This invention relates to a mounting bracket for use in flash photography, and in particular to a mounting bracket which may be used to hold one or more flashguns within a so-called "softbox" of the collapsible, generally pyramidal type.

In professional photography, it is commonplace for flash illumination of the subject to be used. One example of situations in which this may be appropriate is action photography, for example sports photography, in low light conditions, where high intensity flash light is used to momentarily illuminate the subject. In these circumstances, multiple flashguns may be used to give greater light intensity. The flashguns and the camera may be used in close proximity, in which case the connection between them (that synchronises the actuation of the flashguns with that of the camera) may be a wired connection, but more commonly and especially where, as is sometimes necessary, the flashguns and camera are deployed with a considerable physical separation between them, the connection is a wireless connection. A signal is emitted from the camera and received by a sensor

(receiver) that is part of, or is connected to, the flashgun. Proper operation of the flashgun may require that the flashgun is oriented such that the sensor is directed towards the camera. Orientation of the flashgun in some other direction may reduce the received signal strength or otherwise impair communication between the camera and the flashgun.

Flashguns are also commonly used with so-called softboxes, which are essentially enclosures within which the flashguns are mounted. At least one side of the enclosure comprises a light-transmissive, but light-modifying, screen which acts, for example, as a diffuser, thereby modifying the quality of the light that impinges upon the subject. One widely-used form of softbox is collapsible, comprising fabric panels that are tensioned by spring steel hoops extending around their periphery and are joined together at their edges to form a pyramidal structure with an opening at the apex and the light-modifying screen at the base. One or more flashguns (or other light source) are inserted through the opening.

The collapsibility of such softboxes means that they are easy to transport and store. Prior to use, they are simply unpacked, whereupon the resilience of the steel hoops causes the softbox to automatically assume the pyramidal shape.

Such softboxes are very convenient to use, but there is a need for a simple and reliable method of fitting the softbox about one or more flashguns.

In known brackets for mounting flashguns within a softbox, the bracket is incorporated into the softbox as part of the process of assembling the softbox. This is particularly inconvenient where the photographer wishes to switch between using the softbox and not using the softbox or between different types of softbox.

There is therefore a need for a flashgun mounting that can be readily and quickly engaged with a softbox, particularly a softbox of the collapsible, generally pyramidal type. There is also a need for a flashgun mounting bracket which enables the flashguns to be oriented in a way that facilitates wireless

communication between the flashguns and a transmitter in, or associated with, a camera. There have now been devised improved flashgun mounting brackets that address these requirements.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flashgun mounting bracket for use in association with a collapsible, generally pyramidal softbox having an apical opening, the bracket comprising mounting(s) for one or more flashguns such that, in use, light from said flashguns is directed into the interior of the softbox, and wherein the bracket further comprises a plurality of radially extending arms, the distal ends of which are adapted for engagement with the softbox at the periphery of said apical opening. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a photographic lighting assembly comprising a collapsible, generally pyramidal softbox having an apical opening, and a flashgun mounting bracket carrying one or more flashguns and attached to said softbox by means of a plurality of radially extending arms, the distal ends of which are engaged with the softbox at the periphery of said apical opening.

The flashgun mounting bracket of the invention is adapted for use with a softbox of the type that comprises fabric side panels that are joined at their edges to form a generally pyramidal structure. Typically, the softbox comprises four side panels, that are generally triangular in shape. A resilient hoop is fixed to the periphery of each panel, typically by being held in a tubular hem stitched to or otherwise formed at that periphery. The effect of the resilient hoop is to hold the panel flat, with the fabric being under tension. With each panel in this configuration, the softbox adopts a generally pyramidal shape, with an opening at the apex, which is where the flashgun(s) can be inserted. A light-modifying screen is, in use, positioned across the base of the softbox. That screen may be permanently attached to the softbox, or it may be replaceable, being held in place by, for instance, hook-and-loop fastenings. Softboxes of this form are well known, one commercially available examples being those sold under the trade name EZYBOX by Lastolite Limited, 18 Atlas Road, Hermitage Industrial Estate, Coalville,

Leicestershire LE67 3FQ, United Kingdom.

