Multi-Light Mounting Plate for Compact Universal Photo Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speedrings limit lighting techniques as they can only couple with one light source, are not universally compatible due to size differences, and are bulky, occupying significant storage space.
Innovation Solution
A mounting plate with multiple exterior edges, each with a mounting interface, featuring cold shoe mounts, pole mounts, umbrella mounts, and stand mounts, allowing for the secure attachment and flexible configuration of multiple light sources, including speedlights, umbrellas, and Soft boxes, with adjustable extensions and mounts for various lighting setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a speedring is used to attach a light source, then the light source can be securely mounted, but only one light source can be attached at a time and compatibility is limited to specific brands
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with multiple types of mounting interfaces (cold shoe mounts, umbrella mounts, stand mounts) that can accommodate various light sources and accessories from different manufacturers. This universal design allows a single plate to replace multiple specialized speedrings, achieving compatibility across different brands and types of lighting equipment without requiring separate mounting devices for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate divides the attachment function into separate, specialized interfaces (cold shoe, umbrella, stand mounts) rather than using a single universal coupling mechanism. Each interface is optimized for its specific type of attachment, allowing secure mounting of different light sources simultaneously while maintaining the security and stability needed for each type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple speedrings are used to attach multiple light sources, then various lighting configurations are possible, but storage space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized mounting functions (cold shoe mounting, umbrella mounting, stand mounting) into a single integrated mounting plate. This consolidation allows photographers to attach multiple light sources and accessories to one plate instead of needing separate speedrings for each, significantly reducing the number of components that need to be stored and carried.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal mounting plate design replaces the need for multiple brand-specific speedrings with a single multi-functional plate that can accommodate various light sources and accessories, reducing storage requirements while maintaining versatility in lighting configurations.
3Strength
If speedrings with secure coupling mechanisms are used, then light sources are firmly attached, but the speedrings become bulky and occupy more space
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate uses segmented, specialized interfaces (cold shoe, umbrella, stand mounts) that are optimized for their specific attachment functions. Each interface provides secure mounting appropriate to its type without requiring a bulky universal coupling mechanism, achieving strong attachment security with a more compact overall design.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a mounting plate having a plurality of exterior edges. Each edge of the mounting plate has a mounting interface. Between each of the exterior edges is a flattened corner. Each of the planar corners has a pole mount disposed therein. The mounting plate also has a plurality of interior projections, each of the plurality of interior projections being disposed on an inner side of each of the planar corners. At least one of the plurality of interior projections has a stand mount disposed therein and at least a second one of the plurality of interior projections has an umbrella mount disposed therein.