Abstract: A reel for the management, transport, and storage of flexible materials such as electrical cords, air hoses, and the like, comprises a hollow cylindrical central hub with a pair of disk-like side plates radially attached to the outer ends of the hub, a slidable hand grip mounted on said reel and a rotatable winding knob for controllable rotation of the reel by an operator. The cord take-up portion of the hub has a provisional retainer shaped to receive a loop formed, preferably, in the middle of the cord's length. Once the loop is hooked over the provisional retainer, an operator reels in both halves of the cord simultaneously by turning with the winding knob. Conversely, holding the reel by the slidable hand grip with one hand and pulling outward on both ends of the cord simultaneously with the free hand, unreels the cord as needed. Once the cord is fully unwound from the hub, the provisional retainer allows it to falls free of the reel for unfettered use.

Abstract: An improved reticle for optical instruments such as telescopic sights, riflescopes and surveying telescopes, provides a primary indicator at the focal plane of the instrument and a secondary indicator spaced, axially, apart from, and viewable with, the primary indicator. When an operator's eye is properly centered on the optical axis of the instrument, the indicators provide visual feedback to the operator of such proper alignment. When an operator's eye is laterally displaced from the optical axis, the indicators provide visual feedback indicative of improper positioning of the eye. Thus, an operator may readily, and intuitively, make the necessary adjustments to the relationship of the eye to the optical axis to correct for misalignment without the need for cumbersome mechanical adjustments and special mechanisms.

Abstract: An improved reticle for optical instruments such as telescopic sights, riflescopes and surveying telescopes, provides a primary indicator at the focal plane of the instrument and a secondary indicator spaced, axially, apart from, and viewable with, the primary indicator. When an operator's eye is properly centered on the optical axis of the instrument, the indicators provide visual feedback to the operator of such proper alignment. When an operator's eye is laterally displaced from the optical axis, the indicators provide visual feedback indicative of improper positioning of the eye. Thus, an operator may readily, and intuitively, make the necessary adjustments to the relationship of the eye to the optical axis to correct for misalignment without the need for cumbersome mechanical adjustments and special mechanisms.

Abstract: An eyedrop dispenser uses the natural optical lens effect of a transparent droplet formed at the tip of the dispenser to focus the image of a target disposed inside the outlet of the dispenser. The target image is viewable by the user to align the droplet with the eye when dispensing eyedrops or other liquid medication. The target image is arranged so it comes into focus just prior to when the droplet being formed at the tip of the dispenser is ready to be released from the dispenser tip. The target image is formed by an image plane indicator device located inside the dispenser on the image plane of the droplet when the user is viewing the indicator through the natural transparent lens formed by the droplet. The indicator can be a pinhole through which the liquid contents pass prior to dispensing. The pinhole is focused by the lens and formed as a magnified image by the lens effect of the droplet.

Abstract: A keyless chucking device for use with existing and specially-designed chucks mounted on rotary power tools to cause the chuck's jaws to grip or release auxiliary tools such as drill bits. The device is especially suited for use with variable speed, reversible, electric drills and promotes speed and efficiency in tool chucking operations. In a preferrred embodiment, the device may alternatively, at the discretion of the operator, be attached to, or removed from, the chuck of the power tool during its use in operations commonly encountered in the practice of the art.

Abstract: A power change mechanism for variable power riflescopes includes a resilient member disposed between the riflescope housing and the power change ring for automatically rotating the power change ring from one power setting to another upon activation of a latch mechanism. The automatic power change mechanism may include apparatus for overriding such automatic capabilities in order to provide for manual power change.

Abstract: A microcomputer-controlled optical instrument comprises an objective lens, an ocular lens, and an erector lens assembly mounted to pivot between the objective lens and the ocular lens. A first image plane is defined by the objective lens, and a second plane of focus is located between the ocular lens and the erector lens assembly. A microcontroller is carried on the instrument, and a spanning reference is in focus on the first image plane. The erector lens assembly pivots by appropriate adjustments so the image of the spanning reference can be viewed on the first image plane in relation to a reference indicator focused on the second image plane, to thereby adjust the apparent spacing between the spanning reference and the reference indicator in response to the user's viewing the target through the instrument spanning the size of the target. A first control signal is produced and sent to the microcontroller to represent the pre-set size of the target.

Abstract: A binocular with a focusing/locking knob having a pair of essentially flat paddle platforms which are easily contacted by the fingertips of a user. The paddle platforms being independently pivoted on the knob and having means for preventing rotational motion for locking the knob. The means for preventing rotation being engaged by pivoting the paddle platforms in one direction and disengaged by pivoting the paddle platforms in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A microcontroller operated optical device for determining the distance to objects of known or estimable size which is programmed to control a movable indicator relative to a stationary indicator for spanning a dimension of an image of an object. The distance spanned by the movable indicator is inversely proportional to the distance of the object from the apparatus and the microcontroller subsequently interprets the span in terms of the distance to the object and displays the resultant distance for viewing by an operator. This device is usable in surveying instruments, riflescopes, telescopes, binoculars, and the like, and is controllable by an operator who selectively activates it by, and with, known data.

Abstract: A computer controlled image forming apparatus for making quantitative evaluations relating to an image of a subject which is programmed to control a plurality of associated electrically addressable indicia the images of which are viewable superimposed upon the image of the subject. The device is usable for measuring distances, areas, angles, curves, and the like, and is controllable by an operator who, by means of first signals input into the computer, selectively addresses particular members of the plurality of indicia by means of second signals output by the computer and conditioned by interface circuitry in a manner to quantitatively relate the addressed indicia to the image of the subject. Subsequently, the computer interprets the finally addressed indicia in terms of a physical parameter exhibited by the image of the subject for which the computer has been programmed and outputs results of the computations, in the form of third signals, or display to the operator.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled optical device for determining the distance to objects of known or estimable size which is programmed to control a plurality of associated electronic indicator elements the images of which are optically superimposed upon the image of an object the distance to which is to be determined. This device is useable on surveying instruments, riflescopes and the like and is controllable by the operator who selectively activates it by/with known data. Subsequently, the microcomputer interprets the data and selectively activates indicator elements representative of the relationship between the size of the object image and the distance to the object. Images of readouts are visible in the field of view which are activated and controlled by the microcomputer to indicate the computed distance to the object of interest in yards or meters.

Abstract: A computer controlled image forming apparatus for making quantitative evaluations relating to an image of a subject which is programmed to control a plurality of associated electrically addressable indicia the images of which are viewable superimposed upon the image of the subject. The device is usable for measuring distances, areas, angles, curves, and the like, and is controllable by an operator who, by means of first signals input into the computer, selectively addresses particular members of the plurality of indicia by means of second signals output by the computer and conditioned by interface circuitry in a manner to quantitatively relate the addressed indicia to the image of the subject. Subsequently, the computer interprets the finally addressed indicia in terms of a physical parameter exhibited by the image of the subject for which the computer has been programmed and outputs results of the computations, in the form of third signals, or display to the operator.

Abstract: A keyless chucking device for use with existing and specially-designed chucks mounted on rotary power tools to cause the chuck's jaws to grip or release auxiliary tools such as drill bits. The device is especially suited for use with variable speed, reversible, electric drills and promotes speed and efficiency in tool chucking operations. In a preferred embodiment, the device may alternatively, at the discretion of the operator, be attached to, or removed from, the chuck of the power tool during its use in operations commonly encountered in the practice of the art.