Versatile lighting apparatus and associated kit

• US 9,097,957 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: Litepanels Limited (Vitec Group PLC)
• Inventors: Pohlert, Rudy G., Grosswendt, Pat, Baxter, Kevin C., Fisher, Ken S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACCHIAROLO, LEAH SIMONE
• Application Number:
  US12/559,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20100002410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,150 Days
• Field of Search: 362/9, 362/3, 362/6, 362/8, 362/11, 362/16, 362/17, 362/18, 396/199, 396/431, 396/155, 396/182, 348/370, 348/371
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/001 the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0885 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/116 Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards F21V21/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/406 for theatres, stages or film studios
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/0539 Ringflash
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.

Claims

1. An illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, comprising:

a light panel having a forward-facing front mounting surface with a substantially unobstructed perimeter and a rear portion, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements disposed on said front mounting surface so as to provide continuous forward-projected illumination suitable for image capture in motion picture, film or television, and over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel comprising or attached to a frame component on the rear portion of said light panel thermally coupled to said semiconductor light elements for dissipating heat generated by said semiconductor light elements into the environment via conduction, and further comprising a securing mechanism securable to a camera apparatus whereby the light panel is readily attachable to and detachable from the camera apparatus; and

a dedicated self-contained battery unit releasably attachable to said light panel, said dedicated self-contained battery unit comprising a housing securably and rigidly attachable to said light panel and encasing a battery to form a single integrated structure when the light panel and battery unit are securably attached together, such that power from the dedicated self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements and is not provided to the camera apparatus.

2. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The illumination system of claim 2, wherein said LEDs are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel linear rows across a face of said light panel.

4. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power adapter for providing an alternative means of electrical power to said light panel from an external power source in the absence of, or in addition to, said dedicated self-contained battery unit, and

a portable case for holding said light panel, said dedicated self-contained battery unit, and said power adapter.

5. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said light panel comprises a dimmer switch and a power regulator for providing a constant direct current to said semiconductor light elements, said dimmer switch allowing manual adjustment of the direct current provided to said semiconductor light elements and thereby an illumination intensity of said semiconductor light elements when powered either by said dedicated self-contained battery unit or said external power source.

6. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said dedicated self-contained battery unit is rechargeable via said power adapter.

7. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said power adapter comprises an AC-to-DC power converter.

8. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said power adapter comprises a DC-to-DC power converter.

9. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a releasably attachable, light permeable focusing lens cover capable of being temporarily secured to said light panel for focusing light from said semiconductor light elements.

10. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said light panel comprises integrated electronics for providing a constant direct current to said semiconductor light elements, and wherein said integrated electronics includes a feedback path to sense the current provided to said semiconductor light elements and regulate said constant direct current.

11. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a second light panel independent and separate from said first light panel and a bracket for securing said first light panel and second light panel in a stacked arrangement, said second light panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured thereto so as to provide continuous illumination over an area.

12. The illumination system of claim 1:

wherein said dedicated self-contained battery unit comprises a plurality of struts, and wherein said light panel comprises a plurality of receptors for receiving and locking said struts.

13. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising one or more color filters or color filters securably attachable to said light panel, at least one color filter substantially conforming to the dimensions of said focusing lens cover, for altering the color characteristics of light from said semiconductor light elements.

14. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of releasably attachable focusing lens covers each having different focal properties and capable of being temporarily secured to said light panel for focusing light from said semiconductor light elements.

15. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise high output light emitting diodes (LEDs).

16. The illumination system of claim 15, wherein said high output LEDs have a power rating of about 1 Watt or more.

17. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising an articulated arm supporting said light panel, whereby said light panel tilts or pivots such that an angle of illumination from said semiconductor light elements is altered.

18. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, the kit comprising:

a portable light panel having a substantially flat forward-facing mounting surface, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured to said mounting surface so as to provide continuous illumination over an area, said light panel comprising a securing mechanism securable to a camera apparatus whereby the light panel is readily attachable to and detachable from a camera apparatus;

a self-contained battery unit comprising a battery housing securably and rigidly attachable to and readily detachable from said portable light panel, such that power from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements;

a standalone base plate providing a stable platform for supporting the portable light panel on a level surface; and

a portable case for holding said portable light panel, said self-contained battery unit, and said base plate for transport;

wherein said portable light panel comprises a baseplate attachment member whereby the portable light panel is readily attachable to and detachable from said standalone base plate when said light panel is not mounted to a camera apparatus.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein said standalone base plate comprises a platform for resting on a flat surface, and a pair of mounting arms on opposite sides of the platform for supportively attaching to the baseplate attachment member of the portable light panel.

20. The kit of claim 18, wherein the portable light panel is rotatable relative to the mounting arms, thereby allowing the portable light panel to tilt at different angles when mounted on the standalone base plate.

21. An illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, comprising:

a light panel having a forward-facing front mounting surface and a backside with electrical connectors disposed behind said front mounting surface, said light panel having a plurality of broad spectrum semiconductor light elements outputting light across a spectrum spanning at least 450 to 600 nanometers in wavelength, said broad spectrum semiconductor light elements disposed on said front mounting surface so as to provide continuous forward-projected illumination suitable for image capture in motion picture, film or television, and over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel having a securing mechanism securable to a camera apparatus whereby the light panel is readily attachable to and detachable from atop a camera apparatus; and

a dedicated self-contained battery unit having a housing releasably and securably attachable to the backside of said light panel to form a single integrated structure when the light panel and dedicated self-contained battery unit are securably attached together, said housing encasing a battery, such that power from the dedicated self-contained battery unit is provided to said broad spectrum semiconductor light elements via said electrical connectors and is not provided to the camera apparatus.

22. The illumination system of claim 21, wherein said broad spectrum semiconductor light elements comprise broad spectrum light emitting diodes (LEDs) outputting light across a spectrum spanning at least 450 to 600 nanometers in wavelength.

23. The illumination system of claim 22, wherein said broad spectrum LEDs span a white color temperature range and/or a tungsten color temperature range.