Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an improved optical assembly having a monolithic structure is provided. The monolithic optical assembly is useful in interferometers to achieve a fringe effect in a Fourier transform spectrometer, and comprises top and bottom members which are joined into a monolithic structure by first and second support members and a beamsplitter. The assembly also comprising a first reflecting assembly in reflecting relation with the beamsplitter. An alternate embodiment of the invention has an added reflecting assembly in reflecting relation with the first reflecting assembly and the beamsplitter assembly, which allows for the use of multiple wavelength light sources to achieve a fringe effect in a Fourier transform spectrometer.

Abstract: An improved bulk vending machine coin mechanism and counter combination is provided.

Abstract: A pillow (10) for pregnant, over weight, back-pain suffering, sleep apnea suffering, and sciatica suffering persons lying in a prone position, is provided. The pillow has an aperture (90) extending through it, and is sized for receipt of a portion of the abdomen of the user. The aperture is defined by at least first (20), second (30) and third (40) support structures, and is of a substantially uniform thickness (T). The first support structure extends substantially traversely across the lower-chest and upper-abdominal regions of the user, the second support structure extends along a first side-abdominal region of the user to end proximate to the person's pelvic region, and the third support structure extends along a second side-abdominal region of the user to also end proximate to the pelvic region of the user.

Abstract: An improved bulk vending machine coin mechanism and counter combination is provided. The combination coin mechanism and coin counter comprises a coin mechanism designed to be partially received into an opening in a bulk vending machine, having a selectively rotatable cam. The coin counter is attached to a portion of the coin mechanism inside of the bulk vending machine, and has a numeric display and a pivotally mounted switch connected to the display by at least one lead. A portion of the switch is in contact with the cam, which, due to its eccentric shape, causes the switch to pivot upon the rotation of the cam, causing the numeric display to advance one number for each full rotation of the cam.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an improved optical assembly having a monolithic structure, and an improved optical assembly having a monolithic structure and a retroreflector/beamsplitter combination is provided. The monolithic optical assembly comprises top and bottom plates which are joined into a monolithic structure by first and second mounting members and a beamsplitter. The assembly also comprising a first reflecting assembly in reflecting relation with the beamsplitter. An alternate embodiment of the invention substitutes the monolithic structure having the above six components, with a monolithically constructed hollow corner-cube retroreflector, wherein one of the retroreflector panels is a reflecting surface, another panel (situated at a 45 degree angle to the reflecting surface of the first panel) is a beamsplitter, and the third panel is a support panel used to complete the construction of the hollow corner-cube retroreflector.

Abstract: An improved porcelain ornament imprinted through the method of lithophanie is provided. The ornament comprises a lower body element having a design imprinted thereon through the method of lithophanie, and an upper body element having a second design printed thereon, also through the method of lithophanie. The upper body element is selectively removable from the lower body element for insertion of a light producing element. When the upper and lower body elements are combined, the upper and lower designs interactively form one overall picture.

Abstract: An improved hair accessory and toy combination is provided. The combination hair accessory and toy comprises a hair accessory having a selectively stretchable member within a decorative fabric cover and an opening extending through the center of the stretchable member and decorative fabric cover. The combination hair accessory and toy further comprises a toy element attached, and/or selectively removably attached, to an outside surface of the fabric, wherein the toy is interactive with the wearer of the hair accessory or a non-wearer companion of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved bulk vending machine coin mechanism and counter combination is provided. In all of the embodiments, the combination coin mechanism and counter comprises a coin mechanism designed to be partially received into an opening in a bulk vending machine, having a selectively rotatable cam having an eccentrically shaped portion. All of the coin counters are attached to a portion of the coin mechanism inside of the bulk vending machine, and each has a numeric display. A first embodiment has a pivotally mounted switch connected to the numeric display. A second embodiment has a reed-switch connected to the display and a pivotally mounted magnet arm, in place of the pivotal switch. A third embodiment has a reed-switch, and a fourth embodiment has an inductive coil, mounted on the bracket so as to bring the rotation of the eccentric portion of the cam proximate to the reed-switch and/or inductive coil.