Abstract: A tracklight system includes a generally U-shaped track comprising an elongated metal extrusion having a canted base extending between a first parallel leg extending at an acute angle from the base to a distal end and a second parallel leg extending at an obtuse angle from the base to a distal end. The first parallel leg has means for attaching it to a wall or ceiling, and an elongated insulator is attached to second parallel leg 26 and extending through the track length. The insulator has a number of longitudinal slots, each including an electrical conductor receiving power from remote mains. One or more tracklight fixtures may be mounted onto or within the parallel legs. In a preferred embodiment the distal end of the first parallel leg terminates in a J-shaped hook suitable for hanging paintings, or other wall hangings, to be illuminated by the fixtures of the track.

Abstract: A dual-surface lens for light fixtures and T-bar ceilings includes a first lens panel having a planar perimeter around a decorative or optical control area and a second lens panel having a planar perimeter resting on the planar perimeter of the first lens panel. In a preferred embodiment the first lens panel depends below the planar perimeter and the second lens panel extends above the planar perimeter at an angle of from 5° to 15°.

Abstract: An aimable luminaire has a lamp emitting light at the focus of a beam-forming lens held in a tubular housing having a lens on a central optical axis. The lamp is held in a lamp retainer which is transversely adjustable off the central axis of the housing and lens and axially adjustable with respect to the lens. When the lamp is moved off the optical axis, an off- axis beam is projected, and when the lamp is moved axially moved with respect to the lens the beam angle is zoomed larger or smaller. Rotation of housing in azimuth can then aim the light beam anywhere within a cone inscribed by rotation of the off-axis beam angle, thus providing adjustment in both elevation and azimuth. In a preferred embodiment either the transverse or axial position of the lamp may be the lamp may be adjusted from the proximal direction, above the ceiling, or from the distal direction by removing the lens from the distal end.

Abstract: A substantially sealed case for enclosing objects has at least one openable surface and an inlet-outlet port through a surface of the case, permitting the ingestion and expulsion of air during case thermal expansion and barometric pressure changes. The inlet-outlet port has an inlet passage and an outlet passage therethrough, with a check valve in the inlet passage permitting ingestion of air into the case through an inlet filter and blocking the expulsion of air therethrough. The inlet-outlet port also has a check valve in the outlet passage permits the expulsion of air from the case through an outlet filter and blocks the ingestion of air therethrough. A flexible membrane bag encloses the inlet and outlet filters, and may optionally include air treatment means for controlling the relative humidity and the oxygen content of air in the bag.

Abstract: This invention applies to the field of light projectors for graphics media, such as movie film, projection slides, liquid crystal cells and fiber optic arrays. High light levels have not been possible with prior art projectors due to plastic media aging and melting in the heat of concentrated light; due to optical inefficiencies in converting circular lamp beams to a rectangular medium format; and due to mismatches between the numerical aperture of the lamp to the graphics media. The present invention solves the heating problem by providing a projector having an elongated, heat absorbing glass coupler between the light source and the graphics medium; it solves the optical inefficiency problem by providing the coupler with a circular light entrance end and a rectangular exit end; and it solves the numerical aperture problem by providing the coupler with a generally parabolic shape that collimates extreme off-axis light rays.

Abstract: A fiber optic relay for an individual light guide according to the present invention includes a first light guide from a remote source of illumination, which is coupled to second light guide in series by a relay having a light shut-off means including an electro-magnetic solenoid. In a preferred embodiment the light is fully off when the solenoid is de-energized and has the solenoid plunger disposed between the first and second light guides, blocking light transmission from the first light guide to the second light guide. When the solenoid is energized from a remote source of electrical power the solenoid plunger is withdrawn from between the first and second light guides, allowing light from the first light guide to pass into the second light guide with low attenuation and high efficiency.

