Abstract: Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments having a bottom, a sidewall of a predetermined height extending from the bottom and a cover which is hingedly connected to the sidewall and which can be closed and secured with an appropriate fastener are described herein. The cases include a semi-rigid neck-brace having a height approximately the same as the inner height of the sidewall and being affixed to the bottom. The cases further include at least one retaining band that may be used to releasably secure the instrument neck to the neck-brace. Instrument damage may be prevented in the event of a sideways or backward fall, in at least part, because the neck-brace suspends the headstock between the bottom, sidewall and cover of the case and thereby prevents it from making contact.

Abstract: Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.

Abstract: Clean corona ionization bars separate contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions by establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and directed toward an attractive non-ionizing electric field of a charge neutralization target, by establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream. The ionization bar(s) may be located sufficiently close to the charged neutralization target that a non-ionizing electric field of the target induces at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream and to the neutralization target as a clean ionized gas stream.

Abstract: Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments having a bottom, a sidewall of a predetermined height extending from the bottom and a cover which is hingedly connected to the sidewall and which can be closed and secured with an appropriate fastener are described herein. The cases include a semi-rigid neck-brace having a height approximately the same as the inner height of the sidewall and being affixed to the bottom. The cases further include at least one retaining band that may be used to releasably secure the instrument neck to the neck-brace. Instrument damage may be prevented in the event of a sideways or backward fall, in at least part, because the neck-brace suspends the headstock between the bottom, sidewall and cover of the case and thereby prevents it from making contact.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to power supplies for audio amplifiers that focus on the importance of certain power supply characteristics in forming the overall qualities of a tube amplifier. The power supplies may use a power transformer with two dissimilar and selectable secondary windings to supply the voltages for a single vacuum tube power amplifier (B+ voltages). The power supplies may also apply different rectifier characteristics to complement the use of multiple differing secondary windings. The power supplies may also use different capacitor bank options to filter ripple voltage. The power supplies may also use of coordinated grid-bias voltage adjustment that coincides with secondary winding selection. The power supplies may also use coordinated preamp bias voltage adjustment that coincides with secondary winding selection.

Abstract: The disclosure includes improvements in the field of retrofit-detector installation such as adapters that simplify retrofit of addressable detectors onto previously installed zone-type system hardware. Each adapter includes electrical circuitry for electrically connecting new addressable detectors with legacy system once installation is complete. The disclosure includes structures that permit users to efficiently solve a number of problems that may arise during installation of retrofit-detectors into legacy systems. For example, one or more switches may be used to reverse electrical polarity to thereby correct polarity and/or mapping faults. One or more switches may also be provided to disconnect at least one electrical terminal to assist in locating ground faults and/or other wiring problems. One or more test points may also be provided to test one or more electrical characteristics relevant to retrofit installations.

Abstract: A system and method of wireless communication enabling a device to transmit data via a second routing switch to a host computer associated with at least first and second routing switches, subsequent to determining that the host computer cannot receive the data from the first routing switch.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to query availability, roaming history and/or modem statistics of a wireless device that can roam between at least two different wireless networks, without assistance from network service provider personnel.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to query availability, roaming history and/or modem statistics of a wireless device that can roam between at least two different wireless networks, without assistance from network service provider personnel.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates a method of monitoring. Position information related to a notification point is received. A mobile client determines a position of the mobile client. The position is compared with an area encompassing the mobile client. A message is transmitted in response to the position being within the area encompassing the notification point.

Abstract: Advancements in bandages for treating puncture wounds shown and described herein include sealed bandage with flexible adhesive strips disposed on more rigid carriers with at least one separation line. Bending the sealed bandages separates the carrier along the path of the separation line(s) to thereby pull the strip away from the carrier in the vicinity of the separation line such that at least a portion of the carrier may be pulled from the strip and the bandage applied to a patient. This abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure contained herein. This abstract is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates a method of monitoring. Position information related to a notification point is received. A mobile client determines a position of the mobile client. The position is compared with an area encompassing the mobile client. A message is transmitted in response to the position being within the area encompassing the notification point.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for converting locks between key-retaining and non-key-retaining functions by means of a function-determinative lock actuator are disclosed. The disclosure teaches lock sub-assemblies that utilize a function-determinative actuator and a cooperating rotator bolt to transfer motion from a lock cylinder to a lock release mechanism. The function-determinative actuators can include movable portions that selectively determine the lock function by adjustment of the movable portion. Alternatively, changing the structure of, selectively adding portions to and/or removing portions from the actuator can determine the lock function. The disclosure also teaches dual-function locks that incorporate the above-noted lock sub-assemblies. Methods of converting lock functions using a function-determinative actuator are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various assist devices that provide support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe of the type having a striker mounted thereto are disclosed. The assist devices include a retainer adapted to removably engage the striker and a support member pivotably mounted to the retainer such that the support member will apply a clamping force to the striker when the support member supports at least a portion of a user's weight. Methods of providing support for entering and exiting a vehicle through a vehicle doorframe having a striker mounted thereto are also disclosed. The methods include placing at least a portion of a retainer between the doorframe and the striker, and rotating a support member, that is pivotably attached to the retainer, relative to the retainer until the support member engages the striker to thereby clamp the striker when the user's weight is supported by the support member.