Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • 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
  • G03B15/00—Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
  • G03B15/02—Illuminating scene

Definitions

• the present invention relates to devices used for lighting a living subject, a still life, a decoration or a scene during a photographic, cinematographic, television or other shooting. For such shots, it is advantageous to use large light sources to avoid the production of multiple shadows. In addition, the use of large light sources makes it possible to obtain more regular lighting of the corresponding subject. Hitherto several types of lighting fixtures have been used in the present case, but these fixtures all have a certain number of drawbacks. Thus, reflective umbrellas intended to enlarge the light-emitting surface have already been used. However, when such umbrellas are grouped together, the light surface obtained is discontinuous and disadvantageous reflections occur as a result. Furthermore, these devices must be fixed on individual supports, of a particular type, allowing their proper orientation.
• the present invention aims to achieve a lighting device for the particular application already mentioned and which is designed to avoid the drawbacks of current devices and to have many advantages over them .
• the device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises at least two levels or light boxes, arranged one after the other in the vertical direction, and each comprising at least one source. of light and a surface for reflecting light rays, at least one of these lighting elements being pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis carried by the frame of the assembly or a device for hanging from a ceiling or other support upper, and being immobilized by means for holding this element in any desired angular position relative to the other lighting element.
• the lighting elements thereof are both pivotally mounted around two parallel horizontal axes carried by a fixed frame, and adjacent to each other, the pivot axis of the upper member being located near the lower edge thereof, while the pivot axis of the lower member is disposed near the upper edge thereof.
• the arrangement is such that the upper lighting element can pivot by 180o between a first vertical upright position above the lower lighting element and a second vertical folding position against the lower lighting element.
• the lower lighting element can pivot for its part between a vertical position and a position tilted upwards by an angle of the order of
• the two illuminating elements can be oriented differently with respect to one another according to the needs of the lighting to be produced and the nature as well as the distance of the corresponding subject. Furthermore, when the device is no longer used, the upper element can be folded vertically against the lower element itself fixed in a vertical position in order to reduce the size of the assembly.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting device according to the invention, certain elements of which are shown before mounting, for a better understanding of the drawing;
• Figure 2 is a top plan view of this device, the upper lighting element is then arranged horizontally in front of the lower lighting element;
• Figures 3 and 4 are schematic side elevational views, respectively when the upper lighting element is arranged vertically above the lower element and when the upper element is folded against the lower element;
• Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the rear face of the device when the upper lighting element is in the position shown in Figure 4, that is to say in the transport and storage position;
• Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views showing three different positions of use of the present device.
• Figure 9 is a schematic side elevational view of another embodiment of the present device.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of a variant of this embodiment.
• the device shown in Figures 1 to 8 comprises a lower base 1 advantageously mounted on rollers 2 to facilitate movement of the assembly.
• This base can be constituted by a simple rigid frame. But preferably, it comprises a platform 3 capable of serving as a support for the power supply devices and for controlling the light sources provided on the present device, for example generators 4 of electronic flashes or power supply devices.
• This base carries a rigid frame comprising two lateral uprights 5 arranged vertically, between which is provided a first lighting element 6 affecting the general shape of a panel or box.
• this element consists of a rigid box or box 7 open towards the front but the front face of which may or may not include a light diffusion screen 7a.
• the inner wall 8 of the bottom of this box has a reflective coating, this wall may advantageously have a curved shape or include a series of variously inclined facets.
• a light diffuser comprising an envelope 9 made of translucent material or other suitable material, behind which one or more light sources are provided. These can be permanently fixed to the bottom of the box 7. However, it is also possible to use independent light sources, for example electronic torches, removably fixed in the bottom of the box 7. In this Indeed, .this can have several openings 10 capable of each receiving such a torch.
• the box 7 is pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis 11 located against its upper side and near its front face. This box is freely suspended from this axis, so that under the effect of its own weight and its equipment (light sources), it tends to take a slightly tilted upward position, as shown in Figure 1.
• the box 7 can pivot between a perfectly vertical position, as shown in Figure 3, and a tilted upward position, the angle of inclination can thus vary between 0o and 30o or 45o.
