Abstract: An anti-snoring device that attaches to a specific area of the neck. The attachment means can be an adhesive, a clip or an implant. The device exerts a predetermined pulling force on this area of the neck, causing this area of the neck to expand outward from its normal position. This expansion opens a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby eliminating snoring and helping some people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus removes translational energy (slows movement) of a first magnetic assembly when it is moved through the magnetic field of a second magnet. The first magnetic assembly contains a magnet that can rotate, such as a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet in a cylindrical cavity. Rotation of the first magnet does work against a predetermined drag. The apparatus also forms a non-contact magnetic coupling that holds a predetermined relative position. The apparatus can be used as a door catch that slows down and quietly stops a door at a predetermined position.

Abstract: An anti-snoring device that attaches to a specific area of the neck. The attachment means can be an adhesive, a clip or an implant. The device exerts a predetermined pulling force on this area of the neck, causing this area of the neck to expand outward from its normal position. This expansion opens a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby eliminating snoring and helping some people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: An elongated anti-snoring device has adhesive areas at each end of the device and a central region of the anti-snoring device is designed to exert pressure. In use, the adhesive areas exert a pulling force on two areas of the neck causing these areas of the neck to expand outward from their normal position. The central portion of the anti-snoring device presses on a specific part of the neck to generate the pulling force. The forces on the neck open a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby reducing both snoring and sleep apnea.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus removes translational energy (slows movement) of a first magnetic assembly when it is moved through the magnetic field of a second magnet. The first magnetic assembly contains a magnet that can rotate, such as a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet in a cylindrical cavity. Rotation of the first magnet does work against a predetermined drag. The apparatus also forms a non-contact magnetic coupling that holds a predetermined relative position.

Abstract: An anti-snoring device that attaches to a specific area of the neck. The attachment means can be an adhesive, a clip or an implant. The device exerts a predetermined pulling force on this area of the neck, causing this area of the neck to expand outward from its normal position. This expansion opens a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby eliminating snoring and helping some people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: The invention provides an adhesive coated anti-snoring device that attaches to a specific area of the neck. The device exerts a predetermined force on this area of the neck, causing this area of the neck to expand outward from its normal position. This expansion opens a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby eliminating snoring and helping some people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetic coupling device that utilizes a supported spherical magnet to attach to a hole in a ferromagnetic object. The hole shape and the orientation of the spherical magnet are predetermined to form a relatively strong magnetic attachment. The magnetic coupling device exhibits unique characteristics such as angular tolerance, precise positioning and controllable release characteristics.

Abstract: An all-reflective optical system uses a mirror with a hole to transmit a focused laser beam to an on-axis elliptical mirror. The reflected beam from the ellipse is predominately reflected off the mirror with a hole and focused to a distant adjustable focus. This focus spot can be positioned by X-Y scanning mirrors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring the performance of a maneuvering water skier. A series of angular measurements are made on the ski rope relative to a predetermined direction. This information, together with timing information is provided to a computer processing unit which calculates a score after predetermined maneuvers are completed. An apparatus for making both angle and force measurements is described.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning system which utilizes all reflective optics. The scanning system has a variable scan angle and focal length. The variable focal length in the reflecting optical system is achieved by simultaneously moving two perpendicular mirrors.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,999, titled, "Laser Apparatus Utilizing a Magnetically Enhanced Electrical Discharge." That patent describes a method of forming a thin, flat discharge (slab discharge) bounded by two facing surfaces where a magnetic field is oriented perpendicular to the surfaces. This invention teaches that it is possible to improve the stability of the slab discharge by adding an AC electric field perpendicular to the facing surfaces.

Abstract: The performance of a high power laser machining system is improved by the inclusion of a spacial filter which is between the laser and the work piece. A preferred embodiment of the spacial filter uses line foci and slit apertures.

Abstract: Zinc selenide is a transparent material which is commonly used with CO2 laser optics. This material can be converted to a birefringent form by deforming the zinc selenide at an elevated temperature. The birefringent zinc selenide can then be made into quarter wave plates.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is described which reshapes rectangular cross-section laser beams, with toroidal divergence to generally square cross-section beams with plane or spherical divergence. The apparatus uses either two spherical mirrors or two pairs of spherical mirrors.

Abstract: A process for laser welding is described where two adjacent focal spots are used in the welding of metals or plastics. The position of these two focal spots are predetermined as to separation and orientation relative to the direction of travel. In the case of making a butt joint between two pieces of metal, one of the two focal spots strikes each of the individual pieces of metal, thereby straddling the butt seam to be welded.

Abstract: Transmissive optics such as lenses, windows, and output couplers can be improved by positioning two transmissive optical elements to form a thin channel between them. High pressure gas flows through this channel to face cool the optics.

Abstract: A corner cube utilizing three generally spherical mirrors cancels off axis spherical aberrations to produce focused retroreflected beams. Laser resonator mirror systems utilizing the focusing corner cube exhibit unique properties.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is described which reshapes rectangular cross-section laser beams, with toroidal divergence to generally square cross-section beams with plain or spherical divergence. The apparatus uses either two spherical mirrors or two pairs of spherical mirrors.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning system which utilizes all reflective optics. The scanning system has a variable scan angle and focal length. The variable focal length in the reflecting optical system is achieved by simultaneously moving two perpendicular mirrors.