Abstract: A high intensity lighting device (2) is provided. The lighting device has a linear light source (4), a reflective member (6), and a translucent region (14). The linear light source and reflective member typically share a common axis. The reflective member, which can take many shapes, causes light which would normally be absorbed or propagated within a light housing (8) to converge on the translucent region. The translucent region having a longitudinal axis coincident to the common axis focuses rays of light to an intended area. If desired, a lens (44) may also be used to collimate the light such as a cylindrical lens or one or more prisms (50) for example.

Abstract: A display device has a support, a tubular light source, and a cover. The light source is interconnected to the support, and the cover is placed over the light source. The cover is an arc-shaped partially translucent elongated member. The cover is colored to create a glowing effect when light emitted from the light source passes through the cover in a forward direction. Light emitted from the light source in a rearward direction reflects off of the support. The cover allows the light source to create both a glowing effect and a back-lit effect.

Abstract: A gas-discharge lamp and method of operating the lamp for controlling the brightness of the lamp. The lamp includes a drive for supplying a varying signal in response to receiving first and second control signals. The method includes establishing a time period; for a first interval of the time period, generating a first control signal having a first duty cycle and generating a second control signal having a second duty cycle; and, for a second interval of the time period, generating a third control signal having a third duty cycle, and generating a fourth control signal having a fourth duty cycle. The third duty cycle is less than the first duty cycle, and the fourth duty cycle is less than the second duty cycle. The first and third control signals are provided to a first switch and the second and fourth control signals are provided to a second switch.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp including a power supply connectable to a load, and an overvoltage-protection-and-ground-fault-interrupt (OVP/GFI) circuit interconnected with the power supply. The OVP/GFI circuit includes an overvoltage-protection (OVP) sub-circuit that deactivates the power supply when an overvoltage condition is detected, and a ground-fault-interrupt (GFI) sub-circuit that deactivates the power supply when a ground-fault condition is detected.

Abstract: A power supply connectable to a power source and to a gas-discharge tube. The power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and first and second switches. The switches receive first and second drive signals, respectively, and switch power to the primary winding. The power supply further includes a controller interconnected to the first and second power switches. The controller is operable to generate the first and second drive signals for a time period. For a first time interval of the time period, the controller transitions the first and second drive signals from a first frequency to a second frequency. For a second time interval of the time period, the controller generates the first and second drive signals at the second frequency. For a third interval of the time period, ceases generation of the varying signal.

Abstract: An illuminated sign having an LED as a light source as claimed. A housing has a plurality of internal surfaces wherein at least one of the internal surfaces is a translucent surface. A reflective layer covers each of said internal surfaces except the translucent surface. At least one LED is positioned between the internal surfaces such that the illumination field of the LED is in a direction substantially opposite that of the translucent surface.

Abstract: A power supply for a gas discharge lamp is claimed. An input circuit receives power from a power source. An output transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and has a lamp connected in circuit across the secondary winding. First and second power switches switch power to the primary winding. The driver drives the power switches at a drive frequency. A tuned LC resonant circuit having a resonant frequency is connected in circuit between the driver and the lamp. A controller generates control signals to the driver at a first frequency that is functionally related to the drive frequency, and regulates the lamp current by controlling the difference between the resonant frequency and the first frequency.

Abstract: A multi-sided display includes a frame and a display sign housing having at least two display surfaces. The housing is supported on an extendable-retractable base which rotatably supports the sign. The display sign can be rotated when the support base is extended, to display a selected one of the display surfaces. The display sign is supported for viewing of the selected surface when the support is retracted. An electrically illuminated light source within the housing is provided for illuminating the display surfaces. The base is preferably supported for extension and retraction by at least one, and usually two telescoping arms. A pair of slide strips located on opposite side edges of a top surface of the base slidably support the housing. The housing is preferably rotatably supported on the base by a central bearing. A latch mechanism is actuatable to release the cabinet for retraction, and after retraction, for rotation.

Abstract: A neon lighting fixture has a first housing channel member that mounts to a building wall and has side walls terminating in rims on opposite sides of the open side of the member. A second inverted housing channel member has a neon tube supporting wall and side walls that are spaced apart to define an open side which interfaces with the open side of the first channel member. There are cooperating elements on the side walls of each member. An electric power supply assembly is mounted to the second nominally inverted channel member between its side walls and is supported on ledges in the side walls. A neon tube mounts on the second channel member's tube supporting wall on which wall there are spaced apart grooved rails that serve as slides. A light transmissive cover has slides shaped complementarily to the grooves in dove-tail fashion to provide for interlocking the cover to the second housing channel member by sliding the cover onto the member endwise of the grooves.

