Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for use on a motor vehicle includes a bracket swingably mounted on a base connected to a motor vehicle body and a mirror holder support member housed in a frame of the bracket. The frame of the bracket has a plurality of projecting engaging edges which engage the mirror holder support member. The mirror holder support member is biased into abutment against the engaging edges of the bracket frame under the bias of a resilient plate fastened to the bracket.

Abstract: A lens hood assembly is provided for use with a zoom lens having a group of variable power lenses for varying focal length, the assembly comprising a lens hood which is adapted to be moved along the optical axis direction of the zoom lens and which is provided, on its front end, with an incident light restriction wall with a center opening through which incident light passes into the zoom lens, said lens hood being associated with the zooming operation of the zoom lens, wherein the lens hood is adapted to be moved forwardly and rearwardly at the long focal length and the short focal length of the zoom lens, respectively.

Abstract: An optical target system is provided for facilitating a vehicle operator's effecting alignment of the respective hitch assembly components of a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle. The system includes first and second targets that are removably positionable in referencing relationship to respective ones of the hitch assembly components and a viewing mirror that is removably positionable on the towed vehicle to provide the vehicle operator positioned in the towing vehicle with a reflected view of the two targets. Each of the two targets includes a longitudinal guidance element that is disposed in alignment with the longitudinal axis of its respective vehicle and a transverse guidance element that is transversely oriented to the respective longitudinal guidance element and located above the hitch assembly component to provide a visual reference to a vertical axis extending through those components.

Abstract: An inorganic thin film polarizer having polarization characteristics comprises: a matrix for thin film polarizer composed of fine columns thereof arranged on a substrate; and light absorbing portions provided on the columns. The columns are made of inorganic substance which is transparent in the desired wavelength region of light such as the visible light region, ultraviolet region and infrared region, and each column has a substantially circular cross section. The columns are tilted at a constant angle with respect to a surface normal of the substrate and has anisotropy in density. The light absorbing portions have a light extinction coefficient larger than that of the columns at the desired wavelength region of light. The columns are arranged at a spacing of from 0.2 to 20 times the diameter of the column.

Abstract: A mirror apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be rotatably mounted on the side of a vehcile body, a first case secured to one side of the frame for defining a first space therebetween, a mirror movably mounted on the first case and rotatable about a central pivot point and an adjusting mechanism that is mounted in the first space for adjusting the position of the mirror.

Abstract: A virtual image display system for displaying a relatively large virtual image to a user derived from a relatively small image source. A lens group is provided for amplifying an image provided by the image source. A plurality of reflecting elements are provided for magnifying the image provided by the lens group and for displaying the relatively large virtual image. Several embodiments are provided that include on-axis and off-axis reflecting versions, and a holographic virtual image version. Conventional lenses and reflecting optics are used to provide the on- and off-axis versions of the system, while a holographic reflecting element is used to provide a holographic virtual image. A window element may also be employed to minimize ambient reflection viewed by the user and eliminates ambient reflection to reduce the user's eye fatigue. The display system improves a user's viewing comfort by positioning the image at a distance matching the visual requirements of the user's eye.

Abstract: A polarizer, a Faraday rotator and an analyzer are fixed by fused glass applied on an outer periphery of the polarizer to be contacted with the Faraday rotator and on an outer periphery of the analyzer to be contacted with the Faraday rotator. No adhesive exists between contact planes of the polarizer and the Faraday rotator and those of the Faraday rotator and the analyzer.

Abstract: An angular viewing device is taught which enables the viewer to see, while looking downward, objects and scenery in front of him, to the right and left and also above and below the horizontal plane of the viewer's eyes. The viewing device and all of its reflective surfaces or mirrors are housed in a casing which is waterproof and also highly aerodynamically wind-resistant. The device is primarily for use as an optical visual aid for mounting on the handle bars of bicycles for forward vision purposes, safety, and easing of muscle strain associated with riding certain types of bicycles, such as English racer types.

Abstract: A color filter in accordance with the present invention comprises an activated film layer (2) arranged on a transparent substrate (1), said activated film layer (2) having a color pattern formed thereon by permeating a dye thereinto, and a thin metal film pattern (3) formed on a portion, of said activated film layer (2), which requires the formation of a black mask. Accordingly, the color filter integrated into various display devices such as a liquid crystal display is capable of displaying an image having a high contrast.

