Abstract: A telephone distribution apparatus including a housing and a printed circuit board mounted within the housing. The apparatus is configured to enable mounting of the apparatus within small spaces. A first multi-position electrical plug is mounted on the circuit board and in electrical circuit relationship with a plurality of jacks also mounted on the board. The electrical plug and jacks are positioned within openings in the housing to provide a strong, easily assembled compact module for distributing telephone circuits from the multi-position plug to the plurality of jacks.

Abstract: A jack for modular plug connectors designed for connection to a printed circuit board includes a housing formed of three parts which when interfitted define a receptacle for receiving a modular plug connector which terminates a multi-conductor cord. A plurality of jack contacts are held through the interfitting relationship of the various housing parts in a manner such that the jack contacts are entirely enclosed within the housing except for the projecting portions thereof which are adapted to be inserted into the printed circuit board. The plug receiving receptacle is partially defined by a surface adapted to provide a backing support for the jack contact portions engaged by the contact terminals of the modular plug connector.

Abstract: A shielded connector for electrical circuits comprising a non-conducting housing containing electrically conductive terminals and an electrically conductive housing, said electrically conductive housing comprising at least two elements, each of said elements being capable of mating with the other of said elements, at least one of said elements having at least one recessed pocket having an aperture open to the exterior of said element, each of said pockets being adapted to hold a projection on a latch, the interior walls of said pocket being continuous with the exterior walls of said electrically conductive housing and either a portion of said pocket also being located in a second element or at least one wall of said pocket being contributed by a second element.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector is disclosed which is particularly adapted for use with flat cable having very closely spaced conductors. The connector contains two rows of contacts. The contacts in the two rows are staggered relative to each other. Each contact has a slotted plate for engaging one of the conductors of the cable. Adjacent contacts in each row of contacts are rotated 180.degree. relative to each other so that the slotted plates of the contacts in each row are also staggered relative to each other for facilitating feeding every second conductor of the flat cable laterally between the slotted plates of one row of contacts to the slotted plates of the other row.

Abstract: In a flat cable connecting system comprising pinching a multiple core flat cable between a connector cover and a connector substrate having contacts to cause the contacts to pierce through an insulator of the multiple core flat cable and, in conjunction therewith, to catch hold of and electrically connect conductors within the insulator of the multiple core flat cable, the improvement comprises forming in the insulator perforations for dividing the conductors into conductor segments extending in one direction and conductor segments extending in the other direction, and causing different signal contacts of the connector substrate to catch hold of and electrically connect the respective conductor segments at their terminals on the perforation sides, thereby forming different signal lines with the perforations as boundaries.

Abstract: A clamping system for holding an electrical cord to the wall plate of an electrical appliance. The wall plate forms a circular hole in which an externally threaded body having a cord passage is mounted. A flange of the body is positioned against the inner surface of the wall plate. A pair of flexibly movable arm members having opposed teeth extends in an axial direction from the outer end of the body outside the wall plate. A nut member is threaded onto the body so as to draw the flange and the nut member together with the wall plate between them. The nut member presses the teeth of the arm member together into gripping relationship with the cord. The body can be split into semicircular bodies for easy positioning of the cord.

Abstract: Fully shielded electrical connector for shielded cable comprises a terminal housing, upper and lower ground shields, and upper and lower insulative cover parts. Lower ground shield has flanges flanking cable receiving opening in rearwall which fit flushly in cable receiving opening in rearwall of lower cover. Inserter member has cable receiving aperture therethrough which opens in dovetail slot which engages dovetail flanges on rearwall of lower housing to prevent overstressing openings in lower shield and housing when cable with contact ferrule is inserted therein.

Abstract: A solderless filtered connector is formed by a first housing of insulative material defining a plurality of filter passages, with resilient tines at least at one end of each passage. The first housing is plated with a conductive material to form a ground plane. Each filtered terminal is formed by a pin terminal having a compliant portion which engages an inner conductive surface of a respective filter sleeve, a filter locating shoulder and oppositely directed mating ends. Each filtered terminal is mounted in a respective passage with the tines making a resilient contact with the outer conductive surface of the filter. The connector can also include a second housing and front insert to enclose the filtered terminals and a metal shell for mating purposes.

Abstract: A right-angled plug-type connector for a printed circuit board connection characterized by a flexible fixing plate being secured in a plate-shaped retaining member to extend at right angles to the retaining member and having a plurality of bores in a pattern corresponding to a pattern of bores in the retaining member to receive contact elements which have a right angle bend. To improve the guidance of the contact elements which extend past a first side of the fixing plate to form contact prongs, each of the bores has a tubular extension which extends from a second side of the fixing plate. The tubular extensions improves the guidance and positioning of each of the prongs to prevent skewing or misalignment during the forming of a plug connection.

Abstract: A two piece housing plug connector of the type having multiple plug members received in bores in the housings with the plug members including socket ends for insertion of connectors at one end of the housing assembly and projecting plugs at the other end of the housing assembly, with the housing assembly parting along a line normal to the projection of the plugs and with antirotation axial movement locking means projecting from the plugs in the area of the part of the housing is provided with locking means designs effective to increase the current creepage path at the juncture line of the two housing halves. The locking means include projecting portions in each of the housing halves which are spaced from one another by an air gap substantially symmetrical to the parting line of the housing halves, the air gap having a distance which is at least as great as the effective length of the projecting locking means.

Abstract: (a) Contacts having mounting sections with mounting surfaces which provide for improved mounting characteristics and which also may function as electrical energy transfer surfaces, the contacts being formed by tooling connected to the punch pad and die pad bolsters of a progressive die operable as the contacts are being punched out to hug or impact opposite side edges of a contact and thereby form mounting and/or electrical energy transfer surfaces on the side edges.(b) Contacts having retention sections, the retention sections having a pair of outboard arms and an inboard arm and which, when the retention section is inserted in a circuit board aperture, will be engaged to the outboard arms and function to prevent the metal of the outboard arms from being strained beyond the elastic limit and the outboard arms having surfaces formed by the tooling of (a).

Abstract: An electrical connector has an attachment means comprising a funnel wrap wire crimp barrel, that is, one which is funnel-shaped in the axial direction and partially overlapped in the circumferential direction. The attachment means further comprises an intermediate, funnel wrap insulation crimp barrel and a funnel-shaped, split guide ring in one embodiment. In a second embodiment, the attachment means further comprises a cylindrical, split insulation crimp barrel.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of high power excimer laser energy includes an optical fiber of pure silica having an energy coupler at one end and a lens at the distal end. The energy coupler can be a funnel-shaped input to the fiber or it can be a water-filled cavity which acts as a buffer to decrease the apparent density of energy entering the fiber. The lens at the distal end of the fiber functions to concentrate the output beam so as to increase its density. The delivery system has particular utility in the field of angioplasty. In such an application, the delivery system can be used to transmit both laser and illuminating light so as to reduce the number of optical fibers that are required and thereby provide a system that is sufficiently small to be fed into a coronary artery. An ultra-thin image scope facilitates a determination of the distance of the distal end from the viewed object and hence the size of the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical integrated circuits in which both a light function zone and a light reception zone are monolithically formed on the same substrate to obtain high reliability and low noise and loss. The optical integrated circuits according to the present invention have improved electrode structure formed on a light wave guide layer to apply a major portion of the electric field generated by the current flowing in the electrode structure within the light wave guide layer to thus improve light receiving sensitivity. Further, the optical integrated circuits according to the present invention have the light reception zone of the large photoconductive effect on the substrate to develop a light receiving sensitivity to the light function zone without affecting propagation loss.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission path for interconnecting a transmitter and receiver for single mode operation at a predetermined wavelength. Most of the path is formed by a transmission cable made up of several optical fibers, spliced end-to-end, that are single mode at a wavelength longer than the predetermined wavelength, but possibly not single mode at the predetermined wavelength. The splice between the fibers is fabricated so as to exhibit minimized splice loss, as measured for only the fundamental mode at the predetermined wavelength. The transmission path of the invention also includes an optical fiber which is very short relative to the transmission cable and is in the path between the transmitter and the cable. The short fiber is selected to be single mode at the predetermined wavelength. A mode stripper is in the path, near the end of the transmission cable that is nearest the receiver. The mode stripper transmits only the fundamental mode at the predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A rotary joint for optical fibers consists of two rotary members which enable efficient transmission of optical signals without the need of converting the same into electric signals by attaching rod lenses having a refractive index in the second order distribution relative to its center axis, to respective tips of the optical fibers capable of relative rotation so that an optical signal emitted from the tip of one optical fiber is transmitted from the end of one rod lens in the form of parallel rays to the other rod lens, and as a converged beam to the tip of the other optical fiber. The joint further includes a mechanism for imparting pressure to the rotary members, and a mechanism for finely setting the angle between the two rod lenses.

