Lighting device

Abstract

The lighting device (e.g., softbox) 1 comprises a funnel-shaped reflector 3 including a plurality of first rods 7, a flexible material 9 attached thereto, and a plurality of first connectors 35 each attached adjacent one of the first rods; and a supporting structure 5 for supporting a light source and including a socket 21 and a plurality of second rods 23. Each second rod has an end attached to the socket and another releasably connected to one of the first connectors, e.g., by hook-and-loop fastening 38+39 or by insertion in a selected pocket (figure 5). The second rods may be distributed around and optionally extend away from a central axis 15. At least one second rod may be pivotable in a circumferential direction and optionally blocked from pivoting in an orthogonal direction. The second rods may be elastically deformed in use. Also claimed are a supporting structure of variable size and a reflector including first connectors extending partially along first rods.

Description

18 1024 The invention relates to a lighting device. The invention relates also to a method of using a lighting device. 5 Herein, the invention relates to lighting devices which can be used for illumination purposes. An example of such lighting device is a softbox having a funnel-shaped reflector which can be used for illumination in film locations, for example. 10 A lighting device known from GB 2 425 589 A has a funnel-shaped reflector which includes an adjustable connection ring for attachment to light sources of different sizes. Nowadays, light sources having LED lights are heavily used for illumination purposes. These light sources are available in a large variety of formats differing with respect to the number of 15 LED lights per unit area and with respect to the lengths and widths of the areas providing the LED lights. It is desirable to be able to use a given reflector with various light sources, and to use a given light source with various types of reflectors. 20 The technology known from GB 2 425 589 A does not offer a sufficient flexibility to be able to combine the large number of different available light sources will different types of reflectors. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reflector and a supporting 25 structure for the reflector which are adaptable to various types of light sources. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of using a lighting device which facilitates a daily use of such lighting device for different locations According to embodiments of the invention, a lighting device comprises a funnel-shaped 30 reflector and a supporting structure configured to support at least one light source and configured to apply a supporting force to the funnel-shaped reflector to prevent the reflector from collapsing. According to some embodiments, the connection between the supporting structure and the reflector is flexible such that supporting structures of different sizes can be used with a same reflector. Therefore, a supporting structure of a size which can be used together with a desired light source can be selected, and this selected supporting structure can be used together with a 5 given reflector due to the flexible configuration of the connection between the reflector and the supporting structure. According to a first aspect, a lighting device is provided in accordance with claim 1. 10 According to some embodiments the supporting structure is provided in which a central axis can be assigned to the supporting structure. If the supporting structure is attached to the funnel-shaped reflector, this central axis will approximately coincide with a central axis which can be assigned to the funnel-shaped reflector. According to some embodiments, the plurality of second rods extend away from the central axis, and the second ends of the plurality of second rods are 15 distributed around the central axis. When the funnel-shaped reflector and the supporting structure are connected, the second rods can be elastically deformed to apply a supporting force to the first rods of the funnel-shaped reflector such that the supporting force prevents the reflector from collapsing. 00 ■^—20 According to some embodiments, the supporting structure includes at least one pivotable rod, wherein the first end of the pivotable rod is hinged to the socket such that the pivotable rod is pivotable relative to the socket in a circumferential direction about the central axis. Herein, the pivoting of the second rod in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction about the central axis can be blocked. The pivotable rod increases the flexibility of combining the 25 supporting structure with various types of funnel-shaped reflectors. According to some embodiments, the supporting structure comprises a plurality of sockets, wherein the supporting structure has a variable size such that distances between pairs of the plurality of sockets are adjustable. Such embodiment allows to adapt a given supporting structure 30 to various sizes of light sources. Moreover, the flexible connection between the first and second rods allows to use a same reflector and a same supporting structure adapted to various sizes of light sources. According to some embodiments, the first connectors each extend along one of the first rods over a length greater than 0.30 times a length of the first rod, or 0.45 times the length of the first rod or 0.60 times the length of the first rod. The extended arrangement of the first connectors offers flexibility to attach the second ends of the second rods of the supporting structure of 5 various sizes. Each of the first connectors may comprise a plurality of pockets distributed along a portion of a first rod, wherein the second end one of the second rods can be inserted into one of these pockets. 