Abstract: A miniaturized fiberoptic illuminating device, includes fiberoptic cables providing a plurality of optical fibers for conducting light and ferrules inserted over end portions of the cables. Apertures which are formed from the output ends of each optical fiber pass the light from the optical fibers. The device also includes a single optical lens, which may be a cylindrical lens or a modified cylindrical lens having different lens shapes formed into the surface thereof, aligned with the apertures for receiving light emitted from the optical fibers and passed through the apertures. The lens focuses the light in a desired pattern and may be rotated to clean the lens and/or adjust the beam pattern. The device also includes a housing having a row of spaced apart cavities receiving and supporting the ferrules and a single cavity spaced forwardly of and extending transversely to the row of cavities which contains the lens. The single cavity is spaced forwardly from forward ends of the row of cavities.

Abstract: The visual attractiveness of a variety of otherwise-autonomous articles may be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of an apertured, internally light-transmissive, peripherally light-intrareflective panel which is edge-illuminated and energized by elements self-contained within the article body. Article apertures of distributed area, point size or both may be thusly illuminated. Distributed-area display effects may be enhanced through aperture-aligned light-concentrative discontinuities formed in the panel. Enhancement of point-display effects may similarly be achieved through point-aperture-aligned, light-concentrative point discontinuities likewise formed in the panel. Point effects may also be enhanced through the employment of an end-illuminated, aperture-aligned, point-discontinuous optical fiber in conjunction with a subject apertured panel. Bi-directional display effects in subject autonomous articles may be achieved by means of a layered panel having oppositely-projective surfaces.

Abstract: A headband for use in holding a flashlight to the side of a user's head. The flashlight is attached to a plate. The plate is releasably attached to the headband. When the user desires to change the orientation of the flashlight, the plate is removed and reattached at the desired orientation. The flashlight can thus be oriented so as to cause the flashlight beam to be directed generally along the user's line of sight or any other desirable axis.

Abstract: A xenon arc lamp and a tungsten filament lamp provide light beams that together contain all the wavelengths required to accurately simulate a solar spectrum. Suitable filter apparatus selectively direct visible and ultraviolet light from the xenon arc lamp into two legs of a trifurcated randomized fiber optic cable. Infrared light selectively filtered from the tungsten filament lamp is directed into the third leg of the fiber optic cable. The individual optic fibers from the three legs are brought together in a random fashion into a single output leg. The output beam emanating from the output leg of the trifurcated randomized fiber optic cable is extremely uniform and contains wavelengths from each of the individual filtered light beams. This uniform output beam passes through suitable collimation apparatus before striking the surface of the solar cell being tested.

Abstract: A lighting system (10) is disclosed comprising a free-standing base (12) supporting a track lighting strip (20) in a substantially vertical position. Lighting elements (38) may be positioned at any point along the track lighting strip. Spacer tubes (80) and protective elements (90) cover and enclose the track lighting strip.

Abstract: A linear light source for a film scanner is disclosed which includes an elongated light integrating cavity having diffusely reflective walls. Light is introduced into the cavity through an input port, and an output beam of diffuse illumination is produced through a slot which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the integrating cavity. In order to provide a light source which can produce a beam of a desired angular distribution, plates are positioned adjacent the exit slot of the cavity to form channels through which the light exits.

Abstract: A pair of standoff posts and an endless coil spring form a simple mounting construct for positioning a bulb and reflector assembly in a lamp fixture. The reflector is positioned within the loop of the coil spring and the height of the standoff posts is chosen to locate the spring about the midpoint of the depth of the reflector so that the spring imparts both a centering action on the reflector and a clamping action of the reflector against the lamp fixture. The standoff posts are positioned at opposite ends of an extended diameter of the reflector and with the loop spring form a self-centering and locating mounting for the bulb and reflector assembly on the lamp fixture.

Abstract: A variable focusing flashlight includes a barrel which has a battery source of power contained therein and a tail cap mounted on one end of the barrel and having a compression spring provided thereon for urging the battery source towards the other end of the barrel. A lamp base retains a lamp bulb adjacent the other end of the barrel and includes a stationary receptacle mounted in the other end of the barrel and having an axially extending through bore formed therein. A pair of conductors are mounted in the stationary receptacle such that one of the conductors serves to couple the battery source and a first lamp electrode and the other one of the conductors serves to couple a second lamp electrode and the barrel. A movable receptacle has a plate portion disposed between the stationary receptacle and the battery source and formed with an opening and an upward extension that extends slidably into the through bore of the stationary receptacle.

Abstract: A self-contained solar powered marking light. The marking light may be utilized to delineate certain predetermined boundaries without effectively illuminating the areas. The marking light automatically illuminates when output power from the photovoltaic cells contained therein fall below a predetermined level and automatically extinguishes when the voltage from the photovoltaic cells reaches a predetermined level. The marking light includes a lens which is closely coupled to a source of light and which includes a textured surface for diffusing the light to cause the lens to appear to glow when the source of light is illuminated. An electrical circuit is coupled between the photovoltaic cells and a battery and includes the source of light and switching means for automatically illuminating the light dependent upon the relative relationship between the voltage of the photovoltaic cells and the battery voltage.

