Abstract: A compact, grating spectrometer (1A) particularly adapted for visual observation of the sun's spectrum, from the Calcium K line to the Fraunhofer B line, at very high dispersion. The numerical aperture of the spectrometer's collimating mirror is intentionally mismatched to the numerical aperture of the spectrometer's light-input device in order to exploit, by means of the exceedingly narrow width of the spectrometer's entrance slit (110), the high degree of coherence of the central region of the Airy disk formed by the light-input device. The resulting Fraunhofer diffraction illuminates totally, or nearly totally, the collimating mirror throughout the K-B interval. The human eye's dynamic range is compensated to maintain resolution at the lowest, light levels of the K-B interval. UV spill is suppressed. Both input-optics and slit are shielded against differential heating.

Abstract: Pop-Up Indicator, Replacement Lock-Cylinder with distinctive keys for owner, employee (or acquaintance), and some third party whose right to enter is legitimate only upon notice or in an emergency. The pop-up indicators are brightly and differently colored. The lock cannot be circumvented by pressing a pop-up in and endeavoring to turn the key, because the pop-up's barrel blocks rotation of the lock's core unless the pop-up is fully extended. Once triggered, the pop-up remains visible and in locked position until the lock owner resets it. A tactile indicator of sought entry is transmitted to the owner upon key insertion and rotation, as well. Meanwhile, the employee and/or third party enjoys unimpeded access. The owner will thus know whether the employee has been over—to inspect for termites, walk the dog, etc.—and the third party cannot allege lockout lease breaking. The lock operates quite normally with either or both pop-ups triggered.

Abstract: A compact, grating spectrometer (1A) particularly adapted for visual observation of the sun's spectrum, from the Calcium K line to the Fraunhofer B line, at very high dispersion. The numerical aperture of the spectrometer's collimating mirror is intentionally mismatched to the numerical aperture of the spectrometer's light-input device in order to exploit, by means of the exceedingly narrow width of the spectrometer's entrance slit (110), the high degree of coherence of the central region of the Airy disk formed by the light-input device. The resulting Fraunhofer diffraction illuminates totally, or nearly totally, the collimating mirror throughout the K-B interval. The human eye's dynamic range is compensated to maintain resolution at the lowest, light levels of the K-B interval. UV spill is suppressed. Both input-optics and slit are shielded against differential heating.

Abstract: A tamper-evident seal adapted to be attached to a variety of thin-walled containers, including cabinets having glass doors (700), lockers, file cabinets, and the like. Plug-like catches (300) that may be anchored individually in an aperture in a thin wall are connected by a seal element (100) bearing an identification tag (110). Removal of the tag immediately separates the seal element into two parts, each of which can pass entirely through the plug-catch to which it has been connected, freeing the catch to accept another seal. The tag may continue to be used after its removal to serve a commercial purpose, such as offering to a guest who has made use of the sterilized lockers in a resort hotel's weight room a premium for redeeming the tag, thus to create an opportunity to sell the guest a service, perhaps dance or scuba lessons.

Abstract: A tamper-evident seal having dual, reusable catches and a seal element adapted lockably to engage either of the catches, the extent of this engagement being, furthermore, adjustable without thereby rendering the seal itself reusable, once it has been broken. The two catches may each bear an integrally-formed, clasp-like structure, which facilitates the attachment of the catches and, consequently, of the tamper-evident seal, to a variety of external devices. Both the seal and the catches have a generally squared-off design, which helps to reduce mold-making costs by adding a degree of freedom to the placement of the parting lines.

Abstract: A night-light adapted to illuminate a toilet bowl and located in the toilet's flush-handle. The light shuts off automatically and remains unobtrusive and clean during use. A semiconductor circuit built into the flush-handle extinguishes the light after a certain length of time. Powered by a lithium battery, the light will yield many hundreds of illuminations before battery replacement or whole-unit replacement become necessary. The device is substantially the same size and shape as conventional flush handles.

Abstract: A material-economizing, tamper-evident seal is disclosed having dual, non-contiguous, symmetrically placed, reusable catches and a tear-off identification tag. Should seal replacement become necessary, the seal's identification tag is first torn off, and then the remainder of the seal is passed through one of the catches. A replacement seal with its own identification tag may then be engaged with both of the catches. The invention's preferred embodiment allows easy rotation of the identification tag, thus facilitating inspection of the tag's identifying mark, typically a serial number. The tag's tear-off feature is effected by the presence of an abscission bead, which may take one of several forms, as, for example, a row of perforations. Whereas some of the invention's components are preferably molded out of a resilient and relatively weak, thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, other components may with advantage be molded out of a much-stronger material, such as polycarbonate, instead.

Abstract: A means for examining the sun in monochromatic light in which the separation of the mirrors of either a catadioptric, or pure two-mirror, telescope is altered to produce a virtual object for a converging lens, termed a "forcing lens," this lens being so located between the virtual object and a narrow-band, Fabry-Perot, etalon-type, interference filter, that the convergent beam of light from the telescope passes through the interference filter at a high focal ratio, relative to the telescope's conventional focal ratio, before it traverses the forcing lens, which in turn forms the optical system's only real image, at a different, and much lower, focal ratio. Image contrast is markedly enhanced, relative to the contrast obtained by the same telescope at its conventional focus. By means of a graduated series of entrance pupils, which may be generated by a graduated series of broad-band pre-filters, a step-wise-zoom, constant-contrast, solar monochromator may be constructed.

Abstract: An anti-snooping device for doors to apartments comprising a locking mechanism and a relatively low-strength, "tamperproof" seal capable of engaging the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism being capable of disengagement without, however, compromising the "tamperproof" seal. The invention's preferred embodiment is a chain door lock in which one of the chain's links has been replaced by a coded, colored, plastic, "tamperproof" seal. To enter the apartment, the apartment dweller uses, first, her door key and then, second, the key to or, alternately, the combination of, the anti-snooping device. Entry by anyone else must be effected by breaking the "tamperproof" seal or by breaking or successfully picking the anti-snooping device's lock.