Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of photoflash lamp enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded-over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. The housing is a formed sheet of plastic film having a linear fold disposed horizontally along the top of the array of cavities. A pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns on one side of a printed circuit board sandwiched between a set of tabs which run along the bottom of the front and back portions of the housing. The housing tabs are secured together and to the circuit board by a plurality of staples symmetrically disposed along the tabs.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of flashlamps enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. A printed circuit board is joined to the housing member, and a pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns disposed solely on one side of the circuit board. The circuit patterns include a plurality of connector terminals which are located adjacent one another on a flat tab which projects from one edge of the circuit board for insertion into the receiving socket of a firing pulse source. The tab contains a plurality of symmetrically disposed apertures or recesses which render the tab releasably engageable by socket means independent of firing pulse contacts for securely retaining the unit in the socket.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of flashlamps enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. The housing is a formed sheet of plastic film having a linear fold disposed horizontally along the top of the array of cavities, which are selectively aluminized to provide a reflective coating on the cavity surfaces. A pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns on one side of a printed circuit board sandwiched between a set of tabs which run along the bottom of the front and back portions of the housing and are secured together.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of flashlamps enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded-over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. The housing is a formed sheet of plastic film having a linear fold disposed horizontally along the top of the array of cavities, which are aluminized to provide a reflective coating on the cavity surfaces. A pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns on one side of a printed circuit board sandwiched between a set of tabs which run along the bottom of the front and back portions of the housing. The bottom periphery of the housing is secured together by means of a plurality of staples having legs which extend through the front and back tabs of the circuit board and are clinched onto the exterior surface of the front tab.

Abstract: A multi-filament lamp combination is disclosed which may be used alone and in multi-lamp arrangements with other single and multi-filament lamps to provide pattern size variation from a large diameter flood effect to a smaller diameter spot effect. A spot/flood capability exists to provide large pattern exposure simultaneously with secondary spotlighting. The filaments can be energized selectively from a remote switching station so that the individuals who are scrubbed and gloved need not touch any part of the switching arrangement to change the lamp pattern size. A cluster of lights can contain one or more multi-filament lamps within the cluster, so that by switching on the rear most filament of the multi-filament lamps and switching off the single filament lamps, a small high intensity pattern is obtained by switching to the other filaments, a large pattern of high intensity is formed. More than two filaments can be provided in each lamp.

Abstract: A tubular incandescent lamp which comprises an elongate transparent envelope; and a plurality of small lamps linearly arranged and extending lengthwise through the envelope, each of said small lamps containing a helically coiled filament and wherein the difference between the inner diameter of the envelope and the outer diameter of the respective lamps is chosen to be 2 mm or less.

Abstract: A distress and emergency signaling device which takes the form of a base member attached to a conventional photographic flash cube. The flash cube is of the type that does not require any electrical energy from an outside source. A base is attached to the flash cube. Within each base are a plurality of manually movable members with there being a separate member for each flash bulb of the flash cube. Operation of a movable member causes release and movement of a wire to strike a metallic rod connected to a particular flash bulb of the flash cube which causes flashing of the bulb.

Abstract: A reflector unit is shaped from a plastic sheet to provide a plurality of individual reflectors having raised radiation barriers between adjacent reflectors. Ribs are provided in the radiation barriers to prevent stacked reflector units from sticking together during manufacture of flash arrays. Downwardly extending cups are formed in a central area of the reflector unit to aid in the handling of stacked reflector units.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a plurality of high-voltage type flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit board containing circuitry for sequentially igniting the flashlamps in response to successive high-voltage firing pulses applied thereto. One lead-in wire of each of the flashlamps is connected to a common circuit conductor. An electrically conductive reflector unit is positioned between the lamps and the circuit board. The reflector unit is grounded to the common circuit conductor by means of a dried paste of conductive material disposed at the interface between the reflector and common conductor. In this manner, the reflector unit functions as an electrostatic shield for the circuitry.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp array of the FlipFlash type comprising a plurality of flash lamps, a reflector unit, a circuit board, and a flash indicator sheet. The reflector unit is provided with one or more indexing rim protrusions which extend into flash indicator openings in the circuit board for aligning the reflector unit to the circuit board.

