Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CA 02343470 2001-04-06
FOLDABLE MODULAR LIGHT DIFFUSION BOX
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
io
The present invention relates to a portable modular light diffusion box, and
in particular
such a box which includes light diffusion frames) and the capacity to contain
multiple lights.
l
In the entertainment industry including motion pictures, television and
theatrical arts, as
is well as in the photographic industry and other fields, it is necessary to
light a set, stage or other
area. Often, particularly for an indoor set in the motion picture and
television industries, the key
(primary) lighting is provided at the back corners of the set (opposite where
the camera and
audience, if any, will be) to avoid boom (sound equipment) shadows and a fill
light from the front
in accordance with a theory known as back cross key lighting.
While back cross key lighting is used in almost all sitcoms, there are some
inherent
drawbacks to the system. One problem is that the "key" or strongest light
comes from -the
top/back (upstage) portion of the set, so there are invariably shadows thrown
from the people and
objects on the set onto each other. Also, in many cases there are shadows from
a person's facial
features that fall upon that person's face, such as nose shadows. The strong
("hard") light coming
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CA 02343470 2001-04-06
from the back also creates hot rims around people and is especially
objectionable on bald or light-
haired individuals. This hard light, which is traditionally used, can also
create unwanted
microphone boom shadows.
In studio photography, light diffusion gel frames have been used to soften
lighting by
diffusing the light. These frames have been typically individually mounted in
front of or to a
lighting instrument.
Conventional wisdom is that the lights are mounted on a stand, on a pipe, or
on typical set
scaffolding known as a green bed. As there are numerous lights on a set, and
as providing a
diffusion screen on each light is cumbersome, and as it is further cumbersome
to change such
1o screens and to align such lights to properly cooperate, the use of
individually mounted diffusion
devices is not practical or economical for some set lighting, especially
sitcoms.
Examples of individually mounted diffusion gel supporting members are shown in
U.S.
Patent Nos. 5,651,602 to Joseph N. Tawil, issued July 29, 1997, and 4,446,506
to Raymond G.
Larson issued May 1, 1984. These require special brackets or rings to mount to
the lighting
~5 instrument, and are often dependent on the type of light.
A diffusion device has been known to be used with multiple lights, such as in
U.S. Patent
No. 4,855,874 to Thomas A. Waltz issued August 8, 1989. The Waltz patent
discloses a light
modifier which is inflatable and surrounds multiple lights attached to a stand
or to other support
rods which are not part of the inflatable device. The device itself which
provides light diffusion
20 must be entirely changed to change the light diffusion effect, and it has
limited ability to control
and direct light. It is therefore impractical to use for set lighting.
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U.S. Patent No. 5,128,838 to Muriel H. Brandess issued July 7, 1992, discloses
a
photographic filter-holding apparatus that has a mechanism for holding a
filter in front of a light.
In one embodiment there are two lights, but each light has a separate filter,
and it also requires a
special mounting structure.
Even when diffusion is used, often expensive fresnel lights are used with it.
These are
focusable between "spot" and "flood" conditions, and provide a useful light
source because you
can change the pattern and intensity of the light when it is not heavily
diffused, allowing for a tight
"spot" of hot light, a wide flood of lesser intensity, or a selectable middle
ground. It is interesting
to note that when projected through heavy diffusion, this function is
neutralized. However, fresnel
1o lights have drawbacks. They are expensive, inefficient and heavy.
What is needed is a box which can diffuse and control light from multiple
lights in such a
way that the box and lights are stable, preferably avoid the need for
expensive lighting instruments
such as fresnel (focusable) lights, and provide soft, diffused light
preferably from multiple
instruments such as par cans ("pats"), to enable the use of front projected
lighting as the key or
primary lighting for a stage or set.
What is also needed is a device that can project soft key light in a
controllable way deep
into the set evenly from front to back and side to side while having a compact
profile to allow for
cameras underneath and viewers behind. The light would be parallel to and
under the microphone
booms thus eliminating boom shadows. The light would also come from a similar
angle as the
2o cameras eliminating or "burying" shadows behind the objects themselves.
Certain lights have been made for overhead lighting, i.e., above a set or
other item needing
light. However, these do not provide an e~cient soft projected and consistent
light. For
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CA 02343470 2001-04-06
example, one configuration known as the "chicken coop" has six 1000-watt bulbs
shaped much
like household bulbs. Light is unevenly pushed through the lamps themselves
and bounced off the
light shell, resulting in a very mixed source with limited projection. Even if
a diffusion screen is
used, the light is inconsistent and the bulbs cannot be individually
controlled.
Sometimes, a long cylindrical fabric sheath with a roughly 30-inch diameter
opening is
placed around some open globes in a wheel type configuration known as the
space light. The sides
of the sheath can be blackened. The problem with this light as an overhead
light is that it uses a
lot of energy for very little output. Much of the light is absorbed in the
black sheaths and not
output from the opening at the bottom of the sheath. The source, being just
globes, is not
internally or externally focused to project well through the exit port as
described.
Light diffusion elements have been constructed of cardboard or other
consumables in a
jury-rigged fashion for a long time. There also is a company known as Chimera
which markets
cone-shaped soft tent-like members for attachment in front of a lighting
source, typically a single
fresnel light. However, none of the extensive art combines a box with
interchangeable diffusion
frames and standard light mounting rods facilitating the use of multiple par
cans, e.g., four or
more, to create a deeply projected but soft light that is consistent from near
to far. Moreover,
none put all of these elements together with built-in lights in a way that
enables use of inexpensive
light-weight lights with high output to obtain a soft projected light.
