Photographic light diffuser

Claim 2

A photographic light diffuser characterised in that it comprises: a support rod (12); a frame structure (14) connected to a first end (20) of said support rod, said frame extending radially away from said support rod to form a dished preferably substantially parabolic, structure around said support rod, said frame structure (14) defining an opening around said support rod (12), the second end (22) of said support rod (12) terminating substantially at said opening defined by said frame structure; a cover (18) positioned on said frame structure. said cover having a reflective surface and, being positioned on the support structure (14) so that said reflective surface faces said support rod (12); a translucent panel (16) connected to said cover (18). said translucent panel being disposed to cover said opening defined by said frame structure, said translucent panel (16) and said cover enclosing said support rod and said frame structure; and a closeable opening in said cover (18) to provide access to the interior of said light diffuser.

Claim 3

The photographic light diffuser of claim 1. wherein the frame is collapsible, said frame having an open position that defines said dished structure, and said frame extending along said support rod when said frame is in a collapsed closed position.

Claim 4

The photographic light diffuser of claim 1 or 2. wherein said frame is comprised of a plurality of ribs (23) that are pivotally connected to said first end (20) of said support rod.

Claim 5

The photographic light diffuser of claim 3. wherein said frame contains a corresponding plurality of stretchers (26) each having a first end pivotally connected to a respective rib and a second end pivotally and slideably connected to said support rod and wherein said stretchers are advanced along said support rod in a direction towards said first end of said support rod to position said frame in said open position.

Claim 6

The photographic light diffuser of claim 4. wherein said stretchers are attached to said ribs at substantially the mid points of said ribs.

Claim 7

The photographic light diffuser of claim 4 or 5, wherein a runner (32) is slideably positioned on said support rod, said runner receiving said second ends of said stretcher, and wherein said runner can be advanced along said support rod to move said stretchers to a position where said frame is in said open position.

Claim 8

The photographic light diffuser of claim 6, wherein a releasable lock mechanism (24) is positioned on said support rod, said lock mechanism being disposed to secure said runner (32) and said second end of said structure in a position to maintain said frame in said open position.

Claim 9

The photographic light diffuser according to any of claims 2 to 7 in which, in the collapsed position, the frame extends from the said first end of the support rod, along the support rod towards the second end of the support rod.

Claim 10

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said closeable opening positioned in said cover extends substantially from said first end of said support rod to said ospening defined by said frame.

Claim 11

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said closeable opening is disposed to be substantially parallel to the support rod.

Claim 12

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said opening defined by said frame structure is substantially square.

Claim 13

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said translucent panel is removeably secured to said cover.

Claim 14

1 3 . The photographic light diffuser of claim 12, wherein said translucent panel is secured to said cover by a "Velcro" type seal that releasably joins the edge of said translucent panel to the edges of said cover that is positioned adjacent the opening defined by said frame structure.

Claim 15

The photographic light diffuser of claim 12 or 13. when dependent on claim 11, wherein one side of said translucent panel is secured to said cover and said other three sides of said translucent are releasably secured to said cover.

Claim 16

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein a light source (46) is positioned within said light diffuser.

Claim 17

The photographic light diffuser of claim 15, wherein said light source is mounted on said support rod.

Claim 18

The photographic light diffuser of claim 16, wherein said light source is positioned within said light diffuser such that said light source emits light primarily in the direction of said translucent panel.

Claim 19

1 8 . The photographic light diffuser of claim 16, wherein said light source positioned within said light diffuser emits light primarily in the direction of said reflective panel whereby said emitted light is reflected from said reflected panel before passing through said translucent panel.

Claim 20

The photographic light diffuser of claim 18, wherein said light source is positioned within said light diffuser such that said light source directs light in the direction of said reflective panel and said translucent panel.

Claim 21

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said closeable opening in said cover is disposed for receiving a support rod (50) of a floor stand for mounting said light diffuser in an elevated position.

Claim 22

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said translucent panel is made from a white nylon fabric.

Claim 23

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim , wherein said reflective cover has a reflective silver coloured interior and a black exterior.

Claim 24

23 . The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein moveable dark panels (70) extend beyond said translucent panel positioned in said opening defined by said frame structure, said movable panels being disposed to alter the panel of light emitted from said translucent panel that extends across said opening in said frame structure.

