Abstract: A trouble light incorporates a circuit breaker in its handle to reduce the possibility of shock to a user. The handle is formed of right and left shells and includes a screw-type receptacle for a lamp and an electrical plug receptacle. The circuit breaker is connected in a series with a power cord, and to the screw-type receptacle and the electrical plug receptacle. The circuit breaker instantly interrupts power to the receptacles upon detection of excess current flow in the circuit in the trouble light. The handle shells are molded from an insulating material such as plastic and internal webs are formed to retain the various electrical circuit elements in the handle.

Abstract: A pulley for use in storing an electrical extension cord includes a pulley body having a generally tubular cord winding body with a radially outwardly extending flange formed at one end of its exterior surface. A generally disk-shaped flange plate is releasably attached to the other end of the winding body by locking tabs formed on the winding body which cooperate with apertures formed in the flange plate. Typically, the pulley body is formed of a nylon material and the flange plate is formed of steel. The winding body includes an internal wall and an aperture is formed in the wall and another aperture is formed in the flange plate for rotatably mounting the pulley on a supporting shaft. A coil spring has one end attached to the shaft and the other end attached to the winding body for automatically rewinding the extension cord.

Abstract: An extension cord reel and carrying case is formed of a high impact plastic material. The case is formed of two cup-shaped halves which are releasably attached by cooperating locking tabs and locking apertures. The reel is also formed of two halves and includes a pair of duplex outlets and a circuit breaker. The reel is supported in the case on flanges extending through openings in the case and is manually rotated.

Abstract: A self switching electric cord reel is disclosed in which a switch for energizing and de-energizing the electric cord is located on a housing of the reel itself. The switch is electrically serially connected with the electric cord and actuated by a pivotally mounted lever switch means, one arm of which operates the switch, and the other arm of which extends across an opening of the housing through which the electric cord passes. An enlargement of the electric cord contacts and pivots the lever switch means to operate the switch. The present self-switching electric cord reel is characterized by using a simpler and less expensive switch and design than formerly were employed, and by adapting the lever switch means to absorb or transmit the mechanical shock of its pivotal operation to the housing in preference to transmitting the shock to the switch.

Abstract: A portable fluorescent tube assembly is disclosed having a relatively low voltage electric convenience outlet associated with the assembly. Although higher than normally supplied voltages are needed to initiate the lighting of a fluorescent tube, these voltages are unsuited for energizing still other electrical apparatus which is designed for normally supplied voltages. The circuitry of the present fluorescent tube assembly supplies both relatively high and low voltages at the portable unit itself, so that the tube can be fired to initiate lighting at the relatively high voltage, and yet other electrical apparatus can be energized directly from the portable assembly at a relatively low voltage.

Abstract: A portable fluorescent tube assembly is disclosed that is substantially all plastic and comprises improved end socket construction for the tube. In one form, an end socket comprises a support body having openings adapted to make an electrical connection therein with pins of the fluorescent tube. Radially extending fingers on the body tend to center it as desired. A rearward extension of the body has a transversely disposed aperture. Hollow socket members embrace the support body and have connecting sections which meet one another through the aperture of the rearward extension. Fastening means extend through the connecting sections of the socket members and the aperture to hold the socket construction in assembly. Optionally, one socket construction can contain a starter switch for the fluorescent tube and electrical leads needed to energize the tube.

Abstract: A light guard is disclosed adapted to enclose a lamp and the like comprising a reflector section and a cage section which are preferably molded from electrically non-conducting synthetic resins. The light guard is characterized by the manner of detachably securing the two sections together, both for relative pivoting with respect to each other and for latching together. The pivoting structure includes a shaft and slotted sleeve for easy assembly and disassembly and optionally has restraining means to limit free pivotal opening of the sections without preventing further pivoting totally to disengage the sections from each other. The latching structure includes a slotted flange on one section and flexible fingers on the other section to engage frictionally and resiliently within and adjacent to the ends of the slot to lock the sections together.