BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a studio lighting system, in which light substantially completely envelops an object to be photographed or digitally captured; and more particularly, to a studio lighting system in which multiple zones of lighting are controlled through multiple dimming circuits so as to achieve desired lighting scenes, and more particularly, to a studio lighting system, where a desired lighting scene is recordable and reproducible.

Also, the present invention relates to a studio lighting system which includes independently movable modules, i.e., shooting table, a rear cove, and an overhead wrap-around cove, each carrying dimmable light sources, which in combination thereof, form a lighting envelope surrounding an object to be photographed or digitally captured and positioned on the shooting table, so that a desired lighting scene is obtained.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a studio lighting system in which each light source has a clear gel holder that covers the entire light source for receiving and holding a colored, neutral density, or opaque gel between the light source and the diffusing material to provide a wide variety of shadings to achieve optimized aesthetic results of photographs or digitally captured images.

2. Prior Art

A wide variety of different studio lighting systems have been developed to provide desired lighting of an object to be photographed. It is common in the art of photography to provide a lighting environment in which light completely surrounds an object to be photographed through a diffusing screen mounted between the light source and the object. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,640 discloses a photographic lighting apparatus which includes a light box having an outer wall and an inner wall which comprises a cylindrical diffusing screen surrounding the object to be photographed. The outer wall is octagonal in shape, with light sources installed in each of the facets of the octagonal outer wall. The light box is generally horizontally disposed and held by cables. The object to be photographed is supported on a shooting table centrally of the circular inner wall. Each light source is variable in intensity so the light level around the diffusing screen can be varied. Each of the cables the light box is carried on, is individually adjustable so the height and the attitude of the light box can be varied.

Another lighting system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,396. This lighting system includes a box-like housing which has an open side which is closed by a frosted diffusion lens and a reflector mounted interiorly of the housing. This reflector is a rigid structural member that includes a curved rear wall having corrugations which define pockets for receiving the fluorescent tubes that are used in the system as the light sources. A retainer plate is disposed between the fluorescent tubes and the diffusion lens. Attached to the reflector is an appropriate number of ballasts that contain electronics to generate high-speed fluorescent lighting.

Although the above-discussed Patents disclose concave holders for light sources providing light to envelop, at least partially, the object to be photographed or observed, it is difficult to reproduce a lighting pattern created for an object to be photographed several times.

A prior art lighting system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,439, which makes it possible to reproduce a lighting condition practically limitless number of times, thereby shortening photographic time and allowing for less experienced photographers to create reasonable quality photographs. The prior art lighting equipment of this reference includes a frame, one top lighting fixture provided on the upper side of the frame, and two lower lighting fixtures provided on both sides of the frames. These lighting fixtures irradiate an object placed on the top side of the frame, from the upper side and both sides thereof. Ideal locations of the light fixtures may be determined for mimic subjects of various characteristics by a skilled photographer. The location and illumination data obtained are then stored in computer memory. When an actual object is placed in the same position as the mimic subject for photographing, data for a mimic subject having characteristics closest to the actual object are selected from the computer memory, and the light fixtures are automatically oriented accordingly in response to some type of computer control. The light fixtures are mounted on holding members which extend from the top side of the frame length and the position is telescopically and pivotally adjustable. In such a system, the lighting fixtures are reversibly slidable. Despite a certain contribution into the art of photography, the discussed prior art lighting system constitutes a somewhat complicated and inconvenient apparatus for adjusting the position of three lighting fixtures and is not usable when a higher number of light sources are needed for lighting an object to be photographed. Additionally, as it is readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, this prior art system lacks uniformity in lighting an object to be photographed.

A lighting control system which operates to control multiple zones of lighting through multiple dimming circuits so as to achieve a desired lighting scene is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,322. The present system includes a plurality of control units which collectively operate to multiplex digital lighting control information on a communications link. Each control unit includes a plurality of zone intensity actuators which are manipulatable to vary the lighting intensity of an associated lighting zone. A central lighting control panel includes a processor which is programmed to assign a preselected dimming circuit to any one of the zone intensity actuators when that particular actuator is manipulated according to a predetermined sequence. The system disclosed in this Patent, although disclosing the control of the luminous output from a large number of lighting fixtures grouped together in some manner to define various zones of light, fails, however, to suggest structures holding these dimming light sources, which would provide light enveloping an object to be photographed.

None of the prior art lighting systems discussed in the previous paragraphs disclose a lighting system providing for enveloping of an object to be photographed, i.e., front and side of the object, background under the object, tops of the object, upper portion of the background, accomplished by independently movable and interpositionable modules, i.e., shooting table, rear cove and an overhead wrap-around cove, each carrying dimmable light sources in predetermined interrelationships to provide an optimized aesthetic photographic effect.

Furthermore, there was no suggestion in any of the above-discussed systems that a photographer can “color gel” or block the light sources from behind the diffusing material by the unique arrangement provided by the subject Patent Application system including a clear gel holder that covers the entire light source for placement of any type of colored, neutral density or opaque gel (filter) anywhere over the light source with the exception of underneath the diffusing material.

Also, none of the system discussed above disclose a lighting system which would envelop an object with precisely measurable and repeatable light patterns using the settings on a control panel which carries information on a kind and position of gels (filters) disposed over a light source. Despite the demonstrated benefits of photographic lighting systems of the prior art, such fail to disclose or even suggest the above advantageous features as is provided by the subject Patent Application system, herein described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a studio lighting system allowing both professional and non-professional photographers to photograph or digitally capture the image of virtually any tabletop object with fingertip control of highlight and directional light density virtually anywhere around the object to be photographed or digitally captured, with precisely reproducible lighting pattern throughout a limitless number of operations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a studio lighting system where the lighting effect that a photographer creates, can be recorded as visualized, and further used for reproducing the same lighting effect.

It is still an object of the present invention to provide a studio lighting system having independently movable light holding modules, i.e., a shooting table, a rear cove and an overhead wrap-around cove (dome cove), carrying therewithin dimmable light sources in predetermined interrelationship thereof which assume easy multiple positioning for allowing the lights irradiated from the light sources to practically envelop the object to be photographed throughout a great range of camera angles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a studio lighting system where each light source contained within the shooting table as well as the rear cove and the dome cove has a clear gel holder that covers the entire light source for placement of any type of colored, neutral density, or opaque gel between the light source and the diffusing material, in order to “color gel” or “block” any light sources, record position and type of gels, and further, when needed, to retrieve the information on the gel in order to duplicate the same results as were achieved in previous lighting patterns.

In accordance with the present invention, a studio lighting system is provided which includes a plurality of dimmable light sources disposed to form a lighting envelope surrounding an object to be photographed. The light sources are positioned within independently positionable light holding modules and extend internally therewithin. The light holding modules include a tiltable shooting table underlying the object to be photographed, a rear cove, and a dome cove wrapping around the shooting table. The shooting table, the rear cove, and the dome cove are mounted on a carrying frame, which in its turn, moves on wheels, attached to the bottom of the carrying frame, so that the whole structure can be rolled around a studio and stably secured in a predetermined location when desired.

The light sources, which may include fluorescent lamps, are mounted within the shooting table, the rear cove, and the dome cove, and extend internally therewithin in spaced apart arrangement thereof, substantially in parallel to front and rear ends of the shooting table, in parallel to the upper and lower ends of the rear cove, and in parallel to side edges of the dome cove.

At least one, but preferably two or three, light sources are mounted on a lamp supporting unit, a plurality of which extend within each of the light holding modules.

It is essential that a gel holder, which has a tube-like, preferably semi-cylindrical body, is attached to each lamp supporting unit and covers the light sources supported by each said lamp supporting unit throughout substantially the entire length thereof.

A gel filter, of any type, including colored, neutral density, or opaque gel, may be removably disposed within at least one gel holder, in order to “color gel” or “block” any light sources. It is of particular importance that the type and position of the gel filters can be recorded in a system for further reproduction of the created lighting scene.

Preferably, a control panel has a plurality of actuators each electronically associated with a respective light source, so that by manipulating the actuator, the intensity level of each light source may be adjusted.

A desired lighting pattern may be created for an object to be photographed and positioned on the top of the shooting table, which is characterized by intensity level of the light sources within the shooting table, the rear cove, and the dome cove, and also by the type and the position of a gel filter, or gel filters, used in the studio lighting system. The intensity levels of the light sources, the position and the type of the gel filters used, are recorded in computer memory for further reproducibility when needed.

The shooting table, the rear cove, and the dome cove move independently of each other and may accept different positions. For example, the shooting table may accept horizontal or tilt positions; the rear cove may be in the lower, upper or intermediate positions; and the dome cove may accept a normal (or horizontal) position and an upper (or lifted) position. Change of position of the shooting table, rear cove, and dome cove are facilitated by supporting members extending between the base of the studio lighting system and the light holding modules, i.e., shooting table, rear cove and dome cove.

Preferably, the base includes a carrying frame which has a pair of spaced apart parallel side beams, a stand (or power cabinet) mounted at the rear end of the side beams and extending upwardly therefrom. The supporting members include first and second spring biased telescopically extending members which are pivotally mounted to the side beams of the carrying frame by their lower ends and to the bottom surface of the shooting table by their upper ends. The supporting members further include a third spring biased telescopically extending members pivotally mounted between the side beams of the carrying frame and the dome cove, and a fourth spring-biased telescopically extending members pivotally mounted between the top of the stand positioned on the base and the rear cove. By positionally locating the supporting members in predetermined locational orientations, the shooting table, the rear cove, and the dome cove can be positioned as desired by a photographer.

Preferably, electrical and electronic circuitry and all wiring associated with the controlling mechanism in the system is located within the stand (or power cabinet).

Another aspect of the present invention directs itself to a process of creating lighting effects or patterns for photography. In accordance with the process, light holding modules, i.e., a shooting table, a rear cove, and a dome cove are provided which carry a plurality of light sources internally therewithin disposed in parallel and spaced apart arrangement thereof. Preferably, each light source is covered by a gel holder, and a gel filter which is removably inserted between the light source and the gel holder associated therewith.

A photographer places an object to be photographed on the top of the shooting table, positions the shooting table, the rear cove and the dome cove as desired, and by means of positioning or manipulating a plurality of actuators on the control panel, adjusts intensity levels of the light sources.

By inserting a desired type of a gel filter in the desired position within the shooting table, rear cove or dome cove, the photographer “colors” or “blocks” any light sources desired to provide particular coloring as shading effects.

When the desired lighting pattern is crated, the intensity levels of the light sources used, types and positions of the gel filters are recorded within the memory, so that this lighting pattern can be reproducible a limitless number of times when needed.

These and other novel features and advantages of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective pictorial view of the studio lighting system of the present invention shown in working environment;

FIG. 2

is a front view of the lighting system of the present invention with the dome cove in the “down” position and shooting table in horizontal position;

FIG. 3

is a side view of the lighting system of the present invention showing the dome cove in “down” position and the shooting table in the “up” (horizontal) position;

FIG. 4

is a front view of the lighting system of the present invention showing the dome cove in its “down” position, the shooting table in its “up” position and the rear cove in its “up” position;

FIG. 5

is a side view showing the lighting system of the present invention with the dome cove in its “down” position, the shooting table and the rear cove in their “up” position;

FIG. 6

is a front view of the lighting system of the present invention showing the dome cove in its “up” position, and shooting table and rear cove in the “down” position;

FIG. 7

is a side view of the lighting system of the present invention showing the dome cove in its “up” position, and the shooting table and rear cove in the “down” position;

FIG. 8

is a side view of another modification of the lighting system of the present invention;

