Abstract: Sturdy metal strainer frames for mounting art canvas are assembled in any required size in an easy and cost-effective fabrication approach. Frame members fabricated as aluminum extrusions are joined at mitred corners to form a rectangular strainer frame. The frame extrusion pattern provides a smooth rounded perimeter edge for improved canvas mounting, a rear channel for anchoring the canvas around the edges and a larger channel around the inside of the frame for accepting brace members as required and holding them accurately aligned, typically at two foot intervals for larger frame sizes. The brace members, provided in two types of extrusion pattern, are cut to length and attached together at junctions as required and to the frame at overlapping flanges, preferably by a proprietary TOX (R) joining system utilizing an upsetting-pressing technique that eliminates all separate fastening hardware items such as clips, nuts, bolts, screws and rivets and requires no drilling, welding, or adhesives.

Abstract: For suppressing extraneous radiation from an x-ray type food inspection station enclosure having an entry tunnel and an exit tunnel, two pairs of swinging shield doors are provided, one pair located in the entry tunnel and one pair located in the exit tunnel. In a preferred embodiment, each door is actuated by a dedicated pneumatic door actuator located above the door and placed under control of a microprocessor system that also controls the entire conveyor and x-ray inspection process, in particular closing the doors in the event of a gap in the series of containers that could otherwise allow excessive x-ray leakage from the tunnel. As a fail-safe measure, the shield doors are configured with a slip clutch drive and a mechanical override system that tends to close the doors to maintain x-ray radiation suppression in the event of failure of a door actuator or power source thereof.

Abstract: A low-cost lightweight portable display and listening stand is configured to display, demonstrate and sell media such as music compact disks (CDs) particularly at general retail outlets and directly by musicians to attendees of live performances and other public events. A bottom compartment accommodates a CD player that is set up to drive a headphone set that is made available to a user. An open bin located above the bottom compartment holds a small quantity of CDs packaged in individual “jewel-box” cases. A vertical panel, extending upwardly from a rear region of the open bin, provides display of sales literature or display of product, e.g. one of the packaged CDs, and provides a hanger for the headphone set. The display rack can be made integral or can be assembled from two or more component portions that can be separated and that can nest together for convenient storage, transportation or shipping.

Abstract: For high reliability through redundancy, in a thermal chamber, heat exchange tubes are configured in multiple parallel runs. Typically three tubes are attached side-by-side in a strip which is formed into folded-back horizontal rows to be built into or attached to the walls of the chamber. In a freezer, each tube can serve independently as an evaporator when connected to a compressor/condenser source. Versatile source interfacing is provided by two valve-manifold routing units, one at each end of the multi-tube strip, enabling easy tube substitution in case of failure, as well as facilitating source-swapping, networking, defrosting and refrigerant operations such as purging, flushing, replenishing, changing or replacement, all without interrupting the required cooling process or affecting the chamber temperature.

Abstract: For gripping and stretching fabric such as art canvas, a system of specially-shaped gripping members are attached to the material in line along each edge in a manner that in co-operative engagement with the frame via special frame channels, facilitates two-dimensional stretching and mounting as well as subsequent dismounting of the material from the frame, rolling up for shipping or storage, and reassembly and re-mounting onto the frame. The gripping members slide into the frame channels which then engage a fixed or adjustable frame; optionally the fabric may be stretched around the frame perimeter. The gripping members are attached in pairs: one on each sides of the fabric, arranged in line near the edge of the fabric and are made to slide freely in the frame channels to enable two-dimensional stretching of the fabric. The members of each pair are permanently attached together by wire staples or thread, gripping the fabric between interfacing surfaces which may be shaped to enhance gripping.

Abstract: A dual-mode light unit, fitting closely against a vertical wall surface, indirectly illuminates a nearby ceiling region with a uniform wash and provides a functional task light component while providing an unusual luminous visual accent effect from a major lower region of the unit. A fluorescent lamp is located about one-third way down from the top of the shallow vertically-elongated enclosure. The lamp is concealed behind a lamp shield running across the front. An upper reflector, offset upwardly from the lamp and extending to the top of the unit, is made with a smooth reflective surface shaped to distribute the upward illumination field from the lamp uniformly as a ceiling wash. A lower luminance panel, offset downwardly from the lamp and extending to the bottom of the unit, a matte surface that picks up highlights from a controlled field of downward illumination from the lamp, creating 14B ′ as an unusual soft restful decorative effect while also functioning as a task light.

