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 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 lamp array having a plurality of 2n flashlamps, a plurality of n selective terminal means, each associated with a respective pair of the lamps and connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps of the associated pair, and a common terminal associated with all of the 2n lamps but directly connected to the other lead-in wire of one lamp of each pair. A respective normally open switch is coupled between the common terminal and a lead-in wire of the other lamp of each pair, so that the n normally open switches are coupled between the common circuit lead-in wires of associated pairs of the 2n lamps. Each of the switches is responsive to the flashing of the directly connected lamp of an associated pair so as to electrically connect the other lamp of the pair to the common terminal. In one specific example, ten lamps are selectively paired to be operated sequentially by firing pulses successively applied to five selective terminals together with a common terminal.

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 circuit for starting and operating a low-voltage fluorescent lamp from a 120 volt AC supply. The circuit includes a choke type ballast connected in series with the lamp and inductively coupled to a pulse train generator comprising an RC energy storage circuit connected across the line and a voltage sensitive transistorized relaxation oscillator having a divider network for sensing lamp voltage. In a preferred embodiment the circuit is employed in a preheat mode of operation in combination with an electronic starter circuit comprising a PTC resistor, silicon diode and SCR series connected across the lamp.

Abstract: A tungsten-halogen exposure lamp having a tubular envelope of quartz or high silica glass has a pinch seal at each end with a pair of stiff lead-in wires respectively extending therefrom. Attached to each lead-in wire is an open ended spade lug having a U-shaped portion laying in a plane parallel to the lamp axis. The spade lugs can be coaxially crimped about the lead-in wires. In a light source having an elongated holder with projecting mounting studs spaced from opposite ends of a cylindrical reflector, the tubular lamp is disposed along the vertex of the reflector with the pinch seals projecting through access clearances at opposite ends of the reflector with the spade lugs engaging the mounting studs.

Abstract: A photoflash unit having a plurality of high voltage type flashlamps mounted in a planar array on a printed circuit board containing circuitry for sequentially igniting the flashlamps in response to successive high voltage firing pulses applied thereto. The circuitry includes a plurality of solid state switches capable of being easily activated by radiant energy generated during flashing of lamps located adjacent to respective switches. Initially, the switches have a high resistance, and after being activated by radiation, they undergo chemical conversion to a conductive state. The switches are prepared from compositions which include a comparatively large proportion of nonconductive inert particulate solids to improve switch functioning.

Abstract: A high-voltage type photoflash lamp filled with a filamentary combustible material and oxygen and having an ignition structure including a pair of spaced-apart lead-in wires sealed in one end of the glass envelope of the lamp and encapsulated within an interior protruding portion of the envelope glass. The termination of each of the lead-in wires within the envelope is bare of sealing glass and substantially flush with the surrounding glass surface, and a coating of primer material about the inner end of the protruding portion of glass within the envelope covers and bridges the bare terminations of the lead-in wires.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit board disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member having an enclosing cover panel of light-transmitting material. The lamp-firing circuitry includes a common circuit conductor run connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps. The housing member includes reflector cavities adjacent to the lamps, and a continuous coating of electrically conductive reflective material covers the surfaces of the channel and reflector cavities for providing both reflective surfaces for flashing lamps and, by virtue of a connection between the common run and conductive coating, a shield to reduce the likelihood of accidental flashing of lamps by electrostatic charges.

Abstract: A high-voltage type photoflash lamp having an ignition structure including an improved primer material for the reliable ignition of filamentary combustible material distributed within the oxygen-filled envelope of the lamp. The primer material comprises, a particulate fuel such as zirconium powder, an oxidizer salt such as potassium perchlorate, a binding agent such as nitrocellulose, a finely divided inert material such as fumed alumina, and an additive of conductive fibers for controlling breakdown voltage. A preferred additive comprises finely milled or chopped fibers of carbon or graphite.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit strip disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member. A light-transmitting cover panel is attached to the housing member for enclosing the flashlamps, and the circuit strip extends beyond the cover panel to expose connecting terminals. The lamps have tubular envelopes and are positioned with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the printed circuit strip and arranged in substantially coaxial alignment. The housing member includes ledges within the channel for spacing the printed circuit strip from the rear wall, and the sidewalls of the channel have guide ribs for engaging notches in the circuit strip for facilitating assembly and location and avoiding longitudinal shifting of the strip.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit board disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member having an enclosing cover panel of light-transmitting material. The unit has connector terminals at opposite ends, and the linear array of flashlamps is divided into two groups disposed in opposite halves of the unit, each group of lamps being operated by the connector terminal at the remote end so as to reduce the red-eye photographic effect. The lamp-firing circuitry includes a pair of spaced-apart common circuit conductor runs respectively located on opposite halves of the printed circuit board and on opposite sides of a common surface. An interconnecting jumper, or crossover, between the common circuit runs is provided by means of a conductive staple secured to the circuit board.

Abstract: A dimming circuit for operating a fluorescent lamp in an incandescent-to-fluorescent adapter at two selectable current levels. The circuit includes a choke which is series connected between the center contact of a three-contact incandescent base and one of the lamp filament coils, and a capacitor connected between the ring contact and center contact of the base. A bleeder resistor of the PTC type is connected across the capacitor. For use with an incandescent lamp fixture having a four-position, three-way switch, the circuit further includes a current limiting discharge resistor connected in series with the capacitor.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit strip disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member having an enclosing cover panel of light-transmitting material. The unit has connector terminals at opposite ends, and the linear array of flashlamps is divided into two groups disposed in opposite halves of the unit, each group of lamps being operated by the connector terminals at the remote end so as to reduce the red-eye photographic effect. The lamp-firing circuitry includes a pair of common circuit conductor runs respectively located on opposite halves of the printed circuit strip and on opposite sides of a common surface. An interconnecting jumper, or crossover, between the common circuit runs is provided through continuous conductive reflector surfaces on the housing channel which make contact with conductive deposits extending from the respective common circuit runs to the edge of the printed circuit strip.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of photoflash lamps mounted on a printed circuit board disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member having an enclosing cover panel of light-transmitting material. The housing channel has a semi-rectangular cross-section and reflective surfaces on the sidewalls adjacent the flashlamps. A flat sheet of material, such as white paper adhesively coated on one side, is secured to the circuit board and interposed between the lamps and the circuitry for reflecting heat and light away from the circuit board and insulating at least portions of the circuitry from the radiant output of the lamps.

Abstract: A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit board disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member having an enclosing cover panel of light-transmitting material. The lamp firing circuitry includes a pair of spaced-apart common circuit conductor runs respectively located on opposite halves of the printed circuit board. The circuit board is secured to the rear wall of the housing channel by means of a staple having two legs extending through both the housing wall and circuit board, with the center region of the staple being disposed on the exterior of the channel wall. The staple legs are bent over in contact with respective ones of the common circuit runs to provide an interconnecting jumper therebetween and extend electrical ground to the exterior of the unit. The bent staple legs are also outwardly directed to contact a conductive-reflective coating on the channel sidewalls, thereby grounding the coating to provide an electrostatic shield.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp having a glass envelope with a clear protective exterior coating comprising a photopolymer reinforced with glass fibers. In applying the coating, a long strand of glass fibers is wrapped about the lamp envelope, which is then dipped in a liquid photopolymer, or short lengths of glass fiber are dispersed throughout the liquid photopolymer, either by premixing or application after dipping. The wet-coated lamp is then cure-hardened by a short period of irradiation with a source of ultraviolet light.