Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided wherein each string has two critical points, A fulcrum tremolo is mounted on the instrument for varying the tension of the strings and the distance between the two critical points. The strings are attached to a plurality of intonation modules mounted on the fulcrum tremolo. Each intonation module is adjustable so that the strings can be adjusted from an untensioned state to a proper playing pitch. A bearing assembly is also included to facilitate pivoting of the fulcrum tremolo.

Abstract: A document production system is provided for preparing documents and managing a database of information pertaining to investigational studies of medical products. The document production system includes a data management user interface for providing user access to the database and for retrieving information from the database as specified by selected document templates for placement into word processor-compatible documents. Additionally, the data management user interface is capable of updating information stored within the database in accordance with information specified within a previously-prepared document.

Abstract: A support or hanger for an electric heating element in a heat treating furnace is disclosed. The heating element support includes a support arm having first and second end portions. First and second ceramic sleeves extend transversely through the support arm and a bracket surrounds at least three sides of the support arm. The bracket is dimensioned and positioned to engage with, and thereby support, the electric heating element. First and second pairs of ceramic spacers are disposed annularly on said first and second ceramic sleeves, respectively. The ceramic spacers are positioned between the bracket and the support arm to prevent contact between the support arm and the bracket. A pin is disposed within each of the first and second ceramic sleeves and extends through the bracket to support and retain the ceramic sleeves, the ceramic spacers, and the bracket on the support arm. In this arrangement, the heating element bears on the metallic bracket and does not cause wear or damage to the ceramic elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing a batch of remittance transactions in the form of an invoice and an accompanying check. A feeder receives a stacked batch of transactional pairs of documents and serially feeds the documents along a selected path of movement. Scanning cameras scan the front and back of each document to provide front and back images of the documents. A magnetic imager is employed for reading the magnetic markings of each check to detect the orientation of each check. From the magnetic imager, the documents are fed to a document-reordering device that functions to selectively change the sequential order of selected pairs of documents along the path of movement. A document orientor is also provided for selectively changing the orientation of any selected document along the path of movement. The document orientor includes a document reverser for reversing the orientation of selected documents from back to front along the path of movement.

Abstract: A car locator is provided having a base for attaching the locator to a car. A cantilevered support rod is pivotally connected with the base to permit pivotal movement and positioning of the rod relative to the base. A hollow marking sleeve having an outer transparent tube and an inner fluorescent liner disposed within the tube slidably mounts onto the support rod for marking the car. The sleeve engages the support rod with sufficient contact force to retain the sleeve in position on the support rod. The sleeve is slidably removable from the support rod so that the sleeve may be pulled from the support rod.

Abstract: A computer system and a computer-implemented method are provided for interactively displaying a three-dimensional rendering of a structure having a lumen and for indicating regions of abnormal wall structure. A three-dimensional volume of data is formed from a series of two-dimensional images representing at least one physical property associated with the three-dimensional structure. An isosurface of a selected region of interest is created by a computer from the volume of data based on a selected value or values of a physical property representing the selected region of interest. A wireframe model of the isosurface is generated by the computer wherein the wireframe model includes a plurality of vertices. The vertices of the wireframe model are then grouped into populations of contiguous vertices having a characteristic indicating abnormal wall structure by the computer.

Abstract: A method of forming an interior element for an automotive vehicle, the interior element including a covering member and a substrate, comprising the steps of preparing a covering member for the interior element and an air-permeable substrate of a predetermined three-dimensional shape for the interior element, the covering member including a sheet of covering material and a cushioned padding, the covering sheet laminated with the cushioned padding; placing the substrate on a support for receiving and supporting the substrate thereon, the support having ventilating holes; putting the covering member, with the cushioned padding thereof facing the substrate, on a surface of the substrate carried on the support; applying vacuum to the substrate through the ventilating holes of the support to draw the covering member onto the substrate; causing a cover frame to be operatively combined with the support in a manner to contain the covering member and the substrate carried on the support; and applying compressed-air ont

Abstract: A folding seat for a vehicle comprises a strap assembly (5) provided on the bottom of a seat cushion (2) and including a first belt member (50) providing a connection between the bottom of the seat cushion (2) and the back of the seat back (3) when the seat is folded, and a second belt member (51) cooperative with the first belt member (50) to fasten and retain the head rest body (41) when the seat is folded. The strap assembly (5) can be used to retain together all the seat components including the head rest (4) in a single compact folded configuration, thus providing over the rear of the seat back (3) an extra space adding to the existing space for baggage loading or other purposes.