FIG. 9

shows a layout of the actuators and ON/OFF switches on the control panel of the present invention;

FIG. 10

is a perspective view of the gel holder of the present invention;

FIG. 11

is a side view of the gel holder of the present invention;

FIG. 12

is a partial cut-out of the side view of the shooting table, or dome cove, or a rear cove, showing light sources and gel holder behind the cover;

FIG. 13

is a side view of a lamp supporting unit and gel holder within a light holding module;

FIG. 14

is a side view of a 3-lamp supporting unit;

FIG. 15

is a front view of a lamp access cover with a straight edge which is used in the shooting table;

FIG. 16

is a front view of a lamp access cover with a curved edge which is used in the dome cove and the rear cove;

FIG. 17

is a side view of a lamp access cover;

FIG. 18

is a top view of the base of the studio lighting system of the present invention;

FIG. 19

is a top view of another modification of the base of the studio lighting system of the present invention;

FIG. 20

is a rear view of the shooting table installed on the base of the studio lighting system of the present invention;

FIGS. 21 and 22

are top and bottom views, respectively, of the shooting table of the present invention;

FIG. 23

is a side view of the shooting table of the present invention showing the lamp access covers in their hinged position, open position and removed;

FIG. 24

is a side view of the shooting table of the present invention with lamp access covers removed;

FIG. 25

shows on a somewhat enlarged scale a front view of the dome cove of the present invention;

FIG. 26

is a front view of another embodiment of the dome cove of the present invention;

FIG. 27

is a side view of the dome cove of the present invention;

FIG. 28

shows a rear cove positionally connected to the shooting table (the rear cove is shown in two positions thereof);

FIG. 29

is a side view of another modification of the rear cove of the present invention;

FIG. 30

shows a side view of a reflector section of the shooting table;

FIG. 31

is a side view of another modification of the reflector section of the shooting table;

FIG. 32

is an interior layout of the ballast box of the control panel of the present invention;

FIG. 33

shows schematically the terminal blocks laid out in the ballast box;

FIG. 34

is a diagram of terminal blocks ON/OFF wiring in the ballast box;

FIG. 35

is a diagram of terminal blocks lamp wiring in the ballast box;

FIG. 36

is a diagram of lamp wiring in the shooting table and the rear cove;

FIG. 37

is a diagram of lamp wiring of the right side of the dome cove and the left side of the dome cove;

FIG. 38

is a diagram of a dimmer wiring of the ballast box; and,

FIG. 39

is a rear view of a control console wiring of the control panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to

FIGS. 1-8

, a studio lighting system

10

of the present invention includes three light holding modules, particularly, a tiltable shooting table

11

, a rear cove

12

, a dome cove

13

, all mounted on a base

14

which may be wheeled around the studio on wheels

15

. At least one wheel

15

has a locking mechanism associated therewith to stably position the lighting system in place. Each of the shooting table

11

, rear cove

12

, and dome cove

13

holds a plurality of dimmable light sources

16

, which may be fluorescent lamps, having adjustable level of intensity. A lighting control system, which includes a control panel

17

, provides for control, switching ON/OFF and adjusting of the intensity levels of each light source

16

positioned within the shooting table

11

, rear cove

12

, and the dome cove

13

. The control panel

17

is mounted on a front end

18

of the shooting table

11

on a bar

19

, extending along the front end

18

of the shooting table

11

as best shown in

FIGS. 1

,

3

,

8

, and

21

. The control panel

17

can be positioned anywhere along the control handle

19

or alternatively, it may be remotely located. When used remotely, the control panel

17

is electrically coupled through standard cables (not shown in the Drawings) which are supplied along with the studio lighting system

10

.

