Abstract: So-called "retrofitting" of old style fluorescent lighting fixtures is carried out in a punch and die press provided with a special punch and die assembly having guide blocks positioned laterally of the punch and die for receiving pre-existing notches flanking the unnotched portion of the notched edge margin of a so-called "trougher raceway" strip portion of the old fluorescent lighting feature to be retrofitted, the punch of which assembly has cutting edges configurated for piercing the metal work strip backwardly of the notched edge thereof and at the ends of a longitudinal cut to be made and at the back ends of mutually spaced lateral end cuts to be made and for executing severing stokes along such cutting edges and thereby cutting out and removing a slug of metal exactly conforming in shape and dimension to the pre-existing guide notches.

Abstract: A shadow mask heating apparatus for a color CRT of the flat faceplate type includes upper and lower heated platens, each provided with heating means therein. One of the platens includes a plurality of mask support elements having a predetermined height radially disposed in an equally spaced relation on the top surface. The mask support elements preferably consist of a plurality of long and short, in length, mask support element. A plurality of passages radially formed on the top surface result between the mask support element. A plurality of adjusting pins disposed on the peripheral area of the top surface thereof of the one platen keeps the two platens separated a precise distance. The arrangement of radially disposed mask support elements minimizes shadow mask deformation during manufacture.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment includes a spark plug supporting assembly for supporting a spark having a longitudinal axis such that the gap-defining end of the ground electrode of the spark plug extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A blade assembly is operably associated with the spark plug supporting assembly for splitting the gap-defining end of the ground electrode into at least first and second prongs of substantially equal size. The blade assembly includes a blade member having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spark plug. An actuating member is operably associated with the blade assembly to displace the same between a storage position and an operating position while the gap-defining end of the ground electrode is positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spark plug.

Abstract: A transparent panel for a display device of cathode-ray tube type comprising, an electromagnetic shielding web defined by the wires made of an electromagnetic shielding material, and the transparent panel members sustaining said electromagnetic shielding web to shield the radiated electromagnetic waves so as to protect the observer from the effects of the waves.

Abstract: A tool for making bases for three-way lamps in which it is easier to feed lead wires through because the tool has a first projection in the middle of its base which projection has a round cross-section of a given diameter in the plane perpendicular to the tool's longitudinal axis and a second projection having a cross-section in the forementioned plane having a longer circumferential dimension than a radial one and in which the circumferential dimension is at least as large as the diameter of the first projection in the forementioned plane.

Abstract: A getter flashing device includes low friction sloping guide numbers which direct a CRT toward a yoke. The yoke has a conical aperture which receives the funnel portion of the CRT. The wide end of the conical aperture forms a reference edge to position the getter within the CRT at a particular location. The yoke slideable supports a coil at the preselected location. The yoke is pivotable to bring the coil and the getter into substantial planar parallelism and to substantially center the getter with respect to the coil.

Abstract: A device for thumping and flushing a kinescope funnel includes a lift member which moves horizontally to engage the funnel and then vertically to raise the funnel to a thump position. A means for centering and orienting the neck moves in unison with the lift member. A thumper is arranged to thump the funnel in the thump position. A probe vertically moves to enter the funnel through the neck and inject a flushing fluid into the funnel while thumping occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing undesirable particles from a kinescope panel/mask frame assembly includes a plurality of thumper arms. The arms have a cam follower at one end and a thumper at the other end. Cams on a rotatable shaft engage the cam followers to raise the thumpers above the panel. The cams include inset portions to disengage the cams and cam followers. The cams and cam followers face in opposite directions so that the thumpers alternately impact the panel. During the thumping, charged air is passed across the panel/mask frame assembly to charge the assembly and any particles adhering to the assembly because of static charge. The like charges cause the particles to be repelled from the assembly. The combination of the charged airflushing and thumping disengages particles from the assembly which otherwise could cause blocked apertures or shorted electron guns.

Abstract: A technique for opening an evacuated and sealed glass capsule containing a material that is to be dispensed which has a relatively high vapor pressure such as mercury. The capsule is typically disposed in a discharge tube envelope. The technique involves the use of a first light source imaged along the capsule and a second light source imaged across the capsule substantially transversely to the imaging of the first light source. Means are provided for constraining a segment of the capsule along its length with the constraining means being positioned to correspond with the imaging of the second light source. These light sources are preferably incandescent projection lamps. The constraining means is preferably a multiple looped wire support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a parallel wire grid and an apparatus and method for making the same. The grid consists of a generally coplanar array of parallel spaced-apart wires secured between metallic frame members by an electrically conductive epoxy.The method consists of continuously winding a wire about a novel winding apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel spindles. Each spindle is threaded with a number of predeterminedly spaced-apart grooves which receive and accurately position the wire at predetermined positions along the spindle. Overlying frame members coated with electrically conductive epoxy are then placed on either side of the wire array and are drawn together. After the epoxy hardens, portions of the wire array lying outside the frame members are trimmed away.