Shape Shifting Reflector Umbrella Apparatus, Systems, and Methods

Abstract

Light reflecting and directing umbrella apparatus and systems and methods utilizing such apparatus capable of shifting its shape for the purpose of manipulating and directing light from a light source in both a symmetrical and asymmetrical manner to illuminate a particular subject in a various manners for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography.

Claims

1. A reflector umbrella apparatus, apparatus comprising: a reflector skin; a plurality radially oriented flexible ribs, affixed to said reflector skin and providing physical structure to said skin; at least one radially positioned zipper; a least one panel of material located adjacent said zipper such that when zipper in the zipper configuration said panel of material is in a folded configuration and when said zipper is in the unzipped configuration said panel of material is in a unfolded taught configuration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus.

[0061] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus in a narrow angle parabolic cone configuration.

[0062] FIG. 3 is another side elevation view of an example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus wide angle parabolic cone configuration.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a demonstrative section view taken along the designated section line 4 in FIG. 2.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a demonstrative section view taken along the designated section line 5 in FIG. 1.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a section view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1 illustrating one embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus with a zipper.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a partial view illustrating an embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus with the zipper shown in FIG. 6.

[0067] FIG. 7A shows a partial view of an embodiment illustrating the use of three dimensional effects from configuring a partially unzipped zipper or zippers.

[0068] FIG. 7B shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment also illustrating the three dimensional effects from configuring a partially unzipped zipper or zippers.

[0069] FIG. 7C shows another partial view of an embodiment illustrating the three dimensional effects from configuring a partially opened connector apparatus.

[0070] FIG. 8 illustrates another example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus.

[0071] FIG. 9 shows another example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a section view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG. 8 illustrating the embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus shown in FIG. 8.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a section view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 9 illustrating the embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus shown in FIG. 9.

[0074] FIG. 12 illustrates another example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus with a light source and the supporting focusing tube for the light source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0075] The above described drawing figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the joint apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein, without departing from its spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.

[0076] Described now in detail is a light reflecting and directing umbrella apparatus, systems, and methods capable of shape shifting for manipulating light from a light source both symmetrically and asymmetrically to illuminate a particular subject in a various manners for stage, studio, motion picture and still photography.

[0077] Reference is made to the Figures and it is understood that the following description is exemplary of embodiments of the invention and it is apparent to skilled persons that modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein described.

[0078] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the shape shifting reflector 100 umbrella apparatus with twenty-four zippers 120 configured with the reflecting surface of the umbrella. The reflector umbrella apparatus 100 accommodates a light source and accommodates a support for the light source and the entire assembly is supported by a conventional stand or other structures known to skilled persons. In this embodiment, the zippers 120 extend radially outward to the periphery of the reflecting surface as shown in FIG. 1.

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of an example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus 100 from FIG. 1 with the zippers 120 all zipped up or closed.

[0080] FIG. 3 is another side elevation view of an example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus 100 illustrating a configuration with all zippers 120 unzipped or open.

[0081] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment 100 with an additional panel or additional loop of reflective material 130 behind the reflecting surface and behind the umbrella 100 and the zipper 120 is zipped up or closed. FIG. 4 illustrates also that a zipper 120 has a pair of cover flaps 130 configured with the reflective surface of the umbrella to substantially cover over the zipper 120 to enhance the reflective properties of the umbrella 100.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment 100 with the zipper 120 partially unzipped or partially open. FIG. 5 also illustrates the cover flaps for each of the zippers 120. In the embodiment in FIG. 5, a part of the additional panel or additional loop of reflective material is utilized on the inside of the umbrella 100 with the umbrella's reflective surface. In examples of the embodiment in FIG. 5, the additional panel or additional loop of reflective material 130 is may be one color different from the color of the reflective surface.

[0083] In a further example referring to FIG. 5, the colors for the additional panel or loop 130 include, but are not limited to, black, white, gold, silver and champagne while the reflective surface is a contrasting color or contrasting colors.

[0084] Further examples include a configuration 100 where an additional panel or loop 130 is a different color than the adjoining panel or portion of the reflecting surface and various color combinations with alternating colors and patterns are within the scope of the invention.

[0085] In further examples, the additional panels or loops 130 may be a combination of colors including, but are not limited to, black and white, gold and white, silver and white and champagne and white and these examples are within the scope of the invention.

[0086] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment with the zipper 120 zipped up or closed and the additional panel 130 or additional loop of reflective material 130 is behind the reflecting surface and behind the umbrella.

[0087] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment 100 with a zipper 120 unzipped or open and the additional panel 130 or additional loop of reflective material 130 is exposed inside of the umbrella 100 with the reflecting surface.

[0088] FIG. 7A illustrates one embodiment 100 where a zipper 120 is partially unzipped or partially opened, and thus, the additional panel 130 or additional loop of reflective material 130 is used in an exemplary three dimensional configuration in conjunction with the reflective surface of the umbrella 100.

[0089] FIG. 7B shows a partial perspective view of one embodiment 100 illustrating the three dimensional effects from configuring a partially unzipped zipper or zippers 120n. FIG. 7C shows another perspective view of an alternative embodiment 100 illustrating the three dimensional effects from configuring a partially opened connector apparatus 120 to open and close a panel on the reflecting surface 130.

[0090] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment 100 with a plurality of zippers 120 configured on the backside of the umbrella 100 behind the reflecting surface so that each of the zippers 120 is accessed and zipped or unzipped from the backside of the umbrella 100. FIG. 8 illustrates the additional panels 130 or additional loops of material 130 positioned on the inside of the umbrella 100 on, and as part of, the reflecting surface.

[0091] FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the zippers 120 unzipped or opened. In this example embodiment 100, the additional panels or additional loops of material positioned on the inside of the umbrella 100 as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 now flatten out to form an altered shape for the reflecting surface of the umbrella 100 compared to the reflecting surface in FIG. 8.

[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates the embodiment in FIG. 8 with the zipper 120 zipped up or closed and one example of the configuration of the reflecting surface.

[0093] FIG. 11 shows the embodiment in FIG. 9 with the zippers 120 unzipped or opened so that the reflecting surface 130 flattens out.

[0094] FIG. 12 illustrates one example embodiment of the shape shifting reflector umbrella apparatus 100 showing one use of the apparatus with a light source and the supporting focusing tube for the light source.

[0095] While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein

[0096] The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use, and to the achievement of the above-described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material, or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word(s) describing the element.

[0097] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments, or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

[0098] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, substitutions, now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art, are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

[0099] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.