Abstract: An adjustable handlebar is shown having a first handle attached to a first disc and a second handle. An aperture passing through the first disc and second handle pivotally joins the two. A second set of apertures passing through the first disc and second handle receive a detent pin to adjustably set the angle between first and second handles.

Abstract: A circuit is shown for use with a bar code scanner wherein the scanner includes a laser for producing a beam of light that is scanned across the bar code so that the light reflected from the bar code may be focused upon a sensor which produces an electrical signal representing the bar code. Scanning is stopped by a first circuit after a predetermined number of scans. Thereafter, a second circuit completes the decoding of the electrical signal and outputs the results if that decoding is successful. If not, a third circuit restarts the scanning within the first circuit.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle for a dumbbell includes a pair of weighted hook members each joined to a handle by a threaded stud. The hook members are adapted to engage the handle of a dumbbell. The studs are oppositely threaded so that rotation of the handle in one direction moves the hook members away from each other and into engagement with the dumbbell weights, thus securing the auxiliary handle to the dumbbell. The auxiliary handle may be used by a spotter to assist in handling the dumbbell.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for determining edges of tags/labels carried by a backing strip over a fixed surface. The method comprises the steps of, disposing a sensor above the fixed surface measuring the distance to a surface passing beneath it and outputting a first signal reflecting the distance; receiving and amplifying the first signal to a usable level second signal and outputting the second signal; and, receiving and comparing changes in the second signal to a pre-established threshold amount and outputting a third signal indicating an edge has been found when the second signal changes more than the pre-established threshold amount. Contacting and non-contacting approaches to accomplishing the measurement are disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary shipping label, product information label, and packing slip for an article to be shipped comprises an adhesive label strip having a first panel portion, a second panel portion, a third panel portion, and a fourth panel portion. Addressee information and product identification information are printed on the first panel portion and packing list information is printed on the remaining panel portions as necessary. The releasable liner has perforations and slits therethrough defining the panel portions and top and bottom removable strips for the second and fourth panel portions. In use, the top and bottom removable strips for the fourth panel portion are removed, the fourth panel portion is folded over the third panel portion, and the fourth panel portion and the third panel portion in combination are folded over the second panel portion adhesively attaching the fourth panel portion to the second panel portion along their top and bottom edges.

Abstract: An adjustable printhead-carrying yoke for a printer which permits dynamic adjusting of the printhead's fore and aft and skew positions. There is a fixed yoke portion carried by the printer and a movable yoke portion carrying the printhead. There is also fore and aft adjusting apparatus for moving the movable yoke portion thereby adjusting the printhead's fore and aft position while the printhead is printing and skew adjusting apparatus for moving the movable yoke portion thereby adjusting the printhead's skew while the printhead is printing.

Abstract: An exercise device is shown formed from a weight having a C-shaped cross-section with an inner diameter large enough to fit over and at least partially about the bar of a dumbbell. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of weights are joined by a hinge to permit them to open about the bar and to then close upon it.

Abstract: A wavelength stabilization apparatus and method for a superfluorescent source comprising a SFS (superfluorescent source) comprising a fiber with a core doped with lazing material. The SFS source produces SFS light with an SFS wavelength when pumped with pump light from a pump light source having a pump light wavelength. An output controller responds to a sample of the SFS light and operates to maximize the power of the sample of SFS light by automatically adjusting the pump light wavelength. The output controller also has a pump power controller responsive to a sample of the pump light from the pump light source for stabilizing the output power of the sample of the pump light with respect to a predetermined reference output power level.

Abstract: A split gain multi-mode ring laser gyroscope is disclosed having a radio frequency excitation induction coil which also serves the magnetic mode suppression system, suppressing undesirable modes of the gain curve to achieve the split gain effect. The induction coil serves as an important common component of both the gain medium excitation and mode suppression systems. The induction coil is suitably configured to carry both AC and DC signals.

Abstract: A phase modulation control apparatus is taught in combination with an interferometer excited by a coherent light source providing a light beam to the interferometer having first and second optical paths. The interferometer senses a physical quantity such as pressure. The interferometer is coupled to provide an optical signal containing information providing a measure of the physical quantity via first and second interfering beams to a detector. The detector provides a composite output signal. The invention phase modulation control apparatus has a modulation means responsive to a modulating frequency signal and a phase modulation control signal to provide a frequency modulating factor signal for frequency modulating at least a portion of the light beam to provide a phase modulation between the first and second interfering beams at a carrier frequency. The composite output signal has at least four harmonic signals referenced to the carrier frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an Internal Anode System for Ring Laser Gyroscopes comprising at least one internal anode electrically connected, through an active gaseous medium, with a cathode to form a compact and shortened DC discharge pathway for a ring laser gyroscope. The internal anode comprises a conductive coating covering a taped end of the intersection of at least two passageways within a monolithic ring laser. The coated taped end of said passageways communicates with an external power source through an electrical feedthrough placed under and around a dielectric mirror substrate and seal. The gain-bore region within the cavity is narrowed and acts as the cavity aperture, increasing the available gain per unit length and relieving the fabrication tolerances.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Digitally Controlled Cavity Length Control System comprising, in a preferred embodiment, an adaptive servo-loop for cavity length, modulation depth and amplitude control, and of the multioscillator ring laser gyroscope; thereby, permitting the simultaneous control of these elements. The cavity length control of the multioscillator, by including a variable RF detector gain, allows the operation of the gyroscope in a slightly detuned fashion to minimize magnetic sensitivity. In this manner, the multioscillator gyroscope may be maintained at a stable operating point suitable for modeling.

