Broadt
  • Patent number: 4384319
    Abstract: A projection lighting unit which includes a U-shaped bracket member having an apertured faceplate and a rear upstanding wall, a glass reflector secured to the bracket's faceplate portion and including a concave reflecting portion and a rear neck portion adjacent thereto and including a cylindrical opening therein, a capsule member removably positioned within the reflector's rear opening and including an incandescent projection lamp (e.g., tungsten-halogen) and a cylindrical, metallic base member secured to the sealed end of the lamp, and a biasing flange member including a pair of cam springs which slidably engage the upstanding rear wall of the bracket during rotational insertion of the lamp capsule within the unit's reflector. The unit thus provides for rear removal of the lamp capsule from the glass reflector and bracket components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Blaisdell, Harold L. Hough, C. Edward Kowalski