# US 5,347,432 A · Photographic lighting control system

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- Number: US 5,347,432 A
- Document ID: US5347432A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/075,644
- Filed: 1993-06-11
- Granted: 1994-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-11
- Inventors: Gary J. Chiavetta
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5347432A

## CPC

- F21V 17/102: {using gravity or suction}
- F21V 11/18: movable, e.g. flaps, slides
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

The photographic light control system includes a plurality of structures for causing a particular, selectable convergence of light emanating from a photographic light source such as a flash unit. The system is essentially generic in nature by accommodating a variety of light sources, such accommodation being produced by a sleeve of the system which includes a drawstring engagement thereon for accommodating various sized light source housings.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for controlling light emanating from a light source in a photographic situation, the system comprising a sleeve which is engageable over a lens of the light source for directing light therefrom in a predetermined manner to cause convergence of the light into a chosen path, the sleeve having a larger in diameter end incorporating a drawstring and a smaller in diameter end incorporating a strip of engaging material about a periphery thereof, means for engaging a converging assembly to a housing of the light source in a manner to cause all light emanating from the light source to pass through the converging assembly, the converging assembly comprising a base plate which is in the form of a picture frame and which includes a strip of engaging material on a back surface thereof by means of which it is engaged to said sleeve and the base plate is adapted to engage a filter therein and having structure extending away from the lens therebehind in a manner to direct light from the lens substantially forward by limiting lateral scatter.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 wherein said base plate has a narrow channel therein within which a filter may be received.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 wherein said base plate has a rectangular face plate mounted thereon which is also configured as a frame having pairs of hinge halves mounted on each of four walls thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3 wherein a plurality of barn doors are provided, the barn doors being planar rectangular elements having one edge which terminates in chamfered corners and has mounted therealong a pair of hinge halves in a manner for coaction with one pair of the hinge halves mounted on said face plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 wherein said base plate has a Z-shaped bracket extending outwardly from the back surface thereof, the bracket having a planar section for engagement to a housing top surface of a light source and further having an upwardly stepped section for fitting over a peripheral lip framing a lens of the light source.

### Claim 6

A system for controlling light emanating from a light source in a photographic situation, the system comprising structure engageable over a lens of the light source for directing light therefrom in a predetermined manner to cause convergence of the light into a chosen path, the structure comprising a base plate having a backing cushion thereon, said base plate and cushion being picture frame shaped, and wherein said base plate includes a mounting bracket thereon which extends from a back surface thereof and engages onto a top surface of a housing of the light source in a manner to cause all light emanating from the light source to pass through the base plate and cushion, and the base plate is adapted to engage a filter therein and has a construction which extends away from the lens therebehind in a manner to direct light from the lens substantially forward by limiting lateral scatter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6 wherein said base plate has a channel therein for receiving and engaging a filter element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7 wherein a face plate is engaged over a front surface of said base plate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8 wherein said face plate is a planar element having a center aperture therein within and from which an elongate tube extends in a direction opposite said base plate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9 wherein said mounting bracket for said base plate is Z-shaped, and further includes a depending forward flange which is engaged to said base plate back surface.