Abstract: A composite optical device comprises an optical element bonded onto a support body with an adhesive, at least a part of surfaces of the optical element being covered by a film made of a hydrophilic material. A method for manufacturing a composite optical device having an optical element bonded onto a support body with an adhesive, comprises the steps of: preparing a bar-shaped optical element having a length not less than twice the width thereof and having surfaces at least a part of which is covered by a film made of a hydrophilic material, and bonding the bar-shaped optical element on the support body with the adhesive; and cutting the bar-shaped optical element, the adhesive and the support body while applying a liquid containing water at least to portions where they are cut.

Abstract: A reflector apparatus with a reflector, in particular a parabolic mirror, with a plastic layer, on which a plastic sheet with a metal structure is provided, and with a casing consisting of two hollow cylinders which can be arranged inside one another and between which the reflector is held is provided, wherein the reflector comprises a further plastic layer which forms a substantially hollow cylindrical collar on the edge of the reflector and wherein this collar is held between the hollow cylinders of the casing.

Abstract: A reflector apparatus (10) having a reflective layer (24) enclosed within a sealed envelope (16) having a lower light absorptive sheet (20) and an upper light transmitting sheet (22).

Abstract: A composite optical device comprises an optical element bonded onto a support body with an adhesive, at least a part of surfaces of the optical element being covered by a film made of a hydrophilic material. A method for manufacturing a composite optical device having an optical element bonded onto a support body with an adhesive, comprises the steps of: preparing a bar-shaped optical element having a length not less than twice the width thereof and having surfaces at least a part of which is covered by a film made of a hydrophilic material, and bonding the bar-shaped optical element on the support body with the adhesive; and cutting the bar-shaped optical element, the adhesive and the support body while applying a liquid containing water at least to portions where they are cut.

Abstract: An under view mirror apparatus includes a housing having an opening and a holding rib extending toward the opening and a frame fixed to the housing at the opening in the housing. The frame is provided with an opening and a projecting portion extending along the periphery of the opening in the frame. A holding clip extends from the frame. A mirror is mounted in the opening in the frame and is held against the projecting portion of the frame by the holding clip and the holding rib.

Abstract: A thin film mirror including a frame, a board, and a thin plastic film having a reflective metal deposit on one side thereof. The thin plastic film is pre-stretched over the frame and is secured thereto by an epoxy adhesive and a double-sided tape which prevents creep of the mirror during curing of the epoxy. The board is adhered to the reverse of the frame in order to protect the reflective surface of the mirror and to impart additional rigidity to the structure. Various embodiments of the thin film mirror are provided which employ an aperture to connect the air space formed between the mirror and the board with the atmosphere to thereby avoid any deformation of the mirror's surface due to atmospheric pressure changes. These various embodiments also include filter mechanisms to allow air flow but prevent debris from entering the air space. Various other embodiments incorporate an opaque tape disposed at and adhered to the periphery of the mirror to disguise any imperfections therein.

Abstract: A cube corner article and method of manufacturing the article from a series of directly machinable unitary substrates. The method of manufacture comprises the first step of providing an initial unitary directly machinable substrate of material suitable for forming retroreflective surfaces. Then, a first cube corner element array zone is formed having a plurality of geometric structures including cube corner elements. The zone is created by directly machining at least two sets of parallel grooves in the substrate. A replica of the cube corner element array zone is formed as an additional unitary substrate suitable for forming retroreflective surfaces. Portions of the replica substrate material are removed. The removal of these portions forms at least two intersecting cavities bounded by side walls in the replica at a depth at least that of the cube corner elements formed by the groove sets.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mirror glass, a mirror support plate, and a moistureproof adhesive disposed circumferentially around the mirror glass between at least a portion of the outside edge of the mirror glass and the mirror support plate to secure the mirror glass to the mirror support plate and to preclude moisture from outside the assembly from contacting the portion of the outside edge of the mirror glass. The adhesive may be a high viscosity adhesive, with a low viscosity adhesive being disposed between the mirror glass and the mirror plate and substantially surrounded by the high viscosity adhesive. Corresponding methods for manufacturing such vehicle mirror assemblies are also included.

