Abstract: A lens aid, lens aid system, powered light source, and cleaning and storage compartment for the lens aid system that uses a lens cup of soft pliable material providing an improved visual method including a hands-free or one hand method for the insertion of a contact lens and more preferably a scleral lens into the eye.

Abstract: A lens aid, lens aid system and powered light source that uses a lens cup of soft pliable material providing an improved visual method including a hands-free or one hand method for the insertion of a contact lens and more preferably a scleral lens into the eye.

Abstract: A lens aid, lens aid system and powered light source combined with a mirror that uses a lens cup of soft pliable material providing an improved visual method including a hands-free or one hand method for the insertion of a contact lens and more preferably a scleral lens into the eye.

Abstract: A lens aid, lens aid system and powered light source combined with a mirror that uses a lens cup of soft pliable material providing an improved visual method including a hands-free or one hand method for the insertion of a contact lens and more preferably a scleral lens into the eye.

Abstract: A clamping structure for joining a pair of panels along curved and other seams comprising longitudinally extending opposing clamping surfaces for receiving therebetween the abutting but spaced apart edges of the panels, and provided with marginal sealing strips compressible against the outer and inner panel sheets along and overlapping the abutting panel edges, sealing the space between the panel edges and rigidly joining the panel edges along the seams.

Abstract: A method of cutting curvilinear panels with ellipsoidal cuts and joining the abutted edges of the same with a slight gap therebetween by batten-like surfaces overlapping the edges on both the outer and inner cover sheets of the panel and sealing the gap therebetween--the batten-like surfaces being preferably bonded layers, and the method being adapted to accomodate complicated joining seams, bends and curves.

Abstract: A bead-chain drive system for operating and positioning a window shade comprises a roller having a window shade mounted thereon, the roller being urged by the weight of the window shade in a direction to lower the shade. The drive system further includes a sprocket for driving the roller that is driven by a bead-chain, trained about the sprocket. The bead-chain includes a chain length urged toward the sprocket by the weight of the shade applied to the roller and the sprocket. The drive system also includes a bead-chain retainer having a holding device operative to hold at least one of the beads of the chain length against movement toward the sprocket to position the window shade and from which the chain length can be easily freed upon movement thereof away from the sprocket.

Abstract: A coupling used between headers of adjacent collectors in an array of solar collectors of the liquid heat-exchange type to balance the flow of heat exchange fluid through the absorber of each collector. The coupling is formed with an internal baffle in which an orifice of predetermined area is defined dependent on its position in the array.The coupling may also be used to vent entrapped air from the headers and to drain liquid from them.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for assembling, on a mass production basis, shade devices for insulating a building area against heat transmission. Each shade device includes a roller, a plurality of shade sheets attached to the roller to be retracted thereon and detracted therefrom and a plurality of spacer devices mounted with one sheet of each pair of adjacent sheets to space them apart when detracted from the roller. The assembling apparatus comprises a sheet feeding section for ultimately feeding and assembling all of the sheets in generally mutually parallel relation. Other mechanisms place spacer devices in close proximity to each of the sheets on which spacer devices are to be mounted and attachment apparatus associated with the sheet feeding section and spacer device placing mechanisms attach each of the spacer devices to its respective closely proximate sheet.

