Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and operating a percussion instrument, the combination comprising an upright standard to carry the instrument; two spaced support legs connected with the standard; and a collapsible support frame connected with the standard and spaced from the two legs, and a foot pedal carried by the frame for foot operated movement; there also being an upright instrument actuating member operatively connected with the pedal.

Abstract: A method of automatically and instantaneously shifting the musical scale of a piano is constituted by the steps of gradually changing the tension of the strings or the length of a vibrating portion of strings of the piano for changing the tone of the tension adjusted or vibration length adjusted strings in order to shift the musical scale of the piano to another desired musical scale, simultaneously applying mechanical vibrations to the respective strings at the same frequency as the frequency of the tones required for the respective strings to obtain the desired musical scale, detecting the resonance of the respective strings, and when resonance of the respective strings is detected, discontinuing the change of tension or change of length of the vibrating portion of the strings and application of the mechanical vibrations.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a clarinet wherein the facing over which the reed is attached and which extends around the opening in the mouthpiece is uniquely curved to vary the gap between the reed and the facing and wherein the bore, which is of a preferred length, is provided with a tapered A-frame bridge adjacent the sound baffle of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A pocket calculator for use by two persons simultaneously comprises two keyboards and four displays so that each user can monitor entries and calculations by the other. The calculator is useful in a variety of situations including financial negotiations, crossing checking of calculation, and in a pupil teacher situation.

Abstract: A muffler for reducing fluid flow noise in a hydraulic system comprises a cylindrical elastomer insert having multiple reinforced flow ports with different diameter porting, internal air chambers, and cast from an elastomer mixed with hollow glass spheres to form an insert of 40 percent air by volume. The insert is placed within a housing and connected to the hydraulic pipe assembly for receiving fluid under pressure and diverting it through the multiple flow ports of the insert wherein flow sounds, pump surges, and flushing noises of the hydraulic system are muffled by the disruption of the flow through the flow ports, the absorption by the internal air chambers, and the absorption by microspheres created by the hollow glass spheres in the elastomer insert.

Abstract: A gearless tuner for a stringed musical instrument comprises a generally cylindrical housing for mounting on the instrument including an axial opening extending therethrough; a knob core sized for insertion into the axial opening in the housing including a threaded aperture extending axially therethrough and an annular ring for interacting with the housing to maintain the knob core in the housing; and an elongated slider extending into the axial opening of the housing and axially threaded into the aperture for securing one end of a string of the instrument and drawing the string into the housing when the knob core is rotated with respect to the housing to tension the string, including a string opening through the slider substantially parallel to the direction of the string on the instrument for receiving the string, and locking means both for allowing the slider to move axially with respect to the housing and preventing the slider from rotating with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for a camera having a release member, which is arranged to be moved in a predetermined moving direction from an original position by depressing a shutter button, and a delay member. The delay member is movable relative to the release member and in parallel to the predetermined direction. The delay member is biased along them moving direction of the release member and is arranged to actuate the shutter mechanism of the camera when the delay member is located at a predetermined position. Simple, mechanical holding mechanisms temporarily stop both the release member and the delay member at other predetermined positions for a predetermined period before the delay member is released to actuate the shutter mechanism. Utilizing this delay mechanism, the camera can be made smaller and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing and tuning a musical instrument having a sound board that is excited by either a string, as in a guitar, or a percussion instrument, such as a drum. The sound board is tuned by holding it in position such that it can vibrate, tapping it to determine the actual audible sound at the tapped location to a desired sound, and then either adding or reducing the material at the tapped location to achieve the desired sound.

Abstract: A compressor discharge gas muffler comprising a single expansion chamber and an impedence tube for attenuation the fundamental low frequency discharge gas pulses, and a side outlet positioned to attenuate higher frequencies. A method of attenuation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A folding disposable camera for use with instant film for taking photographs typically with eight black and white or color photographs in a 4".times.5" and 31/4".times.41/4" format, foldable between a packaged stacked position and a picture taking position, including a frame for mounting a foldable enclosure constructed of a unitary blank of sheet material having a plurality of side panels and a front wall for enclosing the instant film positioned in a film container provided in the frame, the frame having a spreader bar apparatus attached at an open end for providing an exit path for the film and film tab including a spreader bar having a slanted groove, an upper tab channel and a lower tab channel the spreader bar acting to release developer contained with the instant film, with a lens and shutter mechanism being mounted on the front wall, and a method of packaging the folding disposable camera with a pack of instant film in a unitary package.