What is needed is a high-output, projected soft light from a modular system
using multiple
lights. What is also needed is such a system that is provided in a
lightweight, foldable structure
which readily mounts to standard mounting equipment such as stands,
scaffolding or other existing
support structure. What is also needed is a way to obtain soft projected light
from inexpensive,
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CA 02343470 2001-04-06
non-focusable lights. What is needed is one device that solves many needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In each embodiment, the invention provides a light box which is preferably
lightweight,
foldable, modular and provides for soft projected light regardless of the
lighting elements used.
The invention, thought not limited to the use of nonfocusable lights, makes
the use of inexpensive
par lamps practical. Such lamps have an internal parabolic reflector which
creates an extremely
parallel beam of light. This "punchy" light has been found to be ideal to
project through diffusion
mediums to soften the resultant light, but to retain much of the deep throw
inherent in the lamp. It
has also been found that when combining par lamps of various intensities
(i.e., wide and medium
beams at specific distances through diffusion frames), it is possible to
create a light that is more
consistent from upstage to downstage than a point source or more traditional
lighting instruments.
The foldable modular light diffusion box in all its forms uses this principle
as its cornerstone and
constructs devices useful for the motion picture and television industries as
well as other uses.
Although par lamps are existing technology and diffusing light through frames
is not novel, both
the concept and forms of the foldable modular light diffusion box create and
contain light in a new
way and of a quality, portability and consistency previously unavailable.
The invention further provides a substantially consistent light intensity in
spite of the
inverse square law. Light intensity from a point source drops off according to
the inverse square
law, i.e., intensity (i) at any distance (radius) (r) or from a point source
of intensity (I) is given by
the following equation: i = I x (1/r2). However, in the invention, as noted
above, consistency is
6
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maintained.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a modular light diffusion box which
preferably
is adapted to hold multiple lights. The box has a housing for channeling and
controlling the light,
the housing having two sides, a top and a bottom formed so as to be
lightweight yet rigid or
substantially rigid. The housing also has a channel or channels for supporting
a diffusion frame or
frames, or filters. In a preferred embodiment, the housing supports a bar,
such as a standard 1'h"
or 1 5~8" pipe (e.g., Speed Raif''M) or other cross-member on which multiple
lights may be
mounted. In another preferred embodiment, the box is foldable and portable. It
is also preferable
that the box have an angle at its front end for directing light towards a set
or stage when the box is
elevated with respect thereto.
l
According to a modified embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
foldable,
modular light diffusion box containing an element for mounting multiple
lights, and preferably
containing multiple lights mounted therein. More preferably, these lights are
high intensity but
inexpensive, lightweight, and nonfocusable lights such as pars or par cans.
1s In a second embodiment, the invention provides a modular light diffusion
box which has
multiple lights disposed therein. Preferably, the lights are inexpensive,
nonfocusable lights such
as pans. The box has a housing or shell having four sides connected together
for folding flat. The
housing has an open front and an open back. One of the sides has an access
door for opening and
closing to selectively insert and replace diffusion screens or filters. A C-
shaped yoke rotatably
20 connects to two sides of the shell on the outside. The yoke has a standard
pin for mounting to a
stand or other standard female receptor. A rectangular reinforcing skeleton or
frame mounts
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inside the shell and the lights are fixed to a standard pipe or rod mounted
inside the rectangular
frame.
In a third embodiment, the box is similar to the previous embodiment and has
four lights
therein. The front of the box has an angular face. The box is mountable to a
green bed,
scaffolding or otherwise supportable in the air by hanging it, rather than
having a yoke. The box
is constructed such that it may be placed adjacent other boxes to provide for
a larger projected
light. In this embodiment, the rectangular frame has two triangular frame
elements connected to
it, and the triangular elements support a standard rod for mounting the
lights.
In a fourth embodiment, the box is rectangular and is hinged at the center of
its short sides
to collapse together. The box is adapted to be hung from a ceiling or other
structure directly
above the area to be lit. In a fifth version of this box, the shell may be
soft, e.g., made of fabric
and attached to, so as to hang from, the rectangular frame. The diffusion or
gel frames are also
attached to the rectangular frame at their corners by a chain or other
flexible or collapsible
attachment. The lights connect to a Socopex'~ connector or the equivalent. Yet
another version of
such a flexible, collapsible box has a rear cover which is perforated to
provide for protection for
the lights, which are built-in.
