WO2010104369A1

WO2010104369A1 - Camera flash reflector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2010104369A1
Application number: PCT/MY2009/000120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kee Chan Yap; Wah Kok Yew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-13
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-13
Also published as: WO2010104369A8; CN102422217A; MY147929A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reflector assembly suitable for attaching to a flash unit (300) of a photographic camera, comprising first and second planar sheets (1, 2), each the sheet comprising a regular trapezium shaped center section (20) having on the shorter of its two parallel sides (58) means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) and having its two converging sides (52, 54) flexibly attached two identical quadrilateral flaps (10, 30) in the form of truncated right angle triangles, the edge region of the flaps (10, 30) on the side opposite that is attached to the center section (20), carrying one pair of one or more pairs inter-engaging means (110, 120) by which they can be connected to the corresponding flaps (10, 30) on the second sheet such that two sheets (1, 2) can form a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open end, the sheets (1, 2) having a reflecting surface on one side forming the interior surface of the body.

Description

CAMERA FLASH REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reflector assembly suitable for attaching to a flash unit of a photographic camera and more particularly to a reflector assembly in a form of closed hollow body having two open ends constituted by planar sheets for use with the flash unit of a photographic camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there are camera systems that require flash units to be attached either directly to the camera, on a light stand containing the flash, or hand-held some distance away from the camera. The on-camera flash unit sometimes produces a harsh direct light that may cause undesirable shadows. Reflecting the light with a reflector softens the light but typically reduces the amount of light reaching the subject being photographed, in turn reducing the effective photographic distance between the camera and the subject. There is a need for a flash reflector that can be quickly attached to the flash unit for close up shots, and easily removed for distance photographs. Furthermore, such a flash reflector should be easily stored and retrieved between uses.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,006 (A. E Beckerman) describes a seated light reflector for attachment to the flash apparatus of a hand held camera that is formed from a rigid material, such as molded plastic or pressed metal. As such the Beckerman light reflector is cumbersome, non-adjustable, and lacks convenient portability. The Beckerman flash attachment reflector does not attach and/or detach quickly nor easily. Beckerman's hard rigid material is not collapsible making it difficult to quickly store and retrieve. Thus the Beckerman reflector is cumbersome and requires a large volumetric area for storage. Further the Beckerman reflector has no provisions for adjusting, or controlling, the angle, or power of its reflector's light.

What is needed in the art is a lightweight, flexible flash reflector that is easy and quick to attach and detach, store, and retrieve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a camera flash reflector, suitable for use on a camera's flash unit, that is light in weight and that may be easily folded for storage.

A preform of a camera flash reflector embodying the present invention is preferably cut into a thin planar sheet with four substantially rigid sections which can be folded into each other for easy storage, and folded out to form half of the complete reflector assembly, with another identical planar sheet forming the other half. A pair of press stud mechanisms join both halves to form a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open ends with the narrower end attached to a flash unit of a photographic camera.

The present invention also relates to a reflector assembly suitable for attaching to a flash unit of a photographic camera, comprising first and second planar sheets, each the sheet comprising a regular trapezium shaped center section having on the shorter of its two parallel sides means allowing the planar sheets to be attached to the flash unit and having its two converging sides flexibly attached two identical quadrilateral flaps in the form of truncated right angle triangles, the edge region of the flaps on the side opposite that that is attached to the center section, carrying one pair of one or more pairs inter- engaging means by which they can be connected to the corresponding flaps on the second sheet such that two sheets can form a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open ends, the sheets having a reflecting surface on one side forming the interior surface of the body.

The present invention further relates to a camera flash reflector assembly forming a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open ends, with the narrower end attached to a flash unit of a photographic camera and with the wider end attachable to either of a light diffuser or a focusing matrix.

The present invention further relates to a camera flash reflector assembly forming a closed hollow body with the narrower end that just fits over a flash unit so that the reflector assembly is secured to the flash unit when a cover that is of a larger size than the narrower end is attached to the flash unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a view of a camera flash reflector assembly in an embodiment of this invention. Figure 2 shows an inner side view of a planar sheet in an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 3 shows an outer side view of a planar sheet in an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 shows a view of a camera flash reflector assembly with attached accessory in an embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that the following detailed description is directed to a light reflector for a camera flash unit and is not limited to any particular size or configuration of the reflector but in fact a multitude of sizes and configurations within the general scope of the following description.

Referring to Figure 1, there can be seen a camera flash reflector assembly of this invention, completely assembled, with a first and a second planar sheets (1,2) folded and joined to each other to form the camera flash reflector of this invention. Each planar sheet (1, 2) comprises a regular trapezium shaped center section (20) having on the shorter of its two parallel sides (58) means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) and having its two converging sides (52, 54) flexibly attached two identical quadrilateral flaps (10, 30) in the form of truncated right angle triangles, the edge region of the flaps (10, 30) on the side opposite that that is attached to the center section (20), carrying one pair of one or more pairs inter-engaging means (110, 120) by which they can be connected to the corresponding flaps (10, 30) on the second sheet such that two sheets (1, 2) can form a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open ends, the sheets (1, 2) having a reflecting surface on one side forming the interior surface of the body. The inter-engaging means (110, 120) are press stud mechanisms. The planar sheets (1, 2) are placed in front of each other in a mirror configuration and joined together by the press stud mechanism (110, 120) located on each of the left (10) and right (30) flaps. The narrower end of the closed hollow body is attached to a flash unit (300) of a photographic camera.

Figures 2 and 3 show inner side and outer side views, respectively, of a planar sheet (1, 2) in an embodiment of this invention. Each planar sheet (1, 2) comprises a regular trapezium shaped center section (20) having on the shorter of its two parallel sides (58) means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) and having its two converging sides (52, 54) flexibly attached two identical quadrilateral flaps (10, 30) in the form of truncated right angle triangles, the edge region of the flaps (10, 30) on the side opposite that that is attached to the center section (20), carrying one part of one or more pair inter-engaging means (110, 120) by which they can be connected to the corresponding flaps (10, 30) on the second sheet such that two sheets can form a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open ends, the sheets having a reflecting surface on one side forming the interior surface of the body. The inner side of the planar sheets (1, 2) have reflective material (5) covering a substantial portion of the surface. Preferably the means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) comprises a Velcro fastener (140) on the outer surface thereof and a protecting portion (130) on the inner surface thereof for protecting the surface of the flash unit (300) while the reflector is attached, the means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) forms a rectangle hollow that just fits over the flash unit (300) so that the reflector assembly is secured to the flash unit (300) when a cover that is of a larger size that the means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) is attached to the flash unit (300).

Figure 4 shows a camera flash reflector of this invention, completely assembled, with a first (1) and a second (2) planar sheet folded and joined to each other to form the camera flash reflector of this invention. At the wider end of the closed hollow body, various interchangeable accessories such as a light diffuser (210) and focusing matrix (220) such as honeycomb matrix can be attached to enclose the opening formed at the larger end. Two attachment flaps (40) attached to the wider of two parallel sides (56) of the center section (20) respectively for attachment of further components. These various accessories are attached to the flash reflector by means of press stud mechanisms (45) provided on the attachment flap (40) of each planar sheet (1, 2).

In another embodiment of the invention, there may have one or more further panel sheets of the type above, whereby the shape of the ends of the hollow body can be other than a generally rectangular shape.

The reflector assemblies as described above, however, are easy to pack and store as they are light and compact for transportation use. It provides professional and semi pro photographers a quick and easy way to get a wide range of flash effects whether on assignment or in the studio. It is well designed to be compact, lightweight and can be easily folded away to fit easily into a camera bag. It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

While several particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to embrace such changes, modifications, and areas of application that are within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A reflector assembly suitable for attaching to a flash unit (300) of a photographic camera, comprising first and second planar sheets (1, 2), each the sheet comprising:

a regular trapezium shaped center section (20) having on the shorter of its two parallel sides (58) means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) and having its two converging sides (52, 54) flexibly attached two identical quadrilateral flaps (10, 30) in the form of truncated right angle triangles;

the edge region of the flaps (10, 30) on the side opposite that that is attached to the center section (20), carrying one pair of one or more pairs inter- engaging means (110, 120) by which they can be connected to the corresponding flaps (10, 30) on the second sheet such that two sheets (1, 2) can form a closed hollow body having a narrower and a wider open ends, the sheets (1, 2) having a reflecting surface on one side forming the interior surface of the body.

2 . A reflector assembly according to claim I₅ wherein the inter-engaging means (110, 120) are press stud mechanisms.

3. A reflector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) comprises a Velcro fastener (140) on the outer surface thereof and a protecting portion (130) on the inner surface thereof for protecting the surface of the flash unit (300) while the reflector is attached.

4. A reflector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising two attachment flaps (40) attached to the wider of two parallel sides (56) of the center section (20) respectively for attachment of further components.

5. A reflector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the further components comprises a light diffuser and/or a focusing matrix (210, 220).

6. A reflector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the attachment flaps (40) comprises press stud mechanisms (45).

7. A reflector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, the means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) forms a rectangle hollow that just fits over the flash unit (300) so that the reflector assembly is secured to the flash unit (300) when a cover that is of a larger size that the means allowing the planar sheets (60) to be attached to the flash unit (300) is attached to the flash unit (300).

8. A reflector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims including one or more further panel sheets of the type claimed, whereby the shape of the ends of the hollow body can be other than a generally rectangular shape.