Light control grid for photographer's light source

• US 5,556,186 A
• Filed: 09/15/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen E. Pilby
• Original Assignee: Stephen E. Pilby
• Inventors: Pilby, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gromada, Denise L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B.
• Application Number:
  US08/306,593
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 362/16-18, 362/278, 362/279, 362/290, 362/291, 362/320, 362/325, 362/342
• US Class Current: 362/16
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/02 using parallel laminae or strips, e.g. of Venetian-blind type F21V11/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/06 using crossed laminae or strips , e.g. grid-shaped louvers; using lattices or honeycombs
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/06 Special arrangements of screening, diffusing, or reflecting devices, e.g. in studio

Abstract

A grid for a photographer'"'"'s soft box or like device is made from flexible fabric. The grid is formed by intersecting and interlocking strips of fabric, formed in two sets, strips of one set intersecting the strips of the other set. The strips of intersecting sets are slotted in a complimentary manner. A wire may be used to keep the grid taut if necessary. In some instances, strips of one set may be omitted, such that the grid is formed only of strips extending in one direction. Reflecting material may be placed on inside edges of peripheral strips to guide the light.

Claims

1. A light control grid for a photographer'"'"'s light source, the light source having a rigid frame defining an aperture, the grid comprising:

a grid of flexible fabric strips having a perimeter bounding the grid on four sides and forming plural connected open ended laterally bounded light channels;

the grid being formed from plural intersecting and interlocking fabric strips, the fabric strips being formed in first and second sets, strips in each set being parallel to each other, and each strip in each set intersecting the strips of the other set;

the strips of the first set including pairs of first slots extending transversely to the long direction of the strips, each slot of the pairs of first slots intersecting a different edge of the strips from the other of each pair of first slots and the strips of the second set including complimentary second slots forming openings for receiving material of the strips of the first set between each pair of first slots; and

the perimeter being formed of a flexible strip of material having means to attach the grid to the rigid frame across the aperture of the light source on each of the four sides of the perimeter of the grid.

2. A light control grid for a photographer'"'"'s light source, the light source having a rigid frame defining an aperture, the grid comprising:

a grid of flexible fabric strips having a perimeter bounding the grid on four sides and forming plural connected open ended laterally bounded light channels;

the perimeter being formed of a flexible strip of material having means to attach the grid to the rigid frame across the aperture of the light source on each of the four sides of the perimeter of the grid; and

reflecting strips on inside edges of peripheral strips forming the grid.

3. A light control grid for a photographer'"'"'s light source, the light source having a rigid frame defining an aperture, the grid comprising:

a grid of flexible interlocking fabric strips having a perimeter bounding the grid and forming plural connected open ended laterally bounded light channels;

the perimeter being formed of a flexible strip of material having means to attach the grid to the rigid frame across the aperture of the light source around the perimeter;

the strips being formed in first and second sets, strips in each set being parallel to each other, and each strip in each set intersecting the strips of the other set; and

the strips of the first set including pairs of first slots extending transversely to the long direction of the strips, each slot of the pairs of first slots intersecting a different edge of the strips from the other of each pair of first slots and the strips of the second set include complimentary second slots forming openings for receiving material of the strips of the first set between each pair of first slots.

4. The light control grid of claim 3 further including reflecting strips on inside edges of peripheral strips forming the grid.