Abstract: A wind instrument includes a body defining a body with a plurality of tone holes. A plurality of keys are attached to the body, each key of the plurality of keys further including a key pad that is configured to selectively seal at least one of the plurality of tone holes to produce notes of different pitch. In one example, the body includes one monolithic piece of a metal extrusion having a “D”-shaped cross-section that provides a substantially flat upper surface and a lower curved surface. In another example, a biasing member includes a pair of magnets associated with each key, each pair of magnets including a first magnet attached the body and second magnet attached to one of the keys. A position of at least one of the first and second magnets is selectively adjustable relative to the other.

Abstract: A cable tie having a head for receiving a tail for binding various objects is provided wherein a head of an integral buckle is tilted so that the tail portion is more easily received. By employing a tilted head, of preferably 30 degrees, a 15-20% increase in performance over similar cables ties of the prior art has been achieve. In addition, a cable tie is provided that includes a bulged or coined portion. A leading edge of the band that is associated with the buckle also includes a bulged or coined portion. The bulged portions are preferably created by a coining process and facilitate binding mechanically the band to the buckle. In addition, a cable tie is provided wherein a head of the integral buckle is interconnected to the band via angled side walls. The angled side walls increase an opening in the buckle that receives the band such that during tensioning less energy is needed to tension the cable tie around a bundle of cables, for example.

Abstract: A cable tie having a head for receiving a tail for binding various objects is provided wherein a head of an integral buckle is tilted so that the tail portion is more easily received. By employing a tilted head, of preferably 30 degrees, a 15-20% increase in performance over similar cables ties of the prior art has been achieve. In addition, a cable tie is provided that includes a bulged or coined portion. A leading edge of the band that is associated with the buckle also includes a bulged or coined portion. The bulged portions are preferably created by a coining process and facilitate binding mechanically the band to the buckle. In addition, a cable tie is provided wherein a head of the integral buckle is interconnected to the band via angled side walls. The angled side walls increase an opening in the buckle that receives the band such that during tensioning less energy is needed to tension the cable tie around a bundle of cables, for example.

Abstract: A channel waveguide switch, driven by liquid crystal thermo-optic elements, suitable for use in integrated optic applications. Two trenches, one on either side and parallel with the core region of a channel waveguide Y-branch, are filled with a liquid crystal material possessing positive birefringence. When a given trench is held at a temperature a few degrees below the clearing point, the liquid crystal is in its nematic phase with its director aligned along the long direction of the trench so that both polarizations of the guided mode are loaded by the liquid crystal's ordinary refractive index. When the trench is held at a temperature a few degrees above the clearing point, both polarizations of the optical mode are loaded by the liquid crystal's isotropic index. By holding the temperature of the second trench at the alternate temperature, the differential loading on the Y-branch causes the guided mode to be switched into the path loaded by the liquid crystal's isotropic index.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a method for making a hermetically sealed package which includes a housing, a lid and a feedthrough for at least one stripped fiber. The method includes the following steps: 1) placing at least one optical fiber and at least one solder preform between the sealing surface of the lid and the sealing surface of the housing; and 2) sealing the assembly by applying pressure and heat so as to press the fiber (or fibers) into the solder.