Abstract: An apparatus for measuring distance when moving a vehicle, for instance, for measuring how far to move a tractor of a tractor-trailer rig when sliding (e.g., tandem) axles of the trailer, for example, to equalize weight between wheels or axles of the rig. A scale is mounted on the vehicle with (e.g., evenly-spaced) indicia arranged in a line parallel to a forward or reverse direction of the vehicle. The scale is positioned on the vehicle where the driver, while driving the vehicle, can see the scale and can sight past the scale to a stationary visual reference located outside the vehicle (e.g., on the driving surface) to see how far the vehicle has moved. The scale may be on an elongated member which may be attached to the vehicle, for example, to a step below the driver.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring distance when moving a vehicle, for instance, for measuring how far to move a tractor of a tractor-trailer rig when sliding (e.g., tandem) axles of the trailer, for example, to equalize weight between wheels or axles of the rig. A scale is mounted on the vehicle with (e.g., evenly-spaced) indicia arranged in a line parallel to a forward or reverse direction of the vehicle. The scale is positioned on the vehicle where the driver, while driving the vehicle, can see the scale and can sight past the scale to a stationary visual reference located outside the vehicle (e.g., on the driving surface) to see how far the vehicle has moved. The scale may be on an elongated member which may be attached to the vehicle, for example, to a step below the driver.

Abstract: An incoherent bundle of optical fibers surrounded by a tubing are selectively damaged to create a decorative lighting effect. With the optical fibers inside the tubing, the tubing is periodically partially cut, abraded, poked or otherwise worked so that damage to the optical fibers can be caused that creates numerous decorative lights that are spaced in relation to each other. In a first preferred embodiment, a distortion aperture is abraded, cut, poked or melted for the purpose of exposing the bundle to a tool that can be applied through the aperture. The tool, which may be the same tool used to create the distortion aperture, is worked against at least one of the optical fibers in the bundle such that at least some cladding is damaged, resulting in a distortion of the light transmission of the bundle. Some or all of the internally reflected light in the waveguide is allowed to escape, depending on the extent of the damage.

Abstract: A Christmas tree lighting system for utilization with natural or artificial Christmas trees includes an outer elongated tubular covering having a zippered opening extending the length thereof. This outer cover may be either attached to the trunk of the tree, or suspended from an upper branch to extend along the trunk of the tree. The outer covering has attached to its interior one or more elongated flexible tubular casings, with a longitudinal zippered opening extending from the upper end thereof downwardly a predetermined distance toward the lower end thereof. The tubular casings in turn enclose a plurality of flexible optical fibers extending from the bottom thereof substantially toward the top of the casing. When the zippered casing is opened, the optical fibers may be bent outwardly therefrom and spread apart to lie along branches of a tree in which the lighting system is used. A source of light is applied to the bottom end of the optical fibers at the base of the tree.

Abstract: A pool safety lighting system is designed for use in diving swimming pools, in particular, which have a shallow portion connected to a deep portion by an intermediate sloping wall. To reduce the risk of injury for persons diving into the pool, either using a diving board or diving from the edge, colored warning lights are placed in the bottom of the pool, typically with a green light in the deepest portion and a red light at the transition from an intermediate portion to the shallowest portion, with a yellow light located on the intermediate rising portion between the deep part of the pool and the shallowest part. The light delivery system ideally is a fiber optic cable system supplying light to fiber optic cables terminating in the bottom of the pool and supplied with light from a source remote from the pool.

Abstract: A pool safety lighting system is designed for use in diving swimming pools, in particular, which have a shallow portion connected to a deep portion by an intermediate sloping wall. To reduce the risk of injury for persons diving into the pool, either using a diving board or diving from the edge, colored warning lights are placed in the bottom of the pool, typically with a green light in the deepest portion and a red light at the transition from an intermediate portion to the shallowest portion, with a yellow light located on the intermediate rising portion between the deep part of the pool and the shallowest part. The light delivery system ideally is a fiber optic cable system supplying light to fiber optic cables terminating in the bottom of the pool and supplied with light from a source remote from the pool.