Abstract: A muffler for attenuating pulsations within the hydraulic fluid of an hydraulic elevator includes a plurality of compressible elements for absorbing pressure pulsations within the fluid and a baffle for ensuring that the flow of fluid contacts the elements sufficiently to absorb such pulsations, the baffle allowing a certain amount of flow to pass therethrough so that the pressure drop around the baffle is not so extreme so as to cause the muffler to cease to function.

Abstract: A camera includes a photographic lens, a viewfinder having an objective lens for focusing a subject image on a focal plane, and the eye-piece lens for magnifying the subject image on the focal plane, driving device for driving the objective lens according to focal length of the photographic lens, and generating device for generating pseudo focal length according to position of the eye-piece lens. This camera provides an increased magnification in a small size and with ease, and enlarges a limited pseudo telephoto print area to the entire finder field so that the photographer can confirm the pseudo telephoto print view.

Abstract: Determined is a degree of correction in accordance with a length of at least one of two periods from film manufacturing to photographing or from photographing to film developing. A printing light quantity is corrected in accordance with this degree, and a film image is printed on photographic paper, thereby optimizing the printing light quantity to all films by correcting time-elapsed variations in film characteristics.

Abstract: A magnetic layer is included as an additional layer in a photographic film. Information exchange between various uses of the film, such as the camera user, the dealer and photofinisher, is facilitated by recording data in dedicated frame-limited longitudinal track(s) in said film. All data is recorded on the film using a self-clocking three-part code in order to provide automatic data synchronization between the various users without requiring film transport at the same speed or even a uniform speed when reading and writing data. Three-part encoded binary characters uniquely representing start and stop sentinels respectively, are recorded at the beginning and end of the track respectively and facilitate automatic detection of the direction of film strip transport.

Abstract: In the distance and tilt sensing apparatus disclosed herein, an image of a light source is projected by a lens obliquely onto a surface to be sensed. A ring reticle is interposed in the optical path between the light source and the lens at a distance from the lens substantially equal to its focal length. A second lens projects a remote image of the first object image onto a detector. The light projected from the second lens is split into two paths. An aperture reticle is interposed in one of the paths at a distance from the second lens substantially equal to its focal length, an image of the center of the ring reticle being formed on the aperture reticle. A position responsive optical detector aligned with the aperture reticle senses the position of the image of the center of the ring reticle relative to the center of the aperture and that position is indicative of the tilt of the surface around an axis essentially perpendicular to the axis of the incident light.

Abstract: A light lock is formed by a channel with spaced walls, with the channel being open at one side. A light absorbing material is positioned in the channel and has bristles projecting toward the opening. A flange projects through the opening toward the material but is spaced from the bristles. The channel can be formed on one portion of a magazine, cassette or the like, for light tight materials such as photographic film, and the flange can be formed on another portion of such a magazine or cassette.

Abstract: Hearing aids, particularly hearing aids of the type embodying an ear-fitted housing having an interior receiver at the receiver tube leading from the interior receiver to the exterior of the housing. Particularly, a wax guard in the form of a coil of wire which is interference-fitted within the receiver to provide a restrictive path for ear wax and, thus protect the receiver.

Abstract: A double chambered bassboard housing for electronic M.I.D.I. accordion incorporating a folding control panel and a retractable keyboard. In a fully open position the instrument, because of its light weight and curved contour, is ideal to play and to perform with. Furthermore, all the push buttons on the folding control panel (in a fully open position) are readily identifiable because well within the view field of the accordionist. In a fully closed position the instrument becomes even more compact and therefore extremely portable for any mode of transportation.

Abstract: A combination optical and electronical viewfinder is provided to have both an optical systems and and electronical system in combination for the viewfinder of a camcorder for selecting either one of the two systems by a simple mainpulation of a mirror for pivoting to a position within the viewfinder casing to interrupt the path of light for or against one of the systems. The mirror is disposed between an eye lens and an objective lens within the viewfinder casing and is arranged to be pivotable on a hinge pin with the help of guides in the side walls of the casing. A picture tube for the electronical system is disposed perpendicular to the casing underneath it with a through opening in the casing wall to give image to the mirror for reflection toward the eye lens.

Abstract: An imaging material providing device of the present invention comprises: means for carrying imaging material particles charged to a first polarity, the imaging material carrying means having a portion formed of elastic material for holding the imaging material particles; means for receiving imaging material particles, the imaging material carrying means being disposed apart from the imaging material carrying means with a gap therebetween and being charged to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity so that the imaging material particles may be electrostatically attached onto the imaging material receiving means; means for elastically deforming the elastic portion of the carrying means, the imaging material particles being introduced into the gap when the deformed elastic portion is restored; and means for generating an electric field in the gap and electrostatically attracting the charged imaging material particles in a direction toward the imaging material receiving means.