10 According to some embodiments, each of the first connectors is located with a first distance to the first end of one of the first rods, wherein the first distance is greater than 0.05 times the length of one the first rods, in particular greater than 0.1 times the length of one of the first rods, and in particular greater than 0.15 times the length of one of the first rods. 15 According to some embodiments, each of the first connectors is located with a second distance to the second end of one of the first rods, wherein the second distance is greater than 0.05 times the length of one the first rods, in particular greater than 0.1 times the length of one of the first rods, co and in particular greater than 0.15 times the length of one of the first rods. T—20 Such configurations can not only save some materials of the first connectors compared to the case, in which each of the first connectors has to extend along the whole length of one of the first rods, but more importantly enhance the adaptability of the first connectors. More specifically, the first connectors do not have to be located either at the first end or at the second end of the first 25 rods. According to some embodiments, the supporting structure includes second connectors attached to the second ends of the second rods, wherein the second connectors are configured to connect to the first connectors. For example, the first and second connectors can be the hook portion 30 and / or the respective loop portion of a hook-and-loop-fastener. According to some embodiments, a funnel-shaped reflector is provided. 18 1024 According to a second aspect, a method of using a lighting device is provided in accordance with claim 20. Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the figures below. Herein: Figure 1      is a plan view of a lighting device according to an embodiment; Figure 2      is a sectional view of the lighting device shown in figure 1 along a line II-II shown in figure 1; Figure 3      is a plan view of a portion of a lighting device according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 4      is a sectional view illustrating a portion of a lighting device including a pivotable rod according to a second embodiment; and Figure 5 is a sectional view corresponding to figure 2 of a lighting device according to a third embodiment. Figure 6 is a front view of a portable bag for storage and transportation of a folded reflector and a supporting structure. Detailed description A lighting device according to a first embodiment will be illustrated with reference to figures 1 and 2 below. Figure 1 is a plan view of a lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment, and figure 2 is a sectional view of the lighting device 1 along a line II-II shown in figure 1. The lighting device 1 is a softbox and comprises a funnel-shaped reflector 3 and a supporting structure 5. The funnel-shaped reflector 3 includes eight rods 7 and a flexible material 9 attached to the eight rods 7. The funnel-shaped reflector 3 has a proximal end 11 and a distal end 13. A main axis 15 can be assigned to the funnel-shaped reflector 3, wherein the main axis 15 is approximately an axis of symmetry of the funnel-shaped reflector. A circumference of the reflector about the axis 15 at the distal edge 13 is greater than a circumference of the reflector 3 around the axis 15 at the proximal edge 11. The reflector 3 can be made of any flat material, such as a textile material, or any material suitable for a conventional softbox. For example, the flat material can be black on the outer surface and white or reflective on the inner surface of the reflector 3. The rods can be made of any flexible material such as reinforced fiber materials. The number of eight rods 7 is an exemplary number in this embodiment. A number of three, four, five, six or seven rods, or a number of nine or more rods can be used. In the section shown in figure 2, the rods 7 are attached to the outer surface of the funnel-shaped reflector 3. However, it is also possible that the rods 7 are attached to the inside of the funnel-shaped reflector 3, or the rods can be embedded within the funnel-shaped reflector 3 or attached to the funnel-shaped reflector 3 by any other suitable means. The supporting structure 5 comprises a socket 21 and eight rods 23 attached to the socket 21. The socket 21 comprises a frame 25 having a rectangular shape in the plan view of figure 1, and eight sleeves 27 inserted into the frame 25. A first end 29 of each rod 23 is inserted into one of the sleeves 27 such that the first end 29 of the rod 23 is rigidly attached to the socket 21. A second end 31 of the rod 23 is attached to a connector 33 configured to be attached to a connector 35 attached to the funnel-shaped reflector 3. The connector 33 provides a pocket 37 into which the second end 31 of the rod 23 is inserted. The pocket can be formed of, for example, a textile material adhered to the reflector 3 by sewing or by an adhesive. The connector 33 further includes a hook portion 39 of a hook-and-loop-fastener. The connector 35 includes