Abstract: A percussion instrument muting apparatus that dampens the volume or tone from a drum. The apparatus is mounted within a drum, and the muting level can be adjusted with a tube that extends from the muting assembly out an existing breather hole, and to an adjustment bulb. The muting assembly is an expandable or inflatable bladder that makes contact with a portion of the drumhead or drum skin when the drum is played.

Abstract: An expandable musical instrument stand where the components of the stand are constructed with tubular sections. The tubular section are extruded to include dovetail cross sectional areas that can be stacked and a semi-circular locking collar slides into the dovetail guide and locks the tubular sections together. The expandable construction allows the musical stand to be broken down into smaller sections to make it easer to transport and simple to erect. The expandable section is ideally used with the center tube with a three or four leg stand where the legs can be collapsible on the center tube or the legs can be constructed with the same or similar construction as the center tube where they can be stacked and clamped with a collar.

Abstract: A percussion instrument holder that allows attachment to a user mounted carrier. The holder allows adjustment for positioning about the user, and pivoting of the holder to allow the holder to pivot or rotate up to allow the holder with instruments to fit a narrower space. The holder further allows for pivotal attachment of individual drums to link or pivot allowing the linked drums to articulate. The holder can also consist of members that allow a connected drum to move in horizontal position, angle, or height of the drum.

Abstract: An improvement to a writing instrument with stylus, a pocket clip and an integrated letter-opening blade. The improvement consists of locating the letter-opening blade in the pocket clip of the pen. The blade is prevented from cutting the pocket of the user due to a blade protector that is mechanically linked to the mechanism that extends and retracts with the marking or writing tip. In an alternate embodiment, the blade is located on the opposite side of the pocket clip. The extending and retracting mechanism can be a variety of types including twist, press, sliding. The stylus provides input to a PDA, touch screen or other tactile input device. Another embodiment includes a letter opener with a stylus.

Abstract: A drill attachment for smoothing the edges and corners of a concrete slab is disclosed. The drill attachment includes a shaft that is secured or chucked into an electric drill. Pluralities of troweling blades extend from the central shaft and are secured at their ends to maintain their position and orientation. The blades are secured to the trowel at variable or fixed angles that are changeable to suit the finishing need of the operator. In operation the drill attachment is used to smooth the ends and corners of a foundation where larger smoothing trowel machines have difficulty reaching. The power trowel is field installed and removed when needed for use, cleaning and storage. The drill attachment has an independently spinning blade cover extends over the ends of the blades to prevent damage to a wall or other surface when the trowel is in use.

Abstract: A printing machine for use with paper roll stock is disclosed. The print head consists of an expandable cylindrical ring print head where the printing brushes are integrated in a spiral pattern around the ring print head. Ink wells are located outside of the print head, and electromagnets, located outside of the ring print head, attract or repel the print brushes towards or away from the ink wells or paper. The printing machine is ideally suited for advertising or other elongated print media. Due to the use of standard paper roll stock and speed of the printing, signs can be printed on demand and displayed in a real-time basis. Two printing machines can be configured to print on both sides of the paper at the same time with the same or different images being printed on each side.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid plastic, light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The removable hardware includes a removable back support member. The instrument carrier includes an expandable and or adjustable front section(s) that allows for at least one front adjustment of the carrier to adjust the overall length of the carrier to accommodate users of different sizes.

Abstract: An electrical cable that minimizes frequency sensitive group delay for consumer products and industrial use. A method constructing an electrical cable that minimizes frequency sensitive group delay for consumer products and industrial use. The cables utilize flat conductor made from resistive conductors. In other embodiments the conductors use a combination of metals where each has a different resistive property.

Abstract: A ceiling fan with a light and sound generator is disclosed where the blades of the ceiling fan resemble the rotor blades of a helicopter. Under the blades of the ceiling fan a fixed or replaceable body of a helicopter is located or locatable. The blades of the helicopter may also be changeable to simulate different types of rotors for different helicopters. Control chains extend down from the body of the helicopter to resemble lanyards for repelling from the helicopter. The control chains provide control for fan speed, rotation direction, lighting, and may further include control of sounds that can be generated from the ceiling fan that may simulate commands from the pilot of a helicopter. A remote control can be provided to control the fan light and sound functions. A sensor for detecting the presence of a person in the room may also activate the sound generation.

Abstract: A combination valve stem extension hose and pressure indicator is disclosed. The extension is threaded onto a standard valve stem. The extension tube is available in a variety of lengths to accommodate filling inside dually tires. The extension tube also is available with various bend angles. A pressure indicating piston is provided to give visual status of the pressure within the tire in a static filled condition and while air is being added to the tire. The construction of the pressure indicator allows for threading or welding of the sight glass. Improvements in the pressure indicator include locating, aligning and positioning features to improve operation and longevity of the gauge.

Abstract: A drum key for adjusting the bolts that secure and tune the drum heads or skin that close one or more ends of a drum. The key is constructed in an elongated body with one end having a socket configured for engaging onto the head of a tightening bolt used to tighten and tune the drum head or skin. When the body of the key is articulated arms or wings embodied within the body of the key extend, deploy or spread to provide a leaver arm for tightening the tuning bold on a drum. After the tightening and or tuning operation is complete, the arms or wings are securable back within the body of the drum key.