Abstract: The optical transmission element (AD) comprises a light waveguide (LW) provided with a cushion layer (PS), said light waveguide being positioned within a hard sheath (HL). A glide layer (GS) is provided between said sheath (HL) and said cushion layer (PS). The sheath (HL) is of a material having a modulus of elasticity greater than 2000 N/mm.sup.2 and a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 0.8.times.10.sup.-4 /.degree.K.

Abstract: A single mode optical fiber comprises a core, a first cladding surrounding the core, and a second cladding surrounding the first cladding. It also comprises a third cladding region (or index "ring"). The core, has radius a and refractive index n.sub.c, the first, second, and third cladding regions have inner radii, R.sub.1i, R.sub.2i, and R.sub.3i, outer radii R.sub.1o, R.sub.2o, and R.sub.3o, and indices n.sub.1, n.sub.2, n.sub.3, respectively. The fiber has n.sub.1 <n.sub.3, R.sub.1o .ltoreq.R.sub.3i, R.sub.3o .ltoreq.R.sub.2i. In preferred embodiments, a=R.sub.1i, R.sub.1o =R.sub.3i, R.sub.3o =R.sub.2i. Appropriate choice of ring parameters can result in a lowering of the cut-off wavelength of the fiber, or in fiber that is less sensitive to macrobending than similar prior art fiber lacking an index ring, without substantial change in fiber parameters that depend primarily on the waveform in the core. An optical fiber communications system comprising the inventive fiber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A free-standing collapsible panoramic theatre is described. When assembled, the theatre includes a multiplicity of vertical screens arranged in a polygonal arrangement that defines an internal viewing region. The viewing screens are supported by a multiplicity of towers which are located external to the polygonal arrangement with one tower located at each vertical corner of the polygonal arrangement. Each tower has a base, a support structure extending vertically from the base, a manually-operable alignment mechanism which permits the vertical orientation of the support structure to be adjusted, a pair of upper and lower screen support brackets mounted for telescopic movement on the support structure and releasably retaining the pair of adjacent viewing screens at the vertical corner associated with the tower, and a projector support housing for supporting a projector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stereoscopic viewer for aerial photographs. In this viewer, optical means permit simultaneous examination, through two eyepieces, of corresponding points in two successive panoramic photographs in the film to be examined. The optical means comprise, for each optical path, on the one hand, a set of plane-mirrors and, on the other hand, a rotating system adapted to rotate the images about the corresponding viewing axis, the unit thus assuring an even number of reflections; the adjusting means comprise elements permitting at least one of the rotating systems to pivot about a fixed axis and/or the displacement of at least one of the plane-mirrors.

Abstract: An optical element having the function of changing the cross-sectional intensity distribution of an incident light beam is comprised of a plurality of prisms. The optical element spatially combines a light beam having been amplitude-divided by an amplitude-dividing mirror provided on the joined surface of the prisms and a light beam having been totally reflected by a total-reflection mirror provided on the outermost one of the prisms to thereby change the cross-sectional intensity distribution of the light beam entering the optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical adjusting process for proximity printing wherein a mask is spaced at a short distance from a substrate on which an image of the mask structure is to be formed. According to the invention, a high-definition image of the structures of the mask and of the substrate is formed by means of light of differing wavelength in a common image plane. This adjusting process is intended, in particular, for X-ray lithography.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel shading system is disclosed in which the light transmission characteristics of a liquid crystal panel are varied to produce desired shading effects. The preferred embodiment is disclosed in the application to a windshield sun visor for an automotive vehicle. The panel may be a separate element applied against the existing windshield or it may be integrally incorporated into the windshield. The panel is constructed with a tapered shape, which in association with a control, is effective to produce zones of varying light transmission characteristics to produce new and unique modes of shading.

