Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for determining end of life of a light fixture by comparing the light output of a control LED of the fixture with the light output of an illumination LED of the fixture. The control LED is energized for a short period of time for the purpose of measuring its light output. The illumination LED is energized for the duration of time of the light fixture itself. In this way, the amount of degradation of the illumination LED can be determined by comparison with the control LED. If the light output of the illumination LED falls below a threshold level, actions may be take, such as, for example, sounding an alarm.

Abstract: A multi-illuminated pushbutton, including a substrate having a switch and a button cap. A lighting board may be affixed to the substrate, the lighting board having a first light source, a second light source, and a through channel disposed between the first light source and the second light source. The button cap can have a first window for transmission of light from the first light source, a second window for transmission of light from the second light source, and a button base disposed through the channel of the lighting board and in operable relation with the switch. The button base can be shaped to prevent substantially all light emitted from the first light source from transmission through the second window and prevents substantially all light emitted from the second light source from transmission through the first window.

Abstract: An illuminated display that is susceptible to interruption or termination of active lighting capability and provides passive lighting capability in such circumstances. The illuminated display features an active illumination source providing active lighting capability and a display member (i) arranged in light-receiving relationship to the active illumination source and (ii) containing photoluminescent pigment incorporated therein in sufficient amount and distribution to illuminate the display during the interruption or termination of active lighting capability, to provide passive lighting capability. The illuminated display may further include a fluorescent pigment arranged in photoluminescent light-receiving relationship to the display member containing the photoluminescent pigment, whereby the fluorescent pigment down-converts photoluminescent light from the display member during the interruption or termination of active lighting capability.

Abstract: An emergency egress system for a locus that is exposed to light in non-emergency use and susceptible to interruption or termination of light in emergency circumstances. The emergency egress system comprises a fibrous web deployed in the locus, wherein the fibrous web has photoluminescent fiber incorporated therein in sufficient amount and distribution to illuminate the web or predetermined portions thereof during the interruption or termination of light in emergency circumstances, and subsequent to light exposure thereof.

Abstract: A circuit driving an electroluminescent lamp at a frequency at or in the vicinity of the lower threshold of human hearing, thus reducing objectionable noise otherwise generated by such lamps when operated at high frequencies. In an electroluminescent lamp assembly including such driving circuit is described, the electroluminescent lamp is driven at low frequency, but nonetheless provides a high level of illumination output.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing electroluminescent lamps using a laser beam to remove a material layer of a multi-layer material structure, in which the laser beam has a first energy level directed at a first material layer, e.g., a conductor, laid over a second material layer, e.g., an insulator/substrate. The laser beam is moved in an overlapping fashion such as spiral pattern motion across the first material layer. A part of the first material layer is sublimed exposing a region of the second material under the area where the spiral pattern was applied. Additionally, a second laser beam having a second energy level, e.g., higher than the first energy level, is moved along a path over the exposed second material layer subliming the remaining underlying layers to form the final lamp shape.

Abstract: A current consumption control system for controlling the current draw of an electric power-consuming device, e.g., a modular strip lighting unit for a lighting system including at least one said unit, in which the strip lighting unit includes at least one light source element operatively coupled to a lighting circuit. The lighting circuit may illustratively comprise at least one pair of primary conduction lines connectable to a voltage source, and coupled in electrical circuit relationship with a current regulating circuit. The current regulating circuit includes an operational amplifier which is coupled with the primary conduction lines to generate a reference voltage, and which is coupled with positve and negative current input lines, with at least one power-consuming device coupled to the current output of the operational amplifier, and to the negative current input line.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of EL lamps in an instrument panel has its own control circuit for connecting the lamp to an adjustable AC voltage source. Each control circuit includes a photodetector for detecting the intensity of the illumination of its associated lamp, when the lamp is energized. With respect to a given input voltage of the AC voltage source, when the intensity of the light emitted by a given lamp begins to diminish, its control circuit will automatically increase the AC voltage applied across the electrodes of the lamp, thereby maintaining the light intensity of the lamp regardless of its age, for a given AC input voltage to the control circuit. The intensity of each lamp therefore remains consistent throughout substantially the full life of the EL lamp.

Abstract: A plurality of keys are mounted in parallel columns on a key supporting panel for reciprocation between upper, inactive positions and lower, active positions. Each key comprises a translucent core having a legend on its upper end, a conductor on its lower end, and an opening therethrough intermediate its ends. Each core is mounted for reciprocation at its lower end in a plastic sleeve, which is removably mounted by a flexible detent in one of the openings in the panel, and is surrounded adjacent its upper end by a flexible sleeve or hood which resiliently urges the key core to its upper position. In each column of key cores the openings in the latter register with each other, and an elongate electroluminescent strip extends through the registering openings and beneath the panel to prevent accidental withdrawal of the keys, and to illuminate the legends on a column of keys when energized.

Abstract: A rigid, metal strap has a hook formed on one end and a handle on the other. The hook is disposed to be inserted between a tire rim and a surrounding, tubeless tire, only one sidewall of which (the inboard side) has been mounted on the rim. The inner, terminal end of the hook is engaged with and retains the bead on the inboard side of the tire against the circumferential flange formed on one side of the rim. An adjustable clamp on the strap is releasably clamped to the opposite side of the rim to secure the strap to the rim and therefore to hold the inboard tire bead against movement. A turnbuckle is pivotally mounted at one end on the strap adjacent its handle and has a hook on its opposite end engageable with the outboard bead of the tire, so that by adjusting the turnbuckle the outboard side of the tire can be spread away from the rim.

Abstract: Nearly circular, generally C-shaped beadlocks, which are made from a generally rigid plastic material, are slightly flexible so that they can be inserted within a tubeless tire and snugly around the annular central section of a supporting tire rim of either the split rim or drop center variety. The confronting ends of the C-shaped beadlocks are secured together by releasable clips, which function to prevent the ends of the beadlock from separating during use at high speeds or at low speeds in run flat operation. At least certain embodiments of the beadlocks have a plurality of spaced ribs projecting from each side thereof to engage and retain the beads of a tire against dislodgment of a rim.

Abstract: The weight of an electroluminescent instrument panel is substantially reduced by manufacturing it from a pair of complementary plastic shells, which are molded together by a potting compound. The front shell of the panel is made by vacuum drawing a sheet of plastic over a first die plate, which forms in the back of the sheet a central recess, which has therein a plurality of rearwardly projecting, hollow bosses, and which is surrounded by a shallow overflow trough. One or more EL lamp elements are placed in the central recess with registering openings therein positioned over and surrounding the rearwardly projecting bosses, after which a potting compound is poured into the central recess to cover the EL elements. The complementary rear or back shell, which is also vacuum formed over a second die plate, is then forced into the back of the front shell, thereby causing excess potting material to flow out of the central recess in the front shell and into the surrounding overflow trough.

Abstract: This cabinet has a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally disposed, stationary shelves, which are closed at their rear ends and open at their forward ends. Slidably mounted between an adjacent pair of the stationary shelves is a movable, pull-out shelf, opposite sides of which are mounted on conventional roller brackets for movement between a retracted position in which the shelf is fully seated within the cabinet, and an extended position in which it projects horizontally from the front of the cabinet. The movable shelf is designed to simplify a cancelled check in-filing operation, and for that reason has a horizontally disposed, central recess for removably supporting thereon a check filing tray, and a pair of horizontally disposed, arm-supporting surfaces which are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the central recess.

Abstract: The liner includes a generally C-shaped, flexible band of bearing material disposed to be placed around the drop center of a tire rim. Two, complimentary, generally semi-circular members made from a polyester elastomer are then mounted as a ring coaxially around the outside of the band with the inner peripheral surfaces thereof slidably seated in a circumferential groove that is formed in the outer periphery of the band. The confronting ends of the members are releasably secured together by a pair of rigid links, each of which is releasably and pivotally mounted at one end in a recess in one end of a member, and has its opposite end connected to a rotatable eccentric that is mounted in the confronting end of the other member. When the associated eccentric is rotated, it causes the attached link to be reciprocated further into, or out of, the end of the associated member, thereby causing the link selectively to shift confronting ends of the members toward or away from each other.

Abstract: A flat, disc-shaped EL lamp is removably mounted in the head of a conventional flashlight casing between the usual transparent lens and the bowl-shaped metal housing, which usually forms the reflector for a flashlight bulb. In this case, however, a converter circuit is potted in the housing and includes a spring contact, which projects from the front of the housing into resilient contact with a foil disc secured to the back of the EL lamp. The foil disc is connected to the back electrode of the lamp, and the front electrode is connected to a metal rivet which is seated against the periphery of the metal housing. When the switch on the flashlight is moved to its ON position, DC power from the batteries is converted by the potted circuit to an AC signal which is applied to the EL lamp electrodes to make the lamp glow.

Abstract: The liner includes a generally C-shaped, flexible band of bearing material disposed to be placed around the .[.drop.]. center .Iadd.section .Iaddend.of a tire rim. .[.Two, complimentary, generally semi-circular.]. .Iadd.A plurality of arcuate .Iaddend.members made from a polyester elastomer are then mounted as a ring coaxially around the outside of the band with the inner peripheral surfaces thereof slidably seated in a circumferential groove that is formed in the outer periphery of the band. The confronting ends of the members are releasably secured together by a pair of rigid links, each of which is releasably and pivotally mounted at one end in a recess in one end of a member, and has its opposite end connected to a rotatable eccentric that is mounted in the confronting end of the other member.