Abstract: A stereophonic signal processing system for enhancing the perception of sonic dimension and imaging in a sound reproduction system having at least two stereo speakers.

Abstract: An improvement in small round loudspeakers of popular standard types used in vehicle assembly is obtained by modifying a standard-sized basket in a manner to provide a polar array of special mounting openings located on a concentric mounting circle of larger than standard diameter, thus allowing the use of a larger cone for improved performance and allowing the loudspeaker to be mounted in different-sized popular mounting hole patterns in the baffle panel; for example an aspect of the invention enables the "6.5 inch basket", associated with Asian-built vehicles, to be fitted with a larger-sized cone used in the "170 mm basket" associated with European-built vehicles, thus providing a loudspeaker, with the improved performance of the larger cone, that can be installed in a range of different baffle panel cutout sizes and configurations of either type of vehicle.

Abstract: A flush-mount swivel tweeter system for vehicular audio utilizes a tweeter unit enclosed in hemispherical shell housing, which fits in a swivel manner into a mating cavity in a mounting bushing configured externally with a threaded sleeve having a thin peripheral decorative front flange. The resulting swivel tweeter assembly can be flush-mounted through a round opening provided in the host panel. The flange is secured against the panel by a large mounting nut threaded onto the mounting bushing from the rear. A circular aiming range is available by a combination of swivelling the tweeter unit off-axis and rotating the entire assembly in the panel opening. Once aimed, the swivel tweeter is clamped in place by a nut and washer at the rear, and the mounting bushing is secured in place by tightening the large mounting nut against the rear of the panel.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic loudspeaker, with dual voice coils operating in corresponding magnetic fields in annular gaps between permanent magnet pole pieces, is provided with a single short-circuited braking coil of one or more turns mounted on the voice coil form midway between the two voice coils. The braking coil has minimal effect on normal operation of the loudspeaker, but introduces an inductive braking effect from counter-EMF whenever the voice coil assembly displacement approaches a working limit in either direction, as the braking coil enters a corresponding one of the two magnetized gaps. Thus bidirectional braking/damping is accomplished in a dual coil speaker by the addition of a single braking coil, which could be simply a one turn ring; whereas bidirectional inductive braking in a speaker with a single voice coil requires two such braking coils flanking the voice coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are provided for suppressing interference caused by ground loop currents associated with two A.C. power-line operated electrical/electronic equipment units, such as an audio source and an amplifier, where typically the ground loop includes a shielded signal cable interconnecting the two equipment units. A signal representing current sensed from a selected region of the ground loop is amplified and injected into a second region of the ground loop as a counteractive current having polarity opposite that of the original ground loop current, thus tending to nullify the interference. The amplification may be made adjustable for optimal suppression. Ground loop current may be sensed by a sensing transformer coupled to the loop or by a pair of sense lines, connected to selected nodes in the ground loop such as respective ground terminals of the two equipment units, and providing the sensed signal to differential amplifier inputs.

Abstract: A refrigerated countertop snack container that can be styled in the form of a lidded cookie jar utilizes a Peltier effect thermoelectric element as the cooling module located beneath the main interior compartment formed by a hygienic thermally-conductive liner that is thermally insulated from the container's outer shell and is held at 38.degree. F. nominal for optimal food refrigeration. The liner is specially designed with tapered thickness to minimize bottom-to-top temperature difference. Heat generated by the refrigeration process is dissipated from a finned aluminum heat sink that is cooled by forced air from a quiet "muffin" fan drawing in air from a first set of air vent openings configured around a lower region of the container, and exhausting air, warmed by the heat sink and fan motor, through a second set of air vents located above the first set. A high frequency type switching power converter located in the bottom region of the container converts 115 volts a.c.

Abstract: For professional audio operations such as recording and broadcasting, an LED bar-graph display instrument monitors average and peak loudness levels of stereophonic audio signals that have been encoded in serial digital format such as AES/EBU digital audio format. Internal audio processing circuitry, that can be implemented digitally with a custom chip gate array set, receives as input a serial stream of digital stereo audio data and converts this to ballistically conditioned logarithmic average and peak levels which are simultaneous displayed, generally simulating the ballistics of contemporary standard electronically displayed loudness meters such as the Dorrough analog model. The peak hold can be switched manually or internally between three hold durations: indefinite, 3 seconds or zero.

Abstract: A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball, about 18 inches in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles, secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball in a tension mode. The ball is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball. Attachment of the handles to the main ball portion may be made by sonic welding.

Abstract: An adjustable-aspect ratio video projection viewing screen assembly has a screen portion that is basically proportioned as a widescreen, e.g. with 16:9 aspect ratio, but is convertible to a second aspect ratio, e.g. regular 4:3 aspect ratio, by means of a pair of telescopic side panel assemblies, each having a fixed portion extending outwardly beyond the side edge of the widescreen, and a movable portion that can be located in front of the fixed portion for widescreen viewing or moved inwardly to cover the void side margins for viewing at regular aspect ratio. The fixed portions also serve as stereo speaker baffle boards, the movable panels being made acoustically transparent. The movable panels may be adjusted manually or can be fitted with an electrical power mechanism controlled manually or controlled automatically from an aspect mode control signal originating from the video projection system. All four panels are typically covered with matching grille cloth.

Abstract: A voltage controlled audio attenuator, of particular benefit in audio limiters, is created by configuring a nearly-balanced four-resistor bridge such that at least one of the branch resistors is implemented as a magnetoresistive element, located in a variable magnetic field, typically generated by a coil energized by current from an electronic driver which is made controllable from a DC control voltage, which is thus enabled to control the attenuation of the bridge. A suitable feedback processing circuit, receiving input from the bridge output and producing the DC control voltage in a predetermined dynamic relationship, forms the feedback branch of an automatic loop, thus the voltage-controlled attenuator is utilized as a key element of an audio limiter.