Camera

20

may be on a separate stand or may be installed on a supporting beam

21

which extends in a horizontal direction centrally underneath or below the shooting table

11

, as best shown in

FIGS. 1 and 19

. A pole

22

extends vertically from the support beam

21

and supporting the camera

20

. The supporting beam

21

may be displaced between the sides of the shooting table

11

. The length of the supporting beam

21

extending forward from the front end

18

of the shooting table

11

and the altitude of the beam

21

above the floor can be adjusted to desired lengths and heights depending on the particular photographic operation. The length of the pole

22

is also adjustable, so that the camera

20

is easily movable in these directions. Additionally, the pole

22

may be rotated about a vertical axis as well as a horizontal axis about the supporting beam

21

, to accept any angular position with respect to the vertical axis. Thus, the camera

20

is rotatable in a horizontal plane, so that a photographer may position the camera

20

as needed for taking a picture.

A cabinet

23

containing a plurality of gels

24

is provided for holding a plurality of colored, neutral density, or opaque gels, preferably pre-cut to a predetermined length. Gels

24

are insertable into the openings

25

at the sides of the shooting table

11

, and/or openings

26

at the sides of the rear cove

12

, and/or openings

27

on the front and rear portions of the dome cove

13

. Gels

24

, “color gel” or “block” the light irradiated from the light sources

16

towards an object

28

to be photographed, as will be described in following paragraphs.

A computer

29

is provided having a memory for storing positions and types of gels

24

used for creation of a desired lighting scene. Computer

29

also stores intensity levels of the light sources

16

established through the control panel

17

, and for retrieving data adequate to the desired lighting scene for reproduction when needed in further picture taking. The type and position of the gels

24

as well as the position and intensity level of the light sources

16

are introduced into the memory of the computer

29

via a keyboard

30

. Further, the desired intensity levels of light sources

16

may be transmitted into the memory of the computer

29

directly from the control panel

17

.

Optionally, additional light accessories

31

may be used with the lighting system of the present invention powered from a power source

32

. As shown in

FIG. 1

, additional lights

31

may be affixed to the rear cove

12

or the dome cove

13

may be affixed to the rear cove

12

or the dome cover

13

on utility bars, as described in the following paragraphs. A set of colored filters

33

may be provided which are clamped to the additional light accessories

31

, as known to those skilled in the art and not intended to be described in detail herein.

Object

28

to be photographed or digitally captured is placed on the top surface

34

of the shooting table

11

, and a photographer adjusts the positioning of the rear cove

12

, the dome cove

13

, and the shooting table

11

, inserts into the desired openings

25

,

26

, and

27

, the gels

24

of the needed type, and viewing through the camera

20

, simultaneously establishes desired intensity levels of the light sources

16

.

During the process of creating a desired lighting scene, the photographer may change the position of the shooting table

11

, rear cove

12

, and dome cove

13

, may insert and remove gels

24

, may turn ON/OFF the lighting sources

16

, as well as change their intensity levels until the desired lighting scene is achieved. When the lighting pattern is obtained, the object

28

is photographed or digitally captured. The photographer then records the position and type of the gels

24

used, and the intensity levels of the light sources

16

into the memory of the computer

29

for further reproduction of the data as needed.

As shown in

FIGS. 2-8

, the light holding modules, i.e., shooting table

11

, rear cove

12

, and dome cove

13

may independently accept different positions. For example, as shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, the dome cove is in the “down” position, the shooting table

11

is in the “up” or “horizontal” position, and the rear cove is in its “down” position. As shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

, the dome cove

13

is in its “down” position, while the shooting table

11

and the rear cove

12

are in their “up” positions. As further shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

, the dome cove

13

is in its “up” position, and the shooting table

11

and rear cove

12

are in the “down” position.

With respect to

FIG. 28

, discussed in the following paragraphs in detail, the rear cove

12

is shown pivoting between its “down” and “up” positions. Therefore, a photographer is provided with a limitless spectrum of combinations, positions, and shooting angles. By manipulating the light holding modules of the lighting system of the present invention, the photographer is capable of creating a lighting envelope surrounding the object

28

to be photographed from any angle to obtain practically limitless numbers of lighting effects.

