Abstract: A vibration attenuating device for loudspeaker enclosures and other mechanical vibrating bodies includes one or more damping plates of viscoelastic material positioned to receive vibration energy transferred from the vibrating body. The vibration energy is transferred away from the speaker enclosure or other body and is dissipated as heat due to the internal molecular structure of the viscoelastic material, suppressing noise normally produced by the vibrating body. In various different embodiments, the vibration damping device includes damping plates shaped or mounted in such a way as to provide for attenuation of a wide band of frequencies of vibration. The damping plates themselves may each have a configuration providing for continuously varying frequency response along the length or circumference of the plate, and there may be included a plurality of different-sized plates, each responding essentially to a different frequency band.

Abstract: A battery life indicator module that is mounted between a flashlight head assembly containing the light reflector and a battery casing assembly for holding the batteries is disclosed. The battery life indicator module contains an indicator, such as a light-emitting diode (LED). Internal to the battery life indicator module is a circuit which measures the battery level and activates the indicator to display the battery level. The module also provides the necessary electrical connection between the batteries and the light bulb of the flashlight. In the preferred embodiment, three LEDs are used to indicate various levels of charge. The monitoring circuit is activated by the ON/OFF switch of the flashlight so that power is not drained when the flashlight is not in use. The module has threads at its two ends for coupling to the flashlight head assembly and the battery casing assembly. The monitoring circuit contains a pair of voltage dividers for providing two voltages references.

Abstract: A flashlight includes a focusing beam assembly which is diposed between an elongate casing holding the batteries and a lens cowl enclosing an open end of the casing. The focusing beam assembly includes a parabolic reflector slidably mounted within a base. A spring urges the reflector forward relative to the base so that a light bulb mounted in the base is normally at a first position relative to the reflector. By tightening the lens cowl on the casing, the reflector can be compressed against the spring relative to the base so that the position of the light bulb relative to the reflector is changed. In this way, the beam width emanating from the flashlight can be adjusted.

Abstract: An improved SCUBA diving gauge. A pictograph display is provided which has a shape which conveys the type of information being displayed. The pictograph has the shape of a SCUBA tank for a tank pressure display and the shape of a person for a display of nitrogen absorbed. Pressure transducers coupled to the SCUBA tank and the external water provided the pressure readings required to produce the respective displays. The differential signal from the transducer is supplied to a processor through an auto-zeroing circuit. The auto-zeroing circuit uses a capacitor initially coupled to an amplifier reference input and single ended output to store an offset voltage. During a measurement, the capacitor is disconnected from the amplifier output and has its other lead coupled to a full scale value of the differential input to produce an output signal which is a ratio.

Abstract: An improved SCUBA diving gauge. A pictograph display is provided which has a shape which conveys the type of information being displayed. The pictograph has the shape of a SCUBA tank for a tank pressure display and the shape of a person for a display of nitrogen absorbed. Pressure transducers coupled to the SCUBA tank and the external water provide the pressure readings required to produce the respective displays. The differential signal from the transducer is supplied to a processor through an auto-zeroing circuit. The auto-zeroing circuit uses a capacitor initially coupled to an amplifier reference input and single ended output to store an offset voltage. During a measurement, the capacitor is disconnected from the amplifier output and has its other lead coupled to a full scale value of the differential input to produce an output signal which is a ratio.

Abstract: A light beam target designator includes a first beam generator and a second beam generator. The beams are aligned so that they may be selectively directed to a common beam deflecting mechanism which allows for deflection of the beams to compensate for windage, distance to target, and the like. Typically, the first beam generator is a visible light laser and the second beam generator is an infrared laser. In this way, a single target designator is provided which is useful both at night and during the day.

Abstract: A hand held spotlight includes a sealed beam enclosure together with one or more detachable handles. The detachable handles each include a latching mechanism capable of translating a magnet between a first position and a second position. A magnetically-actuated switch within the enclosure is used to turn off and on the light circuit. The handle is detachably mounted on the enclosure in a particular position so that the magnetically-actuated switch within the enclosure may be opened and closed by the magnet in the handle. In the preferred embodiments, a single enclosure may be utilized with either a pistol-style grip or a lantern-style grip. The ability to form the beam enclosure without penetrations is particularly useful in providing watertight and explosion-proof spotlights.

Abstract: An articulated pulling eye assembly for attaching the terminal end of a communication optic fiber carrying cable to a pulling device; comprises an elongated body in which is mounted a rupturable tension responsive member for freeing the cable from the pulling device once the tension exerted by the pulling device exceeds a predetermined value; and, a swivel member mounted at the opposite end of the elongated body for freeing the cable from rotational loads which may also be applied during the pulling operation.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a device for clamping the stripped end of a cable having a strength member extending centrally of the cable and projecting from the stripped end thereof; the device includes a body having one end defining a tapered socket and a wedge member cooperatingly engaging the socket and adapted to receive centrally thereof the projecting strength member; a wedge driving member engages the socket end of the body to force the wedge member in the tapered socket and to tightly grip the strength member of the cable. This clamping device is particularly useful for fiber optic carrying cables.

Abstract: A safety utility knife includes a handle, a blade fixed to the forward end of the handle, and a retractable sheath which is received within the handle. A mechanism is provided for automatically retracting the sheath within the handle by depressing a single button at the rear of the handle.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a tool for cutting wires that have portions embedded in a connector block, the tool comprising an elongated hollow housing in which a plunger is reciprocatingly mounted; the housing includes an anvil at one end thereof which is so shaped as to receive thereon the connector block from which extends one or more wires to be cut; the extremity of the plunger has a wedge-shaped cutting end which may be forced into the connector in the area of a wire so as to effect a cutting of the wire leaving the cut extremity of the wire recessed with respect to the sidewall of the block.