Abstract: A FlipFlash type of flash array having a body portion and a pair of connectors extending from opposite ends of the body portion and offset from the front face of the body portion, is packaged in a display sheet having an opening through which the front part of the body portion is inserted, the connectors being adjacent to the rear surface of the display sheet. The package includes a member extending over the rear of the flash array.

Abstract: A cabinet structure for identifying and examining objects by illuminating said objects with radiation of selected wavelengths, such as short wave ultraviolet radiation, long wave ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation, and infrared radiation is described. The cabinet structure includes a truncated pyramidal hood wherein light sources for emitting selected wavelengths of radiation are mounted on the respective sloped pyramidal sidewalls of the cabinet for illuminating a specimen mounted beneath the hood. A top surface defining the top of the truncated pyramidal hood has means thereon for mounting a camera such as a photographic camera, TV camera or the like. When it is desired to examine or photograph large documents such as oil paintings the truncated pyramidal hood is placed over the document. For smaller specimens to be examined, the hood is provided with an entrance door in one sidewall thereof through which specimens may be inserted.

Abstract: An improved circuit board comprising a substrate having electrical conductor runs resistant to the formation of electrically non-conductive localized areas carried thereon. Such a circuit board is particularly adapted to use with a flash lamp array having a plurality of flash lamps and sequencing electrical circuitry for sequentially flashing the lamps. The sequencing electrical circuitry is formed in part by the conductor runs. The conductor runs comprise an organic polymer binder for attachment of the conductor runs to the substrate and silver-coated vitreous bead-like particles with a triazole-silver water-insoluble reaction product comprising the surface of the bead-like particles. The triazole-silver reaction product prevents the formation of non-conductive localized areas in the conductor runs.

Abstract: A photoflash unit having one or more flash lamps, and a transparent cover in front of the flash lamps which is provided with elongated light-refractive prisms in front of each flash lamp so as to refract directly radiated light from the lamp when flashed in a more frontward direction and into the area to be illuminated. Prisms may be provided on both sides of the cover.

Abstract: A system for generating within a single frame of photographic film a quadrified image including images of angularly, including orthogonally, related fields of view of a near field three dimensional object and characterized by a first subsystem including a plurality of reflective surfaces for imaging a first field of view of the object at one quadrant of the quadrifid image, a second subsystem including a plurality of reflecting surfaces for imaging a second field of view of the object at a second quadrant of the frame and a third subsystem including a plurality of reflecting surfaces for reflectively imaging a third field of view of the object at a third quadrant of the quadrifid image, all of which have identical path lengths to the object photographed.

Abstract: A connector system is provided for an electronic flash unit. A first connector member comprises a male hot shoe plug for electrically and mechanically engaging the female hot shoe receptacle of a camera. The upper portion of the first connector member comprises a female hot shoe receptacle. An electrically conductive extension line couples the first connector member to a second connector member. The second connector member comprises a female hot shoe receptacle at its upper portion, and its lower portion defines a threaded aperture for receiving a tripod mount.

Abstract: A dual mode flash unit for a camera for selectively actuating either an etronic flash tube or a high-voltage flash bulb. The flash unit includes a high-voltage supply for selectively applying a high-voltage pulse to an electronic flash tube during normal operation and for applying a high-voltage pulse to a high-voltage flash bulb when same is inserted into the electronic flash unit.

Abstract: A portable lamp including a socket and bulb attached to two brackets adapted for temporary connection to pre-existing supporting members of various shapes and dimensions. The brackets are connected to each other by a hinge, and each bracket has a notch arranged to receive the supporting member. To tightly grip the supporting member, the angle between the brackets is adjusted so that the edges of the notches are pressed against the member. Step-shaped edges of the notches define rectangles of progressively decreasing width to accommodate supporting members of different size ranges.

