Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2
                                                                Draft of 7/18/01

                              TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

         THIS TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
__________, 2001 between Thermo Electron Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Thermo Electron"), and Viasys Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Viasys").

         WHEREAS, Thermo Electron and Viasys have entered into a Plan and
Agreement of Distribution dated as of ___________, 2001 (the "Distribution
Agreement") providing for the distribution of all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Viasys Common Stock (as defined below) owned by Thermo Electron to
Thermo Electron's shareholders in accordance with the Distribution Agreement
(the "Distribution");

         WHEREAS, prior to the Distribution, the Thermo Electron Group and the
Viasys Group, each as defined below, were part of an affiliated group of
corporations that filed consolidated and combined Returns (as defined below) and
of which Thermo Electron was the common parent, within the meaning of Section
1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

         WHEREAS, Thermo Electron and Viasys desire to set forth their agreement
regarding the allocation between the Thermo Electron Group and the Viasys Group
of all responsibilities, liabilities and benefits relating to or affecting Taxes
(as defined below) paid or payable by either of them for all taxable periods.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions
and covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         1. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings given them in the Distribution Agreement. As used in this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "Affiliate" of any person means any person, corporation,
partnership or other entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or
under common control with such person.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or,
as the context may require, the Internal Revenue Code applicable to the taxable
year in question.

                  "Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.

                  "Distribution Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the
preamble hereto.

                  "Distribution Date" has the meaning set forth in the
Distribution Agreement.

                  "Final Determination" shall mean the final resolution of
liability for any Tax for a taxable period, (i) by Internal Revenue Service Form
870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or
on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of any other
jurisdiction; except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form that reserves
(whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file
a claim for refund and/or the right of the taxing authority to assert a further
deficiency shall not constitute a Final Determination; (ii) by a decision,
judgment, decree, or other order by a court of

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competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (iii) by a
closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of
the Code, or comparable agreements under the laws of other jurisdictions; (iv)
by any allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but
only after the expiration of all periods during which such refund may be
recovered (including by way of offset) by the Taxing Authority; or (v) by any
other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable
statute of limitations or by mutual agreement of the parties.

                  "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.

                  "Post-Distribution Act" means any event or transaction (or the
execution of an agreement, letter of intent or option providing for a
transaction) in which Viasys participates after the Distribution and in which
any of the following occurs:

                          (i) Viasys transfers a material portion of its assets
(other than a transfer of assets in the ordinary course of business) within two
years following the Distribution Date;

                          (ii) Viasys merges with another corporation within two
years following the Distribution Date;

                          (iii) within two years following the Distribution
Date, Viasys discontinues a material portion of its historic business activities
including the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of respiratory care, neuro
care and critical care/OEM products;

                          (iv) within one year following the Distribution Date,
a material portion of the shares of Viasys Common Stock distributed in the
Distribution is converted into (or redeemed or exchanged for) any other stock,
any security, any property or cash; or

                          (v) within two years following the Distribution Date,
Viasys issues its capital stock in one or more issuances, whether incident to a
stock offering, an acquisition transaction, or otherwise which causes the
aggregate amount of shares issued or acquired in all such transactions to
represent a greater-than-[ten-percent] interest in the total issued and
outstanding stock of Viasys determined in accordance with Section 355(d)(4) of
the Code as of the Distribution Date without Viasys having delivered to Thermo
Electron an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to Thermo Electron to the
effect that such Post-Distribution Act will not cause Section 355(e) of the Code
to apply with respect to the Distribution, which opinion shall be in such form
and based upon such factual representations and assumptions as may be reasonably
acceptable to Thermo Electron.

                 "Post-Distribution Taxes" means any and all liability for
Taxes of the Viasys Group or the Thermo Electron Group, as appropriate, other
than for Pre-Distribution Taxes.

                 "Pre-Distribution Taxes" means any and all Taxes of the Thermo
Electron Group or the Viasys Group, as appropriate, for all periods that ended
on or prior to the Distribution Date. For purposes of computing the amount of
Pre-Distribution Taxes in the case of a Tax period that begins before and ends
after the Distribution Date, the amount of Taxes considered to

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have accrued with respect to the portion of the Tax period that ended on the
Distribution Date shall be determined as follows:

                 (i) In the case of any ad valorem, personal property and real
property Taxes, an amount of such Tax for the entire Tax period multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the portion of the Tax
period ended on the Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the number
of days in the entire Tax period, provided that such allocation of Taxes shall
be appropriately adjusted to reflect any material acquisitions or dispositions
of property during the Tax period;

                 (ii) In the case of any Tax other than ad valorem, personal
property and real property Taxes or any withholding Tax, the amount that would
be payable if the relevant Tax period ended on the Distribution Date; and

                 (iii) In the case of any withholding Tax, the amount of Taxes
required to be withheld which relates to any payment by any member of the Thermo
Electron Group or the Viasys Group on or before the Distribution Date.

        Any credits relating to a Tax period that begins before and ends after
the Distribution Date shall be taken into account as though the relevant Tax
period ended on the Distribution Date.

        "Returns" means all returns, reports and information statements
(including all exhibits and schedules thereto) required to be filed with a
Taxing Authority with respect to any Taxes.

                  "Second Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Viasys-Caused Taxes".

                  "Tax Allocation Agreement" means that certain Tax Allocation
Agreement by and between Thermo Electron and Viasys dated as of ______________,
2001.

                  "Taxes" means any income, alternative or add-on minimum tax,
gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise, profits,
license, withholding, payroll, employment, environmental excise, severance,
stamp, transfer, recording occupation, premium, property, value added, windfall
profit tax, custom duty, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest and any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any
Taxing Authority.

                  "Taxing Authority" means any governmental authority
responsible for the imposition of any Tax (domestic or foreign).

                  "Thermo Electron" has the meaning set forth in the preamble
hereto.

                  "Thermo Electron Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock,
$1.00 par value per share of Thermo Electron.

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                  "Thermo Electron Common Stock Options" shall mean options to
acquire Thermo Electron Common Stock.

                  "Thermo Electron Group" means Thermo Electron and the Thermo
Electron Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, Kadant Inc. ("Kadant")
shall be deemed to be a part of the Thermo Electron Group regardless of when the
Second Distribution occurs.

                  "Thermo Electron Subsidiaries" means all subsidiaries of
Thermo Electron, other than Viasys and the Viasys Group.

                  "Thermo Electron Tax" means any Tax for which Thermo Electron
or any member of the Thermo Electron Group is responsible under Section 2
hereof.

                  "Transition Services Agreement" means that certain Transition
Services Agreement by and between Thermo Electron and Viasys dated as of
_____________, 2001.

                  "Viasys" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

                  "Viasys Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, $0.01 par
value per share of Viasys.

                  "Viasys Group" means Viasys and the Viasys Subsidiaries.

                  "Viasys Subsidiaries" means all subsidiaries of Viasys.

                  "Viasys Tax" means any Tax for which Viasys or any member of
the Viasys Group is responsible under Section 2 hereof.

                  "Viasys-Caused Taxes" means any liability for Taxes incurred
by the Thermo Electron Group or the Viasys Group arising from or attributable to
any of the transactions that are directly related to either the Distribution or
to the distribution of the Kadant stock owned by Thermo Electron to Thermo
Electron's shareholders (the "Second Distribution") (including, without
limitation, the contribution and/or licensing of assets to Viasys or Kadant by
Thermo Electron, the recapitalization of Viasys or Kadant and the Distribution
or the Second Distribution itself) failing to qualify as a tax-free transaction
under Code Sections 351, 355, 361 or 368 (or any comparable provisions of state
law), but only if such failure (i) was caused by an act that occurred after the
Distribution and in which Viasys participated; [(ii) was attributable to Viasys
failing to undertake an offering of at least [ten percent] of its outstanding
shares within twelve months following the Distribution Date (or such later date
as the IRS may indicate in a written supplement to the private letter ruling
designated as PLR 108328-00)]; or (iii) was otherwise attributable to one or
more of the representations contained in Section 8 hereof failing to be true.
For purposes of this definition, (a) if any failure to so qualify occurs and
Viasys has participated in a Post-Distribution Act, such failure shall be deemed
to have been caused by Viasys's participation in the Post-Distribution Act
unless established to the contrary by clear and convincing evidence that the
Post-Distribution Act did not cause the failure to qualify as a tax free
transaction under Code Sections 351, 355, 361 or 368; (b) all transactions
described in the request for ruling submitted to the Internal Revenue Service
and dated April 7, 2000 (including supplemental information submitted in
connection therewith) shall be included as transactions

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considered to be directly related to the Distribution or the Second
Distribution (as appropriate); and [(c) the failure to qualify as a
tax-free transaction pursuant to Code Sections 351, 355, 361 and 368 shall be
considered to have been caused or attributable to an act or omission by Viasys
if the transaction would have so qualified but for the act or omission].
Viasys-Caused Taxes, as defined above, shall include any increases in Taxes of
the Thermo Electron Group or the Viasys Group for any period to the extent such
increases in Taxes would not have occurred but for the transactions directly
related to the Distribution or the Second Distribution failing to qualify as a
tax free transaction under Sections 351, 355, 361 or 368 of the Code (or
comparable provisions of state law). Thus, for example, if the failure of any of
the transactions to so qualify results in additional income being realized by
the Thermo Electron Group in its tax year that includes the Distribution or the
Second Distribution, but such income is substantially offset by operating losses
or net operating loss carryovers, Viasys-Caused Taxes will include (to the
extent the other requirements of this definition are met) any increase in Taxes
realized by any member of the Thermo Electron Group in subsequent years to the
extent such increase in Taxes would not have been realized had the loss or loss
carryovers not been used in the tax year that includes the Distribution or
Second Distribution.

        2.       OPERATIVE PROVISIONS.

                  (a) Thermo Electron shall indemnify Viasys against and be
responsible for all Post-Distribution Taxes attributable to any member of the
Thermo Electron Group and all Pre-Distribution Taxes other than (i)
Viasys-Caused Taxes and (ii) Pre-Distribution Taxes for which Viasys or any
member of the Viasys Group was responsible under the Tax Allocation Agreement.

                  (b) Viasys shall indemnify Thermo Electron against and shall
be responsible for all Post-Distribution Taxes attributable to any member of the
Viasys Group, all Viasys-Caused Taxes and all Pre-Distribution Taxes for which
Viasys or any member of the Viasys Group was responsible under the Tax
Allocation Agreement.

                  (c) With respect to the tax year of the Thermo Electron Group
that includes the Distribution Date and the tax year of Viasys that commences
immediately following the Distribution Date, the Thermo Electron Group shall
claim on its federal income tax returns the benefit of (i) the graduated tax
rates of Code Section 11, (ii) the $25,000 bracket amount in Code Section 38,
(iii) the $40,000 exemption amount and the $150,000 bracket amount in Code
Section 55, and (iv) the $2,000,000 bracket amount in Code Section 59A and
Viasys shall claim none of such benefits.

                  (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 hereof, for
all tax years through and including 2001, Taxes imposed upon Thermo Electron or
a member of the Thermo Electron Group, or Viasys or a member of the Viasys
Group, that are determined or assessed on a separate company basis, will be the
separate liability of Thermo Electron, Viasys or such member and not subject to
allocation or sharing among other members of the Thermo Electron Group and the
Viasys Group.

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        3. Returns; Refunds; Contest Provisions.

                  (a) Thermo Electron shall have the obligation and the sole
right and full discretion to control (i) the preparation of all Returns that
pertain (in whole or in part) to Pre-Distribution Taxes (including Viasys-Caused
Taxes) and (ii) the defense, settlement or compromise of any audit, examination,
investigation suit, action or other proceeding relating to Pre-Distribution
Taxes (including Viasys-Caused Taxes) and shall be entitled to all refunds of
any Thermo Electron Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
Thermo Electron decides to abandon the defense of, or settle or compromise any
claim relating to, any Viasys Taxes, Thermo Electron shall notify Viasys of such
decision and Viasys shall have ten days to notify Thermo Electron that it
assumes all liability with respect to such Taxes under dispute and wishes to
assume the defense of such audit or other proceedings at its own expense. In the
event that Thermo Electron timely receives such notice from Viasys, it shall use
all reasonable efforts to cooperate so as to facilitate Viasys's handling of
such proceedings.

                  (b) Except as otherwise provided in the Transition Services
Agreement, Viasys shall have the obligation and the sole right and full
discretion to control (i) the preparation of all Returns that pertain
exclusively to Post-Distribution Taxes that are Viasys Taxes and (ii) the
defense, settlement or compromise of any audit, examination, investigation suit,
action or other proceeding relating to Post-Distribution Taxes that are Viasys
Taxes. Viasys shall be entitled to all refunds of any Viasys Taxes.

                  (c) Thermo Electron shall have the obligation and the sole
right and full discretion to control (i) the preparation of all Returns with
respect to Post-Distribution Taxes that are Thermo Electron Taxes and (ii) the
defense, settlement or compromise of any audit, examination, investigation suit,
action or other proceeding relating to Post-Distribution Taxes that are Thermo
Electron Taxes.

        4. AGENCY.

                  Viasys irrevocably designates Thermo Electron (and shall cause
each member of the Viasys Group to irrevocably designate Thermo Electron) as its
agent and attorney in fact (and shall execute any necessary powers of attorney)
for the purpose of taking any and all actions necessary or incidental to the
filing of federal income tax Returns and state unitary or combined Returns for
(i) any period during which any member of the Viasys Group or any predecessor
qualified to file a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar Return with any
member of the Thermo Electron Group and (ii) any period ending on or before the
Distribution Date. Thermo Electron shall keep Viasys reasonably informed of, and
shall reasonably consult with Viasys with respect to, all actions to be taken on
behalf of any member of the Viasys Group. Thermo Electron and Viasys will each
furnish the other any and all information which the other may reasonably request
in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement to determine the amount
of any Tax liability.

        5. CONSISTENT REPORTING.

                  (a) With respect to all taxable periods ending on or prior to
December 31, 2005, Viasys, each member of the Viasys Group and any future
Affiliates thereof shall file

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federal income tax and state income tax Returns in a manner consistent with the
Returns filed (or to be filed) in respect of Pre-Distribution Taxes and in a
manner consistent with the form of the transactions contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement (the "Form") including that the Distribution qualifies
under Section 355 of the Code.

                  (b) To the extent there is an inconsistency or an apparent
inconsistency among the Returns relating to Pre-Distribution Taxes (including
Returns to be filed after the Distribution Date) and/or the Form, Viasys shall
file Returns with respect to Post-Distribution Taxes in the manner directed by
Thermo Electron.

                  (c) Thermo Electron and Viasys agree to contest any proposed
adjustment by any Taxing Authority that is, in the sole judgment of Thermo
Electron, inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 6 or the Form.

        6. COVENANTS OF VIASYS AND THERMO ELECTRON RELATING TO ACTIONS AFTER
THE DISTRIBUTION DATE.

                  (a) Viasys shall, and shall cause each member of the Viasys
Group to, refrain from participating in any Post-Distribution Act without the
prior written consent of Thermo Electron.

                  (b) Viasys and Thermo Electron shall cooperate (and shall
cause each of their Affiliates to cooperate) fully at such time and to the
extent reasonably requested by the other party in connection with the
preparation and filing of any Return or the conduct of any audit, dispute,
proceeding, suit or action in respect of Taxes or other Tax matters. Such
cooperation shall include, without limitation, (i) the retention and provision
on demand of books, records, documentation or other information relating to any
Return until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitation (giving
effect to any extension, waiver, or mitigation thereof) plus two years; (ii) the
execution of any document that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in
connection with the filing of any Return by any member of the Thermo Electron
Group or the Viasys Group or in connection with any audit, examination,
investigation suit, action or other proceeding; and (iii) the use of the
parties' reasonable best efforts to obtain any documentation from a governmental
authority or a third party that may be necessary or helpful in connection with
the foregoing.

        7. VIASYS REPRESENTATIONS. Viasys hereby represents and warrants to
Thermo Electron and each member of the Thermo Electron Group that the
representations and statements made, or to be made, to the IRS in connection
with any ruling obtained, or to be obtained, by Thermo Electron from the IRS
with respect to any transaction contemplated by the Distribution Agreement, as
well as the statements contained in this Section 8 are true and correct in all
material respects on the date hereof:

                  (a) To the best of Viasys's knowledge and belief, no shares of
Viasys Common Stock being distributed in the Distribution will be received by a
shareholder of Thermo Electron in such shareholder's capacity as a creditor,
employee or in any capacity other than that of a shareholder of Thermo Electron.

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                  (b) To the best of Viasys's knowledge and belief, immediately
following the Distribution, no person, group of related persons, or persons who
acted in concert pursuant to a prearranged plan or arrangement will own 50% or
greater of the Thermo Electron Common Stock or the Viasys Common Stock as a
result of purchases of stock within five years of the Distribution Date.

                  (c) Viasys has no plan or intention to issue Viasys Common
Stock, whether incident to a stock offering, an acquisition transaction, or
otherwise, which causes the aggregate amount of Viasys Common Stock issued or
acquired in any such transaction to represent a 50% or greater interest in the
total issued and outstanding Viasys Common Stock within the meaning of Section
355(d)(4) of the Code.

                  (d) Viasys has no plan or intention to liquidate Viasys, to
merge with another corporation or to sell or otherwise dispose of a material
portion of its assets subsequent to the Distribution except in the ordinary
course of business.

                  (e) To the best of Viasys's knowledge and belief, no plan or
intention exists by the shareholders of Thermo Electron to sell, exchange,
transfer by gift, or otherwise dispose of a material portion of either Thermo
Electron Common Stock or Viasys Common Stock held by them (in the aggregate)
subsequent to the Distribution.

                  (f) Following the Distribution, each of Thermo Electron and
Viasys will operate as independent corporations except that certain
administrative and other common activities of the two corporations will be
undertaken by common personnel in accordance with the Transition Services
Agreement. Payments made in connection with all continuing transactions between,
and services provided for, each of Thermo Electron and Viasys will be for fair
market value based on terms and conditions arrived at by the parties bargaining
at arm's length.

                  (g) Viasys has no plan or intention to transfer or
substantially discontinue the historic business of Viasys following the
Distribution.

        8. PAYMENTS. All payments to be made hereunder shall be made in
immediately available funds. Unless otherwise provided herein, any payment
not made when due hereunder shall bear interest from the due date at an annual
rate equal to the prime rate (as determined by FleetBoston Financial Corporation
(or successor organization)) plus 2%, compounded and adjusted monthly. For
purposes of this Agreement, the following payments shall be due at the following
times:

                  (a) Payments due under Section 2 hereof shall be paid within
10 days of the receipt of notice from the party entitled to the payment
indicating the occurrence of the later of (i) a Final Determination relating to
the item or items giving rise to the Tax for which indemnification is made and
(ii) actual payment of the Tax giving rise to the claim for indemnification.

                  (b) In the case of any refunds of Taxes received by a party
other than the party entitled to such refunds pursuant to Section 3 hereof, the
recipient of the refund shall pay the amount of such refund to the other party
within five days of the receipt of such refund.

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        9. RESOLUTION OF CERTAIN DISPUTES. Disagreements between Thermo
Electron and Viasys shall be resolved as quickly as possible and, if not
resolved within thirty days, shall be referred to binding arbitration conducted
by a mutually agreeable accounting firm as soon as practicable thereafter. A
dispute shall be deemed to exist to the extent one party does not affirmatively
agree with the position held by the other party. The parties shall be required
to use their best efforts to resolve any dispute as quickly as possible. The
costs and fees of such arbitrator shall be divided equally except to the extent
a party's position is unreasonable (as determined by the arbitrator) in which
case such party shall bear all expenses (including without limitation such fees)
allocable to such position and the dispute relating thereto.

        10. COSTS AND EXPENSES. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement,
each party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this
Agreement regardless of the beneficiary of the items or services relating to
such costs and expenses.

       11. TERMINATION AND SURVIVAL. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, this Agreement shall remain in effect and its provisions
shall survive for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitation
relating to the assessment of Taxes (giving effect to any extension, waiver or
mitigation thereof) plus two years.

        12. AMENDMENTS; LIMITATION ON WAIVERS.

                  (a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended if, and
only if, such amendment is in writing and signed by Thermo Electron and Viasys.

                  (b) The provisions of this Agreement may be waived only if the
waiver is in writing and signed by the party making the waiver. No delay or
omission in exercising any right under this Agreement will operate as a waiver
of the right on any further occasion. No waiver of any particular provision of
this Agreement will be treated as a waiver of any other provision, and no waiver
of any right will be deemed a continuing waiver of the same right with respect
to subsequent occurrences that give rise to such right. All rights given by this
Agreement are cumulative to other rights provided for in this Agreement and to
any other rights available under applicable law.

        13. GOVERNING LAW AND INTERPRETATION. This Agreement shall be
governed by, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (regardless of the laws that might be applicable
under conflict of law principles).

        14. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each party shall hold and shall cause its
consultants and advisors to hold in strict confidence, unless compelled to
disclose by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of its
counsel, by other requirements of law, all information (other than any such
information relating solely to the business or affairs of such party) concerning
the other parties hereto furnished it by such other party or its representatives
pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be
shown to have been (a) in the public domain through no fault of the party to
which it was furnished or (b) later lawfully acquired from other sources by the
party to which it was furnished), and each party shall not release or disclose
such information to any other person, except its auditors, attorneys, financial
advisors, bankers and other consultants and advisors who shall be advised of the
provisions of this Section 15. Each

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party shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold confidential
information concerning or supplied by the other party if it exercises the same
care as it takes to preserve confidentiality for its own similar information.

        15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but both of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

        16. ASSIGNMENTS AND THIRD-PARTY BENEFIT. This Agreement and the terms
and provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

        17. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, condition or covenant of this
Agreement, or the application thereof to any party or circumstance shall be
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void,
the remainder of this instrument, or the application of such term, provision,
condition or covenant to persons or circumstances other than those as to whom
or to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby,
and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to
the fullest extent permitted by law.

        18. MERGER OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS.

                  (a) This Agreement contains all of the terms and provisions
and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior written, oral or implied
understandings, representations and agreements of the parties relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement including the Tax Allocation Agreement. Without
limiting the foregoing, the parties acknowledge and agree that in the event of
any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the
provisions of the Distribution Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement,
the provisions of this Agreement shall control and to such extent shall be
deemed to supersede such conflicting provisions under the Distribution Agreement
or the Transition Services Agreement.

                  (b) The parties acknowledge that pursuant hereto, any and all
existing tax sharing agreements or arrangements binding or benefiting Viasys
including the Tax Allocation Agreement shall be terminated as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date, and that after the Distribution Date this
Agreement shall constitute the sole tax sharing agreement among Thermo Electron
and Viasys.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                           THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION

                                           By: _________________________________

                                           Name:________________________________

                                           Title:_______________________________

                                           VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                                           By: _________________________________
                                           Randy H. Thurman
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       11<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4
                                                                Draft of 7/18/01

                                RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                              DATED ________, 2001

                                     BETWEEN

                             VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                                       AND

                            -----------------------,

                                 AS RIGHTS AGENT

<PAGE>   2

RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of ________, 2001 (the "Agreement"), between Viasys
Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and ______________, a
_____________, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").

                               W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, on ________, 2001 the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each share of
Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding at the close of
business on ________, 2001 (the "Record Date"), and authorized the issuance of
one Right (as such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions
of Section 11(i) or Section 11(p) hereof) for each share of Common Stock of the
Company issued between the Record Date (whether originally issued or delivered
from the Company's treasury) and the earlier of the Distribution Date or the
Expiration Date, each Right initially representing the right to purchase one
ten-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of
the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the form of
Certificate of Designations attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the "Rights");

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     Section 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms have the meanings indicated:

         (a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, together
with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner
of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not
include (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee
benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) any Person
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan, or (v) the Exempted Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x)
no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of
Common Stock by the Company that, by reducing the number of shares outstanding,
increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person
to 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock of the Company then outstanding;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 15% or
more of the shares of Common Stock of the Company then outstanding as the result
of an acquisition of Common Stock by the Company and shall, following written
notice from, or public disclosure by the Company of such share purchases by the
Company become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Stock of the
Company and shall then beneficially own 15% or more of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding, then such Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring
Person" and (y) if the Board determines in good faith that a Person who would
otherwise be an "Acquiring Person," as defined pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person
divests as promptly as practicable (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors), but in any event within 15 Business Days, following receipt of
written notice from the Company of such event, of Beneficial Ownership of a
sufficient number of shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer
be an "Acquiring Person," as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of
this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be

<PAGE>   3

deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement unless
and until such Person shall again become an "Acquiring Person."

         (b) "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         (c) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") as in
effect on the date of this Agreement.

         (d) "Adjustment Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(ii).

         (e) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be
deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:

                  (i) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
         Associates, directly or indirectly, owns or has the right to acquire
         (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the
         passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
         understanding (other than customary agreements with and between
         underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide
         public offering of securities), whether or not in writing, or upon the
         exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, other rights, warrants
         or options, or otherwise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be
         deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," (A)
         securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or
         on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
         Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or
         exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any
         time prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, or (C) securities
         issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after the occurrence of a
         Triggering Event which Rights were acquired by such Person or any of
         such Person's Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date
         or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof (the "Original
         Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) hereof in connection with an
         adjustment made with respect to any Original Rights;

                  (ii) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
         Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of
         or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3
         of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, or any
         comparable or successor rule), including pursuant to any agreement,
         arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and
         between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona
         fide public offering of securities), whether or not in writing;
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial
         Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any security under this
         subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement, arrangement or
         understanding to vote such security if such agreement, arrangement or
         understanding: (A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent
         given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made
         pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the
         General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, and (B) is not
         then reportable by

                                       2
<PAGE>   4

         such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any
         comparable or successor report); or

                  (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
         any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which
         such Person (or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any
         agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than customary
         agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with
         respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) whether or not in
         writing, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant
         to a revocable proxy or consent as described in the proviso to
         subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (e)) or disposing of any voting
         securities of the Company.

For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock
of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with
the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(l)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act.

         (f) "Board" shall have the meaning set forth in the WHEREAS clause at
the beginning of this Agreement.

         (g) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.

         (h) "Close of business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., New
York time, on such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such date is not a Business
Day it shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

         (i) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.01 par value, of the
Company, except that "Common Stock" when used with reference to any Person other
than the Company shall mean the capital stock of such Person with the greatest
voting power, or the equity securities or other equity interest having power to
control or direct the management, of such Person.

         (j) "Common stock equivalents" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

         (k) "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph hereof.

         (l) "Current market price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(d)(i) hereof.

         (m) "Current Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.

                                       3
<PAGE>   5

         (n) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3(a) hereof.

         (o) "Equivalent Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(b) hereof.

         (p) "Exchange Act" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(c)
hereof.

         (q) "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a)
hereof.

         (r) "Exempted Person" shall mean Thermo Electron Corporation ("Thermo
Electron"), which, as of the date hereof, beneficially owns all of the Common
Stock of the Company outstanding as of the date hereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
Thermo Electron shall immediately cease to be an Exempted Person for all
purposes hereunder on the first Business Day after the date on which Thermo
Electron distributes to its stockholders of all of the shares of the Company's
Common Stock (together with the Rights associated therewith) then held by Thermo
Electron.

         (s) "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)
hereof.

         (t) "Final Expiration Date" shall mean the close of business on
__________, 2011.

         (u) "Permitted Offer" shall mean a tender offer or an exchange offer
for all outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and on terms determined,
prior to the consummation of such tender offer or exchange offer, by directors
constituting at least 75% of all of the members of the Board, after receiving
advice from a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the
Board, to be (a) at a price that is fair to stockholders (taking into account
all factors that such members of the Board deem relevant including, without
limitation, prices that could reasonably be achieved if the Company or its
assets were sold on an orderly basis designed to realize maximum value) and (b)
otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

         (v) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership,
trust, association, limited liability company or other entity.

         (w) "Preferred Stock" shall mean shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company having the rights
and preferences set forth in the form of Certificate of Designations attached to
this Agreement as EXHIBIT A and, to the extent that there is not a sufficient
number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock authorized to
permit the full exercise of the Rights, any other series of Preferred Stock,
$.01 par value, of the Company designated for such purpose containing terms
substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock.

         (x) "Principal Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b)
hereof.

         (y) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>   6

         (z) "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the WHEREAS
clause at the beginning of this Agreement.

         (aa) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a)
hereof.

         (bb) "Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
23(a) hereof.

         (cc) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the WHEREAS clause at
the beginning of this Agreement.

         (dd) "Rights Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph hereof.

         (ee) "Rights Certificates" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3(a) hereof.

         (ff) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean an acquisition of Common
Stock described in the first sentence of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

         (gg) "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.

         (hh) Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in clauses (x),
(y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.

         (ii) "Spread" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof.

         (jj) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without
limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) by
the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if such Person is deemed not to be an Acquiring Person
pursuant to clause (y) of Section 1(a) hereof, no Stock Acquisition Date shall
be deemed to have occurred.

         (kk) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any
corporation or other entity of which an amount of voting securities sufficient
to elect at least a majority of the directors (or comparable body) of such
corporation or other entity is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
such Person, or otherwise controlled by such Person.

         (ll) "Substitution Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.

         (mm) "Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i)
hereof.

         (nn) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event or any
Section 13 Event.

                                       5
<PAGE>   7

     Section 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who,
in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the Distribution Date also
be the holders of the Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and conditions
hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may
from time to time appoint such Co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or
desirable upon 10 days' prior written notice to the Rights Agent. The Rights
Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and shall in no event be liable for, the
acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agent.

     Section 3. ISSUANCE OF RIGHTS.

         (a) Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth
Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth Business Day
after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close of
business on the Record Date), or (ii) the close of business on the tenth
Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board)
after the date that a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person organized, appointed or
established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is
first published or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof, such
Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding, in either instance other than pursuant to a Permitted
Offer (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein referred to as the "Distribution
Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced by the certificates for the Common
Stock registered in the names of the holders of the Common Stock (which
certificates for Common Stock shall be deemed also to be certificates for
Rights) and not by separate certificates, and (y) the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares of
Common Stock (including a transfer to the Company). As soon as practicable after
the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will send by first-class, insured,
postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of the close
of business on the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the
records of the Company, one or more rights certificates, in substantially the
form of EXHIBIT B hereto (the "Rights Certificates"), evidencing one Right for
each share of Common Stock so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein.
With respect to certificates for the Common Stock outstanding as of the close of
business on the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced by such certificates for the Common Stock and the registered holders
of the Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated
Rights. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common
Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or expiration
of the Rights, the Company (i) shall, with respect to shares of Common Stock so
issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee
benefit plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities granted or issued by the Company prior to the Distribution Date, and
(ii) may, in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board,
issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in
connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (x) no such
Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall
be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of
material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such
Rights Certificate would be issued, and (y) no such Rights Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have
been made

                                       6
<PAGE>   8

in lieu of the issuance thereof. In the event that an adjustment in the
number of Rights per share of Common Stock has been made pursuant to Sections
11(i) or 11(p) hereof, at the time of distribution of the Rights Certificates,
the Company shall make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in
accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing
only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any
fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.

         (b) As promptly as practicable following the Record Date, the Company
will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock, in
substantially the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT C, by first-class,
postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of the Common Stock as of the close
of business on the Record Date, at the address of such holder shown on the
records of the Company. The failure to send a copy of the Summary of Rights
shall not affect the enforceability of any part of this Rights Agreement or the
rights of any holder of the Rights.

         (c) Rights shall be issued (i) in respect of all shares of Common Stock
that are issued (either as an original issuance or from the Company's treasury)
after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date or the
Expiration Date and (ii) in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of
Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or
expiration of the Rights (x) with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or
sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under any employee benefit
plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities,
granted or issued by the Company prior to the Distribution Date and (y) with
respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold in any other case, if deemed
necessary or appropriate by the Board. Certificates representing such shares of
Common Stock (including, without limitation, certificates issued upon transfer
or exchange of Common Stock) shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights,
and shall bear the following legend:

                  This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof
                  to certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between
                  Viasys Healthcare Inc. the "Company") and ______________ (the
                  "Rights Agent") dated ________, 2001, as the same may be
                  amended, restated or renewed from time to time (the "Rights
                  Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein
                  by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal
                  offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set
                  forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced
                  by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by
                  this certificate. The Company will mail to the holder of this
                  certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on
                  the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of
                  a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances set
                  forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by,
                  any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any
                  Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in
                  the Rights Agreement), whether currently held by or on behalf
                  of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null
                  and void.

                                       7
<PAGE>   9

With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date and (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of Common Stock
shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights. Notwithstanding
this Section 3(c), the omission of a legend shall not affect the enforceability
of any part of this Rights Agreement or the rights of any holder of the Rights.

         (d) Until the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date,
the transfer of any certificates representing shares of Common Stock in respect
of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute the transfer of the
Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock. In the event that the
Company purchases or acquires any shares of Common Stock after the Record Date
but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such shares of
Common Stock shall be deemed cancelled and retired so that the Company shall not
be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock
that are no longer outstanding.

     Section 4. FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.

         (a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase,
certification and assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be
substantially in the form set forth in EXHIBIT B hereto and may have such marks
of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange or over-the-counter market on which the
Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the
provisions of Sections 7, 11 and 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever
distributed, shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth therein at
the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one ten-thousandth of a
share, the "Purchase Price"), but the amount and type of securities purchasable
upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject
to adjustment as provided herein.

         (b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3, Section 11(i)
or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by persons known
to be: (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring
Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or
(iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring
Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer
(whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of
equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom such
Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
(whether or not in writing) regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer
that the Board has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
(whether or not in writing) that has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of
Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or
Section 11 hereof upon

                                       8
<PAGE>   10

transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights
Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible)
the following legend:

                  The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were
                  beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring
                  Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as
                  such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly,
                  this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may
                  become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section
                  7(e) of such Agreement.

The provisions of Section 7(e) hereof shall be operative whether or not the
foregoing legend is contained on any such Rights Certificate.

     Section 5.   COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION.

         (a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company
by its Chairman of the Board, President or any Vice President, either manually
or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or
a facsimile thereof, which shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights
Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not
be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the
Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be
such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and
issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless,
may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company
with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Rights
Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights
Certificates may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the
actual date of the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of
the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

         (b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent shall keep or
cause to be kept, at its office designated as the appropriate place for
surrender of Rights Certificates upon exercise or transfer, books for
registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates issued hereunder. Such
books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Rights
Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Rights
Certificates, the Rights Certificate number and the date of each of the Rights
Certificates.

     Section 6.   TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHTS
CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.

         (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section
14 hereof, at any time after the close of business on the Distribution Date, and
at or prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date, any Rights
Certificate or Certificates (other than Rights Certificates representing Rights
that have become void pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof or that have been
exchanged pursuant to Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined
or

                                       9
<PAGE>   11

exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling the
registered holder to purchase a like number of one ten-thousandth of a share of
Preferred Stock (or, following a Triggering Event, Common Stock, other
securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as the Rights Certificate
or Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder (or former holder in the
case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer,
split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate or Certificates shall make
such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the
Rights Certificate or Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or
exchanged, with the form of assignment and certificate appropriately executed,
at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the
Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever
with respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate until
the registered holder shall have completed and signed the certificate contained
in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Rights Certificate and
shall have provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial
Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the
Company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to
Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof, countersign and deliver to the
Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as the case
may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates.

         (b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company
and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon
surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if
mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like
tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered
owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

     Section 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF RIGHTS.

         (a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any Rights
Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise
provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions on
exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23
hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon
surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and
the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent
at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with
payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect to the total number of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or other shares, securities, cash
or other assets, as the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are
then exercisable, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the Final Expiration Date,
(ii) the time at which the Rights expire as provided in Section 13(d) hereof,
(iii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof
(the "Redemption Date") and (iv) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as
provided in Section 24 hereof (the earliest of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) being
herein referred to as the "Expiration Date").

                                       10
<PAGE>   12

         (b) The Purchase Price for each one ten-thousandth of a share of
Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $_____
and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11
and 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of
America in accordance with paragraph (c) below.

         (c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate duly executed,
accompanied by payment, with respect to each Right so exercised, of the Purchase
Price per one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or other shares,
securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased and an
amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, the Rights Agent shall, subject to
Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer
agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if the Rights Agent
is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total number of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock to be purchased and the Company
hereby authorizes its transfer agent to comply with such requests, or (B) if the
Company shall have elected to deposit the total number of shares of Preferred
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent,
requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such
number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be
purchased (in which case certificates for the shares of Preferred Stock
represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the
depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs the depositary agent to comply
with such requests, (ii) requisition from the Company the amount of cash, if
any, to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14
hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause
the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such
Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by
such holder, and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The payment
of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section
11(a)(iii) hereof) may be made in cash or by certified bank check or money order
payable to the order of the Company. In the event that the Company is obligated
to issue other securities (including Common Stock) of the Company, pay cash
and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company
shall make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or
other property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when
appropriate.

         (d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate shall
exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the registered
holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be
designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.

         (e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, from
and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, any Rights
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an
Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with
the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either
(A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to
holders of equity interests in such Acquiring

                                       11
<PAGE>   13

Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing)
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer that the Board has determined
is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) that
has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become
null and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall have
any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision
of this Agreement or otherwise. No Rights Certificate shall be issued at any
time upon the transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person whose Rights would
be void pursuant to the preceding sentence or any Associate or Affiliate thereof
or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person, Associate or Affiliate; and any
Rights Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent for transfer to an Acquiring
Person whose Rights would be void pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be
cancelled. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to insure that the
provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but
shall have no liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as
a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring
Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.

         (f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with
respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported transfer or
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate following the form of assignment or
election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate
surrendered for such assignment or exercise, and (ii) provided such additional
evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or
any Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.

     Section 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. All
Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
cancelled Rights Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request
of the Company, destroy such cancelled Rights Certificates, and in such case
shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

     Section 9. RESERVATION AND AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL STOCK.

         (a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved
and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock
(and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its authorized and
unissued shares of Common Stock and/or other securities or out of its authorized
and issued shares held in its treasury), the number of shares of Preferred Stock
(and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other
securities) that, as provided in this Agreement including Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding
Rights.

                                       12
<PAGE>   14

         (b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, Common Stock and/or other securities)
issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any
national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Company shall
use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become
exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be so listed upon official
notice of issuance upon such exercise.

         (c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon as
practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to be delivered by the Company upon
exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution Date, as the
case may be, a registration statement under the Act, with respect to the
securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii)
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable
after such filing, (iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective
(with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the
earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for
such securities, and (B) the Expiration Date, and (iv) obtain such regulatory
approvals as may be necessary for it to issue securities purchasable upon the
exercise of the Rights. The Company will also take such action as may be
appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky"
laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights.
The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days
after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section
9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such
registration statement and permit it to become effective or to obtain any other
required regulatory approval in connection with the exercisability of the
Rights. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement
stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as
well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in
effect. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the
Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite
registration or qualification in such jurisdiction shall have been effected or
obtained.

         (d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action
as may be necessary to ensure that all one ten-thousandth of a share of
Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common
Stock and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the
time of delivery of the certificates for such shares (subject to payment of the
Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
nonassessable.

         (e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due
and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges that may be
payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates and of
any certificates for a number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred
Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the
exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required (i) to pay any
transfer tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of
Rights Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a
number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name other than
that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificate evidencing

                                       13
<PAGE>   15

Rights surrendered for exercise or (ii) to issue or deliver any certificates
for a number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) in a name other
than that of the registered holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such
tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by the holder of such
Rights Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to
the Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.

     Section 10. PREFERRED STOCK RECORD DATE. Each Person in whose name any
certificate for a number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued upon the
exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of
record of such fractional shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or
other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered with the forms of election and
certification duly executed and payment of the Purchase Price (and all
applicable transfer taxes) was made; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the date of such
surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are
closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such
shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be dated, the
next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are
open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a
Rights Certificate, as such, shall not be entitled to any rights of a
stockholder of the Company with respect to securities for which the Rights shall
be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to receive
dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall
not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except
as provided herein.

     Section 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND KIND OF SHARES OR
NUMBER OF RIGHTS. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares covered by
each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from
time to time as provided in this Section 11.

                  (a)   (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the
                  date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred
                  Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the
                  outstanding Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding
                  Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (D) issue
                  any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the
                  Preferred Stock (including any such reclassification in
                  connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company
                  is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as
                  otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e)
                  hereof, the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record
                  date for such dividend or of the effective date of such
                  subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number
                  and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the
                  case may be, issuable on such date, shall be proportionately
                  adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such
                  time shall be entitled to receive, upon payment of the
                  Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind
                  of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may
                  be, that, if such Right had been exercised immediately

                                       14
<PAGE>   16

                  prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Stock
                  transfer books of the Company were open, he would have owned
                  upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of
                  such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification.
                  If an event occurs that would require an adjustment under both
                  this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, the
                  adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall be in
                  addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment
                  required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.

                       (ii) Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the
                  event that any Person, alone or together with its Affiliates
                  or Associates, becomes an Acquiring Person (other than
                  pursuant to a Permitted Offer), then, promptly following the
                  first occurrence of such event, proper provision shall be made
                  so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below and
                  in Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to
                  receive (subject to the last sentence of Section 23(a)), upon
                  exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in
                  accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of a
                  number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock,
                  such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company that
                  equals the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current
                  Purchase Price by the then number of one ten-thousandth of a
                  share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
                  immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section
                  11(a)(ii) Event, and (y) dividing that product (which,
                  following such first occurrence, shall thereafter be referred
                  to as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes
                  of this Agreement) by 50% of the current market price
                  (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of
                  Common Stock on the date of such first occurrence (such number
                  of shares, the "Adjustment Shares").

                       (iii) In the event that the number of shares of Common
                  Stock that are authorized by the Company's Certificate of
                  Incorporation but not outstanding or reserved for issuance for
                  purposes other than upon exercise of the Rights are not
                  sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in
                  accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this
                  Section 11(a), the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of
                  (1) the value of the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the
                  exercise of a Right (the "Current Value") over (2) the
                  Purchase Price (such excess, the "Spread"), and (B) with
                  respect to each Right, make adequate provision to substitute
                  for the Adjustment Shares, upon payment of the applicable
                  Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase
                  Price, (3) Common Stock or other equity securities of the
                  Company (including, without limitation, shares, or units of
                  shares, of preferred stock that the Board has deemed to have
                  the same value as shares of Common Stock (such shares of
                  preferred stock, "common stock equivalents")), (4) debt
                  securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any
                  combination of the foregoing, having an aggregate value equal
                  to the Current Value, where such aggregate value has been
                  determined by the Board based upon the advice of a nationally
                  recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board;
                  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if the Company shall not have made adequate
                  provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within
                  30 days following the later of (x) the first occurrence of a
                  Section 11(a)(ii) Event and (y) the date on which the
                  Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a)
                  expires (the

                                       15
<PAGE>   17
                  later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the "Section
                  11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the Company shall be obligated
                  to deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and
                  without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of
                  Common Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary,
                  cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal
                  to the Spread. If the Board shall determine in good faith that
                  it is likely that sufficient additional shares of Common Stock
                  could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the
                  Rights, the 30 day period set forth above may be extended to
                  the extent necessary, but not more than 90 days after the
                  Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may
                  seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such
                  additional shares (such period, as it may be extended, the
                  "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company
                  determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the
                  first and/or second sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii), the
                  Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof,
                  that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding
                  Rights, and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights
                  until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to
                  seek any authorization of additional shares and/or to decide
                  the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to
                  such first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the
                  event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public
                  announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has
                  been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement
                  at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For
                  purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of the Common
                  Stock shall be the current market price (as determined
                  pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of the Common
                  Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the value of
                  any "common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have the same
                  value as the Common Stock on such date.

         (b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of
rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after
such record date) Preferred Stock (or shares having the same rights, privileges
and preferences as the shares of Preferred Stock ("equivalent preferred stock"))
or securities convertible into Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred stock at
a price per share of Preferred Stock or per share of equivalent preferred stock
(or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into
Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred stock) less than the current market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred
Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record
date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the
number of shares of Preferred Stock that the aggregate offering price of the
total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred stock so
to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price, and
the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional shares of
Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred stock to be offered for subscription
or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are
initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid by delivery
of consideration part or all of which may be in a form other than cash, the
value of such consideration shall be as

                                       16
<PAGE>   18

determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be described
in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all
purposes. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the account of the
Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.
Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed,
and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price that would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.

         (c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a distribution to
all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in
connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing
corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular quarterly
cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the Company), assets
(other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but including any dividend
payable in stock other than Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants
(excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be
in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the current market price (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on such record date, less the
fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination
shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be
conclusive for all purposes) of the portion of the cash, assets or evidences of
indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants
applicable to a share of Preferred Stock and the denominator of which shall be
such current market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per
share of Preferred Stock on such record date. Such adjustments shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such
distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the
Purchase Price that would have been in effect if such record date had not been
fixed.

                  (d)    (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other
                  than computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof,
                  the "current market price" per share of Common Stock on any
                  date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing
                  prices per share of such Common Stock for the 30 consecutive
                  Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately
                  prior to such date, and for purposes of computations made
                  pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market
                  price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed
                  to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of
                  such Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Days
                  immediately following such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in
                  the event that the current market price per share of the
                  Common Stock is determined during a period following the
                  announcement by the issuer of such Common Stock of (A) a
                  dividend or distribution on such Common Stock payable in
                  shares of such Common Stock or securities convertible into
                  shares of such Common Stock (other than the Rights), or (B)
                  any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such
                  Common Stock, and prior to the expiration of the requisite 30
                  Trading Day or 10 Trading Day period, as set forth above,
                  after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution,
                  or the record date for such subdivision, combination or
                  reclassification occurs, then, and in each such case, the
                  "current market price" shall be properly adjusted to take into
                  account ex-dividend or post record date trading. The closing
                  price for each day shall be the

                                       17
<PAGE>   19

                  last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes
                  place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked
                  prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the
                  principal consolidated transaction reporting system with
                  respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the
                  principal national securities exchange on which the shares of
                  Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if the
                  shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading
                  on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or,
                  if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and the low
                  asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by
                  The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq") or such other system
                  then in use, or, if on any such date the shares of Common
                  Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average of
                  the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a
                  professional market maker making a market in the Common Stock
                  selected by the Board. All references in this Section to
                  closing prices, last quoted prices or other stock prices mean
                  prices during regular trading hours, without giving effect to
                  any after-hours or extended hours trading. If on any such date
                  no market maker is making a market in the Common Stock, the
                  fair value of such shares on such date shall be as determined
                  in good faith by the Board, whose determination shall be
                  described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall
                  be conclusive for all purposes. The term "Trading Day" shall
                  mean a day on which Nasdaq or any national securities exchange
                  on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted to
                  trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the
                  shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading
                  on Nasdaq or any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
                  If the Common Stock is not publicly held or not so listed or
                  traded, "current market price" per share shall mean the fair
                  value per share as determined in good faith by the Board,
                  whose determination shall be described in a statement filed
                  with the Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all
                  purposes.

                        (ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the
                  "current market price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be
                  determined in the same manner as set forth above for the
                  Common Stock in clause (i) of this Section 11(d) (other than
                  the last sentence thereof). If the current market price per
                  share of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner
                  provided above or if the Preferred Stock is not publicly held
                  or listed or traded in a manner described in clause (i) of
                  this Section 11(d), the "current market price" per share of
                  Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount
                  equal to 10,000 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted
                  for such events as stock splits, stock dividends and
                  recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock occurring
                  after the date of this Agreement) multiplied by the current
                  market price per share of the Common Stock. If neither the
                  Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly held or so
                  listed or traded, "current market price" per share of the
                  Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per share as
                  determined in good faith by the Board, which determination
                  shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent
                  and shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all purposes of
                  this Agreement, the "current market price" of one
                  ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be equal to
                  the "current market price" of one share of Preferred Stock
                  divided by 10,000.

                                       18
<PAGE>   20

         (e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no adjustment in
the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an
increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that any adjustments that by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be
made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest
cent or to the nearest ten-millionth of a share of Preferred Stock, or
hundred-thousandth of a share of Common Stock or other security, as the case may
be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
years from the date of the transaction that mandates such adjustment, or (ii)
the Expiration Date.

         (f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii)
or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall
become entitled to receive any securities other than Preferred Stock, thereafter
the number of such other securities so receivable upon exercise of any Right and
the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a
manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with
respect to the Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a), (b), (c), (e), (g),
(h), (i), (j), (k) and (m), and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14
hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such
other securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be liable for
its inability to reserve and keep available for issuance upon exercise of the
Rights pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) a number of shares of Common Stock greater
than the number then authorized by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
but not outstanding or reserved for other purposes.

         (g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one ten-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise
of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

         (h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the
calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding immediately
prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one ten-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest ten-millionth) obtained by
(i) multiplying (x) the number of one ten-thousandth of a share covered by a
Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii) dividing
the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.

         (i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment in the
number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the
exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the adjustment in the
number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one ten-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to
such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the
number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest
one-hundred-

                                       19
<PAGE>   21

thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall
make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights,
indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the
amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date on which
the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Rights
Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 days later than the date of
the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each
adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company
shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record
of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates evidencing,
subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall
be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company,
shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and
replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the date
of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new
Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be
entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be distributed shall
be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may
bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be
registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on the
record date specified in the public announcement.

         (j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or
the number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and thereafter
issued may continue to express the Purchase Price per one ten-thousandth of a
share and the number of one ten-thousandth of a share that were expressed in the
initial Rights Certificates issued hereunder.

         (k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing
the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the number of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action that may, in the opinion of
its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue such number of one ten-thousandth of a share of fully paid and
nonassessable Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.

         (l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock and other capital
stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and
above the number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional
shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities upon the occurrence of the event
requiring such adjustment.

         (m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in
addition to those adjustments

                                       20
<PAGE>   22

expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent that in their
good faith judgment the Board shall determine to be advisable in order
that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance
wholly for cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less than the current market
price, (iii) issuance wholly for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities
that by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred
Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants
referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its
Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

         (n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time
after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other than a
Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction that complies with Section 11(o)
hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction that complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii)
sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one
transaction, or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after
such consolidation, merger or sale there are any charter or bylaw provisions or
any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or
agreements in effect that would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate
the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to,
simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger or sale, the
stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the "Principal
Party" for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received a distribution
of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates or
Associates. The Company shall not consummate any consolidation, merger, sale or
transfer described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the prior sentence unless
prior thereto the Company and such other Person shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement evidencing compliance
with this Section 11(n).

         (o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution Date,
it will not, except as permitted by Section 23, Section 24 or Section 27 hereof,
take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is
taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially
or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

         (p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Date and prior to the
Distribution Date (i) declare or pay any dividend on the outstanding shares of
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock
into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated with each share
of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter but prior to
the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number of
Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common Stock following any such
event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights
associated with each share of Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of such event and the
denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately following the occurrence of such event.

                                       21
<PAGE>   23

     Section 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER OF SHARES.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer agent for the Preferred
Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief
summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or, if prior to the
Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing shares of Common
Stock) in accordance with Section 26 hereof. The Rights Agent shall be fully
protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein
contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment unless and
until it shall have received such certificate.

     Section 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR
EARNING POWER.

         (a) In the event that, at any time after a Person has become an
Acquiring Person, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and
into, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction
that complies with Section 11(o) hereof), and the Company shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (y) any
Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction that complies
with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or into, the
Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such consolidation or merger and, in connection with such consolidation or
merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed
into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or cash or
any other property, or (z) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one
or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons (other than the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in each such case and except as
contemplated by Section 13(d) hereof, proper provision shall be made so that:
(i) each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such
number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable and freely
tradeable shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party (as such term is
hereinafter defined), which shall not be subject to any liens, encumbrances,
rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result
obtained by (1) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event has occurred prior to the first occurrence of a Section
13 Event, multiplying the number of such one ten-thousandth of a share for which
a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event by the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such first
occurrence), and (2) dividing that product (which, following the first
occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the "Purchase Price"
for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50% of the current
market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) per share of the
Common Stock of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of such Section
13 Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall
assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and duties of
the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall
thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party,

                                       22
<PAGE>   24

it being specifically intended that, subject to clause (v) below, the
provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party
following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; (iv) such Principal Party
shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a
sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection with the
consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the
provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may
be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock thereafter deliverable upon the
exercise of the Rights; and (v) the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof shall
be of no effect following the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.

                  (b)   "Principal Party" shall mean

                        (i) in the case of any transaction described in clause
                  (x) or (y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person
                  that is the issuer of any securities into which shares of
                  Common Stock of the Company are converted in such merger or
                  consolidation, and if no securities are so issued, the Person
                  that is the other party to such merger or consolidation; and

                        (ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause
                  (z) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that
                  is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or
                  earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or
                  transactions;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of such Person
is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding twelve (12)
month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is
a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is
and has been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person;
(2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than
one Person, the Common Stocks of two or more of which are and have been so
registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the
issuer of the Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value; and (3)
in case such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed
by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same
Person, the rules set forth in (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the
chains of ownership having an interest in such joint venture as if such party
were a "Subsidiary" of both or all of such joint ventures and the Principal
Parties in each such chain shall bear the obligations set forth in this Section
13 in the same ratio as their direct or indirect interests in such Person bear
to the total of such interests.

         (c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger,
sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of
authorized shares of its Common Stock that have not been issued or reserved for
issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with this
Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall
have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement
providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 13
and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of any
consolidation, merger or sale of assets mentioned in paragraph (a) of this
Section 13, the Principal Party will

                                       23
<PAGE>   25

                       (i) prepare and file a registration statement under the
                  Act, with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable
                  upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, and will
                  use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to
                  (A) become effective as soon as practicable after such filing
                  and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
                  meeting the requirements of the Act) until the Expiration
                  Date;

                       (ii) use its best efforts to qualify or register the
                  Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the
                  Rights under the blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as may
                  be necessary or appropriate; and

                       (iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical
                  financial statements for the Principal Party and each of its
                  Affiliates that comply in all respects with the requirements
                  for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act.

The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or
consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a Section 13 Event
shall occur at the same time as, or at any time after, the occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the Rights that have not theretofore been exercised
shall thereafter become exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).

         (d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Section
13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in subparagraphs (x) and
(y) of Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is consummated with a Person or
Persons (or a wholly owned subsidiary of any such Person or Persons) who
acquired shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Permitted Offer, (ii) the price
per share of Common Stock paid in such transaction is not less than the price
per share of Common Stock paid to all holders of shares of Common Stock whose
shares were purchased pursuant to such Permitted Offer, and (iii) the form of
consideration paid in such transaction is the same as the form of consideration
paid pursuant to such Permitted Offer. Upon consummation of any such transaction
contemplated by this Section 13(d), all Rights hereunder shall expire.

     Section 14.   FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES.

         (a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights,
except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(i) or (p)
hereof, or to distribute Rights Certificates that evidence fractional Rights. In
lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of
the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would
otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the
current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional
Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the Rights for
any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale
takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices,
regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are
listed or admitted to trading, or if the Rights are not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so
quoted, the average of the high bid and the low asked

                                       24
<PAGE>   26

prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by Nasdaq or such other
system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by
any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as
furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected
by the Board. All references in this Section to closing prices, last quoted
prices or other stock prices means prices during regular trading hours, without
giving effect to any after-hours or extended hours trading. If on any such date
no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the
Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board shall be used,
which determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights
Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes.

         (b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of
Preferred Stock (other than fractions that are integral multiples of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to
distribute certificates that evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock
(other than fractions that are integral multiples of one ten-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Stock). Fractional shares of Preferred Stock in integral
multiples of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts; provided, however,
that holders of such depositary receipts shall have all of the designations and
the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and
restrictions to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the shares of
Preferred Stock represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional
shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions that are integral multiples of
one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock), the Company shall pay to the
registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised
as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current
market value of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock. For purposes
of this Section 14(b), the current market value of one ten-thousandth of a share
of Preferred Stock shall be one ten-thousandth of the closing price of a share
of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

         (c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company shall
not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of
the Rights or to distribute certificates that evidence fractional shares of
Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall
pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such Rights are
exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market price of 1 share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
such exercise.

         (d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of such Right expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this Section 14.

     Section 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, except the rights of action expressly given to the Rights Agent in
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights
Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common

                                       25
<PAGE>   27

Stock), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to
enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights
evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights
Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any
remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged
that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any
breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the
obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened
violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.

     Section 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS. Every holder of a Right by
accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and
with every other holder of a Right that:

         (a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock;

         (b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or
accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms
and certificates duly completed and fully executed;

         (c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the Company and
the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a Rights
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common Stock
certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights
evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the
Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock certificate made by anyone
other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and
neither the Company nor the Rights Agent, subject to the penultimate sentence of
Section 7(e) hereof, shall be required to be affected by any notice to the
contrary; and

         (d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a
Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent
injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or
enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the Company must use its best
efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order, decree or ruling and to have
any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as
possible.

     Section 17. RIGHTS CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or any other securities of the
Company that may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights
represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights
Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as
such, any of the rights of a stockholder of

                                       26
<PAGE>   28

the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any
matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or
withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or
other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof),
or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or
Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in
accordance with the provisions hereof.

     Section 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT.

         (a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the administration and
execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties
hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to
hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense, incurred without gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for
anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance
and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of
defending against any claim of liability in the premises.

         (b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability
for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection
with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights
Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or
otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof.

     Section 19.   MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS AGENT.

         (a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the
corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent,
shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the
parties hereto; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such corporation would be eligible for
appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21
hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the
agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights
Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in
the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights
Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and
in this Agreement.

                                       27
<PAGE>   29

         (b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed
and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned
but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its
prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that
time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the
Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name
or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall
have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.

     Section 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent undertakes the
duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

         (a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken
or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

         (b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter
(including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and the
determination of "current market price") be proved or established by the Company
prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless
other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be
deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any
Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization
to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under
the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

         (c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

         (d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Rights
Certificates or be required to verify the same (except as to its
countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and
recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

         (e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect
of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except
the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or
execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor
shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or
condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it
be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 11,
Section 13 or Section 24 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount
of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would
require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights
evidenced by Rights Certificates after receipt of a certificate describing any
such adjustment, delivered pursuant to Section 12); nor shall it by any act
hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the
authorization or reservation of any

                                       28
<PAGE>   30

shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this
Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock
or Preferred Stock will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.

         (f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.

         (g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from the
Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, any
Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the Company,
and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its
duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken
by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer. Any
application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may,
at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to
be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent with respect to its duties or
obligations under this Rights Agreement and the date on and/or after which such
action shall be taken or omitted and the Rights Agent shall not be liable for
any action taken or omitted in accordance with a proposal included in any such
application on or after the date specified therein (which date shall not be less
than five Business Days after the date any such officer actually receives such
application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to an
earlier date) unless, prior to taking or omitting any such action, the Rights
Agent has received written instructions in response to such application
specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

         (h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee
of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the
Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent
under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting
in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

         (i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, reasonable care was exercised in the
selection and continued employment thereof.

         (j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if
there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably
assured to it.

                                       29
<PAGE>   31

         (k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form of
assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has not been
completed, the Company and the Rights Agent will deem the beneficial owner of
the rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof and such assignment or election to purchase will
not be honored.

     Section 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to each transfer
agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by registered or certified mail,
and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. The Company
may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice
in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case
may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by
registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights Certificates by
first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall
otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to
the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a
period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been
notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or
incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall,
with such notice, submit his Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company),
then any registered holder of any Rights Certificate may apply to any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor
Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a)
a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States
(or of any state of the United States) in good standing, which is authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is
subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which
has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50,000,000 or (b) an affiliate of a corporation described
in clause (a) of this sentence. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent
shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if
it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but
the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights
Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any
further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later
than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice
thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of
the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing
to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates. Failure to give any notice
provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not
affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights
Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

     Section 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company
may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form
as may be approved by the Board to reflect any adjustment or change in the
Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or
property purchasable under the Rights Certificates made in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement.

                                       30
<PAGE>   32

     Section 23. REDEMPTION.

         (a) The Board may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of
(i) the close of business on the tenth Business Day following the Stock
Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to
the Record Date, the close of business on the tenth Business Day following the
Record Date) and (ii) the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than
all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.001 per Right, as
such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock
dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption
price being hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"). The redemption
of the Rights by the Board may be made effective at such time, on such basis and
with such conditions as the Board in its sole discretion may establish. The
Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, shares of Common
Stock (based on the "current market price," as defined in Section 11(d)(i)
hereof, of the Common Stock at the time of redemption) or any other form of
consideration, or any combination of any of the foregoing, deemed appropriate by
the Board. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
the Rights shall not be exercisable after the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event until such time as the Company's right of redemption hereunder
has expired.

         (b) Immediately upon the action of the Board ordering the redemption of
the Rights, evidence of which shall have been filed with the Rights Agent and
without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the
Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights
shall be to receive the Redemption Price for each Right so held. Promptly after
the action of the Board ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall
give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then
outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at each holder's
last address as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior
to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Transfer Agent for the
Common Stock. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price
will be made.

         (c) In the event of a redemption of the Rights in accordance with this
Agreement, the Company may, at its option, discharge all of its obligations with
respect to the Rights by (i) issuing a press release announcing the manner of
redemption of the Rights in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) mailing
payment of the Redemption Price to the registered holders of the Rights at their
last addresses as they appear on the registry books of the Rights Agent or,
prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the Transfer Agent of
the Common Stock, and upon such action, all outstanding Rights and Right
Certificates shall be null and void without any further action by the Company.

         Section 24. EXCHANGE.

         (a) The Board may, at its option, at any time after a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights
(which (i) shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the
provisions of Section 7(e) hereof, and (ii) shall include, without limitation,
any Rights issued after the Distribution Date) for shares of Common

                                       31
<PAGE>   33

Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right,
appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio being
hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Board shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any
Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee
benefit plan of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common
Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together with all
Affiliates and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or
more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.

         (b) Immediately upon the action of the Board ordering the exchange of
any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 24, evidence of which
shall have been filed with the Rights Agent, and without any further action and
without any notice, the right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the
only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number
of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder
multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice
of any such exchange; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to give, or any defect
in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company
promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such
Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the
Rights Agent. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
exchange shall state the method by which the exchange of shares of Common Stock
for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the
number of Rights that will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected
pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights that have become void
pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of
Rights.

         (c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the Company, at its
option, may substitute Preferred Stock (or equivalent preferred stock, as such
term is defined in Section 11(b) hereof) for shares of Common Stock exchangeable
for Rights, at the initial rate of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred
Stock (or equivalent preferred stock) for each share of Common Stock, as
appropriately adjusted to reflect adjustments in the voting rights of the
Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 3(A) of the Certificate of Designations
attached hereto as EXHIBIT A, so that the fraction of a share of Preferred Stock
(or equivalent preferred stock) delivered in lieu of each share of Common Stock
shall have the same voting rights as one share of Common Stock.

         (d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued
to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section
24, the Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize
additional shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock for issuance upon exchange
of the Rights.

         (e) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of
Common Stock or to distribute certificates that evidence fractional shares of
Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock, there shall be
paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which
such fractional shares of Common Stock would otherwise be issuable, an amount in
cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value

                                       32
<PAGE>   34

of a whole share of Common Stock. For the purposes of this subsection (e),
the current market value of a whole share of Common Stock shall be the
closing price per share of Common Stock (as determined pursuant to the second
sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to
the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.

     Section 25. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.

         (a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the
Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the
holders of Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of
Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or
retained earnings of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred
Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares
of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities,
rights or options, or (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred
Stock (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision of
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or
merger into or with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in
a transaction that complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or to effect any sale or
other transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale
or other transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of
more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or
any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each
holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with
Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the
record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution of rights or
warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger,
sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the
date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock,
if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case
of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least 20 days prior to the
record date for determining holders of the shares of Preferred Stock for
purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least 20
days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of
participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, whichever
shall be the earlier.

         (b) In case a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall occur, then, in any such
case, (i) the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each
holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with
Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify
the event and the consequences of the event to holders of Rights under Section
11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to
Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to refer also to Common Stock and/or,
if appropriate, other securities; provided that the failure to give such notice
shall not affect the validity of such consent.

     Section 26. NOTICES. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:

                                       33
<PAGE>   35

                                    Viasys Healthcare Inc.
                                    245 Winter Street
                                    Waltham, MA 02451
                                    Attention: Chief Executive Officer

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Hale and Dorr LLP
                                    60 State Street
                                    Boston, MA 02109
                                    Attention: David E. Redlick, Esq.

Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

                           __________________________
                           __________________________
                           __________________________

                           Attention: _______________

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage-prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of
such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.

     Section 27. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. Except as provided in the
penultimate sentence of this Section 27, for so long as the Rights are then
redeemable, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Rights
Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of
this Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of the Rights.
At any time when the Rights are no longer redeemable, except as provided in the
penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company may, by approval of at
least 75% of the members of the Board, and the Rights Agent shall, if the
Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of
any holders of Rights in order (i) to cure any ambiguity or (ii) to correct or
supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions herein, PROVIDED that no such supplement or amendment
shall adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights as such (other
than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person).
Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company
that states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the
terms of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or
amendment. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary,
no supplement or amendment shall be made that changes the Redemption Price.
Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be
deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Stock.

                                       34
<PAGE>   36

     Section 28. SUCCESSORS. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind
and spective successors and assigns hereunder.

     Section 29. ACTIONS BY THE BOARD, ETC. The Board shall have the
exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all
rights and powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may
be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for
the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not
redeem the Rights or to amend this Agreement). All such actions, calculations,
interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below,
all omissions with respect to the foregoing) that are done or made by the Board
in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the
Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not
subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the Rights.

     Section 30. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the
Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).

     Section 31. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or
other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board determines
in its good faith judgment that severing the invalid, void or unenforceable
language from this Agreement would adversely affect the purpose or effect of
this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof shall be
reinstated and shall not expire until the close of business on the tenth day
following the date of such determination by the Board.

     Section 32. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, each Right and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of Delaware applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within Delaware.

     Section 33. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one
and the same instrument.

                                       35
<PAGE>   37

     Section 34. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

Attest:                                  VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

By:                                      By:
   --------------------------------        -------------------------------------
   Name:                                   Randy H. Thurman
        ---------------------------        President and Chief Executive Officer
   Title:
         --------------------------

Attest:                                    [RIGHTS AGENT]

By:                                      By:
   --------------------------------         ------------------------------------
   Name:                                    Name:
        ---------------------------         ------------------------------------
   Title:                                   Title:
         --------------------------         ------------------------------------

                                       36
<PAGE>   38
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                     FORM OF

                           CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

                                       OF

                  SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                             VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                         ------------------------------

Viasys Healthcare Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies
that the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation at a meeting duly called and held on ________, 2001:

RESOLVED:         That pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in the
                  Board of Directors of the Corporation (hereinafter called the
                  "Board") in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate
                  of Incorporation, as amended, the Board hereby creates a
                  series of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (the
                  "Preferred Stock"), of the Corporation and hereby states the
                  designation and number of shares, and fixes the relative
                  rights, preferences and limitations thereof as follows:

         SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK:

         Section 1. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock" (the "Series A
Preferred Stock") and the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred
Stock shall be 15,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by
resolution of the Board prior to issuance; PROVIDED, that no decrease shall
reduce the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number less than
the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for
issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon
the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the Corporation
convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.

         Section 2. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.

         (A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any series of
Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to the Series
A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Corporation, and of any other junior
stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board out
of funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends,
quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of each fiscal quarter of
the Corporation in each year (each such date being

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   39

referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on
the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share
or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share
(rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $100.00 or (b) subject
to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 10,000 times the
aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 10,000 times the aggregate
per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare
or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or
effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in
shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common
Stock, then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b)
of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any
dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock payable in shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, or effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by
payment of a dividend in shares of Series A Preferred Stock) into a greater or
lesser number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, then in each such case the
amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the first sentence of this
Section 2(A) shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately after such
event.

         (B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Series A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) of this Section
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock) and the Corporation
shall pay such dividend or distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock before
the dividend or distribution declared on the Common Stock is paid or set apart;
provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared
on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of
$100.00 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable
on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

         (C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of issue of such
shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date
of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders
of shares of Series A

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   40

Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on
the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount
of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time
outstanding. The Board may fix a record date for the determination of holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or
distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

         Section 3. VOTING RIGHTS. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have the following voting rights:

         (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to 10,000
votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on
the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision,
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common
Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each
such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted
by multiplying such number by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event. In the event the Corporation shall
at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock payable
in shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or effect a subdivision, combination or
consolidation of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Series
A Preferred Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately after such
event.

         (B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, the holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other capital
stock of the Corporation having general voting rights shall vote together as one
class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

         (C) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Preferred Stock shall
be in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly dividends thereon, the holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate series from all other
series of Preferred Stock and classes of capital stock, shall be entitled to
elect two members of the Board in addition to any Directors elected by any other
series, class or classes of securities and the authorized number of Directors
will automatically be increased by two. Promptly thereafter, the Board of the
Corporation shall, as

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   41

soon as may be practicable, call a special meeting of holders of Series A
Preferred Stock for the purpose of electing such members of the Board. Such
special meeting shall in any event be held within 45 days of the occurrence of
such arrearage.

                       (ii)  During any period when the holders of Series A
                  Preferred Stock, voting as a separate series, shall be
                  entitled and shall have exercised their right to elect two
                  Directors, then, and during such time as such right continues,
                  (a) the then authorized number of Directors shall be increased
                  by two, and the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as
                  a separate series, shall be entitled to elect the additional
                  Directors so provided for, and (b) each such additional
                  Director shall not be a member of any existing class of the
                  Board, but shall serve until the next annual meeting of
                  stockholders for the election of Directors, or until his
                  successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until his
                  right to hold such office terminates pursuant to the
                  provisions of this Section 3(C).

                       (iii) A Director elected pursuant to the terms hereof
                  may be removed with or without cause by the holders of Series
                  A Preferred Stock entitled to vote in an election of such
                  Director.

                       (iv) If, during any interval between annual meetings of
                  stockholders for the election of Directors and while the
                  holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect
                  two Directors, there is no such Director in office by reason
                  of resignation, death or removal, then, promptly thereafter,
                  the Board shall call a special meeting of the holders of
                  Series A Preferred Stock for the purpose of filling such
                  vacancy and such vacancy shall be filled at such special
                  meeting. Such special meeting shall in any event be held
                  within 45 days of the occurrence of such vacancy.

                       (v) At such time as the arrearage is fully cured, and all
                  dividends accumulated and unpaid on any shares of Series A
                  Preferred Stock outstanding are paid, and, in addition
                  thereto, at least one regular dividend has been paid
                  subsequent to curing such arrearage, the term of office of any
                  Director elected pursuant to this Section 3(C), or his
                  successor, shall automatically terminate, and the authorized
                  number of Directors shall automatically decrease by two, the
                  rights of the holders of the shares of the Series A Preferred
                  Stock to vote as provided in this Section 3(C) shall cease,
                  subject to renewal from time to time upon the same terms and
                  conditions, and the holders of shares of the Series A
                  Preferred Stock shall have only the limited voting rights
                  elsewhere herein set forth.

         (D) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by law,
holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and
their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to
vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.

                                      A-4
<PAGE>   42

     Section 4. CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.

         (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions
payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears,
thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether
or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have
been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

                        (i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
                  distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either
                  as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
                  up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

                        (ii)  declare or pay dividends, or make any other
                  distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity
                  (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
                  winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except
                  dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all
                  such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears
                  in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all
                  such shares are then entitled;

                        (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
                  consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to
                  dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to
                  the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation
                  may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares
                  of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock
                  of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or
                  upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A
                  Preferred Stock; or

                        (iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
                  consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any
                  shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A
                  Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer
                  made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board)
                  to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board,
                  after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates
                  and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
                  series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result
                  in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
                  classes.

         (B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation
to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

     Section 5. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such
shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of
Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock
subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the
Certificate of Incorporation, or in any other Certificate of Designations
creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock or as otherwise
required by law.

                                      A-5

<PAGE>   43

     Section 6. LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP.

         (A) Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation,
no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock ranking
junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall have received $10,000 per share, plus an amount
equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not
declared, to the date of such payment, provided that the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per
share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to
10,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of
shares of Common Stock, or (2) to the holders of shares of stock ranking on a
parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the
Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the total
amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such
liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

         (B) Neither the consolidation, merger or other business combination of
the Corporation with or into any other corporation nor the sale, lease, exchange
or conveyance of all or any part of the property, assets or business of the
Corporation shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation for purposes of this Section 6.

         (C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares
of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then
in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under the proviso
in clause (1) of paragraph (A) of this Section 6 shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event. In the event the Corporation shall
at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock payable
in shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or effect a subdivision, combination or
consolidation of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Series
A Preferred Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, then in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event
under the proviso in clause (1) of paragraph (A) of this Section 6 shall be
adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that were outstanding immediately
prior to such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately after such event.

     Section 7. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, in case the Corporation shall enter into any
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of
Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash
and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series A
Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed into an

                                      A-6
<PAGE>   44

amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
equal to 10,000 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any
other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which
each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation
shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by
payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number
of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the
preceding sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event. In
the event the Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the
Series A Preferred Stock payable in shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or
effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a
dividend in shares of Series A Preferred Stock) into a greater or lesser number
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, then in each such case the amount set
forth in the first sentence of this Section 7 with respect to the exchange or
change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying
such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event
and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding immediately after such event.

     Section 8. NO REDEMPTION. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall
not be redeemable.

     Section 9. RANK. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect
to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all series
of any other class of the Preferred Stock issued either before or after the
issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, unless the terms of any such series
shall provide otherwise.

     Section 10. AMENDMENT. At such time as any shares of Series A Preferred
Stock are outstanding, the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the
Corporation shall not be amended in any manner that would materially alter or
change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock
so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting
together as a single class.

     Section 11. FRACTIONAL SHARES. Series A Preferred Stock may be issued
in fractions of a share that shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and have the benefit of all other rights of holders
of Series A Preferred Stock.

         [The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank]

                                      A-7

<PAGE>   45

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Designations is executed on
behalf of the Corporation by its Chief Executive Officer this _____ day of
_________, 2001.

