Reflector Rail Adapter With Integrated Flags for Stray Light Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting setups in video, film, and television studios face challenges with reflectors, requiring multiple tripods and labor-intensive setups to manage light absorption and reflection, leading to significant material, space, and time expenditures.

Innovation Solution

A combination device that integrates a shielding flag with a reflector, using a tripod adapter to reduce the number of tripods needed and simplify setup, allowing for flexible positioning and adjustment of reflectors and flags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple separate tripods are used to support shielding flags around reflectors, then light management effectiveness is improved, but material expenditure and setup complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestray light controlVSAvoidnumber of tripods and flags
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate shielding flags and their supporting tripods into a single integrated reflector device. The shielding structure is merged with the reflector body, eliminating the need for separate flag tripods while maintaining effective stray light control around the reflector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated reflector device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the primary reflecting surface for light direction, incorporates shielding structures to control stray light, and includes positioning mechanisms for adjustable orientation. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If separate shielding flags are positioned around reflectors, then stray light is effectively blocked, but labor expenditure and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestray light blockingVSAvoidsetup and adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding structures are integrated into the reflector device as a unified assembly. This merging allows the entire unit including shielding elements to be positioned and adjusted as one component, dramatically reducing the time required compared to manually setting up multiple separate flags and their tripods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated reflector device incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning of the entire assembly including shielding elements. This enables quick adaptation to different lighting conditions without the labor-intensive process of reconfiguring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple separate tripods and flags are used for each reflector, then complete light coverage is achieved, but space requirements and storage needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight coverage controlVSAvoidstudio space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the shielding structures directly into the reflector device, the patent eliminates the space required for multiple separate flag tripods. The compact integrated design occupies significantly less studio space while maintaining complete light coverage control through the built-in shielding elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If separately mounted shielding flags are used for each reflector position, then precise light control is achieved, but adaptability to different scenes decreases due to setup complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight control precisionVSAvoidscene-to-scene reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated reflector device incorporates adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning of the reflector surface and shielding structures. This enables precise light control for different scene requirements while maintaining high adaptability, as the entire assembly can be quickly reconfigured without the complexity of managing multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The versatile integrated design allows the same device to adapt to various lighting scenarios through its adjustable reflector surface and built-in shielding. This multi-functionality provides precise light control across different scenes without requiring multiple specialized setups, enhancing both precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces material, space, and labor requirements while enabling efficient light management with fewer tripods, allowing for quick adaptation to different lighting conditions and reflection needs.

Implementation Method 1

the light from at least one spotlight is often directed onto at least one reflector positioned separately from the spotlight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the skilled person in the prior art resorts to light-absorbing flags or banners that are set up or hung separately on all sides of the reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4252069B1Shielding flag device for combination with a reflector device, and stand adapter as coupling device for same
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 DEDO WEIGERT FILM
  • EP4252069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4252069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4252069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shielding flag device for combination with a reflector device. The reflector device is a flat structure (1) with a front side (2) and a rear side (3). The front side (2) is light-reflecting. The rear side (3) is provided with a rail device (4), which is designed such that a coupling device (5, 36), which is also provided and adapted to the rail device (4), can engage with the rail device in a lockable manner such that a location of the rail device (4) relative to the coupling device (5, 36) is adjustably variable in the longitudinal direction of the rail device (4) and the coupling device (5, 36) can be locked in the rail device (4) in a plurality of different positions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rail device (4). The coupling device (5, 36) is provided to detachably fasten the flat structure (1) provided with the rail device (4) to a stand device (6, 7, 41, 44) and/or to a suspension device and is designed accordingly. The coupling device (5, 36) is designed so as to serve as the base for a shielding flag (11) stretched around the coupling device. As a special embodiment of a coupling device (5) or as part of a special coupling device (36), a stand adapter has a cylindrical portion (31) with at least two blind hole openings (32, 33, 34, 35), each of which protruding into the cylindrical portion (31) transversely to the longitudinal direction, being offset from one another in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion (31) and being suitable to receive a rod (12, 13, 14, 15) so that, with the aid of said rods (12, 13, 14, 15), the shielding flag (11) can then be stretched around the stand adapter.