Patent Application
20170227832
Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of photography or cinematography. More specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible and portable light softbox.
Description of the Related Art
As the technology for cell phone cameras improves drastically, users are increasingly using their cell phones to shoot photos and footages at a prosumer or professional level. Although cameras have become much more portable, some essential accessories for cameras, especially lighting devices, remain bulky, and thus are difficult to be carried around.
The softbox is one of the most commonly used pieces of photographic lighting equipment. It is generally attached over a direct light source, such as a light bulb, to create even and diffused light.
Unfortunately, these light softboxes are commonly too large for the users to conveniently carry them. Indeed, the need of excessively packing and unpacking large bags for a softbox light defeats the purpose of using portable cameras or other portable photographic equipment.
Therefore, there is a recognized need in the art for a portable softbox light, which users can conveniently pack in a small space and carry with them. Particularly, the prior art is deficient in this aspect. The present invention fulfills this long-standing need and desire in the art.
The present invention is directed to a collapsible light softbox. The softbox comprises a front panel comprising a first foldable light-diffusing material, and a back panel comprising a second foldable material having an opening through which a light source fits. The front panel and the back panel are circumferentially connected via a strip of the second foldable material. A set of flexible and foldable frames is disposed along a circumference of the front panel and back panel. The softbox further comprises a means for switching the softbox between an unfolded state and a collapsed state.
The present invention is further directed to a foldable light softbox. The softbox comprises a body portion, a set of flexible and foldable frames, means for switching the softbox between an unfolded state and a collapsed state, and means for securing the softbox over light sources of different sizes. The body portion of the softbox comprises a front panel comprising a first foldable light-diffusing material, a back panel comprising a second foldable material and a strip of the second foldable material circumferentially disposed between and attached to the front panel to the back panel. The flexible and foldable frames are attached along the circumferences of the front panel and back panel.
So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others that will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be by reference to certain embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.
As used herein in the specification, “a” or “an” may mean one or more. As used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the word “comprising”, the words “a” or “an” may mean one or more than one.
As used herein “another” or “other” may mean at least a second or more of the same or different claim element or components thereof. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Comprise” means “include.”
As used herein, the term “about” refers to a numeric value, including, for example, whole numbers, fractions, and percentages, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numerical values (e.g., +/−5-10% of the recited value) that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (e.g., having the same function or result). In some instances, the term “about” may include numerical values that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a softbox comprising a front panel comprising a first foldable light-diffusing material; a back panel comprising a second foldable material having an opening through which a light source fits; a set of flexible and foldable frames attached along a circumference of the front panel and back panel; a strip of the second material circumferentially disposed between and attached to the front panel and back panel; and means for switching the softbox between an unfolded state and a collapsed state. In this embodiment, the softbox may further comprise a means for securing the softbox over light sources of different sizes.
Further still in this embodiment, the means for fitting the softbox onto light sources of different sizes may comprise, for example, Velcro bands disposed over two opposite sides of the opening on the back panel; and a plurality of elastic bands across the opening on the back panel and attached on the Velcro bands.
In this embodiment, the flexible and foldable frames comprise magnetic iron magnetic iron, alloy, aluminum, plastic or a combination thereof. The flexible and foldable frames are configured to be folded to about ¼ to ¾ smaller than the surface area of the front or back panel.
In a preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the second foldable material comprises a reflective material. Representative examples for the reflective material include but are not limited to, an aluminized fabric, aluminum foil, soft or rigid surface with reflective functionality or a combination thereof.
Further in this embodiment, the means for switching the softbox between an unfolded state and a collapsed state comprise a plurality of magnetic metal suspension rods disposed along circumferences of the front panel and back panel, each rod has one end attached to the front panel and the other end attached to the back panel.
In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a foldable light softbox comprising a body portion, a set of flexible and foldable frames, means for switching the softbox between an unfolded state and a collapsed state, and means for securing the softbox over light sources of different sizes. The body portion of the softbox comprises a front panel comprising a first foldable light-diffusing material, a back panel comprising a second foldable material and a strip of the second foldable material circumferentially disposed between and attached to the front panel to the back panel. The flexible and foldable frames are attached along the circumferences of the front panel and back panel.
In this embodiment, an opening is disposed on the back panel to secure a light source therein. Further in this embodiment, the exemplary materials for the flexible and foldable frames include but are not limited to magnetic iron, alloy, aluminum, plastic or a combination thereof. Preferably, the flexible and foldable frames are configured to be folded to about ¼ to ¾ smaller than the surface area of the front or back panel. The frames are immediately recoverable to an original dimension when it is not folded.
Further still in this embodiment, an inner surface of the strip of the second foldable material is reflective. The inner surface comprises an aluminized fabric surface, aluminum foil, soft or rigid surface with reflective functionality or a combination thereof.
Further in this embodiment, the means for switching the softbox between an unfolded state and a collapsed state comprise a plurality of magnetic metal suspension rods disposed along circumferences of the front panel and back panel, each rod has one end attached to the front panel and the other end attached to the back panel.
Further still in this embodiment, the means for securing the softbox onto light sources of different sizes may comprise, for example, Velcro bands disposed over two opposite sides of the opening on the back panel; and a plurality of elastic bands across the opening on the back panel and attached on the Velcro bands.
With reference to the attached drawings, provided herein are softboxes 1 that can be collapsed and folded to fit in a round shaped or circular container, for example, a bag (
The back panel 6 of the softbox is in substantially the same dimensions as the front panel. The back panel 6 comprises an opening 9 disposed in the center thereof configured to receive a light source therethrough, two or more elastic bands 7 disposed across the opening, and means 8 for adjustably attaching the elastic bands thereto. For example, the means for attaching may be Velcro strips disposed on the elastic bands and the back panel of the box so that the distance between the elastic bands can be adjusted (
The magnetic metal suspension rod 4 comprises two sections of rods 12a,b, each attached to the front and back panel respectively, a piece of magnet 10 on each of the section at the interface between them, a string 11 disposed through and connecting the two sections of the rod (
The present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