• Immobilization means are provided which make it possible to immobilize the box 7 in the desired inclination according to the particular case of use of the present device.
• a pull tab 12 capable of being immobilized in the desired position by means of a clamping nut 13.
• this first lighting element is disposed a second similar lighting element 14 whose constitution is substantially the same.
• this element comprises a box 15 open towards the front and the front face of which may or may not include a screen 15a for diffusing light.
• the bottom of this box is constituted by a reflecting wall 16, of curved shape or with multiple facets.
• a light diffuser 17 is provided, behind which one or more light sources are arranged.
• the latter may consist of independent light sources mounted removably inside openings 18 provided for this purpose in the bottom of the box 15.
• This is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis 19 located along its lower side and close from its front side.
• This axis is parallel to the pivot axis 11 of the lower lighting element 6 and, like the latter, it is carried by the upper end of the lateral uprights 5.
• the arrangement is such that the upper box 15 can pivot 180o between a first vertical straightening position above the lower lighting element 6 (see FIG. 3) and a second vertical folding position against the front face of this element lower (see Figure 4).
• the pivot axis 19 of the upper box is slightly offset forward relative to the pivot axis of the lower box.
• the upper box 14 can effectively be folded down in the position shown in FIG. 4 in which it closes the front face of the lower box.
• the two pivot axes 11 and 19 may not be fixed directly to the upper ends of the lateral uprights 5. But they can also be carried by two lateral cheeks 20 slidingly mounted on the corresponding ends of these uprights. Immobilization means, for example nuts or clamping screws 21, are then provided to immobilize these cheeks in the desired position. This makes it possible to vary the height position of the assembly constituted by the two lighting elements 6 and 16.
• mechanical means are provided which are capable of adjusting the inclination of the upper lighting element 14.
• these means simultaneously constitute means of entrainment of this element.
• These drive means comprise a traction cable 22, one end of which is hooked at 23 on the free end of the box 15, while its end opposite mite is attached to a winding drum 24 driven in rotation by means of a crank 25.
• This drum and its drive mechanism are carried by a cross member 26 fixed against two rear uprights 27 of the chassis. However, for clarity of the drawing, this cross member and the corresponding elements are shown in FIG. 1 in the disassembled position.
• the control cable 22 passes over two return pulleys 28 and 29.
• the first of these is carried by the upper end of a vertical arm 30 detachably fixed to the rear of the chassis of the device.
• this arm can be engaged inside a collar 31 carried by the cross-member 26 and it can be immobilized in place by means of a locking screw 32.
• the second return pulley 29 is carried by the 'upper end of a tension lever 33 which is articulated on the vertical arm 30 and whose opposite end is attached to a tension spring 34.
• On the upper end of the vertical arm 30 is articulated another lever 35 are the front end is provided with a roller 36 intended to roll in contact with the rear face of the upper box 15.
• This roller is held in abutment against this box by the action of a tension spring 37 to which is attached the opposite end of a lever 35.
• a tension spring 37 to which is attached the opposite end of a lever 35.
• Figure 6 shows the respective positions provided in the case where the device is used to illuminate a person when taking. views of it over its entire height.
• the upper lighting element 14 is slightly inclined downwards so that the light rays 38 emitted by it are directed from top to bottom on the subject to be illuminated.
• the lower illuminating element 6 it is immobilized in a vertical position so that the light rays 39 emitted by it are directed horizontally towards the subject to be illuminated.
• FIG. 7 represents the use of the same device for lighting the figure of a seated person with a view to carrying out a portrait thereof by photography.
• the downward inclination of the upper illuminating element 14 is more accentuated than in the previous case so that the light rays 40 emitted by this element illuminate the subject from above.
• the lower element 6 it is then immobilized in an upward tilting position, for example at approximately 30 °, so that the light rays 41 emitted by it are directed from bottom to top towards the head of the subject to be lit. .
• the present device is placed as close as possible to the subject to be illuminated. Under these conditions and given that the lighting elements are large, the subject is perfectly lit without accentuated shadow.