Abstract: A signal mirror assembly has a laminated sandwich construction and includes a transparent center sighting disk. The disk interconnects a relatively thick plastic front sheet with a thin rear plastic sheet to provide enhanced structural integrity and to eliminate potential interference due to condensation. A retrodirective wire screen provides enhanced viewfinding capabilities and is centered within an opening in the adhesive sheet that bonds the plastic sheets together. Reinforcing rods along the horizontal sides of the mirror are rigidly anchored along a center portion and resiliently connected at opposite ends to limit warping over time while allowing for correction of focus by bending, if necessary. Optionally, the mirror may include foam pads for buoyancy.

Abstract: A device for attachment to a mirror to prevent condensation on the mirror surface including: a pad element having at least one interior chamber and containing a heat retaining liquid such as a gel. Heating means such as an electrical heat element is located in the gel in the chamber of the pad element for heating the gel to a desired temperature; and the pad element is connected to the mirror to heat the mirror to prevent condensation from forming on the surface of the mirror. The device may also include heat sensor, a thermostat, and a timer.

Abstract: An objective has a first group of lenses with a first optical axis and a second group of lenses with a second optical axis. The optical axes are offset from and parallel to one another. A pair of Porroprisms is disposed between the first lens group and the second lens group and serves to rotate images. The Porroprisms cause a shift in optical axis, and the first and second optical axes are spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to this shift. The arrangement is such that light travelling along the optical axis of one lens group can enter the Porroprisms for reflection to the optical axis of the other lens group. The first lens group has negative refractive power while the second lens group has positive refractive power. A rhomboidal prism is located on the side of the second lens group remote from the Porroprisms and functions to cause a shift in optical axis equal but opposite to the shift caused by the Porroprisms.

Abstract: A condensation-free shower mirror includes a mirror (10) enclosed by a housing (12). The housing is attached to one end of a positionable arm (16), which has a C-clip (17) at another end for clipping onto a water pipe (18) of a shower head (19). The rear surface of the mirror has a protective coating or backing. Prior to shaving or other use, the mirror is positioned in a hot shower stream (20) to be heated. When the mirror is heated above the dew point of water, it will become free of condensation, and can be used for shaving or grooming, either with the hot water continuing to flow onto its rear surface, or after it is moved away from the water spray. After use, it can be easily positioned away from the shower stream so that the user can resume normal showering. The mirror can be easily detached from the pipe and easily clipped onto another, so that it can be used in different hotel rooms when traveling, as well as in the home.

Abstract: A light-weight base body of a reflecting mirror, such as those used in reflecting astronomical telescopes, is proposed which is made from fused silica glass or high-silica glass and is advantageous in respect of the excellent thermal and mechanical stability in dimensions to ensure high performance of the reflecting mirror. The base body is composed of a front plate, i.e. a surface plate to provide the optical surface, and a supporting body of porous foamed glass integrally bonded to the front plate. These two parts of the base body can be bonded together by sandwiching a layer of a finely divided silica powder therebetween and heating the assemblage at a temperature higher than the softening point of the silica powder so that the silica powder is softened or melted to firmly join the two parts sandwiching the powder layer.

Abstract: The invention provides a light-weight base body of a reflecting mirror such as a mirror in a reflecting astronomical telescope, which is very stable not only thermally but also mechanically and is highly resistant against adverse environmental influences. The mirror base is composed of a porous foamed disc body of fused quartz glass or high-silica glass sandwiched by two plates of fused quartz glass or high-silica glass, of which one is made from transparent glass and serves to provide an optical surface having flatness or a specified curvature, and the side surface of the porous foamed disc body is protected against environmental influences by providing an air-tight sealing layer formed from a silicone rubber-based sealing agent or a thin sheet of fused quartz glass or high-silica glass.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to suppress noises caused by reflections of a ray of light from a light receiving surface of a photodiode chip and inner and outer surfaces of a glass in a semiconductor light receiving apparatus. A construction of a light receiving apparatus is that, a photodiode chip 4 is mounted on a carrier 2 fixed to a stem 1, and a chip 4 is sealed up by a cap 7, which is provided with an opening 7a covered with glass 8. A ray of light transmits through an opening 7a, and incidents on a light receiving surface of a chip 4. A light receiving surface of a chip 4 and an outer surface of a glass 8 are inclined to the optical axis, where directions of inclinations are different to each other. An angle of inclination of a chip 4 is selected such that reflected rays from a chip 4 does not incident on an opening 7a. Accordingly, there is no ray which returns to a light source (not shown), and generation of delayed incidences to a chip 4 can be prevented.