a loop portion 38 of this hook-and-loop-fastener such that the connector 33 can be connected to the connector 35 by bringing the hook portion 39 into contact with the loop portion 38 provided on the surface of the connector 35. By connecting the connector 33 to the connector 35, the supporting structure 5 is connected to the funnel-shaped reflector 3. The connector 35 extends over a significant portion along a length L of the rod 7 of the funnel-shaped reflector 3. In the example illustrated in figure 2, the connector 35 extends over the full length L of the rod 7 except a portion of a length dl at the proximal edge 11 of the funnel-shaped reflector 3 and a portion of a length d2 at the distal edge 13 of the funnel-shaped reflector 3. In particular, the length over which the connector 35 extends is equal to the length L of the rod 7 minus dl minus d2. This length L - (dl + d2) is greater than 0.30 times L. The connector 35 is located with a first distance as denoted by length dl to the first end 17 of the rod 7. The first end 17 corresponds to the proximal edge 11 of the funnel-shaped reflector 3. According to the first embodiment as illustrated in figure 2, the first distance, namely the length dl is configured to be greater than 0.05 times the length of one of the rods 7, in particular greater than 0.1 times the length of one of the rods 7, and in particular greater than 0.15 times the length of one of the rods 7. On the other hand, the connector 35 is located with a second distance as denoted by length d2 to the second end 19 of the rod 7. The second end 19 corresponds to the distal edge 13 of the funnel-shaped reflector 3. According to the first embodiment as illustrated in figure 2, the second distance, namely the length d2 is configured to be greater than 0.05 times the length of one of the rods 7, in particular greater than 0.1 times the length of one of the rods 7, and in particular greater than 0.15 times the length of one of the rods 7. By means of above mentioned configuration regarding the first and second distances dl and d2, some materials of the connector 35 can be saved. More importantly, the connector 35 does not have to be located at either the first end or the second end of one of the rods 7, thereby enhancing the adaptability of the connection between the funnel-shaped reflector 3 and the corresponding supporting structure 5. Due to the significant extension of the connector 35 along the rod 7 of the funnel-shaped reflector 3, it is possible to select a position in the longitudinal direction of the rod 7 where the connector 33 is attached to the connector 35. By suitably selecting this position where the connector 33 is attached to the connector 35, it is possible to generate a force indicated by an arrow 41 in figure 2 applied by the second end 31 of the rod 23 to the rod 7. Such force 41 is generated by each of the eight rods 23 distributed about the axis 15 such that these eight forces 41 support the funnel-shaped reflector 3 in its desired shape and prevent the reflector 3 from collapsing. Each of these forces 41 is generated by the elastic deformation of the rods 23. The rods 23 normally have a straight shape. Due to the selection of the positions where the connectors 33 are attached to the connectors 35, the rods 23 are bent to have a curved shape, and they generate the forces 41 trying to restore the rods 23 to their straight shape. It the section of figure 2, it can be seen that the rod 23 approaches the rod 7 towards its distal edge 13. In other words, a distance between the rod 23 and the rod 7 decreases with the distance from the connector 33. The supporting structure 5 is configured to support at least one light source. In the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, one light source 45 is attached to the supporting structure 5. Specifically, the light source 45 is a LED light source having a light-emitting portion 46, a body portion 47 and electrical connectors 48. The light source 45 is supported at the supporting structure 5 via a plate 49 on which the light source 45 is mounted and which is fixed to the frame 25 of the socket 21 via screws 51. More than one light source 45 can be mounted on the plate 49 and supported on the supporting structure 5. In some embodiments, 10 or 100 or more LED light sources 45 are mounted on the plate 49 and supported at the supporting structure 5. In some situations, a supporting structure 5 having a larger frame 25 can be used for accommodating a higher number of light sources 45. Such larger frame 25 results in positions of the sleeves 27 differing from the positions shown in figures 1 and 2 for the first embodiment. However, since the position where the connectors 33 are connected to the connectors 35 can be selected by the user, supporting structures 5 having frames 25 of different sizes can be used together with a same funnel-shaped reflector 3. Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of a lighting device la according to a second embodiment. The lighting device la of the second embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration of the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, wherein components of the lighting device la having a similar structure and function to the components of the lighting device 1 denoted by the same reference numerals but supplemented by the character "a". The second embodiment will be illustrated with reference to figure 3 below, mainly focusing on the illustration of components differing from the corresponding components of the first embodiment. The other components of the second embodiment similar to components of the first embodiment will not be further illustrated with reference to figure 3, and reference should be made to the description of the first embodiment and to the introductory portion of the specification for obtaining a full understanding of these components. The lighting device la comprises a funnel-shaped reflector not further illustrated in figure 3, and a supporting structure 5a having four sockets 21a. Each socket 21a is provided with two sleeves 27a, into which ends of the rods of the supporting structure 5a are inserted into the sleeves 27a. The sockets 21a are provided by elongated rectangular bars having ends inserted into edge elements 61 such that the four edge elements 61 and sockets 21a form a rectangular frame 25a. The sockets 21a can be inserted into the edge elements 61 by a depth e which can be selected by the user, wherein a position of the sockets 21a in the edge elements 61 can be fixed by screws (not shown in figure 3), for example. By appropriately selecting the depth e, it is possible to adjust distances f and g between pairs of sockets 21a. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the size of the supporting structure 5a to a size necessary to attach a desired light source or an array of light sources to the supporting structure 5a. Again, due to the configuration of the connector 35 of the funnel-shaped reflector 9, it is possible to use a same funnel-shaped reflector 9 with the same supporting structure 5a adjusted to variable sizes f, g. A third embodiment will be illustrated with reference to figure 4 below. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a portion of a lighting device lb according to the third embodiment. The lighting device lb of the third embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration of the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, wherein components of the lighting device lb having a similar structure and function to the components of the lighting device 1 denoted by the same reference numerals but supplemented by the character "b". The third embodiment will be illustrated with reference to figure 4 below, mainly focusing on the illustration of components differing from the corresponding components of the first embodiment. The other components of the third embodiment similar to components of the first embodiment will not be further illustrated with reference to figure 4, and reference should be made to the description of the first and second embodiments and to the introductory portion of the specification for obtaining a full understanding of these components. The lighting device lb differs from the lighting devices 1 and la shown in figures 1 to 3 above mainly in how rods 23b are attached to a socket 21b. In figure 4, end 29b of the rod 23b is bent by about 90° relative to a main portion of the rod 23b and inserted into a through-hole 65 provided in the socket 21b, wherein the end 29b of the rod 23b is secured in the through-hole 65 by a nut 67, for example. This configuration allows the rod 23 to be rotated about an axis 69 parallel to the central axis 15b of a funnel-shaped reflector, not shown in figure 4, as indicated by an arrow 71 in figure 4. However, this configuration does not allow substantial rotation in a direction indicated by an arrow 73 in figure 1. In other words, the rod 23b is blocked from pivoting in the direction 73 orthogonal to the circumferential direction 71 about the central axis 15b. This ensures that the rods 23b can be bent in order to generate forces (see arrow 41 in figure 2) for supporting the funnel-shaped reflector. However, the pivoting which is possible in the direction 71 about the axis 69 offers some degrees of freedom for attaching the other ends of the rods 23b to the connectors provided close to the rods of the funnel-shaped reflector when the size of the supporting structure 5b (see distance f, g in figure 3) is changed. A fourth embodiment will be illustrated with reference to figure 5 below. The lighting device 1c of the fourth embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration of the lighting device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, wherein components of the lighting device 1c having a similar structure and function to the components of the lighting device 1 denoted by the same reference numerals but supplemented by the character "c". The fourth embodiment will be illustrated with reference to figure 5 below, mainly focusing on the illustration of components differing from the corresponding components of the first embodiment. The other components of the fourth embodiment similar to components of the first embodiment will not be further illustrated with reference to figure 5, and reference should be made to the description of the first, second and third embodiments and to the introductory portion of the specification for obtaining a full understanding of these components. Figure 5 is a sectional view of a portion of a lighting device 1c similar to the sectional view of figure 2. The lighting device 1c differs from the lighting device 1 illustrated in figures 1 and 2 mainly in the configuration of the connection between second ends 31c of rods 23c of a supporting structure 5c to a connector 35c attached to a funnel-shaped reflector 3c. The