Abstract: A ventilating/sterilizing system for food-quality liquid storage tanks has a weatherproof overhead hood. Incoming air, drawn up into the hood is first filtered at the intake of an electric blower forcing the airflow through a main filter to be sterilized by ultraviolet radiation then heated for tank entry, where airflow drives out moisture and displaces air in the head region through a specially designed weather protective tank outlet vent with a removable cone-shaped dual-screen filter unit. A remote indicator light panel indicates normal operation and malfunctions. Stainless steel construction throughout minimizes deterioration and contamination. The main filter is enclosed in a housing mounted on a base unit containing the ultra-violet chamber, the heating chamber, and electrical components. The hood is hinged for intake filter access; similarly the blower assembly is hinged for main filter access for replacement or cleaning.

Abstract: A novel bistable actuator of the coaxial plunger type, requiring only a single electrical coil and a single permanent magnet, provides electrical remote control of extension and retraction of a locking pin in an usually long linear bidirectional power stroke whose two end positions are held stable magnetically to withstand environmental acceleration as required for missile or aerospace component locking requirements. The coil is located in a cylindrical soft iron stator shell that acts as a magnetic yoke handling the flux loop from the permanent magnet which, fitted with circular end pole plates, forms a moving armature/plunger driving the locking pin. The working magnetic air gap dimension and flux density remain substantially constant over a major central portion of the stroke so that the actuator is driven uniformly in the mode of a speaker voice coil. The magnetic holding force at the stroke ends can be independently adjusted in design.

Abstract: A system of pyramid puzzles provides sets of puzzle-pieces formed as identical spheres tangentially attached together in one or more row(s) on a square grid pattern, configured to provide interesting challenges with surprising solutions in assembling pyramids The puzzle system includes two families of sets of matched pairs of puzzle pieces for assembling pyramids of two corresponding equilateral shapes: triangle-based and square-based. For the triangular-based pyramid, puzzle-pieces are configured from single or plural attached rows of spheres forming rectangular outlines that each form an inclined layer in the pyramid. For the square-based pyramid, puzzle-pieces are configured in generally L-shaped orthogonal forms in matched pairs that each combine to form a horizontal layer in the pyramid. The sets can range from relatively simple with as few as four puzzle-pieces to larger sets of any desired size, increasing in progressive steps, in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

Abstract: A versatile enlarged hand-shaped novelty display is formed from a flexible foam body, with front and rear sides, configured with an outline defining five articulated digits consisting of four fingers and a thumb. Patches of releasable engagement material, such as Velcro hook-and-loop type, are affixed to the novelty hand at specially selected locations, such as the finger tips, that enable an unprecedented number of hand signs, signals and/or gestures to be set up and retained as long as desired and then easily released and set up differently. Engagement patches at the digit extremities can engage an engagement strip extending across the palm. In addition, engagement patches in the vicinity of the fingernail location on the backs of two of the fingers can be engaged onto the thumb or to the front patch of an adjacent finger.

Abstract: A fender shaper system for equestrian use, that can be easily added to a new or used saddle system, shapes the fenders optimally and holds the desired shape permanently, thus eliminating the conventional need to soak the fenders in water and reshape them repeatedly due to their inherent tendency to revert back toward the original flat shape unless kept stored in a special holder. The fender shaper system permanently ensures the correct free-hanging stirrup orientation that makes mounting easier and safer by avoiding any need to reach down and turn the stirrup manually, and also ensures riding comfort free of leg stress and fatigue from having to continuously counteract a tendency of the stirrups to hang at an incorrect orientation. The fender shaper is formed from sheet stainless steel bent into the shape of a right angle bracket with curvature. In a primary embodiment for leather fenders, the fender can be fastened to the fender shaper with a pair of ornamental screw fasteners and a retaining tab.

Abstract: For enhancing the frequency response and sustain performance of a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar or electric bass, the present invention provides a mass-increasing device in the form of an adjustable metal U-shaped bracket forming a C-clamp that can be removably attached to the headstock of an instrument such as an acoustic guitar, electric guitar or electric bass. Clamping action is implemented by an screw-clamp assembly having a knurled thumb/finger knob at one end of a threaded shaft and a felt-padded pressure disc affixed at the other end, the threaded shaft traversing the major leg of the C-clamp. The device is normally clamped in place at an optimal location in the headstock near the instrument neck with the minor leg under the strings and the major leg and the screw-clamp assembly located on the reverse side of the headstock. Resilient pads are provided on the clamping pressure points to protect the finish on the instrument headstock.

