Abstract: A low-profile, vibration-damped tabletop for supporting sensitive scientific equipment is described. The tabletop may include a laminated structure having a lower metal plate that is sized to achieve a desired weight for the tabletop, a manufactured, homogenous filler and a “clean top” metal upper skin having a plurality of holes backed by liquid impermeable barriers. The damping characteristics are improved at low frequencies compared to a comparable structure with a honeycomb filler.

Abstract: A low-profile, vibration-damped tabletop for supporting sensitive scientific equipment is described. The tabletop may include a laminated structure having a lower metal plate that is sized to achieve a desired weight for the tabletop, a manufactured, homogenous filler and a “clean top” metal upper skin having a plurality of holes backed by liquid impermeable barriers. The damping characteristics are improved at low frequencies compared to a comparable structure with a honeycomb filler.

Abstract: A low-profile, vibration-damped tabletop for supporting sensitive scientific equipment is described. The tabletop may include a laminated structure having a lower metal plate that is sized to achieve a desired weight for the tabletop, a manufactured, homogenous filler and a “clean top” metal upper skin having a plurality of holes backed by liquid impermeable barriers. The damping characteristics are improved at low frequencies compared to a comparable structure with a honeycomb filler.

Abstract: A precision tabletop for scientific instrumentation is described. The tabletop may be manufactured from as few as two pieces of material, include a honeycomb stiffening and vibration damping structure, be sealed from fluid ingress, include interior reinforcing structures, and permit accurate registration of machined features on all sides of the tabletop.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to reduce unwanted motion in precision instruments are described. An active vibration-isolation system may be configured to receive a user-selectable setting, sense a stability of operation of the vibration-isolation system, and indicate whether the user-selectable setting provides stable vibration isolation. The settings may be changed by the user to improve vibration-isolation performance without requiring installation of the system by a skilled vibration-isolation engineer.

Abstract: A precision tabletop for scientific instrumentation is described. The tabletop may be manufactured from as few as two pieces of material, include a honeycomb stiffening and vibration damping structure, be sealed from fluid ingress, include interior reinforcing structures, and permit accurate registration of machined features on all sides of the tabletop.

Abstract: A low-profile, vibration-damped tabletop for supporting sensitive scientific equipment is described. The tabletop may include a laminated structure having a lower metal plate that is sized to achieve a desired weight for the tabletop, a manufactured, homogenous filler and a “clean top” metal upper skin having a plurality of holes backed by liquid impermeable barriers. The damping characteristics are improved at low frequencies compared to a comparable structure with a honeycomb filler.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a housing accommodating various sizes and lengths of cartridges fixed inside the housing by an adjustable control element. In its correct placement, the cartridge will abut against one end of the control element and will be held in place with a spring at the other end, such that the user may write steadily with the pen.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a housing accommodating various sizes and lengths of cartridges fixed inside the housing by an adjustable control element. In its correct placement, the cartridge will abut against one end of the control element and will be held in place with a spring at the other end, such that the user may write steadily with the pen.

Abstract: Combined knife and wire cutter apparatus including both fixed blade knife and folding knife embodiments. Both such embodiments comprise an elongate handle including at least one notch along an edge thereof for receiving a segment of a wire; and an elongate member pivotably secured to the handle and having a first end portion and a second end portion, the elongate member pivotable about a pivot axis in a first rotational direction with the first end portion moving away from the handle and in a second rotational direction with the first end portion moving toward the handle, the second end portion including a cutting edge situated for traversing the at least one notch when the elongate member is pivoted about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A tripod has an adjustable top plate that supports an equipment foot. The support legs each comprise paired plates. Interposed between the paired plates is a damping material. The damping material damps the tripod and inhibits resonance from passing through the tripod to the supported equipment.