Abstract: In a novel fret system for stringed musical instruments, the fret bar can be fabricated from standard square metal stock, typically of stainless steel. Each fret bar is retained in a corresponding transverse channel machined in the fingerboard surface region of the neck/fingerboard with a conforming cross-sectional shape that locates the main portion of the fret bar recessed into the neck/fingerboard with one corner portion extending through the channel opening in the fingerboard surface, thus forming a fret tip of desired height at the apex of a 90 degree angle. The fret bar is inserted endwise into its channel in the neck/fingerboard where it is retained securely. This system has proven beneficial both for the “feel” of playing the instrument in tapping and conventional modes and for precision and uniformity in manufacture.

Abstract: A knee support pillow is configured with a main body disposed between a pair of end members configured to have an elliptical cam-shape cross-section that allows for variable height and support by rotating or adjusting the unit to provide any number of heights to comfortably support a user's knees and legs. The cam-shape is configured to provide handles built into the end members act as handgrips to facilitate easy gripping to rotate the unit forward and back to obtain an optimal comfort setting for the user. The user can position and adjust the support pillow while remaining in a seated or reclining position, and can re-adjust the support as needed to accommodate changing tasks or activities. An easily removable and replaceable fabric outer cover extends over the usable region of the main body.

Abstract: For applying embossed patterns on rough-textured surfaces, particularly ceilings, a simple process utilizes readily available inexpensive materials. Portions of a thin plastic sheeting are cut away to form a compliant stencil with the required pattern openings. The compliant stencil is attached temporarily to the textured surface with a non-setting adhesive, applied typically to the compliant stencil but optionally to the textured surface, and is then urged into close compliance with the textured surface by a roller and/or by hand. After applying the setting-type embossing material, typically troweled to a desired thickness, the stencil is removed along with surplus embossing material, leaving the embossing material bonding to the textured surface, cleanly defining the embossed pattern in the regions that were defined by the stencil.

Abstract: The CPS (center point stereo) system of the present invention is directed to stereo sound reinforcement of live music, particularly with electronically-implemented instruments such as guitars and keyboards that provide a musical source signal at line level. A special CPS processor, converting regular left and right stereo signals to sum and difference signals, enables a center stage acoustic image to be created directly from a forward-directed loudspeaker unit driven from the sum signal and enables left and right spatialized stereo images to be created by recombination with a difference field received indirectly from a sideways-directed special dipole loudspeaker unit conveniently co-located with the forward-directed loudspeaker unit and driven from the difference signal. The CPS processor receives L and R input from the instrument or from an interposed FX (musical effects) or DSP (digital sound process) unit receiving mono or stereo input from the instrument.

Abstract: An improved golf glove tee holder holds tees in an orientation that is lateral relative to the major axis of the glove, i.e. through the finger tips and the cuff. This lateral orientation, along with strategic location on the back of the golf glove between the closure flap and the finger region, ensures that the golfer's wrist and knuckle joints may be fully flexed in all directions with no possibility of potential distraction, discomfort or risk of injury from the tees such as can occur with longitudinal tee orientation of conventional golf glove tee holders. The lateral orientation of the present improved tee holder is also more ergonomic: selecting and pulling out the tee is more natural and comfortable than with conventional longitudinal tee orientation. As an optional feature, a ball marker may be provided, removably attached to the closure flap of the golf glove with a snap type fastener.

Abstract: In this micro-controller-based line voltage meter/monitor instrument, an AC signal-under-test is sensed from the line voltage via a broadband isolation transformer, and processed to provide RMS and fast peak signals. These are A/D converted in the micro-controller in a sampling process synchronized from a zero-cross signal detected from the AC voltage-under-test. An LED (light-emitting diode) display with 40 LED segments provides resolution of one volt RMS per LED step/segment, and is color-coded to overlay the CBEMA nominal limits. RMS values ranging from 95 to 135 volts are indicated on a bar graph, and fast peak values ranging from 120 to 500 volts at the waveform crest are indicated by the selected LED cell flashing at a 1 Hz rate, with selectable peak hold time. An internal real time calendar/clock enables accumulation of time-related data regarding the ongoing quality of the power line voltage levels.