Abstract: Movable insulation apparatus is disclosed for selectably covering and uncovering an opening, such as a window to control the amounts of heat energy and light transmitted through the opening. The opening has a foot, a head situated above the foot, and height and width. The movable insulation apparatus comprises at least one sheet having a leading and a trailing end, width at least equal to the width of the opening and length at least equal to twice the height of the opening. A retracting roller is mounted rotatably to span the width of the opening at the foot. The trailing end of the sheet is attached to the roller and the leading end of the sheet is secured in the region of the foot of the opening. A motor urges the roller in one angular direction to roll the sheet thereon.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting apparatus comprises an elongated, trough-like reflector for reflecting solar energy to an elongated focal region. The reflector, which partially defines an enclosed space, includes adjacent first and second portions that extend in mutually parallel relation, each portion including an inner reflective surface having a generally parabolic cross-sectional shape that comprises a vertex and opposing side walls diverging from the vertex. One of the side walls of the first portion intersects one of the side walls of the second portion and thereby defines a peak or cusp that projects inwardly of the enclosed space. An absorber is mounted in the focal region in spaced relation to the peak to receive solar energy directly incident thereon and reflected thereto by the reflector and comprises a tubular member for conducting a heat transferring medium therethrough. Two vanes are associated with the tubular member, each vane making an angle of less than 180.degree. with the other.

Abstract: Arrangement for sealing an opening in a solar collector through which a header passes and for maintaining the integrity of the seal during movement of the header due to expansion and contraction thereof. A generally cylindrical resilient member compressively engages an adapter member defining the opening at a first annulus of contact and tapers to compressively engage the header at a second annulus of contact. In an alternate embodiment, the resilient member then flares to a third annulus of contact at the adapter. Apparatus is also disclosed for connecting and sealing the headers of adjacent collectors or a header to a manifold.

Abstract: A solar energy collector of the air heat exchange type in which the absorber forms the upper wall of an air duct and a heat exchanger in the duct transfers heat from the absorber to air in the duct, thereby providing increased heated surface area to the air passing therethrough.

Abstract: A composite sheet material exhibiting a low emittance characteristic at both of its outer surfaces for limiting radiant heat transmission therethrough comprises one composite sheet structure including a base layer of sheet material having high strength, resistance to tearing, stability, and body, and a first layer of material having a low emittance characteristic disposed in intimate contact with one surface of the base layer. A second composite sheet structure includes a protective layer of sheet material that is generally transparent to radiant energy in the infrared range of the energy spectrum and a second layer of material having a low emittance characteristic disposed in intimate contact with one surface of the protective layer.

Abstract: Solar heat energy collectors of the gaseous heat exchange type where the absorber is in the form of a duct completely out of thermal contact with the collector housing and extending between openings in opposite sides of the housing. Resilient seals are provided about the housing openings and compressively engaged with each other to prevent egress of heated gas or ingress of ambient air.

Abstract: An apparatus for insulating against conductive, convective, and radiant heat transmission comprises a plurality of mutually parallel sheets. The sheets may be attached to a retracting device from which they can be drawn to extend in mutually parallel relation and cover a building opening such as a window or onto which they can be retracted to uncover the opening. A number of spacers which may be in the form of collapsible or nestable devices are mounted within the apparatus to separate each pair of adjacent sheets and, thus, define a dead air space therebetween. At least one of the sheets has a surface, facing on the dead air space, that exhibits a low surface emittance. This surface emittance is sufficiently low to yield a total effective emissivity of the surface and dead air space of no greater than 0.60. Important, the spacer devices are designed so as not to abrade or otherwise harm the reflective surface.

Abstract: A device for cutting a cylindrical article, such as a window shade or the like, comprises a tubular support for encircling the article and a guide mounted with the support for rotation about the support axis. The guide has a radially outwardly projecting arm that is formed to be engaged by an operator. A knife blade, having a cutting edge, is mounted in the guide for movement from a first position with the cutting edge tangentially intersecting the tubular section defined by the support to a second position with the cutting edge chordally intersecting the tubular section. A spring urges the knife from its first to its second position while the guide is rotated about the support.

Abstract: A solar energy collector housing having a transparent cover, and a solar energy absorbing panel in the housing beneath the cover, and including a transparent member having closed tubular air pockets positioned between the panel and the cover to inhibit convection currents therebetween.

Abstract: A solar energy collector in which one or more sheets of thin transparent material are positioned in the collector housing. The sheets are tensioned on frames which are supported within the housing and the uppermost frame supports a glass cover member.