WO2019168534A1

WO2019168534A1 - Light modifier mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2019168534A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/020472
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Robert EGGLY; Christian Bradley MATTHEWS
Original assignee: The F.J. Westcott Company
Priority date: 2018-03-01
Filing date: 2018-03-01
Publication date: 2019-09-06

Abstract

An adaptor ring may have an upper surface with a ridge. At least one tab may extend from the ridge to create a first gap. A locking mechanism may have a selectively moveable latch. The latch may define a second gap. A light adaptor may be selectively located in the gaps.

Description

TITLE

LIGHT MODIFIER MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

FIELD

The device described herein relates to a mounting assembly for a light modifier.

BACKGROUND

Light modifiers are known in the art for diffusing light so that certain lighting effects can be achieved in photography and videography. The light modifier may be such as a soft box, which may be attached to a light source.

The disadvantage with current light modifiers resides in how they attach to the light source. Namely, each light modifier has a specific fixture for receiving a specific light source. Thus, only light modifiers that go with a specific light source can be used, which is disadvantageous.

It would be advantageous for a light modifier to have fixture that was easily and inexpensively adaptable to any light source.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment an adaptor ring has an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper surface and a lower surface. A ridge may extend from the upper surface. At least one tab may be located on the ridge. The tab defines a first gap between the tab and the upper surface. A locking mechanism is also provided. The locking mechanism has a biasing member located in a slot in the ring. A selectively moveable latch is connected to the biasing member.

In another aspect of the device, the outer surface may define a circular profile and the outer surface has continuous groove interrupted by notches extending transverse the groove.

In another aspect of the device, the ring may have a plurality of bores located in the upper and lower surfaces and extending through the ring.

In another aspect of the device, the ridge may have an inner face, an outer face and an upper surface that is parallel with the upper surface of the ring. In another aspect of the device, the ring may divide the upper surface into a major portion and a minor portion where the minor portion is smaller than the major portion.

In another aspect of the device, the tabs may be cantilevered from the ridge to leave a gap between the tabs and the minor portion of the upper surface.

In another aspect of the device, the inner surface of the ring may have at least one cut out located beneath at least one tab, wherein the cut out extends into the inner surface until it is coplanar with the inner face of the ridge.

In another aspect of the device, the latch may have an upper portion and a lower portion transverse the upper portion, wherein the lower portion comprises a wall located in the slot.

In another aspect of the device, the upper portion may be parallel but is not coplanar with the upper surface of the ring.

In another aspect of the device, an enclosure may be attached to the upper surface and the outer surface of the ring to enclose the slot.

In another aspect of the device, a light adaptor is selectively located in the first gap and a second gap defined by the latch and the upper surface of the ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lighting assembly which includes a light modifier mounting assembly;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a light modifier of Fig. 1 to which the light modifier mounting assembly is attached;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the light modifier mounting assembly;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the light modifier mounting assembly;

Fig. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of an adaptor ring the light modifier mounting assembly;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the adaptor ring;

Fig. 7 is another cross-sectional side view of the adaptor ring; and Fig. 8 is a plan view of the adaptor ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Turning now to Fig. 1, one embodiment of a lighting assembly 10 is depicted. The assembly 10 may have stand 12 and a light source 14 attached to the stand 12. A light modifier 16 may be attached to the light source 14. A mounting assembly 18 may selectively couple the light modifier 16 to the light source 14.

Fig. 2 depicts one embodiment of the mounting assembly 18 located in the light modifier 16. The mounting assembly 18 may be attached to the light modifier 16.

The mounting assembly 18 may be seen removed from the light modifier 16 in Figs. 3 and 4. The mounting assembly 18 may be comprised of two parts: a selectively removable light adaptor 20 and an adaptor ring 22. The adaptor ring 22 is fixed to the light modifier 16 while the light adaptor 20 can be selectively attached and detached from the adaptor ring 22.

The adaptor ring may 22 have an inner surface 24 and an outer surface 26.

The outer surface 26 may be a circular wall that extends about the ring 22. The surface 26 may have a continuous groove 28 located entirely about the outer surface 26. The continuous groove 28 may be offset from the center of the surface 26. The continuous groove 28 may be located nearer an upper surface 30 than a lower surface 32 of the ring.

