Abstract: The system has a variator lens and a compensator lens which are mutually displaceable for varying the focal length of the optical system. In the normal zoom range, the focal length is adjustable between a telephoto condition and a wide angle condition, in accordance with the positions of the variator and compensator lenses. The system has macro capability in both a range beyond the extreme telephoto end of the zoom range and also in a range beyond the extreme wide angle end of the zoom range. In at least the macro range at the telephoto end, the slots in the camming sleeve for the variator and compensator lenses lie substantially in planes.

Abstract: A variable electromechanical device, such as a rotary potentiometer, incls a housing with a sleeve having a bore through which an actuation shaft extends. The shaft is provided with an annular groove. A portion of the sleeve is displaced by stamping so that it extends into the annular groove of the shaft to prevent axial movement of the latter. A projection formed on the shaft within the annular groove cooperates with the displaced portion of the sleeve for limiting the rotation of the shaft. A lubricating and braking liquid of high viscosity is filled in the groove, and one or more passages are formed on the projection so that the liquid can pass from one side of the projection to the other side thereof when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A color-separating prism arrangement for a small portable video camera having solid-state detectors about 0.35 inch in height includes three prisms with the first and second prisms being separated by an air gap, and color separation occurring at respective spectrally selective dichroic plates between the first and second prisms and the second and third prisms, respectively, the separated color components being directed in different directions. The specific geometry of the system provides a prism assembly which is extremely small and compact, having an overall length of about 1.1 inches and an entrance face height of about 1 inch, and with each of the exit faces of the assembly having an effective height of about 1/2 inch.

Abstract: The optical system in the binoculars includes a pair of sets of optical elements respectively on a pair of carriages mounted in an hermetically sealed housing. These carriages are moved by an external control toward and away from each other in order to vary the interpupillary distance between the two sets of optical elements. A transparent window or windows are located in front of the sets of optical elements and are hermetically mounted on the housing. The windows are large enough to be aligned with the sets of optical elements throughout the range of movement thereof.

Abstract: A running pad for an endless track is disclosed, including resilient retaining projections which extend away from opposite sides of the running pad and are adapted to enter into locking engagement, at their free ends, in recesses formed in the respective chain links. The retaining projections are formed by the ends of a unitary resilient plate that extends through said running pad and is designed to yield elastically in a direction toward and away from the recesses of the chain link in order to allow simple and quick assembly of the running pad at the chain link in a direction vertical to the tread surface without the need of disassembly of the chain link.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endless track having chain links which are connected by connectors as well as rod members extending through the connectors.A connection between the connectors and rods is provided by clamping contact surfaces on the rods and connectors in abutment with other, at least one of said contact surfaces comprising at least one depression arranged around the circumferential area of the bolt or connector contact surface, whereby a friction lock preventing the bolts from moving axially and/or rotating with respect to the connectors is achieved.

Abstract: An automatic focusing system is provided to process amplitude and phase signals of image motion in an image plane. The camera includes a focusable objective lens, optical means, oscillating means, sensing means, and a servo. Light rays reflected from an object to be focused upon are received and refracted by the objective lens to the optical means which has a rear nodal point. The optical means receives and refracts the light rays to form an image of the object in an image plane. The optical means is oscillated about the rear nodal point by the oscillating means. While the optical means is being oscillated the image remains stationary in the image plane when the objective lens is focused upon the object, but is transversely displaced and oscillates in the image plane when the objective lens is not focused upon the object. The sensing means detects and processes amplitude and phase signals generated by image motion in the image plane and directs the servo to drive the objective lens into focus.