Still another version has built-in lights and a cover, a yoke mounted to the
rectangle, and
rigid members to hold the fabric instead of chain.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of five (5) light boxes for front
projection
illumination of a set in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a light box according to the
invention;
Fig. 3 is a side view (rotated 90° clockwise with respect to Fig. 2)
showing a top and left-
side subassembly and a bottom and right-side subassembly of the box of Fig. 2
in a folded position
in accordance with an aspect of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view (rotated 90° clockwise with respect to
Fig. 2) showing a
bottom of the box of Fig. 2 with a bottom door open and a diffusion screen
being slid into the box
in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a side view of the box according to the invention showing an angle
at which the
front edges of the left and right side panels are cut in accordance with a
further aspect of the
invention;
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a set with front projected lighting provided
from a
plurality of boxes in accordance with the invention; and
Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2 inside circle 7;
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing par lights for illustrating and
explaining a lighting
theory of the invention;
2o Fig. 9 is a partly exploded and front perspective view of a lighting box
according to a
second embodiment of the invention;
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Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a shell of the box of Fig. 9 without a
rectangular frame and
other parts of the box attached thereto, so that the shell is ready to fold;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the shell of Fig. 10 in a partially folded
state;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the shell of Fig. 10 in a folded state;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 9 mounted to an overhead
mounting arm
and tilted at an angle facing partly downward;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 9 mounted to a stand and
tilted at an angle
facing partly downward;
Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of a light box according to a third
embodiment of the
1o invention;
Fig. 16 is a view of the shell of the box of Fig. 15 without any other
structure;
Fig. 17 is a view of the skin in a mostly folded state;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a rectangular frame element in the box of
Fig. 15;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a frame assembly including the rectangular
frame element
t5 connected to two triangular frame elements, which in turn hold a bar or rod
for mounting lights in
the box of Fig. 15;
Fig. 20 is a rear perspective view of the box of Fig. 15 showing only the
shell and the
frame assembly;
Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of part of the frame assembly taken along the
circular line 21 of
2o Fig. 19 showing how the bar and triangular frame elements connect;
Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of a corner of the box taken along the circular
line 22 of Fig.
23;
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
Fig. 23 is a front perspective view of multiple boxes of Fig. 15 mounted to
scaffolding or a
green bed similar to Fig. 1;
Fig. 24 is a rear perspective view of a lighting box for mounting above a set,
stage or other
area to be lit according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a shell of the box of Fig. 24;
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the shell in a partially folded state;
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the shell in a folded state;
Fig. 28 is a perspective view of a frame assembly in the embodiment of Fig.
24;
Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a gel frame for use in the box according to
Fig. 24;
1o Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the shell of the box of Fig. 24;
Fig, 31 is a rear perspective view of the box of Fig. 24 for purposes of
explaining how a
gel frame is held therein;
Fig. 32 is an enlarged view taken along circle 32 of the frame assembly of
Fig. 28;
Fig. 33 is an enlarged view taken along circle 33 of the frame assembly of
Fig. 28;
Fig. 34 is a perspective view of a hinge connection in a partially folded
state in the
diffusion frame of Fig. 29;
Fig. 34A is a perspective view of the hinge connection in a fully assembled
state in the
diffusion frame of Fig. 29 taken along a circle 34A;
Fig. 35 is a disassembled view of a portion of a rectangular frame element in
the frame
2o assembly of Fig. 28;
Fig. 35A is an assembled view of the same portion of the rectangular frame
element taken
along circle 35A of Fig. 28;
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Fig. 36 is a rear perspective view of a box similar to that of Fig. 24 but
with the frame
assembly mounted further into the frame assembly shown in Fig. 24;
Fig. 37 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 37-37 of Fig. 31 to
show how a
diffusion frame is held in the box of Fig. 24;
Fig. 38 is a rear perspective view of a lighting box similar to that of Fig.
24 but having
lights fixed to a rod for mounting lights, and a connector for commonly wiring
all of the lights;
Fig. 39 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 39-39 of Fig. 38 to
show how lights
are connected to a rod for mounting lights;
Fig. 40 is a rear perspective view of a lighting box according to a fifth
embodiment of the
to invention where the shell is soft;
Fig 41 is a rear perspective view of a lighting box according to a sixth
embodiment of the
invention where the shell is soft and the box has a rear cover with lights
held in collars with
retaining rings rather than cans;
Fig. 42 is a rear perspective view of a lighting box similar to Fig. 41 but
for mounting on a
stand or mounting arm; and
Fig. 43 is a schematic diagram for purposes of explaining additional lighting
theories
according to the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS)
In Fig. 2, a box 1 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. It
has a housing
with four sides, namely a left side 4, a right side 6, a top 8 and a bottom
10. The back is
preferably open and the box preferably has a light mounting structure such as
a holder or bar 14.
Bar 14 is preferably formed by a standard rod, e.g., Speed Raih", well known
in the motion
picture and television industry for mounting lights such as pars. The bar 14
may be any kind of
cross-member or other structure suitable to readily mount multiple lights. At
the front of the
housing there are two diffusion screens or frames 16, 18, although in use only
one diffusion screen
to or filter need be used. Part of the screen or screens may be made opaque
for further control of the
light emanating from the box. The phrase diffusion element will be used herein
to mean diffusion
frame, screen or other structure used to diffuse or soften light from the
lights.
The bar 14 is mounted to the left and right sides of the housing by means of V-
brackets 20,
22, having cups 24, 26, respectively, which each receive the ends of the bar.
Set screws 28 and
30 are used to fix the ends of the bar in the cups.
In the disclosed embodiment, each side, top or bottom of the housing consists
of a skeletal
frame with frame members and a panel, preferably opaque, and the sides are
hinged together.
With continued reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, side 6 has frame members 36, 38,
40, 42 and 44 and
an opaque panel 46 to which the frame members are bolted, riveted, welded or
otherwise
2o connected. The left side 4 is constructed using a mirror image of frame
members to which a panel
48 is fastened in like manner. On the right side panel 46, and in like mirror
image on the left side
panel 48, there are two channel members 40a, 42a for receiving the diffusion
elements 16, 18.
The diffusion elements are constructed preferably in a manner similar to
screen windows. If only
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one diffusion element is used, it is preferable to use the forwardmost element
16. The top 8 also
has a panel 50 and frame members around the edges, including frame members 47,
49, 51. The
bottom 10 has two panels 60, 62, the larger panel having frame members 52, 54,
56 and 58
around its edges and the smaller panel 62 having frame members 53, 55, 57 and
59 around its
edges. The smaller panel and its frame members form a door 10a.