Abstract: A radio frequency excitation system is disclosed for use in conjunction with a ring laser gyroscope. The radio frequency excitation system is comprised of a closed resonant cavity which surrounds a helical coil driven at a high radio frequency at a range of 5 to 550 megahertz. This closed resonant coil surrounds one leg of a ring laser gyroscope which is carved out and exposed so that it may be surrounded by the resonant cavity. Using such a radio frequency excitation system eliminates the need for high power DC discharge components such as cathodes and anodes, as well as problems inherent with properly sealing the cathodes and anodes to the monolithic frame of the ring laser gyroscope.

Abstract: The invention temperature controlled package comprises a case having sidewalls that form a closed perimeter; a cover; and a base having an input surface and an output surface. The sidewalls are integrally coupled to the base input surface to define an interior region. A heatsink has a top surface and a bottom surface. The heatsink bottom surface is attached to the input surface of a thermoelectric cooler. The bottom surface of the thermoelectric cooler is coupled to the base input surface of the case. The thermoelectric cooler responds to a control signal to move heat from the thermoelectric cooler input surface to the thermoelectric cooler output surface. In a first alternative embodiment, a laser diode coupled to the heat sink responds to an electrical input signal to providing an optical laser output signal. The optical output of the laser diode is coupled via a optical fiber through a fiberoptic feedthrough in a sidewall. The interior region is filled with xenon gas.

Abstract: A rotational sensing system for a Multioscillator ring laser gyroscope is disclosed herein that can operate with a simple upright symmetric optics mechanism, where the required signal separation is performed fully electronically, with the use of a local oscillator. The technique allows for rotational rate and direction detection, as well as cavity length control, with a minimum of cross-talk.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Fault-Tolerant Inertial Navigation System comprising, in a preferred embodiment, a Redundant Set of at least two Inertial Navigation Systems, from which one may identify and isolate at least one instrument within an Inertial Navigation Unit which shows substantial performance degradation. The two inertial navigation units are fully capable of performing navigational functions. Each of these inertial navigation units has a plurality of navigational instruments, including at least three linear sensors (such as accelerometers) and three angular change sensors (such as gyroscopes or ring laser gyroscopes). No two linear sensors nor any two angular change sensors of either unit are aligned colinearly. Each of the inertial navigation units produces a set of independent navigational solutions at each of their respective outputs.

Abstract: A protected fiber optical splice and a method for making the protected splice. The protective structure encapsulates first and second spliced optical fibers. The fibers are preferably fusion spliced. The protective structure includes a rigid tube surrounding the splice and its adjacent regions of the spliced fibers. A plastic such as an epoxy or moldable plastic is injected into the tube between the substantially axially centered fibers and splice, and the interior wall of the tube. Two molding fixtures are preferably surrounding the two ends of the tube, for injecting the moldable plastic into the tube and for shaping the portions of the structure external to the the tube ends.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Pathlength Control Assembly for Ring Laser Gyroscope comprising, in a preferred embodiment, a mirror, coupled to a mirror housing including a mirror post, wherein the mirror is mounted on (or is an integral part of) an axially deflectable membrane of the housing. A pair of piezoelectric transducers are responsive to an electronic input signal and mounted to a backing plate. The transducers sandwich the backing plate and deform the backing plate to drive the mirror post to axially deflect said membrane. In this manner, the backing plate serves a dual function to both support the piezoelectric elements and drive the mirror post.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Pathlength Control Assembly for Ring Laser Gyroscope comprising, in a preferred embodiment, a mirror, coupled to a mirror housing including a mirror post, wherein the mirror is mounted on an axially deflectable membrane of the housing. A pair of piezoelectric transducers are responsive to an electronic input signal and mounted to a backing plate. The transducers are mounted within a driver housing and drive a driver post which is made from a thermally expansive material. As the backing plate is deformed to drive the mirror post to axially deflect the mirror membrane, the central driver post passively expands in response to temperature changes. In this manner, the transducers and thermally expansive mirror post act in conjunction to both actively and passively drive the mirror post over the full dynamic range of multioscillator or other ring laser gyroscope.

Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope output optics detection system, including a rotational sensing system and cavity length control system for a multioscillator ring laser gyroscope, is disclosed herein that can operate with a simple upright symmetric optics mechanism, where the required signal separation is performed fully electronically. In a preferred embodiment, signal separation circuitry is provided which performs a 90.degree. or .pi./2 radians phase shift to one of a set of heterodyned signals in order to extract the sagnac effect modulated Faraday frequency signals W.sub.A and W.sub.B. In order to deal with the inherent problems of crosstalk present in a Faraday biased system, alternative signal separation schemes suggest the use of a 45.degree. or .pi./4 radians phase shift, as well as a 60.degree. or .pi./3 radians phase shift. Complementary cavity length control schemes are presented in both fixed component and digitally controlled formats.