Abstract: A luminaire having both a direct and indirect lighting component is provided. The luminaire includes a fixture including a lamp. A neutral density polymeric material is disposed below the lamp. The neutral density polymeric material includes a polymeric substrate carrying a predetermined pattern for reflecting and transmitting incident light from the lamp.

Abstract: A direct spark ignition control system is provided for controlling for a gas fireplace burner. A solenoid is operatively controlled for supplying gas to the gas fireplace burner. A high voltage spark ignition circuit is operatively controlled for generating ignition sparks near the gas fireplace burner. A flame sensing circuit coupled to the gas fireplace burner provides a feedback signal to activate and deactivate the high voltage spark ignition circuit. A timing and control circuit provides a control signal to energize the solenoid and provides a control signal to deactivate the high voltage spark ignition circuit and a control signal to deenergize the solenoid after a set time period with the burner flame feedback signal activated.

Abstract: A valve assembly for inflatable bladders, including beds, balls, toys, and other inflatable objects includes a locking mechanism within the valve for releasably holding the valve opened. The valve acts in three distinct ways. In a first way the valve is closed maintaining the bladder internal pressure. In a second way the valve may be incrementally opened by a user to release the internal pressure to suit the user. In a third way the valve may be opened and locked or latched to remain open allowing the deflation of the bladder. A spring provides a return force to close the valve when the lock is not engaged. Air pressure from outside the bladder supplied by a pump or the like will force the valve diaphragm open against the spring and allow air to enter. The diaphragm is made of a resilient seal material. The locking mechanism is engaged by pressing the diaphragm open and twisting to engage a lock.

Abstract: A security closures are adapted to be secured over windows or other openings in a wall of a building. The security closures are fixed to the building in a manner to substantially prevent removal of the closure from the exterior of the building. On the other hand, the security closures provide ways to secure the security closures from the interior of the building while minimizing any obstruction to work being done inside the building.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly is provided for use with a gas stove top. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base with an inlet receiving a mixture of gas and primary air. A burner cap is supported by the burner base. The burner base and the burner cap together define a burner fuel chamber. The burner cap includes a plurality of main burner ports where the air and gas mixture exits and burns in the presence of secondary air. A spark ignition assembly is operatively associated with the burner base for igniting the mixture. The burner cap includes an ignition pocket for capturing gas for reignition for drafts or door slam conditions. A venturi assembly communicates with the burner base inlet providing the air and gas mixture. The venturi assembly includes mounting features for mounting the gas burner assembly to the gas stove, thereby eliminating the need for fasteners to secure the burner base to the gas stove.

Abstract: A spark ignition electrode assembly includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulative support member receiving and positioning the electrode wire proximate to the gas burner. The electrically insulative support member includes a threaded outer wall portion for receipt within a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cooktop wall. The threaded outer wall portion is threadingly inserted in the corresponding cooktop aperture for positioning the spark ignition electrode assembly with the gas burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting a pair of telephone lines and similar data communication channels from overvoltage and transients. A filter for filtering noise and transient voltage signals above desired data signals on telephone lines and similar data communication channels includes a longitudinal transformer. The longitudinal transformer includes a single transformer core and a pair of coils. A first one of the coils is connected in series with a first telephone line or a first similar data communication channel. A second one of the coils is connected in series with a second telephone line or a second similar data communication channel. The pair of coils are substantially identical; each coil having an identical number of turns. A high impedance is provided with the longitudinal transformer to noise and transient voltage signals above desired data signals. A low impedance is provided with the longitudinal transformer to desired data signals.

Abstract: A laser Doppler encoder includes a set of prisms mounted on a fixed base along with an additional prism, an end retroreflector and a laser/detector and a second set of prisms mounted on a moving/rotating base. The laser/detector generates a laser beam that is transmitted through the sets of prisms on the fixed and moving bases as well as the additional prism and the end retroreflector until the laser beam finally reaches a heterodyning detector that is housed coaxially inside the laser/detector. The laser beam is a frequency-stabilized laser beam such that the laser beam that is reflected back to the heterodyning detector is frequency-shifted by the movement of the moving base relative to the fixed base so that the amount of movement (either rotational or linear) of the moving base can be accurately determined.

Abstract: A portable, battery powered inflator with removable batteries which are switch activated. The inflator has an air intake and output for delivering air into a variety of air bladders with different sized valves. The batteries are typical dry cells and not rechargeable to save cost. The inflator has a cover that allows quick removable and replacement of the batteries. An adapter assembly including a transition structure and adapters are provided to allow inflation of a variety of bladders having different sized valves. The attaching of the transition structure engages the switch completing an electrical circuit that activates the motor to deliver air automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring localized pitting corrosion in metal pipes or storage vessels. Electrochemical probes are used for sensing electrochemical noise voltage values and electrochemical noise current values. The root-mean-square electrochemical noise current and voltage values are calculated and stored for the sensed electrochemical noise voltage values and the electrochemical noise current values. The stored electrochemical noise current and voltage values are processed by transforming the stored electrochemical noise current and voltage values into power spectral density data utilizing a fast Fourier transform. A slope of the power spectral density data relative to frequency is calculated. The electrochemical probes include a pair of working electrodes formed of the same material of the monitored metal pipes or storage vessels and a reference electrode formed of a corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: A millimeter wave sensor is provided for non-destructive inspection of thin sheet dielectric materials. The millimeter wave sensor includes a Gunn diode oscillator (GDO) source generating a mill meter wave electromagnetic energy signal having a single frequency. A heater is coupled to the GDO source for stabilizing the single frequency. A small size antenna is coupled to the GDO source for transmitting the millimeter wave electromagnetic energy signal to a sample material and for receiving a reflected millimeter wave electromagnetic energy signal from the sample material. Ferrite circulator isolators coupled between the GDO source and the antenna separate the millimeter wave electromagnetic energy signal into transmitted and received electromagnetic energy signal components and a detector detects change in both amplitude and phase of the transmitted and received electromagnetic energy signal components.

Abstract: A telephone and data communications line protection apparatus is provided for protecting at least one telephone line pair. The telephone and data communications line protection apparatus includes a housing containing protection circuitry for protecting at least one telephone line pair. The housing includes a cavity for receiving a terminal portion of an electrical grounding, earthing spring clip member. The protection circuitry includes an electrical grounding contact extending into a housing cavity for electrical and mechanical contact engagement with the terminal portion of the electrical grounding, earthing spring clip member. The electrical grounding, earthing spring clip member has a predetermined profile corresponding to the housing. The electrical grounding, earthing spring clip member includes an aperture to receive a grounding wire.

Abstract: An external DC (direct current) power supply is provided for supplying backup DC power to a supported device having an AC input connector. The power supply includes an AC (alternating current) voltage source. A voltage rectifier is coupled to the AC voltage source for rectifying the AC voltage source. An energy storage device coupled in parallel to the voltage rectifier provides a predetermined DC voltage threshold level. A connector of the external DC power supply applies a power output of the parallel combination of the voltage rectifier and the energy storage device to the AC input connector of the supported device. The external DC power supply is capable of reliably, effectively and efficiently supplying backup power to the AC power input of a supported system without requiring any special wiring or modification of the supported system using only the AC input plug for connection to the supported system.

Abstract: A generally flat flashlight is concealed in an article of clothing or other accessory used by a person to illuminate an area adjacent an opening in the article of clothing or other accessory. In the case of a necktie that is to be worn around the neck of a person, the necktie is made of fabric or textile material and is formed into an elongated flattened tubular configuration with front and rear plies so that an inner area is formed between the plies. Adjacent a distal end portion of the necktie, a pocket or holding area is formed within the inner area of the necktie with an opening formed at the distal end thereof. The relatively flat, flashlight that is battery operated is adapted to be disposed within the pocket with the light emitting portion of the flashlight directed to the opening so that when the flashlight is actuated, light emitted from the flashlight will illuminate the area beyond the end of the necktie.

Abstract: A security closure for covering an opening, e.g., a window, in a building includes a panel having a circumferential sidewall. A support member is securable to extend across the opening in fixed relation thereto, the support member being releasably securable to the interior of the panel away from one edge thereof by a releasable securing device. The support member is fixed at the one edge by a hinged fixing structure which allows the panel to pivot substantially along the one edge away from the opening when the support member is released from the releasable securing device. As a result, an emergency release of the panel can be accomplished.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for security door assemblies, in particular but not exclusively, to a security door assembly which is fitted temporarily on a building. The locking mechanism for such a security door comprises a locking member movable between a locking state and non-locking state. A lock releasably engagable with the locking member prevents the locking member moving to the non-locking state. The lock mechanism further includes an operating device that is coupled to the locking member by a connecting structure which includes a force limiter. The force limiter limits the force the operating device can apply to the locking member without damage to any of the parts of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A device for storing photographic film negative cassettes comprises a receiving container for receiving at least one negative cassette, and a case designed both for the insertion of a photographic album and also for receiving the receiving container. On one side the case has a first opening for insertion of the photographic album and on the opposite side it has a second opening for receiving the receiving container, so that the receiving container is accessible through the second opening for receiving or removing negative cassettes. The second opening can be closed by a pivotable cover.

Abstract: A walking cane includes an elongated leg with a foot at a lower end and a transversely extending handle at an upper end for manipulating the cane and directionally controlling a flashlight in the handle to illuminate a travel path forwardly of the cane. An elongated, gas filled tube light is provided in the leg of the cane between the foot and handle for general illumination around the area. Each light source is selectively controlled and powered by batteries self-contained in the handle body of the walking cane.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus supporting a patient lying in a generally prone or supine position for manipulation includes a base and a table supported thereabove for movement between selected different horizontal positions or working levels for treatment of the patient. The table is tiltable toward and away from an upright position for facilitating the patient in mounting and dismounting before and after treatment and includes a foot piece adjacent an end of the table for supporting the patient when mounting and dismounting. A plurality of cushions are mounted for movement along the table to selectably adjustable positions for accommodating patients of different size and shape.