Abstract: A musical drum comprising a drum shell made of wood staves is provided. The drum shell has cutout sections which are positioned so as to achieve desired acoustical properties for the drum. The cutout portions of the drum shell can also be filled with other materials to further modify the acoustical properties of the drum and lighting can be provided in the interior of the drum allowing light to be passed through the cutout portions of the shell. The light passing through the cutout portions of the drum can be excited by the conditions of play.

Abstract: A musical drum comprising a drum shell made of wood staves is provided. The drum shell has cutout sections which are positioned so as to achieve desired acoustical properties for the drum. The cutout portions of the drum shell can also be filled with other materials to further modify the acoustical properties of the drum and lighting can be provided in the interior of the drum allowing light to be passed through the cutout portions of the shell. The light passing through the cutout portions of the drum can be excited by the conditions of play.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for skin testing. The device includes a handle assembly connected to a cylinder assembly having a first and second cylinder housing. Each cylinder housing is connected to at least one testing head assembly that includes a plurality of pins having a plurality of tips positionable against the skin and a socket assembly that is structured and operable to pivot the testing head to apply equal and even pressure to all the pins. Further, the method provides positioning the device tangent to the surface of the skin, and pivoting the testing head assembly horizontally to apply equal and even pressure to the pins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for skin testing. The device includes a handle assembly connected to a cylinder assembly having two mutually parallel and spaced apart cylinder housings. Each cylinder housing connects to at least one testing head assembly that includes a plurality of pins having a plurality of tips positionable against the skin. Each head assembly has a collar and cooperating tip structured to pivot the testing head on two axes only and still apply even pressure to the pins. Each testing head readily inserts into the collar for usage and ejects promptly from the handle using a trigger mechanism. The cylinder housing construction minimizes accumulation of detritus therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for skin testing. The device includes a handle assembly connected to a cylinder assembly having two mutually parallel and spaced apart cylinder housings. Each cylinder housing connects to at least one testing head assembly that includes a plurality of pins having a plurality of tips positionable against the skin. Each head assembly has a collar and cooperating tip structured to pivot the testing head on two axes only and still apply even pressure to the pins. Each testing head readily inserts into the collar for usage and ejects promptly from the handle using a trigger mechanism. The cylinder housing construction minimizes accumulation of detritus therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for skin testing. The device includes a handle assembly connected to a cylinder assembly having a first and second cylinder housing. Each cylinder housing is connected to at least one testing head assembly that includes a plurality of pins having a plurality of tips positionable against the skin and a socket assembly that is structured and operable to pivot the testing head to apply equal and even pressure to all the pins. Further, the method provides positioning the device tangent to the surface of the skin, and pivoting the testing head assembly horizontally to apply equal and even pressure to the pins.

Abstract: The growth of bacteria in latex is an age old problem. To control the growth of bacteria in latex, chemical bactericides are often added to latex. This invention discloses a technique for providing latex with resistance to bacterial growth. It is based upon the discovery that ions of a metal from Group Ib of the Periodic Chart, such as copper, silver, or gold, will provide latex with resistance to bacterial growth. The subject invention more specifically discloses a latex which is comprised of (1) a polymer, (2) water, (3) an emulsifier and (4) ions of a metal from Group Ib of the Periodic Chart. In most cases, the metal ions will be present in an amount which is within the range of about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm. As a general rule, silver ions are preferred. By utilizing a combination of standard organic chemical bactericides and Group Ib metal ions, the level of chemical bactericides and metal ions needed to satisfactorily control bacteria growth can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the discovery that composite open-cell foam structures, such as carpet underlay cushions, having improved compression resistance and better wear characteristics can be manufactured by utilizing a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber latex which is comprised of a styrene-butadiene rubber latex and a carboxylated styrene-butadiene rubber latex.

