Abstract: A hand-held microcomputer-based ruler-like measuring and calculating instrument, particularly adapted for but not restricted to the graphic arts field, is capable of registering individual size measurements, proportioning successive readings in percent, converting to different units and visually displaying numeric results. The measuring, computing and indicating system has been human-engineered to eliminate fatigue and risk of error associated with conventional methods of repeatedly sizing and proportioning graphics elements. Distance along a fixed ruler scale, gaged by a slider-mounted pointer, is sensed and encoded electro-optically from an internal fixed bar-scale, digitally decoded, registered, processed and displayed. Optional audible indication enables the sliding pointer to be reset manually to a memory-stored reference point without eye contact, simplifying multiple sequential readings and proportioning factor determinations and thus greatly reducing mental and visual effort.

Abstract: For reliable heavy duty repeatable connection of heavy duty electric power lines of a portable, mobile or temporary nature, involving frequent changes such as extension or relocation, the connector of this invention couples readily in a twist action which locks large area contact surfaces together uniformly and positively to eliminate the risk of accidental uncoupling, degration over time with repeated usage, and general unreliability experienced in non-locking type connectors of known art in this class of service. An uncomplicated rugged configuration, machined from brass, provides mating cone-shaped contact surfaces. A specially located steel pin incorporated into the socket member engages a thread groove in the plug member including a lead-in ledge to clear the pin and guide it into the groove during twist-locking.

Abstract: In an improved trussed neck construction for stringed musical instruments such as guitars, a straight truss rod is disposed in a uniform groove along the rear side of the neck, exposing a surface of the truss along its full length, substantially flush with the rear neck surface. At one end, the truss rod is anchored to the neck, while at the other end it is anchored adjustably to enable correction of unwanted fingerboard curvature, typically concave curvature due to string-tension-induced neck strain. Additional capability is provided to reverse the compensation should this be required, for example to counteract convex fretboard curvature due to neck warpage. The adjustment system, implemented by a machine nut which is adjusted using a wrench, is more rugged than the usual screwdriver system. Adjustment access from the rear of the neck is more convenient than conventional front access.

Abstract: For commercial and residential use, a wall-mounted enclosed towel warmer has a bottom-hinged tilt-out front cover which includes an integral top panel. In the tilted-out cover position an internal towel holder also tilts outward to provide convenient top access for loading or removal of a towel. When the cover is pushed closed, a latch retains it in the closed position where the exterior presents a smooth flat profile having only a shallow protrusion of a few inches from an unaltered wall surface, providing a high degree of user safety, especially regarding children. In this closed position, the towel becomes intimately sandwiched between several thin profile electric heating elements located on both sides of the towel holder and on inner surfaces of the enclosure, arranged to warm the towel uniformly to avoid hot and cold regions which tend to occur with conventional open type towel-warming devices. A front control panel provides touch pads and illuminated message displays.

Abstract: The practice of this invention enables a musician to augment a main "lead voice" performance by extemporaneously deriving from particularly selected notes of the main performance a separate synthesized accompaniment in which particularly selected notes may be controllably time-extended (e.g. sustained) singly or in a group, in effect "detached" from the lead voice. The first of a pair of low profile footswitches enables/cancels accompaniment triggering; the second enables/cancels accompaniment time-extension. Switch logic is implemented such that the first switch can never override the second switch to cancel time-extension; thus a musician operating the switches interactively, typically one with each foot, is enabled, through strategic timing relative to the lead notes, to trigger accompaniment notes from particularly selected lead notes, to controllably time-extend particularly selected accompaniment notes, and to accumulate groups of such time-extended accompaniment notes.

Abstract: The relative phase polarity between two acoustic or electric signals is determined easily, quickly and conclusively with a hand-held instrument providing immediate visual polarity indication. Built-in dual-channel amplification enables a pair of microphones to be utilized as acoustic probes, of particular versatility and benefit in the audio sound field, enabling extremely efficient and virtually fool-proof verification of relative phase polarity between two loudspeakers in practically any sound system or environment during normal operation from almost any source, monophonic, stereophonic, music, speech or even noise, without any dismantling, trial-and-error experimentation, subjective guesswork or other uncertainties usually associated with speaker phasing. An OR-function detector selects the stronger of the two signals under test for comparison with a sum signal derived in an instantaneous summing circuit.

Abstract: Variable-ratio transmission configurations are derived from a basic balanced-reaction configuration which is known to operate with inherently lower power flow in the reactive path for a given ratio range than the more common split-input or split-output configurations. A pair of planetary gear sets having different base speed ratios, are configured to each provide a power transmission path from the input shaft to the output shaft while the reaction gear elements are cross-coupled to each other through an auxiliary variable ratio power-transfer device. A particular two-planetary-set configuration uses the ring gear elements as the reactors, one mounted to rotate around the input shaft and the other mounted to rotate around the output shaft. The ring gears are thus readily coupled to an auxiliary variable ratio power-transfer device, which may be a pair of hydraulic pump/motors.

Abstract: For supporting a variety of brochures, magazines, catalogs and other "soft" reading material as well as hard-cover books in an upright position, this bookrack may be readily assembled by an unskilled person, without tools or additional fastening hardware, from only two configurations of economically manufactured parts: molded plastic partitions and base/back panels which can be readily extended in multiples by integral edge fastenings as well as individually shortened at scored breakoff lines to obtain a desired total length to permit retrofitting onto existing bookshelves. Keystone-shaped tabs on the partitions interlock with keyed slots in the panels to fasten the panels and partitions together, retained by a simple integral detent system. Panels and partitions are made as thin as practically possible to achieve high space efficiency, and all fastenings are concealed to eliminate obstructions that could interfere with reading material being accommodated in the bookrack.

