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 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 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.