Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.

Abstract: A bridge for stringed instruments including a base member and a saddle member affixed thereto. The saddle is constructed of two or more adjacent, discrete, and homogeneous units of differing material, each of which are in contact with selected strings of the instrument to provide desired sound characteristics upon activation of the strings. A variety of sounds of varying timbre and sustain may thereby be provided. Contact of selected units with the base member also provides varying sound characteristics. The units of differing substances may be in laminated form or may be in the form of discrete rods placed in a common body portion of the saddle. In the use of rods in a common body, the rods may be grooved to receive the string or the string may be strung so as to contact the side of the rod.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument such as a guitar has a bridge and a nut mounted at spaced locations on a stem, serving to define a plane for strings. A dense member having greater density than the stem is secured thereto in order to increase the duration of sounds generated by the strings. The stem is detachably secured to a body which may be soft with flexibility to conform to the contours of human body in either standing or sitting position. The stem may also comprise a hollow shell detachably connected to the stem or dense member.

Abstract: A guitar having strings to be played in conjunction with a manually-held slide bar has an indicator for the proper position of the slide bar along the length of the strings. This position indicator is located between two adjacent strings, the strings on one side of the indicator being tuned to a first major chord and certain of the strings on the other side of the indicator being tuned to a different major chord. The position indicator includes a carrier resiliently mounted at opposite ends and carrying upstanding longitudinally spaced projections, each projection forming a pair of opposed longitudinally spaced abutments engageable by the slide bar at the correct positions along the strings.

Abstract: A guitar is provided with a soft pillow-like body or cushion instead of the large sound box of a Spanish-type guitar or the substantially flat non-yielding body of an electric guitar. The soft cushion avoids uncomfortable localized contact between the body of the musician and parts of the guitar, and it promotes more secure holding by the musician for better performance on the instrument. Also, the cushion is sufficiently flexible so that the stem and neck of the guitar may be suitably positioned for playing by a musician in either standing or sitting position.

Abstract: A slide bar for the strings of a guitar is provided with a holder device attached thereto and having at least one wing member shaped for contact with the thumb of the user. An element which may constitute a second wing member defines with the bar and first wing member a recess for the index finger of the user. One or both wing members are sufficiently flexible to enable the user to grip the index finger between the first said wing member and said element by applying lateral pressure between the thumb and the middle finger.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is similar in many respects to a guitar but it has no neck and therefore is shorter in overall length and lighter in weight. An inclined sound-transmitting plate is secured at spaced locations to a longitudinal strut. The plate is inclined in a plane parallel to the plane of the strings and it extends laterally to overlie a major portion of the upper wall of an acoustic sound-box. The plate and sound-box extend from the string anchors at one end of the strut to the tuning head at the other end.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a position indicator which is mounted along one margin of a set of strings of a musical instrument and includes a set of projections so arranged that, when engaged by a slide bar placed across the strings, a preselected chord may be produced, the projections being deflectable so that the slide bar may be moved along the strings past a projection while maintaining contact with the strings.

Abstract: A mixture of metals composed predominantly of aluminum and the balance bearing phase materials are heated to a molten state, ejected through an orifice and atomized by impinging a stream of cold water against the molten metal to effect a rapid drop in temperature as well as solidifcation. A layer of the resulting pre-alloyed particles are roll compacted simultaneously with a sacrificial surface layer and a bottom bonding layer, both being composed of aluminum base particulate materials. The bottom layer is devoid of bearing phase materials. The tri-layer strip is sintered, roll clad onto a backing member and post-annealed, blanked and formed into a bearing which is bored to remove the sacrificial layer.

Abstract: Door apparatus having spaced panels forming a closure and hanging in a vertical closing position and hung to swing back and forth as a unit, a latch mounted on the inner surface of each panel near the lower edge thereof and engaging a stop to prevent movement of the panel away from the other panel while permitting movement towards said other panel, and operating means on each panel operatively connected to the latch thereof. When either panel is swung towards the other panel it engages the operating means of the latter to operate the latch thereof to disengage its stop, thereby allowing the panel unit to swing out of the closing position.This invention relates to door apparatus which is normally latched in a closed position and which is unlatched to allow the door apparatus to move in either of opposite directions to an open position merely by the application of pressure against either of the two outer faces thereof.