REFLECTOR UMBRELLA WITH GATHERED REFLECTIVE ELEMENT, AND REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A REFLECTOR UMBRELLA

Abstract

A foldable reflector umbrella has a flexible, cloth-like reflective element with an outer supporting and tensioning structure composed of a plurality of tensioning spokes which are preferably distributed evenly over the expanse and divide the reflective element into a number of umbrella segments essentially corresponding to the number of tensioning spokes. With the reflector umbrella in the opened state, the reflective element consisting of the number of umbrella segments forms a substantially rotationally symmetrical body with a light exit opening. The reflector umbrella has a cloth-like reflective element in the opened state that is at least partially gathered so as to form an uneven reflection surface. A reflector assembly including a reflector umbrella is also provided.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A foldable reflector umbrella, comprising: a flexible, cloth-like reflective element; an outer supporting and tensioning structure composed of a plurality of tensioning spokes distributed over an expanse of the reflective element and divide the reflective element into a number of umbrella segments corresponding substantially to a number of the plurality of tensioning spokes; wherein, with the reflector umbrella in the opened state, the reflective element consisting of the number of umbrella segments forms a substantially rotationally symmetrical body with a light exit opening; and the cloth-like reflective element in the opened state is at least partially gathered so as to form an uneven reflection surface.

16. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of tensioning spokes are distributed evenly of the expanse of the reflective element.

17. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, wherein at least some of the umbrella segments are at least partially gathered.

18. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, wherein each umbrella segment lying between two of the tensioning spokes is designed to be gathered over essentially an entire surface of the respective segment.

19. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, further comprising means for gathering the reflective element associated with each umbrella segment.

20. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, wherein each umbrella segment has at least one seam spaced from the tensioning spokes.

21. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 20, wherein the at least one seam in each umbrella segment runs centrally between the respective tensioning spokes.

22. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 20, wherein a hem pocket is formed in the area of each seam, into which at least one gathering spoke is inserted.

23. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 22, wherein each gathering spoke is made of a flexible material.

24. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 23, wherein the flexible material is a glass fibre reinforced plastic.

25. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 23, wherein at least portions of each gathering spoke have a textured surface.

26. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, wherein the reflective element consists of a one-piece blank and the umbrella segments are divided by seams, the tensioning spokes being at least partially led through outward-lying hem pockets running along the seams.

27. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of tensioning spokes of the supporting and tensioning structure comprises twenty-four tensioning spokes which are evenly distributed over the expanse of the opened reflector umbrella to form twenty-four umbrella segments.

28. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 27, wherein the twenty-four umbrella segments are divided by the seams forming gathering means, so as to create forty-eight equal umbrella sub-segments.

29. The foldable reflector umbrella according to claim 15, wherein the cloth-like reflective element consists of a carrier material onto which an aluminium vapour-coated plastic film is applied on an inner side forming a reflective surface.

30. A reflector assembly comprising: a reflector umbrella according to claim 15; and a carrier element with at least one light source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Further useful and/or advantageous features and further developments of the reflector umbrella and the reflector assembly can be seen disclosed herein. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing. The drawing shows the following:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a reflector umbrella according to the invention viewed from the side;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows the reflector umbrella according to FIG. 1 with inserted carrier element viewed from the rear;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the reflector umbrella according to FIG. 1 viewed from the front looking into the light exit opening;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged section of the reflecting surface of the reflector umbrella according to FIG. 1; and

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a reflector assembly with a reflector umbrella (in partial section) in perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The reflector umbrella shown in the drawing is configured and adapted for use in photography and filming. However, the reflector umbrella can also be used as a simple lampshade and deliver the technical advantages.

[0028] The invention relates to a foldable reflector umbrella 10 comprising a flexible, cloth-like reflective element 11 with an outer supporting and tensioning structure 12 composed of a plurality of tensioning spokes 13 which are preferably distributed evenly over the expanse and divide the reflective element 11 into a number of umbrella segments 14 essentially corresponding to the number of tensioning spokes 13, wherein, with the reflector umbrella 10 in the opened state, the reflective element 11 consisting of the number of umbrella segments 14 forms a substantially rotationally symmetrical body 15 with a light exit opening 16. In the opened state, the carrier material for the reflective element 11, consisting of a synthetic material or natural material or a mixture thereof, is held under tension by the tensioning spokes 13 as part of the supporting and tensioning structure 12. The tensioning spokes 13 run from an imaginary vertex S of the opened reflector umbrella 10 towards the light exit opening 16 in a fan-like or radiating fashion. In the area of the vertex S, the tensioning spokes 13 are fixed to a supporting or tensioning ring 17. This supporting or tensioning ring 17 has a through-opening 18, which is configured and adapted for the passage/insertion of a light source, a carrier element or similar (see below). The tensioning spokes 13 can end at the free edge of the light exit opening 14 or project beyond it. The tensioning spokes 13 divide the reflective element 11 into the umbrella segments 14, so that an umbrella segment 14 is always bounded or enclosed by two tensioning spokes 13.