The various frame members may be rectangular tubing, and the frame members,
panels and
other components are preferably of a lightweight but strong material such as
aluminum, and the
channel members may be C-shaped and preferably constructed of a lightweight
rigid material such
as aluminum as well. The sides, top and bottom may be formed of any rigid or
semi-rigid material
1o sufficient to support the cross-member 14 and a mechanism for mounting the
cross-member 14.
So that the box is easy to transport and store, the sides, top and bottom are
preferably
formed so as to be foldable in two units, as shown in Fig. 3. The left side of
Fig. 3 shows left
side 4 and top 8 which are preferably permanently hinged together for rotation
and folding about
axis A. The right side of Fig. 3 shows bottom 10 and right side 6 which are
permanently hinged
together for folding about axis B. The permanent hinged connections are shown
by hinges 65 in
Fig. 2 which connect the bottom frame member 52 to the right side frame member
38, and like
hinges (not shown) connect a frame member of the left side 4 and top 8. The
two subassemblies,
i.e., the top 8 and right side 6 and the bottom 10 and left side 4, connect
together by means of two
sets of knockout hinges. These include half hinge members 63 mounted to frame
member 36 of
2o the right side 6 which mate with half hinge members 63a (Fig. 3), which
then receive a knockout
(hinge) pin. Similar half hinges 67 and 67a are mounted on the bottom frame
member 56 and a
frame member (not shown) of left side 4. With this structure, the two
subassemblies may be
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CA 02343470 2001-04-06
readily connected and disconnected by inserting or removing hinge pins.
The door 10a of the bottom enables the diffusion elements 16, 18 to be readily
removed
and replaced when the box is assembled, even when it is in place for lighting
a set or stage.
Hinges 80 (Fig. 3) on the external side of bottom 10 connect large panel 60
and smaller panel 62
and thus enable the door to rotate open and closed. As best shown in Fig. 4,
two angle members
82 bolted at one end to the sides 4, 6, are rotatable between the positions
shown in Fig. 1 to hold
the door closed and the position shown in Fig. 4 to open the door.
In one embodiment of the invention, the housing and diffusion elements) may be
used
without the V-brackets and bar, and may be mounted to scaffolding or otherwise
positioned in
1o front of multiple stage-type lights. In the preferred embodiment, multiple
stage-type lights 75, 76,
77 and 78 may be readily clamped onto the bar 14 supported by the housing.
Where the bar is a
rod such as speed railTr' or the like, typical stage lights have C-clamps 90
readily connectable to
such rod or speed railTM. Therefore, regardless of the stage-type light that
is used, it may be
quickly mounted and unmounted from the bar 14. Accordingly, no special
mounting structure is
necessary, although any suitable mounting structure will do.
In operation, the box may be assembled as follows:
The two sub-assemblies of Fig. 3 may be rotated to be open at 90°. The
hinge halves 63,
63a and 67, 67a are then positioned to mate, and the hinge pins are inserted.
The housing may
then be rotated onto its bottom panel and the V-brackets 20, 22 may be bolted
to the frame
2o members of the left and right side using wing nuts 92 and bolts 94 (shown
in detail in Fig. 7), after
inserting the speed rail in the cups 24, 26 and tightening the set screws 28,
30.
Alternatively, the V-brackets may be affixed to the side members before the
side members,
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
top and bottom subassemblies are connected. One side of the speed rail would
then be inserted
into one cup and the set screws tightened, and the other side would then be
inserted into the
remaining cup upon connecting the side, top, bottom and other side.
Once the housing, V-brackets and bar are connected, the stage lights are
mounted using the
C-clamps and the diffusion elements are slid into place. The door 10a is
rotated closed and the
angle brackets 82 are rotated downward (in Fig. 2) to hold the door closed (as
shown in Fig. 1).
The box may be disassembled in reverse order.
Preferably, the back of the box is open which allows for venting of the
lights, as well as
easily mounting them, disconnecting them, electrical line access, and
positioning of the lights.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, several boxes may be used
adjacent one
another or otherwise positioned to cooperate to light a set. These boxes may
be suspended, such
as from scaffolding, as shown in Fig. 1. In the television and movie industry,
existing scaffolding
in indoor stages is known as a green bed. A simple means to suspend the box or
boxes from the
green bed is to provide eye bolts 81 fixed to the frame members of the top 8
and use chain or rope
1s 83 connected to the eye bolts and the scaffolding as shown in Fig. 1. As
also shown in Fig. 1,
three boxes 1 are adjacent one another on the viewer's left side of Fig. 1 and
two boxes 1 are
adjacent one another on the right side of Fig. 1. The three boxes together
would typically provide
greater light, given use of the same lights in each box, and thus be known as
key lighting for a set
or stage and the two box group would provide fill light.
2o With reference to Fig. 5, the angular front edges of the left and right
side members will be
explained. The angle provides a way to channel and direct light when the boxes
are horizontally
mounted, such as shown in Fig. 1, with the top flush or parallel to the green
bed or the like. The
16
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
angle also allows light to project to the upstage portion of the set and the
downstage portion, even
though the boxes are mounted in the air and close to the set. The angle may be
selected depending
upon the geometry of where the boxes are mounted in relation to the set, as
well as any other
factors well known in the art. For example, the top may have a depth dimension
D of four feet
and the bottom may have a depth dimension C of three feet, thus providing
front edge E with an
angle "tilted downward. " Preferably, the distance from the top of the box to
the bottom would
also be four feet. The angular orientation of diffusion element 16 also
provides a greater surface
area with which to diffuse the light.