connection between the rods 23c and the funnel-shaped reflector 3c is not provided by a hook-and-loop-fastener in the embodiment shown in figure 5. Specifically, the connector 35c comprises a plurality of pockets 75 distributed along a portion of rods 7c of the funnel-shaped reflector 3c. The portion having the pockets 75 extends along a length L and of the rod 7c except a portion having a length dl at a peripheral edge 11c of the funnel-shaped reflector 3c and a portion having a length d2 at the distal end 13c of the funnel-shaped reflector 3c. The plurality of pockets 75 offers a plurality of positions along the length L of the rod 7c where the end 31c of the road 23c can be connected to the funnel-shaped reflector 3c, such that a same funnel-shaped reflector 3c can be used with supporting structures 5c of differing sizes. The length over which the connector 35c extends is equal to the length L of the rod 7c minus dl minus d2. In the embodiments, this length L - (dl + d2) > 0.30 x L. Figure 6 is a front view of a portable bag 81 for storage and transportation of a folded funnel-shaped reflector 3 and a supporting structure 5. The portable bag 81 is composed of a quasi-rectangular bag body denoted by 83, which is made of lightweight material, such as polyester. There is one opening portion 85 of the bag body 83. The opening portion 85 is configured to be large enough, so that the folded funnel-shaped reflector 3 and the supporting structure 5 which includes at least one socket 21 and a plurality of second rods 23 can be inserted into the bag body 83 without any difficulty. The opening portion 85 is provided with a locking mechanism 89 in order to close the opening portion 85 during the transportation. The locking mechanism 89 can be a zip or a hook-and-loop-fastener. A pair of handles are attached near the opening portion 85 of the portable bag 81 in order to facilitate the transportation of the lighting device. After the lighting device has been transported to the target location such as film or photography locations, the folded reflector 3 and a supporting structure 5 including at least one socket 21 and a plurality of second rods 23 are first of all extracted from the portable bag 81. The folded reflector 3 is then spanned to a funnel-shaped reflector 3 as illustrated in figure 1. Thereafter, a first end 29 of each of the plurality of second rods 23 is attached to the at least one socket 21 by means of a corresponding sleeve 27. A second end 31 of each of the plurality of second rods 23 is attached to one of the first connectors 35. According to one embodiment, each of the first connectors 35 comprises a plurality of pockets 75 which are distributed along at least one portion of one of the plurality of first rods 7, so that the second end 31 of each of the plurality of second rods 23 can be inserted into one of the plurality of pockets 75 according to the length of each of the plurality of second rods 23 and the size of the at least one socket 21. According to a further embodiment, each of the first connectors 35 comprises a hook portion 39 or a look portion 38 of a hook-and-look-fastener. In case that each of the first connectors 35 comprises a hook portion 39, the complementary loop portion 38 is attached at the second end 31 of each of the plurality of second rods 23. In case that each of the first connectors 35 comprises a loop portion 38, the complementary hook portion 39 is attached at the second end 31 of each of the plurality of second rods 23. After each of the second end 31 of the plurality of second rods 23 is attached to each of the first connectors 35, the at least one light source can be operated. Thereafter, the second end 31 of each of the plurality of second rods 23 can be released from the corresponding one of the plurality of first connectors 35 and the first end 29 of each of the plurality of second rods 23 can be released from the corresponding sleeve 27 of the at least one socket. At this stage, the reflector 3, the plurality of second rods 23 and the at least one socket 21 are disconnected from one another. Then, the funnel-shaped reflector 3 can be conveniently folded into a trapezoid collapsed form as illustrated in figure 6 with the reference sign 3. Finally, the folded reflector 3, the plurality of second rods 23 and the at least one socket 21 can be inserted into the portable bag 81 for storage and transportation.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1), comprising:a funnel-shaped reflector (3) includinga plurality of first rods (7),a flexible material (9) attached to the plurality of first rods (7), anda plurality of first connectors (35), wherein each of the plurality of first connectors (35) is attached to the reflector (3) at a position adjacent to one of the plurality of first rods (7); anda supporting structure (5) configured to support at least one light source (45) and including at least one socket (21), anda plurality of second rods (23),wherein each of the plurality of second rods (23) has a first end (29) and a second end (31);wherein the first end (29) of a second rod (23) is attached to a socket (21); andwherein the second end (31) of each of the plurality of second rods (23) is releasably connected to a corresponding one of the first connectors (35), so that a position where the second end (31) of the second rod (23) is connected to the first connector (35) is adjustable in a direction of extension of the first rod (7).

2. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1,wherein the supporting structure (5) has a central axis (15);wherein each of the plurality of second rods (23) extend away from the central axis (15); andwherein the second ends (31) of the plurality of second rods (23) are distributed around the central axis (15).

3. The lighting device (1) according to claim 2,wherein the plurality of the second rods (23) includes at least one pivotable rod(23b),18 1024wherein the first end (29b) of the at least one pivotable rod (23b) is hinged to the at least one socket (21b) such that the pivotable rod (23b) is pivotable relative to the at least one socket (21b) in a circumferential direction (71) about the central axis (15b).

4. The lighting device (1) according to claim 3, wherein pivoting in a direction (73) orthogonal to the circumferential direction (71) about the central axis (15b) of the pivotable rod (23b) is blocked.

5. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of second rods (23) are elastically deformed to apply a supporting force (41) to the plurality of first rods (7) of the funnel-shaped reflector (3); andwherein the supporting force (41) prevents the reflector (3) from collapsing.

6. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supporting structure (5 a) comprises a plurality of sockets (21a); and wherein the supporting structure (5 a) has a variable size such that distances (f, g) between pairs of the plurality of sockets (21a) are adjustable.

7. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of first connectors (35c) comprises a plurality of pockets (75) distributed along at least a portion of one of the first rods (7c); and wherein the second end (31c) of one of the plurality of second rods (23c) is inserted into one of the plurality of the pockets (75).

8. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the supporting structure (5) includes at least one second connector (33) attached to the second end (31) of one of the second rods (23),wherein the second connector (33) is configured to connect to one of the first connectors (35, 35c).

9. The lighting device (1) according to claim 8,wherein the first connector (35) is a hook portion (39) of a hook-and-loop-fastener and the second connector (33) is a loop portion (38) of the hook-and-loop-fastener; orwherein the first connector (35) is a loop portion (38) of a hook-and-loop-fastener and the second connector (33) is a hook portion (39) of the hook-and-loop-fastener.

10. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9,wherein the reflector (3) has a proximal edge (11) and a distal edge (13);wherein a circumference of the reflector (3) at the distal edge (13) is greater thana circumference of the reflector (3) at the proximal edge (11); andwherein each of the plurality of first rods (7) extends from the proximal edge(11) of the reflector (3) to the distal edge (13) of the reflector (3).

11. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the first connectors (35) extends along the one of the first rods (7) over a length greater than 0.30 times a length of the one of the first rods (7).0012. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the first connectors (35) extends along the one of the first rods (7) over a length greater than 0.45 times the length of the one of the first rods (7).

13. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the first connectors (35) extends along the one of the first rods (7) over a length greater than 0.60 times the length of the one of the first rods (7).

14. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the first connectors (35) is located with a first distance to a first end (17) of each of the first rods (7), wherein the first distance is greater than 0.05 times the length of one of the first rods (7).

15. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the first connectors (35) is located with a first distance to a first end (17) of each of the first rods (7), wherein the first distance is greater than 0.1 times the length of one of the first rods (7).

16. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the first connectors (35) is located with a first distance to a first end (17) of each of the first rods (7), wherein the first distance is greater than 0.15 times the length of one of the first rods (7).

17. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the first connectors (35) is located with a second distance to a second end (19) of each of the first rods (7), wherein the second distance is greater than 0.05 times the length of one of the first rods (7).

18. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the first connectors (35) is located with a second distance to a second end (19) of each of the first rods (7), wherein the second distance is greater than 0.1 times the length of one of the first rods (7).

19. The lighting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the first connectors (35) is located with a second distance to a second end (19) of each of the first rods (7), wherein the second distance is greater than 0.15 times the length of one of the first rods (7).

20. A method of using a lighting device (1), comprising:extracting a reflector (3) and a supporting structure (5) from a portable bag (81), wherein the reflector (3) includes a plurality of first rods (7), a flexible material (9) attached to the plurality of first rods (7) and a plurality of first connectors (35),wherein each of the plurality of first connectors (35) is attached to the reflector (3) at a position adjacent to one of the plurality of first rods, andCXIwherein the supporting structure (5) is configured to support at least one light source (45) and includes at least one socket (21) and a plurality of second rods (23);mounting the lighting device (1) by attaching a first end (29) of each of the plurality of second rods (23) to a corresponding socket (21);attaching a second end (31) of each of the plurality of second rods (23) to a corresponding first connector (35), wherein a position at which the second end (31) of the second rod (23) is connected to the first connector (35) may be adjusted in a direction of extension of the first rod (7);operating the at least one light source (45);dismounting the lighting device (1) by releasing the second end (31) of each of theplurality of second rods (23) from the corresponding one of the plurality of first connectors (35);releasing the first end (29) of each of the plurality of second rods (23) from the at least one socket (21); andinserting the reflector (3) and the supporting structure (5) into the portable bag (81).co

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