The mounting bracket according to the invention performs two functions. First, it provides a support for one or more flashguns. Secondly, it provides a support for a softbox, such that the softbox can be mounted on the bracket with the flashguns disposed in the interior of the softbox.

Typically, the bracket will comprise a main body that is adapted to be supported upon an external support such as a tripod stand. For this purpose, the main body will be provided with means for attachment to such a stand, eg a socket into which the tip of an upright post may be inserted.

Flashguns are mounted on the main body by means of flashgun holders. The flashgun holder is typically adapted to receive the foot of a conventional flashgun, in a similar manner to the way in which a flashgun is fitted to the hotshoe of a camera. In order to facilitate optimal orientation of the flashgun, both to optimise the distribution of light emitted from it and to optimise wireless communication with the camera, the flashgun holder is preferably configured to permit both the position and the orientation of the flashgun to be adjusted. Positional adjustment may be achieved by slidably mounting the flashgun holders in elongate slots provided in the main body. Orientational adjustment may be brought about by rotation of the flashgun holder, or at least that part of the flashgun holder to which the flashgun is attached. Conveniently, the flashgun holder comprises a slider that is mounted for sliding movement within a slot and a flashgun shoe that abuts the slider and is rotatable relative to the slider. The position of the slider within the shoe, and the orientation of the shoe relative to the slider, may be fixed by means of a clamping bolt that draws the two components together, into fixed

engagement with each other and with the main body. In preferred embodiments, the abutting surfaces of the slider and the shoe are provided with a plurality of cooperating formations, eg corresponding projections and recesses, that define a number of relative orientations of those two components. The orientation of the flashgun may then be adjusted by releasing the slider and the shoe from each sufficiently for the shoe to be rotated relative to the slider, and then re-engaging the shoe with the slider, eg by retightening the clamping bolt.

Another aspect of the present invention thus provides a flashgun mounting bracket comprising a body on which one or more flashgun holders are mounted, the flashgun holders being adapted to permit adjustment of both the position and the orientation of the flashgun relative to the body. The second function of the mounting bracket according to the invention, namely support of the softbox, is accomplished by means of the radial arms that extend from the main body. The distal ends of the arms are adapted for engagement with the softbox at the periphery of the opening through which the flashguns are inserted into the softbox. Most conveniently, the arms are formed in a rigid material, eg a metal such as mild steel, and the ends of the arms are formed in such a manner that each of them is able to engage with and retain the resilient hoop of one of the panels that make up the softbox. Most preferably, the end of the support arm is formed into a hook-like channel into which the edge of the panel can be inserted. The dimensions of the arms are preferably such that when the panels are engaged with the arms, the panels are placed under additional tension, thereby stabilising the structure.

The, or each, arm may be shaped to releasably engage an edge of the softbox opening. The, or each, arm may have an elongate engaging edge or other elongate contact formation that is arranged to engage along at least a portion of the softbox edge. The arms may be arranged to bias the softbox opening into an open condition. The arms may be arranged to maintain the, or each, edge of the softbox opening in tension.

Most commonly, the mounting bracket will comprise four support arms, which are arranged orthogonally. The support arms may be formed as a single metal component which is fixed to the remainder of the mounting bracket (which carries the flashgun holders), eg by fixing bolts.

Although designed for use in association with a softbox, the mounting bracket of the invention is not necessarily so used. The bracket may function simply as a support for the flashguns, or may be used in association with a reflector, eg of the umbrella type. In such applications, where the radial support arms are detachable from the remainder of the bracket, they may be omitted or removed. A bracket without the radial arms, though not engageable with a collapsible softbox in the manner of the invention, will nonetheless offer the benefits associated with adjustability of the position and orientation of the flashguns.

The number of flashguns that may be attached to the mounting bracket of the invention may vary. However, the mounting bracket is most commonly adapted to receive more than one flashgun, eg four flashguns.

In one embodiment, the mounting bracket may be detachable from either or both of the softbox and the flashgun(s).

