Abstract: A head worn apparatus having a pair of rearwardly disposed elongated support arm assemblies having movable portions which are positionally adjustable to provide increased wearer comfort attached to a head-worn device such as a visor or eyeglasses. The support arm assemblies each include a an articulating segment and/or head gripping region pivotally coupled to the head-worn apparatus. The articulating segment include means for providing a constant inward compressive force by means of increased resistance for rotating articulating segments outwardly, thereby securing the head-worn device onto a wearer's head.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for head worn visors and the like having first and second sleeves, said first sleeve positioned adjacent and coaxial to said second sleeve, whereby said first sleeve is pivotable relative to said second sleeve, a plunger disposed within said first and second sleeves, and means for adjusting the position of said first sleeve in relation to said second sleeve in a ratcheting manner.

Abstract: A head worn apparatus having a pair of rearwardly disposed elongated support arm assemblies having movable portions which are positionally adjustable to provide increased wearer comfort attached to a head-worn device such as a visor or eyeglasses. The support arm assemblies each include a an articulating segment and/or head gripping region pivotally coupled to the head-worn apparatus. The articulating segment include means for providing a constant inward compressive force by means of increased resistance for rotating articulating segments outwardly, thereby securing the head-worn device onto a wearer's head.

Abstract: A head worn apparatus having a pair of rearwardly disposed elongated support arm assemblies having movable portions which are positionally adjustable to provide increased wearer comfort attached to a head-worn device such as a visor or eyeglasses. The support arm assemblies each include a an articulating segment and/or head gripping region pivotally coupled to the head-worn apparatus. The articulating segment include means for providing a constant inward compressive force by means of increased resistance for rotating articulating segments outwardly, thereby securing the head-won device onto a wearer's head.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for tracking, recording and retrieving time by account, task and date. The device permits entry of one or more account numbers and one or more tasks associated with each account number. When working on an activity for a selected account and task, a "timer" can be started for that account's activity and the device will keep track of total accumulated time. Recorded data can be retrieved on the internal display or transferred to a computer for processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating solenoids in an electronic player piano where a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) velocity value is translated to a solenoid driving signal, a counter is activated by the solenoid driving signal, and a solenoid is energized from the counter according to the solenoid driving signal. A central processing unit (CPU) reads the MIDI data from a digital data storage device, and selects the corresponding solenoid driving parameters from a look-up table stored in read only memory (ROM). The solenoid driving parameters are converted into a pulse width modulation (PWM) waveform by a driving circuit containing counters. The PWM signal is sent to the gate of a field effect transistor (FET) switch connected to the solenoid and the solenoid is energized by the FET according to the PWM signal.

Abstract: A head worn sound gathering apparatus having a pair of sound gathering horns with rearward facing apertures. Each sound gathering horn includes a tapered sound channeling tube portion which communicates with an ear covering. Sound received through the rearward facing apertures is amplified and directed to the ear coverings wherein the sounds reach the ears of a wearer. The sound gathering horns and ear covers are preferably worn in association with a helmet such as a cyclist helmet.

Abstract: A head worn visor with a headband, a forwardly disposed bill attached to the headband, a pair of rearwardly disposed outer arms coupled to the headband, and a pair of recurve arms attached to the outer arms by resilient hinge regions such that the recurve arms are spaced apart from the outer arms and provide a gripping surface for the wearer's head.

Abstract: An ergonomic head band which may be comfortably worn for extended periods of time. The head band includes a strap having first and second upwardly curved side arcuate segments, a front arcuate region, and tails which couple together at the back of a wearer's head. Platform regions are provided between the front arcuate region and side arcuate segments. The side arcuate segments comfortably accommodate the ears of a wearer while the head band is worn, while the front arcuate region is positioned adjacent the wearer's head. The platform regions allow face shields or other apparatus to be coupled to the head band.

Abstract: An articulating hinge assembly for pivotally coupling objects together, comprising a socket member and a cap member. A plurality of resilient prongs on the cap member reversibly engage a bore in the socket member. Outward facing barbs are included on the resilient prongs which engage a recessed region in the bore of the socket member. A plurality of serrations or grooves are included within the recessed region of the bore in the socket member. Outward facing teeth on the barbs of one or more of the resilient prongs engage and intermesh with the serrations in the recessed region of the socket member. Applying rotational force to the socket member or cap member causes the teeth to disengage the serrations and reposition within the recessed region, allowing pivotal adjustment of the cap member relative to the socket member in precise incremental units defined by the size and shape of the serrations.

Abstract: A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end, and an offset C-shaped socket at the other end defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. Spaced-apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and along the outside surface of the tongue. When the tongue of one link is placed into the socket of another link, the teeth intermesh wherein the teeth in the tongue fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the socket, and the teeth in the socket fit into the interdental notches between the teeth in the tongue. The tongue and socket pivot in discrete positions, while lateral movement is prevented by the engagement of a ring on the tongue that mates with a slot on the socket.

Abstract: A ratchet link having a cylindrically-shaped tongue at one end and a C-shaped socket at the other end for use in an articulating coupling system. The socket is defined by a pair of opposing, spaced-apart, resilient arcuate prongs which extend outward from the device away from the tongue end. The inside radius of the socket is substantially the same as the outside radius of the tongue, so that the tongue can be inserted into the socket of another link. The socket includes a narrow centrally positioned slot along its circumference, and the tongue includes a narrow centrally positioned ring extending outward along its circumference which is received by the slot when the tongue is inserted into the socket. A plurality of spaced apart teeth are provided along the inside surface of the socket and extend between the faces of the device in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the plane of the faces. Similar teeth are located along the outside surface of the tongue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the velocity of key motion in a keyboard operated musical instrument, in which sensors (10) have a polymer piezoelectric film (18) laminated to a mylar backing material (20) are mounted in proximity to the keys (12) of a keyboard operated musical instrument. When deflected by the keys (12), the sensors (10) produce analog circuit output voltages proportional to the velocity of key motion. The analog signals are then converted to digital signals and processed by a digital microprocessor (36) to represent the velocity factor component of musical information in Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) or other digital formats. The digital data is then presented directly to a reproducing musical instrument or recorded on an electronic storage media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-creating expression effects contained in musical renditions recorded in MIDI format for reproduction on solenoid actuated player piano systems. Detected strike velocity information contained in the MIDI recording is decoded and correlated to strike maps stored in a controlling microprocessor, the strike maps containing data corresponding to desired expression effects. Time differentiated pulses of fixed width and amplitude are directed to the actuating solenoids in accordance with the data in the strike maps, and the actuating solenoids in turn strike the piano strings. Thereafter, pulses of uniform amplitude and frequency are directed to the actuating solenoids to sustain the strike until the end of the musical note. The strike maps dynamically control the position of the solenoid during the entire duration of the strike to compensate for non-linear characteristics of solenoid operation and piano key movement, thus providing true reproduction of the original musical performance.