Abstract: A cylindrical viewing tube for reading submerged water meters, comprising a clear, high strength polycarbonate viewing tube, a closed bottom end for engaging a submerged meter face, the bottom end being replacable and being threaded onto the viewing tube.

Abstract: A financial transaction card adapted for individual use in reading information stored externally to the card, having machine readable information contained thereon identifying the user and the issuing institution for transacting business at locations remote from the issuing institution, includes:a. a rigid substantially rectangular base comprising a substantially transparent material and having a top surface and a bottom surface;b. machine readable information carried on the base for identifying the user and the issuing institution; andc. a magnifying lens produced by formation of fresnel contour lines on the top surface of the base and in non-interfering relationship with the machine readable information.

Abstract: A laser optical apparatus permits the use of a laser beam having a spectrum characteristic which substantially overlaps with an absorption band of oxygen, with a simple construction. Oxygen in a lens barrel of an optical system or a sealed space between lens barrels is absorbed by a deoxidation agent. Accordingly, even if a laser beam by an excimer laser using argon fluoride having a spectrum characteristic which substantially overlaps with the absorption of oxygen is passed through the optical system, the loss of laser energy by the absorption of oxygen, the generation of noxious gas and the swing due to the change of transmission are prevented.

Abstract: A credit card includes an integral magnifying lens positioned in the non-data area on the credit card for permitting magnification of the credit card transaction form at the point-of-sale. The placement of the lens assures that the machine readability of the magnetic encoding strip and the embossed indicia associated with the card is not impaired. The magnifying lens incorporates a fresnel-type contour lens mounted in a window provided in the credit card base.

Abstract: A transparency holder for use in a navigation device is disclosed. The transparency holder is positioned between a lens and a compass, and is adapted to receive a map transparency in one correct orientation only. The one orientation only feature is achieved by providing certain asymmetric features, such as off-center notches which engage complementary features in the navigation device. In the preferred embodiment, the transparency holder has integral upper and lower halves hinged together by a living hinge and sandwiching the map transparency therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a defocused laser beam to a sharp-edged spot (having variable size) in a target plane. The beam has a low power density in a plane of interest between the delivery apparatus and the target plane. In a preferred embodiment, the target plane is the retina of a patient's eye, and the defocused beam profile is controlled so that the beam has low power density at the eye's cornea. The beam produced by the invention is useful not only for ophthalmic surgery, but also for industrial laser heat treating and cutting applications in which a sharp-edged beam cross-section is needed at a target, particularly where delivery of low beam power densities at non-target structures are desirable. In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, an input laser beam emerges from an optical fiber, and a first lens (having short focal length) is mounted adjacent the optical fiber's output end to receive and transform the input beam.

Abstract: A magnifying insert for a book having a transparent first section, a flexible second section fixedly attached to the first section and a magnifying lens section fixedly attached to the second section. The first section can include a first surface and a second surface having a transparent, pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the second surface adapted to adhere to the front cover and the back cover. The magnifying insert can be made of a plastic and more particularly, the magnifying lens section can be made of an acrylic material. A tab can be attached to the magnifying lens section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring hair in a predefined area of skin. The method addresses the preparation of the skin and the device for counting the hairs in a defined area. The apparatus contains an optical magnifying lens, a housing for the lens and an aperture of known surface area in order to calculate the density of the hair in the portion of skin under measurement. When the method or apparatus are used, the end result will be a density measurement of hair per unit area. When this measurement is compared with similar measurements in the same area from a previous time or from a different area at the same time, a diagnosis of whether hair loss is occurring can be made with considerable accuracy. Similar applications can be made in areas where treatment suggests that hair loss has ceased or reversed through some intervention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring or determining refractive errors are disclosed. In some embodiments the invention includes two bars, each containing multiple lenses positioned longitudinally along the bar, and a collar adapted to constrain relative movement of the bars. Moving, or sliding, the bars and collar positions various lenses in the patient's line of sight, permitting the patient to determine which combination produces the best vision. If asymmetrical lenses are included in either bar, rotating the appropriate lens (either directly or by rotating the bar) provides additional information concerning the optimal refractive correction. The collar or bar may further comprise an indicator for signifying the angular rotation of any asymmetrical lens positioned along the patient's line of sight.