The photographer individually manipulates the light holding modules through adjustment of the telescopically extending spring-biased members, which extend between the base

14

of the lighting system

10

of the present invention and the light holding modules, i.e., the shooting table

11

, the rear cove

12

, and the dome cove

13

.

The shooting table

11

, shown in

FIGS. 1-8

and

20

-

24

, is a tiltable shooting table, having the top

34

, on which the object

28

to be photographed is placed, a bottom surface

35

, a front end

36

, and a rear end

37

. Two identical thin plates, made of steel, constitute a pair of side portions

38

and

39

of the shooting table

11

, as best shown in

FIGS. 23 and 24

. Several, in this particular example, four openings

25

are provided on each side portion

38

,

39

. The upper edge of each opening

25

is provided with a hinge

40

as best shown in

FIGS. 15-17

, to which a lamp access cover

41

is secured for hingedly closing the openings

25

, when needed.

FIG. 23

shows the side portion of the shooting table

11

, having the left lamp access cover

41

closed, the second from the left lamp access cover

41

opened, and the third and fourth from the left lamp access covers

41

removed.

A rim

42

, approximately one inch in width, as best shown in

FIGS. 21 and 22

, extends substantially the whole length of each of the side portions

38

and

39

(along the top and/or bottom thereof) substantially in perpendicular thereto. Several beams

43

, the number of which corresponds to the number of openings

25

in each side portion

38

,

39

, extends between the side portions

38

and

39

the whole width of the shooting table

11

. The beams

43

may be coupled to the rims

42

by any fastening means, including fasteners, adhesives, etc., or may be integral with said rims

42

. Lamp supporting units

44

and gel holders

45

, both discussed in the following paragraphs, are removably secured to the beams

43

.

FIGS. 21 and 22

show the shooting table

11

with lamp supporting units

44

and the gel holders

45

removed, while

FIGS. 3 and 8

show the shooting table

11

with gel holders

45

in place.

The bottom surface

35

of the shooting table

11

, as best shown in

FIG. 22

, is made of thin steel sheet or like material secured to the rims

42

and supporting the reflector section

46

of the lighting system, as best shown in

FIGS. 23

,

30

, and

31

. The top surface

34

of the shooting table

11

has a support

47

extending along the perimeter of the shooting table

11

, except the rear end

37

thereof which is covered with a layer

48

of a diffusing material. Although a number of well-known diffusing materials may be used in the lighting system

10

of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment, the diffusing material is formed of translucent stearin having a slightly textured finish approximately ¾ in. in thickness.

In one embodiment thereof, shown in

FIGS. 5-7

,

21

and

22

, the shooting table

11

has a pair of studs

49

mounted at the front end

18

of the shooting table

11

which serve as a pivoting point for supporting members supporting the shooting table on the base

14

.

In another embodiment, shown in

FIGS. 2

,

3

, and also in

FIG. 31

, the bottom surface

35

of the shooting table

11

is provided with tabs

50

and

51

to which supporting members

52

and

53

are pivotally secured.

The shooting table

11

is secured to the base

14

with the rear end

37

of the shooting table

11

being pivotable about the pivoting axis

55

with respect to the supporting flanges

54

which vertically extend from the base

14

, as best shown in

FIGS. 2-8

,

19

,

20

and

22

. By manipulating the supporting members

52

and

53

, the shooting table can be tilted approximately 35 degrees from the “horizontal” position when more overhead shooting angles are required.

The studio lighting system

10

is mounted on the base

14

with the top view of two modifications best shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

. The base

14

includes a carrying frame which either has a square-shaped perimeter, as shown in

FIG. 18

, or alternatively as shown in

FIG. 19

, has a pair of spaced apart parallel side beams

56

and an intermediate beam, discussed previously as the supporting beam

21

to support camera pole

23

. It is readily understandable to those skilled in the art that the supporting beam

21

is spaced from the side beams

56

in vertical direction and extends above the side beams

56

. Each side beam

56

, or the frame

57

, shown in

FIG. 18

, has a top

58

, bottom

59

, and rear ends

60

. A stand

61

extends upwardly from the top

58

of the side beams

56

or the frame

57

at the rear end

60

thereof.

