Abstract: A steering column apparatus disclosed herein includes an inner-outer cylinder assembly housing a steering shaft, an outer jacket, an anchorage and a compression bracket, wherein the outer jacket, the anchorage and the compression-bracket are coupled together via a cross-bolt. The apparatus is further attached to a locking motor adapted to secure the steering column apparatus in a tilt-telescope position, a tilt-motor adapted to tilt the steering shaft along a pivotal axis, and a telescopic-motor adapted to move the steering shaft along a telescopic axis. Each of the locking motor, the tilt-motor and the telescopic motor may be adapted to be actuated using a switch or a memory device.

Abstract: A steering column assembly has a steering column with a longitudinal axis and disposable in a vehicle for tilting movement and telescoping movement. A wedge lock is engaged with the steering column and moveable between a first unlocked position and a first locked position along a first path to selectively lock the steering column with respect to the telescoping movement. A force required to move the wedge lock increases along the first path from the first unlocked position to the first locked position. A lever is pivotally engaged with the steering column about a pivot axis for rotation between an adjusting position and a locking position. The wedge lock moves from the first unlocked position to the first locked position along the first path in response to rotation of the lever from the adjusting position to the locking position. A cable assembly includes a cable with first and second ends and a sheath substantially encircling the cable.

Abstract: A device for generating forces that are variable and controllable in amplitude, in direction, and in frequency, the device includes two unbalanced rotors (18, 20, 35 to 38) mounted coaxially in a casing (11). The device further includes electromagnetic drive elements for driving a first of the two rotors in rotation relative to the second of the two rotors, and brake elements (43 to 45) for braking the second rotor (20, 36, 38) relative to the casing.

Abstract: A pedal with a body that has two plates that can be easily removed or displaced to access the inner surfaces of the pedal and the backside of traction pins. In this way, traction pins can be replaced even after the pins have been worn out or broken. Also, the plates can be made out of a harder, more durable, more expensive material than the material of the body, because the plates are typically subjected to the most impact and abrasion because of the shape and location of the plates. Alternatively, the plates can be made of a relatively inexpensive material because the plates are easy to replace if worn or damaged. Also disclosed is a system for re-greasing the inside of the pedal including a screw-in end cap that can be removed, and a slot down the inside of the body that allows grease to flow around a sealed bearing.

Abstract: A cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and binder phase (RS) wherein, P is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Group IV, Group V, Group VI elements, Q is boride, R is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: To provide metal-containing fine particles having good dispersion stability, which have their surface coated with dispersants vaporizable even during firing at low temperatures, a fine particle dispersion having the above metal-containing fine particles dispersed therein, and an electroconductive metal-containing material having an excellent volume resistivity formed by using the fine particle dispersion. Metal-containing fine particles with their surface coated with at least two dispersants having different vaporization temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal fine particles which have selective wavelength absorption characteristics in a wavelength region from visible light to near infrared light, and have sharp absorption characteristics, and influences little the surrounding wavelength, and therefore, they yield tones having high chroma. The present invention provides metal fine particles wherein an aspect ratio is in a range from 1.1 to 8.0, a maximum absorption wavelength in plasmon absorption is in a range from 400 nm to 1,200 nm, and an absorption coefficient at a peak position of the maximum absorption wavelength is in a range from 6,000 to 20,000 L/mol·cm (measurement concentration: 1.6×10?4 mol/L, and solvent:water).

Abstract: The present invention relates to high purity hafnium having a purity of 4N or higher excluding zirconium and gas components and an oxygen content of 40 wtppm or less, and a target and thin film formed from such high purity hafnium, and high purity hafnium having a purity of 4N or higher excluding zirconium and gas components and in which the content of sulfur and phosphorus is respectively 10 wtppm or less. The present invention also relates to a high purity hafnium material which uses a hafnium sponge with reduced zirconium as the raw material, and in which the content of oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus containing in the hafnium is reduced, as well as to a target and thin film formed from such material, and to the manufacturing method of high purity hafnium. Thereby provided is efficient and stable manufacturing technology which enables the manufacture of a high purity hafnium material, and a target and thin film formed from such material.

Abstract: The present development is a method for generating pure hydrogen from an organic acid solution and a zero-valent metal. By reacting the metal with the organic acid rather than a mineral acid, hydrogen generation occurs at a gradual and more consistent rate than is observed by prior art methods, making the present method suitable for fuel cell applications. A portable hydrogen-generating device using the method of generating pure hydrogen from acidic solution is further disclosed.