Abstract: A protective diffusion barrier having adhesive qualifies for metalized surfaces is provided by a passivating agent having the formula HS--(CH.sub.2).sub.11 --COOH Which forms a very dense, transparent organized molecular assembly or layer that is impervious to water, alkali, and other impurities and corrosive substances that typically attack metal surfaces.

Abstract: An optical device having a transparent body and including two prism surfaces formed thereon. The composite structure exhibits two axis stability in that the angular relationship between the input beam and the output beam remains fixed for slight movement of the device about two orthogonal axes.

Abstract: The invention provides a light-weight base body of a reflecting mirror such as a mirror in a reflecting astronomical telescope which is very stable not only thermally but also mechanically and is highly resistant against adverse environmental influences. The mirror base is composed of a porous foamed disc body of fused quartz glass or high-silica glass sandwiched by two plates of fused quartz glass or high-silica glass, of which one is made from transparent glass and serves to provide an optical surface having flatness or a specified curvature, and the side surface of the porous foamed disc body is protected against environmental influences by providing an air-tight sealing layer formed from a silicone rubber-based sealing agent or a thin sheet of fused quartz glass or high-silica glass.

Abstract: A mirror device for an automobile includes a mirror member. A seal member is vibratably held to an outer circumference portion of the mirror member. A holder member is held to the seal member, is positiond at a reverse side of the mirror member and is vibratably held to the mirror member through the seal member. A vibrator is served for vibrating the mirror member.

Abstract: A retroreflective unitary laminate material having an acrylic layer on which a sign legend is printed and which is covered by an ultraviolet absorbent overlay that has poor affinity for paint and low surface tension thus protecting the printed sign from deterioration due to weathering and enabling the sign to be readily cleansed without damaging the printed signs, and minimizing water beading on the sign front face.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for vehicles especially adapted for exterior vehicle use with electro-optic/electrochromic mirror units includes a reflective mirror element and a surrounding bezel having a raised edge or crown. The raised crown provides an appearance of narrowness and reduced bezel size. The bezel is preferably also thinner at the sides of the mirror than at the top or bottom and includes a rear retaining member which resiliently traps the mirror between a pair of resilient compressible seal members to form a continuous pocket at the edge of the mirror which is sealed against humidity, dirt, water, salt spray and other environmental effects commonly encountered by vehicles. Opposite polarity electrical connections for the electro-optic mirror unit are provided in different sizes or are mounted in different directions to prevent incorrect polarity connections to the vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: A mirror apparatus includes a holder formed into a cup-shaped configuration and having an opening enclosed by a holding portion which is in the form of an inward projection. A mirror is disposed within the holder and has an outer surface exposed through the opening and a rear surface. A supporting member engages with the rear surface of the mirror in a surface-to-surface manner and permits transmission of ultrasonic vibrations. An elastic device urges the mirror on the holding portion via the supporting member independently from deformation of holder.

Abstract: A generally rectangular tensioned cover comprises a pair of end forms having end portions. They are generally parallel along their lengths. A pair of side rails which are generally orthogonal to the end forms have first and second end portions. They are spaced substantially the lateral separation of the end forms with the end portions of each side rail positioned adjacent the end portions of an end form. A tensionable sheet spans from one side rail to the other and from one end form to the other. The sheet's first end portions are attached along the end forms. The lateral peripheral portions of the sheet are attached along the side rails. The end portion of the one end form is fastened to the first end portions of the side rails. The end portion of the other end form is fastened to selectable regions of the second end portions of the side rails. The sheet is tensioned longitudinally between the end forms.

Abstract: A beaker-shaped, airtight joining element between an external container and a supporting element with a non-circular cross-section, of an external rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising a first airtight compartment around said supporting element, and a second cylindrical part housed in the container and having a circular cross-section coaxial to the rotational axis of container with respect to supporting element.