Linear multilamp photoflash unit

Abstract

A photoflash unit comprising a linear array of flashlamps mounted on a printed circuit strip disposed within the longitudinal channel of an elongated housing member. A light-transmitting cover panel is attached to the housing member for enclosing the flashlamps, and the circuit strip extends beyond the cover panel to expose connecting terminals. The lamps have tubular envelopes and are positioned with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the printed circuit strip and arranged in substantially coaxial alignment. The housing member includes ledges within the channel for spacing the printed circuit strip from the rear wall, and the sidewalls of the channel have guide ribs for engaging notches in the circuit strip for facilitating assembly and location and avoiding longitudinal shifting of the strip. The housing member further includes reflector cavities adjacent to the lamps, and a continuous coating of electrically conductive reflective material covers the surfaces of the channel and reflector cavities for providing both reflective surfaces for flashing lamps and a shield to reduce the likelihood of accidental flashing of lamps by electrostatic charges. In a preferred embodiment, the unit has connector terminals at opposite ends, and the linear array of flashlamps is divided into two groups disposed in opposite halves of the unit, each group of lamps being operated by the connector terminals at the remote end so as to reduce the red-eye photographic effect.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.