The surface 26 may also have a plurality of notches 34. The notches 34 may be equally spaced about the surface 26. The notches 34 extend transverse to the continuous groove 28 in the surface 26. The notches 34 extend from the lower surface 32 of the ring 22, past the continuous groove 28 to at least the center of the surface 26. The offset nature of the groove 28 permits ribs to be located in notches (described below) so that the ribs can pivot without pivoting too far.

The upper surface 30 is bounded by the outer surface 26 and the inner surface 26. The upper surface 30 may be planar except for a ridge 36 and a plurality of bores 38.

The bores 38 may be located at the same set intervals from one another circumferentially about the upper surface 30. The bores 38 may also be centered in the upper surface 30 such that they are equidistance from the inner surface 26 and the outer surface 26. The bores 38 extend from the upper surface 30, through the thickness of the ring 22, to the lower surface 32.

The bores 38 may be counterbored from both the upper surface 30 and the lower surface 32. In other words, an upper surface 30 large diameter bore 38 is located adjacent the upper surface 30 and a lower surface 32 large diameter bore 38 is located adjacent the lower surface. The two large diameter bores 38 may be connected by smaller diameter connecting bores 38.

The ridge 36 extends substantially continuously about the upper surface 30 although the bores 38 may interrupt it. The ridge 36 may have an inner face 40 and an outer face 42 that define a constant thickness between them. An upper surface 44 of the ridge 36 may be planar and parallel the upper surface 30 of the ring 22.

The ridge 36 on the upper surface 30 of the ring 22 may be located nearer the inner surface 24 than the outer surface 26. Thus, in one embodiment, the upper surface 30 may have a major portion 46 between the outer surface 26 of the ring 22 and the outer face 42 of the ridge 36. The upper surface 30 then has a minor portion 48 between the inner surface 24 of the ring 22 and the inner face 40 of the ridge 36. The major portion 46 has a larger width along the upper surface 30 of the ring 22 compared to the minor portion 48.

Tabs 50 may be located on the ridge 36. In the depicted embodiment, the tabs 50 may have outer faces 52 that are flush with the outer face 42 of the ring 22. The tabs 50, however, may have a wider dimension than the ridge 36 so that they are cantilevered from the ridge 36. Inner faces 54 of the tabs 50 may be co-planar with the inner surface 24 of the ring 22. The tabs 50 are parallel but offset from the minor portion 48 of the upper surface 44. The inner surface 24 of the ring 22 can be defined by cut outs 56. The cut outs 56 are located directly below the tabs 50. The cut outs 56 may extend into the inner surface 24 of the ring 22 until they are coplanar with the inner face 40 of the ridge 36. It may be considered that the inner face 46 of the ridge 36 is simply a downward extension, or cut out, into the inner surface 24 of the ring 22. The cutouts 56 may extend from the upper surface 30 to the lower surface 32 of the ring 22.

The tabs 50 and the cut outs 56 may be placed about the inner surface 24 of the ring 22 at predetermined locations. The tabs 50 and cut outs 56 may or may not be located at equal intervals from one another. In one embodiment, if the ring 22 is divided into four equal quadrants as shown in Fig. 8, the tabs 50 and cut outs 56 may all be located in the lower half. Fig. 8 depicts a middle tab 56A and cut out 56A being bisected by a vertical center line 58. Side tab 50B and cut out 56B are located below a horizontal center line 60. The tabs 50B may be located all in the lower half of the ring 22 so as to make the insertion of the light adaptor 20 from the upper half into the lower half of the ring 22 easier.

The inner surface 24 of the ring 22 bounds a central aperture 62 or void.

As best seen in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the ring 22 may have a locking mechanism 64. The locking mechanism 64 may be selectively engaged and disengaged. The mechanism 64 may comprise a slot 66 in the ring 22. In the depicted embodiment, the slot 66 may extend from the outer surface 26 toward the inner surface 24 until it is co- planar with the inner face 40 of the ridge 36. Thus, the minor portion 48 of the upper surface 44 continues around the upper surface 44 and may not be interrupted by the slot 66.

The locking mechanism 64 may also be comprised of a biasing member 68 and latch 70. The latch 70 may have an upper portion 72 and a lower portion 74. The two portions 72, 74 may be integrally formed, unitary and one piece.

In the depicted embodiment, at least some of the lower portion 74 resides in the slot 66. Preferably, the lower portion 74 is designed to selectively move within the slot 66. Thus, the lower portion 74 has a width dimension that is smaller than the width dimension of the slot 66.