Abstract: An elongated base frame has vertical handles at each end and a camera attachment plate centrally located between the handles. A double parallelogram linkage consisting of a pair of inner parallel links with the links connected to the upper end of one of the handles, a floating swing link and an outer pair of pivotal links connected to a clamp ring provides support for a flash unit positioned in the clamp ring with the linkage system permitting practically universal movement of the flash bracket to a desired position. Another feature involves an umbrella reflector attachment connectable to the clamp ring for permitting use of the unit with reflected light.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp unit is described having a plurality of flash lamps fired individually and in sequence to include a plurality of switching devices each connected in the electrical circuit so as to interrupt the circuit path to a lamp that is flashed in response to the radiation emitted therefrom but still provide a circuit path to other unflashed lamps in the electrical circuit. In this manner, the desired firing sequence can be carried out although a particular flash lamp in the electrical circuit fails to fire because of defects other than a before-flash shorted condition and a more reliable switching arrangement is thereby provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for alternatively positioning a quartz or pinpoint light above a vacuum printing frame in a lithographic process. Either a quartz or a pinpoint light is required to produce fine line contacts, duplicates and reverses which are subsequently arranged in the desired orientation and transferred onto a printing plate for offset printing. The apparatus is located over a vacuum printing frame, or similar device, and has both the quartz light and pinpoint light attached to a movable housing. The housing is movable along two rails so as to accurately position either of the lights in its proper position over the printing frame. Movement of the housing is initiated by the operator and ceases when the housing contacts a limit switch.

Abstract: A compact photographic lighting apparatus for use with a motion picture camera comprising a pair of high intensity lamp-reflector assemblies mounted in side-by-side relation to opposite sides of a central main body support. The main body support is adapted to mate with complementary structure provided on the movie camera with which it is used. Each of the lamp assemblies includes a mounting cone having outwardly extending rib-like structural elements and further including outwardly extending cage-like guard assembly having a lens element at its outermost end. A thumb screw extending vertically through the main body support serves to removably attach the overall assembly to the camera. Electrical connector pins, also received in the camera extend downward rearwardly of the thumb screw and a downwardly extending positioning element, also received in the camera, is positioned forwardly of the thumb screw.

Abstract: A photoflash unit having a flashed lamp indicator comprising two layers of film having different colors, one of the layers being a heat-shrinkable material and the other layer being translucent and substantially unaffected by the heat of lamp flashing. An adjacent indicia sheet provides an aperture through which one of the indicator colors is visible. Upon flashing of an associated lamp, the heat shrinkable layer shrivels from view and the color of the other layer becomes visible through the aperture to clearly identify which lamp was flashed. In one embodiment, the two-color indicator is used to identify the last lamp flashed in a sequence, while each of the preceding lamps in the sequence has a respectively associated single-layer color indicator which shrinks away to leave a void upon flashing of the lamp.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp-reflector module for use in a photoflash unit having a plurality of such lamp-reflector modules arranged in a compact array. Each reflector has a substantially parabolic surface with a centrally disposed elongated cylindrical recess having a longitudinally extending central slot. The associated tubular lamp is nested within the recessed portion of the reflector, whereby an oversized lamp is accommodated by the reflector with little or no loss of light output.

Abstract: A low-cost, portable copier for exposing a photosensitized sheet through a stencil placed thereon. The sheet and stencil, in the form of a "sandwich", are positioned on the copier's cover member which is then pivoted to a closed position against the copier's housing. A flash lamp article, including a tapered casing having a percussively-ignitable flash lamp therein, is inserted within the housing and activated by a resilient cantilever member located therein.