Abstract: A multifunctional opener includes a main body having two opposite sides formed with two upright clamping portions and having an inside formed with an engaging recess located between the two clamping portions. Thus, the clamping groove and the engaging recess of the main body are used to open seal caps of different sizes, thereby enhancing the versatility of the opener. In addition, the clamping groove or the engaging recess of the main body is engaged with the periphery of the seal cap so that the seal cap is closely clamped by the main body, thereby facilitating a user opening the seal cap.

Abstract: The invention involves a specially designed cork-screw wine bottle opener. The wine bottle opener is uniquely designed to allow wine consumers to convey various messages commemorating the occasion during the ritual of opening the bottle of wine. In various exemplary embodiments, modified cork-screw wine bottle openers are disclosed.

Abstract: A fastening element guide device for a power drive-in tool includes a first unit (11) connectable with the drive-in tool (40), and a second unit (19) displaceably supported on the first unit (11) and having a head section (20) and two jaw elements (21, 22) arranged on opposite sides of a tool axis (A) for clamping a drive-in bit (13) therebetween and pivotal between a closed position (16) in which jaws (23) of the jaw elements (21, 22) are spaced from the tool axis (A) by a minimal distance, and an open position (17) in which the jaws (23) of the jaw elements (21, 22) are spaced from the tool axis (A) by a greater distance, with the jaw elements (21, 22) having actuation elements (24) which are acted upon by control elements (12) provided on the first unit (11) for pivoting the jaw elements (21, 22) from their closed position (16) to their open position (11).

Abstract: The tools (wrenches) of this invention provide a one color instant identification of color coded tools. Preferably, the tools have a portion of their outer surface colored. Typically, the color impregnates the metal or plating during the manufacturing process. Another embodiment is a colored applique, band or sleeve on the outer surface of the tools. The key of this coloring is to identify the tool quickly by coloring a large area of the tool. This provides for quick identification of the tool even if the numerical designations are illegible because of small sizing or dirt obliteration. In a preferred embodiment, virtually the entire tool is colored during manufacturing. In another preferred embodiment, large raised numbers combine with the overall color scheme to make the tools quickly identifiable. Dirting the large colored surface is very unlikely as is obliterating the large raised fractional numbers.

Abstract: An adjustable ratcheting wrench having a handle, a fixed jaw secured the handle and an adjustable jaw pivotally attached to the handle. The wrench further has an adjustment mechanism slidably connected the handle. The adjustment mechanism is in slidable contact with the adjustable jaw and further has an adjustment mechanism further having a locking mechanism. A locking area is located on the handle, which has a plurality of spaced apart locking stations. The locking mechanism is releasably engageable with the locking stations to thereby secure the adjustable jaw in a plurality of fixed positions.

Abstract: A tool for inserting and withdrawing a peg in the ground comprises a body (20, 60, 101) having an internal space (22, 61, 110), and a peg puller which includes a peg engaging means (30, 74, 120) for engagement with a peg in the ground. An impact member (26a, 71, 123) is located within and is movable within the internal space in the body. A hammer head (10a, 51, 105) is provided at one end of the body. The body further includes a strike area (25, 65, 128) within the internal space and located so that the impact member strikes against the strike area at one limit of movement thereof inside the internal space. The peg puller further includes a connecting portion (36, 73, 121) extending from the impact member to the peg engaging means so that when the impact member strikes against the strike area, a shock load is transferred through the connecting portion to the peg engaging means to thereby apply a pulling force to the peg.

Abstract: A protective sheath for tools to prevent marring of finished surfaces when the tool is being used. The sheath is integrally formed as a one-piece elastomeric body that is applied to the exterior surface of the tool, with at least one end of the sheath projecting slightly beyond an end of the tool. In one embodiment the sheath projects at both ends beyond the ends of the tool. One of the projecting ends functions to contact the finished surface and prevent contact between the tool and finished surface, and the other projecting end functions to span the coupling between the tool and another tool. The elastomeric body is freely rotatable relative to the tool and fixed axially relative thereto, and provides a non-rotating surface that may be grasped by a user to support and guide the tool.

Abstract: Adjustable tools which may be linked through a plurality of couplings connected by links so that the tool and the handle and the links are rotatable relative to each other in a released condition and locked relative to each other in a locked position. The tool, the handle and the links may thus be adjusted to have the tool at any desired orientation to the handle and in a locked position in that orientation.

Abstract: A driver has a tip that enables it to engage each one of a conventional hexagonal-head fastener and a conventional lobed-head fastener. The tip includes alternating flutes and crests. The crests are substantially flat to engage straight walls of a hexagonal-head. The flutes engage the lobed head of the fastener. A socket-type driver engages each type of conventional fastener. A fastener and a pair of socket-type fasteners have alternating flutes, which can be engaged by a conventional lobed-head driver, and crests or sidewall surfaces, which can be engaged by a conventional hexagonal-head driver.

Abstract: A pneumatic wrench includes a pneumatic motor, a striking mechanism, and a drive shaft. The striking mechanism includes a support seat, a cam, a cover, and a hammer. Thus, the pivot shaft of the hammer has two opposite sides each formed with a reinforcing rib to reinforce the structural strength of the hammer. In addition, each of the first pivot shaft and the second pivot shaft has a guide groove to overcome the shear stress applied on the hammer during the rotation striking process of the hammer, thereby preventing the hammer from being distorted or broken due to concentration of a stress so as to enhance the lifetime of the hammer.

Abstract: A pneumatic wrench includes a pneumatic motor, a striking mechanism, and a drive shaft. The striking mechanism includes a cylindrical support seat, a cam, a cover, and a hammer. The hammer has a protruding engaging portion and a reinforcing rib juxtaposed to the engaging portion to reinforce the structural strength of the hammer. Thus, the two opposite sides of the hammer are connected by the reinforcing rib to reinforce the structural strength of the hammer, thereby preventing the hammer from being distorted or broken due to concentration of a stress so as to enhance the lifetime of the hammer.

Abstract: A rear worm drive shaft (60) for a Davenport® multi-spindle automatic screw machine, comprises: a shaft first part (61) having a portion with a first hardness; a shaft second part (62) having a portion with a second hardness, said second hardness being greater than the first hardness; and a coupling (63) adapted to join the shaft first and second parts in an axially-aligned relation and to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The improved shaft may be changed on a Davenport® screw machine is about one-half hour.

Abstract: According to the invention, the wear in the region of the tool head (201) of a tool machine in particular a scalping machine for machining long workpieces with a round cross-section may be reduced, whereby a tool head (201) with a tool holder (204) is adjustable essentially radially to the rotation axis (206) and an adjuster device (202) essentially adjustable axially to the rotation axis (206), in which the tool holder (204) and the adjuster device each have planar slide surfaces (208, 220) which correspond to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an impact cutting device (1) comprising a cutting unit (10) for processing workpieces, an acceleration unit (30) and an impact element (21) that can be accelerated towards the cutting unit (10). According to the invention, the impact element (21) and the acceleration unit (30) are detachably coupled to each other, wherein the impact element (21) can be decoupled from the acceleration unit after having been accelerated by the acceleration unit (30) and prior to striking the cutting unit (10). Further, a cutting unit (10) having a damping element is proposed for this impact cutting device.

Abstract: A hand held pushing tool for use with cutting and abrasive tools is formed as a planar disk. The disk has a first side surface, a second side surface, a first predetermined thickness and an outer peripheral edge. The outer peripheral edge has at least one notch. The notch extends from the first side surface to the second side surface and is located orthogonally to the outer peripheral edge. The notch has a depth less than a thickness of a work piece. When the notch engages the work piece, the pushing tool will safely guide the work piece into and through the cutting or abrasive tool. The pushing tool is shaped as an octagon having a plurality of varying size notches about its outer peripheral edge. The tool may be inverted to use the notch to hook the work piece and draw it back past the cutting or abrasive tool.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using the apparatus for manufacturing irregularly shaped and sized products, and in particular cheese irregularly shaped and sized crumbles from cheeses, such as semi-soft cheeses including types of cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, Colby, pepper jack, provolone, Swiss, Mexican cheeses and any other combinations of two or more varieties. The apparatus preferably includes five knife assemblies that combine to reduce bulk cheese products into irregularly shaped and sized cheese crumbles in a high-speed commercial manufacturing process. In addition, the apparatus includes one or more augers having flights configured for working or reshaping peripheral edges of the cheese during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A circular saw blade is provided with a first bore of a first size, configured for engagement with a first size arbor. The disk also has a second bore of a second size configured for engagement with a second size arbor. The second bore is disposed concentrically with the first bore, and is placed within a knockout portion of a disk secured to a face of the saw blade. The knockout portion is removable for enlarging an inner transverse dimension of the disk beyond that of the first bore. The second transverse dimension is within an ISO H7 standard tolerance. The disk is thus configured for mounting the second bore on the second size arbor, and alternatively for removing the knockout portion to mount the first bore on the first size arbor.

Abstract: In a process for cutting sections from a probe for microscopic analysis, an ultramicrotome device is used having a blade with a cutting edge, the cutting edge extending at least approximately in a first direction. The process includes the steps of: vibrating the blade in the first direction; and moving the blade relative to the probe to be cut in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. This eliminates, or at least strongly reduces, compression of the cut sections.

Abstract: The punch stripper invention provides a design compatible with round or shaped punch points and flat, angular or irregular shaped surfaces to be punched. Using a bronze stripper insert machinable to suit the punch point shape and also three-dimensionally machinable to match the surface to be punched. The bronze stripper insert has graphite plugs to lubricate both the punch shank and the inner diameter of the insert sleeve as both components are used in close tolerance to guide the bronze stripper insert. An alignment pin is used in the insert sleeve to guide by a slot in the bronze stripper insert for anti-rotation. An elastomeric urethane spring is used for the stripping force required behind the bronze stripper insert, but always compressed in a parallel manor to maximize the life of the urethane. A retention plate is used to mount the stripper arrangement to a standard ball lock punch retainer with one or two screw style retention plates depending on clearance requirements.

Abstract: A rotary cutter is configured such that a stationary cutter includes: an oscillating member oscillatably pivoted on a strut; a stationary blade projecting on one side of the oscillating member; oscillation restricting means for restricting oscillation of the oscillating member in one direction; a resilient member for applying an urging force to the oscillating member at all times in a direction in which the oscillation is restricted; and oscillating means for forcibly applying an oscillating force to the oscillating member; wherein the oscillating member is supported at three points, that is, a contact point between the resilient member and the oscillating member, a contact point between the oscillation restricting means and the oscillating member, and a pivotal point of the strut of the oscillating member. Thus, it is possible to adjust a fixing angle of the stationary blade at a proper angle by a simple operation and reduce the cost of the rotary cutter.

Abstract: A finger-operated page turning device for stacked sheets, with methods, apparatus for forming the device as sets of offset voids or notches in alternating pages of a stack. The device is operated by simple movements of the thumb and/or fingers of a user's one hand while holding the stack in a curved configuration in the user's other hand. The apparatus includes rotary cutting machines for web sheet material, as well as both computer controlled and hand punches for individual sheets.

Abstract: A table saw includes two guide bars movable along two opposite sides of a worktable to carry a table extension, and a locking mechanism for locking the guide bars in position. The locking mechanism includes a handle pivoted to a coupling block at the bottom side of the worktable, two eccentric members reversely mounted in the handle, and two links respectively coupled between the eccentric members and the guide bars and movable with the handle to force a respective stop block against or to release the respective stop block from the guide bars to further lock or unlock the guide bars and the table extension.

Abstract: A fence extension assembly for extending a height dimension of a table fence assembly, comprising an extension fence member, a lock plate, and a lock member. The extension fence member defines a guide surface, a lock wall, a lock cavity, and a lock slot formed in the lock wall to allow access to the lock cavity. The lock plate is arranged within the lock cavity. The lock member is adapted to extend through a mounting passageway in the table fence assembly and into the lock slot. The lock member engages the lock plate to rigidly secure the extension fence member to the table fence assembly.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping mechanism includes a holder connectable to a reciprocating shaft of a power sawing tool. The holder has a sliding way, a receiving slot for insertion of a saw blade, and a through hole in communication between the sliding way and the receiving slot. A steel ball is movably installed in the through hole. A sliding block is mounted in the sliding way and moveable between a first position for receiving the steel ball for removal of the saw blade out of the receiving slot and a second position to force the steel ball into the receiving slot to lock the saw blade. A spring member supports the sliding block in the second position. A control knob is connected to the sliding block for operation by the user to move the sliding block from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A saw, such as a chop saw, a miter saw, a sliding saw, a compound miter saw, etc. In some constructions, the saw may include a miter adjustment assembly including a coarse adjustment assembly and a fine adjustment assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a bevel adjustment assembly including a brake mechanism and a bevel detent assembly. In some constructions, the saw may include a dust collection assembly including a dust chute defining a dust both around the bevel arm. In some constructions, the saw may include a table having a top wall with a peripheral rim and a side wall depending from the top wall, and a base defining an opening in which the side wall is received and a ledge above which the rim is positioned. In some constructions, the saw may include elastomeric material covering a portion of the base, such as a bottom surface, a lateral surface, a grip surface, etc.