The stand

61

includes a power cabinet

62

, which contains the electrical and electronic blocks used in the lighting system

10

, and a pair of vertically extending supporting flanges

54

. The supporting flanges

54

have openings aligned to each other, so that a pivoting axis number

55

protrudes through these openings and pivotally secures the rear end

37

of the shooting table

11

to the supporting flanges

54

. As shown, for instance in

FIG. 3

, the shooting table

11

is secured to the supporting flanges

54

, at the internal surfaces thereof, with the pivoting axis number

55

protruding through the rear end

37

directly, while as shown in

FIG. 8

, the pivoting axis member

55

protrudes through a tab

64

extending downward from the bottom surface

35

of the shooting table

11

at the rear end

37

thereof.

As shown in

FIG. 3

, the side beams

56

of the frame

57

, have the tabs

65

and

66

of the top

58

for providing a pivoting point for the supporting members

52

and

53

. As shown in

FIGS. 5

,

7

and

8

, the side surfaces of the side beams

56

and frame

57

are provided with a slot

67

so that the supporting member

52

may slide therewithin for adjustment of the position of the shooting table

11

.

The base

14

is mounted on the wheels

15

, as previously discussed, at least one of which has a locking mechanism

68

, shown in

FIGS. 3

,

5

,

7

, and

8

, for stably positioning the studio lighting system

10

at a desired location within the studio. These locking mechanisms are known to those skilled in the art, and any type is contemplated in the scope of the present invention, including heavy duty, lockable casters. The rear cove

12

defining another light holding module of the lighting system

10

, as best shown in

FIGS. 2-8

and

28

-

29

, has a concave body

69

, including an internal surface

70

, an external surface

71

, an upper end

72

and a lower end

73

pivotally mounted to the supporting flanges

54

at the rear end

37

of the shooting table

11

. Two side walls

74

and

75

, which may be formed as arched thin plates made of steel or like material, frame the concave body

69

on both sides thereof. Each side wall

74

,

75

extends between the upper end

72

and the lower end

73

of the concave body

69

. The side walls

74

,

75

are provided with the openings

26

, four of which are presented on

FIGS. 3

,

5

,

7

,

8

and

29

for the purpose of example. Similar to the beams

43

extending through the shooting table

11

, four spaced apart beams

76

extend between the side walls

74

and

75

, substantially in parallel to each other and to the upper and lower ends

72

and

73

, respectively.

The beams

76

of the rear cove

12

may be fastened to the side walls

74

,

75

by means of fasteners, adhesives, or may be integral to the side walls

74

and

75

. The beams

76

serve to carry lamp supporting units

44

and gel holders

45

, as will be described in following paragraphs.

Each opening

26

is provided with a lamp access cover

41

hinged to the side wall

74

or

75

by a hinge

40

at the upper end of the opening

26

. The internal surface

70

of the concave body

69

is a diffusing material

157

, which may be a translucent stearin having slightly textured finish. Other well-known types of diffusing material are contemplated within the scope of the studio lighting system

10

of the present invention. The external surface

71

of the concave body

69

is preferably made of the same or similar steel composition as the side walls

74

and

75

. Reflection sections

46

, similar to those carried within the shooting table

11

, are built-in within the concave body

69

and secured either to the beams

76

or to the external surface

71

at the inner side thereof. The reflection sections

46

are made of custom bent metal, for example, aluminum, provided for each lamp supporting unit

44

in order to reflect light irradiated from light sources in preferred direction. The reflection sections

46

may be parabolic parallel in cross-section thereof, as shown in

FIGS. 3

,

8

, and

29

, or may be linearly shaped in their cross-section, as shown in FIG.

28

.