Abstract: An improved flashlamp assembly which utilizes a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps disposed on an elongated support member. Firing of the flashlamps is accomplished using a spring-loaded ratchet, a movable carriage, and a striking mechanism, e.g. helical torsion spring, positioned on the movable carriage and in engagement with the ratchet. The spring engages and fires each of the lamps in response to the movement of the ratchet and carriage within the support member. The improvement comprises a movable retention means for fixedly retaining the assembly's carriage prior to the selective firing of the flashlamps. An improved selective firing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flashlamp assembly which utilizes a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps disposed on an elongated support member. Firing of the flashlamps is accomplished using a spring-loaded ratchet, a movable carriage, and a striking mechanism, e.g. helical torsion spring, positioned on the movable carriage and in engagement with the ratchet. The spring engages and fires each of the lamps in response to the movement of the ratchet and carriage within the support member. A selective firing mechanism for the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal device which utilizes a plurality, e.g., ten, of percussively-ignitable flashlamps and is designed for single-handed operation. The device also comprises a body member which includes a handle portion and a support portion for having the lamps mounted thereon. A trigger moves in response to manual actuation between the handle and support portions in a reciprocal manner to in turn actuate the device's firing mechanism located within the support portion of the body. The firing mechanism, e.g. ratchet and helical torsion spring, in turn selectively fires each of the lamps in response to this reciprocal movement.

Abstract: An electrically insulative adhesive coating for a circuit board used with a photoflash lamp array to provide sequential firing of the flash lamps. The circuit board includes the lamp firing circuitry along with switching elements connected in said circuitry and the insulative coating prevents electrical shorting of the circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, the coating material may be an organic polymer and may be provided with openings to permit radiation transfer from the flashing lamps to the underlying switches which are radiation-responsive.

Abstract: Combustion flashlight lamps for high-voltage ignition, in which two current conductors in the lamp envelope debouch on the surface of an insulating member, have an ignition mass which is provided on the surface of the insulating member and connects the current conductors, which mass contains 60-90% by volume of metal powder and 40-10% by volume of KClO.sub.4.The metal powder consists of zirconium or a zirconium containing mixture. KClO.sub.4 may be replaced fully or partly by another oxidation agent.The lamps have readily defined chemical properties, which after ignition are different from those prior to ignition, and are suitable for being incorporated in a series arrangement in flash devices in which a flashed lamp serves as a make switch.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp array comprising a housing elongated vertically and containing elongated flash lamps lying horizontally and stacked vertically, the flash lamps having lead-in wires extending from ends thereof near the sides of the housing and connected to a circuit board located behind the lamps. A conductive sheet-like shield is positioned between the circuit board and the rear of the housing and is contoured to have side portions extending frontwardly and between the lamp ends and the sides of the housing. Electrically insulative flash indicator material is positioned on the front surface of the shield and extends along the inside surfaces of the shield's frontwardly extending portions so as to prevent the lamp's lead-in wires from becoming shorted against the shield.

Abstract: An illumination device used in the case of forming, on a dupe film, a visible copy of an image pattern of a master film. The illumination device comprises a light source including a center portion having a high brightness and a peripheral portion for emitting light in all directions, and a collimator lens having an optical axis that passes through the high brightness center portion of the light source.

Abstract: Radiation sensitive switches which undergo thermal decomposition to physically interrupt the circuit path when activated are operatively associated with a plurality of high voltage flash lamps utilizing a shorting primer material to provide an electrical path across said lamps after flashing as the means of enabling the flash lamps to be sequentially flashed in a high-voltage activated multiple flash lamp array. The thermal decomposition of the radiation sensitive switching elements produces self-destruction of the switch elements per se and which can be accompanied by further destruction of the underlying substrate on which the switch elements have been deposited. The switching elements are deposited on a circuit board member and electrically connected in the sequential lamp firing circuitry at circuit board locations adjacent to the associated flash lamps.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp array comprising a plurality of flash lamps having lead-in wires connected to a circuit board, and a reflector unit positioned between the lamps and the circuit board. The reflector unit is made of plastic having an electrically conductive reflecting coating on its front surface, and the reflector unit is shaped to provide openings so that the conductive coating is adjacent to or touching electrical ground areas of circuitry on the circuit board, whereby the reflector unit functions to dissipate electrostatic charges thus preventing accidental flashing of lamps.

