Photoflash lamp array having reflector at rear of transparent circuit board

• US 4,136,378 A
• Filed: 08/18/1977
• Issued: 01/23/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Chevali, Harihar D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US05/825,607
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 362/13, 362/16, 362/17, 362/247, 362/296, 362/311, 362/341, 362/351
• US Class Current: 362/13
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/0442 Constructional details of the flash apparatus; Arrangement of lamps, reflectors, or the like G03B15/0484 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0274 Optical details, e.g. printed circuits comprising integral optical means H05K1/0269 takes precedence; coupling light guides with opto-electronic components G02B6/42

Abstract

A photoflash lamp array comprising a plastic housing containing flash lamps positioned over a circuit board carrying switching circuitry for sequentially firing the flash lamps. The circuit board is made of transparent electrically insulating material having a light-reflecting coating on its rear for reflecting light when the lamps are flashed. The front of the housing is provided with prisms to improve the distribution pattern of light when the lamps are flashed.

Claims

1. A photoflash lamp array comprising a plurality of flash lamps, a circuit board carrying circuitry for sequentially firing said flash lamps, said flash lamps being positioned over the front surface of said circuit board and connected electrically to said circuitry, said circuit board being made of an electrically insulative light-transmitting material, and a sheet-like reflective member positioned immediately behind said circuit board and which functions as a reflector of light from said lamps when flashed.

2. An array as claimed in claim 1, in which said circuit board material is polystyrene.

3. An array as claimed in claim 1, in which said reflective member comprises a coating on the rear surface of said circuit board.

4. An array as claimed in claim 1, including a light-transmissive cover in front of said lamps and circuit board, one or both surfaces of said cover being provided with prisms for increasing the illumination in a picture-scene area when said lamps are flashed.

5. An array as claimed in claim 1, in which said circuitry comprises electrically conductive circuit runs on said front surface of the circuit board and over parts of the areas of said reflective member which reflect light when the lamps are flashed.

6. An array as claimed in claim 5, in which said circuit runs are made of light-reflecting material.