Abstract: Disclosed are field sensitive optical displays, and arrangements and methods for inducing fields in the displays and for scanning the displays. In the disclosed embodiments, liquid crystal, optoceramic and electroluminscent materials are utilized. Methods and arrangements for improving the response time of twisted nematic liquid crystal material and for generating color displays are also disclosed. Methods and arrangements are also disclosed for superimposing varying and a dc fields in field sensitive material. Various display patterns such as a movable dot, intersecting lines and a pivoting line can be obtained.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprising a thermal writing type liquid crystal, an electrode for generating heat necessary for said thermal writing, and a support for supporting said liquid crystal and said electrode, wherein a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion lying between the coefficient of thermal expansion of said electrode and that of said support is arranged between said electrode and said support, whereby said electrode for generating heat can be prevented from being degraded by failure or peeling from the support due to thermal stress.

Abstract: A backlighted liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly has a thin phosphorescent layer positioned between the display and the light source to provide an even distribution of light intensity across the viewing surface of the display. The phosphorescent layer includes a phosphor powder mixed into a resin. The mixture is molded into a thin sheet and then cut to size. The phosphorescent layer and an optional disiccant layer may be encapsulated between sheets of acrylic film. The phosphorescent layer may also include a phosphorescent coating that is applied to the rear surface of the LCD or to the front surface of the light source.

Abstract: A polarizing element comprising a transparent flat plate having at least two parallel surfaces, a polarizing separate layer provided on a portion of one parallel surface of the transparent flat plate and an optical reflecting material provided on a portion of the other parallel surface of the transparent flat plate.

Abstract: An optical system and method is disclosed for substantially correcting an image transmitted through at least one gradient index lens for chromatic aberration by means of a homogeneous lens affixed thereto. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the gradient index lenses is a relay lens. The length of the relay lens is varied about an integral number of half periods and the homogeneous lens has a positive or negative curvature, depending upon the nature of the correction required. A method of determining the curvature of the homogeneous lens and the length of the relay lens for the desired degree of correction is also claimed.

Abstract: A four-group telephoto zoom lens consists of, in succession from the object side, first group having a positive refracting power and movable on the optical axis of the lens for focusing, second group having a negative refracting power and movable on the optical axis for changing a composite focal distance of an entire system, a third group having a positive refracting power and movable on the optical axis for maintaining image plane at a fixed position and a fourth group as relay lens system having a positive refracting power. The second group consists of a first cemented negative lens component having, in the order from the object side, a positive lens and a negative lens cemented together and a second cemented negative lens component having a negative lens and a positive lens cemented together. The four-group telephoto zoom lens further satisfies a certain condition.

Abstract: A single element lens having two aspherical refractive surfaces comprises a lens substrate and two layers of transparent plastic. Each layer has an aspherical outer profile. The lens substrate is a sphere and can be manufactured simply and cheaply.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for guiding a pellicle-covered photomask or other flat object into viewing position for inspection upon a flat top plate of a stage below the objective of a microscope. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced parallel rails having inwardly extending upper and lower flanges that define opposed keyways in which keybars at the edges of a photomask-carrying paddle slide. To protect the pellicle membrane and to space the latter above the top stage top plate, at entrance ends of the rails, segments of the upper flanges are recessed greater than the width of the paddle to permit a vertical dropping movement of the leading end of paddle onto inlet horizontal guide surfaces. These guide surfaces are broad platforms on which may be deposited the leading end of the paddle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dual magnification telescope such as, for example, an intensifier telescope. Telescope compriser an objective, an intensifier tube with an optical fiber input, and an eyepiece. According to the invention, the dual magnification is obtained by an optical fiber array comprising straight fiber having unity magnification and tapered fibers having a magnification G<1.

Abstract: A protective cover for optical means, such as binocular optical means, having a pair of exposed lens portions which are spaced apart, comprising first and second cover bodies, each having a lens cap portion for being removably secured over a lens portion of the binoculars. Each of the cover bodies has a connecting portion extending from its cap portion. An attachment means is provided for securing the connecting portions of the bodies to the binoculars at a location intermediate its lens portions. The attachment means allows movement of each of the cap portions between a first position proximate to one of the lens portions and a second position away from and intermediate the lens portion of the binoculars. The attachment means urges each of the bodies towards its second position upon being displaced therefrom, so as to avoid interfering with the binoculars when in use.

