Abstract: This invention relates to the fabrication of lenses which can focus a light beam to a spot size which is smaller than that allowed by diffraction theory. A composite lens function is constructed using a strong centered lens function and several additional lens functions having different weights, different separation distances from the center, and different phases. The focused spot consists of the vector sum of these differently weighted electric fields from the separate lens functions. By varying the separation distances, the weights, and the phases of the additional lens functions, the vector sum of the electric fields from the lens functions produces a focused spot whose width is less than the diffracted limited spot size. Such composite lens functions can be produced, for example, using diffractive optics techniques or by programming the lens function onto a spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A blazed output for a grating or filter is obtained by writing the real part of a complex function on a first portion of a recording medium and the imaginary part on a second portion of the recording medium, and introducing a phase shift between the first portion and second portion. A spatial light modulator, such as a magneto optic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) is preferably divided along the diagonal bisector of the MOSLM. The Fourier transform of the input function is taken and the cosine transform is written on the MOSLM to one side of the bisector and the sine transform is written on the other side of the bisector. A 90.degree. phase shift is introduced between the two halves of the MOSLM, for example, through use of a quarterwave plate arrangement. An analyzer polarizer converter provides a binarized output. Blazing may be achieved such that substantially all of incident light may be directed into a desired order. Light may be uniquely and dynamically directed as for example in optical interconnects.

Abstract: An automobile tie down assembly for use on vehicle supporting track assemblies in vehicle carriers to secure the vehicle being carried on the track assemblies including a guide assembly to guide the flexible tie down member attached to the vehicle and a tie down mechanism for winding the flexible tie down member thereon to tie down the vehicle where the tie down mechanism includes a tie down winding shaft onto which the flexible tie down member is wound, an input drive member adapted to be engaged and rotated, and gearing means interconnecting the tie down winding shaft and the input drive member so that rotation of said input member rotates the tie down winding shaft, the gearing means constructed and arranged so that said gearing means is substantially irreversible whereby the input shaft can be rotated to drive the tie down winding shaft while rotation of the tie down winding shaft to drive the input shaft is substantially precluded.

Abstract: A car haul trailer for transporting vehicles which includes a trailer frame with a base frame and a pair of spaced apart upstanding side frames between which are mounted a plurality of fixed and movable track assemblies so that the track assemblies can be positioned in a plurality of positions to accommodate different loads of vehicles to be transported.