Abstract: A viewer for inspecting the condition of an end face of an optical fiber which has been cleaved, while the fiber is still in the cleaving device. The viewer takes the form of a pocket-type microscope having a cylindrical body with an eyepiece at one end and an objective lens at the other end, and an adaptor at the end of the body having the objective lens. The adaptor has a plurality of legs having notches therein forming seats which are specially adapted to be mounted on fiber-supporting pads of the cleaver. The adaptor is removable from the body so that different adaptors may be used for different cleavers. The body fits in a socket of the adaptor which may be disposed at an angle with respect to the legs to allow oblique viewing of the fiber end face while it is still in the cleaver. The viewer may optionally be used with an inspection tray having a trunnion at one end, the adaptor of the viewer being designed to pivotally mount to the trunnion, allowing viewing of the fiber end face at any angle.

Abstract: An accessory for improving the accuracy, and/or facilitating the use, and/or improving aesthetics and/or ergonomics of digitizer cursors is disclosed. The accessory mounts an optical element to the position-sighting aperture on the cursor. In all embodiments, the accessory or accessories may be completely and easily removed from the cursor (and replaced). Optical elements may be interchanged and combined so as to permit the operator to select optics that are most efficient for a particular digitizer task. In particular embodiments, the lens is mounted directly to the position-sighting aperture or to another member which is directly mounted to the position sighting aperture. In some embodiments, the optical element is pivotally mounted so that it can be moved into and out of the operator's line of sight. This allows the operator to move the optical element out of his line of sight to the position-sighting aperture without removing the optical element from the cursor.

Abstract: An optical magnifying lens installed in the hub of a plier-grip or similar instrument and which also holds the instruments's mating halves together in a snugly rotatable position.

Abstract: A magnifier apparatus for use with a hand-held video display apparatus which magnifier apparatus has a frame with a magnifier lens, the frame secured to a support, the support releasably adapted to be secured in a snap-in relationship to the sides of the housing of the video display apparatus in an upright, correct position, the frame with the magnifier lens adapted to move between an open, use position over the screen of the video display apparatus and a closed, non-use position nested within the support.

Abstract: An adjustable Pd lens frame carries a pair of prism lenses is adjustably positioned to a normal stationary position with respect to a computer monitor screen. The lenses provide "base in" for each eye and plus optical power to reduce both accommodative demand and convergence demand.

Abstract: A writing instrument which includes an elongated barrel, an elongated spring member for gripping an associated pocket, apparatus for securing a first axial extremity of the elongated spring member to the elongated barrel, a magnifying lens, an elongated arm carrying the magnifying lens at a first axial extremity thereof and apparatus connecting the second axial extremity of the elongated arm to the second axial extremity of the elongated spring member. In other forms of the invention a clip is provided for holding an associated writing instrument having an elongated barrel in an associated pocket. The clip includes a magnifying lens mounted on the clip in the same general manner.

Abstract: A navigation device is disclosed, having a lens across an opening at one end of a case, and a compass across an opening at the opposite end of the case. A transparency holder is positioned between the lens and the compass, adapted to receive a map transparency with magnetic north thereon aligning with a north marking on the body of the compass, at a distance from the lens approximating the focal length of the lens. A grid wheel is provided between the transparency holder and the compass, having a transparent or translucent central area inscribed with parallel grid lines and at least one first directional arrow aligned parallel to the grid lines, the grid wheel being in close proximity to the transparency holder such that it is also at a distance from the lens approximating the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: A holder for adjustably positioning a flat-sheet magnifier proximate a visual display terminal comprises a mounting for retaining the magnifier and a support for extensibly positioning the mounting in a predetermined, spaced-apart relationship with the terminal. Disclosed are particular arrangements of mounts and supports including slidable members, telescopic legs and pivoting, scissor-action legs, all of which provide for the positioning of a magnifier proximate a display screen.