Abstract: The invention is an ophthalmoscope having an imaging path and imaging axis which includes a light source disposed in the imaging path at or in proximity with the imaging axis. Disposing the light source directly in the imaging path at or in proximity with the imaging axis provides numerous illumination and other operational advantages. When the light source is of sufficiently small size and is disposed in a sufficiently defocused position in relation to any retinal focal plane of the ophthalmoscope, the light source, for practical purposes, cannot be perceived by a user.

Abstract: A boot suitable for use in association with various sports related gliding devices having a stirrup embedded in the sole of the boot containing a pair of opposed arms for removably supporting a pin therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus for bonding an insulating material to a metal strip having a conveyor for moving a strip of insulting material along a path of travel and a mechanism for placing perforations in the strip and cutting the strip into sections of predetermined length. The conveyor has raised registration studs that pass through the perforations. A metal strip that also contains perforations is brought into moving contact with the section with its perforation being registered on said studs and a heat curable bonding material is introduced between the metal strip and the insulation sections. A second conveyor is then moved into pressure contact with the moving sections and metal strip registered on the first conveyor and heat is applied to cure the bonding material.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing low concentration NOx in the atmosphere is disclosed. The apparatus has sensor elements arranged in a flow path of the atmosphere, the resistance of each of said sensor elements varying in response to changes in NOx concentration of the atmosphere; a catalyst arranged between said sensor elements to maintain partial pressures of NO and NO.sub.2 in the atmosphere at an equilibrium state; and measuring means for receiving signals from said sensor elements, one sensor element being contacted with the atmosphere which is not passed through said catalyst and the other sensor element being contacted with the atmosphere which is passed through said catalyst and for determining the concentrations of NO.sub.2 and NO in the atmosphere on the basis of said signals.

Abstract: A vibration damper including: a mounting member secured to a subject body; a first mass member which is displaceable relative to the mounting member in a direction of an input vibration of the subject body; a first elastic member elastically connecting the first mass member to the mounting member; a second mass member which is displaceable relative to the mounting member and the first mass member in the direction of the input vibration of the subject body; a second elastic member elastically connecting the second mass member to the first mass member; a member for generating an oscillating force as a force of relative displacement between the first mass member and the second mass member in the direction of the input vibration of the subject body; and a fluid chamber filled with a non-compressible fluid, the fluid chamber being partially defined by the first elastic body and the second elastic body and disposed between the mounting member and the second mass member.

Abstract: An optical assembly for use with optoelectronic readers. An imaging optical assembly having an imaging optical axis forms an image of a two-dimensional region on an optoelectronic imaging device. An aiming pattern generator including at least a point-like aiming light source and an interferometric pattern generating optical element project onto the two-dimensional region a luminous aiming pattern that approximately coincides with the field of view of the imaging device. The aiming optical axis of the aiming pattern remains approximately coincident with the field of view of the imaging device over the range of reader-to-target distances over which the reader is used.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively raising, storing, and lowering a recreational water craft that includes a first cable. The first cable is attached at one end to a winch for selectively shortening or lengthening the first cable. The first cable is attached at the other end to a ring and the first cable passes through a first pulley. A proximal strap is releasably and adjustably attached to the boat and is connected to a second cable. The second cable is connected at one end to the proximal strap and at the other end to the ring. A distal strap is releasably and adjustably attached to the boat. The distal strap is connected to a third cable, with the third cable being attached at one end to the distal strap and at the other end to a size adjustment assembly. The size adjustment assembly is connected to the ring.

Abstract: A securing method of a polymer insulator including the steps of inserting an FRP core into a depression portion of a metal member having an open end portion, and connecting the metal member to the FRP core by compressing the FRP core and the metal member is disclosed. The improvement includes the steps of: determining a first region defining a part of a compression portion of the metal member, to which a compression pressure is applied, from a side of the open end portion; determining a second region defining the other part of the compression portion in succession with the first region; and controlling a deformation of the first region in such a manner that a deformation amount of the first region is increased gradually toward the second region.

Abstract: A fluid-filled vibration damping device having a plurality of fluid chambers which are filled with a non-compressible fluid, and orifice defining means which has an orifice-defining surface defining an orifice passage through which the fluid is forced to flow, so as to damp input vibrations based on flows of the fluid through the orifice passage, wherein the improvement comprises: a water-repellent coating layer which is formed by a surface treatment and which covers at least a portion of the orifice-defining surface of the orifice defining means.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated active vibration damping device comprising a mounting member attachable to an object whose vibration is to be damped, a mass member elastically connected to the mounting member such that the mass member can be oscillated based on a periodic change of an air pressure in an air chamber connected to an air piping system, an active damping switch valve which is connected to the air piping system and which is operable for selective connection of the air chamber to a vacuum source and an atmosphere, to control a frequency and a phase of an oscillation of the mass member, and a pressure regulating switch valve connected to the air piping system, for alternately connecting and disconnecting the air chamber to and from the vacuum source and/or said atmosphere, so as to regulate a magnitude of said periodic change of said air pressure in said air chamber, for adjusting an amplitude of said oscillation of the mass member.

Abstract: Apparatus (OTDR) for accurately locating and measuring the optical parameters and characteristics of fiberoptic cables which reduces the adverse effects of coherence noise without effecting the stability and repeatability of the acquired locating and measuring information.

Abstract: A method of forming a film of boron carbide on a substrate is provided, which comprises the steps of forming the boron carbide film on a surface of a substrate by plasma spraying, and heating the film at 1100.about.2400.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, whereby boron oxide contained in the boron carbide film is removed.

Abstract: In producing an optical single crystal epitaxial film from a melt containing a transition metal on a single crystal substrate by a liquid phase epitaxial method, this process contains the steps of: annealing the film at a predetermined temperature in an ozonic atmosphere; and temperature-increasing and -decreasing to and from the predetermined temperature, wherein at least one of temperature-increasing and -decreasing steps, the film is exposed to a substantially ozone-free atmosphere.

Abstract: A reusable test pack suitable for monitoring a steam sterilization process which includes an outer sealable pouch which is permeable to steam. A removable insert is contained within said pouch, and contains a chamber for holding a sterilization indicator device. A sterilization indicator device is contained within the chamber and a data card is contained within the pouch, and positioned to cover the indicator device.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the weaving of a warp yarn fabric having a high modulus of elasticity in which a sheet of parallel warp yarns is continuously unwound from a beam. The sheet is fed over a whip roll and a shed is formed using healds, the shed being defined in the forward direction of the warp by a shed opening point on an inlet side and a fell point on an opposite side. A weft yarn is inserted into the shed to form a resulting fabric which is evenly pulled and wound. The warp yarns are sufficiently heated in an area adjacent to the shed opening point to cause a local reduction in the modulus of elasticity of the warp yarns. Subsequently, the warp yarns are cooled in the shed before reaching the healds.