A lens measuring instrument has a transparent base plate which includes upper and lower lens supporting surfaces. A generally L-shaped measuring member supported for movement on the base and across the upper surface thereof has a measuring surface movable toward and away from an opposing first reference surface which projects above the upper surface of the base and against which a peripheral edge portion of a lens supported on the base may be abutted. A second reference surface projects below th...

A mechanical device adapted for determining the position of an observer by star-sight observations comprising a hollow portable sphere, having a number of sets of pairs of holes, the two holes in each set lying at diametrical extremities by which the sphere can be releasably engaged in a rigid ring, such that the sphere is rotatably mounted in the ring for rotation about an axis passing through the diametrically-opposed holes. A slidable carriage is mounted on the ring for travel in the plane th...

Recording apparatus for "dubbing" (recording from one to the other) onto a customer's magnetic tape cartridge, selected audio and/or video recordings stored in the apparatus. The apparatus includes means for activating the apparatus, means for selecting the desired recordings, means for identifying and storing data representing the selected recordings for tabulating royalties accrued by playing the selected recording, and magnetic tape cartridge receptacle, transport and recording means for the ...

A gyro system is disclosed in which the system is brought from an "off" position back to full operating speed and known orientation in a short time without requiring any external signal for orientation verification. A fast start procedure is disclosed in which the last known position is employed as the actual starting position of the gyro as well as an aligned procedure in which the last known position is employed as a reference point for faster alignment.

A gauge for determining the height to which grass should be cut is configured as an elongated strip having a reference edge at one end adapted to be placed against the ground. On the strip there are plural sets of different indicia, with two longitudinally spaced apart corresponding discrete markings in each set, one for grass height before cutting and the other for height after cutting. The distances of the two markings in each set from the reference edge follow a three to two ratio. The corres...

A gauge for checking an automobile frame before and after damage to the frame has been repaired has a pair of telescoping tubes suspended from the frame for supporting a pointer which extends transversely from the frame. The pointer is connected to the tubes by a transmission arrangement which will cause the pointer to be displaced when half the distance the tubes are moved relative to one another. By using three, or more, gauges together with a datum line disposed extending beside the vehicle t...

An edge finder adapted to be secured to the chuck of a tool such as a drill press, vertical mill, jig bore and the like, to permit the user to align the center line of the rotating tool with an edge of a work piece. A housing is provided which is adapted to be secured within the chuck or like securing means on the rotatable spindle of the tool. A slide is provided in sliding abutment with an end of the housing and is yieldably held against the end of the housing by means of a spring thereby perm...

A contour interpolator and distance divider comprising an instrument which converts a mathematical operation directly into a graphic solution, including a scale device where there are a plurality of scales extending in parallel relation running in consecutive numbers in opposite directions and an adjustably mounted instrument support positioned in relation to the scales and cooperating therewith to adjustably position over the scales a plotting instrument from which contour interpolations may be...

A device for measuring distances is provided wherein, after calibration of the device, a cursor mounted on an elongate movable wand is moved to the point whose distance from a datum point is to be determined. A resistor extends along the length of the wand and an electrical contact on the cursor makes point contact with the resistor. The contact and resistor form a potentiometer whose output varies directly with the position of the cursor. A digital voltmeter connected to the output of the poten...

A weapon sight having a peep sight mounted to a flexible, curved transverse ross-section bar movable across a curved surface interior to a housing. The flexible bar, which is preset and locked at a fixed range, is stored horizontally below the cover of the housing and assumes a vertical position with the peep sight at the fixed range when the cover is opened. A protuberance from the other end of the bar produces an audible and tactile indication of fixed variations in range. The range adjustment...