The boxes can be constructed larger, or smaller, with any appropriately
desired dimension,
but it is advantageous to construct them with a four-foot square length and
width cross-section.
This size readily accommodates four lights, the two lights on top and the two
lights on the bottom.
Alternatively, the box could be eight feet wide by four feet tall which would
accommodate eight
lights for standard pars. More lights can be fit into a box than is shown in
the drawings, to
increase the strength depending on the use. In addition, one may put lights at
three or more
~5 relative heights or put more than two across.
By use of higher powered lights on top, upstage lighting can be comparable to
downstage
lighting, and by use of boxes placed side to side, lighting at one side of the
set can be comparable
to lighting at the other side.
The diagram of Fig. 6 shows how boxes according to the invention are used to
provide for
2o front-projected light to a set. In a sitcom-type set, it has been
conventional to light the actors 1A
and 1B from the back typically by expensive, high-powered fresnel lights. The
back (upstage) of
the set 86 is defined with respect to the location of the camera 88 which is
at the front
17
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(downstage). When a sitcom or the like is filmed, typically there is also an
audience 84 located
downstage. The key lights 80 and fill lights 82, when constructed in
accordance with the
invention, may be provided at the front of the set. Undesirable shadows from
objects, actors and
boom sound equipment, which normally extends from the front from above the
green bed, are
avoided because of the diffused light emanating from the boxes preferably
located downstage and
below the green bed. Moreover, the boxes take a diffusion element and apply it
to multiple lights
in a way that is quickly and easily controlled to light the entire set evenly.
When the lights on top
of the bar are higher powered than the lights below the bar, the upper lights
illuminate the back of
the set as well as the lower lights illuminate the front. The system thus may
use inexpensive stage
lights, e.g., pats, rather than expensive lights, e.g., fresnels, provide a
higher level of light with
significantly fewer lighting instruments, and achieve greater depth of field.
For example, in a
three box key light, one may use six 1000-watt pats (medium) for the upper.
lights and six 1000
watt pats (wide) for the lower lights and achieve a 4.6 (c~250 ASA on the
downstage portion of the
set and a 4.3 upstage, allowing for use of slower film or a deeper depth of
field, or a combination
~ 5 thereof.
A lighting theory according to the invention and its beneficial results is
explained and
illustrated with reference to Figs. 8 and 43. A series of five lighting boxes
100 are each equipped
with two medium 1000-watt par lights 102 and two wide 1000-watt par lights 104
below them. As
shown in Fig. 43, diffusion screens 106 and 108 were used, and light intensity
was measured at
2o eye level at locations A, B and C, ten feet, fifteen feet, and twenty feet,
respectively, from the par
lights 102, 104. The measured intensities were 73 fc, 70 fc, and 62 fc,
respectively. More
specifically, as shown in Fig. 43, there are three adjacent boxes used as key
light and two adjacent
18
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boxes used as fill. Both Figs. 8 and 43 show footcandle readings at eye level
where the boxes are
hung at about nine feet. The center diffusion screen contained LEE 187
cosmetic rouge gel. The
outer gel frame used light grid cloth. The device "defies" the inverse square
law of light. Light
fall off is less than 'h stop at all points and action areas show less than '/
stop fall off. The lights
on top provide much of the intensity for the far field (upstage). The lights
on the bottom provide
much of the light in the near field (downstage). The middle area is lit by a
mixture of both the
upper and lower lights, thus creating the previously unavailable and
significantly advantageous
ability to evenly light a given action area with one device.
A lighting box 109 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown
in Fig. 9.
1o It has a shell 110 with four sides 111, 112, 113, 114. A yoke 116 mounts by
two rotatable friction
knob assemblies 118 to the shell at the outside of sides 111, 113. Each
assembly 118 has a
mounting plate 120 bolted or otherwise fixed to the shell 110, a rotatable
connector 122 rotatably
co~ected to the plate 120 and having a hole for receiving an end of the yoke
116. There is a
friction knob 124 for fixing the yoke at a desired angle and for loosening the
connector 122 to
~5 rotate and thereby rotate the yoke to another desired angle. Accordingly,
the top side 112 of the
shell need not extend out past the bottom side 114. ,
A rectangular or square frame 126 has four sides 127-130. The frame supports a
mounting
bar 131 which may be a rectangular bar, or circular rod, fitted at each end
into a rectangular (or
circular) cup 132 fixed to sides 128, 130. The bar 131 may be held in the cups
132 by pins or
2o bolts 133. Multiple lighting elements, units or instruments 135, 136 are
fixed by mounting
elements 138, such as pipe clamps or a fixed connector to the bar 131 (or
rod). The two lights on
top, e.g., non-focusable lights such as pays, are preferably of higher
intensity than the two lights
19
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
below, e.g., non-focusable lights such as pars 135, 136. The pays on top may
be medium and the
pars below may be wide. The rectangular frame 126 ("rectangle") my be put in
the shell as
shown, or rotated 90° so that the bar 131 is horizontal.
The rectangle screws or bolts to the shell. For example, each side has three
holes. Side
127 has holes 127x, 127b, 127c and each side of the shell, e.g., side 111, has
three matching
holes, e.g., holes llla, lllb, lllc, for pinning, screwing or bolting the
frame inside the shell.
Diffusion frames 142, 144 may be slid into pairs of C-channel slots 146, 147
on opposite sides of
the shell and upper slots 148, 149. The gel frames are held in the box
preferably by a mechanism
other than the access door being closed. Otherwise, when the door is opened,
the frames will fall
out. The mechanism is a cotter pin and holes through the shell and in the gel
frame, e.g., as
shown and described later with respect to Fig. 22.
As in the prior embodiment, an access door 114a is hinged to the rest of the
side 114 to be
operable and closable to enable the diffusion frames, color filters or the
like to be readily inserted
or replaced. At its front corners, there are two releasable fasteners 150a,
150b, e.g., quarter turn
fasteners (such as DZUS~" fasteners) which engage receptors or holes llld,
113a to hold the door
114a in the closed position by being turned 90° with a screwdriver or
the like. They readily turn
90° in the other direction to release the door.
Yoke 116 has a threaded pin 116a for mating with a standard female receptor in
an
overhead mounting arm 152 (Fig. 13) or into a stand 154 (Fig. 14). This box
need not have a
2o tilted front face because the whole box can readily have its angle adjusted
by adjusting the angle of
yoke 116 using the friction knob 124.
In this embodiment, the rod 131 is shown vertically oriented, but it may also
be
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
horizontally oriented as in other embodiments.
As shown in Fig. 10, side 114 is not connected to side 113. The shell obtains
its structure
from connecting the rectangle 126 inside the rear of the shell. Without the
rectangle, the shell 110
readily folds up as shown in Fig. 11 and 12. Specifically, with reference to
Fig. 11, sides 112 and
113 are connected by a piano hinge 160 and fold together. Sides 111 and 112
are connected by a
piano hinge 162 and fold back on each other, so that the entire shell folds up
into the length and
width of one side, as shown in Fig. 12.
A modification of the box of Figs. 9-14 is shown in Figs. 15-22. Box 166 has a
shell
having four sides 167, 168, 169, 170. Sides 167 and 168 are connected by a
piano hinge 172,
to sides 168 and 169 are connected by a piano hinge 173, and sides 167 and 170
are connected by a
piano hinge 174. Side 170 folds counterclockwise in Fig. 16 onto side 167, and
side 169 folds
counterclockwise against side 168. Sides 168, 169 and 167, 170 fold together
so that sides 169
and 167 are adjacent as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Sides 169 and 170 are not
hinged, and may be
fixed together by screws, bolts or pins to holes 170a formed in a flange 170b
of side 170. Side
t5 170 also has an access door 170c having a quarter turn fastener
schematically shown as element
170e in a flange 170d. The access door 170c has a symmetrical structure on its
opposite end.
Access door 170c also has a piano hinge 176 for being rotatably connected to
the rest of side 170.
With reference to Figs. 15 and 18-19, frame assembly 178 for attachment to the
housing
and for supporting lights includes a rectangular frame member 180, two
triangular frame members
20 182 screwed or bolted to the rectangular frame members by bolts 184, and a
light mounting rail
186 such as schedule 40, an industry standard pipe about 1'/i" or 1 5/8" in
diameter. At each end
of the rail 186, there is a cup 188 fixed, e.g., by welding, screws or bolts,
to a corner of each
21
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
triangular member 182. Each end of the pipe slides into each cup, and has a
hole. When this hole
registers with a hole 190 in the cup, a cotter pin 192 may be inserted
therethrough to hold the rail
186 in place.
The frame assembly 178 attaches to the shell at side 168 by bolting, screwing
or pinning
through holes 180a in the rectangle and corresponding holes in side 168 (the
top). Frame member
180 also has slots 180b which mate with slots 168a in side 168 so that eye
bolts, pipe hangers or
the like may be used to hang the box from or mount the box to scaffolding 196,
a "green bed" or
the like (Fig. 23).
In Fig. 23, three boxes 166 are shown adjacent one another and two other boxes
166 are
also adjacent each other to provide the effect of one larger box. The
projected light that comes
from such groups of three boxes and two boxes, each having four lights, is the
same as or very
similar to the projected light from one box having twelve lights and another
box having eight
lights, respectively, to provide as wide a light as desired. The modular
structure of the box is
evident from Fig. 23.
The diffusion frames may readily be removed and replaced by opening access
door 170c in
each box by turning the quarter turn fastener to open the access door, then
removing a cotter pin
198 holding the gel frame as shown in Fig. 22. The pin 198 extends through the
shell (a hole in
side 169) then through a corresponding hole in the gel frame, and the same
applies to side 167, as
shown in Fig. 16. The diffusion gel frames are thus held in C-channels 199,
200 inside each side
167, 169 (Fig. 15) and two cotter pins hold each of the frames in place.
Four lights may be mounted to rail 186 as in previous embodiments. The two
lights on top
may be stronger than the two lights on the bottom, also as in previous
embodiments.
22
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
In Fig. 24, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown, where a lighting
box 202 is to
be disposed overhead. In this embodiment, the box also includes a frame
assembly 204, and a
shell 205 mounted to the frame assembly. The frame assembly has a light
mounting rod 206 or
bar on which multiple lights 208 are mounted by C-clamps 210 or other
connection. Rod 206 is
connected to a triangle 212 in the same way as in the prior embodiments, e.g.,
by a pair of cups
207, welded or otherwise fixed to the triangle 212, and by cotter pins 209.
The triangle 212 in
turn is fastened to a rectangle 214 by screws or bolts or an otherwise readily
disconnectable
connection, as in prior embodiments. For example, with reference to Figs. 28
and 33, triangle
212 has a cross-piece 212b welded to a side 212a of the triangle at each end
of the cross-piece
212b.
