Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls which together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top and bottom walls and between the front and rear walls. A first transducer mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first transducer includes a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis has a fist end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite, second end proximate the top wall, such that the major axis is arranged vertical, relative to ground when the subwoofer is rested on its bottom wall. The top wall has a handle such that the loudspeaker can be carried with the major axis arranged vertical to ground.

Abstract: A container thermoformed from a polymeric multilayer sheet includes a cavity for containing food. The sheet includes a polymeric interior layer positioned between (i) a polymeric outer layer of the sheet and (ii) a polymeric inner layer of the sheet that is in opposing face-to-face relation with, and at least partially defines, the cavity of the container. The interior layer includes post-consumer recycled polymeric material. The sheet includes a polymeric barrier layer positioned between the interior layer and inner layer. The barrier layer restricts inward passage of at least some of any gasses originating from the post-consumer recycled polymeric material.

Abstract: A system for controlling the gain of an input signal in an audio signal amplifier. The system includes a user-operable gain control, and analog and digital circuit elements that together are configured to modify the gain of the input signal in response to the user-operable gain control.

Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a subwoofer. The subwoofer includes a housing having a plurality of walls which together define an acoustic cavity. The plurality of walls includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top and bottom walls and between the front and rear walls. A first transducer mounted to the front wall of the housing. The first transducer includes a diaphragm having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis has a fist end proximate the bottom wall and an opposite, second end proximate the top wall, such that the major axis is arranged vertical, relative to ground when the subwoofer is rested on its bottom wall. The top wall has a handle such that the loudspeaker can be carried with the major axis arranged vertical to ground.

Abstract: A system for controlling the gain of an input signal in an audio signal amplifier. The system includes a user-operable gain control, and analog and digital circuit elements that together are configured to modify the gain of the input signal in response to the user-operable gain control.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a housing that has a plurality of walls, which together define an acoustic cavity. An electro-acoustic transducer is mounted to a front wall of the housing, and a motion axis of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from a centroid of the front wall. The loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with an other loudspeaker of identical construction in a first configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; and in a second configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. The loudspeaker includes keyed features which do not interlock and thereby inhibit stacking when the loudspeaker is in a first orientation relative to the other loudspeaker, and which interlock to allow stacking when the loudspeaker is in a second orientation relative to the other loudspeaker.

Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a housing that has a plurality of walls, which together define an acoustic cavity. An electro-acoustic transducer is mounted to a front wall of the housing, and a motion axis of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from a centroid of the front wall. The loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with an other loudspeaker of identical construction in a first configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; and in a second configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. The loudspeaker includes keyed features which do not interlock and thereby inhibit stacking when the loudspeaker is in a first orientation relative to the other loudspeaker, and which interlock to allow stacking when the loudspeaker is in a second orientation relative to the other loudspeaker.

Abstract: A cable assembly configured to electrically connect an active loudspeaker to a source device that comprises a source of electrical power and audio signals.

Abstract: A cable assembly configured to electrically connect an active loudspeaker to a source device that comprises a source of electrical power and audio signals.

Abstract: A cable assembly configured to electrically connect an active loudspeaker to a source device that comprises a source of electrical power and audio signals.

Abstract: Containers having a skim coat layer for improved punctureability, and sheet stock materials for and methods of making such containers are provided. A container is formed of a first material layer that contains a monolayer of polypropylene homopolymer in an amount of at least 70 percent by weight, or a multilayer material in which at least one layer comprises a polypropylene homopolymer in an amount of at least 70 percent by, and a second material layer adjacent the first material layer and forming an innermost layer adjacent the cavity, the second material layer containing a polypropylene copolymer in an amount of at least 60 percent by weight.

Abstract: The current invention is a kit including a structure and fuel. The structure has a circular base, a hollow central tube, handle, and a wick that runs from down the central cube to a fire starter composite at the center of the base. The fuel consists of a fire starter tinder composite, small, medium, and large fuels. All fuels are responsibly harvested and safe for transport.

Abstract: A fret and method of making the fret are disclosed. The fret can include a body portion made of a non-conductive material, a first end, a second end, and a length defined between the first and second ends. A plurality of electrically conductive elements can be disposed along at least part of the body portion. Each element can be electrically insulated from the other conductive elements by the body portion. The method can include 1) providing a blank formed of electrically conductive material, 2) processing the blank to provide a plurality of electrically conductive elements, 3) affixing a body portion made of a non-conductive material to the plurality of electrically conductive elements, the body portion electrically insulating each element from the other conductive elements, and 4) removing material from the processed blank and affixed body portion to form a perimeter of the fret in a desired shape.

Abstract: Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. A plurality of frets can be disposed on a fingerboard and underlying the strings. The frets may include electrically conductive zones that can be electrically insulated from each other, and each zone corresponds to a different string. A polyphonic pickup having a plurality of wire-wound coils coupled to corresponding magnetic returns can be included, and can be adapted to detect striking of at least one of the strings by a user of the game controller. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument.