Abstract: A connector for glow sticks having first and second engaging members for engaging first and second ends of a glow stick. Positioned above the engaging members is a display area for the display of advertising or other information. The engaging members are typically shaped to fit the generally cylindrical glow stick. The ends of the glow stick are inserted into the engaging members, allowing the glow stick to function as a necklace or bracelet while displaying advertising, for example the logo of the sponsor of an event the user is attending.

Abstract: A rail lighting system includes an adapter having contact members with elongated portions. A body having an opening for a rail receives the contacts such that the elongated portions extend adjacent the rail. A wedge includes members that engage the contacts to urge the elongated portions toward the rail. The wedge is secured to a cap that threadedly engages the body. The rail includes at least one conductor in opposite end portions of the rail with respect to its depth. The conductors of the rail may include a single conductor or, alternatively conductors on opposite sides of the rail. A lighting fixture spring clip includes sets of opposite tangs including a first set having V-shaped end portions to engage a notched lamp base and a second set having curved end portions for engaging an enclosure barrier.

Abstract: An emergency exit sign includes a support assembly which permits rotation of lighting heads, about an upright axis, through an angle greater than 180°. A freely rotatable joint element is used to maintain the lighting heads, in cooperation with mating facets, in various positions without the need for mechanical fasteners. The lighting heads are also attached to a snap connector which, enables the lighting head to be shifted about an arcuate axis, as well as rotated about a still further axis which is substantially perpendicular to the upright axis.

Abstract: A lamp support comprises a plurality of attachment ends affixed to a bottom surface of a base member to attach the base member of the lamp support to a stationary object, preferably, an emergency exit sign. A pair of stems, equipped with a pair of engaging members at one end, extend from an upper surface of the base members. The engaging members face each other at one end. The engaging members include a plurality of flexible teeth that interface with a plurality of rotational faces located in a pair of rotational apertures located in a housing. The housing is attached to the pair of stems by the engaging member, enabling the housing to rotate 360 degrees on an axis created by the stems.

Abstract: The illumination intensity of a fluorescent lamp which has cathodes and an ionizable medium separating the cathodes is controlled by a method in which the lamp is ignited once during each half-cycle of applied AC current and is thereafter extinguished during that same half-cycle. The lamp is ignited by creating and applying an ignition voltage pulse of a magnitude greater than a characteristic operating voltage of the ionizable medium between the lamp cathodes. The lamp is extinguished by reducing the voltage between the cathodes to a value less than the operating voltage, at a point prior to a zero crossing of the applied AC current half-cycle in which the lamp was illuminated. Because the extinguishing point occurs prior to the end of the applied AC current half-cycle, the illumination intensity is reduced during each half cycle. The characteristics of the ignition pulse reliably ignite the lamp, thereby allowing extinguishing control on a half-cycle by half-cycle basis.

Abstract: A power control circuit achieves a relatively smooth turn-on conduction transition characteristic and a relatively low power consumption. A controlled transition circuit conducts current to a load when in a fully conductive state. The transition circuit transitions from a non-conductive state to the fully conductive state over a predetermined amount of time to limit the di/dt and the interference signals generated by the di/dt. A low forward voltage conduction circuit also conducts current to the load in a conductive state and diverts current to the transition circuit when in a non-conductive state. The conduction circuit creates a second predetermined voltage across the terminals when in the conductive state which is substantially less than the first predetermined voltage to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: A switching module having a switching circuit which achieves a relatively smooth turn-on conduction transition characteristic and a relatively low power consumption. A controlled transition circuit conducts current to between two of its three terminals when in a fully conductive state. The transition circuit transitions from a non-conductive state to the fully conductive state over a predetermined amount of time to limit the di/dt and the interference signals generated by the di/dt. A low forward voltage conduction circuit also conducts current to the load in a conductive state and diverts current to the transition circuit when in a non-conductive state. The conduction circuit creates a second predetermined voltage across the terminals when in the conductive state which is substantially less than the first predetermined voltage to reduce the power consumption.