Abstract: A multislide holder and editor comprises a rectangular plate-like body having a plurality of rectangular slide-receiving pockets formed between two sets of parallel ribs disposed at right angles to one another. Upon insertion into its respective pocket each slide enters two spaced parallel open-ended side edge engaging channels, each channel comprising two spaced edge-engaging members. One of these edge engaging members comprises at least two longitudinally spaced portions with a gap between them, while the other cooperating member is disposed opposite this gap and is of not greater length than the gap, so that the entire body can be formed by a single molding operation with linearly-moving relatively simple mold parts.

Abstract: A portable map-display system for auto, boat and airplane uses and the like includes a plurality of translucent maps and a compact light box proportioned for back-lighting one map at a time. To prevent unshielded glare from the light-box and to assure proper orientation of maps on the light-box a series circuit arrangement turns off the light circuit in the box when a map is not properly in place over the light-box. The series circuit arrangement includes a conductive strip asymmetrically disposed on each map and a pair of electrodes on the light-box adapted for resiliently receiving the conductive strip of a map between them to close the circuit and turn on the light.

Abstract: A microfiche carrier is provided comprising a carrier of transparent sheet material having a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive thereon for securing a microfiche to one face of the carrier. The microfiche carrier is adapted to be stacked with other microfiche carriers to form a deck, and the deck is placed into a magazine from which selected microfiche may be partially withdrawn for viewing a particular frame or frames of the microfiche. The microfiche carrier also includes detent means for releasably retaining the microfiche carrier in the magazine, coding means for retrieval of a selected microfiche carrier from the magazine and ramp means to prevent edge interference with adjacent carriers and microfiche in the magazine when a selected microfiche carrier is retrieved from or returned to the magazine.

Abstract: A pair of illuminated transparency viewers may be mounted on a supporting frame assembly so that one viewer generally provides a horizontally oriented viewing surface and the other viewer generally provides a vertically oriented viewing surface. The frame assembly includes a base portion adapted to receive the legs of one of the viewers and an upright portion adapted to receive the legs of the other viewer. The base portion and the upright portion each have a U-shaped cross section to define an open channel into which the respective legs of the viewers are inserted and secured by appropriate means. Two frame assemblies are utilized to mount the viewers which have two leg assemblies, each of which, in turn, has a leg pivotally mounted for movement between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: The intensity of light penetrating an X-ray film being viewed is automatically maintained at a preset, adjustable, eye comfort level. A photosensor detects the average light level on the observer side, and its output controls the charging time of a capacitor coupled to the emitter of a unijunction transistor. When the capacitor reaches a predetermined voltage it fires the transistor and dumps its charge through a pulse generator which in turn triggers a gated semiconductor connected in series with the viewer light source. The period between successive firing cycles is proportional to the penetrating light level. Thus, if the light level increases, as when a relatively transparent film negative is inserted in the viewer or when a negative is removed, the capacitor charging time increases, the firing period increases, and the light source intensity therefore decreases to restore the preset level of light penetration.

Abstract: A viewer has a telescopic housing and includes a lens system carried by one housing part and a plurality of correlated information sources supported by another housing part and arranged serially along the optical axis of the lens system in a plurality of focal planes. At least one of the information sources comprises a transparency which has data thereon and is disposed between the lens system and another of the information sources. When the lens system is focused on the one information source the other of the information sources are out of the field of focus of the system whereby data on any one of the information sources may be viewed to the selective exclusion of data on the other of the information sources. Color filters associated with the lens system may be employed to view portions of data on any one information source to the exclusion of other data thereon.

Abstract: A multi-purpose laboratory light box for observation and photographic procedures comprises a box of convenient size having two slidable top panels adapted to be moved toward and away from each other to provide an opening of variable width and location. The box is covered with light-absorbing black material inside and out. A pair of tubular fluorescent lamps are mounted respectively within the box on the facing edge portions of the two top panels, the lamps being adjacent the panels and substantially flush with the facing edges of the panels. In use, the lamps are energized to provide light in the variable opening between the top panels for purposes of observing and photographing desired characteristics of various laboratory specimens. Fluorescent lamps of different characteristics such as white light and ultraviolet light are useable interchangeably, depending on requirements.