Abstract: A short-arc discharge lamp having a pair of electrodes sealed into a bulb, and an external starting device comprising an electrical conductor connected to one of the electrodes and extending to the vicinity of the seal of the other electrode.

Abstract: A flash lamp array having a plurality of flash lamps and containing sequencing circuitry having radiation-actuated switches respectively positioned near the upper portions of the lamps, the array also having radiation-actuated flash indicators which are respectively positioned near the lower portions of the lamps.The sequencing circuitry is disposed on one side of a circuit board having a plurality of windows therein. The flash lamps are mounted on the same side of the circuit board as the sequencing circuitry while the indicators are located on the other side of the board in alignment with the respective windows in the board for receiving radiation from the respective lamp being flashed.

Abstract: A FlipFlash type of photoflash array having a connector at each end for connecting the array to a camera in two different orientations. The flash lamps and circuit are arranged so that in each orientation of the array an upper group of lamps, relatively farther from the camera lens than a lower group of lamps, will be flashed in sequence. The circuit permits all lamps of the array to be flashed in either of the two orientations.

Abstract: Eyelets are placed through openings from one side of a circuit board so as to make electrical connections with circuit runs on the board, wires are inserted through the eyelets, and portions of the eyelets extending from the other side of the board are bent over by wiping action of a tool so as to crimp the eyelets to the wires and secure the eyelets to the circuit board.

Abstract: A multiple lamp photoflash array of the FlipFlash type having flash-sequencing circuitry for causing the lamps to flash one at a time in response to firing pulses applied to the array. All lamp circuits except for the last-to-flash lamp provide an open circuit after lamp flashing, and the last-to-flash lamp provides a short circuit or low impedance after flashing to function as a last-flash indicator switch.

Abstract: Front and back housing members interlock together and contain between them a circuit board having a plurality of flash lamps attached thereto. A multiple reflector unit is positioned between the lamps and the circuit board to direct light from flashing lamps through the front housing member. The back housing member is transparent, and an indicia sheet is sandwiched between the back of the array and the circuit board and contains colored flash indicator dots, instructions, and/or other indicia visible through the back of the array.

Abstract: A multiple flash lamp array having a plastic housing provided on the surface thereof with a pattern of electrically conductive material, and one or more openings through the housing wall at a location adjacent to the outer pattern of conductive material and communicating with an electrical ground of circuitry contained within the array, to provide a discharge path for an electrostatically charged person or object touching the array. This reduces the possibility of accidental flashing of lamps by electrostatic charges.

Abstract: Flash lamp array sequencing circuits in which the lamps are provided with heat-sensitive switch material on the outside surface of the bulbs and extending between lead-in wires. The switch material initially has a relatively high impedance, and changes to a relatively low impedance between the lead-in wires when heated by the lamp when it is flashed. A coating of lacquer or plastic is provided over the bulb and switch material.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp having a pair of lead-in wires arranged within the lamp so that one wire extends laterally above the other and is of a size and material so as to deform due to heat of the flashing lamp and make contact with the other wire.

Abstract: Eyelets are positioned through openings from one side of a circuit board so as to make electrical connections with circuit runs on the board, flash lamp lead-in wires are positioned through the eyelets, and shank portions of the eyelets extending from the other side of the board are bent over to hold the wires and secure the eyelets to the board. One or more of the eyelet shanks are bent so as to extend farther from the board than other eyelet shanks to make contact with a shield member and/or prevent the other eyelet shanks from contacting the shield member.

Abstract: The concave reflecting surface of a projector reflector is shaped to provide a first set of reflecting areas which project a first set of light beams arranged to form a first tightly packed mosaic pattern at a plane, and a second set of reflecting areas which project a second set of light beams arranged to form a second tightly packed mosaic pattern superimposed on said first mosaic pattern.

Abstract: A wire is positioned alongside a plastic member which carries a conductor, and a portion of the wire is driven sideways into the plastic so that the wire engages against the conductor and is held in place by embedment in the plastic. The wire may be driven into the plastic by a heated tool or by ultrasonic vibration. A particular use of the invention is the connection of wires to circuit runs of printed circuit boards, such as in the FlipFlash photoflash array.

Abstract: The concave reflecting surface of a projector lamp reflector is shaped in the form of a plurality of radial bands and a plurality of concentric circular bands to provide a multiple faceted surface for spreading the image formed by the reflector into a larger and smoother pattern and reducing the amount of imaging of a lamp filament and support post in the projected light pattern. Longer life and improved reproducibility of the molding tool are achieved.

Abstract: A flash lamp array having a plurality of lamps positioned over a side of a circuit board having thereon circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps. A metal shield, in the form of a sheet of metal foil or foil-covered paper, is positioned adjacent to the other side of the circuit board and is in contact with a common electrical run on the circuit board. Strips of radiation-sensitive plastic are positioned between the shield and the circuit board to function as electrical insulation, and also function as flash indicators by distorting due to radiation from an adjacent flashing lamp. Preferably, a conductive reflector member is positioned between the lamps and the circuit board and is connected to the common electrical circuit run.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp array having electrical terminals adapted to be connected to a camera socket. Means are provided for shorting the terminals when the array is out of a socket. This reduces the possibility of accidental flashing of lamps in the array when a connector terminal is touched by a person or object having an electrical potential such as an electrostatic voltage charge.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp array having electrical terminals adapted to be connected to a camera socket. A spring member, in contact with one terminal, normally engages against a shoulder of another terminal, for shorting the terminals when the array is out of a socket. This reduces the possibility of accidental flashing of lamps in the array when a connector terminal is touched by a person or object having an electrical potential such as an electrostatic voltage charge. When the array is plugged into a socket, the socket lifts the spring member out of contact with the shoulder of the terminal and removes the short.

Abstract: An integral self-contained fluorescent lamp unit comprising an elongated lamp and an elongated ballast resistor carried in an outwardly extending housing member positioned alongside the lamp.

Abstract: A metal halide high-intensity arc discharge lamp having a bulb containing elongated electrodes of a refractory metal such as tungsten, and means connecting the electrodes through seals of the bulb to external terminals. Cooling means such as metal fins are provided at the external terminals and function to cool the electrodes relatively quickly whenever the arc discharge terminates, without substantially affecting the desired high operating temperature of the electrodes. The faster cooling of the electrodes upon termination of the arc discharge permits the lamp to be restarted sooner.

Abstract: A multiple flash lamp unit having a group of electrical connector terminals connected via circuitry to lamps in the unit in a manner so that one terminal and its associated circuitry has relatively more stray capacitance to ground than any of the other terminals and their circuitry. This one terminal is shaped and arranged to be more readily touched than the other terminals when the unit is handled, thus reducing the likelihood of lamps being accidentally flashed by electrostatic charges. Preferably, a large-area shield member is connected to the more readily touchable terminal to increase its stray capacitance to ground.

Abstract: A multiple flash lamp unit having a group of electrical connector terminals adapted to be plugged into a socket. The unit is provided with a transverse protective terminal which momentarily electrically shorts across the socket contacts while the unit is being plugged into the socket, so as to discharge any residual voltage in the firing pulse source, such as a piezoelectric element, before the lamp connector terminals engage the socket contacts. The transverse protective terminal may be integral with a lamp connector terminal, and preferably is integral with a terminal connected electrically so as to have a relatively large stray capacitance to ground.