Abstract: An electrically conducting device for use with an electrode roller suitable for causing the electrode roller, which removes electrostatic charges developed on the surface of a web or the like when the web is brought into sliding contact the roller or controls the charges into uniform ones, to conduct with respect to the ground or a power source. The conducting device includes an electrically conducting ring which is slidably fitted over the rotary shaft of the electrode roller. The conducting ring is prevented against rotation by rotation preventive means and is electrically connected through an electrically conducting member to the ground or power source.

Abstract: The cordless static electric discharge unit for discharging static electricity from a human body into the air. The apparatus consists of a discharge unit attached to the wearer's wrist by a wrist strap. The discharge unit utilizes a radioactive source to ionize air and the flow of the ions discharges the human body. If the human body is at a positive potential with respect to ground, the negative ions flow to the human body whereas the positive ions flow from the discharge unit to a grounding point. The discharge unit is mechanically constructed such that sub-atomic particles emitted by the radioactive material are prevented from entering the human body or flowing into the surrounding air.

Abstract: An improved wippen heel arrangement for an upright piano includes: a pillar screwed into one end portion of a piano key so that the projecting length of the pillar which projects from the piano key is adjustable; a wippen heel attached to a wippen constituting one element of an action mechanism; and a wippen joint interposed between the pillar and the wippen heel for pivotal movement about a stationary shaft, in which the thrust applied to the pillar is transmitted through the wippen joint to the wippen. Accordingly, a key touch quality which may be experienced with a grand piano can be enjoyed using an upright piano.

Abstract: A housing for the magnetic induction coils of the search loop assembly of a metal detector is constructed of plastic resin reinforced with non-metallic electrically conductive graphite fibers, and is connected to ground potential of the main electronics package of the metal detector so that the housing acts as a static-draining shield for the search loop assembly. The mixture of graphite fibers and plastic conducts electricity well enough to prevent accumulation of static electricity charges and makes the housing stronger and more abrasion resistant than similar housings of non-reinforced plastic. The housing may be molded as two halves to include a central aperture, to allow the user of the metal detector to see the precise location on the ground at which to dig for detected targets.

Abstract: In a photographic camera, closing movement of a cover door operates to rotate a film spool in an unwinding direction within a film cassette, loaded in the camera, to automatically propel a film leader from inside the cassette shell to outside the shell.

Abstract: A film cassette contains a film spool which is rotatable in an unwinding direction to propel a filmstrip including an integral film leader out of the cassette and is rotatable in a winding direction to wind the filmstrip including its film leader back into the cassette. The film leader has a magnetic area on which alterable data can be magnetically written and read to indicate whether the filmstrip is completely exposed or is only partially exposed. Thus, when the film leader is wound into the cassette the data will be protected and when the film leader is propelled from the cassette the data will be made accessible to read and alter it.

Abstract: A film package has a flexible light-shielding bag with a stack of sheet films stored therein, the flexible light-shielding bag having at least opposite ends sealed in a direction in which the flexible light-shielding bag can be pulled out, said opposite ends being folded back on one surface and joined together by a seal. The film package is placed in a holder which can be inserted into and removed from a main body of a film loading device.

Abstract: Static neutralizer for a tape dispenser in which a roll of tape is rotatably supported for drawing off selected lengths in strips comprises first brush means in juxtaposition with a surface of a tape portion radially peeled from the roll, second brush means in juxtaposition with an outer surface of the tape which has just been bared by the tape portion previously peeled from the roll, and a conductive path electrically interconnecting the first and second brush means, whereby any charges developed on the peeled-away portions of the tape are neutralized prior to dispensing. The respective brush means may be made of carbon or stainless steel fibers whose ends can be adjacently spaced from the corresponding charged surface thereby acting as an induction ionizer with respect thereto or in actual contact with such surfaces and defining a passive static eliminator.

Abstract: In construction of a timpani, a brake unit is attached to a tonal pitch adjuster unit for balancing moment by head resumption with moment by spring repulsion so that the tonal pitch adjuster unit, i.e. the foot pedal, should be locked against accidental displacement from the position corresponding to the initial stepped angle of the foot pedal due to head striking during performance.

Abstract: A discharge control device for transferring accumulated electrostatic charge from containers used in spray painting, to a charge sink, comprising a housing having a hermetically sealed discharge chamber mounted inside. A first electrical contact for receiving an accumulated electrostatic charge is mounted in the discharge chamber in opposition to a reciprocating electrical contact for receiving and dissipating the accumulated charge from the first contact. The reciprocating contact is slidably mounted on the discharge chamber so that it moves between one position adjacent to or touching the first contact means and a second position spaced apart from the first contact. A first electrical conductor is connected between the first contact and the container, and a second conduction means is connected between the reciprocating contact means and the charge sink.

Abstract: An action mechanism for a keyboard of an electronic piano which is capable of producing a touch that is nearly equal to that of an ordinary piano. The action mechanism comprises an action spring including a friction spring portion to produce a friction force which always opposes depression and restoring movements of key members.

Abstract: A guitar with an improved mechanical selection of various tunings without fast skill or practice being required on the part of the player of the instrument. A positive stop and lever system enables the player to change tuning or key at will and to return back to standard tuning if so desired with a quick movement of a simple readily accessible key changing handle. An additional improved movable capo device for use on the guitar or any string instrument which is capable of a smooth transfer to any position on the neck within the octave without jerky or otherwise unsteady movement, capable of being moved to change any major key or chord within the music scale, including sharps and flats, as well as being usable as a modulating device to modulate in whole or half steps.

Abstract: An improvement for grand piano actions reduces unwanted friction between the repetition lever and the hammer shank. The conventional grand piano knuckle is replaced by a lever disposed generally parallel to the repetition lever and pivotally secured thereto at one end. An adjustable spring provides a force biasing the lever away from the repetition lever. A travel limit adjusts the maximum pivotal excursion of the lever relative to the repetition lever. At the opposite end of the lever, a centrally pivoted platform structure is pivotally secured. The structure includes a surface which engages the hammer shank and at least one brake surface which engages the repetition lever.

Abstract: This invention provides a practice training attachment for stringed instruments, to assist in the training of neophyte players or for the continued practice of advanced players, with respect to the correct positioning of the bow when playing the instrument by drawing the bow across the strings; the guide comprises base means, clamping means for securing the base means to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, and preferably two guide members removably secured to the base means and designed to be positioned at and to extend from, a location above the base means a sufficient distance to avoid contact with the strings of the instrument. Preferably the guide means are formed of a rigid transparent material.

Abstract: A decorative illuminated wind chime apparatus used to produce audio and visual effects from the movement of air currents. The audio effects are accomplished in a conventional manner by the striking of resonant chime tubes by a clapper whose movement is caused by the movement of air. The visual effects are achieved by electrically sensing the collisions of resonant chime tubes with the clapper and illuminating a respective light which is associated with each resonating chime tube. The overall effect is a wind activated audio "chime" which is synchronously accompanied by an associated light display.

Abstract: An action mechanism for a upright piano includes a back check mechanism having a back check member provided on the horizontal arm of a hammer arranged to strike a string and a hammer check disposed upright on a wippen constituting an escapement mechanism. With an upright piano incorporating this back check mechanism, it is possible to satisfactorily produce a rapid repetition of a tone with a sound quality approximately that which up until now could only be provided with a grand piano.

Abstract: A grounding system for grounding a static dissipative surface or an object that is static dissipative. A bolt is provided that extends through a hole or bore in the product wherein a static charge is to be grounded. A unique form of head is provided which is conical in shape and is adapted to fit into a conical counterbore to assure that connection is made for electrical conductivity. In one form, a fitting serving as a nut is utilized, which is preferably round and knurled, to provide ease of finger tightening. The outer surface of the conical head is knurled to assure an electrical grounding connection. In a second form of the invention, the head has a bore extending through it with a tapered counterbore which receives the tapered head of a bolt which comes flush with the flat upper surface of the head. Ordinary nuts and washer may be used on the stem of the bolt.

Abstract: Each muffler (6) is individually subjected to a separable pair of sollicitation means (9, 10) of which one of them (10) depends on the harmonic bar (11) and of which the other one (9) depends from the muffler (6); also provided is a so-called harmonic pedal which actuates the harmonic bar (11) in order to space apart the assembly of mufflers (6) from the set of strings (7), the simultaneous depression of the harmonic pedal and of a key (1) causing the separation of the pair of sollicitation means (9, 10) with respect to the muffler (6) of the string (7) corresponding to said key (1).

Abstract: A sheet film package includes a tray for storing a stack of sheet films and a flexible cover member peelably attached to the tray in covering relation to a film access opening for shielding the sheet films in the tray from extraneous light. The cover member is folded back on itself at one end of the tray and has an end portion which extends over the other end of the tray and which will be exposed from a loading device when the sheet film package is loaded in the loading device. The sheet film package may have a cushioning member disposed in the tray and composed of hollow air bags of a flexible material for pressing the holding the sheet films in the package member. A film loading device for loading the sheet film package therein include a light-shielding member for preventing extraneous light from entering a loading slot. The loading slot is closed by a pivotally mounted cover with the end portion of the cover member being led out of the loading slot.

Abstract: An audio speaker mounting plate is disclosed that can be easily adapted for cars, boats, planes, or the like. This mounting system is inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight, and easy to install and repair. The mounting bracket is, preferably circular and has an inwardly extending collar which engages the speaker inserted therein. An audio system mounting assembly, includes a mounting bracket having a main body section with a hollow center portion, a mounting flange to be secured to the outer surface of a wall panel, and a mounting collar. An audio speaker is secured directly to the mounting collar of the bracket. A speaker cover fits within the hollow center portion of the mounting bracket. The system may also include a backing plate to insure a secure engagement of the panel mounting fasteners, which extend through the outer flange of the mounting bracket.