The lower portion 74 may be comprised of a wall 76 that has an inner surface 78 and an outer surface 80. The two surfaces 78, 80 define a constant width between them. The wall 76 may be square or rectangular in shape. The upper portion 72 of the latch 70 may be transverse to the lower portion 74. The upper portion 72 may be parallel but not coplanar with the upper surface 30 of the ring 22. An inner edge 82 of the upper portion 72 may be aligned with the inner surface 24 of the ring 22. The upper portion 72 may extend outwardly at least so the slot 66 is covered.

The upper and lower portions 72, 74 together form a T-shaped latch 70. The lower portion 74 divides the upper portion 72 into an inner area 84 and an outer area 86. The inner area 84 defines a gap 88 between it and the minor portion 48 of the upper surface 30.

The biasing member 68 maybe located in the slot 66. More particularly, the biasing member 68 may be located between the outer surface 80 of the lower portion 74 and an inner wall 90 of an enclosure 92. The biasing member 68 may be such as a coil type spring. The biasing member 68 urges the latch 70 toward the inner surface 24 of the ring 22. A user, however, can overcome the biasing member 68 and slide the latch 70 toward the outer surface 26 of the ring 22. In one embodiment, the latch 70 may be slid toward the outer surface 26 until the inner edge 82 of the upper portion 72 is coplanar at least with the inner face 40 of the ridge 36.

The enclosure 92 may be attached to the upper surface 30 and the outer surface 26 of the ring 22 to enclose the slot 66. The enclosure 92 may be L-shaped with a first leg 94 and a second leg 96. The enclosure 92 may be unitary, one piece and integrally formed.

The first leg 94 may rest on the upper surface 30 of the ring 22 so that it spans the slot 66. The second leg 96 may rest on the outer surface 26 of the ring 22 so that it spans the slot 66 as well. The first and second legs 94, 96 at least partially enclose the slot 66 but permit the latch 70 to move.

One embodiment of a light adaptor 20 is depicted in Figs. 3 and 4. While one embodiment of a light adaptor 20 is depicted, it can be appreciated that light adaptors 20 having other shapes and sizes to accommodate different light sources 14 may be used.

Most light adaptors 20 will at least have certain common characteristics so that they can be accommodated in the ring 22. One such common characteristic may be an outer edge 98 that may define a circular shape. The outer edge 98 may be continuous, but it need not be. Extending inwardly from the outer edge 98 is a rim 100. The rim 100 may extend continuously if the outer edge 98 has also extended continuously. The rim 100 may have an upper and a lower surface 102, 104 that defines a substantially constant diameter between them.

The rim 100 transitions to a mounting flange 106. The transition may be such as a wall 108 that extends continuously from the rim 100 to the mounting flange 106. The wall 108 may be transverse both the rim 100 and the mounting flange 106.

The mounting flange 106 may be parallel but not coplanar with the rim 100. Preferably, the mounting flange 106 is located inboard of the wall 108 and the rim 100.

The mounting flange 106 may have various apertures 110 located therein to accommodate a particular light source 14. Thus, the light adaptor 20 will have mounting flanges 106 of various shapes, sizes and with various apertures 110 located therein.

The light adaptor 20 may be selectively located within the ring 22. In one embodiment, the latch 70 is biased away from the inner surface 24. The light adaptor 20 is angled into gaps 112 between the tabs 50 and the minor surface 48. The inner face 40 of ridge 36 retains the outer edge 98 of the rim 100. The minor surface 48 also retains the rim 100 and supports the rim 100. The latch 70 biases itself so that it is positioned over the rim 100, thus also functioning to retain the rim 100.

The light source 14 is fixed and generally does not rotate. The light adaptor 20 is generally fixed to the light source 14, such as through mechanical fasteners.

The ring 22 may rotate with respect to the light adaptor 20, and thus the light source 14. In one embodiment, the rim 100 may be slid, or rotated, within the gaps 112 between the tabs 50 and the minor surface 48. Of course, the rim may be slid or rotated with respect to the inner face 40 of the ridge 36 and the minor surface 48.

Rotatability of the ring 22 with respect to the fixed light adaptor 20, permits the light modifier 16, being attached to the ring 22, to rotate. This permits the user to rotate the light modifier 16 as needed to direct light emitting from the light source 14 as desired.