• FIG. 8 represents yet another case of use of the present device, namely the case of the use of the latter to illuminate still lifes when taking pictures, for example figurines or statuettes, or other objects 42 placed on a shelf 43.
• the upper element 14 is immobilized in a substantially horizontal position so that the light rays 44 emitted by it are directed vertically, uniformly over the top of the objects to be lit.
• the lower illuminating element 6 it is immobilized in a vertical position so that the light rays 45 emitted by it are directed horizontally towards the objects to be illuminated.
• the present device can be the subject of many other uses and its two illuminating elements can be, depending on the case, arranged in various respective positions.
• the two lighting elements are arranged one after the other and that their respective pivot axes are located in close proximity to each other, these elements constitute a continuous lighting surface, which avoids the disadvantages of a continuity solution.
• the angle formed between the two lighting elements 6 and 14 can be more or less open, without this resulting in a gap between them, and consequently by a continuity solution.
• this is an important advantage for obtaining satisfactory lighting of the subject to be photographed.
• This device can easily be transported and stored thanks to the possibility of reducing its overall height by folding the upper element 14 against the lower element 6 in the position shown in FIG. 4 and dismantling the arm 30 carrying the two levers 33 and 35. Indeed, in such a case the height is reduced by the distance H indicated in FIG. 4, so that it is limited to the height of the uprights 5.
• the present device is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Furthermore, different variants and modifications can be envisaged.
• the present device can be arranged to be suspended from a ceiling or other upper support, instead of resting on the ground. Therefore the chassis 5 previously provided is somehow replaced by a suspension chassis or suspension means, such as a pantograph device 46 whose upper end is attached to the ceiling or other upper support. As for the lower end of this device it carries an articulation system 47 with a horizontal axis 19a, to which is attached the upper light box 14a of the present device.
• This articulation system advantageously in the form of a compass, comprises a locking member 48 making it possible to immobilize the lighting box 14a in the desired angular orientation.
• This lighting box carries a horizontal axis 11a on which the se.cond lighting box 6a of the present device is articulated, which is therefore located immediately below the upper box 14a.
• Locking means make it possible to immobilize this second box 6a in the desired angular orientation.
• These blocking means may consist of an intermediate strip 49 or other suitable means carried by the two lighting boxes 6a and 14a, and at least one of which comprises a blocking member.
• a third lighting box 6b may possibly be provided, of the same design as the lighting boxes 6a and 11a. In such a case, this lighting box is articulated around a horizontal axis 11b carried by the lower end of the box 6a which is then placed in an intermediate position.
• means are provided for adjusting the inclination of the two boxes 6a and 6b relative to one another, for example an intermediate strip 49 of adjustable length, as between boxes 14a and 6a.
• the arrangement thus provided makes it possible to suspend, from a single upper fixing device 46, or suspension frame, a large-area lighting source comprising at least two lighting boxes 11a and 6a, and possibly three or more, if an additional lower box 6b is provided.
• this light source can serve both as a light ceiling and a light wall. with the possibility of independently adjusting the orientation of the light rays emitted by each illuminating box 11a and 6a, or 11a, 6a and 6b.
• the lighting elements can be of the same surface or of a different surface.
• the lower lighting element could be mounted non-pivoting.
• it could be permanently fixed in a vertical position or even in a position very slightly inclined upwards, only the upper lighting element being pivoting.
• the means of pivoting and immobilizing the lighting elements they could be produced differently.
• the mechanical means provided in the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 8 could be replaced by any other suitable mechanical means, or possibly by electric drive motors.
• coupling means making it possible to assemble several lighting devices according to the invention one after the other, in order to produce an assembly which can be operated in one piece and which can constitute a continuous wall of very large area lighting.
• the device according to the invention can be used not only for taking photographic shots, but also for taking pictures of cinema, television, or video or for lighting of certain places.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=9323662

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1985
  • 1985-10-09 FR FR8514937A patent/FR2588390A1/fr active Pending
• 1986
  • 1986-10-08 EP EP19860905862 patent/EP0241500A1/de active Pending
  • 1986-10-08 WO PCT/FR1986/000347 patent/WO1987002480A1/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events