Abstract: A toy light sword including a hollow blade with a fluorescent coating on the inside, or it may be translucent and tend to glow when illuminated. A stroboscopic lamp unit is discharged by a switch to provide a burst of high intensity light and a glow on the sword blade. An inertial switch is provided in the blade in one optional embodiment whereby the high-intensity light is discharged when the sword is moved against an object to indicate that contact has been made. Also, a sound generator can be provided to emit a sound when the burst of light occurs. An exemplary circuit for use with the light sword is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A highly efficient circuit for converting a low level DC voltage to the high voltage necessary for energizing a flash lamp. The circuit is very small and non-complex, it is portable and is quickly recharged, particularly being adaptable for emergency flash uses and for toys such as light swords and laser pistols. A very efficient portion of the circuit, comprising a DC/AC inverter, an AC/DC converter and a voltage multiplier, operating at an appropriate frequency, enables the flash capacitor to always be maintained substantially at peak voltage value with minimum power usage.

Abstract: A self-contained emergency signal has a base which contains a battery and a high-intensity flash/lamp actuating unit. The actuating unit is electrically connected to a battery and to a high-intensity flash lamp. A switch turns the actuating unit on and high-intensity lamp bursts are displayed through a transparent, translucent, polarized, colored or symbol containing a lens arrangement, or a combination of such elements. The emergency signal may have different forms such as cylindrical, elliptical, rectangular or triangular. In some embodiments the lens arrangements are in telescopic relationship to the base, or may be collapsible to a compact, easy-to-carry device. Exemplary circuitry for use with the various emergency signal embodiments is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A battery operated lamp and battery charger are disclosed. The lamp is equipped with a rechargeable battery and a battery charger stand. The lamp has a lamp support surface with a center terminal, and a second terminal spaced from the center which engages the center terminal and second terminal respectively on the lamp. Thus the two lamp terminals will engage the two respective charge terminals regardless of the position of orientation in which the lamp is placed on the charger. The charger circuit is powered from a power cord connected to a power line through a transformer a full wave rectifier to charging lines. These diodes and a switch are connected in parallel with two diodes. The lamp battery to be charged is connected in parallel with the charging lines. Thus, with the switch closed, the charging voltage is reduced to desired value by a voltage drop caused by the resistor and the three diodes in parallel with the battery.

Abstract: A toy laser weapon such as a pistol utilizes a flash unit to generate a burst of high intensity light. A collimating device collimates the light into a beam simulating a laser beam. A target vest can be worn by the person that is the target of the simulated laser pistol and includes a target area of fluorescent material that indicates a hit when the light beam from the toy laser pistol strikes the target area. Also, a sound generator can be provided to emit a sound when the burst of light occurs. An exemplary circuit for use with the light pistol is also part of the invention.

Abstract: A lamp stabilizer adapted to be mounted to the housing of a light fixture includes a mounting bracket secured to the light fixture and an elongated rigid rod slidably mounted for axial movement with respect to the bracket. The lamp stabilizer has a lamp engaging socket mounted on one end of the rod for selective engagement with an outer end portion of a lamp mounted in the housing. The lamp engaging socket is generally frustum-shaped and has at least one layer of heat insulating and lamp cushioning material secured to an inner side thereof for direct engagement with the outer end portion of the lamp. The lamp engaging socket is positioned with respect to the lamp by moving the rod with respect to the mounting bracket. A friction clip is selectively securable along the axial length of the rod and when secured thereto, engages the mounting bracket to restrict movement of the rod in direction away from the lamp.

Abstract: In the manufacture of large signs, flexible sign facing material is fastened in stretched condition to a frame which is collapsed for shipping and erected at the job site to eliminate slack and restore its full length. Slide locking members are utilized.

Abstract: A self-contained emergency signal has a base unit which contains a battery and an optional radio transmitter and a plurality of telescoping box-like stages which nest into the base member to convert it into a small container for storage and transport. Each of the boxes and the light mounting panels are cut in a special way to permit nesting of the boxes within the base container. When deployed for use the unit is extended into a vertical (or horizontal) array of sequentially illuminated letters which spell out the word "HELP" or a similar word or different color panels, there being a control to sequentially flash strobe lights positioned behind each letter.

Abstract: An evacuation aid for a high rise building comprising a wind cone lighting device which can be operated for a substantial period of time under emergency power conditions such as from a battery supply. The wind cone is lighted by a single light rotating with the wind cone and powered through slip ring assemblies.

Abstract: A light fixture having a reflector for directing light beams generally in a first direction, such as an indirect lighting reflector, which has a tab that is partially punched out and bent to reflect a restricted spot of light in an opposite direction. This permits the highlighting or illumination of an area on the back side of the reflector without extra bulbs and without ugly add-on reflectors.

Abstract: A switch having a plate like matrix with laterally spaced longitudinally extending bores extending from one end of the plate to the other and wires resting in the bores with bare parts of the wires extending through the bores and insulating parts of the wires received in notches at one end of the plate. The plate has openings in one side communicating with the bare wires so that a slider sliding on the plate engages the wires through the openings forming contact with the wires and connecting the wires together at the proper positions of the slider thereby providing a switch for electrically connecting the wires together at selected positions of the slider on the plate.

Abstract: A spotlight having a generally cylindrical housing with an integral radially extending pistol grip handle at one end, a cord retractor in the rear and a seal beam light closing the open end of the cylindrical housing. The lamp is held in a shock absorbing position by projections on the housing and an integral trigger connected to the housing through a living hinge actuates the switch to turn the light on and off. A trigger lock holds the light "on" and the trigger guard prevents the trigger from being turned on inadvertently. An improved cord holder is provided which utilizes a pinch connection.

Abstract: A hanger for mounting elongated members relative to a wall surface which permits alignment of the elongated member in a direction perpendicular to the surface, and also in both directions along the surface. The uses of the hangers find particular application in hanging elongated fluorescent light troffers or mounting tubes, and for mounting other devices such as a lighted hand rail or an unlighted hand rail for stairways.

Abstract: A combination floodlight, spotlight and flasher circuit is disclosed herein. The circuit is provided with a manual switch means, which will turn a spotlight to on, off, and flash, and turn the floodlight on, off, and to a battery saver position. The floodlight is operated through a unique inverter circuit and flasher circuit combination. Multiple combinations of switching modes make it possible to selectively accomplish various combinations of lights simultaneously.

Abstract: A portable light having a U-shaped body and an elongated reflector supported on the body providing a space for batteries between the reflector and the body. Two lamps are supported on the reflector providing a flood light and a lens is supported on the body over the reflector and the lamps. Two cup-shaped end caps are supported on the ends of the light and one end cap has a frusto-conical shaped reflector integrally attached to it, and a lens closes the end of the cap having the reflector in it, and a lamp is supported on the reflector under the lens providing a spot light.