Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an electroactive substrate. The process includes providing a substrate having an oxidant layer on a surface thereof, exposing the surface containing the oxidant layer to a vapor containing an aryl or heteroaryl monomer that is polymerizable to form an electroactive polymer, and polymerizing the aryl or heteroaryl monomer in the presence of a volatile Lewis base to form a polyaryl or polyheteroaryl electroactive polymer film on the surface of the substrate. The invention also provides electroactive substrates formed by the process.

Abstract: An electrochromic assembly 32 is disclosed. The assembly comprises: first and second electrodes 22, 24, at least one electrode being transparent; a porous membrane 10 defining a plurality of pores, the membrane having a first refractive index and located between the electrodes 22, 24; an electrolyte filling the pores, the electrolyte having a second refractive index substantially matching the first refractive index, the electrolyte and membrane together forming a substantially transparent electrolytic layer; and at least one electrochromic layer 18 covering at part of the first electrode 22. The membrane 10 is flexible and the spacing between the electrodes 22, 24 is held substantially constant by the membrane 10. The membrane is sealed with sealant 42.

Abstract: An electrochromic assembly 32 is disclosed. The assembly comprises: first and second electrodes 22, 24, at least one electrode being transparent; a porous membrane 10 defining a plurality of pores, the membrane having a first refractive index and located between the electrodes 22, 24; an electrolyte filling the pores, the electrolyte having a second refractive index substantially matching the first refractive index, the electrolyte and membrane together forming a substantially transparent electrolytic layer; and at least one electrochromic layer 18 covering at part of the first electrode 22. The membrane 10 is flexible and the spacing between the electrodes 22, 24 is held substantially constant by the membrane 10. The membrane is sealed with sealant 42.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a mounting element for receiving and mounting on a forward portion of a headlight, and a central opening, and a frame rotatably coupled to the mounting element, the frame having an optical filter for selectively blocking wavelengths below a first limit from the optical path between the source and the output. The frame is rotatable between a closed position in which the filter substantially covers the central opening of the mounting element, and an open position in which the central opening of the mounting element is substantially open. Both the mounting element and the frame have a central axis through their respective openings, which axis is substantially the central axis of light being emitted from a headlight when the filter assembly is mounted on a headlight.

Abstract: The present invention is a fast inflating parasail jump suit combining an inflatable parasail, an inflatable jump suit with outside and inside coupled at edges to provide an inflatable pressurized gas volume, at least one inflator device for storing and swiftly releasing pressurized gas into the parasail and suit upon activation, a suit harness coupling outside of suit to inside liner to body center of mass, and attachments coupling to parasail providing sail support to suit in suspension.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clip-on bracket assembly for detachably coupling to a first fixture comprising a first bracket member having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface including a first planar surface portion and a second arcuate portion. A second bracket member substantially parallel to the first bracket member has an inner surface and an outer surface. The second member inner surface includes a first planar portion and a second arcuate portion wherein the first planar portions of the first and second members are fixedly coupled by means of an at least one spring washer. The second arcuate portions of the respective members are in parallel arrangement defining a gap therebetween for receiving and securing the fixture, where the first arcuate portion is springably movable with respect to the second arcuate portion to accommodate fixtures of varying widths.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a spectacle frame having a pair of optical lenses. The optical device further includes a lens assembly pivotally attached to the spectacle frame which is pivotable between an operative position and a non-operative position. The optical device also includes an detent mechanism for repeatedly positioning the lens assembly into the operative position from the non-operative position. The lens assembly includes a support bracket for holding a pair of telescopes. The support bracket is contoured to the shape of the spectacle frame so that the bracket is substantially out of a user's forward line of sight when the lens assembly is in the operative position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a user who wears spectacles including at least one lens having a positive magnification factor, to view a distant object through both the lens of the spectacles and a telescope. The method comprises the step of positioning a lens in the optical path of the telescope. The lens placed in the optical path of the telescope is adapted to cancel the positive magnification factor of the lens of the spectacles to maintain the afocal characteristic of telescope. The apparatus comprises at least one afocal telescope defining an optical path having a first lens oriented in the optical path for magnifying a distant object to be viewed through the afocal telescope system. The telescope further comprises a second lens oriented in the optical path for cancelling the positive magnification factor of the lens to maintain the afocal characteristic of the telescope.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the eyes of a dental or medical practitioner from exposure to ultraviolet radiation during the illumination of a surgical site or other area of interest includes first and second carrier lenses positioned within a suitable frame. The first carrier lens comprises first and second regions wherein the first region is adapted to transmit substantially all visible light incident thereon and wherein the second region is adapted to absorb or reflect all ultraviolet light incident thereon and at least some light incident thereon having a wavelength above 400 nm. At least a portion of the second carrier lens is also adapted to absorb or reflect both ultraviolet light and at a portion of light incident thereon having a wavelength above 400 nm.

Abstract: A joining device for joining adjacent frame members and in particular for joining picture frame members has at least two connected limbs having a trapezoidal cross-section with a first angle between the limbs. The first angle corresponds to the angle between adjacent frame members. The frame members have mitred ends and are provided with a recess, also having a trapezoidal cross-section, into which the limbs can be inserted, which results in abutment and joining of respective frame members. The trapezoidal shape of the joining device provides resistance to twisting of the frame members and also ensures a firm frictional engagement to hold the mitred ends of the frame members together. The joining device may have a second angle between the longitudinal axes of the limbs which results in the front surface edges of the mitred ends being forced together so as to make a less obvious join line between frame members.

Abstract: A pipe system for conveying fluids having a straight pipe section with a Reynolds number exceeding 2200 by reason of the critical values of interior surface roughness of the pipe and of turbulence at the pipe section inlet, such values being defined, respectively, by the formulae:(e/d) R .ltoreq. 200and(U/V) R.sup.1.67 .ltoreq.