Abstract: An aimable fiber-optic spotlight has a fiber-optic light guide with a first end receiving light from a remote light source and a second end emitting light at the focus of a beam-forming lens held in a fixed tubular housing having a lens on a central optical axis. The light-emitting end of the light guide is held in a tubular light guide retainer within the housing, and which is transversely adjustable off the central axis of the housing and lens. Light emitted from the light guide is off the central axis of the housing and lens, and is thus projected through the lens as an off-axis beam adjustable in elevation angle. Rotation of housing in azimuth can then aim the light beam anywhere within a cone inscribed by rotation of the off-axis beam angle, thus providing adjustment in both elevation and azimuth. In a preferred embodiment the light-emitting end of the light guide is axially adjustable with respect to the lens, whereby the angular diameter of the projected light beam is also adjustable.

Abstract: A fiber optic light guide luminaire includes an elongated fiber optic light guide having a first end accepting light from a remote source of illumination and a second end emitting light on an optical axis disposed coaxially near the focus of a paraboloidal reflector. The paraboloidal reflector has a first end wherein the light guide is disposed and a second open end emitting light from the fiber optic light guide. The second end of the light guide extends into the first end of the reflector towards the second end of the reflector and past the focus of the paraboloid at a distance approximately equal to the diameter of the light guide, whereat the diameter of the second end of the light guide intersects the paraboloidal surface of the reflector at an angle of approximately 20.degree. to the optical axis. In a preferred embodiment the exterior of the luminaire is generally cylindrical and externally threaded.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing optical fibers includes extruding a transparent thermoplastic plastic sheet having plurality of transversely shaped and spaced parallel grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of extrusion. The thermoplastic sheet is rolled between polished rollers having upstanding circumferential ribs matching the shape and spacing of the grooves in the thermoplastic sheet. The rollers separate the extruded thermoplastic sheet into a plurality of elongated fibers and polish and cool the separated fibers. A preferred embodiment includes a first extruding die extruding said thermoplastic sheet having an index of refraction and a second extrusion die applying a co-extruded coating of plastic having an index of refraction lower than the index of refraction of the transparent sheet. The ribs of the polished rollers form various channel shapes that may produce optical fibers in both circular and non-circular cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A multi-lens luminaire has a generally cylindrical tubular macro housing including a plurality of generally tubular micro housings disposed within the macro housing and angularly spaced about the axis of the macro housing. Each micro housing has a proximal end adjustably retaining a fiber optic light guide emitting light from a remote source of illumination. The light guide is movable along the optical axis of a lens in the distal end of the micro housing, whereby the resulting light beam is capable of zoom adjustment. In a preferred embodiment the macro housing is externally flanged and has a threaded portion adapted for engaging a nut to secure the macro housing in a mounting panel.

Abstract: A light projector includes a lamp on an optical axis, energized from a remote source of electrical power and focussing illumination at an image plane. The lamp is disposed within a housing having a fan drawing cooling air into the housing through one or more inlets and expelling air through an outlet vent. A chassis within the housing supports the lamp and the fan. The chassis, including the lamp, fan, and a connector to the remote source of electrically power is removable from the housing. In a preferred embodiment, resilient vibration isolation mounting is provided between the lamp and the chassis and between the fan and the chassis, whereby the lamp is substantially isolated from fan vibration.

Abstract: A fiber optic track lighting system comprises an elongated track channel having a generally U-shaped cross-section on a longitudinal axis. The U-shaped channel has a base portion joined to the proximal edges of first and second depending legs having parallel distal edges including an inward-facing longitudinal groove along each edge. A plurality of luminaire holders have opposed edges slidably engagable into the respective inward-facing longitudinal grooves to hold a fiber optic luminaire on an optical axis parallel to, and positionable along, the longitudinal axis of the track channel. Fiber optic light guides receive light from a remote source of illumination, extend a distance within the track channel to a light-emitting end. An optical element retained in each luminaire intercepts the emitted light, producing a substantially collimated light beam along the optical axis.

Abstract: A ventilated fiber optic bushing includes a bundle of elongated, optical fiber light guides having generally cylindrical diameters, each light guide having a first end remotely emitting light and terminating in a convex second end in a common plane. The bundle is held in a desired shape receiving light through a transparent window having the same size and shape as the fiber bundle, the window being transversely disposed in an aperture of a light projector wherein a cooling fan within the projector draws external air through the aperture around the window. A rigid tube holds the bundle of light guides in the desired shape within the aperture projector with the convex second ends of the guides against the transparent window. A portion of the external air drawn through the projector aperture is drawn longitudinally through interstices between the light guides and transversely between the interstices formed by the convex light guide ends and the transparent window.