The triangle is connected to the rectangle by eyebolts, e.g., four eyebolts
216 located
substantially at each corner of the triangle, and attached by wing nuts 218
(Fig. 33) to the
rectangle's short side. The entire box may be suspended by the four eyebolts
216 using chain or
the like. As shown in Figs. 28, 35 and 35A, rectangle 214 is preferably formed
in two pieces
which fit together on the short sides by a tongue 214a press or friction fit
into an opening 214b in
square tubing forming rectangle 214.
Shell 205 has four sides 221, 222, 223 and 224. The two short sides 222, 224
have a piano
hinge 225 at their midpoints, so that the shell 205 is collapsible as shown in
Figs. 26 and 27. As
shown in Fig. 24, rectangle 214 fits inside shell 205 and shell 205 is fixed
to frame 214 by bolts
227 and nuts 228, connected through holes 230 (Fig. 26). To make the depth
dimension of the
shell and frame smaller, an additional set of holes 232 may be provided, e.g.,
six inches from the
first set 230.
23
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
The shell also has diffusion gel frame mounting elements 234, 236 for holding
diffusion gel
frames 238, 240. Each mounting element is contracted as shown in Fig. 37 for
element 234, and
is preferably welded to shell 205. Each gel frame is snapfitted into place,
and supported on the
mounting element. The embodiment as shown has two pairs of diffusion gel frame
mounting
elements 234, 236 on each long side 221, 223 of the shell. Each gel frame 238,
240 is preferably
foldable on its short sides, e.g., by a hinge pin 240 and a cotter pin 242
fitted through mating
holes 244, 246 as shown in Figs. 34 and 34A. One part 238a of the gel frame
fits into another
part 238b. The short sides thus fold like the shell does (Figs. 26-27).
Fig. 36 shows the same box 202 as in Fig. 24, except that the rectangle 214 is
bolted to the
additional set of holes 232 set deeper into the shell 205.
Fig, 38 shows a box 202a which is a variation of box 202 of Fig. 24 having a
Socopex"'
connector box 260 or equivalent, i.e., a multiconnection electrical box
connected to lights 208.
The lights 208 each have a yoke 251 fastened to rod 206 by bolts 250 and nuts
as shown in Fig.
39. This connection to rod or bar 206 is used in place of C-clamps or other
readily removable
attachments, because box 202a of Fig. 39 has lights 208 wired to connector box
260 which in turn
may be connected to a mufti-line cable, which in turn is connected to a light
control panel known
as a dimmer board. In this way, each individual light may be turned on, off,
or dimmed. In, e.g.,
a six-light box held overhead, one can use four pars on the outside and two
blue lights in the
center. The blue will be used for "night" shots, four outside pars at full
power for "day" shots,
and at half power for "dusk" shots.
Fig. 40 shows a fifth embodiment. A box 270 is similar to box 202a of Fig. 38,
but
instead of rigid shell 205 it has a soft, collapsible shell 272 of, e.g., a
dark or black fabric
24
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
preferably with a silver or light interior. The fabric is fixed to triangle
214 by pins, adhesive or
other means including removable and reattachable connections. In this
embodiment, the gel
frames 238, 240 are the same as in the previous embodiment, except that they
are connected at
their corners to a chain 274. With this structure, the entire box may be
collapsed when not in use
and take very little room. It is also extremely light. This box may utilize
the chain and fabric
because it is hung overhead. In a preferred embodiment, each top hanging box
has ten lights, but
many multiple light number arrangements are possible.
Fig. 41 shows a sixth embodiment which is similar to the box of Fig. 40.
However, a box
280 has six par lamps in collars 282 located therein. In this embodiment, the
lamps may be in
collars to have a smaller depth and less weight. The lamp is held in the
collar by a retaining ring
(not shown) and there may also be a safety screen in front of each lamp (not
shown). Because the
cans are not used in this embodiment, a rear cover (described below) is used
to protect against
touching wiring and the hot lights. In addition, a front cover (to protect
wiring)(not shown), may
be used, and could be made of a thin sheet of aluminum with six round cut-outs
for the collars.
1s It is noted that built-in lamps can also be used in the prior embodiments.
Because these par
lamps in collars have a low profile, they are set into the box and the box may
have the rear cover
284 hinged to a rectangular frame 286. Frame 286 has four eyebolts 288 for
hanging the box 280
and the bolts may also function to hold chain 294. The par collars 282 are
directly connected to
frame 286 by screws, bolts 289 or the like. The lights 282 are also connected
to a Socoplex'~
2o connector 290 or equivalent, by wires 291. The gel frames 292, 293 are
similar to the
embodiment of Fig. 24, but may collapse on the long sides as shown, and/or the
short sides if
desired. Moreover, the rectangle 286 (e.g., 20" by 40") may be smaller than
the gel frames. The
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
gel frames are held at their corners by chain 294. A fabric or flexible cover
295 may hang below
the lower gel frame 293. The rear cover is preferably a metal, such as
aluminum, and has
perforations 298 for cooling/venting.
In place of the Socoplex'~ connector, in this embodiment as well as others,
toggle switches
for each lamp may be placed on the side of the shell, along with a standard 3-
pin connector for
supplying power, e.g., 100A, to each lamp unit.