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with refererence to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view from behind of a flashgun mounting bracket according to the invention;

Figure 2 is perspective view of the mounting bracket of Figure 1 from the other side; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a displaceable flashgun holder that forms part of the mounting bracket;

Figure 4(a) and Figure 4(b) show exploded views of the flashgun holder of Figure 3, from two different directions;

Figure 5 shows the mounting bracket with one flashgun attached to it;

Figure 6 shows the mounting bracket with four flashguns attached to it; Figure 7 shows the manner in which a collapsible softbox is attached to the mounting bracket; Figure 8 shows on an enlarged scale the attachment of the mounting bracket to the softbox as depicted in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view similar to Figure 7 but from the other side; and

Figure 10 shows the manner in which the mounting bracket and flashgun assembly as shown in Figure 6 can be used in association with an umbrella-type reflector rather than a softbox.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a flashgun mounting bracket according to the invention is generally designated 1 and comprises two principal components. These are a moulded plastics body 20 and a metal support member 40. The plastics body 20 is generally square in shape, but integrally formed mounting limbs 21 extend from each corner. A blind tubular socket 22 is formed between one pair of adjacent limbs 21 and extends downwards (most commonly, in use, and as depicted in Figure 1). The wall of the socket 22 is formed with a threaded bore in which the threaded shaft of a clamping knob 28 is received. Tubular projections 23,24 extend from the centre of both major surfaces of the body 20, thereby defining a central opening 25.

The support member 40 is formed in mild steel. It has the general shape of a cross, with a substantially flat central plate 41 with a central opening that allows the plate 41 to fit over the tubular projection 23 of the body 20, such that the plate 41 lies flush against the body 20. The plate 41 is fastened to the body 20 by means of four fixing bolts 42. Four support arms 43 extend away from the plate 41, and are arranged at approximately 45° to the plane of the plate 41. The distal ends of the support arms 43 are of somewhat increased width and are formed into channels 44 by which the arms 43 engage a collapsible softbox, as explained below. Each of the mounting limbs 21 has a longitudinal slot 26 within which a flashgun holder 30 is displaceably mounted. The flashgun holder 30 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. The holder 30 comprises a flashgun turntable 31, a slider 32 with a peripheral flange 32a, a washer 33 and a clamping knob 34. The clamping knob 34 has an upper shaft 35 that bears against the washer 33 and from which a threaded shaft 36 extends through the washer 33 and through a central bore in the slider 32 into threaded engagement with a nut 37 that is held captive in a downwardly- depending boss 41 that is formed integrally with the turntable 31. The boss 41 extends into a corresponding recess in the slider 31, with a spring washer 42 being interposed between the two components.

Tightening of the knob 34 draws the components together, such that the turntable 31 tightly engages the slider 32 and the periphery of the longitudinal slot 26 is clamped between the washer 33 and the flange 32a of the slider 32. Loosening of the knob 34 thus permits the holder 30 to be displaced along the slot 26, and tightening of the knob 34 then maintains the holder 30 in that position. In addition, the abutting surfaces of the turntable 31 and the slider 32 are formed with cooperating dimples 38 and recesses 39 (twelve in number, see Figures 4(a) and 4(b)) arranged around the central bore of the slider 32. When the knob 34 is loosened, the turntable 31 may be rotated relative to the slider 32, to one of twelve orientations in which the dimples 38 and recesses 39 come into registration. Tightening of the knob 34 then locks the holder 30 in that

orientation. Thus, loosening of the knob 34 permits not only linear displacement of the holder 30 along the slot 26, but also angular rotation of the turntable 31 (and hence of a flashgun mounted on it).

Attachment of a flashgun to the holder 30 is achieved by virtue of a channel 55 that extends the full length of the turntable 31 and is configured to receive the foot of a flashgun (in the same manner in which a flashgun is conventionally attached to the hotshoe of a camera). The base of the channel 55 is formed as a trough within which a resilient spring 56 is accommodated (the spring 56 is not shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b)). When the flashgun is engaged with the holder 30, the spring 56 bears against the underside of the foot of the flashgun to prevent it being dislodged. Although the channel 55 extends the full length of the turntable 31, the dimensions of the channel 55 are different at each end. This is to permit different types of flashgun, having different sizes of foot, to be engaged with the turntable 31. To change the end of the channel 55 that is available for

engagement with the flashgun, the turntable is simply rotated through 180°, as described above.