The lower end

73

of the concave body

69

is provided with tabs

77

, which may have different shapes as shown in

FIGS. 3

,

8

,

28

, and

29

, and have openings

78

on each of the tabs

77

for allowing a pivoting axis member therethrough so that the rear cove

12

may pivot about the pivoting axis between the lower and upper position thereof. The pivoting axis of the rear cove

12

protrudes through both supporting flanges

54

and may co-extend with the pivoting axis member

55

of the shooting table

11

, as best shown in

FIGS. 2

,

3

, and

28

, or may be spaced from each other as shown in FIG.

8

. The tabs

77

of the rear cove

12

may be secured to the supporting flanges

54

from the outside as, for example, shown in

FIGS. 3 and 8

, or may be secured to the supporting flanges

54

from inside as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 7

.

FIGS. 3

,

5

,

7

, and

8

show a pair of spring-biased telescopically extending members

79

extending between the stand

61

and the external surface

71

of the rear cove

12

. A lower end

80

of the telescopically extending member

79

is pivotally coupled either to the supporting flange

54

, as shown for instance in

FIGS. 5

,

7

, and

8

, or to a tab

81

provided on the top

82

of the housing

62

, as shown in FIG.

3

.

The upper end

83

of the telescopically extending member

79

is pivotally secured to a tab

81

′ on the external surface

71

of the rear cove

12

. The telescopically extending member

79

includes a gas spring. When the rear cove

12

is in the “up” position, the telescopically extending member

79

is gas-spring loaded to this position, and as known to those skilled in the art, the use of gas springs allows the rear cove

12

, as well as the shooting table

11

, and the dome cove

13

to enjoy effortless positioning in any combination thereof.

Due to the relatively simple repositioning of the rear cove

12

, such may pivot with respect to the rear end

37

of the shooting table

11

, and may be raised up to 30 degrees and secured in any position.

A continuous utility bar

156

, shown in

FIGS. 1 and 29

, may extend the length of the upper end

72

between the side walls

74

and

75

to allow simple clamping of accessories thereto.

The dome cove

13

shown in

FIGS. 1-8

and

25

-

27

, has a curved body

84

including a rear portion

85

, a front portion

86

, and a pair of side edges

87

extending between the front portion

86

and said rear portion

85

. The curved body

84

has an inside surface

88

covered with a diffusing material

157

similar to the material covering the internal surface

70

of the rear cove

12

, and an outside surface

89

formed of steel or some like composition. The rear and the front portions

85

and

86

constitute two substantially identical arched plates formed of steel or like material and provided with a plurality of openings

27

, similar to the openings

25

on the shooting table

11

and the openings

26

on the rear cove

12

, eight of which are shown in the Drawings for example purposes. All opening contours are preferably square or parallelepiped shapes. Each of the rear and front portions

85

and

86

are divided into right and left sides

90

and

91

respectively with each having four of the openings

27

.

The right and left sides

90

,

91

may be secured to each other, as shown in

FIG. 2

, by overlapping their proximate ends and securing them by fastening means

92

or alternatively may be adhered to each other, or even formed in an integral manner to each other. Each opening

27

is provided with a hinged lamp access cover

41

hinged at the lower end of the opening

27

, in contrast to the disposition of the hinge

40

at the upper end of the openings

25

(shooting table) and

26

(rear cove).

Beams

93

, similar to the beams

76

of the rear cove

12

and to the beams

43

of the shooting table

11

, extend within the curved body

84

in parallel and spaced apart relation between the rear portion

85

and the front portion

86

and substantially in parallel to the side edges

87

of the curved body

84

. These beams

93

, similar to those in the rear cove

12

and the shooting table

11

, may be fastened to the rear portion

85

and the front portion

86

, adhered thereto or integral therewith.

The beams

93

serve for supporting the lamp supporting units

44

and for holding the gel holders

45

removably mounted thereto. Eight reflection sections

46

, as shown for example purposes in

FIGS. 2

,

25

, and

26

, are secured either to the beams

93

or to the outside surface

89

(from inner side thereof) of the dome cove