Abstract: A do-it-yourself lamp shade kit is disclosed. The kit includes a lamp shade base and pattern sized to approximate a size and shape of a fabric to cover the base. In addition to acting as a pattern for cutting out a fabric, the stiff paper of the pattern provides protection to the styrene base during shipping. Namely, the paper is selected to have a thickness which can withstand, at least partially, impact during handling and shipping.

Abstract: A backlight system for liquid crystal device display is equipped with a dual lighting system for day viewing and compatible with night vision systems. The day lighting system uses conventional fluorescent or incandescent lamps for full color display during daytime use. The night lighting system uses a light source which is either filtered to remove infrared and near infrared wavelengths or which is chosen from a class of sources which does not emit such wavelengths. The day lighting system is disabled while the night system is in use.

Abstract: A drinking glass which provides an appealing illuminated effect has a side wall portion containing recessed wedge-shaped indicia. Light emitting diodes, positioned at the bottom of the side wall portion direct light upwardly in a manner to be reflected outwardly by virtue of the angled facets of the wedge-shaped recesses. A battery for activating the diodes is positioned in a sealable compartment in the base of the glass. A mercury-type tilt switch causes the diodes to be illuminated when the glass is in upright orientation, and causes the diodes to be deactivated when the glass is upside down.

Abstract: An aquarium lighting system for underwater illumination of an aquarium tank. The light sources each include an elongated insulated wire having a light emitting diode on one end. A water impervious encapsulating layer of material extends over the LED lens and preferably seals and electrically insulates the connection between the elongated wire and the light emitting diode. The wire insulation is both waterproof and watertight. The plug has an opening extending therethrough which cooperates with an attachment mechanism such as a tie wrap or a suction cup to facilitate attaching the light emitting diode to either an object within the tank or the tank walls. A decorative aquarium volcano and display stand also are shown.

Abstract: A long life fluorescent lighting system provides uniform white light illumination with high efficiency. The system includes a gas-filled lamp with no phosphors on the inside surface of the lamp. A diffuser plate or mirror external to the lamp includes a phosphor coating to convert ultraviolet radiation emitted by the lamp to uniform white light illumination. The lamp may be filled with mercury vapor enriched with .sup.196 Hg for emission of 254 nm wavelength ultraviolet radiation and minimization of radiation trapping. The system may include band pass reflectors for reflecting 254 nm radiation to the phosphors and reflecting unwanted 185 nm radiation away from the phosphors and back into the lamp. The system provides uniform, high efficiency white light output suitable for back illumination of liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A glare control lamp and reflector assembly and method for glare control which includes a lamp and reflector for providing a controlled light beam to a target area. The reflector can be altered to alter the controlled light beam. Also, light controlling devices can be positioned on or in the reflector to control light.

Abstract: A photographic light comprises a main reflector with a light aperture, which is closed by a diffuser, and light sources, arranged in the photographic light casing and emitting luminous rays that reach the diffuser. A portion of the diffuser is exposed to the luminous rays of at least one second light source which reach the diffuser in addition to the luminous rays of at least one first light source. The additional second light source creates an area of increased light concentration at the diffuser. During the photographic step the photographic light is arranged such that the mat gloss objects to be photographed are positioned in the area of the increased light concentration, thereby generating strong reflections at the mat gloss surfaces, which are easily discernable from the surrounding areas.

Abstract: A method for controlling a sweeper lubrication system which includes a lubricant container, a pump, and sootblower specific lubricator connected to a sootblower by pipelines for passing lubricant to each sootblower. For reliability, the operation of the pump is controlled by a timer and the sootblower specific lubricator of each sootblower is controlled on the basis of the operation or movement of the respective sootblower.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for use with a warning light which has a reflector that is capable of rotating a beam of light emanating from a lamp located at its focal point. The mirror assembly comprises a first set of first, second and third mirrors mounted to the attachment for reflecting the intercepted light in a predetermined direction, where the reflections occur first from the first mirror, then from the second mirror and finally from the third mirror; and a port between the first and third mirrors for passing light to the second mirror such that the reflected beam from the second mirror is further from the focal point than the reflected beams from the first and third mirrors. A warning light is also provided which may be used either alone or in combination with the aforesaid mirror assembly.

Abstract: There is provided an edge light panel having a very even brightness. The edge light panel equipped with an irregular reflection layer and surrounded by a front surface diffusion layer, a rear surface reflection layer and peripheral edge reflection layers is additionally provided with margin reflection layers arranged along the front margin of the edge light panel, except along the peripheral edge juxtaposed with a primary light source. While the margin reflection layers may be separately arranged, they may also be integrally formed with the peripheral edge reflection layers, the rear surface reflection layer and the front surface diffusion layer. A narrow gap is advantageously provided between the edge light panel and the front surface diffusion layer and/or the rear surface reflection layer.

Abstract: A tunable high intensity lighting system comprising at least a light enclosure box, an elongated shaped reflector, and a lens. The high intensity lighting system can be retrofitted to existing strip fluorescent light fixtures to adapt the existing fixture to obtain desired lighting characteristics for a specific application. By using different combinations of components, different light intensities, and tint and glare characteristics are obtained. A method for tuning existing strip fluorescent light fixtures also is disclosed, as is a kit for preselected applications, where the kit contains the components for the retrofitting to the existing fixture.