Abstract: The present invention is collar for an ornamental light bulb in which the collar contains a phosphorescent material such that the light bulb emits light into the collar and stimulates the phosphorescent material within the collar to emit light. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the phosphorescent material is combined with a florescent dye to produce a miniature light collar containing a phosphorescent-florescent dye. Preferably, the collar is comprised of a low density polyethylene to promote flexibility of the collar to enable to fit over miniature bulbs of varying sizes. The present invention is further comprised of a plastic collar for a miniature light comprised of a cylinder having a series of slots cut into the cylinder such that the cylinder can expand to accommodate light bulbs of varying sizes.

Abstract: A multiple light system is provided for watercraft and the like which combines navigation light and docking light capabilities. A navigation light is mounted on top of a mast which protrudes from the watercraft deck. An auxiliary light, which can comprise a docking light, is mounted on the mast by a mounting assembly. The auxiliary light draws electrical power from a bulb of the navigation light and can be independently disabled by means of a switch on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A rear illuminated fascia apparatus for mounting on a surface is disclosed. The apparatus has a support structure comprising support brackets, top and bottom edge frame members, and corner members which tension and hold in place a flexible, translucent sheet material. Metal halide lights are used to illuminate the sheet material. A light dispersion member is positioned between the lights and the sheet material to uniformly distribute and disperse the light through the sheet material. Access members in the apparatus and access openings in the light dispersion member allow convenient changes of the lights.

Abstract: A back-lit LCD apparatus comprises a LCD (1), one or more LEDs (3) (or other light sources), and a plate-like light guide (2) behind the LCD (1). An attenuating member (5) is included in front or behind the light guide (5). In the former case the attenuating member (5) is formed as a sheet of reflective material on which is printed a pattern of non-reflective dots for reducing the intensity of light reaching portions of the LCD nearest to the light source. In the latter case the attenuating member (5) is transparent and the dots are either opaque or reflective. The size and frequency of the dots may be varied to adjust the level of attenuation. Also, the pattern of dots may be graduated to provide progressively less attenuation as the distance from the LEDs increases.

Abstract: A working spotlight for illuminating a wide area, particularly for motor-vehicles, of a type with a light source arranged at a focal point of a first reflector wherein the first reflector has an approximately parabolic cross section (5) below an optical axis and a substantially non-corrective lens (16) covering the reflector to produce an uncomplicated and inexpensive spotlight which can have a relatively small volume but an efficient wide-area illumination output. The light source has a transverse linear filament (3) which extends horizontally and perpendicular to the optical axis while a horizontal cross section of the reflector through the optical axis forms a first approximately elliptical portion (4).

Abstract: The apparatus is a modular medical lighting system which includes a ceiling-mounted reading light module, examination light module and ambient light module. The reading light is directed toward a selected reading area on a hospital bed directly below the medical lighting system. The examination light illuminates the entire top surface of the hospital bed. The ambient light directs light to a wall abutting the head of the hospital bed thereby providing reflected light to the vicinity of the hospital bed. The modules may be provided separately or in combination.

Abstract: A light source substantially longer than its diameter exhibits two different optical characteristics, such as two different colors, depending upon the direction along the long axis from which it is viewed. The light source comprises a light conduit employing total internal reflection and two illumination sources directing light into the light conduit from opposite ends.

Abstract: A plug-in lamp assembly for use as a picture element in large-screen information display systems. The lamp assembly includes red, green and blue discharge lamps for selectively generating different colors. Each discharge lamp has electrical leads extending from a first end and a light output region at a second end. The lamp assembly further includes a base having spaced-apart, plug-in electrical connectors, a cap covering the second ends of the lamps and a sleeve around the discharge lamps and interconnecting the cap and the base. The base provides mechanical support for the discharge lamps and permits easy replacement of the lamp assembly. The sleeve blocks light emitted from the sides of the discharge lamps. The cap includes a diffuser and a filter for altering the output spectrum of one or more of the discharge lamps.

Abstract: A plug-in lamp assembly for use as a picture element in large-screen information display systems. The lamp assembly includes red, green and blue discharge lamps for selectively generating different colors. Each discharge lamp has electrical leads extending from a first end and a light output region at a second end. The lamp assembly further includes a base having spaced-apart, plug-in electrical connectors, a cap covering the second ends of the lamps and a sleeve around the discharge lamps and interconnecting the cap and the base. The base provides mechanical support for the discharge lamps and permits easy replacement of the lamp assembly. The sleeve blocks light emitted from the sides of the discharge lamps. The cap includes a diffuser and a filter for altering the output spectrum of one or more of the discharge lamps.

Abstract: Animation of lighting structures. Method and instrument implementing a plurality of extensive sources of lights having intensities which vary independently in the course of time and optionally a colored spectrum which also varies. The variations of the different sources which are either localized or global are controlled in real time by an operator or may be programmed. The controlled parameters are preferably the direction and the speed of the intensity variation. Application to the making of instruments for the creation and interpretation of light scores.