Abstract: A guidance pad, made from flexible plastic material and configured with an array of parallel guidance ridges on the bottom side, can be retrofitted onto the bottom side of an aquatic sports device such as a surfboard so that the ridges, running fore-and-aft, enhance lateral stability by guiding water flow through the channels formed between the ridges. In a preferred embodiment, five equally-spaced ridges having a V-shaped cross-section are molded integrally on the bottom side of a generally rectangular thin flexible pad whose flat top surface is provided with a layer of self-adhesive material retained by a peel-off backing. To install the guidance pad, the backing is peeled off to expose the adhesive material and the top surface of the pad is attached onto the bottom of the surfboard just forward of the fin, for which a cutaway region is provided at the aft edge of the pad. The hydro-dynamic effects, e.g.

Abstract: A solid instrument body of a stringed musical instrument is provided with a tail, disposed at the body end of the instrument, which can be extended or retracted. The tail is held in place by adjustable fastening means that allow it to extend up to about ten inches beyond the body portion for purposes of balanced feel and design, or to retract to a concealed location, to reduce the instrument to a compact size such that its total length is only slightly greater than the string length. For playing in a standing position a support strap is attached to the end of the tail. The tail may be shaped to have a slight taper and squared-off end so as to balance and complement a similar but more elongated design of the "headless" neck portion.

Abstract: For audio professionals, sound contractors, installers and the like, a hand-held electronic instrument facilitates analyzing and optimizing speaker systems or portions thereof which may include anything from a single speaker to transmission lines of a field-installed distributed system. The instrument measures and displays impedance in ohms on a numeric readout and additionally calculates power based on a designated audio line voltage, as user-selected by a panel switch, e.g. from 25, 50, 70 or 100 volts, and displays the calculated power in watts, based on measured load current at a constant applied. The test frequency can be user-selected by a panel switch, e.g. to 100, 330, 1k or 10k Hz.

Abstract: A system for managing table tennis balls facilitates retrieval of stray balls, stores them and dispenses them conveniently to a player as required. The system has two main components: a ball retriever, a.k.a. the BallSnatcher, and a storage rack, a.k.a. the BallFeeder. The tubular retriever can hold a column of balls and is deployed in a hand-held manner in a vertical orientation from a standing position. The retriever is fitted at its bottom end with a ball trap including (a) a flexible coaxial constriction ring defining an expandable entry opening that when lowered over a stray ball captures and retains it in the retriever tube, and (b) a flexible coaxial guidance flange extending outwardly and downwardly to provide initial guidance in retrieving a stray ball.

Abstract: A compact active pickup module, directed particularly to bodiless stringed musical instruments, has a main enclosure machined from dense solid material to provide a complex of internal compartments and is configured with a six-sided, diagonally-elongated shape consistent with the appearance of The Chapman Stick (R). Mounted in an elongated channel running diagonally across the instrument through-neck structure in a thick portion thereof near the lower (bridge) end, the module can be easily installed and removed sideways without removing the strings or disturbing their tuning. The module is held in place with two machine screws that are accessible between strings, and is mounted resiliently for isolation against unwanted vibrations from the bodiless through-neck structure.

Abstract: A stereophonic image enhancement signal processing system for vehicular sound systems provides a symmetrical improvement in imaging for listeners located at the left and right regions of a vehicle passenger compartment The stereo signals are processed in a manner to provide a rapid rate-of-change of phase equal to at least 90 degrees per octave approaching a maximum of 180 degrees between the stereo channels at approximately 300 Hz. A further enhancement of the reproduced sound stage is provided through the application of equalized stereo difference signals prior to, and in combination with, the above described phase shift process. An optional center channel signal, summed from stereo source signals, may be provided for driving a central speaker.

Abstract: A bottle holder, for personal transportation of a flexible plastic beverage bottle, has a horizontal upper portion, an inclined intermediate portion and a vertical lower portion that can be molded in one piece from plastic. The intermediate and upper portions are configured with an oval slot that is dimensioned, at its first end located in the intermediate holder portion, to accept the neck of a bottle which is then slid into place into a smaller-sized support area at the second slot end located in the horizontal upper holder portion, where the bottle becomes supported by the neck ring resting on the support area of the holder. The lower portion of the holder is configured in an inverted U-shape with two parallel arms having parallel horizontal gripping ribs on the interfacing surfaces of the arms, for clipping the holder onto a user's belt, or other object.