Abstract: A miter saw having a laterally tiltable cutting portion and a fence unit that supports a workpiece without mechanical interference with the cutting portion regardless of its laterally tilting posture. A left fence unit and a right fence unit is provided on a base portion. The left fence includes a fixed left fence, a first left subordinate fence pivotally movably connected to the fixed left fence, and a second left subordinate fence pivotally movably connected to the fixed left fence. The first left subordinate fence is moved to a first position outside of a first titling region of the cutting portion, and to a second position outside of the first tilting region and a second tilting region in which a tilting angle of the cutting portion is greater than that in the first tilting region.

Abstract: A miter saw having a cutting portion movable toward and away from a base and laterally tiltable for bevel cutting. A gear case is provided at the cutting portion and is positioned at one lateral side of the cutting portion. A bearing holder is provided in the gear case for holding a bearing which rotatably supports a spindle for a circular saw blade. The bearing holder has a thickness smaller than an axial length of the bearing. A first bearing nip member in contact with one axial end of the bearing is fixed to one side of the bearing holder, and a second bearing nip member in contact with another axial end of the bearing is fixed to another side of the bearing holder. These nip members are made from a material having a mechanical strength higher than that of the bearing holder.

Abstract: Anvil roll cover structure for a veneer clipper comprising, plural, complementary, molded roll cover sections having curved chevron-cut shapes assembleable in pairs to form a unified, singular, circumsurrounding anvil roll cover segment. The sections which unite to form cover segments are supported internally by curtain-screen, wire-mesh, flex armature components which help to stabilize segment section shapes which are formed by chevron-cutting of initially whole, molded, undivided cover segments. Joinery-accommodating nut, bolt and passage structures operatively associated with pairs of segment sections accommodate assembly of such pairs into full body-of-revolution segments. End-to-end disposed, twin-section segments collaborate to form an overall anvil roll cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a series of medicine packets discharged from an automatic medicine packaging machine into individual doses to automatically load the cut medicine packets on a loading device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feeding device for feeding the series of medicine packets from the upper side of a main body to a stepped part at the other side of the main body, a cutting device for cutting the series of medicine packets by one medicine packet at the stepped part, a loading device for loading the medicine packets, cut by the cutting device and dropped to the stepped part, by a predetermined number, and a controller including a position sensor for detecting a position of the hole in the medicine packet and controlling the feeding device and the cutting device based on the position information of the hole of the medicine packets inputted from the position sensor.

Abstract: A saw blade angular adjustment device for a metal and wood cutting machine includes a rectangular working platform having a pair of symmetrically arranged triangular support arms on lateral sides each including a screw hole in the top engaged with an arcuate slit in the middle portion of a pair of pillow shaped pivotal plates which is rotatably secured to the arms by bolt, a pair of sliding bars parallel secured to the top of the pivotal plates, a saw blade angular adjustment assembly slidably engaged onto the sliding bars including a seat and a guarded saw bladed which is operated by a motor inside the seat a pair of first and second clamping plate parallel disposed on the front portion of the platform and a pair of U-shaped rods respectively inserted into the front and rear end of the platform. The feature is that both of the saw blade and the clamping plate can be adjusted a certain degree of angle.

Abstract: A miter saw having a bevel angle fine adjustment mechanism capable of easily providing an intended bevel angle. A clamp shaft is threadingly engaged with a tilt support. An adjustment knob and a planetary gear mechanism are concentrically and rotatably disposed over the clamp shaft. The planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear integral with the adjustment knob, a pair of planetary gears meshedly engaged with the sun gear and orbitally moved about the sun gear, and a ring gear meshedly engaged with the pair of planetary gears. A planetary gear support member rotatably supports the planetary gears. By the orbital motion of the planetary gears, the gear support member is rotated about an axis to rotate an output gear. An arcuate gear meshed with the output gear is fixed to the support portion. By the rotation of the adjustment knob, the output gear is deceleratingly rotated to laterally tiltably move the support portion.