Abstract: A combination lamp assembly suitable to be mounted to the rear of a motor vehicle, comprising a lamp housing defining two or more lighting compartments each having at least one light source mounted therein. In one embodiment the front ends of two lighting compartments are closed by respective inner lenses and further by two sections of a common outer lens. One of the outer lens sections is transparent and colored in red. The other outer lens section has alternating transparent stripes and opaque stripes. The transparent stripes are colorless whereas the opaque stripes are colored in red. When the light sources are unlit, the outer lens appears wholly red, due in part to the illusory effect of the opaque red stripes. However, when lit up, the two lamp units project red and white light through the transparent red section of the outer lens and through the colorless transparent stripes of the other outer lens section, respectively.

Abstract: A matrix lamp bank display utilizes individually removable light filtering assemblies that are composed of a rectangular tinted lens and a supporting frame. Each frame is removably mounted to the display at the front of the lamps provided within it. Each lens is inclined from the vertical to reduce sun or external lighting glare. Provision is made to accommodate thermal expansion of the lens and its supporting frame, as well as ventilation of each lens during lamp operation. Multicolored displays can be achieved by grouping two or more lens colors and operating multiple lamps in combination to project a desired color mix about the matrix.

Abstract: A lighting socket assembly (16) is mounted on an upper end of an L-shaped slide tube (A), such as a brass tube. A one piece, plastic clutch block (30) defines a cylindrical bearing surface (32) integrally therewith. The L-shaped tube lower portion (10) is slidably and rotatably received in frictional engagement with the cylindrical bearing surface such that the tube is slidable and rotatable therein. A threaded member (40) is threadly received in a bore (38) in the clutch block. A smooth inner surface (48) of the threaded member selectively engages the received L-shaped tube to adjust the degree of frictional engagement between the clutch block and the tube. By selectively advancing and retreating the threaded element with a manually graspable portion (46) rotational and vertical adjustment of the lamp assembly relative to the clutch block is facilitated. The clutch block is supported on a vertical rod or tube (60) which is mounted to a base (62).

Abstract: A combination brake light and convenience light for use in the rear of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. A brake light 8 faces and illuminates through the rear window 4, and the convenience light 14 faces forward and downward over the shoulder of a rear seat occupant. A hinged cover 20 over the convenience light 14 serves three purposes: it esthetically covers the light when not in use; it prevents direct incidence of its light upon the driver's rear view mirror or the driver's line of sight; and it operates the on-off switch for the convenience light.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch having an illuminated display or other instrumentation data or control display device is made compatible both with unassisted night time vision of the display as well as vision assisted by a night vision imaging system or night vision goggles. The display is backed with a plurality of selectively activated light sources. Each light source is characterized by a spectral range. At least one of the light sources has a spectral range compatible with the night vision imaging system. At least another one of the light sources has a spectral range compatible with unassisted night vision. In the preferred embodiment, the light source is comprised of a conventional incandescent bulb disposed within a domed glass filter. The domed glass filter has a spectral transmissivity which is compatible with the night vision imaging system. In particular, the filter has a transmissivity approximately equal to either ANVIS Green A, ANVIS Green B, or Yellow.

Abstract: A double-lamp system comprising a conventional table lamp fixture and a spotlight fixture mounted on a table lamp base. The position of the spotlight fixture is such that a conventional drum-shaped lamp shade conceals the spotlight fixture from view, yet the spotlight beam's path is unobstructed. In the preferred embodiment, the spotlight beam may be directed as desired by moving the bulb housing laterally, by rotating the bulb housing about a horizontal axis centered on the bulb housing, or by moving the bulb housing through an arc located on the same vertical plane in which the spotlight beam path lies. The spotlight and table lamp may be operated together or separately. In the preferred embodiment, the spotlight fixture comprises a housing for a quartz halogen spotlight bulb and a transformer housing. An incandescent lamp socket, or other suitable type of socket, is integral with the transformer housing in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A light ramp for lighting instrument panels, more especially in aircraft or helicopters, characterized in that it comprises, in combination, at least one fluorescent tube (5) emitting in the ultra-violet spectrum, housed inside a frame (6) disposed in front of the instrument panel (1), and a plate made from Wood's glass (7) sealingly fixed to the frame (6) in front of said fluorescent tube (5).

Abstract: A safe-speed indicator system including a projector device, projecting beams of different colors, such that each pair of beams intersect each other at different predetermined distances which expand during any slowdown of the vehicle upon which the said projector device is mounted, to give the driver following it a measure of how fast a speed change he should anticipate to avoid collision. A color-pattern attached to the speedometer is used by the following driver to find out from the observable color(s) of the projector of the preceding vehicle what his safe speed is.

Abstract: A portable light having a U-shaped body and an elongated reflector supported on the body providing a space for batteries between the reflector and the body. Two lamps are supported on the reflector providing a flood light and a lens is supported on the body over the reflector and the lamps. Two cup-shaped end caps are supported on the ends of the light and one end cap has a frusto-conical shaped reflector integrally attached to it, and a lens closes the end of the cap having the reflector in it, and a lamp is supported on the reflector under the lens providing a spot light.