Abstract: A stringed instrument including a body having a front surface and a rear surface, a tuning mechanism, a neck having one end joined to the body and an opposite end retaining the tuning mechanism, and a retainer block encompassed by the rear surface. A plurality of strings each have a first end secured to the tuning mechanism and a second end retained by the retainer block. Also included is a bridge system having a tailpiece mounted on the front surface and defining a plurality of holes each providing passage for one of the strings, and a connector assembly extending through the body and securing the tailpiece to the retainer block.

Abstract: A retainer including a pin adapted for attachment to a mounting member for supporting a stack of sheets having one or more openings; the pin having a shank portion for insertion into the one opening, an outer end portion defining a pair of parallel bores with transversely spaced apart axes, and an inner end portion attachable to the support member; and a spring clamp having a pair of leg portions with outer end portions joined by a yoke portion and inner ends each joined to a journal portion received by a different one of the bores and retainer.

Abstract: A packaged musical instrument including a carton having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an upper side wall, and a lower side wall together defining an inner chamber; and a guitar disposed in the cavity and having a body, and a neck joined to the body and terminated with a tuning head portion.

Abstract: A drum including a cylindrical shell having an upper edge defining an open top end, and a lower edge defining an open bottom end; a drum skin disposed over the top end; a plurality of lugs mounted on an outer surface of the shell in positions annularly spaced adjacent to the bottom end; and a cover movable between a closed position closing the bottom end and an open position providing access into the shell through the bottom end. Also included is a latch mechanism retained by one or more of the lugs and operable to either retain the cover in the closed position or allow movement of the cover into the open position.

Abstract: A system for managing and reporting laboratory data wherein the data is obtained at remote data-taking stations, transferred instantaneously by wireless communication to a main data-storing/manipulating station for recording therein without being recorded at the remote data-taking stations, and reported only from the data-storing/manipulating.

Abstract: A musical instrument system including a drum having a head defining at least one hole; a mounting device including an anchor portion received by the one hole, a collar portion engaging the head, and a receiver portion; a securing mechanism for securing the mounting device to the head; and a connector mechanism for attaching a musical instrument to the mounting device.

Abstract: A string instrument including a body; a headstock; a neck extending between the body and the headstock; a plurality of tuning mechanisms retained by the headstock and each having a stem with a tuning end and a connection end; and a plurality of connectors each connecting a different pair of covers. Also included are a plurality of strings each having one end connected to the body and an opposite end connected to a different connection end; and a cover covering each connection end and shaped and arranged to prevent physical access to the opposite end connected thereto.

Abstract: A stringed instrument including a body having a top surface defining a picking area; a bridge supported by the top surface at one end of the picking area; a neck extending from the body at an opposite end of the picking area; and a plurality of strings extending in substantially parallel paths over the picking area. Each pickup is disposed under a different associated one of the strings and a support mechanism mounted on the top surface and adapted to accommodate movement of each pickup in a path within the picking area and parallel to its associated string.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for combining and dispensing different livestock feeds including roughage, particulate matter and liquids. A control system provides and weighs selected ratios of combined feed sources to establish a desired ration.