The light adaptor 20 may be removed from the ring 22 by biasing the latch 70 away from the inner surface 24. When the latch 70 is clear of the rim 100, the light adaptor 20 can be slid from the gaps 112 between the tabs 50 and the minor surface 48. The light adaptor 20 can then be further pulled out and away from the ring 22.

The adaptor ring 22 may be connected to a light modifier 16, such as a soft box. In one embodiment depicted in Fig. 6, the adaptor ring 22 may be located in a first end 114 of the light modifier. The first end 114 may define an aperture 116 for receiving the adaptor ring 22 therein.

The light modifier 16 may have a plurality of hinged spokes (not shown) on an interior 118. One end of each hinged spoke is attached to an interior surface of the light modifier 16. More particularly, the end of the hinged spoke may be attached to a rib 120 of the light modifier 16. The attachment may be such as via a pin in the rib 120 to provide a pivoting motion. The rib 120 helps to provide the light modifier 16 its shape, particularly when the light modifier 16 is in an open position. The other end of each hinged spoke is attached to a central ring (not shown). Preferably, the hinged spoke is also attached to the central ring via a pin to provide pivoting motion.

The central ring may selectively slid along a central post as the light modifier 16 is opened and closed, much like an umbrella.

The central post may be connected to a cage 122. The cage 122 provides a base 124 for the central post. In addition, a plurality of legs 126 may extend from the base 124. The legs 126 may connect with the bores 38 in the ring 22. More particularly, the legs 126 may extend into the lower surface bores 38, through the ring 22 to the upper surface bores 38. The ends of the legs 126 may be threaded. Nuts 128 may be located in the upper surface bores 38 on the legs 126 to secure the legs 126 to the ring 22.

The ribs 120 may extend to the ring 22. In one embodiment, each rib 120 may be located in the notches 34 on the outer surface 26 of the ring 22. The ribs 120 may be secured to the ring 22 via a wire 130 located in the groove 28. The wire 130 is located in the groove 28 and the wire 130 extends through an aperture 132 in the end of each rib 120, as shown in Fig. 5.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present device and method has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred

embodiments. However, it should be noted that the device and method can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A light modifier mounting assembly, comprising:

a light adaptor having a rim and a mounting flange;

an adaptor ring having an upper surface with a ridge extending therefrom, wherein at least one tab extends from the ridge to create a first gap between the tab and the upper surface, and

a locking mechanism comprising a selectively moveable latch, the latch defining a second gap between the latch and the upper surface of the ring,

wherein said light adaptor rim is selectively located in the first and second gaps.

2. An adaptor ring, comprising:

an inner surface and an outer surface;

an upper surface bounded by the inner and outer surfaces, wherein a ridge extends upwardly from the upper surface, wherein at least one tab is located on the ridge, the tab defining a first gap between the tab and the upper surface,

a lower surface bounded by the inner and outer surfaces,

a locking mechanism, comprising:

a biasing member located in a slot between the inner and outer surfaces, and a selectively moveable latch connected to the biasing member.

3. The adaptor ring of claim 2, wherein said outer surface defines a circular profile and said outer surface has continuous groove interrupted by notches extending transverse the groove.

4. The adaptor ring of claim 2, wherein the ring has a plurality of bores located in the upper and lower surfaces and extending through the ring.

5. The adaptor ring of claim 2, wherein said ridge has an inner face, an outer face and an upper surface that is parallel with the upper surface of the ring.

6. The adaptor ring of claim 2, wherein said ring divides the upper surface into a major portion and a minor portion where the minor portion is smaller than the major portion.

7. The adaptor ring of claim 6, wherein said tabs are cantilevered from the ridge to leave a gap between the tabs and the minor portion of the upper surface.

8. The adaptor ring of claim 5, wherein the inner surface of the ring has at least one cut out located beneath at least one tab, wherein the cut out extends into the inner surface until it is coplanar with the inner face of the ridge.

9. The adaptor ring of claim 2, wherein said latch has an upper portion and a lower portion transverse the upper portion, wherein said lower portion comprises a wall located in the slot.

10. The adaptor ring of claim 9, wherein said upper portion is parallel but is not coplanar with the upper surface of the ring.

11. The adaptor ring of claim 10, further comprising an enclosure attached to the upper surface and the outer surface of the ring to enclose the slot.

12. The adaptor ring of claim 2, further comprising a light adaptor selectively located in said first gap and a second gap defined by the latch and the upper surface of the ring.

13. The adaptor ring of claim 12, wherein said light adaptor is selectively rotated with respect to said ring.