[0001] This invention relates to an album for transparent photographic reproductions, and
having a built-in lighting device.
[0002] More exactly, this invention relates to an album folder for transparencies or for
photographic reproductions on transparent films, said folder being endowed with a
battery-supplied lighting system that makes it possible to observe images without
having recourse to a projector or to a lighted stand.
[0003] In our time an ever increasing importance is given to the presentation of images
having the best aesthetic-emotional impact because of promotional, advertising or
commercial aims in general. Indeed, it is well known that graphic plans and the choice
of images as regards their synthetic and visual qualities are performed with great
care for realizing the so-called "Portfolio" or, more simply, a "Book", i.e., an album
that as a whole can transmit with the best quality and clearness all images and information
contained in it. To that aim, it might be of use to have recourse to prints on transparent
films, said prints being generally considered as the best type of photographic reproduction
as regards the visual, emotional and chromatic efficiency. To said aspect the consideration
is to be added that professional photographers who generally make use of transparencies
are often at a loss in showing them without employing each time a conventional projection
system. Sometimes in order to avoid such drawback, illuminated stands are employed
which anyway are always bulky even in the case of the various portable embodiments
commercially available at the present time.
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention suggests a prac tical solution to the problem
of viewing the photographic material on a transparent film, said solution consisting
in an album which comprises as a whole in itself both the aspect of an image-collecting
device and the aspect of a viewer for observing transparent films. Said album in short
consists of a folder containing in the region of the handle a lamp (possibly, a halogen
lamp), said lamp being provided with a directional parabolic reflector directed onto
a reflecting member that is a part of the album body, from which the light rays are
reflected onto the rear part of a transparence diffuser rigid sheet; a transparent
folder containing the photographic reproduction to be viewed is laid each time on
the front side of said sheet. A set of rings which can be opened (as are commonly
employed in albums) keeps all folders together, said folders being put in turn in
the viewing position by shifting the rigid sheet supporting the gathering rings.
[0005] Accordingly, it is a specific object of the present invention an album for transparent
photographic reproductions, said album comprising a member containing batteries capable
of supplying power to at least one lamp which is also contained in said member; a
sheet member having a specular surface which reflects incoherently the light beam
onto the rear portion of a rigid sheet which is a transparence diffuser; a positioning
or relief member for putting in position the specular surface sheet member at an optimal
angle for obtaining the best diffusion of the light beam coming from said at least
one lamp towards said transparence diffuser consisting of a rigid material sheet;
and a balance-pivoted rigid sheet member on whose top a set of rings is arranged gathering
together a plurality of transparent folders to be put in turn onto the illuminated
plane which consists of said transparence diffuser rigid material sheet, for viewing
said photographic material.
[0006] Again according to the present invention,said specular surface sheet is preferably
hinged to said transparence diffuser rigid material sheet which is in turn hinged
to the battery-containing member.
[0007] Further said rings are so positioned that said folders can rotate, pivoting on the
rings themselves, from a face of the balance-pivoted rigid sheet on which they are
assembled to the other one.
[0008] The album according to the present invention may also be provided with a handle member
that, more particularly, is positioned before said battery-containing member.
[0009] The present invention will be disclosed in the following just for illustrative and
not for limitative purposes, according to some preferred embodiments of the same
which are illustrated in the Figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the album in the closed position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the album in the open position; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the album during employment of the same.
[0010] Observing the figures of the enclosed drawings, it can be remarked that the album
according to the present invention comprises a part 1 for holding the same which is
made up of a pair of rigid sheet handles; the thickness of the album allows the folders
contained in the same to be viewed. Said album can be opened by exerting a pulling
action on the cover 2 through the tab 3 which, in the closed position, adheres to
the album body through a Velcro or the like.
[0011] When the cover 2 is opened, the member 4 that acts as a connection between the bottom
5 and the cover 2 itself, is laid down onto the supporting plane; the refer ence
numeral 7 points out the Velcro which, in the closed position, adheres to its counteracting
member 8. Now the assembly of sheets 9 and 10 which is hinged at 11 to the member
12 is lifted. Said sheet 9 consists of a transparence diffuser rigid material; it
is hinged to the sheet 10 along the line 13; the sheet 10 is made up of a rigid material
whose surface is shown in the drawing and is highly reflective but slightly wrinkled,
so that it does not reflect coherently the light beam, in order to obtain a better
light distribution on the sheet 9. The whole assembly 9-10 will be put in its working
position by bringing the sheet 10 into coincidence with the relief 14 which is integral
with the bottom 5. The balance-pivoted member 15, which in the closed position keeps
lying on the bottom is set free by lifting the assembly 9-10, and it can be lifted
perpendicularly; the set of rings 16 is fastened to the top of said plane, said rings
performing the function of gathering together the transparent folders 17 containing
the material to be viewed; the reference numeral 18 points out one of the folders
already in a position for being laid down onto the sheet 9 when such sheet has reached
its working position. The batteries 19 are housed inside the member 12, said batteries
supplying power to the lamp 20; the battery space can be reached through the door
21.
[0012] The sheet 10 rests against the relief 14 on the bottom 5. The lamp 20, which is
possibly a halogen lamp and is provided with a directional parabolic reflector, projects
a light beam onto the sheet 10, said beam following the path shown in dashed lines
22 impinges on said sheet and from there it is reflected onto the rear part of the
sheet 9 which is illuminated uniformly because it is a transparence diffuser. The
lamp 20 is housed within the member 12 and is supplied with power by the adjacent
batteries 11, said lamp being switched on through the switch 23 which can be reached
from the outside. The member 15, oscillating on its hinge 24, allows the folders 17
to be put in turn onto the viewing plane of said sheet 9. More particularly, the Figure
shows a folder 18 laid on the plane of the sheet 9 while folders already viewed 6
are in contact with the rear face of the sheet 10, and folders to be viewed 17 are
on the opposite side of the balance-pivoted member 15. In order to view the next folder
17, it will be sufficient to shift rearwards the member 15 which will carry with itself
the folder 18, said folder being so added to the other ones 6, within the interspace
between the sheet 10 and said member 15. At that point, the member 15 will be brought
to the position shown in Figure 3; then, the first folder will be lifted from the
group of folders 17, and such folder will be laid down onto the viewing position 9
through rotation on the rings 16.
[0013] This invention has been disclosed according to some preferred embodiments of the
same,but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced
in the same without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention for which
a priority right is claimed.
1. An album for transparent photographic reproductions, said album being characterized
in that it comprises a member containing batteries capable of supplying power to
at least one lamp which is also contained in the member itself; a specular surface
sheet member which reflects incoherently the light beam onto the rear part of a transparence
diffuser rigid material sheet; a positioning or relief member for putting in position
the specular surface sheet member at the optimal angle for obtaining the best diffusion
of the light beam coming from said at least one lamp towards the transparence diffuser
rigid material sheet; and a balance-pivoted rigid sheet member on whose top a set
of rings is assembled, said rings gathering together a plurality of transparent folders
to be put in turn onto the illuminated plane consisting of said transparence diffuser
rigid material sheet for viewing the photographic matter.
2. An album for transparent photographic reproductions according to claim 1, characterized
in that the specular surface sheet member is hinged with the transparence diffuser
rigid material sheet, which is in turn hinged to the battery-containing member.
3. An album for transparent photographic reproductions according to claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that said gathering rings are so arranged that folders can rotate
as pivoted on the rings themselves from a face of the balance-pivoted rigid sheet
on which the rings are assembled to the other face of the same sheet.
4. An album for transparent photographic reproductions according to any one of the
preceding claims and characterized in that it is provided with a part for holding
the same.