WO2008139149A1

WO2008139149A1 - Light diffuser arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2008139149A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy John Knox
Original assignee: Timothy John Knox
Priority date: 2007-05-14
Filing date: 2008-05-06
Publication date: 2008-11-20
Also published as: GB2449247A; GB0709215D0

Abstract

A light diffuser arrangement (12) for a compact camera (10). The arrangement (12) including a diffusing member selectedly adherable to extend over a flash unit (18) on the camera (10) by strips (32) of backing material with pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereon. The diffusing member (24) can be folded upon itself to cover the strips (32) when not required, and is attached to the camera (10) by a strap (22).

Description

Light Diffuser Arrangement

This arrangement concerns a light diffuser arrangement, and particularly but not exclusively a light diffuser arrangement for use with compact cameras.

Compact cameras are generally very useful in being very light and portable. Such cameras generally include an integral flash. However, such a flash invariably provides harsh light and can lead to over exposure in close up shots, and particularly pictures of people close to. This can lead to a person's skin looking harsh and unflattering.

According to the present invention there is provided a light diffuser arrangement, the arrangement comprising a planar diffusing member of a translucent material which causes light passing therethrough to diffuse, adhering means to permit the diffusing member to be selectively adhered to a camera extending over a flash unit thereon to diffuse light emitted by the flash unit, and retaining means extendable between a camera and the diffusing member to retain the camera and diffusing member together.

The diffusing member may be of a neutral colour, and may be made of plastics material.

The diffusing member may be made of polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene or polypropylene.

At least part of the diffusing member may be made of a flexible material. The diffusing member may be arranged such that it can be folded over on itself when not required, and retained in a folded condition by the adhering means. The adhering means may be provided on the diffusing member, and may be provided on only part of one side of the diffusing member. The adhering means may include a pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be provided on a backing member.

A plurality of pressure adhesive bearing backing members may be provided on top of each other on the diffusing member, such that if the adhesive on the top most backing member ceases to function adequately, the top most backing member can be removed from the diffusing member and the next most adhesive bearing backing member can be used to adhere the diffusing member to a camera.

The retaining means may include a line means or a strap.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a front view of a camera incorporating a light diffuser arrangement according to the invention when not in use;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the camera and light diffuser arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views respectively to Figs. 1 and 2 but with the light diffuser arrangement in use;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the light diffuser arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the light diffuser arrangement of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 7 is a side view of the light diffuser arrangement of Fig. 1 in a folded condition. The drawings show a compact camera 10 and a light diffuser arrangement 12 according to the invention. The camera 10 includes a lens 14, light and focus detector 16, integral flash unit 18 and a mounting ring 20 on the side of the camera 10.

The light diffuser arrangement 12 includes a strap 22 with one end mounted to the ring 20, and the other end of the strap 22 mounted to a diffusing member 24. The diffusing member 24 includes a flexible sheet 26 of neutral colour translucent plastics material, mounted to a substantially rigid thicker smaller strip 27 with a side extension 28 extending beyond the sheet 26, with an opening 30 therethrough to receive the other end of the strap 22.

The sheet 26 and strip 27 are made of polymethyl methacrylate, but other plastics materials could be used such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

Adhering means is provided on the strip 27 in the form of a number of overlying strips 32 of backing material, each with pressure sensitive adhesive applied thereon. The strips 32 extend across the strip 27 for a little under half the height of the sheet 26 such that the sheet 26 can be folded around the strip 27 as shown in Figs. 1 , 2 and 7 to cover the top most backing material strip 32.

In use, if it is not required to use the flash unit 18, or it required to use this in a normal format, for instance for relatively distant shots, the diffusing member 34 can be left to hang freely as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the sheet 26 in the folded state as shown in Fig. 7.

If it is wished to diffuse the light emitted by the flash unit 18, the sheet

26 can be unfolded and the diffusing member 24 can be adhered by the backing material strips 32 so as to cover the flash unit 18 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When light is now emitted from the flash unit 18 it will be diffused, tending to provide a gentler light form on skin and other nearby objects in photographs. If the top most backing material strip 32 ceases to function adequately, this can simply be removed from the sheet 26 revealing a further backing material strip 32.

There is thus described an arrangement which readily permits a diffuser arrangement to be used on a compact camera when required. The arrangement can be removed from the flash unit when not needed but will automatically be retained in position on the camera ready for use when required. The arrangement can be used on a wide range of different sizes and styles of cameras. The arrangement is of straightforward and inexpensive construction and should provide trouble free long term use.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance different materials may be used. A hinge formation could be provided in the diffusing member sheet to aid folding thereof. A different strap arrangement could be provided.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A light diffuser arrangement, the arrangement comprising a planar diffusing member of a translucent material which causes light passing therethrough to diffuse, adhering means to permit the diffusing member to be selectively adhered to a camera extending over a flash unit thereon to diffuse light emitted by the flash unit, and retaining means extendable between a camera and the diffusing member to retain the camera and diffusing member together.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 , characterised in that the diffusing member is of a neutral colour.

3. An arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the diffusing member is made of plastics material.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that the diffusing member is made of polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene or polypropylene.

5. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least part of the diffusing member is made of a flexible material.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the diffusing member is arranged such that it can be folded over on itself when not required

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that the diffusing member is arranged such that it can be retained in a folded condition by the adhering means.

8. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adhering means is provided on the diffusing member.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that the adhering means is provided on only part of one side of the diffusing member.

5 10. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adhering means includes a- pressure sensitive adhesive.

1 1. An arrangement according to claim 10, characterised in that the I O adhesive is provided on a backing member.

12. An arrangement according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that a plurality of pressure adhesive bearing backing members are provided on top of each other on the diffusing member, such that if the adhesive on the top most

15 backing member ceases to function adequately, the top most backing member can be removed from the diffusing member and the next most adhesive bearing backing member can be used to adhere the diffusing member to a camera. 0 13. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining means includes a line means or a strap.