Figure 5 shows a mounting bracket 1 with one flashgun 50 engaged with it.

Figure 6 shows an assembly of a mounting bracket 1 and four flashguns 50. The flashguns 50 are entirely conventional, and are typically of the type that is capable of wireless communication with a camera, by virtue of incorporating, or of being connected to, a suitable receiver capable of receiving a signal (e.g. a radio signal or an infra-red signal) transmitted from the camera. In such an arrangement, the signal is normally transmitted upon actuation of the camera, causing synchronised actuation of the flashgun(s). Typically, the camera may be remote from the flashgun(s), for instance several tens of metres from the flashguns. In other circumstances, however, the camera and the flashgun(s) may be used in close proximity, in which case the connection between the camera and the flashgun(s) may be a wired connection, rather than a wireless connection.

Figures 7 and 8 show the manner in which the mounting bracket 1 can be coupled to a collapsible softbox 60. The softbox 60 is of conventional form, comprising four generally triangular side panels 61, each of comprises a substantially opaque fabric sheet 61a with a tubular hem 61b. A resilient hoop, eg of spring steel ribbon, is held within the tubular hem 61b of each panel 61. The effect of the hoop is to maintain the panel 61 in a tensioned state in which it has the generally flat, triangular form shown in the drawings. Adjacent panels are stitched together at their abutting edges, such that the softbox has a generally pyramidal form, with an opening 62 at its apex, which is where the mounting bracket 1 is attached, as described below. The softbox 60 is completed by a screen 63 that extends across the base of the pyramidal softbox 60 (see Figure 9). The screen 63 may be of a suitable light-diffusing fabric and may be permanently attached to the softbox 60, but more commonly the screen 63 is removeable, being held in place by hook- and-loop fasteners or the like, such that different screens 63 may be used with the softbox 60, as desired, eg to give different lighting effects.

As can be seen from Figures 7 and 8, the opening 62 at the apex of the softbox 60 is sufficiently large that the flashguns 50 mounted on the mounting bracket 1 may be passed through it, into the interior of the softbox 60. The apical edges of the panels 61 are readily fitted into the channels 44 at the distal end of each support arm 43 of the bracket 1. The arms 43 are rigid, and the act of engaging the edges of the panels 61 with the channels 44 places the panels 61 under increased tension, which maintains the engagement of mounting bracket 1 and softbox 60, and gives the assembly sufficient rigidity for normal use. The fabric of each panel 61 will stretch sufficiently to permit engagement of the edge of the panel 61 with the channel 44. Alternatively, a small gap may be provided between the fabric sheet 61a and tubular hem 61b in the region of the apex of the softbox 60, to receive the tip of the arm 43.

The assembly of softbox 60 and mounting bracket 1 will typically be supported, eg on a tripod stand or the like. In such instances, the end of an upright post of the stand can be inserted into the socket 22, where it is fixed in place by tightening of the clamping knob 28.

Positioning of the flashguns 50 within the softbox 60 may be optimised by adjusting the radial position of the flashgun holders 30 within the slots 26 in the mounting limbs 21, and also by adjusting the angular orientation of the

turntables 31 relative to the mounting limbs 21. By this means, it is possible not only to optimise the lighting effect of the flashguns 50, but also to improve the communication between flashguns 50 and the camera when that connection is by wireless means. Specifically, the positions of the flashguns 50 can be adjusted to improve the alignment of sensors on the flashguns 50 with the camera, so that information transmitted from the camera, eg relating to the light level, is properly received by the flashguns 50.

As shown in Figure 9, the mounting bracket 1 may alternatively be used with an umbrella-type reflector 70, instead of the softbox 60. In this case, the central shaft 71 of the reflector 70 is passed through the central opening 25 of the body 20. The tubular projections 23,24 may be dimensioned to have an interference fit with the shaft 71, or some other means may be provided to fix the position of the mounting bracket 1 on the shaft 71. When the mounting bracket 1 is used in this manner, the support member 40 is redundant, and the body 20 may be used without the support member 40.