Abstract: By utilizing the process of this invention, nitrile rubber latices having solids contents of greater than 60 percent can be prepared from standard nitrile rubber latices having solids contents of less than 30 percent. The present invention more specifically discloses a process for increasing the solids content of a low solids nitrile rubber latex which comprises the steps of (1) concentrating the low solids nitrile rubber latex by removal of water therefrom to produce an intermediate solids nitrile rubber latex having a solids content which is within the range of about 35 percent to about 45 percent, wherein the low solids nitrile rubber latex has a solids content which is less than about 30 percent; (2) subjecting the intermediate solids nitrile rubber latex to a pressure which is within the range of about 3.45.times.10.sup.6 Pa to about 6.9.times.10.sup.7 Pa at a temperature which is within the range of about 120.degree. F. to about 170.degree. F.

Abstract: A combined optical power and noise meter for measuring both optical power and optical noise includes a detector housing and a photodiode which is disposed in the detector housing. The resistence of the photodiode changes continually in response to the application of optical power thereon. A current to voltage converter applies a bias voltage to the photodiode and transforms an output current therefrom in order to obtain a power voltage which is proportional to the optical power. A first voltage meter is electrically coupled to the current to voltage converter in order to display the power voltage. A noise measuring circuit measures noise in the output voltage of the current to voltage converter and processes the output voltage in order to obtain a noise voltage which is proportional to the optical noise. A divider divides the noise voltage by the power voltage in order to obtain an optical noise to optical power voltage which is proportional to the ratio of optical noise to optical power.

Abstract: An inspection/detection system for use in forensic applications includes a carrying case, a high intensity lamp assembly and a plurality of notch filters. The carrying case has a cover-lid and is a rectangular box with a closed end and an open end to which the cover-lid is hingedly coupled. The high intensity lamp assembly generates light energy of multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum and infrared spectrum. The high intensity lamp assembly has an output aperture and is mounted within the carrying case. A power supply unit is mounted within the carrying case and energizes the high intensity lamp assembly in order to generate light energy therefrom. An optical connector is optically coupled to the output aperture of the high intensity lamp assembly. A flexible optical fiber cable is optically coupled to the optical connector.

Abstract: A metal vapor laser discharge tube configuration for preventing accumulation of the condensed metal form interfering with the generated laser beam. A heater arrangement is positioned on the tube in an area corresponding to the area in which the metal vapor condenses within the tube. Energization of the heater when required melts the condensate thus extending the laser tube lifetime.

Abstract: An internal mirror metal vapor laser, and in particular, a helium-cadmium laser discharge tube, which is economical, compact and has a relatively long operating and shelf life, the operating life typically exceeding 10,000 hours. A positive column helium-cadmium laser tube of the consumable type and having optical resonator mirrors integral with the tube ends to hermetically seal the tube is provided which includes a relatively large volume cadmium reservoir capable of containing sufficient cadmium for operating life times exceeding ten thousand hours. A heater is applied to the cadmium reservoir for controlling the cadmium vapor pressure. The helium pressure is actively controlled by releasing helium from a high pressure helium reservoir when the helium pressure is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The output beam of a laser tube is modulated between a maximum intensity (lase) and minimum (no-lase) intensity levels by varying the laser tube current between corresponding values. The device for controlling the output beam comprises a single transistor provided in the current path of the laser tube, the current therethrough being controlled, or modulated, to provide the modulated laser beam. The device is capable of operating in a plurlity of modes. In the preferred mode, an analog signal is coupled to the transistor control circuitry whereby the laser beam intensity is linearly modulated between the maximum and minimum levels to provide a laser beam having grey scale capabilities. In a second operating mode, a digital signal is coupled to the transistor control circuitry whereby the laser beam intensity is modulated to a constant value between minimum and maximum levels.

Abstract: Latex-based coating materials are prepared frequently by compounding the latex with large quantities of calcium carbonate fillers. Whenever these fillers contain water-soluble calcium and magnesium compounds as impurities latices prepared with anionic emulsifiers are made more unstable, apparently because of reaction between these impurities and the emulsifier. This instability can be overcome by including in the latex a water-soluble fluoride such as ammonium or potassium fluoride in an amount generally under 5 parts by weight per 100 parts dry weight of latex. The process involves adding such a fluoride in an amount sufficient to stabilize the latex, generally under 5 parts per hundred of latex, dry weight.