Abstract: A musical instrument string with hyper elliptical wound cover wire includes a wound musical string assembly (10) having a center string (12) and a shaped cover wire (24) wrapped in a spiral winding pattern (18). The shaped cover wire (24) is shaped to have a wire height (30) which is greater than a wire width (32) and is wound such that the wire height (30) is aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (14) of the center string (12) while the wire sides (26) abut tightly against those of adjacent iterations (20). The shaped cover wire (24) is shaped during the winding process by passing between pinch rollers (38) while under extrusion pressure.

Abstract: A heatsink mounting system (10) is provided for containing and engaging a heatsink (16) against a heat generating component, typically an IC chip (18). The system (10) is includes a rectangular integrally formed resilient frame (12) defining a cavity (26) in which the heatsink (16) is contained. The frame (12) includes a pair of opposed lateral sides (30) and a pair of opposing gripping sides (28) with L-shaped corner blocks (32) depending from the intersections thereof. The gripping sides (28) include centrally positioned grip handles (38) with curved handle posts (39) extending upward and grip blocks (34) depending therefrom, each grip block (34) having a grip tongue (36) at the lower extent thereof extending inward into the cavity (26). Inward pressure on the grip handles (38) forces the grip tongues (36) outward to release objects captured thereby.

Abstract: A mold and construction method for forming aquatic sports boards is provided. The method and molds provide skin and interior core structures made shape-adjustable by a pre-molded perimeter rail. Division(s) in the structural exterior skin allow the skin core to be trimmed and bonded to a variety of convex, shape-defining core structures to produce a plurality of different shapes. A reusable shape-defining mold allows the board structure to be modified in shape. The mold is reversible and male/female configurations produce convex, shape-defining board substrates for a wide array of custom designs.

Abstract: A heatsink system (10) is provided for containing and engaging a heatsink (16) against a heat generating component, typically an IC chip (18). The system (10) includes a rectangular integrally formed resilient frame (12) defining a cavity (26) in which the heatsink (16) is contained. The frame (12) includes a pair of opposed lateral sides (30) and a pair of opposing gripping sides (28) with L-shaped corner blocks (32) depending from the intersections thereof. The gripping sides (28) include centrally positioned grip handles (38) extending upward and grip blocks (34) depending therefrom, each grip block (34) having a grip tongue (36) at the lower extent thereof extending inward into the cavity (26). Inward pressure on the grip handles (38) forces the grip tongues (36) outward to release objects captured thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is a bicycle including a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is engaged to the swingarm to control the motion of a rear wheel of the bicycle. A change in the vertical wheel travel (?VWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (?SL), providing a shock rate (SR) according to the relationship: SR=?SL/?VWT. The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. The shock rate may at first decrease in value and subsequently increase, or initially increase in value and subsequently decrease throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A utility and protective packaging system (10) is provided for containing and protecting electronic component objects (14) such as digital video recorders during storage and shipping. The system (10) is originally constructed in a planar sheet (16) form which is then folded into a tray (12). The tray (12) is configured as a squat “I” shape with the object (14) contained within the stem. The tray (12) includes a pair of side flaps (36) which are folded into side rectangular tubes (44) to provide cushioning and lateral impact protection to the object (14). A pair of end flaps (38) enclose the object and are provided with access ports (30) permitting operation and programming of the component when it is contained within the tray (12).

Abstract: The present invention is a bicycle including a bicycle frame and a rear wheel suspension system that is attached to the frame. The rear wheel suspension system includes a rear wheel swingarm and a shock absorber that is engaged to the swingarm to control the motion of a rear wheel of the bicycle. A change in the vertical wheel travel (?VWT) of the rear wheel is related to a change in the length of the shock absorber (?SL), providing a shock rate (SR) according to the relationship: SR=?SL/?VWT. The shock rate (SR) changes throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel, such that the change in the shock rate dSR/dVWT has a change in sign as the rear wheel travels through its vertical wheel travel. The shock rate may at first decrease in value and subsequently increase, or initially increase in value and subsequently decrease throughout the vertical wheel travel of the rear wheel.