Abstract: Reinforced borehole plugs useful in the presplitting and blast removal of earth formations, the improvements provided by the invention comprising inflatable devices intended to support stemming, explosives and the like at suspended locations within a borehole to produce desired blast results. The borehole plugs of the invention comprise inflatable sport balls such as are used on playgrounds as toys and which are reinforced according to the invention to maintain inflation within a borehole, a characteristic which playground balls can only inconsistently provide. The borehole plugs of the invention are preferably inflatable through use of valve structures which permit pumping of an inflating fluid into the plugs once the plugs are respectively suspended at desired locations within boreholes prior to filling the boreholes in whole or in part with stemming and/or explosives and the like.

Abstract: Electronic self-test and/or self-diagnostic systems particularly useful with emergency lighting fixtures, including exit signage having light emitting diodes as light sources and unit emergency fixtures powered with lead-acid batteries, the systems perform testing and diagnostic functions on the circuitry, power supply, charger and lamping of such fixtures either by manual or automatic initiation. Testing functions are provided through use of a programmable microprocessor, the diagnostic circuitry not only monitoring operation of charger/transfer circuitry but also controlling the charger/transfer circuitry to enable alternate strategies for alleviation of a given failure. In emergency mode of a light emitting diode exit sign, a microprocessor-controlled two-stage inverter is employed not only to power the LED light source, but also to efficiently power the microprocessor.

Abstract: An emergency lighting fixture combining the functions of an illuminated sign such as an exit sign and an emergency lighting unit integrated into one housing onto which one or more emergency lights can be mounted at predetermined locations of the housing, the combined emergency lighting structure providing both exit location information and ambient emergency lighting in a single cooperatively operating device. The present device replaces bulky prior combinations of discrete exit signs and emergency lighting units which have been assembled together essentially as individual devices without integration into a single housing or without substantial integration of operational features, the housing of the present device being only slightly larger than standard exit signage.

Abstract: An automated method as system for verifying end-to-end connectivity in a broadcast network such as an xDSL network including a plurality of elements such as ATM switches coupled to a subscriber modem. The method and system includes determining each of the elements in the network and establishing a communication channel with a corresponding interface of each element to generate test commands and elicit responsive data. Service logic is applied to determine the location of a fault and display the same on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in a suitable format such as a Visual Word Document (VWD).

Abstract: A modular mounting-arm assembly for use with a luminaire, the modular mounting assembly including a housing and a removable access door hingedly affixable to the housing for receiving and supporting an electrical assembly. The electrical assembly comprises electrical components having electrical connections which terminate in a mounting arm quick disconnect.

Abstract: Detection apparatus for sensing the operational state of an electric fence and thus an electric fence charger intended to maintain an electric charge on the fence, the invention and the several embodiments thereof find compatibility with known fence chargers whether pulse or continuous in appropriate supply voltage ranges. The detection apparatus of the invention includes a power supply such as a battery to drive a light source such as a light emitting diode which is caused to flash by circuitry carried by the apparatus, the apparatus being clipped to the fence at any location thereof to connect the circuitry to the electrical load on the fence. The light source operates in the event of a failure of the fence charger to perform properly including conditions ranging from complete failure to voltage drops of a predetermined degree or in the event of an open circuit such as can be caused by a separated fence conductor such as a fence wire.

Abstract: Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux with improved uniformity, the invention provides in certain embodiments a shielding device or flux manager which produces target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light. Performance optimization is further provided in embodiments using the flux manager through additional use of a multi-faceted reflector insert which re-aims light which would have been incident on portions of the reflector structure and which light is blocked by the flux manager. The improved light distribution of the several embodiments of the invention allow use of the flux management concept in lighting fixtures of varying type.

Abstract: An improved pull-on clip intended to position and maintain in place a reflector trim within a downlighting housing or “can” and particularly to bias the trim against an opening in a ceiling to retain a finishing flange of the trim in place about the opening. The present clip can be manually assembled to the trim by means of a snap-fastening structure provided on an attachment end of the clip, the use of tools being unnecessary for assembly of the clip to the trim. The clip facilitates lamp positioning within the can and thereby within the fixture such that optimum lamp performance is obtained.

Abstract: A bra or garment configured to function at least in part in the manner of a brassiere and usable by a nursing mother for improved ease of nursing an infant child, the invention provides dual exterior bra cup covers releasably fastened about certain peripheral portions thereof to portions of a body-encircling band or foundation garment, which cup covers are permanently fastened along other peripheral portions to the bra or foundation garments, the covers further being disposed on front surfaces of the bra or garment in surmounting relation to the breast of a user when the bra or garment is worn. The cup covers of the garment can each be opened from respective locations substantially under or near the underarms of a user to expose interior cups having a central opening formed in each of said interior cups, thereby to facilitate nursing by an infant such as when the infant is held in the crook of the arm of a user.

Abstract: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.

Abstract: Detection apparatus for sensing the operational state of an electric fence and thus an electric fence charger intended to maintain an electric charge on the fence, the invention and the several embodiments thereof find compatibility with known fence chargers whether pulse or continuous in appropriate supply voltage ranges. The detection apparatus of the invention includes a power supply such as a battery to drive a light source such as a light emitting diode which is caused to flash by circuitry carried by the apparatus, the apparatus being clipped to the fence at any location thereof to connect the circuitry to the electrical load on the fence. The light source operates in the event of a failure of the fence charger to perform properly including conditions ranging from complete failure to voltage drops of a predetermined degree or in the event of an open circuit such as can be caused by a separated fence conductor such as a fence wire.

Abstract: A door frame hingeably mounted to a lensed fluorescent troffer lighting fixture and carrying a prismatic lens cover, the door frame also integrally provides a light trap function. Structural components of the door frame have fastening elements formed integrally therewith for attachment of said components together without the use of separate fastening elements. The door frame includes low profile latching structure which allows ready opening of the door frame for relamping or other maintenance functions, hinge elements acting not only to hold the door frame to the light fixture but also to hold the door frame in a fully open position. The door frame further acts to impart rigidity to the lighting fixture when in a closed position.

Abstract: Light-transparent lens structures typically formed of conventional synthetic acrylic resins and intended for use as lenses in a lensed fluorescent troffer or similar lighting fixture, the lens structures of the invention are characterized by repeating patterns of conical or pyramidal depressions formed in the lens with upper portions or apices thereof being inverted. The lens structures of the invention preserve the angular relationships of lens material to air interfaces of conventional conical lens patterns, for example, and further preserve angular beam shaping capabilities while substantially reducing the amount of material needed to form the lens structures per se.

Abstract: An improved lensed fluorescent troffer lighting fixture intended for ceiling mounting and particularly for recessed mounting to a suspended ceiling grid within a shallow plenum, the embodiments of the fixture having dimensions, particularly depth-wise dimensions, which allow installation within the confines of reduced plenums while maintaining fixture quality and retaining desirable characteristics such as minimal lamp image. The present lensed troffers can be manufactured at a high assembly rate due to the ability to snap together on an assembly line the various components of the fixture without the use of separate fasteners. The lensed troffers of the invention are particularly configured for use with T8 fluorescent lamping and low profile electronic ballast.