Abstract: In a transparent molded segmented mirror having individual sectors on a transparent molding and comprising a myriad of reflecting surfaces at the rear side of the mirror away from the viewer, said surfaces located to produce, in the eyes of the viewer, a virtual image, or separate virtual images from separate portions of such molded mirror, there being zones separating the reflecting surfaces, the improvement comprising:(a) a material coating said zones and which includes a light absorber,(b) such material having approximately, the same index of refraction as the transparent molding,(c) whereby undesirable reflections from said zone are substantially reduced, because light impinging thereon cannot be reflected, but is only absorbed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens incorporates a transmission hologram which has negative diffractive power and introduces positive longitudinal chromatic aberration to add to the natural longitudinal chromatic aberration of the human eye, thereby reducing the need to accommodate. The lens also has refractive power to balance the diffractive power or to give a desired overall or residual power.

Abstract: An automatic winding camera wherein winding operations such as wind-up, rewinding, frame feed, etc. of a film are automatically performed.In the camera according to the present invention, when the absence of the film in a film running path in a camera is detected by a film detecting device during winding of the film, a control device controls a driving device for driving a film winding mechanism to operate until a film winding detecting device detects that at least a predetermined length of the film is wound up. With this arrangement, when the film is rewound into a magazine after the takings, the forward end portion of the film can be entirely received in the magazine, so that such disadvantages can be obviated that dust intrudes into and light falls into the magazine.

Abstract: In a bottom loading camera, a loading chamber receives a film cartridge in an axial direction substantially at the same time a film leader projecting from the cartridge is transversely received in a feed path between the loading chamber and a take-up chamber. By mounting a back door for pivoting proximate an end of the camera body closest to the loading chamber, a cartridge positioning member on the door can axially depress the cartridge in the chamber to properly position the cartridge as the door is initially closed. Then, with continued closure of the back door, cooperating means on the door and adjacent the feed path can transversely position the film leader to straighten it along the path in the event the leader is skewed. Next, a film guide on the door can urge the forward end of the film leader against a take-up spool in the take-up chamber to enable the spool to engage the leader end. Thus, the leader end will have benefited from any previous correction to the film cartridge or the film leader.

Abstract: A self-timer device which announces its operation with sounds, and in which the sound volume or loudness changes in accordance with environmental sound or exterior noise around the camera so as to always tell the operator with a proper sound that the self-timer is in operation.

Abstract: The shutter comprises a first and a second blind (47, 48) extending in parallel planes close to each other and wound on at least one roller (6, 9) on each side of the exposure window, which blinds each have an edge (55, 56) which edges define a shutter slit (5) between them. The roller of the first blind is driven by a first pinion (7) which is rigidly coupled to a drive mechanism (31). In accordance with the invention the shutter comprises a second pinion (11) which is rotationally coupled to the first pinion, and a third pinion (14) which is coaxial with the second pinion and which is driven by the second pinion via an angular-positioning device (59) which drives the roller (9) of the second blind; the shutter also comprises tension means (49, 52, 53) which maintain each blind in its respective plane. In this way an accurately variable width of the shutter slit can be obtained.The shutter is used in cameras for aerial or marine surveillance.

Abstract: An automatic film threading apparatus (10) that allows roll-film (58) to be automatically threaded through a series of film developing and processing chambers (12a) located on a roll-film processor (50). The apparatus is further comprised of a powered film spool (52a) and a pinch roller (16a) disposed above the spool to form a rolling intersection. A spool and roller combination is located between the upper ports (12b) of each chamber pair. Also located above and below each chamber pair is an upper and a lower film guide (18) (56). Automatic threading is accomplished by extracting a small section of film (58) from its reel (14b) and attaching the film to one end of a threading leader assembly (15). The other end of the threading leader is then manually threaded through a first chamber pair where a threading tip (15c) engages the rolling intersection of the roller (16a) and spool (52a). From this point on, the film (58) is automatically threaded through each successive chamber (12a).

Abstract: A sheet film processing apparatus for sheet film including a housing for holding a re-loadable film, and having an upper surface and a back surface, developing equipment including developing tanks with developing fluid, arranged above the upper surface, a housing cover for covering the developing equipment in a light impervious manner, elements for leading the film to the developing device, a fluid collector basin located between the developing tank and the upper surface for catching any developing fluid which may fall from the developing equipment, a waste water tank provided at the back surface, and a plurality of drain hoses connecting the tanks and the collector basin with the waste water tank so as to lead the developing fluid to the waste water tank. This leads to a particularly compact construction which is easily accessible for servicing.

Abstract: A treatment tank in photosensitive material processing system or the like is equipped with a plurality of overflow devices and a partition member for separating liquid surface part extending at least to one overflow device from the other, below the liquid surface with at least one opening or gap allowing the treatment liquid to flow from side of the partition, and with the partition member solution in the middle and deep region of the tank passes through the opening or gap to flow over insoluble solids being suspended therein.

Abstract: A focus detecting system has a signal processing circuit for processing output signals from photoelectric transducer elements and generating an output representing the focusing state. A circuit is provided to stabilize the output against abrupt changes in focusing condition.

Abstract: A photographic camera having a single source of internal electrical power, an electronic flash that includes a flashtube and a charging system for storing an electrical charge for subsequent discharge across the light emitting element of the flashtube, a manually actuatable self-timer for generating an exposure interval initiating electrical signal a predetermined time after the timing cycle of the self-timer has been actuated and apparatus for generating electrically produced visual and/or audible signals indicating that the self-timer is in operation is provided with apparatus for inhibiting the operation of the electronic flash charging system whenever such signals are generated in order to prevent the relatively large electrical load associated with the electronic flash charging system from changing the voltage and/or current levels available from the camera's power source and thereby preclude interferance with the proper operation of the self-timer operation indicators which are sensitive to such changes

Abstract: An image exposing apparatus comprises a focusing optical system for focusing an image onto a photosensitive member and having a one-line array of a plurality of focusing light transmission media, and light intensity distribution correction means arranged in a light path for forming the image for eliminating an ununiformity of light intensity on the photosensitive member due to the focusing optical system.

Abstract: A toner supply device for supplying a developing unit of an electrophotographic copier with a toner developer which is stored in a cylindrical cartridge. The cartridge is fixed in a horizontal position in the vicinity of the developing unit of the copier while occupying a minimum of space. The toner supply device is desirably applicable to a small-size electrophotographic copier.

Abstract: An apparatus which develops a latent image recorded on a flexible member with developer material comprising at least magnetic granules and toner particles. Developer material is transported closely adjacent to a flexible member having the latent image recorded thereon. A radial magnetic field is generated in the development zone to optimize the attraction of the toner particles from the carrier granules to the latent image. A tangential magnetic field is generated at the exit of the development zone to prevent carrier granules from adhering to the flexible member. The magnitude of the tangential magnetic field at the exit of the development zone is greater than the magnitude of the radial magnetic field at the center of the development zone.

Abstract: A housing apparatus having first and second housings is provided with an arm section extending from the first housing onto the second housing and having a free end portion. The arm section has a coupling portion rockably supported on the second housing portion, and a free end portion extending from the first housing onto the second housing. The free end portion is coupled to an urging device disposed on the second housing portion. The urging device applies a predetermined urging force to the free end portion when the first housing is rotated around the coupling portion by a predetermined angle from the second housing so that the first housing is maintained in a predetermined position in which a space is formed between the first and second housings, when the first housing is swung around the coupling portion by a predetermined angle from the second housing.

Abstract: In a method of or a device for preventing disturbance of an unfixed image in an image formation process wherein an electrostatic image on an electrostatic image bearing member is developed by a developer, whereafter the developed visible image is transferred to a transfer medium and then the transfer medium is separated from the electrostatic image bearing member and conveyed for utilization, charge remover is provided along the conveyance path of the transfer medium to remove the charge on the surface of the transfer medium as it passes through the conveyance path, thereby preventing the visible image on the transfer medium from being disturbed.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a switching element comprised of oppositely disposed conductive fiber brushes and/or brush-like elements for detecting the presence or absence of paper at various locations in a xerographic copy machine. The oppositely disposed brushes are made from poly-acrylo-nitrile, a carbon based polymer material, which can be fabricated with relatively low values of resistance. Typical fiber bundles may consist of 6000 individual fibers each of 6-10 microns in diameter. In operation each individual conductive fiber acts as a separate electrical path through which the external circuit is completed. Passage of paper through the "nip" of the fiber to fiber electrical contact opens the circuit which is easily detected through associated circuitry which indicates the presence of paper. Likewise, arrays incorporating multiple such sensor switches may be fabricated for the purpose of indicating the size of the document interrupting specific low resistance fiber-fiber switches.