Abstract: A dual function apparatus for cutting and punching includes a main body, a knife switch and at least one punching unit. The main body includes a frame and a connector arranged on the frame. The knife switch is arranged on the frame and includes a switching member for changing a processing position and a knife member arranged corresponding to the switching member. The punching unit is arranged on the frame and corresponding to the switching member. The knife switch is moved for changing the processing position and providing dual function of cutting and punching.

Abstract: A roller for cutting and/or embossing foodstuffs includes a handle and an extrusion rotatably mounted to the handle. A variety of annular attachments may be removably positioned on the extrusion. The annular attachments cut and/or emboss foodstuffs when the roller is rolled over the foodstuffs.

Abstract: The combination of a conventional steel rule die for cutting shapes in sheet material and a height adapter to be attached to the top of the die to increase the original height (i.e., thickness) of the die. Accordingly, the combination will be sized so as to fit snugly within a gap in a hand operated die press between a pressing force generator and the sheet material to be cut. By virtue of the addition of the height adapter, the die will lie within the gap in close proximity to the force generator so as to receive a pressing force necessary for properly cutting the sheet material into the desired shape. Positioning guidelines are marked on the top of the height adapter to alert the press operator as to the ideal positions of the combination relative to the pressing force generator of the die press.

Abstract: An automatic slat-forming machine includes a collecting unit, a plurality of cutting units, a plurality of punching units and a control unit. When the control unit is operated, a plate is moved from the collecting unit into the cutting units and the punching units, and is cut and punched to form a window blind slat under automatic control of the control unit.

Abstract: The method of dividing a glass substrate into separate pieces includes producing a crack along a dividing line on the substrate and acting on the crack with an aqueous cutting liquid during or immediately after producing the crack. The aqueous cutting liquid used in the method has a special composition that reduces the breaking forces applied to the glass substrate in order to divide it. The aqueous liquid contains an ionic organic compound, which has a cation with a positively charged nitrogen atom and a hydroxyl anion. Quaternary ammonium hydroxide compounds are especially preferred as the ionic organic compound.

Abstract: A bridge connector arrangement includes a bridge member moveable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to a pair of adjacent electrical modules, thereby to connect and disconnect rows of female terminals on the modules, The bridge member carries a plurality of male bridging contacts that extend within the female terminals when the bridge member is in the engaged position, whereupon the male bridging contacts are biased by clamping springs into electrical engagement with stationary wall contacts mounted in the female terminals. Release members carried by the bridge member are operable both to release the clamping springs from the male contacts, and to displace the bridge member toward the disengaged position relative to the modules. The bridge member and the modules include a tongue and groove guide arrangement, thereby to fasten both modules together mechanically.

Abstract: A specialized at least bilayered device similiformic with the fretboard/fingerboard/keyboard of an instrument is designed to be removingly disposed between the strings and fretbaord or frets of the instrument and prevents or mitigates fret damages (from, for example, dimpling or string grooving) owing to string pressures—such as during transport and storage of the instrument in a case or other. Fret integrity and active or functional life is extended in an industrially efficient, economical and elegant way heretofore uncontemplated and/or commercially realized.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for selectively tightening the snare wires of a snare drum, having a camming mechanism cooperatively formed by two concentric members with an inherent level of friction that allows it to be reliably set at either extreme position of adjustment of the tightness of the snare wires or at any desired intermediate position of adjustment, thus allowing the musician a full range of choice of the musical tones or effects to be produced by the snare wires.

Abstract: A percussion beater cage has a first cage bar (1) positioned horizontally apart from a second cage bar (2) on at least one bar holder (3). The first cage bar is structured for attachment of a first acoustical trigger (5). The second cage bar is structured for attachment of a second acoustical trigger (6). The bar holder and optionally bar holders (12, 13, 32, 35) are structured for adjustable positioning of the first cage bar and the second cage bar a distance apart selectively for positioning the first acoustical trigger a desired strike-timing distance apart from the second acoustical trigger selectively. A base plate (4) is structured for attachment of a conventional foot pedal (7) for foot-actuating musical instruments that include base drums. The conventional foot pedals generally have a beater head (9) on a beater rod (8) actuated with the foot pedal for striking at least one acoustical trigger that is most commonly digital.

Abstract: A rhythm action game apparatus comprising an audio analyser adapted to analyze a music track and provide corresponding rhythm data, and a sequence generator adapted to generate game play cues according to said rhythm data. There is also disclosed a music processor comprising an audio analyser adapted to analyze a music track and provide corresponding rhythm data, and an audio post processor adapted to reconfigure the music track controlled by the rhythm data.