Abstract: A fiber optic aimable spotlight luminaire includes a generally cylindrical tubular housing having a proximal end, a distal end and an optical axis therethrough. A fiber optics light guide light has a first end receiving light from a remote source of illumination and a second, light-emitting end on the optical axis in the proximal end of the housing. An optical element on the optical axis of the housing has a focus generally at the second end of the fiber optics light guide, whereby light emitted by the light guide forms a generally collimated beam of light from the optical element. The position of the light guide within the housing is axially adjustable to de-collimate and zoom the beam. A rotatable and bendable bracket supports a mirror at the distal end of the housing with the mirror oriented at an angle whereby the collimated beam of light is reflected off aids as a transverse beam of light at an angle to the optical axis of the lens.

Abstract: A fiber optic zoom-and-dim pins-pot luminaire includes a tubular housing having a proximal end and a distal end having a composite macro lens on an optical axis. A light emitter slidably disposed in a support tube at the proximal end of the housing is a fiber optic light guide having a first end accepting light from a remote source of illumination and a second emitting light on the optical axis. The composite macro lens forms a principal focus at a first focal plane to produce a narrow beam. The macro lens includes a plurality of micro lenses contiguous with portions of the macro lens, each micro lens having a focus at a second focal plane axially displaced from the principal focus of the macro lens. The luminaire is zoomed to a progressively wider beam of uniform intensity by moving the light emitter along the optical axis from the first focal plane, at which the second focal plane is out of focus; to the second focal plane, at which the first focal plane is out of focus.

Abstract: A thermally controlled bi-pin lamp socket includes a pair of female, electrically-conductive receptacles, laterally spaced apart in a parallel relationship in a common plane, each female receptacle is an elongated tube with an internal surface at a first end mechanically and electrically engageable with the pins of a bi-pin lamp. The second end of each receptacle has a means for connection to a source of electrical power. The receptacles are retained in a ceramic housing having a generally flat configuration. The housing has upper and lower walls having internal surfaces in contact with external surfaces of the female receptacles. Heat-conductive metal radiators are held against the external walls of the ceramic housing by screws with nuts and spring washers.

Abstract: An adjustable resistance upper body exerciser includes a generally arcuate belt (2) encircling the waist of a user and having a generally flat, rigid posterior central portion 3 and flexible anterior portions (4, 4a) including buckling means (5). A flexible inelastic cord (7) having a length and left and right ends (8, 8a) passes through an elongated guide means (12) attached to the belt, slidably retaining a central portion of the length the cord and leaving the right and left ends of the cord extending in the anterior direction. A snubber (15) is attached to the rigid posterior portion of the belt, contacting the slidable cord and applying an adjustable friction load to the slidably retained cord. A pair of handles (18, 18a) are attached to left and right ends of the cord, whereby a user wearing the belt encircling the waist may alternately pull said left and right handles with a tension force generally proportional to the friction load applied to the cord by the snubber.

Abstract: A device for exercising the abdominal muscles which facilitates movement of the lower torso against a resistive force and in a complex arc which conforms to the normal forward arc of rotation of the spine comprising: a rigid shaft slidably disposed within a housing; arcuate thigh supports for maintaining the housing stationary with respect to a person's thighs; a handle generally transverse to and attached to a first shaft end; an elastic band positioned intermediate the ends of the shaft and for connecting the housing to a second shaft end so as to generate a resistive restoring force by pressing on the handle so as to displace the shaft relative to the housing in a direction from the first shaft end to the second shaft end, thereby executing a downstroke; a pivot positioned intermediate the ends of the shaft and for pivoting the upper portion of the shaft away from the torso as a downstroke is executed; a stop member for limiting displacement of the shaft with respect to the housing as the shaft moves in a