Abstract: A cavity thickness compensated etalon filter. A tuning medium is placed in a Fabry-Perot etalon cavity. The index of refraction of the tuning medium varies as a function of voltage applied across the medium. The etalon is formed of two generally flat substrates disposed substantially parallel to one another. Each substrate has a layer of conductive material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. Each substrate also has a layer of reflective material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. At least one layer of reflective material is only partially reflective so as to enable light to pass into and out of the cavity. Liquid crystal material may be used as a tuning medium in the cavity. In the case of liquid crystal material, the etalon also comprises an alignment layer disposed within the cavity adjacent each substrate to pre-order the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning with a broom. Attachments to a common household broom comprise a clamp having hooks, a broom-shaped inner cover and a rectangular outer cover. The inner cover is adapted to be placed over the broom bristles and fastened to the broom with elastic straps placed over the respective hooks of the clamp. The inner cover may be selected to be further covered by the outer cover, which is placed thereover and secured thereto by a rubber band.

Abstract: A sighting device for a weapon. The device forms an integral part of the handgun and projects a laser beam onto the impact point of the intended target. The device includes a laser assembly that is preferably disposed adjacent the front of the trigger guard of the handgun. In one preferred embodiment, a laser and laser drive circuit are mounted on a flexible circuit board to accommodate movement of the laser with respect to the laser drive circuit during sight adjustments. Preferably, the laser drive circuit comprises MOSFET devices in analog mode which use comparatively low power. A switch assembly is integrally disposed in a crotch formed between the trigger guard and the handgrip. The power supply may be disposed in the bottom of the handgun's magazine which is in electrical contact with the laser sighting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting a collar. A flexible fastener is attached to a first side of a neck-band, underneath an under collar and out of sight, and removably attached to a second side of the neck-band, also underneath the under collar and out of sight, for adjustably fastening the collar. The flexible fastener may be detached from the first side of the neck-band and removably attached to the second side of the neck-band, also underneath the under collar and out of sight, for stowing the fastener out of sight when it is desired to wear the collar open.

Abstract: A laparo-suture needle and method for use thereof. A medical suturing instrument employs an outer, hollow shaft having a laterally-disposed, elongate handle at a proximal end and an elongate, inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft. The inner shaft has a cutting edge at the distal end and extends out of the outer shaft at the proximal end, terminating in a spring-loaded push button. A lateral notch is formed in the inner shaft proximal of the cutting edge. The spring forces the inner shaft rearwardly so as to pull the notch within the outer shaft. By gripping the handle and placing pressure on the push button, the inner shaft is moved forward so as to expose the notch. A suture may then be placed in the notch so that the instrument grips the suture between the outer shaft and the inner shaft when the push button is released.

Abstract: A tape measure marking device and method for use thereof in which a C-member is removably attached to the tape case across a narrow dimension thereof, by an existing screw in the tape case being inserted through the C-member. The C-member includes an implement holding member projecting to a side of the tape case, the implement holding member providing for releasably attaching a marking or cutting implement to the tape case. The C-member further includes an indexing member disposed across a substantial portion of an extensible tape being extended from the tape case and the implement holding member provides for centering marking implements having different sizes and shapes to register with the indexing member.

Abstract: A bridge for a string instrument having a body and at least one string. A base is provided for mounting the bridge on the body of the instrument. An intonation adjustment member is slidably mounted on the base for adjusting the horizontal position at which a string is supported by the bridge. A height adjustment member is slidably mounted on the intonation adjustment member for adjusting the vertical position of the string above the body. The intonation adjustment member has a ramp portion for slidably supporting the height adjustment member while maintaining substantially constant contact surface area. Horizontal position of the intonation adjustment member and vertical position of the height adjustment member are adjusted by respective elongate threaded shafts. The intonation adjustment member interlocks with the base, and the height adjustment member interlocks with the intonation adjustment member.

Abstract: A sighting device for use with a projectile launcher having a sighting element that is adjustable in height and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the sighting element's height to match substantially the height of a target as apparent at the sighting device in the line of sight to the target. The sighting device further comprises a targeting mechanism that, in response to the height adjustment, automatically displaces the position of the sighting element in a generally vertical plane so that maintenance of alignment of the target in the sighting element requires the user to adjust the elevation of the launcher and, consequently, the launch angle. In one embodiment, the sighting device comprises a pair of opposed rotatable disks, the disks having respective predetermined irregular peripheries. The sighting element comprises an aperture formed between selectable portions of the peripheries along the line of sight.

Abstract: A lamp employs a halogen light fixture which includes a fitting threadably engaging a conduit entry "L". A standard electrical cord is provided to the entry "L" and connects inside the entry "L" with the pigtail wiring of the light fixture. The entry "L" also receives a spring clamp, securely mounted thereon, for enabling the lamp to mount to a support via use of the spring clamp, for providing a work lamp on a temporary or semi-permanent basis at a work site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal.

Abstract: A finishing tool useful in sanding, abrading and like activities. The tool comprises a block having slots of a predetermined size and shape disposed in opposite ends of the block. The slots are adapted to receive matching holding elements so that a predetermined length of finishing material, such as sandpaper, may be placed across the support surface of the block, the ends of sandpaper being inserted and securely held between the surfaces of the holding elements and the slots. The holding elements are pulled inwardly by retraction elements such as one or more lengths of an elastic material such as a rubber hose interconnecting the holding elements. Passages are provided in the block for housing such elastic members.

Abstract: A grinding wheel dresser, integratable with a grinding apparatus and useable to repeatedly dress the face of a grinding wheel to a selected contour in alternation with use of the grinding wheel, the dresser having a dressing mechanism, a dressing control mechanism coupled to the dressing mechanism to control the dressing mechanism in dressing the face of the grinding wheel, and an integration mechanism coupled to the dressing mechanism to provide for integration of the grinding wheel dresser with the grinding apparatus. The dressing control mechanism preferably includes a template mechanism providing information representative of the selected contour to which the face of the grinding wheel is to be dressed; a translation mechanism translating the template's information into displacements of the dressing mechanism; and an actuation mechanism, coupled to the translation mechanism, actuating the displacements.

Abstract: A surgical retractor and method for use thereof. The retractor is comprised of an elongate shaft having at one end a screw made of coiled, round wire which terminates at a sharp point for attachment to an organ and a connector at the other end of the shaft. Preferably, the connector comprises an enlarged portion having a polygonal cross section for engagement by a wrench. The retractor is inserted into the peritoneal cavity of a patient through a laparoscopic port and the screw is threaded into the wall of the organ to be retracted, for example, the gallbladder. The organ is resected and thereafter drawn out of the cavity using the retractor.

Abstract: A handgun sighting device forming an integral part of the handgun and employing a laser device for projecting a laser beam. The laser device is included in a laser assembly disposed adjacent the top portion of the handgun's handgrip rearward of the trigger and extends laterally away from the handgrip a distance sufficient to allow the projection of the laser beam, while not being obtrusive to the user. For powering the laser device, the sighting device employs driving circuitry preferably disposed within the handgrip. For selectively enabling the laser device, the sighting device employs a switch mechanism preferably accessible on the handgrip. The sighting device, in one embodiment, is adapted for use with handguns having handgrips with removable grip panels and, in another embodiment, is adapted for use in handguns that do not employ removable grip panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal.

Abstract: A fixture for angularly aligning an optical device. A monolithic structure is provided having a first adjustment member for holding an optical device and tilting the device in one direction, a second adjustment member attached to the first adjustment member for tilting the optical device in a direction orthogonal to the direction of tilt provided by the first adjustment member, and a base for holding the first and second adjustment members. The first adjustment member is attached to the second adjustment member by a flexible connection having a tilt axis in a first lateral direction and the second adjustment member is attached to the base by a connection having a tilt axis in a lateral direction orthogonal to the lateral direction of the first connection.

Abstract: A bladed tool for use as a sod cutter, for breaking up the soil in gardens and as an edger. An elongate handle is attached to a blade having first, second and third edges which generally define a triangle. The handle is attached to the blade immediately adjacent the first edge so as to extend away from the second edge substantially parallel to the first edge. A plurality of serrations are disposed along the third edge. The serrations are preferably separated by grooves formed in the face of the blade, extending substantially parallel to the first edge, and grooves terminating at the third edge in respective notches. The serrations are about as wide or wider than the notches and the tips of the serrations are relatively wide in relation to the notches. Each serration has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge having a portion substantially parallel to the first edge and a portion near the tip thereof which is beveled on one side of the blade so as to form a cutting edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a trailer to a vehicle. An apparatus is provided having a winch attached to the trailer for pulling the trailer to the vehicle, a substantially flat strap connected to the winch at one end and having a flat attachment member with an aperture therethrough at the other end for placement over the ball portion of a hitch at the other end for connecting the trailer to the vehicle, and a multi-position arm attached to the trailer forward of the winch for lifting the receiver portion up and over the ball portion of the hitch when the strap is effectively shortened by winding it up on the winch. The arm is pivotally attached at one end by a block on the underside of the tongue of the trailer. A bearing member is disposed at the other end of the arm. The arm may be moved backward to a first-position and pinned in place so that it is tucked underneath the tongue for storage.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cooking tortilla chips. Toast points on a baked tortilla chip are produced by a process whereby tortilla dough pieces cut to the shape of tortilla chips are placed on a stainless steel, open weave conveyor belt which passes through an electric oven whose temperature is controlled in the range of about 700 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten to twenty seconds, and thereafter baking the chips at a lower temperature for a longer period of time. By cutting the dough into chips prior to running them through the electric oven on an open weave conveyor belt, a random pattern of toast points is created.