Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tube-encased fiber grating includes an optical fiber 28 which is encased within and fused to at least a portion of a glass capillary tube 120 and a substantially transparent index-matching medium 122, such as an optically flat window, having an optically flat surface 126 adjacent to the tube 120. A substantially transparent index-matching intermediate material (e.g., UV transparent oil) 124 is used between the window 22 and the tube 120 to substantially eliminate the interface between the tube 120 and the medium 122. A pair of writing beams 26,34 are incident on and pass through the medium 122, the tube 120 and intersect and interfere in a region 30 on the fiber 28. Also, the width Wb of the writing beams 26,34 may be set to be less than the width Woil of the intermediate material 124 to eliminate surface damage (ablations) of the tube 120. Attentively, the medium 122 may have a geometry to eliminate surface ablations (e.g.

Abstract: A compression-tuned bragg grating includes a tunable optical element 20,600 which includes either an optical fiber 10 having at least one Bragg grating 12 impressed therein encased within and fused to at least a portion of a glass capillary tube 20 or a large diameter waveguide grating 600 having a core and a wide cladding. Light 14 is incident on the grating 12 and light 16 is reflected at a reflection wavelength &lgr;1. The tunable element 20,600 is axially compressed which causes a shift in the reflection wavelength of the grating 12 without buckling the element. The shape of the element may be other geometries (e.g., a “dogbone” shape) and/or more than one grating or pair of gratings may be used and more than one fiber 10 or core 612 may be used. At least a portion of the element may be doped between a pair of gratings 150,152, to form a compression-tuned laser or the grating 12 orgratings 150,152 may be constructed as a tunable DFB laser.

Abstract: A water ski has an automatic step-in binding which remains open while a skier is being pulled from the water and closes when the skier steps into the binding after being pulled from the water. The rear closure of the step-in binding pivots around an axis at the heel when the skier enters the binding, and is engaged by a latch which secures the rear closure in a closed position. Alternatively, the rear closure of the step-in binding includes a heelpiece which moves slidably along a track. The heelpiece is moved slidably along the track by a spring which is released when the skier steps into the binding by a trigger assembly and trigger lip.

Abstract: A dipstick with automatic warning device consisting of a tube positioned in a dipstick housing of an oil pan, indicia disposed on the tube indicating ADD and FILL of the oil pan, sets of elecrical contacts disposed internally of the tube, one set proximate the ADD indicia and one set proximate the FULL indicia. A plastic cap located below the ADD indicia and having a bore therethrough for passage of oil from the oil pan cap internal of lower end of the tube. A conductive float ball within the tube to bridge respective sets of electrical contacts.

Abstract: Spectacle cleaning apparatus including resilient nose piece supporting means, two pairs of cooperating opposed rotatable brushing means located on either side of said nose piece supporting means, positioning means for changing the spacing between respective brushing means of each pair, drive means for rotating each brushing means, connecting means operatively connecting said drive means with said resilient nose piece supporting means to continuously change the position of said supporting means as said brushing means are rotated, and holding means to maintain the nose piece of spectacles against said supporting means as the position of said supporting means changes.