Abstract: An optical apparatus in which optical devices are abutted against reference planes for positioning secured in the housing case of an optical system, and the housing cover is put on said housing case. On the inside surface of the housing cover a rib is provided to restrict the movement of the optical devices with the cover securely put on the housing case.

Abstract: A picture frame includes a back panel on which a photograph is placed and a transparent front panel adjacent to the photograph for protecting the photograph. The picture frame also includes a plurality of clips for securing the back panel, photograph and front member together. The frame also includes a groove formed in an inside edge, the groove being dimensioned to receive the clips. A support element for the picture frame includes a substantially U-shaped lower part which is received by the groove formed in the picture frame and a rear extension member which is joined to and extends from the lower part. The lower part includes a curved front wing portion and a curved back wing portion, the curved front wing portion including a protrusion which is adapted to rest against the inside edge of the frame.

Abstract: A sign in accordance with this invention comprises a pair of end members, with each end member having a longitudinal groove, and with each of the end members having a foot portion configured such that the respective longitudinal groove bears approximately a 15.degree. relationship to the vertical. The longitudinal groove in one of the end members faces the longitudinal groove in the end member such that respective ends of a generally rectangular sign of appropriate thickness may be closely received in these grooves. Importantly, the groove in each of the end members is of dual width, with one portion of each such groove being wide and of comparatively shallow depth, whereas another portion of each of the grooves is comparatively narrow, and of greater depth. Because of this arrangement, elongate panel members of either of two different thicknesses can be readily received in a tight fitting manner in appropriate portions of the grooves.

Abstract: A book rest for supporting books or magazines in an opened position to facilitate the use thereof by persons seated at a desk, library table or the like. The book rest includes a base from which a prop structure extends in a leaning back attitude and the prop structure is configured to define an included angle which opens toward the front of the base. The base and prop structure cooperate to support the book or magazine in a propped up position against the front surface of the prop structure and a pair of hook-like devices are associated with the prop structure to releasably hold the pages in a desired opened position.

Abstract: A table top support for a picture frame includes a U-shaped lower portion, an inwardly sloping portion joined to the lower portion and an extended portion joined to the inwardly sloping portion. The table top support is adapted to support a picture frame having a back panel and a front transparent cover disposed adjacent to the back panel. The U-shaped lower portion of the table top support includes a front piece and a rear piece. The rear piece has a greater height than the front piece. The inwardly sloping portion extends towards the center of the back panel of the picture frame and engages the back panel. The extended portion is disposed substantially at a right angle to the back panel of the frame.

Abstract: A device for displaying or storing jewelry such as pierced earrings, medals, nametags and like items having a decorative front portion and a back portion having at least one pin-like shaft which cooperates with a clamp to hold such items in place on the user's clothing or body. The device provides a virtually infinite number of positions and relationships in which such items can be displayed. It consists of a cloth panel mounted to a first frame which is mounted to a second frame of equal or larger size. Optionally, either frame may be provided with means for holding the device in an upright position and/or suspending it from a vertical surface such as a wall.

Abstract: A reading stand or holder including a base with a transversely slotted upper surface, a rear, flat background plate in one of the slots for supporting material, such as a book, in an upright, open position, a placement bar in a slot in front of the open book for maintaining open the pages of the open book, and a transparent, flat magnifying panel in one of a number of grooves in front of the open book for magnifying the matter to be read. The further the magnifying panel is from the open book, the greater the degree of magnification. The magnifier stand is particularly useful for following a recipe in a cookbook while cooking. The stand may be seated on a wedge block to tilt the stand or mounted on a swivel, lazy Susan base, to facilitate reading the material. Another, smaller version of the magnifier stand may be used within or on top of a conventional index card box, for reading the cards.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably attaching a sign to a display stand. The sign comprises a sheet of material folded into a central section and a pair of upstanding display sections. The sign support inludes a pair of pivotally connected support members. One support member is releasably attached to the support surface and supports the central section of the sign. The other support member engages the display sections of the sign and maintains them in an upright orientation relative to the support surface. Mating catches on the support members secure the support members to each other in order to securely engage the sign. The engagement between the mating catches may be released in order to pivot the support members relative to each other so that the sign may be removed from the sign support, without removing the sign support from the support surface. The sign support is preferably formed as a unitary, molded plastic article.

Abstract: A reflector device for use with an optical distance measuring apparatus which includes a frame carrying a reflecting element such as a corner cube type prism and a holder for mounting the frame. The frame has a reference surface and the holder has two or more reference surfaces which are adapted to be alternately engaged with the reference surface on the frame so that the offset value of the prism can be changed.

Abstract: An easel for use with a back-loading picture frame, which easel is readily attachable and detachable therefrom and intended for use primarily with picture frames formed from metal in extruded channel shapes. The easel preferably is of resilient extruded material and has a flat land member and a resilient yoke member extending at an angle thereto. The yoke is provided with a pair of spaced members, one member being adapted to be fit within the channel in one frame section adjacent a forward face of the frame and the other member fit within the channel adjacent a rear face of the frame section, said members adapted to be secured by means of spring pressure into locking engagement with means on the frame section and easily detached therefrom.

Abstract: A holder for holding thin rigid planar signs includes a base having a trough for receiving and seating an edge of the sign. An essentially planar wall extends from the trough against which the sign is urged by a pressure pad in order to maintain the sign in a stationary position. The pressure pad is mounted in the base and has a plurality of blades projecting essentially normal to and abutting the surface of the planar wall. Upon insertion of the sign in the holders, the blades exert a resulting force on the sign to urge the sign flush against the planar wall. By virtue of the seating of the sign edge in the trough, the sign is prevented from rotation away from the wall and out of the holder as a result of wind forces acting on the sign.

Abstract: A parlor game in which the player marks with a marking instrument a design by viewing a reverse image of the design through a mirror. Several devices for blocking a direct view between the player's eyes and the design are disclosed.

Abstract: A sign holder is disclosed which has a generally flat base of resilient material and two projections thereon. The first projection has a convex, sloped side surface, and the second projection has a corresponding concave, sloped side surface spaced from the convex side surface of the first projection. An arcuate wedge-shaped trough is formed between the side surfaces of the projections. The edge of a sign card or board is inserted in the trough and removably held upright thereby. The wedge shape of the trough and the resilient material of the base combine to firmly grip the edge of the sign card.

Abstract: A stand for holding a picture frame in a substantially vertically inclined viewing position including a base providing forwardly projecting side leg members upon which a corresponding flange of the picture frame is adapted to sit, with the stand providing locking tabs extending in spaced parallel relation to, but inwardly of, the side leg members for restraining engagement with the opposite side face of the picture frame flange so as to support the same thereon.