Abstract: A waterless urinal meeting U.S. sanitation code requirements and providing advantages of cost savings, water conservation and easy maintenance is particularly beneficial in public or institutional urinal facilities. An odor trap cartridge unit is configured as a coaxial dual chamber bell trap that eliminates the need for conventional P or J type traps required in water-flushed urinals. In the odor trap, a body of oily liquid sealant, floating on a body of trapped residual urine, serves as an odor barrier but allows entering urine to immediately permeate downwardly through the sealant and proceed to a drain without requiring flushing. The odor trap is molded from two plastic parts that are assembled together to form a cartridge unit that fits readily into a receptacle cavity of urinal bowl configured for wall mounting. The cartridge stays in place by friction and gravity, and can be easily removed with a special tool.

Abstract: For adjustably mounting an enclosure such as a loudspeaker to an architectural mass such as on a wall, a ball-and-socket swivel mounting mechanism is enclosed within a rear region of the enclosure, thus eliminating unsightly conventional external swivel-mounting apparatus. A mounting ball, at the end of a shaft cantilevered to the wall, enters the mounting mechanism through a circular opening in a central region of the rear panel of the enclosure. The ball is clamped between a fixed jaw and a movable jaw actuated by an adjusting screw via which the jaw-clamping force can be applied, adjusted and released by a tool inserted through an opening in the front of the enclosure and directed by an internal guide tube to engage the adjusting screw; thus all installation, orientation adjustment, clamping in place and removal of the enclosure can be performed conveniently from the front of the enclosure.

Abstract: A disposable toothbrush holder, particularly for the convenience and hygiene of visitors in motels and hotels, holds toothbrushes upright, bristle end up, for sanitary drying, supported in circular openings in a convex upper portion supported by integrally-formed legs. The holders can be molded economically from recyclable plastic material, and can be nested together for space-efficient packaging.

Abstract: A multi-media storage tray for storing mixed media items such as compact discs, audio tapes Sega cartridges and Nintendo cartridges and video tapes. Dividers are located on a two-level (top and lower) divider support. The dividers and the divider supports are arranged so that the tray can be essentially filled with any combination of the above mixed media. A set of first dividers located on the top level and spaced about 1 inch apart accommodates approximately 1-inch wide video tape cases. A set of second dividers on the lower level and spaced about 1.4 inches apart accommodates two approximately 0.7-inch wide cases for audio tapes or Sega cartridges or Nintendo cartridges in between each two successive second dividers. A set of third dividers two of which are spaced between each two successive second dividers provides three 0.41-inch wide spaces between each two successive second dividers to accommodate the width of compact disc cases.

Abstract: For electric coil windings, particularly in moving coils such as the voice coil of a heavy duty bass loudspeaker or other electro-acoustic transducer, the present invention has found metallic materials, as alternatives to copper or aluminum in the voice coil wire, that can provide increased available maximum SPL (sound pressure level) exceeding an empirical limit, just under 120 dB/1 m, that has been found to apply to various loudspeakers of known art regardless of efficiency and structural differences. Through study of known art regarding this limitation and theoretical analysis of the factors in voice coil structure and design that limit the maximum attainable SPL, a novel basis for selecting voice coil wire material has been developed.

Abstract: For hand comfort in carrying items with handles such as tote bags, plastic bag with handles formed as openings, paper shopping bag with attached round cord handles, wire baskets, coat hangers and the like, an inexpensive add-on handle-sheath is formed in one embodiment from flexible plastic in an elongated extrudable shape of suitable length having a transverse cross-sectional shape defining an upwardly-facing V-shaped entry channel with pair of guidewalls converging downwardly to a narrowed throat leading to a wider conduit region in a bottom portion of the add-on handle for holding a pair of bag handles. The add-on handle-sheath is easily fitted to a tote bag by directing the two bag handles downwardly in the entry channel, through the throat and into the conduit region, where they become effectively but removably captivated in the add-on handle-sheath.

Abstract: For large screen video displays using line-doubling to reduce scan line visibility, where a video source signal in standard interlaced format such as NTSC is converted to line-doubled non-interlaced format for progressively scanned display, visible motion degradations such as edge shimmer and strobe effects due to film-sourced video material are minimized by improved motion-detection video processing taught by this invention. In advance of actual display, successive fields are monitored for motion value in a first motion-detector and microprocessor comparator/analyzer where fields having high field-motion-value are detected as H-fields. Then, for display, each H-field is modified by pixel-averaging with a selected non-H-field. The regular and averaged fields are correctly sequenced to achieve vertical pixel alignment and smooth motion transitions thus minimizing film-source edge motion degradation.

Abstract: For dislodging of particulate material from precipitator plates, high voltage electrodes, hoppers, conveyance ductwork, etc., an electro-mechanical rapper module is removably combined with an electronic controller module in a single cylindrical unit that can be controlled and operated independently of any central controller. The rapper is preferably of the type that utilizes a spring-loaded hammer upstroke: being largely independent of gravity it can operate in any orientation. The controller drives the rapper in repetitive bursts at a rate of about 3 impacts per second, and provides selection of impact amplitude, on time and on delay. The unit can be controlled from a remote switch closure, and can be actuated manually by a pushbutton test switch on a control panel inside a top cover. The controller and rapper can be readily separated by removing a clamp, and can be operated as separate electrically-connected units.