Abstract: An ETVA (electrically-tunable vibration absorber) has a vibratable mass with a mechanical spring suspension supplemented by an electromagnetic spring simulation that can be adjusted electrically to vary the self-resonant frequency of the vibratable mass and tune it to a disturbing frequency that is to be suppressed. A flux path from the electromagnet traverses an air gap between a pair of oppositely-facing matching magnetic pole arrays, one of which is attached to the vibratable mass while the other pole array is substantially attached to the object structure that is being treated to suppress vibration.

Abstract: An indirect fluorescent lighting fixture with a self-contained curved reflector is enclosed in a square housing that fits into an inverted T-bar grid cell of a suspended ceiling in place of 2'.times.2' ceiling tile, or it can be permanently mounted in a wall or ceiling. A centrally located fluorescent tube, extending between two opposite sides of the enclosure, is enclosed from view by a U shaped shield. The reflector, disposed above the tube directing light downwardly into a targeted room region, can be made with a single concave curvature for narrower "spotlight" applications or with a dual concave curvature for wider field applications. The reflector is held in place in a self-stressed condition between a pair of end channels such that its shape can be controlled by varying its length. The illumination pattern can be controlled and modified by a combination of shaping the reflector's curvature and selection of its reflective surface properties.

Abstract: A stereophonic signal processing system provides optimal spatial enhancement in a compact stereo sound system having limited physical separation between two relatively small stereo loudspeakers with accordingly limited low-frequency output capability. A difference signal is derived from the left and right stereo signals by subtraction in a a differential amplifier circuit, which may be made frequency-dependent so that the rejection of correlated information decreases with increasing frequency. The difference signal is processed through a frequency equalizer circuit, and an inverted version is derived via an inverter; the non-inverted and inverted difference signals are filtered according to a high-pass filter function having an upper-bass cutoff frequency selected to avoid excessive spatialization at low frequencies.

Abstract: A therapeutic pillow, that can be fastened to the backrest of a variety of chairs and seats, provides air-pressure-assisted lower back support that can be conveniently adjusted by the user for optimum level of support. The self-inflating pillow, utilizing an interacting combination of two types of expanded compressible core material stuffing and air pressure, never requires an external pump, compressor or lung/breath inflation. The front surface of the pillow provides a hook-and loop type attachment surface for versatile attachment of support straps for securing the pillow in place to the chair, and also provides for versatile attachment of thermal packets, e.g. for cold therapy. The pillow can be folded or rolled in a deflated carrying mode.

Abstract: A retro-fittable mobility kit enables one person alone to conveniently move a heavy machine such as wood or metal-working machine of the type that is originally designed to remain in a fixed location, and that normally would require special handling equipment and/or several persons available, should it become necessary to move the machine. The mobility kit includes (a) a pair of fixed wheel assemblies to be mounted on each side toward a first end of the machine, each having a wheel partially enclosed in a metal bracket, and (b) one front swivel caster wheel assembly that mounts onto a central location at the second end of the machine. A preferred embodiment provides an adjustable clamping system on each of the three assemblies for attachment onto a structural member such as bottom framework of the machine, a fixed wheel assembly on each the side toward the first end, and a swivel caster in a central location at the second end.

Abstract: An electromagnetic active vibration actuator configuration combines two modes of operation to obtain the advantages of long stroke and linearity of voice coil type actuators and high efficiency of dual-gap solenoid type actuators. A coaxial stator shell surrounds an axially vibratable armature. Either the stator or the armature can carry one or more coils and/or permanent magnets, however usually the magnets are located on the armature for their contribution to vibrating mass. Alternate coils and alternate magnets are made opposite in polarity, the stator armature pole pieces being held symmetrically staggered relative to the stator pole pieces by end springs or flexures that allow axial vibration when AC is applied to the coils.