Abstract: A hi-hat symbol in which the top cymbal and bottom cymbal are biased in a closed position. The present invention may include an add-on attachment to an existing hi-hat symbol or a hi-hat cymbal made as a whole unit. The top cymbal may be stationary and the bottom cymbal may be connected to an actuation rod that is connected to a pedal. Therefore, when the pedal is activated, the bottom cymbal may be pulled downward relative to the top cymbal.

Abstract: A ball valve having a valve stem assembly disposed within a valve body through-hole. The valve body through-hole is encircled with secondary bores to accommodate components of the valve stem assembly. The valve stem assembly includes an upper bearing and lower bearing, which are seated into corresponding secondary bores and a stem seal that seats within a stem seal gland. The upper bearing further includes a step that interdigitates with the stem seal gland to form a stem seal groove when the valve stem assembly is disposed within the through-hole.

Abstract: An aircraft conductor sandwich assembly configured to be embedded in a composite aircraft structure. The conductor sandwich assembly comprises a plurality of carbon conductors disposed between two sheets of insulating layers and an adhesive resin bonding the plurality of carbon conductors and the two sheets of insulating layers into a carbon sandwich assembly such that (i) the conductors are electrically isolated and (ii) structural loads can be passed through said conductor sandwich assembly.

Abstract: A ball valve having a valve stem assembly disposed within a valve body through-hole. The valve body through-hole is encircled with secondary bores to accommodate components of the valve stem assembly. The valve stem assembly includes an upper bearing and lower bearing, which are seated into corresponding secondary bores and a stem seal that seats within a stem seal gland. The upper bearing further includes a step that interdigitates with the stem seal gland to form a stem seal groove when the valve stem assembly is disposed within the through-hole.

Abstract: A process for making a cyclic compounds such as cyclic acetal or cyclic ketones by feeding aldehyde or ketone compounds and polyhydroxyl compounds to a reaction zone at a molar ratio of polyhydroxyl compounds to aldehyde or ketone compounds of at least 3:1, reacting these compounds in the presence of a solid acid such as an acidic ion exchange resin, to generate a liquid reaction mixture without separating water from the reaction mixture as it is being formed in the reaction mixture, withdrawing the liquid reaction mixture from the reaction zone as a liquid product stream, and feeding the liquid reaction product stream to a distillation column to separate cyclic acetal compounds from unreacted polyhydroxyl compounds, and optionally recycling back the unreacted polyhydroxyl compounds to the reaction zone. The process produces cyclic acetal compounds in yields of at least 90% with long catalyst life. The process is also suitable to make cyclic ketals from ketone compounds.

Abstract: Some examples of a mounting post to support a housing of electronic equipment include a swivel base having a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to mount to a surface about which the mounting post swivels. The mounting post includes A swivel post having a a third end and a fourth end. The third end is configured to support the housing of the electronic equipment. A lower sleeve is attached to the second end and an upper sleeve is attached to the fourth end. The upper sleeve is attached to the lower sleeve at a distance to create a moment arm to react to transverse forces applied to the mounting post.

Abstract: One example of a configurable mounting system includes can be implemented as a system for mounting electronic equipment. The system includes an enclosure housing to mount the electronic equipment. Multiple ribs are formed within the enclosure housing. A stiffener plate is received by the multiple ribs to mount the stiffener plate within the enclosure housing.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including at least one special ball having an associated special function. In one embodiment, one or more special functions may have persistent effects on one or more bingo spaces (e.g., of a bingo card) and/or may be combined with the effects one or more other special functions.

Abstract: A device for affecting a sleep mode of an electronic device includes an elongate member and a magnet. The magnet is disposed within the elongate member, and the elongate member and the magnet are shaped and sized to activate a magnetic sleep sensor of the electronic device in response to the magnet being placed in proximity of the magnetic sleep sensor. A system for affecting a sleep mode of an electronic device includes a housing to receive the electronic device, and a device for activating a sleep mode of the electronic device. The housing has an aperture, and the device has a magnet. The device is configured to activate a magnetic sleep sensor on the electronic device.

Abstract: Some examples of a docking apparatus can be implemented to include a key-lockable mechanical mount. The mount includes a housing, a locking unit, a pinion and a lock plate. The locking unit is disposed on the housing and includes a lock mandrel. The locking unit is configured to be rotated to either an open position or a closed position with a key. The A pinion is mounted to the lock mandrel. The pinion is configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the locking unit using the key. The lock plate is configured to be received in the housing. The lock plate is configured either to rotate in response to the rotation of the pinion or to be driven by springs. The lock plate is configured to capture a mounting plate configured to attach to electronic equipment.

