Abstract: A signalling light for mounting on a back shelf of a motor vehicle, and for being covered by a cap or the like, the light comprising a box that is open towards the back window of the vehicle and that contains a filament bulb that extends from one side of said box into said box, the box being closed adjacent to the back window of the vehicle by a closure glass. According to the invention said box includes a removable portion having a cross-section that is substantially U-shaped and that forms a heat screen between the filament bulb and the cap, said removable portion constituting an access hatch giving access to the bulb. The light is suitable for mounting on the back shelf of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp of the type comprising a lamp, a reflector in which the lamp is mounted, and a glass suitable for being received in an opening in the bodywork of the vehicle, the headlamp being wherein the glass is fixed to the bodywork in the region of said bodywork adjacent to the opening. This serves to eliminate defects in mutual positioning between the glass and the bodywork due to manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A removable control knob/brake assembly for an endoscope having a handle and an insertion tube. The assembly is intended to be used with endoscopes which use protective bags or sheaths to isolate the insertion tube and the remainder of the handle from the internal environment of a patient. The control knob/brake assembly is not otherwise protected so, after being used, it must be removed for cleaning. A simple push button release mechanism is provided to easily remove the assembly from the handle. Retaining screws and a retaining clip are provided to prevent the control knob/brake assembly from coming apart when the assembly is removed from the handle. To attach the assembly to the handle, it merely is pushed on the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing accelerated electrons to at least part of one surface of one ophthalmic mold piece prior to filling with monomer and lens polymerization. In particular it has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated. In the preferred embodiment, the flange around the convex, male piece of the lens mold is corona treated so that when the mold pieces are separated after lens polymerization, the flashing of excess polymerized material surrounding the lens cavity adheres to that male, convex piece flange while the lens is removed with the female, concave piece.

Abstract: A single camera autostereoscopic recording system includes a single image recorder having a single optical path moved along a scanning path defined by a pair of rails and an arm movable on the rails substantially continuously for a plurality of scanning cycles. Alternatively a lens maintains the point of convergence. A path defining structure includes the ability to adjust the convergent point as well as the extent of travel along the scanning path or disparity of the images. The convergent point of the scanning path can be manually or automatically adjusted using a range finder. A unique driver structure including a reciprocating armature and stator provides scanning motion with reduced reactional forces. The degree of motion of the recorded images is used to adjust the amount of travel along the scanning path. Synchronization between the driver and the recorder is bi-directional for double exposures.

Abstract: In a pivoting mounting for an optical element of a motor vehicle headlamp, of the kind comprising a seating in which a ball head at the end of a retaining and/or adjusting bar or screw for the headlamp is received, the seating is defined by two cup elements shaped as half shells and together defining a substantially spherical cavity. This cavity is open to the outside through a flared aperture in the front face of the cup elements. The two cup elements are hinged together so as to open and close the cavity, and are provided with a snap-fitting device comprising, on one of the cup elements, a projecting tab having a finger pad and a locking shoulder for cooperation with a further locking shoulder formed on the other cup element. The rear of one of the cup elements is joined to a base member having a rear face from which snap-fitting means, in the form of mutually overlying pairs of snap catches, are carried.

Abstract: An appliance for sterilizing contact lenses or the like includes a reaction vessel for containing the lenses in sterilizing contact with hydrogen peroxide solution and two catalytic elements for decomposing the hydrogen peroxide during the lens sterilization. The first catalytic element decomposes a portion of the initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution during the lens sterilization, and the second catalytic element accelerates combined decomposition of the reduced concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the solution resulting from decomposition by the first catalytic element, in order to achieve sufficiently reduced terminal hydrogen peroxide concentration at completion of the lens sterilization for safe contact by the eyes of a wearer with residues of hydrogen peroxide at the terminal concentration which may adhere to the sterilized lenses.

Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting or indicating unit comprises a first part, such as a reflector, and a second part such as a headlamp casing. The first part is mounted to the second part by a mounting device comprising at least one bar carried by one of the two parts of the unit and having a substantially spherical head, together with at least one retaining means which is mounted on the other part of the unit and which has a recess substantially complementary to the head. This recess is open transversely so as to receive the head, while the retaining means is arrange to pivot about an axis passing substantially through the center of the recess, between a position in which the head can be fitted into the corresponding recess and another position in which it is retained in the latter. The arrangement is especially applicable to a three point mounting of a headlamp reflector on the casing of the headlamp.

Abstract: A snow deflection system for a snowplow includes an arcuate foil and a preferred belt. Both the foil and the belt are attached to the moldboard of the plow so that the preferred belt keeps the plowed snow close enough to the moldboard to allow the arcuate foil to direct the flow of snow and air, which blows over the top of the moldboard, down and away from the plow vehicle.

