Abstract: A sound modification system for a musical drum comprising a drumshell, a drumhead with an inner surface and a playing surface, and one or more mounting members adapted to be mounted to the drumhead. Each mounting member includes a first coupling member, which is fixed to the drumhead and projects outwardly from the playing surface, and a second coupling member matable to said first coupling member. Also provided is a sound altering element, which is adapted to removably engage the playing surface of the drumhead and has means cooperable with the matable first and second coupling members to form a detachable connection between the sound altering element and the drumhead. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a sound altering means in a hoop-like or ring configuration having a plurality of openings formed at regular intervals therein and means inserted through each of the openings to snap-fasten the sound altering means to the playing surface of the drumhead.

Abstract: In combination with a golf tee having a top portion for supporting a golf ball, a neck portion, a shaft section and a pointed end, a device adapted to assist in penetrating the golf tee into the ground to ensure a pre-determined height for the golf ball comprising a generally tubular sleeve having a hollowed cylindrical cavity through its longitudinal center to receive the golf tee shaft therethrough, a generally annular end portion adapted to be positioned back from the pointed end, the end portion also having an inner diameter and two or more circumferentially spaced segments with leading edges adapted to outwardly flare when engaged by a shaft section having a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the end portion. Also provided is an enlarged tubular top section diverging upwardly from the generally tubular sleeve to engage and abut the golf ball support.

Abstract: A valve construction for use with a holding or waste removal tank of a vehicle is provided and includes a gate valve having a valve closure member, and at least one panel having an opening extending from an inside surface to an outside surface connected to the vehicle. Also provided is an axially moveable cable with a first end connected to the gate valve to impart movement to the valve closure member and a second end having a terminus, and a first and second means for securing the second end to the panel. The first means is radially contractible and expandable for penetrating the opening by contracting as it is moved to penetrate through the inside surface of the panel and expanding as it is moved to exit the opening through the outside surface of the panel whereupon it abuts the outside surface. The second means adapts to tightly abut the inside surface of the panel to cooperate with the first means to enable the secure mounting of the second end of the cable to the panel.

Abstract: An improved drumhead comprising a substantially annular hoop having a generally planar upper member spaced apart from a generally planar lower member, a circumferential inner rim and a circumferential outer rim. Also provided is a film material or membrane for constituting a drumming surface, which extends flat across the area defined within the circumferential inner rim and the circumferential outer rim. Integrally formed with the film material or membrane of the drumming surface is an annular shoulder, which extends at its base between the planar upper and lower members in a co-planar orientation with the annular hoop. The drumhead is adaptable for use with a large variety of percussion instruments including toms, snare drums, bass drums, tambourines, congas, bongos and many other types of ethnic and other drums.

Abstract: An improved golf putter comprising a shaft, a generally resilient tubular or cylinder shaped main body member and a pair of unitary solid weight members each one being releasably attachable to one end of the main body member. The main body member includes end walls at each end thereof and a threaded opening formed within each of the end walls. Each weight member has an outer diameter substantially the same as the exterior diameter of the main body member and a threaded rod integrally formed therewith for threaded engagement with the threaded opening in each of the end walls. The end of each of the weight members that is opposite the end with the threaded rod is usually rounded. The end walls and their corresponding weight members are secured in abutting relation.

Abstract: An article of jewelry comprising a bracelet having a single framed compartment or a plurality of framed compartments each of which releasably receives a photograph or some similar medium with indicia thereon. Each framed compartment is formed of a rear plate for containing and protecting the back of the photograph(s) and four sidewalls integrally formed therewith. Openings are formed in two of the opposing sidewalls to receive a thin resilient cord or the like employed to connect the framed compartments in a series or a single framed compartment to various other desired objects. A separate opening is formed within the rear plate to receive an implement to facilitate the removal of the photograph. Spacer members are provided to keep the series of framed compartment equally separated from the next and ensure the bracelet's overall flexibility.

Abstract: A counterhoop formed by bonding a conventional flat shaped hoop with a resilient shell component comprised of a convex outer wall and a generally flat inner wall. The resilient begins as a liquid resin, which is poured into an annular mold. The metal counterhoop is inserted into the resin, and the cured resin is allowed to harden, forming a shell which is bonded to the counterhoop to create a unitary component. The inner and outer walls of the shell join at the top edge of the counterhoop, where the hoop abuts the outer surface of the drumshell. The device maintains and provides the requisite strength and shape of a conga drum counterhoop, which is necessary to sustain the proper tensioning of the drumhead while, concurrently providing the resilience to substantially eliminate the soreness and discomfort that usually results when the hands are constantly striking the drumhead in the act of playing the instrument.

Abstract: A textile fabric comprising a plurality of pieces of fabric material cut into strips, which are then placed adjacent to one another and interlaced. The interlaced strips are situated transverse of one another and allow for overlapping edges. Recessed from these edges along a generally parallel line are rows of stitching employed to join the pieces of fabric. The result enables the appearance of a simulated patchwork design.

Abstract: A device employed in the reduction and standardization of the sizes of visual works, such as photographic images, for use with articles of jewelry, such as a bracelet. Included is a template comprised of a rectangular sheet of material having a plurality of different size openings defined by borders adapted to overlay the version of a visual work with the largest image to overlying progressively smaller cropped versions of the work. Means are combined with the overlayed visual works to standardize their sizes and enable them to be assembled and integrated with items of jewelry having miniature frames. A method to employ the device of the present invention for reducing, cropping and standardizing the sizes of the visual works for use with articles of jewelry.

Abstract: An improved drumshell construction comprising a first layer of sheet material having elastic properties, a second layer of sheet material in mating engagement with the first layer of sheet material, a means to bond the two layers together, wherein the elastic modules of the first layer of material is imparted to the second layer of material to enhance the formation of a drumshell having varying sound absorptive and radiating characteristics to control and enhance the timbre of the drumhead.

Abstract: A generally rectangular shaped textile fabric article having a top surface and a bottom surface with indicia disposed over all or portions of these surfaces. The fabric article is further defined by four sides with a border comprised of a plurality of simulated enlongated fringe strips situated in juxtaposed relation. The simulated fringe is easily and economically converted to individual pieces of fringe material by separating the pieces along prescribed lines and color indicators and can embody indicia and/or colors that effectively coordinate or contrast with the indicia and/or colors displayed on the surface(s) of the article.

Abstract: An improved drumhead and tensioning apparatus comprising a flat annular hoop having a generally flat upper member and a generally flat lower member parallel to and spaced apart from the flat upper member. Disposed and secured between the flat upper and lower members is a material for constituting a drumming surface which is entirely planar and when joined with the annular hoop, forms a generally uniformly flat drumhead. Around the periphery of the drumhead are a plurality of openings for receiving tensioning bolts with threaded ends. Also provided are a generally flat annular counterhoop and a suspension ring with each having a plurality of spaced apart openings for receiving and engaging the tensioning bolts. The suspension ring includes a vertically projecting collar member with an upper edge portion, which is integrally formed with the suspension ring as a single, unitary component.

Abstract: An auxiliary lens apparatus for use with eyeglasses and sunglasses having two main lenses with respective convex and concave surfaces. The apparatus comprises two lenses each held within the individual rims of eyeglass frames and a nose bridge to join the two. A generally u-shaped clip with an integrally formed grooved seat and a rear flexible spur angled to abut the convex surfaces of each main lens is provided in combination with each auxiliary lens to fixably secure the auxiliary lenses to the eyeglasses. The un-shaped clip formed in combination with each auxiliary lens is situated to take into account the focal point of the wearer's eyes, which is located at a certain distance forward of the position of the clip, to prevent the obscuring of the wearer's vision.

Abstract: Motion picture film reel for holding, transporting and storing film comprising a pair of disc-shaped side retaining members and a central hub around which the film is wound. Each disc-shaped side retaining member is formed with a central hub engaging section with an annular projecting collar that defines a central primary opening for receiving a shaft and at least a single secondary opening that defines an appendage formed integrally therewith. A bendable prong, which extends from the central hub of each disc-shaped side retaining member normal to the plane thereof, includes a distal end and defines a slotted opening for engaging the appendage. A hub defines a central aperture for receiving the annular projection collar, a shaft and a pair of openings for receiving the bendable prongs, which are caused to pass through their respective openings and extend outwardly as the distal end of each prong engages an appendage.