Abstract: To prevent a ball-threaded shaft from slipping out of a linear actuator, a linear actuator 10 has an output shaft 18 threaded in a nut 16 for moving forward and backward linearly with respect to an outer tube 22 secured to a housing 20. Linear reciprocating movement of the nut 16 is effected by a ball-threaded shaft 14 rotated normally and reversely by a driving motor 12. The shaft is held against axial displacement by a bearing assembly 8 having an axial disk 32 secured to a proximal end 24 of the ball-threaded shaft 14. On the nut side of the disk within the assembly are disposed a first tension receiving rotational body 36, a thrust bearing 45 and a second tension receiving rotational body 58. The assembly 8 is retained by a tension stopper 62 spread and inserted into an annular central groove 60 in the tube 22.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of body waste in a portable toilet is comprised of a container (100) and an associated hollow housing structure (14) which are adapted to be seated on a conventional toilet (B). Waste in container (100) is dumped into the toilet via a cable mechanism (154) on the intake stroke of a hand pump (170). A water intake hose (172) is manually lowered into the toilet water via a hose control handle (162) prior to the operation of the pump. While the container (100) is in a vertical dumping position, the exhaust stroke of pump (170) forces water siphoned from the toilet through a jet outlet (180) to clean the interior of the container (100). The waste and toilet water in the container (100) is discharged directly into the bowl without impinging the hollow housing structure. The container (100) automatically returns to its rest, or horizontal, position due to the action of a return spring.

Abstract: A pallet for carrying a driver's seat and an assistant driver's seat, or a seat for several passengers, comprising a substantially rectangle-shaped base plate, a frame-like rising section of a substantially rectangle-shape rising from a surface of the base plate, on which the driver's seat and assistant driver's seat or the seat for several passengers are to be carried, and surrounding said base plate, the base plate and frame-like rising section formed as one piece, by reaction injection molding, of resinous material containing as the main component thereof dicyclopentadiene which is C.sub.

Abstract: A compact speakerphone apparatus is provided with an angled housing for a speaker and a directional microphone. The speaker and microphone are mounted in the housing such that the directional characteristics of the microphone minimizes feedback from the speaker. Additionally, the speaker is mounted to direct sounds away from a horizontal surface upon which the speakerphone may be placed in a just configuration. In a second configuration, the speaker may be mounted upon an elevating bracket for suspending the speaker at a rotated position whereby the directional microphone remains oriented toward a user's mouth.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump having a simple structure for effectively preventing pulsation of liquid being discharged, which includes an air chamber connected to a head-side discharge hole of the diaphragm pump and having a discharge-side discharge hole, and thereby pipes are kept from being damaged by preventing the pulsation of the liquid, and the level of noisy can be reduced to a very adequate level.

Abstract: An apparatus used for reducing the amount of pathogenic bacteria associated with a bird or other edible animal, and preferably chickens, comprising: (a) a unit having an interior portion having side and bottom walls, an exterior portion having side and bottom walls and end walls connecting said interior portion to said exterior portion wherein the area of said interior portion provides a space which completely surrounds one or more of the birds or animals being treated; (b) one or more flood nozzles mounted within said interior portion of said unit and connected to a source of a bacteria reducing chemical solution to enable the bacteria reducing chemical solution to be applied to the entire interior of the body cavity of the bird or animal being treated; (c) one or more spray nozzles mounted within said interior portion of said unit and connected to a source of a bacteria reducing chemical solution to enable the bacteria reducing chemical solution to be applied to the entire external surfaces of the bird or a

Abstract: A speech detection system is provided with multiple speech detector sub-systems. The speech detection sub-systems employ distinct statistical methods for determining whether speech is present in an electronic communication signal received at an output terminal. For example, a first speech detection sub-system employs moving average peak signal filter, a second speech detection sub-system employing a moving average noise filter, and a third speech detection sub-system employs a variance filter. Signals from each of the filters are compared with respective threshold values, and the threshold values are provided to speech determination logic for making an aggregate speech detection decision. The speech detection system is useful for telephonic automatic gain control.

Abstract: A diffusion bonding furnace includes a pressure vessel having a top and a chamber. A press penetrates through an opening in the top of the pressure vessel, so that a first end of the press is disposed within the chamber. The opening in the top of the pressure vessel is sealed around the press to prevent leakage when the pressure vessel is at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. A moveable bolster is secured to the first end of the press and a moveable platen is attached to the moveable bolster.

Abstract: Biological entities such as cells, microbes, or components thereof are labeled with a magnetic colloid containing microscopic magnetic particles. The magnetic particles have a coating capable of biospecific or non-specific binding with the entities. An immobilization apparatus includes a non-magnetic vessel having a ferromagnetic collection structure for attracting the entities toward a collection surface upon which the magnetically labeled entities are immobilized subsequent to placement of the vessel on a support between two magnets. The ferromagnetic collection structure preferably has a sharp edge or high curvature for intensifying the magnetic field and for collecting the entities in a monolayer. The vessel includes an un-obstructed observation path so that immobilized entities may be observed and/or manipulated. The ferromagnetic collection structure may be arranged in various two dimensional patterns to provide a desired collection configuration.