Abstract: Certain implementations of a system for mounting an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, can include an enclosure housing to receive an electronic device, and multiple panels, each panel configured to be removably and interchangeably connected to the enclosure housing to modify a configuration of the enclosure housing based on the electronic device. The system of removable and interchangeable panels can be implemented as part of the design of the enclosure for the electronic devices to allow the enclosure to be flexibly configured with a variety of different accessory devices which may extend the capabilities of the electronic device in desirable ways.

Abstract: One example of a latch and bezel system for a device enclosure can be implemented as a system for mounting electronic equipment. The system includes a support structure. A head unit is configured to receive electronic equipment, and to connect to the support structure. A bezel is positioned in the head unit. The bezel is configured to retain the electronic equipment in the head unit. A release system is configured to be inaccessible when the head unit is connected to the support structure. Upon activation, the release system is configured to release the bezel within the head unit to release the electronic equipment.

Abstract: One example of a wall mount with configurable stops to mount electronic equipment includes an enclosure housing to receive the electronic equipment and a pivot tube having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to a rear external surface of the electronic housing. A stop plate is attached to the second end of the pivot tube. The stop plate is configured to be mounted to a surface. The stop plate includes multiple stops to control a range of rotation of the enclosure housing on the pivot tube.

Abstract: One example of a magnetic card reader mounting system includes a card reader mounting system for attaching to a kiosk in which a tablet computer is housed. The card reader mounting system includes a swipe path accessory panel, a swipe path plate, and a reader head subassembly. The swipe path plate and the reader head subassembly are secured to the swipe accessory panel. The system also includes a swipe cap secured to the reader head subassembly, wherein the swipe path plate and the reader head subassembly are configurable to support a plurality of reader head geometries.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including at least one initial ball call and an option for a player to receive at least one additional ball call. In one example, the at least one additional ball call includes one or more of: (i) a ball call locked until a player accepts an option to unlock the locked ball call, and (ii) a ball call provided by another member of a social network (e.g., a friend of the player).

Abstract: A process for making a cyclic compounds such as cyclic acetal or cyclic ketones by feeding aldehyde or ketone compounds and polyhydroxyl compounds to a reaction zone at a molar ratio of polyhydroxyl compounds to aldehyde or ketone compounds of at least 3:1, reacting these compounds in the presence of a solid acid such as an acidic ion exchange resin, to generate a liquid reaction mixture without separating water from the reaction mixture as it is being formed in the reaction mixture, withdrawing the liquid reaction mixture from the reaction zone as a liquid product stream, and feeding the liquid reaction product stream to a distillation column to separate cyclic acetal compounds from unreacted polyhydroxyl compounds, and optionally recycling back the unreacted polyhydroxyl compounds to the reaction zone. The process produces cyclic acetal compounds in yields of at least 90% with long catalyst life. The process is also suitable to make cyclic ketals from ketone compounds.

Abstract: A marker airbrush device for transferring marking solution from a marking device onto a writing surface using air is provided. The airbrush device includes a housing with an air outlet, a trigger for controlling an amount of air travelling through the air outlet, and a marker positioner coupled to the housing. The marker positioner positions a marking device relative to the air outlet such that air traveling through the air outlet contacts at least one surface of the marking device to transfer marking solution onto a writing surface. In embodiments, rotation of a portion of the marker positioner advances and/or retracts the marking device with respect to the flow of air through the air outlet, thereby altering the angle and/or amount of air that contacts the marking device during spraying. In another embodiment, the marker positioner includes a locking lever for engaging against the marker device nib and/or housing.

Abstract: One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the noise penalty of a pusher propeller, allowing an aircraft to retain its advantages for UAV configurations, while allowing acoustic performance similar to that of a tractor propeller by reducing, or eliminating, propeller noise emissions. The system and method provide an airfoil-shaped flight surface with (i) a scoop configured to route boundary layer air and associated wake from said flight surface, and (ii) a suction device configured to provide a suction pressure, wherein the scoop routes boundary layer air from the flight surface to the suction device via an opening in the flight surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing a carboxylic acid employing a solvent from esterification of lignocellulosic materials. An acid-containing composition from esterification of lignocellulosic materials can be employed in the oxidation of para-xylene to terephthalic acid. The acid-containing composition can comprise acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and one or more terpenes or terpenes derivatives.