                                       VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Randy H. Thurman
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                      A-8

<PAGE>   46

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                          [Form of Rights Certificate]

Certificate No. R-                                              ______ Rights

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER ___________, 2011 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED OR EXCHANGED BY
THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.001 PER RIGHT AND TO
EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS
DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY
BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR
WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN
AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS
REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN
SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.](1)

                             VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                               Rights Certificate

This certifies that ____________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner
of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner
thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of ________, 2001 (the "Rights Agreement"), between Viasys
Healthcare Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
_________________________, a ____________________ (the "Rights Agent"), to
purchase from the Company after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined
in the Rights Agreement) and at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on
____________, 2011 at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, or its successors as Rights Agent, one ten-thousandth of a fully paid,
non-assessable share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the
"Preferred Stock") of the Company, $.01 par value per share, at a purchase price
of $_____ in cash per one ten-thousandth of a share (the "Purchase Price"), upon
presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election
to Purchase and related Certificate duly executed. The number of Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandth of a
share of Preferred Stock which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth
above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price
as of the close of business on ________, 2001, based on the Preferred Stock as
constituted at such date. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Rights
Agreement.

--------
(1) The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if applicable
and shall replace the preceding sentence.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>   47

Upon the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, if the Rights evidenced by
this Rights Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined
in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person,
Associate or Affiliate who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes an Acquiring Person, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in
the Rights Agreement, a transferee of a person who, concurrently with or after
such transfer, became an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person, such Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof
shall have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence
of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.

As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number and kind
of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities which may be purchased upon the
exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are subject to
modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including
Section 11(a)(ii) Events.

This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which
Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates, which
limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal offices of the
Company and are available upon written request to the Company.

This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates, upon
surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, with
the Form of Election and Certificate set forth on the reverse side duly
executed, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates
of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like
aggregate number of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock as the
Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered
shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be
exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof
another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights
not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this
Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption price
of $.001 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the close of business
on the tenth Business Day following the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock
Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to the Record Date, the close of
business on the tenth Business Day following the Record Date) and (ii) the Final
Expiration Date.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Company may, at its
option, at any time after a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, exchange all or part of the
Rights evidenced by this Certificate for shares of the Company's Common Stock or
for Preferred Stock (or shares of a class or series of the Company's preferred
stock having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred
Stock).

                                      B-2
<PAGE>   48

No fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions that are integral
multiples of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of Preferred
Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until
it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

         WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.

Dated as of _____________, 20__

ATTEST:                                    VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

By:                                        By:
   ---------------------------------       -------------------------------------
   Name:                                   Randy H. Thurman
        ----------------------------       President and Chief Executive Officer
   Secretary

COUNTERSIGNED:

By:
   ---------------------------------
   Authorized Signature

                                      B-3
<PAGE>   49

                  [Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]

                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

                (To be executed by the registered holder if such
               holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED _____________________________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto _____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

                  (Please print name and address of transferee)

_________________________________________________________________________ this
Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________________ Attorney,
to transfer the within Rights Certificate on the books of the within-named
Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated: ________________

                                                --------------------------------
                                                Signature
Signature Guaranteed:

                                   Certificate

The undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are not beneficially owned by, or being assigned to, an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined pursuant
to the Rights Agreement).

Dated: ______________

                                                --------------------------------
                                                Signature
Signature Guaranteed:

                                     NOTICE

The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must correspond to the
name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

                                      B-4
<PAGE>   50

                          FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

                  (To be executed if holder desires to exercise

                 Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)

To:      _________________________

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ___________ Rights
represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of Preferred Stock
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other securities of the
Company or of any other person that may be issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares be issued in the name of
and delivered to:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number  __________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

                         (Please print name and address)

_______________________________________________________________________________

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such Rights shall be
registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number  __________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

         (Please print name and address)

_______________________________________________________________________________

Dated: ______________

                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Signature
Signature Guaranteed:

                                      B-5
<PAGE>   51

                                   Certificate

         The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:

(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ] are not being
exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights
Agreement);

(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the
undersigned [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof.

Dated: _______________

                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Signature
Signature Guaranteed:

                                     NOTICE

The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

                                      B-6

<PAGE>   52
                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                              SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO

                            PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK

On ________, 2001, the Board of Directors of Viasys Healthcare Inc. (the
"Company"), declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of the
Company's Common Stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on
________, 2001 (the "Record Date"). Each Right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from the Company one ten-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"),
at a Purchase Price of $_____ in cash, subject to adjustment. The description
and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of
________, 2001 (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and
_________________________, as Rights Agent.

Initially, the Rights are not exercisable and will be attached to all
certificates representing outstanding shares of Common Stock, and no separate
Rights Certificates will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the
Common Stock, and the Distribution Date will occur, upon the earlier of (i) 10
business days following the first date of a public announcement that a person or
group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired,
or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) 10
business days following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer
that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 15% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock. The Distribution Date may be deferred in
circumstances determined by the Board of Directors. In addition, certain
inadvertent acquisitions will not trigger the occurrence of the Distribution
Date. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the
Rights), (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common Stock certificates
outstanding on the Record Date, together with this Summary of Rights, or by new
Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date that contain a notation
incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference, (ii) the Rights will be
transferred with and only with such Common Stock certificates; and (iii) the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock outstanding (with or
without a copy of this Summary of Rights or such notation) will also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such
certificate.

The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire upon
the close of business on _________, 2011 (the "Final Expiration Date") unless
earlier redeemed or exchanged as described below. As soon as practicable after
the Distribution Date, separate Rights Certificates will be mailed to holders of
record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date
and, thereafter, the separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the
Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, and except for
shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of then
outstanding options, convertible or exchangeable securities or other contingent
obligations to issue shares or pursuant to any employee benefit plan or
arrangement, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date
will be issued with Rights.

In the event that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, unless the event
causing the 15% threshold to be crossed is a Permitted Offer (as defined in the
Rights Agreement), then, promptly following the first occurrence of such event,
each holder of a Right (except as provided below

                                      C-1
<PAGE>   53

and in Section 7(e) of the Rights Agreement) shall thereafter have the right
to receive, upon exercise, that number of shares of Common Stock of the
Company (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the
Company) that equals the exercise price of the Right divided by 50% of the
current market price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) per share of Common
Stock at the date of the occurrence of such event. However, Rights are not
exercisable following such event until such time as the Rights are no longer
redeemable by the Company as described below. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing, following the occurrence of such event, all Rights that are, or
(under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be null and void. The event
summarized in this paragraph is referred to as a "Section 11(a)(ii) Event."

For example, at an exercise price of $_____ per Right, each Right not owned by
an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties) following a Section
11(a)(ii) Event would entitle its holder to purchase for $_____ such number of
shares of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) as equals $_____
divided by one-half of the current market price (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) of the Common Stock. Assuming that the Common Stock had a market
price of $_____ per share at such time, the holder of each valid Right would be
entitled to purchase _____ shares of Common Stock.

In the event that, at any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, (i)
the Company is consolidated with, or merged with and into, another entity and
the Company is not the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger (other
than a consolidation or merger that follows a Permitted Offer) or if the Company
is the surviving entity, but shares of its outstanding Common Stock are changed
or exchanged for stock or securities (of any other person) or cash or any other
property, or (ii) more than 50% of the Company's assets or earning power is sold
or transferred, each holder of a Right (except Rights that previously have been
voided as set forth above) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company that
equals the exercise price of the Right divided by 50% of the current market
price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of such common stock at the date of
the occurrence of the event. The events summarized in this paragraph are
referred to as "Section 13 Events." A Section 11(a)(ii) Event and Section 13
Events are collectively referred to as "Triggering Events."

For example, at an exercise price of $_____ per Right, each valid Right
following a Section 13 Event would entitle its holder to purchase for $_____
such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company as equals $_____
divided by one-half of the current market price (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) of such common stock. Assuming that such common stock had a market
price of $_____ per share at such time, the holder of each valid Right would be
entitled to purchase three shares of common stock of the acquiring company.

At any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, when no person
owns a majority of the Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may
exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person that have
become void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common
Stock, or one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a
class or series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights,
preferences and privileges), per Right (subject to adjustment).

                                      C-2
<PAGE>   54

The Purchase Price payable, and the number of units of Preferred Stock or other
securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or
warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than
the then-current market price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the
Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred
Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash
dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings) or of subscription rights
or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of Rights
associated with each share of Common Stock is also subject to adjustment in the
event of a stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common
Stock payable in Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of
the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.

With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required
until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase Price. No
fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions that are integral
multiples of one ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) will be issued
and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market
price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of
exercise.

Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable.
Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors, a minimum preferential quarterly dividend
payment of $100.00 per share or, if greater, an aggregate dividend of 10,000
times the dividend declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of
liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum
preferential liquidation payment of $10,000 per share, plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends, and will be entitled to an aggregate payment of
10,000 times the payment made per share of Common Stock. Each share of Preferred
Stock will have 10,000 votes, voting together with the Common Stock. In the
event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Stock is
changed or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive
10,000 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are
protected by customary antidilution provisions. Because of the nature of the
Preferred Stock's dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of one
ten-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each
Right should approximate the value of one share of Common Stock.

At any time prior to the tenth Business Day (or such later date as may be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company) after the Stock Acquisition
Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of
$0.001 per Right (the "Redemption Price"), payable in cash or stock. Immediately
upon the redemption of the Rights or such earlier time as established by the
Board in the resolution ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Rights will
terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the
Redemption Price. The Rights may also be redeemable following certain other
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement.

Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as
a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote
or to receive dividends. Although the

                                      C-3
<PAGE>   55

distribution of the Rights should not be taxable to stockholders or to the
Company, stockholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize
taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable for Common Stock
(or other consideration) of the Company or for common stock of the acquiring
company as set forth above.

Any provision of the Rights Agreement, other than the redemption price, may be
amended by the Board prior to such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable.
Once the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Board's authority to amend the
Rights is limited to correcting ambiguities or defective or inconsistent
provisions in a manner that does not adversely affect the interest of holders of
Rights.

The Rights are intended to protect the stockholders of the Company in the event
of an unfair or coercive offer to acquire the Company and to provide the Board
with adequate time to evaluate unsolicited offers. The Rights may have
anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or
group that attempts to acquire the Company without conditioning the offer on a
substantial number of Rights being acquired. The Rights, however, should not
affect any prospective offeror willing to make an offer at a fair price and
otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, as
determined by a majority of the Board. The Rights should not interfere with any
merger or other business combination approved by the Board.

The Company has entered into the Rights Agreement in anticipation of the
proposed distribution by its parent corporation, Thermo Electron Corporation
("Thermo Electron"), of all of the shares of the Company's Common Stock
(together with the associated Rights) held by Thermo Electron to the
stockholders of Thermo Electron (the "Spinoff Distribution"). It is anticipated
that the shares of the Company's Common Stock (together with the associated
Rights) held by Thermo Electron will be distributed in the Spinoff Distribution
on August 10, 2001 to all stockholders of record of Thermo Electron on August 2,
2001. The ownership by Thermo Electron of shares of the Company's Common Stock
prior to consummation of the Spinoff Distribution will not trigger the
occurrence of the Distribution Date or the exercisability or the Rights.

A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an Exhibit to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
________, 2001. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from
the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement,
which is incorporated herein by reference.

                                      C-4

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