Abstract: Lampholders to be used with cold cathode fluorescent lamps of the type that do not require heated internal filaments. A lamp pin contact to engage one of the two lamp pins at each end of the lamp provides the electrical circuit between a high voltage ballast and the gas within the lamp. A lamp retainer device engages one of the lamp pins and cooperates with one lamp pin contact to support the lamp. The device may take the form of one or more cantilever mounted insulating or conductive arms, a flat or spring wire form or may be made of compressible material. A further form of lampholder uses a spring loaded contact to engage the lamp pins of a fluorescent lamp and to make contact with a single power conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method place a node in an unconfigured state, with the apparatus and method functioning within an electrical network including a plurality of such nodes. Each node is adapted to communicate over a communications network. Such electrical networks can be implemented utilizing the CEBus (EIA-600 standard) or LonWorks communications systems. The apparatus and method operate in a LonWorks communications system by placing a node in an unconfigured state for installation or maintenance purposes. A push button switch is in a suitable location in the apparatus to be accessed by a user. The switch is coupled between a service pin of a Neuron chip and ground. Under control of an executable application program, pressing the switch for a predetermined length of time causes the node to be placed in the unconfigured state.

Abstract: Resettable circuit breakers having an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of the fault protection operations, and the reset lockout prevents the resetting of the circuit breaker if the fault protection is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: An integral wall plate and power receptacle are provided for flush mounting on an electrical box or support. In that the wall plate and receptacle are made of insulating material the grounding of the wall plate is not required. The power receptacle includes a number of chambers into which contacts are selectively placed. Identification tabs on the contacts and keyways on the walls of the chambers limit insertion of the contacts to selected chambers and orient the contacts. The wall plate provides a smooth transition from the receptacle to thinned edges which receive mounting fasteners. An insert covers the base members and retains the contacts in their respective chambers while providing a smooth finished look to the wall plate.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout mechanism are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of a circuit interrupting mechanism used to break the connection, and the reset lockout mechanism prevents the resetting of electrical connections between input and output conductors if the circuit interrupting mechanism is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor and an automatic dimmer are connected in series with a light source. The detection of motion in the viewing area of the sensor starts the automatic dimmer which moves from its minimum brightness level to its maximum brightness level. One embodiment of the invention includes a key which can be operated to stop the automatic dimmer at some brightness level below the maximum brightness level which is reached if the key is not operated. A second embodiment provides a presetting device whereby the brightness level can be preset. When all motion in the viewing area ceases the automatic dimmer returns the brightness level to the minimum level at a slow rate.

Abstract: A communication system includes a talking doll arranged to speak to a user and to request the user to carry out various tasks. The user responds to such requests by selecting and pressing keys on a remote keyboard. The doll and the keyboard communicate using infra-red signalling. The system is programmed so that the doll can respond to the user's selection and to say whether the selection is correct or not.

Abstract: A full flow water connector assembly has a connector with prongs of a certain length that are separated by notches. The end of the connector with the prongs is passed through an opening in a diaphragm and the prongs protrude through respective slots in a diffuser/retainer member. The prongs are then bent so as to press the diffuser/retainer member so as to secure the diaphragm and hold the connector assembly together. The diffuser/retainer member has segments between the slots, the segments contacting the notches when the diffuser/retainer member is pressed sufficiently far. The length of the prongs beyond the notches limits the maximum amount of compression that the diffuser/retainer member can exert against the diaphragm material, thereby minimizing the chance of cracking and subsequent failure of the diaphragm material.

Abstract: System for opening and temporarily supporting a section of a generally tubular organ, the system comprising a dilation catheter, and an inflatable balloon, the dilation catheter includes an integrally connected shape memory catheter tip, the shape memory catheter tip, is made of a shape memory alloy, the balloon being inserted within said shape memory catheter tip, wherein the balloon is operative to inflate, thereby moving the shape memory catheter tip from a first shape into a second shape, and wherein the shape memory catheter tip changes from the second shape to the first shape when heated from a first temperature to a second temperature.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for preventing miswiring of GFCI devices is disclosed. The invention is insertable into the receptacle portion of either a single or duplex GFCI device is operative to provide visual and/or audible indication to an installer or user that a miswiring condition is present. The invention comprises an elongated strip constructed of a nonconducting material such as plastic. The strip includes prongs attached to it either on one or both ends for retaining the strip within the receptacle of the GFCI device. A protruding button is positioned on the inner surface of the strip such that when the device is inserted into the GFCI, the button maintains the test button in a depressed state. This insures that the GFCI will be tested upon initial application of electrical power after installation. If the GFCI is not wired properly, visual and/or audible alarm indicators signal a miswiring condition to the installer.

Abstract: A system for locating and identifying underground pipes, utilizing a ground-probing radar. The ground-probing radar system includes an antenna module and a transmit/receive sub-system. The system also includes a digital signal processing sub-system for processing the received signal to extract data corresponding to detected differences in dielectric constant and a master controller. The system still further includes a positioning sub-system, a display sub-system, a user interface and a data storage mechanism, display data and said operating parameters.

Abstract: A layer of thermal fusible material is placed on one surface of a metal oxide varistor (MOV) to monitor the heating of the MOV due to applied voltage spikes. The thermal fusible material is part of the electrical circuit which includes the MOV and melts at a predetermined temperature. In the presence of a severe or a number of voltage spikes the MOV heats up and the heat transferred to the thermal fusible material causes it to open the electrical circuit to the MOV to prevent overheating and thermal runaway. In another form, the MOV is separated into two halves and the thermal fusible material layer is placed between the ends of the MOV halves.

Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.

Abstract: A fluid metering roll such as an anilox roll is comprised of a tubular carbon fiber composition core having one or more metallic layers intervening between the core and a surface layer comprised of ceramic, the ceramic having outwardly opening fluid metering cells. The method of forming the roll includes steps of thermal spray applying one or more layers comprised of metal over the roll surface the layers intervening between the roll and an external ceramic coating. Characterizing features of the application method reside in each of the thermal spray applied layers being directed toward the core at a negative rake angle of from about 11½ to about 13½ and preferably 12½°, the core and layers which receive the thermal spray being simultaneously cooled to about 110° Centigrade or less during application of the thermal spray.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) with built in intelligence is described that includes circuitry to automatically indicate a device miswiring condition. When a GFCI is wired with its AC and LOAD terminals reversed, downstream devices are still protected in the event of a ground fault but the duplex receptacle on the GFCI itself is not. The invention incorporates miswiring sense circuitry that automatically triggers the generation of visual and audible alarms in the event a miswiring condition is sensed. The invention employs an alarm inhibiting technique that incorporates sense circuitry connected to the AC terminals on one side of the internal GFCI switches or relays and alarm generation circuitry connected to the LOAD terminals on the opposite side.

Abstract: A snap-in assembly of a wallplate to a heat sink is achieved by placing notches in the ends of the heat-dissipating fins of the heat sink which receive in locking engagement the free ends of tabs placed along the inside of the peripheral wall, at the top and bottom ends, of the rear surface of the wallplate. The wallplate can be removed from the heat sink and reinstalled as desired.

Abstract: A powerized stapler device is disclosed including an electromagnet, preferably a solenoid, having a armature which is adjustable relative to the solenoid such that the permeable portions of the armature, in the non-energized condition of the solenoid, may be adjusted relative to the solenoid enabling the force exerted by the solenoid to be varied as a function of the initial position of the armature. In a further preferred embodiment, an extension of the armature is engaged with the stapler head whereby movements of the armature relative to the electromagnet also function to vary the space between the stapler head and the stapler anvil, adjustments to process thin work pieces functioning to reduce the spacing between stapler head and anvil as well as reducing the driving force exerted by the electromagnet.

Abstract: To separate the chamber of a standard device box into two compartments, one for high voltage power conductors and the other for low power signal conductors a deflectable isolation barrier is employed. In a first form the barrier, its supporting means and attaching means are formed as an integral unit and fastened to the inside surface of a wall plate. The barrier takes a position in the box based upon the depth of the box. In a second form the deflectable isolation barrier is formed as an extension of the side wall of a box insert to be placed in the device box.

Abstract: A mounting system using a mounting frame permits the support of up to three printed circuit boards in a stacked fashion. Various cut-outs provide ridge segments to support printed circuit boards at a top, bottom and intermediate plane. Locking devices adjacent selected ridge segments engage the printed circuit boards and hold them in assembly with the mounting frame. The individual printed circuit boards can be coupled to each other employing straight pin headers or employing flexible, flat ribbon cable connected to the printed circuit board traces by suitable connectors.