Abstract: Methods and bracing systems for packaging circuit boards and other articles in accordance with the present invention dampen shocks and/or vibrations during shipping and storage, while avoiding the use of voluminous packaging materials commonly used for such tasks. A bracing system in accordance with one embodiment uses two load-bearing braces that can be connected with a circuit board and locked in place by a tray and lid. The brace system dampens shock and/or vibration, protecting sensitive, otherwise exposed components. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A novel coating (34) is provided on a member (24) which may be part of a mold (24). Plastic articles (10) which are made by injection molding within such a mold (24) can have a very smooth surface by replication of the surface coating (34). This allows the production of so-called rigid discs with a plastic core in place of the present day aluminum cores.

Abstract: An improved lens cell is provided wherein a pair of identical housing elements cooperate with an aperture member that has a surface configuration to both space and center lens elements that are retained within the housing elements.

Abstract: A disc package (10) includes a generally circular base (18), a core (34) extending upwardly from the base (18), and a cover (44) having a peripheral skirt (48) extending to a lower rim portion (50). The circular top is fastenable to the upper end portion (38) of the core (34). A resilient gasket (80) is removably attached to the lower rim portion (50) of the peripheral wall (26) and provides pressed resilient slidably sealing contact to prevent entry of dust into the disc package. Structures are also provided whereby the interior of the disc package (10) can be filled with a dust free gas. A plurality of covers (44) can be stacked, one atop another, without seizing to one another. Low outgassing materials are utilized to protect the stored discs (12a-12z) from damage.

Abstract: Lens cell for carrying a lens element of the type having spaced apart parallel planar registration faces on opposite ends thereof and at least one sidewardly extending tab, and comprising a cell body having a cylindrical wall defining an optical axis for the lens element. The cylindrical wall is formed with an annular inwardly extending protrusion providing an annular planar lens element seating surface facing one end of the cell body, the cylindrical wall has at least one slot formed therein and opening through said one end thereof whereby the lens element can be inserted into the cell body with one registration face in engagement with the annular seating surface and with its tab registered in said slot. A retainer is secured to said cell body and has an annular seating surface forming a registration surface for the other registration face of the lens element.

Abstract: Mirror construction formed of a wedge of plastic having two planar surfaces with a reflecting mirror formed on one of the surfaces and an abrasion resistant coating formed on the other of said surfaces.Method for injection molding a mirror in which the core portion of the mirror is molded from plastic and simultaneously there is laminated thereon on one side a plastic film carrying an abrasion resistant coating and on the opposite side a plastic film carrying a reflective surface so that after curing of the core, the three separate parts can be removed as an integral unit.

Abstract: A gaseous discharge sputter coating apparatus is described for sequentially sputtering different materials onto discrete batches of substrate objects. The apparatus includes a chamber defining a controlled environment capable of sustaining a gaseous discharge, a table within the chamber for supporting separate batches of substrate objects, and means for sustaining a gaseous discharge within the chamber. A plurality of target electrode structures is also provided, each of which has a surface in the chamber which has a layer on it of one of the materials desired to be coated onto the substrate objects. The target electrode structures are part of the wall of the controlled environment chamber, and each includes an insulating material separating it from the remainder of the wall. In order to obviate the necessity of including a ground shield around each of the target electrodes, only that portion of the electrode within the chamber having the material on it has power applied to it to cause the sputtering.