[0029] This reflector umbrella 10 according to the invention is characterised in that the cloth-like reflective element 11 is at least partially gathered in the opened state so as to form an uneven reflective surface 19. Ultimately, the partial or complete gathering, that is to say, the creation of an at least partially uneven reflective surface 19, can be achieved without additional means, for example by creating tensions in the reflective element 11 or similar, or by separate means or by means that are an integral part of the reflector umbrella. It is possible for the reflective element 11 to be gathered throughout. In other embodiments, for example in the case of a reflective element 11 having a multi-layered structure, only the inward-facing layer of the reflective element 11 forming the reflective surface 19 may be gathered.

[0030] The features and further developments described below represent preferred embodiments of the reflector umbrella 10, either individually or in combination with each other. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarised in the description and/or the drawing or described in a common embodiment can also functionally and independently further form the reflector umbrella 10 described above.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, all umbrella segments 14 are uniformly gathered. Particularly preferably, each umbrella segment 14 lying between two tensioning spokes 13 is designed to be gathered over essentially the entire surface. Optionally and preferably, the reflective surface 19 around the through-hole 18 is free from gathering. FIGS. 2 and 3 show particularly clearly that the gathering ends at a distance from the vertex S. In other embodiments, only individual umbrella segments 14 may be fully or partially gathered.

[0032] As already mentioned, the gathering of the reflective surface 19 can be formed without additional means. Preferably, however, means 20 for gathering the reflective element 11 are associated with the reflective element 11 or with the or each umbrella segment 14 having a gathering. The gathering means 20 may be clasps, clips, tensioning rubbers, tensioning threads or similar. Particularly preferably and as shown in the drawing, seams 21 form the gathering means 20. The seams 21 may be applied to the reflective element 11. However, the seams 21 can also be formed by cutting open the reflective element 11 and sewing the separated edges together. In the Figures, a continuous seam 21 is formed in each umbrella segment 14. This seam 21 is evenly spaced from the tensioning spokes 13 and thus runs centrally between the tensioning spokes 13. In other embodiments, the seams 21 may also be interrupted and/or have different orientations and/or occupy different positions.

[0033] The seams 21 themselves may form the means 20 for gathering the reflective element 11. Particularly preferably, a hem pocket 22 is formed in the area of each seam 21, into which at least one gathering spoke is 23 inserted. The hem pocket 22 preferably runs along the seam 21 or may even form it. Alternatively, the hem pockets 22 may also follow a different path to the seam 21. The hem pockets 22 may be completely closed. Preferably, however, the hem pockets 22 have at least one opening through which the gathering spoke 23 can be inserted.

[0034] The or each gathering spoke 23 is made of a flexible material, preferably a glass fibre reinforced plastic. The preferably rod-shaped gathering spokes 23 usually have a round cross-section and are provided with a smooth surface. Optionally, at least portions of each gathering spoke 23 have a textured surface, for example in order to form fine barbs or similar, which can be and are engaged with the material of the hem pocket 22. The cross-section of the gathering spokes 23 may vary and have, for example, a rectangular, oval or other shape.

[0035] The reflective element 11 itself preferably consists of a one-piece blank. The umbrella segments 14 are preferably divided or subdivided by seams 24. The outer tension spokes 13 are at least partially led through hem pockets 25 running along the seams 24. The seams 24 may also be formed by the hem pockets 25. The hem pockets 25 preferably have an opening for inserting the tensioning spokes 13.

[0036] In the specific and particularly preferred embodiment according to the drawing, the supporting and tensioning structure 12 comprises twenty-four tensioning spokes 13 which are evenly 14 distributed over the expanse of the opened reflector umbrella 10 to form twenty-four umbrella segments. The twenty-four umbrella segments 14 are divided by seams 21 forming gathering means, so as to create forty-eight equal umbrella sub-segments 26. The number of tensioning spokes 13 and thus of umbrella segments 14 can vary. The number of tensioning spokes 13 can ultimately also differ from the number of umbrella segments 14. The tensioning spokes 13 can also be irregularly distributed over the expanse.

[0037] The cloth-like reflective element 11 consists of a carrier material onto which an aluminium vapour-coated plastic film is applied on an inner side forming the reflective surface 19. The carrier material can be formed of one or more layers. The structure of the carrier material can vary, as can the formation of the reflective surface 19.

[0038] The previously described reflector umbrella 10 can be used as an individual component. Preferably, however, the reflector umbrella 10 is part of a reflector assembly 27 comprising a reflector umbrella 10 and a carrier element 28 with at least one light source 29. The reflector umbrella 10 according to the invention is designed and configured as disclosed herein. The carrier element 28 is guided through the through-opening 18 so that the reflector umbrella 10 sits on the carrier element 28.