Abstract: A case for multiple pairs of eyeglasses has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, a front surface and an opposing back surface and defines a volume for receiving eyeglasses with a length orientation of the eyeglasses substantially parallel to the front of the case. The case is formed from a cover portion and a base portion, hinged together at a pivot line that extends across the bottom of the case parallel to the length orientation of a pair of eyeglasses stored in the case. Preferably, the pivot line is offset on the bottom of the case so as to be closer to the back than the front. The pivot line forms a part of a mating line between the cover portion and the base portion. Preferably, the mating line extends obliquely upward from the bottom, across the ends of the case, and across the top. A divider separates the internal volume of the case into two compartments, each accommodating one pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: An anti-tipping storage box for eyeglasses has a base portion having an upper surface with compartments formed therein that are adapted to receive a pair of eyeglasses. The base portion has a predetermined overturning resisting movement. The storage box further has a cover portion hingedly connected to the base portion that may be opened and closed. At least one spring member is provided to bias the cover portion to the open position. A mechanical stop member is provided to resiliently stop the cover portion at the open position over a predetermined angular range of cover rotation and cause the cover portion to impart an overturning moment to said base portion that is resisted by the predetermined overturning resisting moment. Preferably, the predetermined overturning resisting moment of the base portion is selected so as to be at least 2 times but not more than 4 times the overturning moment.

Abstract: A case for multiple pairs of eyeglasses has a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, a front surface and an opposing back surface and defines a volume for receiving eyeglasses with a length orientation of the eyeglasses substantially parallel to the front of the case. The case is formed from a cover portion and a base portion, hinged together at a pivot line that extends across the bottom of the case parallel to the length orientation of a pair of eyeglasses stored in the case. Preferably, the pivot line is offset on the bottom of the case so as to be closer to the back than the front. The pivot line forms a part of a mating line between the cover portion and the base portion. Preferably, the mating line extends obliquely upward from the bottom, across the ends of the case, and across the top. A divider separates the internal volume of the case into two compartments, each accommodating one pair of eyeglasses.

Abstract: A fail safe power supply system specially adapted for supplying power to devices such as lights. A battery is provided to supply power to the devices, and during normal operation, charge on the battery is maintained within selected levels by a charging control system that is connected to a source of commercial power. During a commercial power outage, the battery continues to supply normal power to the devices for a prolonged period of time, usually until commercial power is restored, thus obviating the necessity for a separate backup power source.

Abstract: A fail safe power supply system specially adapted for supplying power to devices such as lights. A battery is provided to supply power to the devices, and during normal operation, charge on the battery is maintained within selected levels by a charging control system that is connected to a source of commercial power. During a commercial power outage, the battery continues to supply normal power to the devices for a prolonged period of time, usually until commercial power is restored, thus obviating the necessity for a separate backup power source.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for conditioning batteries such as those of the nickel-cadmium type for which deep discharge prior to recharge is desirable. Mechanical programming plates having different patterns of apertures for batteries of different characteristics are provided. When a battery is to be conditioned, one of the programming plates having an aperture pattern representing the characteristics of that battery is attached to the battery and the combined battery/programming plate is positioned on the battery conditioner. A surface of the conditioner contains programming pins that sense the aperture pattern on the programming plate and automatically program the discharging/charging circuits to provide a discharge/charge sequence that is tailored to the particular characteristics of the battery being conditioned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning batteries incorporates a programming device having different signatures for batteries of different characteristics. When a battery is to be conditioned, one of the programming devices representing the characteristics of that battery is attached to the battery and the combined battery/programming device is positioned on the battery conditioner. A surface of the conditioner contains a reading device that reads the signature of the programming device and automatically programs the discharging/charging circuits to provide a discharge/charge sequence that is tailored to the particular characteristics of the battery being conditioned. Programming devices can include mechanical complementary protrusions and apertures, bar codes, magnetic strips, magnetic spots with Hall-Effect readers, electrical parameters, built-in wire coding, and other suitable complementary signatures and readers.