US3858038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiflash device for close-up photography
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-12
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-12-12
Abstract
Abstract The zonal lumen output of a flashcube (or magicube) is reduced by approximately 50% to provide a soft diffused flash of light for taking pictures at close range (60 to 120 cms.). The reduction in light intensity is effected by replacing the aluminized plastic reflector with a reflector component that is composed solely of white plastic and thus has a non-specular surface which attenuates the light without substantially changing its spectral characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 B Buzalski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/02; G03B15/03; G03B15/04; G03B15/0442; F; F21; F21K; F21K5/00; F21K5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A multiflash lighting device adapted for use in taking photographs at close range, said device comprising the combination of: a base member, a plurality of photoflash lamps mounted on said base member, a protective cover secured to said base member in enclosing relationship with said photoflash lamps, the walls of said cover that are adjacent to said lamps being light transmissive, and a reflector member within said cover defining an individual reflector element for each of said photoflash lamps, each of said reflector elements being disposed in operative relationship with its associated lamp, said reflector member being composed of a plastic that contains a uniformly-dispersed inorganic white pigment in an amount such that the surfaces of the reflector elements are opaque and non-specular and reduce the peak light output of each of the flashlamp-reflector combinations to a value at least 30% lower than that produced by an identical flashlamp and a reflector of the same size and configuration that is coated with a specular layer of aluminum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A multiflash lighting device adapted for use in taking photographs at close range, said device comprising the combination of: a base member, a plurality of photoflash lamps mounted on said base member, a protective cover secured to said base member in enclosing relationship with said photoflash lamps, the walls of said cover that are adjacent to said lamps being light transmissive, and a reflector member within said cover defining an individual reflector element for each of said photoflash lamps, each of said reflector elements being disposed in operative relationship with its associated lamp, said reflector member being composed of a plastic that contains a uniformly-dispersed inorganic white pigment in an amount such that the surfaces of the reflector elements are opaque and non-specular and reduce the peak light output of each of the flashlamp-reflector combinations to a value at least 30% lower than that produced by an identical flashlamp and a reflector of the same size and configuration that is coated with a specular layer of aluminum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The multiflash device of claim 1 wherein said reflector member is composed of polystyrene and said white inorganic pigment is powdered magnesium oxide or titanium dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The multiflash device of claim 2 wherein four photoflash lamps are mounted on said base member and the device thus comprises a four-flash unit, and said white plastic reflector member reduces the brightness of the reflected flash of light by approximately 50%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The multiflash device of claim 3 wherein each of said lamps is a miniature flashlamp that has a volume of about 0.6 cc and is of a type that produces a peak light output of approximately 45, 000 zonal lumens when fired in said specular aluminum-coated reflector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3244087A
Cited
US3598984A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |