Abstract: A shiftable snare strainer for a snare drum including a body secured to the drum shell and a slide longitudinally shiftable relative to the body. The slide is connected at its lower end to the snares. A lock is pivotally carried by the body for engaging the slide to hold the slide in a down position wherein the snares are spaced from the head. The lock is released by striking a release pad to allow the slide to shift upwardly to engage the snares with the drumhead.

Abstract: A speaker housing arrangement which uniquely combines a number of acoustic functions is disclosed in both a simple embodiment and in a more complex embodiment. Each embodiment utilizes a pair of angular deflectors in a tubular or pipe type enclosure to directionally co-align the sound product from both sides of the speaker cone. A slight interval in time of egress between the pressure opposite signals provides sonic contrast and hence sharp imaging. In the simpler embodiment linearity and signal integrity is preserved throughout the sound spectrum. In the more complex embodiment part of the bass signal is momentarily retained for purposes of co-phasing in a partial bass reflex arrangement. Either embodiment permits the production of sound of unusual quality and quantity in relation to input energy and to cost and grade of components. Secondary improvements in high frequency linearity and in overall spectral equalization in the region of the speaker itself are also disclosed.

Abstract: An isosceles shaped sound reproduction speaker 70 is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification. The speaker has isosceles sides that extend upward from an apex 86 at an internal angle of between 74.5.degree. and 79.degree. and preferably 78.4.degree.. The width of the enclosure is substantially equal to the circumference of the piston diameter of the primary dynamic, direct radiation diaphragm, low-to-mid frequency range driver 94 mounted in the front wall. The height "C" of the enclosure 71 is substantially equal to or less than the width "B" of the enclosure. The speaker 70 has a secondary dynamic diaphragm driver 98 mounted in the rear wall that is connected electrically in series with the front wall driver 94. The enclosure 71 has an upper fundamental resonance frequency of 2978 Hz.+-.3%. The front and rear drivers 94 and 98 have free air resonance frequencies that are 55 Hz.+-.3%.

Abstract: A cerumen trap for hearing aids comprises a sound channel and a plurality of perforations arranged in a stellate pattern around the sound channel which connect the sound outlet of an earpiece with the sound channel. A cylindrical component (1) with a connecting piece (3) which surrounds the sound channel can be inserted in the hearing aid. A number of angle brackets (4) with locking detents (5) are arranged on the periphery of the component (1). The sound outlet opening (2) can be closed off from the exterior by a cap (7) which has a locking groove (8) on the inner wall and which engages with the locking detents (5).

Abstract: A novel device for protecting the finish of stringed instruments is described. The device comprises a soft, pliable material affixed to a rigid support. The device is in a shape which can be applied to various locations on a stringed instrument which needs protection. Advantageously, the device can be easily applied to and removed from the stringed instrument.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of internal combustion engine exhaust systems each of which is effective to provide good silencing for exhaust gases through the use of an elastic diaphragm that dampens pulsations. In some embodiments, this elastic diaphragm forms a portion of a Helmholz resonator and in some the diaphragm is cooled by submerging in a cooling jacket of the engine or its exhaust system or by means of cooling air fins. Also, various arrangements are incorporated for adjusting or tuning the rigidity of the diaphragm. Furthermore, in some embodiment the diaphragm is suspended in such a way as to act as a vibration damping member between mechanical components of the exhaust system.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus for recording images on a continuous form photosensitive recording medium is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cartridge for accommodating the photosensitive recording medium therein including a peripheral wall for blocking the flow of air into and out of the cartridge, a support for supporting unused (unexposed) photosensitive recording medium in the cartridge, and an outlet located in the peripheral wall for drawing the photosensitive recording medium into and out of the cartridge. The apparatus also includes a feeding device which is controlled to feed unused (unexposed) photosensitive recording medium which has been drawn out of the cartridge back toward the outlet of the cartridge to place this unused photosensitive recording medium inside the cartridge.

Abstract: A subcompact woofer speaker cabinet system provides high volume low frequency response, long speaker life without overload and sound projection over considerable distances. This is achieved by mounting a damped speaker diaphragm within a cabinet enclosure having a single projection opening for soundwaves expanded by an internal panel forming a common wall between substantially an exponentially diverging output horn and a converging pathway from the speaker front into the output horn, wherein the panel first compresses the wavefront from the speaker diaphragm into the horn and then expands the wavefront to project low frequency audio outwardly from the cabinet system. Lower audio frequencies in the order of 100 Hz or less are faithfully reproduced and projected in a cabinet having major dimensions only slightly larger than the diameter of the speaker.

Abstract: An alumina multilayer wiring substrate having a high dielectric, low inductance capacitor in the substrate on which a VLSI is to be mounted to effectively eliminate electrical noise(s) which may hinder the operation of the VLSI at high speed (frequency) is provided.

Abstract: An active sound attenation system for combustion engine exhaust systems and the like is disclosed. To protect the counter-noise acoustic wave generator from the environment of the medium propagating the undesirable noise, an acoustically tuned anti-noise chamber is interposed between the wave generators 19, 19A and the location of the medium with the undesirable noise. To provide for global cancellation at the outlet end 4, of the exhaust pipe 10, the anti-noise chamber 11, 11A has an annular opening disposed substantially in the plane 4 of the exhaust pipe outlet thereby giving the undesirable noise and the cancelling noise an apparent common source.

Abstract: A string instrument, particularly a base guitar or an electric guitar, includes a body which defines a compartment for receiving the components of an electric sound pickup and an amplifying system. A cover is releasably mounted on the rear side of the body of the instrument for closing the compartment. A frame is fastened to the side wall of the compartment. The cover is constructed so as to fit on or into the frame. Locking members are provided between the frame and the cover for mounting the cover on the frame and for removing the cover from the frame.

Abstract: A tuned-port rigid baffle panel which mounts to the side opposite the beater drumhead membrane side of acoustic drums and is used by musicians to enhance the live acoustic sound of these drum type percussion instruments by adding low-frequency punch to their performance. This low-frequency response enhancement is achieved by treating the drum as a bass-reflex enclosure and tuning the port of the rigid baffle panel to the appropriate percentage of the free-air resonant frequency of the beater drumhead membrane in order to control the peak amplitude of the beater drumhead membrane at resonance and extend the low-frequency response of the acoustic drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a thermal fixing device having a first thermistor in the thermal fixing device for detecting the temperature in the thermal fixing device and a second thermistor being substantially at the center of the apparatus out of the thermal fixing device for detecting the temperature in the apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, the temperature detected by the second thermistor is compared with two predetermined reference temperatures T1 and T2 (T1<T2) repectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising an optical device for forming a latent image on a photo and pressure sensitive sheet coated with microcapsules in which at least a photocuring material and a dyestuff are enveloped, a pressure developing device for superposing the photo and pressure sensitive sheet on which the latent image is formed on an image receiving sheet and breaking uncured microcapsules by pressure to form images on the image receiving sheet through use of the dyestuff, a light source for irradiating light on the image receiving sheet developed by the pressure developing device and a discharge device for discharging the image receiving sheet on which the light from the light source is irradiated to the outside.

Abstract: An overhead speaker system (10) adapted to be mounted to opposing lintels (12) of a vehicle (14). The speaker system (10) is particularly adapted to be mounted to the sports bars (20) of a vehicle (14). The speaker system (10) includes an elongated support member (16) having a longitudinal axis (26) extending between first (22) and second (24) ends. The system (10) further includes at least one speaker cabinet (46) and at least one speaker (50) therein. The speaker system (10) is characterized by including at least one fastening element (28) mounted to the elongated support member (16) and extending transversely from the longitudinal axis (26) for securing the elongated support member (16) to the vehicle (14). The elongated support member includes a cover 66 and may include accessories thereon such as an illuminating lamp 90, storage compartment 94, audio cassette player 92 and modular telephone.

Abstract: A two-piece megaphone assembly having a conically-shaped member and an ornamental headpiece which attaches by means of interlocking attachment lugs to the large diameter end of the conically-shaped member. The headpiece is comprised of two symmetrical halves which fold clamshell-like around the conically-shaped member and snap into place. The headpiece may resemble, for example, an animal or human face having an open mouth.

Abstract: A bridge assembly for a guitar in which a saddle is mounted on the body of the guitar for contact with the strings extending longitudinally above the body of the guitar for holding the strings above the body of the guitar under tension and producing a double change in angle of the strings on the saddle. The saddle has a fulcrum end supported on the guitar from which an inclined lever portion extends at an acute angle with respect to the body of the guitar and has a free end on which the string passes and applies force to the saddle. The inclined lever portion defines a tapered space with the body of the guitar so that the applied double force of the string is transmitted via the inclined lever portion to its fulcrum end forwardly at the acute angle. For bass strings, the saddle can be formed with multiple angularly spaced legs and for treble strings with a solid, triangular cross section.

Abstract: Guitar bow having horse hair strands applied to a cylindrical surface for engagement with one string only of a flat string array, and having a holding portion to facilitate bowing.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system has at least a first electroacoustical transducer having a vibratable diaphragm for converting an input electrical signal into a corresponding acoustic output signal. An enclosure is divided into at least first, second and third subchambers by at least first and second dividing walls. The first dividing wall supports and coacts with the first electrical transducer to bound the first and second subchambers. At least a first passive radiator intercouples the first and third subchambers. At least a second passive radiator intercouples at least one of the second and third subchambers with the region outside the enclosure. Each passive radiator is characterized by acoustic mass. Each subchamber is characterized by acoustic compliance. The acoustic mass and acoustic compliances coact to establish at least three spaced frequencies in the passband of the loudspeaker system at which the deflection characteristic of the vibratable diaphragm as a function of frequency has a minimum.

Abstract: A keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument has a keyboard frame, a plurality of keys which are aligned on the keyboard frame and which are vertically pivotable, a plurality of return springs each of which corresponds to one of the keys and has one end stopped by the key and the other end stopped by the keyboard frame so as to bias the key toward a nonstruck position, and a plurality of pivot members each of which is disposed on the keyboard frame at an end of a longitudinal axis of the key to correspond to one of the keys. The pivot member has a circular surface to be brought into slidable contact with a back end portion of the key so as to allow the key to perform pivotal movement. The back end portion of the key has a circular surface paired with the circular surface of the pivot member and is spring-biased against the circular surface of the pivot member by means of the return spring.