Abstract: A flash lamp array having a plurality of flash 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 by means of a staple through 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.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash assembly comprising a housing defining two adjacent regions therein, a plurality of flashlamps within one of said regions having at least one pre-energized striking mechanism associated with each of said lamps, and a rotatable actuating member for sequentially actuating each of the striking mechanisms and thus cause firing of the lamps. In another embodiment, there is disclosed a photoflash assembly wherein a plurality of flashlamps are located within both of said regions and a single actuator is used. In still another embodiment, both regions of the support member are occupied with flashlamps and a pair of rotatable actuators are employed.

Abstract: A multiple photoflash lamp array is disclosed capable of producing a plurality of flashes for taking a plurality of flash pictures. The particular lamp construction includes a reflective unit having a plurality of adjacent reflectors or reflector cavities, each having a photoflash lamp mounted therein on a common base having a rigid molded plastic cover or shield which is light transmitting secured to said base and holding the entire assembly together. A butadiene styrene polymer is employed as the material of construction for said light transmitting cover means to provide better protection against shattering when the lamps are flashed than is obtained with the styrene homopolymer material now being used.

Abstract: A photoflash assembly which utilizes a plurality of percussive flashlamps in one region of the assembly's housing and a plurality of percussive flashlamps in a second region separate from the first. The lamps in the first region are fired when the striking mechanisms associated therewith are actuated by movable actuators, e.g., elongated preformed wires, which move in response to mechanical actuation from one of the housing's mounting structures. Lamps in the second region are subsequently fired when the striking mechanisms associated therewith are actuated by the movable actuators which move in response to mechanical actuation from another of the housing's mounting structures.

Abstract: A steerable camera carriage comprises a triangular base plate having an upright shaft rotatably supported at each of its corners. Each shaft has a support wheel for the carriage on the bottom thereof and camera equipment mounted on the upper end thereof. An upright post provided with a steering wheel is rotatably mounted on the center of said base plate. A sprocket on the lower end of the post is connected by an endless chain to a sprocket on the lower end of each of the shafts. With such an arrangement, the steering wheel in addition to serving to control the direction of movement of the carriage provides for controlling the angular orientation of the cameras to facilitate the taking of pictures by a photographer.

Abstract: A self-defense apparatus has a hand-held housing formed with thin neck adapted to be held between two fingers and provided on its back with a button that when depressed fires one or all of the photoflash lamps of a nonbattery type flash cube. Means is provided for preventing inadvertent actuation of this firing button. The housing is provided on its front end with a transparent lens and inside this lens and surrounding the flash cube with a reflector for directing the flash generated by the flash cube away from the user.

Abstract: A flash lamp unit having two connection members which are present on opposing surfaces of the unit and are each suitable for being coupled to a camera. The unit further comprises two series of flash lamps having associated reflectors, one series of flash lamps being arranged nearest to one surface and the other series being arranged nearest to the other surface. Each series of flash lamps can only be flashed by a cooperation between the connection member remote from that series.

Abstract: light-absorbing filters comprise a self-supporting polymeric film, such as an oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, containing or coated with a lacquer containing a compound which absorbs light in the wavelength band less than 0.4 .mu.m (i.e. UV light). The filters are particularly useful as UV-absorbing filters for use in flashbulbs for color photography. Suitable light-absorbing compounds are hydroxyphenyl benzotriazoles, e.g. 2(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-t-amylphenyl)benzotriazole, and hydroxy-substituted benzophenone, e.g. 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy-benzophenone.