A box 300 of Fig. 42 according to a sixth embodiment is similar to box 280 of
Fig. 41, but
it has a yoke 302 hinged to a flange 304 of a rectangular frame 306. The yoke
302 operates the
same as in the embodiment of Fig. 9. The gel frames 304, 305 are the same as
in the previous
embodiment, but are connected by rigid elements 307, e.g., square tube made
out of aluminum.
Cloth covet 308 extended at one long side to provide for an angled top as in
other embodiments,
but may also be made square. The gel frame 305 may accordingly also be angled
to match or
otherwise shaped to match the desired shape of collar 308. This box may be
used in the same
manner as the box of Fig. 9. Due to its rigid connector elements 307, it need
not hang.
~5 In the embodiments of Figs. 41 and 42, with built-in pre-wired lamps, a
protective
aluminum sheet may be placed at the front face of the lamps, extending for the
inner dimensions of
the rectangle 286, and having circular cut-outs corresponding to each lamp
face. Moreover, a
mesh may be placed over each lamp face as a safety feature in the unlikely
event of a blow-out.
In several embodiments, the invention provides the advantages of avoiding boom
shadows
and providing better sound by using closer booms, creating less heat for a
higher light level, and
making "actors' marks" less critical due to the large area of sufficient
light. The invention may
also avoid the need to refocus lights even if scene blocking changes. The
invention further enables
26
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
the use of inexpensive lights, such as par 64's, and provides a fully
illuminated action area in
which even a single lamp burnout is not critical. The modularity of the
invention enables multiple
boxes to be used side-to-side like a single large unit. The boxes may also be
hung from a single
point or multiple points.
' The device provides a wide variety of light levels, creates a mood, enhances
special
lighting and works for daylight, sunset, night shots and more.
The device may be constructed with aircraft quality aluminum such as 6061T6.
Inside
surfaces are preferably reflective metal. Light mount and support brackets are
preferably welded
tubular aluminum construction with a 1'h inch or I 5/8 inch outside diameter
pipe for direct
fixture mounting.
The~box is hinged and foldable. Access to diffusion/color frame slots is from
the bottom
via a hinged door with quarter turn fasteners. The device when opened will
measure
approximately 4 x 4 x 4 feet and weigh less than 100 pounds.
For mounting purposes, there are three slotted grooves for C-clamps. C-clamps
may be
~5 mounted in various positions to accommodate balance and angle.
The box can be folded for storage and transportation. In the folded position,
the box will
measure approximately 4 x 4 feet x 5 inches. Light mounting rails and braces
can be stored flat
for space saving and ease of transportation.
Soft lights or bounce lights are often used to eliminate shadows. However,
they have one
great deficiency: as the distance from this light grows, the light fall off is
extreme. When light
levels in the upstage production areas are inadequate, additional lighting
equipment must be added.
These added lights cause problems, particularly for microphones and booms. The
box was
27
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
designed to solve this problem, enabling the user to have a more even light
level from front to
back. The box helps eliminate additional lighting equipment and the boom
problems (both access
and shadow) that they create in the upstage areas.
The box theory is that a soft projected front light is flattering to actors
and eliminates boom
s shadows. All action areas are lit so new blocking does not call for refocus.
Since the multiple
sources are used for key, there is not waiting to change burnouts. The box is
a fast, cost-effective
lighting method that looks great.
In the overhead box embodiments, where ten 1000 watt par cans are used and the
box is
mounted eleven feet above an area to be lit, such as a boxing ring (20' x
20'), a soft even 300 f.c.
to light is produced over the entire area. Multiple mounting holes allow for a
1 x 2 inch wood strip
to be fixed ,to the box so that a duvatine skirt may be added to block the
spill. The skirt can be
black, reflective or diffusing.
Like the other boxes, the overhead version is hinged and foldable for easy,
convenient
transportation and storage. Access to diffusion/color frame slots is from the
bottom, where they
15 snap in place. When fully opened, the box measures 40 x 60 inches and
provides two
diffusion/color frame slots.
The invention enables the inexpensive lights to be separated and spaced from
one another,
preferably a distance of equal to or about the diameter of each light. For
example, in a 40" long
box, three par cans of diameters of 8" may be placed 8" apart. Six 1000 watt
pars can be used to
20 obtain more light, e.g., twice as much light as a 10,000 watt fresnel light
when projected through
the diffusion elements, yet still weigh much less and cost much less than that
single fresnel.
The boxes, when used modularly or collectively, achieve a very desirable
lighting effect,
28
CA 02343470 2001-04-06
and thus it is preferable to form them such that they can be placed side to
side, e.g., by using
planar sides 4, 6.
Although the boxes are constructed primarily of aluminum, they may be
constructed of any
other reasonable material including wood, plastic, foamcore, or fabric on a
frame, and may even
be disposable. The boxes are, as shown in the preferred embodiment, preferably
readily enabled
to be disassembled and folded, although other embodiments where the boxes are
not readily
disassembled can be envisioned. In addition, for example, the bar 14 need not
be mounted to V-
bracket members, and may instead be directly or more directly mounted to the
housing of the box.
The box or boxes need not be mounted to a green bed, and may be hung from or
mounted on
pipe, or otherwise mounted, hung or used.
As doted above, a significant advantage of the box is that it creates a soft
projected light
from inexpensive but powerful and efficient lighting elements, e.g., pars. A
further advantage of
pars is that they are available in a variety of intensities, e.g., 200W and
SOOW, as well as 1000W,
and a variety of circumferences and intensities. Where lower power pars, e.g.,
200W and SOOW,
t5 are used, the box may be scaled down in size accordingly.
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 without departing
from the inventive concept.
29