Abstract: Eyewear, such as sunglasses, is provided having a self-adjusting ear stem system. The eyewear has upper and lower frame members which contain an elastic cord means disposed there through wherein the elastic cord means can be extended on opposite sides of the wearer's face to fit around the wearer's ears.

Abstract: A mirror which is incorporated in an optical device and is made of plastic, comprising: an effective portion which has a constant thickness and a reflecting surface; and a reinforcing portion which is so provided as to enclose the effective portion and reinforces the effective portion from a periphery of the effective portion; the reinforcing portion being formed integrally with the effective portion; the reinforcing portion having a thickness equal to the thickness of the effective portion; the reinforcing portion having a constant width.

Abstract: A reflector has a body of a ceramic oxide superconductive material whose surface is treated to be diffusively reflective and is coated with diamond-like carbon or magnesium fluoride.

Abstract: A mirror in aid of a user of an ostomy appliance by holding it between the users' legs whether the user is lying down, sitting, or reclining, and utilizing a post between the users legs, a base for the post, under the legs, and an extension on the post holding a mirror, all parts being detachable and capable of being carried in a kit, pocket or handbag.

Abstract: Rearview vehicle mirrors mountable on one or both sides of the vehicle to project laterally outward therefrom adjacent the windshield zone are provided with at least three independently adjustable flat faced mirrors movable in all planes to reflect to the driver's eyes rearward zones along the sides and rear of the vehicle which will simultaneously cooperate to provide the driver with a clear undistorted view of oncoming traffic all the way up to the driver's seat. Each mirror assembly has a compartment cup-shaped laterally elongated housing or casing with an open rearwardly facing mouth. Three flat faced mirrors fitting in side-by-side inboard, central and outboard relation in the housing substantially close the open mouth. Stiff ball and socket joints mount the mirrors in the housing to hold them in adjusted positions while permitting them to be manipulated in all planes either manually or electrically while maintaining the mouth of the housing substantially closed.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame having removable lenses, comprising of lens rings which are split into an upper and lower ring portion. Interposed between the upper and lower ring portions, and forming an integral part of the frame and positive actuating means to force open and draw closed the split lens rings to facilitate insertion and removal of lens. Several spices of eyeglass frame are visualized The preferred spieces utilizes a coil spring and resilient rod. Another spieces visualized utilizes several serrated coupling edges and an actuating fulcrum.

Abstract: A non-glass reflective surface is mounted near the top of the rear seat of a motor vehicle in such a way that the driver of the vehicle, by looking in the rear view mirror, can observe an infant in a safety seat wherein the infant is positioned facing the rear of the vehicle. This mirror is attached to the rear seat my means of a large safety pin and is further secured by means of strips of Velcro.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mirror for changing the geometrical form of a light beam. The mirror includes several mirroring regions with these regions being strip-like segments. An incoming light beam impinges on several of these segments which are all so aligned that the reflected component beams from all segments are imaged on one and the same component area of an axis. The mirror can be configured as one piece which imparts a linear beam geometry with only one reflection.

Abstract: A multi-layer graded reflectivity mirror (GRM) with high effective reflectivity is suitable for use in large aperture laser systems with relatively low gain. The GRMs are manufactured with multiple dielectric layers with a thickness profile that eliminates the interference fringes, while providing a reflectivity which tapers smoothly from a peak to zero. The mirror is formed on a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first. The substrate consists of a material which has low absorption at a given wavelength .lambda.. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate which has an index of refraction n.sub.1 and having an optical thickness profile with a maximum optical thickness of .lambda./4 at a center which essentially continuously decreases away from the center to a minimum optical thickness of Z at a perimeter P. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer having an index of refraction n.sub.

Abstract: An optical diffraction grating element comprising diffraction gratings having a configuration in which grooves and flat lands each positioned between the adjacent grooves are successively alternately formed, wherein the diffraction gratings have the same groove depth, groove width and groove tilt angle in order to obtain a constant 0th-order diffraction efficiency and first-order diffraction efficiency in the optical diffraction grating element while the pitches of the diffraction gratings are made different by setting a different land width for each diffraction grating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield deflector shield for deflecting insects and debris above the hood and windshield of a vehicle and for increasing the driver's field of vision. The deflector shield includes a lens coupled to the middle deflector section for increasing the field of vision in front of the vehicle. The deflector shield may also include rearview mirrors coupled to the ends of the deflector shield for increasing the driver's field of vision at the sides of the vehicle.