Abstract: A generally planar base panel member has mounted to its back face a pair of laterally spaced apart chambers whose open fronts are covered by the panel. A pair of electrical receptacles in each chamber are arranged in alignment with apertures in the base panel. First and second front panels each have a neon tubing configuration mounted on a front side of the panel with the electric end terminals at opposite ends of the tubing configurations projecting through holes in the front panels so that when the front panels are juxtaposed to the front of the base panel the neon tube terminals plug into the receptacles. A power supply for neon tubing is mounted to the back face of the base panel member. The neon tubing configurations on the individual front panels when plugged into the receptacles form a series circuit which connects across the high voltage output terminals of the power supply.

Abstract: A web tension maintaining roll in a scroll sign module is arranged with its axis parallel to a rotatable second roll, both rolls being arranged for rotation between laterally spaced apart side frame members. For each roll, a short shaft projects from opposite side frame members toward each other for the roll to rotate about the common axis of the shafts. A motor driven drive shaft whose axis is transverse to the axes of rotation of the rolls has a worm fastened to the shaft adjacent each of the rolls. The worms are drivingly engaged, respectively, with worm wheels that are supported for rotation about the axis of the short shafts and about the rotational axis of the rolls. The worm wheel for the tension roll is coupled in driving relationship to the tension roll by way of a spiral spring whose inner end is connected to the worm wheel and whose outer end is connected to the tension roll.

Abstract: A power supply for a gas discharge lamp includes a converter, a microprocessor switch control circuit, a driver, a switching network having two MOSFET switches, and an output transformer. A cross conduct inhibit circuit is connected in series between the driver and the switching network to prevent simultaneous operation of the switches. The power supply may further include a ground fault interrupt circuit and a ground continuity detector. A dimming module contains a potentiometer input device to vary the brightness of the lamp. The power supply operates at a preset level until the dimming module is connected. The dimming module cannot be removed without shutting off the power supply. The first and second MOSFETs switch first and second voltages across the transformer, thereby causing first and second drive pulses in the periodic output signal. Between the first and second and the second and first drive pulses are first and second dead times.

Abstract: First and second rolls arranged with their axes parallel to each other and spaced from each other between said side frame members for being driven rotationally to wind an information bearing web on one roll while the web is unwinding from the other roll. The rolls are journaled for rotation at their opposite ends on stub axles that project in cantilever fashion from opposite side members of the frame. Each roll has a gear fastened to a corresponding end coaxially with the roll. A drive shaft extends transversely to the axes of both rolls. A first pinion is positioned on the drive shaft for meshing with the gear on the first roll and is free to turn on the drive shaft. A second pinion is fastened to the drive shaft and meshes with the gear on the second roll. A spur gear is fastened to the drive shaft between the pinions.

Abstract: A stacker base has L-shaped corner members arranged at the corners of a square or rectangle with connector members spanning between them and connected to the corner members to form an enclosure for the lower levels of a stack of articles. The corner and connector members are joined with various attachment devices such as screws or headed elements or hooks on the connector member ends for engaging and locking into a selected one of a row of slots in the corner members to thereby make stacker bases having article accommodating areas of different sizes.

Abstract: A neon tubing display device for creating a free standing table or for using it as an insert in a piece of furniture is characterized as a container member divided into upper and lower chambers by means of a separator plate. A neon tubing configuration is supported in the upper chamber on the top side of the plate and the bottom side of the plate defines the top of the lower chamber which contains a neon tube power supply whose high voltage output is connected to opposite ends of the neon tubing. Another plate serves as a cover for the upper neon tubing containing chamber. In one embodiment a masking plate bearing an artistic layer is interposed between said cover plate and the upper chamber.

Abstract: The cathode for a gas discharged lamp includes gettering materials which are placed within the interior of the cathode shell. Other components may also be placed inside the cathode for continuous activation. For example, in mercury vapor lamps, a mercury amalgam is placed within the cathode. In another embodiment, a mass of electron emission assisting compound is placed within the cathode to replenish the emission assisting compound which deteriorates from the cathode.

Abstract: A sign wherein individual film panels bearing graphical information are interconnected as an uninterrupted web by way of interconnecting plastic zippers. The web, which is composed of a series of film panel transparencies, is wound and unwound from spaced apart rollers for presenting the individual panels for viewing through a window in a housing. The concept of releasably interconnecting film panels is also used in stationary signs such as menu boards in fast food restaurants to provide for easy interchange of the panels when it is desired to present different menu items and prices, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting series arcs and output load faults in high frequency luminous tube power supplies and ballasts including wideband ringing and detector circuits for collecting the intense high frequency, pre-plasma noise energy associated with the initial avalanche phase of high frequency arc formation and a transient suppressor for delaying the triggering of power supply shut-down for up to the duration of the arc avalanche phase. Plural detectors for increased sensitivity and reliability over a variety of arc locations may be employed. Dual purpose detector input probes serve as over-voltage corona generators.