Abstract: A local minimum of a current monitoring signal is identified by a starter unit that turns off a fluorescent lamp without using a wall switch. Closing a main switch in the starter unit stops an illuminating current from flowing through a gas in the lamp. The local minimum of the current monitoring signal is reached when an increasing valid sample is identified following four valid samples. A sample is valid if it does not differ from the preceding valid sample by more than a threshold difference based on known properties of the signal. By skipping invalid samples, the local minimum is accurately determined to have been reached despite transient noise spikes in the signal that would trip any voltage threshold used to locate the local minimum. When the main switch is opened at a predetermined time after the local minimum, the illuminating current does not again flow through the gas.

Abstract: A local minimum of a current monitoring signal is identified by a starter unit that turns off a fluorescent lamp without using a wall switch. Closing a main switch in the starter unit stops an illuminating current from flowing through a gas in the lamp. The local minimum of the current monitoring signal is reached when an increasing valid sample is identified following four valid samples. A sample is valid if it does not differ from the preceding valid sample by more than a threshold difference based on known properties of the signal. By skipping invalid samples, the local minimum is accurately determined to have been reached despite transient noise spikes in the signal that would trip any voltage threshold used to locate the local minimum. When the main switch is opened at a predetermined time after the local minimum, the illuminating current does not again flow through the gas.

Abstract: A local minimum of a current monitoring signal is identified by a starter unit that turns off a fluorescent lamp without using a wall switch. Closing a main switch in the starter unit stops an illuminating current from flowing through a gas in the lamp. The local minimum of the current monitoring signal is reached when an increasing valid sample is identified following four valid samples. A sample is valid if it does not differ from the preceding valid sample by more than a threshold difference based on known properties of the signal. By skipping invalid samples, the local minimum is accurately determined to have been reached despite transient noise spikes in the signal that would trip any voltage threshold used to locate the local minimum. When the main switch is opened at a predetermined time after the local minimum, the illuminating current does not again flow through the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a device, such as a portable video player, in a viewable location. This and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing such an apparatus comprising a mast of selectable length, which has a clamp secured to an upper end of the mast in a selectable orientation. A pair of generally opposing jaws are carried by the clamp to engage at least two edges of the device, the jaws being coupled together for extension and retraction. A plurality of legs extend downwardly from a lower end of the mast, the legs being coupled to the mast for selective movement between a folded position and a deployed position. A flexible joint couples the clamp and mast to permit selective orientation of the clamp and device relative to the mast.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a device in a viewable location which obviates the need to hold viewable devices in a viewer's hand comprising a clamp 1, the claim further comprising an upper clamp portion 3 interference fit to a lower clamp portion 5 and a ball 7 associated with the clamp which is associated with a socket 9, which in turn is associated with a downwardly extending leg 11. The apparatus further comprises a downwardly extending leg 11 such that the height of the downwardly extending leg 11 is controlled by its position within an elevation member 13. The downwardly extending leg 11 is held in place with a removable friction ring 15 placed around the downwardly extending leg 11 and holding the downwardly extending leg 11 in place within the elevation member 13. Two or more legs 17 are coupled to the elevation member 13 by hinged joints 19.

Abstract: A local minimum of a current monitoring signal is identified by a starter unit that turns off a fluorescent lamp without using a wall switch. Closing a main switch in the starter unit stops an illuminating current from flowing through a gas in the lamp. The local minimum of the current monitoring signal is reached when an increasing valid sample is identified following four valid samples. A sample is valid if it does not differ from the preceding valid sample by more than a threshold difference based on known properties of the signal. By skipping invalid samples, the local minimum is accurately determined to have been reached despite transient noise spikes in the signal that would trip any voltage threshold used to locate the local minimum. When the main switch is opened at a predetermined time after the local minimum, the illuminating current does not again flow through the gas.

Abstract: A sighting device is used to aim along a line of sight at a target. The sighting device includes a reticle structure formed of a roof prism assembly having an inclined final roof-prism mirror surface that is not perpendicular to the line of sight. The inclined final roof-prism mirror surface is the last surface of the roof prism assembly from which an optical path of the target reflects before leaving the roof prism assembly. There are two sets of sighting reference features, wherein the sets of sighting reference features are disposed on the inclined roof-prism mirror surface. A separately operable illumination source is provided for each of the sets of sighting reference features, wherein each illumination source illuminates only one set of sighting reference features.

Abstract: A shoulder pad/chest protector combination is provided for use in lacrosse or other sports in which the individual's arm is raised above shoulder level. The shoulder pad is pivoted to the chest protector by a lacing arrangement and is adjustable down the length of the arm by adjustment of the pivot point on the chest protector, with the shoulder pad being made to pivot with the arm by strapping the distal end of the pad to the arm. In one embodiment, the pivotal motion is provided by virtue of the twisting of the laces between the chest protector portion and the overlying shoulder pad. In another embodiment the shoulder pad includes a cuff for securing the distal end thereof to the arm of the individual. In one embodiment, lateral adjustment of the pivot point is made possible by providing laterally running lacing apertures at the top of the chest protector over the shoulder, with the lace passing through two apertures in the chest protector and four apertures in the shoulder pad.

Abstract: A hockey goalie protective headgear comprised of a helmet member for protecting a wearer's head. A plastic frame member having a forehead section, opposed side sections and a lower chin band section is also provided. A face opening is defined between the sections. A face guard is secured in the face opening. A pivoting throat guard is formed as a solid molded piece, and is secured to the opposed side sections by pivot connectors and is pivotal from the lower chin band section of the frame.

Abstract: The cathode region of a sodium sulphur cell has hitherto sometimes been sealed by a thin metal member welded at its outer periphery to the metal casing and at its inner periphery to the alpha alumina lid of the electrolyte. The welding operation damages the essential protective coating of the thin metal member. This invention discloses sealing the cathode region with a thin metal member (5) secured to a concentric outer thicker metal member (4), the thin member being sealed to the lid (15) and the thicker member being sealed to the casing (1). The thickness of the outer member eliminates the need for a protective coating so that the combined seal has greater integrity than previous seals.

Abstract: A protective sports headgear comprised of a helmet member shaped to protect the top, rear, front and sides of a wearer's head. The helmet member has a rigid outer shell with an inner protective lining of shock absorbing material. A sizing harness is secured to the helmet and disposed inwardly thereof. The harness has a height adjusting band and a horizontal contour adjusting band. Adjustable sizing members are secured to the helmet and the adjusting bands to fit the bands on the head of a wearer to thereby space the head from the protective lining in at least some inner areas of the helmet member. The helmet is secured to the wearer's head by conventional retention members.

Abstract: A protective sports headgear comprised of a helmet member shaped to protect the top, rear, front and sides of a wearer's head. The helmet member has a rigid outer shell with an inner protective lining of shock absorbing material. A sizing harness is secured to the helmet and disposed inwardly thereof. The harness has a height adjusting band and a horizontal contour adjusting band. Adjustable sizing members are secured to the helmet and the adjusting bands to fit the bands on the head of a wearer to thereby space the head from the protective lining in at least some inner areas of the helmet member. The helmet is secured to the wearer's head by conventional retention members.