Claim 25

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said translucent panel is inset from said opening defined by said frame structure a distance that is from about 2% to about 10% of the length of said support rod, said cover extending beyond said translucent panel along said support structure, said portion of said cover that extends beyond said translucent panel being comprised of non-reflective black material and forming panels that alter the pattern of the light emitted from said translucent panel.

Claim 26

The photographic light diffuser of any preceding claim, wherein said closeable opening in said reflective panel includes a zipper-type seal (42) for releasably joining the edges of said reflective panel that define said opening whereby said opening can be reusably opened and closed.

Claim 27

A photographic light diffuser comprising: a support rod having a first end and a second end; a collapsible frame connected to said first end of said support rod; said frame having a collapsed position and an open position; said frame extending from said first end along said support rod towards said second end when said frame is in said collapsed position, said frame extending radially away from said support rod to form a substantially parabolic frame defining a substantially square opening around said support rod when said frame is in said open position, said second end of said support rod terminating at said substantially square opening of said substantially parabolic frame; said collapsible frame having a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to said first end of said support rod; said collapsible frame having a corresponding plurality of stretchers, said stretchers having a first end pivotally connected to substantially the mid points of said ribs and a second end pivotally connected to a runner slideably positioned on said support rod whereby said runner can be advanced along said support rod to move said stretchers to a position where said collapsible frame is in said open position: a releasable lock mechanism positioned in said support rod, said lock mechanism being disposed to secure said runner and said second end of said stretchers in a position to maintain said collapsible frame in said open position: a cover including a translucent fabric panel and a reflective fabric panel, said reflective fabric panel being positioned on said collapsible frame, said reflective panel substantially covering said substantially parabolic frame when said frame is in open position and collapsing with said frame along said support rod when said frame is in said collapsed position, said translucent fabric panel being disposed to cover said substantially square opening defined by said frame, said translucent panel being secured to side of reflective panel and releasably joined to three sides of said reflective panel at said substantially square opening to enclose said support rod, said reflective fabric panel having a reflective interior surface that faces said support rod and a black outer surface, said translucent panel being made of a white nylon; a closeable opening positioned in said reflective panel of said cover to provide access to the interior of said light diffuser, said closeable opening including a zipper closure for releasably joining the edges of said cover that define said opening whereby said opening can be reuseably opened and closed.

Claim 28

A photographic light diffuser comprising: a support rod having a first end and a second end; a collapsible frame connected to said first end of said support rod; said frame having a collapsed position and an open position; said frame extending from said first end along said support rod towards said second end when said frame is in said collapsed position, said frame extending radially away from said support rod to form a substantially parabolic frame defining a substantially square opening around said support rod when said frame is in said open position, said second end of said support rod terminating at said substantially square opening of said substantially parabolic frame; said collapsible frame having a plurality of ribs pivotally connected to said first end of said support rod; said collapsible frame having a corresponding plurality of stretchers, said stretchers having a first end pivotally connected to substantially the mid points of said ribs and a second end pivotally connected to a runner slideably positioned on said support rod whereby said runner can be advanced along said support rod to move said stretchers to a position where said collapsible frame is in said open position: a releasable lock mechanism positioned in said support rod, said lock mechanism being disposed to secure said runner and said second end of said stretchers in a position to maintain said collapsible frame in said open position: a cover including a translucent fabric panel and a reflective fabric panel, said reflective fabric panel being positioned on said collapsible frame, said reflective panel substantially covering said substantially parabolic frame when said frame is in open position and collapsing with said frame along said support rod when said frame is in said collapsed position, said translucent fabric panel being disposed to cover said substantially square opening defined by said frame, said translucent panel being secured to side of reflective panel and releasably joined to three sides of said reflective panel at said substantially square opening to enclose said support rod, said reflective fabric panel having a reflective interior surface that faces said support rod and a black outer surface, said translucent panel being made of a white nylon; a closeable opening positioned in said reflective panel of said cover to provide access to the interior of said light diffuser, said closeable opening including a zipper closure for releasably joining the edges of said cover that define said opening whereby said opening can be reuseably opened and closed.