# US 7,609,949 B2 · Portable flag and net kit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,949 B2 - Document ID: US7609949B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/706,420 - Filed: 2007-02-15 - Published: 2007-08-30 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-02-15 - Inventors: John S. Ealer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609949B2 ## CPC - G03B 21/58: collapsible, e.g. foldable; of variable area - G03B 15/02: Illuminating scene - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A durable, portable for the lighting or imaging professional includes at least a first collapsible frame adapted to support a light modifying flag or a light modifying net. The collapsible frame includes first and second rigid frame components 22, 24 carrying fixed hinge pins 38 that connect to first and second foldable frame components. The collapsible frame defines frame components with frame ends and the kit includes at least one light modifying flexible material segment with frame end receiving portions. The collapsible frame has a first erected size and the flexible material segment has a second size not greater than said first size so that the collapsible frame, when erected, permits a user to place the flexible material flag or net under tension upon the frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable kit of grip equipment for shaping or modifying light when performing lighting or imaging work, comprising: a first collapsible frame adapted to support a light modifying flag or a light modifying net including first and second rigid frame components, each rigid frame component having spaced first and second rigid frame component frame rails; fixed hinge pins connecting spaced ends of said first and second rigid frame component frame rails of each of said first and second rigid frame components; first and second foldable frame components extending between said fixed hinge pins of said first and second rigid frame components at said first and second ends of said first and second rigid frame component frame rails; a pin frame member and a cooperating slot frame member forming each said foldable frame component, each said pin and slot frame member having a distal end connected to one of said fixed hinge pins; a movable hinge pin and a locking pin on each said pin frame number; a movable hinge pin slot and locking pin receiving slot on each said slot frame member, said slots being adapted to receive said movable hinge pin and said locking pin when said collapsible frame is in an erected position; wherein said collapsible frame defines rigid frame components and foldable frame components with frame ends; at least one light modifying flexible material segment having frame end receiving portions; wherein said collapsible frame has a first erected size and said flexible material segment has a second size not greater than said first size; and said collapsible frame, when erected, permits a user to place said flexible material flag or net under tension upon said frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said collapsible frame, when erected, provides a substantially rectangular support having a long side dimension that is approximately 24 inches and a short side dimension that is approximately 18 inches. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said collapsible frame, when erected, provides a substantially rectangular support having a long side dimension that is approximately 36 inches and a short side dimension that is approximately 24 inches. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said collapsible frame, when erected, provides a substantially square support having four sides that are approximately 48 inches in length. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a flag. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a net. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a silk adapted to diffuse or spread light. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a diffuser having a selected density adapted to diffuse and spread light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a solid flag adapted to block light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a scrim net, having a selected number of layers, adapted to reduce a light source's intensity without changing the light's color or shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a bounce, adapted to bounce or reflect light to provide additional illumination. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a gold or silver metallic surface adapted to reflect light. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a break-up pattern or cucoloris. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, wherein said light modifying flexible material segment comprises a task-specific gel or colored gel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The portable kit of grip equipment of claim 1, further comprising a second collapsible frame, wherein said first and second are each selected from a plurality of frame sizes; and wherein said kit further includes a second light modifying flexible material segment, and wherein each of the light modifying flexible material segments is selected from a plurality of flags or nets adapted to shape, modify, alter, reflect or block light. ### Claim 16 A portable, collapsible frame adapted to support a light modifying flag or a light modifying net comprising; first and second rigid frame components, each having spaced first and second rigid frame component frame rails; fixed hinge pins connecting spaced ends of said first and second rigid frame component frame rails of each of said first and second rigid frame components; first and second foldable frame components extending between said fixed hinge pins of said first and second rigid frame components at said first and second ends of said first and second rigid frame component frame rails; a pin frame member and a cooperating slot frame member forming each said foldable frame component, each said pin and slot frame member having a distal end connected to one of said fixed hinge pins; a movable hinge pin and a locking pin on each said pin frame member; and a movable hinge pin slot and locking pin recurring slot on each said slot frame member, said slots being adapted to receive said movable hinge pin and said locking pin when said collapsible frame is in an erected position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The portable frame of claim 16, wherein said collapsible frame, when erected, provides a substantially rectangular support having a long side dimension that is approximately 24 inches and a short side dimension that is approximately 18 inches. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The portable frame of claim 16, wherein said collapsible frame, when erected, provides a substantially rectangular support having a long side dimension that is approximately 36 inches and a short side dimension that is approximately 24 inches.