Abstract: A ophthalmic lens comprising a polymer composition composed of the reaction product of a hydrophilic monomer and an acyclic monomer is disclosed. The preferred hydrophilic monomer is hydroxyethyl methacrylamide (HMA), and the preferred acyclic monomer is hydroxyoctyl methacrylate (HOMA). The monomeric components can be polymerized in a polystyrene mold to make contact lenses, and when swollen with water, are suitable for use as soft hydrogel contact lenses.The preferred compositions also include a zwitterionic monomer, such as a sulfobetaine, and a crosslinking agent, such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA).Hydrogel contact lenses made from these polymers exhibit high water content and mechanical strength, and are compatible with polystyrene molds.

Abstract: An audio power amplifier is provided that includes circuitry to prevent popping noises when the amplifier is turned on and turned off. The amplifier can be powered with a single-ended voltage power supply, and thus may be used within systems such as personal computer. The amplifier includes a control circuit that prevents the fast charging of the output AC coupling capacitor when the amplifier is turned on and turned off. The control circuit controls a driver stage such that the output transistors turn on slowly when power is first applied, and such that the output transistors turn off quickly when the supply voltage is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a molded ophthalmic lens from between the mold portions in which it is produced. A source of intense electromagnetic radiation, preferably a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) laser of about 80 Watts at a wavelength of 10.6 .mu.m, is applied to at least one of the mold portions. The exposure of the mold portion to the laser is between one half and one second. Differential expansion of the heated mold polymer relative to the cooler polymer shifts one surface with respect to the other, and the shear force breaks the polymerized lens polymer mold adhesion and assists in the separation of mold portions. The greater the temperature gradient between the surfaces of the mold portions, the greater the shearing force and the easier the mold portions separate. The heated back mold portion is promptly removed so that very little energy is transferred to the polymer lens, avoiding the possibility of thermal decomposition of the lens.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use in the sterilization of contact lenses or the like, wherein lenses are disposed within a sterilizing solution contained within a reaction vessel, which sterilizing solution is capable of being decomposed through contact with a catalytic agent. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel capable of containing a sterilizing solution and comprising a container portion, a cover and structure for supporting an article in contact with sterilizing solution in the container. Further structure is provided for mounting a catalytic agent on the supporting structure such that the catalytic agent is removable for replacement by a user as the catalytic agent becomes exhausted in use.

Abstract: An adjustable telescope alignment apparatus employs a telescopic assembly which is secured about the periphery to a pivot ring. The telescopic assembly extends from the front and back surfaces of the pivot ring. The pivot ring is positioned within a inner peripheral channel of a collet member to form a ball and socket joint. The collet member has an outer threaded area which is engaged by a threaded locking ring which locking ring selectively compresses the collet member. By means of the ball and socket joint one can adjust and move the telescope assembly within a desired cone of rotation. The collet member is inserted within an aperture formed in a carrier lens held by a spectacle frame and is secured to the lens by means of a suitable adhesive as applied to an outer peripheral flange of the collet member.

Abstract: A device for indicating the aim, at least in bearing, of the optical axis of the reflector of a motor vehicle headlight relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, wherein the device comprises apparatus for establishing a reference direction and suitable for being mounted on a fixed portion of the vehicle to define a reference direction that is well determined relative to the longitudinal axis apparatus. Apparatus is also included for establishing the direction of the optical axis of the reflector and is fixed relative to the reflector and distinct from a surface of the reflector for generating its beam. Finally, an indicator is provided for establishing the position of the optical axis direction relative to the reference direction. Indications thus given by the device enable the reflector to be adjusted after is has been mounted on the vehicle.

Abstract: M-ary angle modulation is used to record digital data at high density on a disk. In one embodiment, data symbols are encoded by assigning each data symbol a phase representation in terms of a carrier signal, the disk is physically altered in such a manner as to represent the carrier signal, and, at defined intervals, a phase angle of the carrier signal is changed by one of M of possible phase increments, where M equals two to the power of a number of data bits in a data symbol. M data bits are therefore recorded per each of the defined intervals. In another embodiment, a frequency of the carrier signal is changed to have one of M possible frequencies.

Abstract: A punctum plug for blocking lacrimal fluid flow through a punctum and an associated canaliculus composed of a hydrogel material and a hydrophobic coating which covers the exterior surface of the hydrogel material. The hydrophobic coating averts adsorption of proteinaceous materials onto the hydrogel. The punctum plug has a configuration which includes a generally cylindrical body member, an arcuate head at a first end of the body member, and a placement and retaining member at a second, peripheral end of the body member. An insertion port is located at the first end of the cylindrical body member for receiving a dilator/inserter tool. A hydrating port is fashioned at the peripheral end of the plug and partially extends through the placement and retaining member. The hydrating port is not coated with the hydrophobic material so that fluid in the canaliculus, or canalicular fluid, or preocular tear film may enter the interior portion of the plug and permit the hydrogel to expand to a desired configuration.