Flash Housing For Photographic Purposes, A Set Comprising A Flash Housing For Photographic Purposes And At Least One Flash Light Shaping Tool, And A Flash Light Shaping Tool
Patent No. US11630375 (titled "Flash Housing For Photographic Purposes, A Set Comprising A Flash Housing For Photographic Purposes And At Least One Flash Light Shaping Tool, And A Flash Light Shaping Tool") was filed by Profoto Aktiebolag on Sep 17, 2018.
What is this patent about?
’375 is related to the field of photographic equipment, specifically addressing improvements in flash housings and related light shaping tools. The background involves the common use of flash devices to enhance lighting in photographs, along with the application of various light shaping tools to modify the characteristics of the flash. Existing flash housings often lack user-friendly and easily adaptable mounting mechanisms for these shaping tools.
The underlying idea behind ’375 is to use magnetic attachment for flash light shaping tools to a flash housing. This involves incorporating a fastening element, either a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material, along the border of the flash housing's lens element. This allows for quick and easy attachment and detachment of shaping tools, enabling photographers to rapidly adjust the flash light's properties as needed.
The claims of ’375 focus on a flash housing featuring a ring-shaped ferromagnetic fastening element that extends from the lens element surface. This ring is designed for magnetic engagement with a corresponding permanent magnet on a flash light shaping tool. The claims also cover a set comprising such a flash housing and shaping tool, as well as the shaping tool itself, equipped with the necessary permanent magnet for magnetic attachment.
In practice, the photographer can select from a variety of magnetically attachable flash light shaping tools, such as diffusers, wide lenses, bounce cards, or color filters. These tools can be quickly snapped onto the flash housing's lens element via the magnetic interface. Furthermore, the shaping tools can be stacked together, also using magnetic attachment, to achieve complex lighting effects by combining multiple shaping elements.
This magnetic mounting system differentiates itself from prior art by offering a tool-less and intuitive attachment mechanism. Unlike traditional methods that may involve screws, clips, or other mechanical fasteners, the magnetic approach allows for rapid changes in light shaping configurations. The protruding ring design ensures easy access for attachment, while the magnetic force provides a secure and reliable connection during use.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’375 was filed, flash photography commonly involved external flash units designed to provide additional illumination and allow for creative lighting effects. At a time when X was typically implemented using Y, these flash units often included features for adjusting the flash intensity and beam angle, and they were frequently used in conjunction with light shaping tools to modify the quality and direction of the light.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because prior art, specifically Boerup, teaches magnetic attachment of light shaping tools to a flash, but the examiner agreed that Boerup does not teach a ring-shaped flash housing fastening element made of ferromagnetic material, as claimed. Boerup's magnetic elements are separate from the housing, which is made of rubber, and even when integral, the main housing remains rubber to allow for stretching and friction fitting. The examiner concluded that there was no motivation to create the entire flash housing fastening element from a fully ferromagnetic material, as it would not work with the desired friction fit with rubber walls.
Claims
There are 24 claims in total. Claims 1, 4, and 10 are independent. The independent claims are directed to a flash housing, a set comprising a flash housing and a flash light shaping tool, and a flash light shaping tool for attachment to a flash housing, respectively. The dependent claims generally add specific features or limitations to the independent claims.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11630375
- Application Number
- US16629019
- Filing Date
- Sep 17, 2018
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- May 5, 2039
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents