Abstract: An outdoor weatherproof protective electrical outlet cover adapted to be attached in weatherproof connection to an electrical outlet comprising a base plate adapted to be attached in weatherproof connection with the electrical outlet, the base plate having an aperture of sufficient size to accommodate the electrical outlet positioned in a first orientation and a second orientation wherein only one electrical outlet orientation can be accommodated at a given time, an insert sized and adapted to fit within the aperture of the base plate in a first orientation and a second orientation, the aperture being of sufficient size to accommodate one electrical outlet orientation, and a protective housing defining a closed space enclosing the electrical outlet with at least one electrical plug present, the protective housing adapted to be mounted to the base plate.

Abstract: An adjustable outdoor light fixture powered by an electrical current provided by wire leads capable of producing a variable light beam distribution pattern comprising, a housing having an outside surface and an inside surface and defining a cavity with an open face, a reflector supported within the cavity of the housing, a lens covering the open face of the housing, the lens movable relative to the reflector, and a light source connected to the leads adapted to be attached to the lens within the cavity of the housing whereby the lens and the light source are movable relative to the reflector in order to produce a variable light beam distribution pattern. Also included is a reflex optics reflector for an outdoor light fixture that improves transmittance of light from the fixture.

Abstract: An inexpensive circuit for controlling the recharging of a rechargeable power source by a photovoltaic panel is used for powering a load such as the lamp of a walk light. Using a minimum number of components, the circuit can charge a rechargeable battery anytime sunlight is sufficient to place a potential across the battery that is greater than the present potential of the battery, can sense a decrease in voltage across the photovoltaic panel with diminishing ambient light and energize the load, can prevent the load from being energized when the ambient light level is sufficient to re-charge the battery, can provide positive feedback at turn-on of the load, thereby hastening turn-on and providing hysteresis, can provide for adjusting the hysteresis bands, can shift the turn-on and turn-off thresholds, and can provide an adequate current to guarantee turn-on when using low leakage solar panels.

Abstract: An inexpensive circuit for controlling the recharging of a rechargeable power source by a photovoltaic panel is used for powering a load such as the lamp of a walk light. Using a minimum number of components, the circuit can charge a rechargeable battery anytime sunlight is sufficient to place a potential across the battery that is greater than the present potential of the battery, can sense a decrease in voltage across the photovoltaic panel with diminishing ambient light and energize the load, can prevent the load from being energized when the ambient light level is sufficient to re-charge the battery, can provide positive feedback at turn-on of the load, thereby hastening turn-on and providing hysteresis, can provide for adjusting the hysteresis bands, can shift the turn-on and turn-off thresholds, and can provide an adequate current to guarantee turn-on when using low leakage solar panels.

Abstract: A light fixture having a base coupled to a housing by means of a coupling of the ball and socket type. The light housing may be fixed in any angular orientation over a range of azimuth angles well in excess of two hundred and seventy degrees and any angle of elevation from completely horizontal to completely vertical. The coupling can do so while accommodating the passage of electrical conductors from the base of the fixture extending toward the lamp and while also protecting the fixture against misuse in the form of repeated rotation tending to disconnect those conductors internally of the fixture. Altering the relative positions of a lamp and reflector changes the width of the beam cast by the apparatus. With the reflector and front lens fixed, a lamp holder is mounted for sliding motion with respect to the rear of the housing and is moved by manual actuation of a mechanism accessible from the rear of the fixture.

Abstract: An inexpensive circuit for controlling the recharging of a rechargeable power source by a photovoltaic panel is used for powering a load such as the lamp of a walk light. Using a minimum number of components, the circuit can charge a rechargeable battery anytime sunlight is sufficient to place a potential across the battery that is greater than the present potential of the battery, can sense a decrease in voltage across the photovoltaic panel with diminishing ambient light and energize the load, can prevent the load from being energized when the ambient light level is sufficient to re-charge the battery, can provide positive feedback at turn-on of the load, thereby hastening turn-on and providing hysteresis, can provide for adjusting the hysteresis bands, can shift the turn-on and turn-off thresholds, and can provide an adequate current to guarantee turn-on when using low leakage solar panels.

Abstract: A second photoelectric element or cell (P2) is mounted in series with a first photoelectric element or cell (P1) of the prior art and in parallel with a portion of a voltage divider of which said first element is a part to shunt out a portion of the divider in response to light from a light load turned on by the operation of said first element incident to an increase in impedance thereof due to ambient darkness. Addition of the second photoelectric cell results in hysteresis of the turn-on/turn-off operating points of the first cell to prevent flicker to the light which is present at or near dusk in lights controlled by the prior art circuits. Mechanically, one cell (P1) is mounted on the side of a collar (21) surrounding the neck of a light bulb (13) outside direct light rays from the filament (23) while cell (P2) is mounted on the collar top in the direct path of light rays from the filament.

Abstract: A programmable wall switch for controlling the time for turning on and for turning off an incandescent light includes a rectifying circuit for producing from the AC power line a selected DC voltage. The switch includes a microprocessor powered by this DC voltage for turning on a light at any one of several selected times and for turning off the light at one of an additional corresponding several selected times. A time display is provided for displaying the time as well as for allowing a user to review the programmed status of the switch at any one of several selected times. A signal is generated at each zero crossing of the AC power line which is supplied to the microprocessor. The microprocessor produces output signals which turn on, turn off or dim the light at selected times. The ability of the microprocessor to dim the light further enhances the appearance of human occupancy when the switch is used to simulate occupancy of a vacant building.

Abstract: A switching timer device includes a manual switch having "on", "off" and "timer" positions. When the switch is set in the "on" position a load is supplied continuous power from a source. When the switch is set in the "timer" position, a load-powering power switch is closed for a predetermined length of time determined by a timer that is automatically reset when the manual switch is so actuated, and after elapse of the predetermined time the power switch is opened to de-energize the load. The timer is configured as a direct replacement for existing wall-mounted switch units without requiring access to the low side of the line, and consumes no internal power when in the normal "on" position.

Abstract: A simplified data entry system, particularly for a lawn sprinkler timer, employing three data entry push buttons cooperative with a multiple position mode switch having manual selector controls operable to present various program modes or segments and associated display legends, one by one, to a data display and entry station; the mode switch positively restricting data entry to the particular requirements of the mode indexed to the entry station and limiting input thereto in accordance with its program requirements; such input data being supplied by push button depressions, which cooperate with a micro-computer to advance digits in a multi-digit display.

Abstract: The normally provided recirculating pump, jet generating action blower and light in a spa are turned on and off by appropriate pump, jet and light signals. These signals are provided by a radio receiver in turn responsive to different transmitted signals. A battery powered hand-held radio transmitter in turn may be manually operated to generate the different signals and thus enable the recirculating pump, jet action generating blower and light in the spa to be operated from a remote location. The system also contemplates the use of switching valves so that the same recirculating pump for the spa can be remotely controlled for recirculating water in a swimming pool should a user also have a swimming pool on the premises.