Abstract: A novel bistable actuator of the coaxial plunger type, requiring only a single electrical coil and a single permanent magnet, provides electrical remote control of extension and retraction of a locking pin in a linear power stroke whose two end conditions require no power and are stabilized by the magnet against environmental acceleration as required for missile or aerospace component locking requirements. The coil is located in a cylindrical soft iron stator shell that acts as a magnetic yoke handling the flux loop from the permanent magnet which, fitted with circular end pole plates, forms a moving armature/plunger driving the locking pin. A specially shaped bobbin carries the coil in the shell/yoke and also forms a tubular guide that confines movement of the armature to axial sliding. The shell/yoke is shaped to form two radial air gaps in the flux loop path of the armature magnet: a working gap traversing a portion of the coil and a return gap outside the coil.

Abstract: For conserving bedding material such as wood shavings when cleaning livestock environments such as horse stalls, a manure fork is combined with an air blower directed into the working region of the fork. The air flow is directed to blow the loose bedding material past the fork tines and onto surrounding regions of the stall automatically, while the worker simply works with the fork in the normal manner to remove the manure. The bedding material remains in the stall, thus saving a substantial portion of the usual replenishment costs. The invention thus accomplishes substantial overall cost savings and environmental conservation without requiring special supervision or unusual diligence on the part of the worker.

Abstract: A detachable disposable sweatband, that can be readily manufactured from inexpensive readily-available component materials at low cost that makes it practically disposable and thus beneficial to personal hygiene, is easily attached to the sweatband or interior periphery of practically any existing headware. A composite central core of special highly-absorptive material, based on basic principles of feminine hygiene pads, accepts and retains more sweat than comparable sweatbands of prior art and thus provides better protection to the eyes and face of the wearer. The sweatband can be easily detached and discarded, and then replaced at low cost whenever desired, thus eliminating the usual inconvenience and cost of laundering or discarding and replacing the headwear.

Abstract: A height-adjustable nut assembly for stringed musical instruments can be implemented as a single elongate nut block that can be height-adjusted at each end, or as two such nut blocks disposed end-to-end. The nut block has a cross-sectional shape that provides at row of V-shaped channels for string support and guidance. A primary embodiment has a stabilizing flange extending from the bottom portion of the nut block toward the instrument body region. The nut block is adjustably supported by tripod mounting system including a pair of set-screws in the nut block under the channels and a fastening screw through the stabilizing flange, which is compressibly spaced from a support landing machined in the neck. A step formed by the landing is utilized for anti-rotation. The V-shape of the string support channels accommodates all sizes and tunings of strings with precise center-to-center spacing assured, and provides increased clearance for thicker strings.

Abstract: A microphone shock-mount system utilizes an outer tubular shell having a diameter substantially greater than that of a typical microphone and having a length shorter than that of a typical microphone. The shell is attached to a microphone stand adaptor of a swivel type commonly utilized for attachment to the shaft of a stand or boom, and is configured with a pattern of through-holes into which round stretch-cord is laced to establish several runs extending across internally under tension, typically four runs: a pair at the front and a second pair at the rear of the shell. The stretch-cord runs are configured in a special offset pattern such that a typical microphone with cable attached can be mounted and retained in a concentric location within the shell by inserting the free end of the microphone to spread and engage the central region of each opposed pair of stretch-cord runs.

Abstract: An open-string damper for stringed musical instruments, especially those played with a string-tapping technique, utilizes an elongated rectangular metal shift bar mounted in a transverse channel running across the fretboard of the instrument, located between the first fret and the nut. The shift bar, fitted with a pad of damping material on its top side facing the underside of the strings, is mounted in a constrained manner extending to both sides of the fingerboard so that it can be grasped between a thumb and finger and shifted by the user between two stable locations: an engaged location wherein the damping material is urged upwardly against the strings and a disengaged location wherein the damping material is held away from the strings.

Abstract: A transportable multi-unit station for viewing 3D stereoscopic video with accompanying stereo sound, without any necessity of wearing equipment of any kind on the viewer's head, is implemented by a polar array of six identical modules arranged around a central support column mounted onto a large circular baseplate. Each module includes a partially enclosed a hood and is fitted with a pair of stereoscopic eyepieces, for example LCD type, and a pair of optimally located stereo loudspeakers. The stations are constrained individually to the column by rollers that allow only vertical movement. Each station is counter-balanced by a suspension cable, pulley and weight and is supported in place vertically by a unilateral brake mechanism arranged such that a user can easily shift the station upwardly at any time, for which a pair of handles is provided, and can also shift it downwardly by actuating a hand-operated brake release lever provided on at least one of the handles.