Gte Products Corporation

David R Broadt

John W Shaffer

Emery G Audesse

Carl F Kackenmeister

Boyd G Brower

Donald E Armstrong

Donald W Hartman

Emergy G Audesse

A photoflash unit comprising a plurality of 2n flashlamps attached to a printed circuit board and disposed in a linear array with the longitudinal axes of respective lamps aligned in parallel. Circuit patterns on the circuit board include a plurality of n selective terminal means, each associated with a respective pair of the lamps and connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps of the associated pair, and a common terminal associated with all of the 2n lamps but directly connected to the other lead-in wire of one lamp of each pair. Groups of circuit pattern extensions are located behind alternate lamps of the array, the first group comprising two spaced apart segments and the remaining groups each comprising three spaced apart segments. Each group of segments is covered with a mass of radiation sensitive switch material to thereby provide respective solid state switches between bridged segment gaps which are activated upon receiving radiant energy emitted by an adjacent lamp. The circuit pattern arrangement provides a pair of respective normally open switches coupled between the common terminal and a lead-in wire of the other lamp of each pair of lamps, except for the last, one switch positioned for activation by the prior lamp in sequence and the other switch positioned for activation by the next lamp in sequence. In this manner, the second lamp of the first n-1 pairs of lamps can be switched by either of two parallel radiation switches, thereby providing redundant switching in the event that the first lamp in any of the first n-1 pairs of lamps is defective.

Photoflash unit with circuit pattern for redundant switching of lamps

Multilamp photoflash unit

A multilamp photoflash unit includes a housing member having a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities of a relatively opaque material with a reflective surface adjacent the lamp whereby back radiation from the lamp is reduced. Also, a reflector having cavities of opaque pigmented plastic resin material and a reflective surface may be disposed within a plastic housing and serve to inhibit back radiation from a lamp.

Opaque reflector for multilamp photoflash array

A circuit board assembly wherein the assembly includes a dielectric substrate, at least one radiation sensitive switch, and at least one conductive member in electrical contact with the switch. Portions of the switch and the conductive member are die-stamped into the dielectric substrate to achieve the contact without severing the switch material.

Die-stamped circuit board assembly for photoflash devices

A multilamp photoflash array includes a plurality of interdigitated flashlamps connected to a printed circuit board and disposed within a housing member having a pair of substantially identical light transmitting side members affixed to one another and thermoformed from a single plastic sheet. The array is fabricated by a process wherein a printed circuit board is formed, flashlamps are electrically connected thereto, a housing member is thermoformed from a single plastic sheet, folded and sealed to itself and to the printed circuit board to provide an envelope containing the flashlamps.

Vacuum-formed housing array

A reflector unit for a relatively rigid housing member of a multi-lamp photoflash unit includes a plurality of cavities having a back surface formed to nest in the cavities of the housing member and a front surface having reflector material thereon and formed to receive a flashlamp.

Reflector insert for multi-flash unit

A photoflash unit comprising a plurality of 2n flashlamps attached to a printed circuit board and disposed in a linear array with the longitudinal axes of respective lamps aligned in parallel. Circuit patterns on the circuit board include a plurality of n selective terminal means, each associated with a respective pair of the lamps and connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps of the associated pair, and a common terminal associated with all of the 2n lamps but directly connected to the other lead-in wire of one lamp of each pair. The circuit board has a substantially rectangular portion with n spaced apart extensions projecting vertically from a longer side thereof, the extensions being located behind alternate lamps of the linear array. Each extension contains portions of the circuit patterns spaced apart to form predetermined gaps, and a mass of switch material is disposed on each extension to bridge the gap between circuit patterns to thereby provide a solid state radiation switch on each extension behind and adjacent to a respective lamp for receiving radiant energy emitted by that lamp. In this manner, a respective normally open switch on each circuit board extension is coupled between the common terminal and a lead-in wire of the other lamp of each pair of lamps, so that the n normally open switches are coupled between the common circuit lead-in wire of associated pairs of the 2n lamps.

Photoflash unit with circuit board radiation switches for selective

A photoflash unit comprising a plurality of 2n flashlamps attached to a printed circuit board and disposed in a linear array with the longitudinal axes of respective lamps aligned in parallel. The circuit board has a substantially rectangular portion with n spaced apart extensions projecting vertically from a longer side thereof, the extensions being located behind alternate lamps of the linear array. Each extension contains portions of circuit patterns bridged by a mass of switch material to provide a solid state radiation switch on each extension and adjacent to a respective lamp for receiving radiant energy emitted by that lamp. The unit further includes a plurality of reflector cavities within each of which a respective one of the flashlamps is nested. Each reflector cavity includes a recessed rear wall section for accommodating a circuit board extension, such that each of the extensions are disposed between a respective lamp envelope and the recessed rear wall of the associated reflector. With the lamp contiguous with an upper portion of each reflector cavity and each circuit board extension contiguous with a recessed lower portion of a respective cavity, substantially equal predetermined spacings are maintained between the switches of the n extensions and the alternate lamp envelopes associated therewith.

Photoflash unit with reflector recesses for circuit board switches

A multilamp photoflash unit has a housing formed to provide a multiplicity of cavities, each having a reflective surface and formed to receive a flashlamp. Each of the cavities has a reflective surface width opening to flashlamp diameter ratio of less than about 1.2, and the cavity configuration includes a planar rear wall section and a pair of bi-planar sidewall sections.

Reflector lamp module for photoflash array

Venting apertures for multi-lamp photoflash units having a plurality of spaced flashlamp receiving cavities are provided intermediate the cavities whereby no direct path for fragments from a flashlamp within a cavity to the exterior of the unit is provided. In another aspect, a reflector unit having venting apertures aligned with the venting apertures of the above-described photoflash unit is enclosed with the photoflash unit with no direct path for projectiles from the photoflash lamp to the exterior of the photoflash unit.

Vented multi-lamp photoflash unit

A photoflash lamp array having a plurality of 2n flashlamps, a common terminal connected to one lead-in wire of each of the lamps, and a plurality of n selective terminal means, each associated with a respective pair of the lamps and directly connected to the non-common lead-in wire of one lamp of each pair. A respective normally open switch is coupled between the non-common lead-in wires of each of the pairs of lamps associated with a selective terminal. Each of the switches is responsive to the flashing of the directly connected lamp of an associated pair so as to electrically connect the other lamp of the pair to the associated selective terminal. In one specific example, ten lamps are selectively paired to be operated sequentially by firing pulses successively applied to five selective terminals together with a common terminal.

Photoflash array with selective pairing of lamps

A circuit board assembly and method of making wherein the assembly includes a dielectric substrate, at least one radiation sensitive switch, and at least one conductive member in electrical contact with the switch. Portions of the switch and the conductive member are die-stamped into the dielectric substrate to achieve the contact without serving the switch material.

Method of making a die-stamped circuit board assembly for photoflash

A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of flashlamps enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. The housing is a formed sheet of plastic film having a linear fold disposed horizontally along the top of the array of cavities, which are selectively aluminized to provide a reflective coating on the cavity surfaces. A pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns on one side of a printed circuit board sandwiched between a set of tabs which run along the bottom of the front and back portions of the housing and are secured together. The sides of the housing are also secured so that the lamps, lead-in wires and connections are disposed within a secured enclosure, with a plurality of conductive connector terminals being disposed on a tab which projects from the printed circuit board and extends exteriorly of the secured enclosure.

A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of flashlamps enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. A printed circuit board is joined to the housing member, and a pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns disposed solely on one side of the circuit board. The circuit patterns include a plurality of connector terminals which are located adjacent one another on a flat tab which projects from one edge of the circuit board for insertion into the receiving socket of a firing pulse source. The tab contains a plurality of symmetrically disposed apertures or recesses which render the tab releasably engageable by socket means independent of firing pulse contacts for securely retaining the unit in the socket.

Multilamp photoflash unit having engageable connector tab

A photoflash unit comprising a horizontal linear array of photoflash lamp enclosed within a one-piece housing member having a light-transmitting front portion folded-over a back portion containing a plurality of lamp-receiving cavities in which respective lamps are disposed. The housing is a formed sheet of plastic film having a linear fold disposed horizontally along the top of the array of cavities. A pair of lead-in wires from each of the lamps are connected to conductive circuit patterns on one side of a printed circuit board sandwiched between a set of tabs which run along the bottom of the front and back portions of the housing. The housing tabs are secured together and to the circuit board by a plurality of staples symmetrically disposed along the tabs. Each of the staples has a pair of legs extending through both the housing tabs and the circuit board, with the center region of each staple bearing against an external surface of one of the tabs and the staple legs being clinched onto an external surface of the other of the tabs.

Growing community of inventors

Lewisburg, PA, United States of America

David R Broadt