Abstract: A system which provides a means for reproducing stereophonic prerecorded sound which greatly improves the quality of the reproduced sound which the listener hears is disclosed. The sounds reproduced through the system of the present invention closely emulate the sounds as originally generated by the sound source, particularly with regard to the locations of the sound sources relative to one another.Through the method and apparatus of the present invention, the sounds emanating from the sound transducers, which comprise sound waves travelling through air, are transformed on a sound-receiving surface of a sympathetically vibratable material or "sound screen" into surface forced bending waves within the material which travel along the surface towards one another.

Abstract: Connector method and apparatus for coupling together two systems or combinations of systems, for example, vessels such as pipes, conduits, chambers, tanks or the like to provide intercommunication between them while automatically excluding the environment from the system interiors during and after the coupling operation and while preventing any dilution of or loss of the fluid or vacuum within the respective system interiors. The connector apparatus of the present invention includes a male connector element, coupled to a first system, defining a conduit which communicates with the interior of this first system and having a nonplanar sealing surface which forms an apex. A female connector element is coupled to a second system and defines a conduit which communicates with the interior of this second system. The female connector element also has a sealing surface adapted to engage with the male sealing surface, and at least one of these sealing surfaces is deformable.