Abstract: An improved fluorescent indirect lighting fixture has its light source concealed from normal view by locating the lamps in a partially wrapped-around region to one side of an offset reflector, which is shaped in a special concave curvature to produce uniform "wall wash" illumination. A producible high quality reflective surface with required curvature maintained by a rigid, accurate reflector assembly is achieved by utilzing a thin flexible reflective lining of high purity aluminum conformally laminated against a rigid extruded aluminum reflector body of required curvature. Two-piece end plates provide lamp socket mountings, integral wiring conduits, reflective inner end surfaces, decorative trim at light-exit window ends and reflector body reinforcement. The complete reflector module including ballasts and a.c.

Abstract: For amplified musical instruments such as electric guitars, this method of extending the range of timbre variation available from a "wah" type of pedal controlled sound modification effect provides musicians with increased flexibility of expression by including within the controlling range of the foot pedal an unmodified "dry" condition in addition to the variable modified condition with the capability of blending smoothly back and forth between the two conditions.

Abstract: A miniature lighting instrument for high quality architectural and display purposes features a sectionalized coaxial configuration. A base body, available with either a side- or rear-entry mounting adaptor, either fixed or swivel, is threadedly coupled to a midsection body available with a choice of smooth surface, lateral cooling ribs or fluted cooling ribs. The midsection body encloses an optical quality low voltage prefocused reflector type lamp. A selection of front barrels is available for threadedly coupling onto the front of the midsection body. The selection includes a long barrel for narrow-beam spotlighting, a short barrel for wide-beam floodlighting, a side-throw barrel for ultra-wide-angle floodlighting, and a projector barrel assembly with a front mounted lens and adjustable threaded mid-coupling for focusing.

Abstract: For an ultra high resolution color picture tube display, a level-shifting circuit is interposed between each of the three video output amplifiers and the three picture tube cathodes receiving video drive. In the level-shifting circuit, d.c. control voltages from adjustment potentiometers are applied to a voltage-controlled current source which provides voltage-compliant control input to a current-controlled voltage source which provides the adjustable d.c. offset voltage interjected between each video output amplifier and a corresponding picture tube cathode, providing individual background adjustment and brightness tracking adjustment compensation for cutoff spreads between the three picture tube guns and providing user brightness control action all independent of operating bias point voltages in the video amplifiers, so that they can be design-optimized for maximum bandwidth to achieve ultra high resolution.

Abstract: For supporting hard- and soft-covered books, magazines, catalogs and other reading material of various sizes and shapes in an upright position on a bookshelf, table or desktop, this bookrack may be stored or shipped in knocked-down form, easily assembled without need for tools or fastening hardware. Sheet metal divider plates are held parallel to each other by sheet metal bottom and rear spacers, attached to the dividers by concealed fastenings, the bottom spacers being held in place by the rear spacers, which are in turn held in place by gravity and friction, holding the bookrack together in an interlocked assembly. The bookrack may be easily retrofitted into an existing bookcase without need for tools, fastening hardware or modifications to the bookcase. Spacers, available in different widths, may be tandemed together to build up the bookrack to any desired total width.

Abstract: A battery condition indicator and on-off relay circuit for electric guitars with on-board active electronics, adaptable to many other battery-operated appliances, includes an electronic relay circuit capable of disconnecting one or more batteries, under control of a pair of on-off contacts. A test interval timing circuit delays turnoff by about 10 seconds, during which a test of the battery (or batteries) is performed automatically under normal load by comparison to a precision reference voltage. Good battery condition is indicated by illumination of a light-emitting diode which may be located inside the guitar body, visible thru the opening of a standard audio output jack, which may include the on-off contacts, actuated by insertion or removal of the mating audio output plug. The circuit is particularly power-efficient to minimize battery drain.

Abstract: In a sub-ceiling system having removable modular panels of intersecting thick louvers defining a grid pattern with open cells, supported in a framework of suspended rails of inverted T cross-section, the panels are surrounded by perimeter strips attached to the ends of the louvers. The perimeter strips integrate visually with the exposed lower flange portion of the support rails to simulate louvers so as to conceal the panel boundaries and present the overall appearance of a monolithic grid pattern over the entire finished ceiling area while providing the utility and convenience of damage-resistant modular panels which are extremely easy to install and remove.

Abstract: An optically-coupled/isolated electronic single pole double throw power relay switch with few parts routes a.c. power to one of two loads in response to a low-level control signal. Two gate-controlled bidirectional thyristors (Triacs) are made to switch in a complementary mode by gate-controlling one Triac from a light-sensitive element, and gate-controlling the other Triac from a gating circuit responsive to voltage appearing across the first Triac in its OFF state.

Abstract: For controlling the blend between two pickups on an electric guitar, this circuitry provides, over the range of a single simple potentiometer, continuously variable blend between the two pickup signals in a particular phase relationship plus continuously variable blend of the two signals in a reversed phase relationship, eliminating the use of phasing switches, and providing musicians with a wide range of tonal variation under continuous control, for freedom of musical expression and timbre modification not available heretofore. Implementation with operational amplifier integrated circuits facilitates further processing of each pickup signal independently for special effects such as the introduction of controlled distortion.