Abstract: An accessory for a string instrument including a body portion and a clamping portion that is coupled to the body portion by a connecting portion having at least one point of connection. The body portion includes at least one surface capable of altering the position or sound of one or more strings of an instrument. The body portion can include a slide, a capo, both, and/or other surfaces or features configured to alter the sound or position of the instrument's strings.

Abstract: An accessory for a string instrument including a body portion and a clamping portion that is coupled to the body portion by a connecting portion having at least one point of connection. The body potion includes at least one surface capable of altering the position or sound of one or more strings of an instrument. The body portion can include a slide, a capo, both, and/or other surfaces or features configured to alter the sound or position of the instrument's strings.

Abstract: A modular vented circuit board enclosure for housing circuit boards, computer circuitry, or other devices is disclosed. The modular enclosure can be formed by coupling together various components, such as one or more (i) side components, (ii) corner components, and (iii) face components. The modular enclosure can be easy to manufacture and be configured for a wide variety of applications, such as customizing a size and/or number of devices to be housed. For example, circuit boards can be added or removed from the enclosure without the need to cut portions of a standard rack mount. One or more components of the modular vented circuit board can be added to permit entry of more circuit boards into the enclosure.

Abstract: A camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays used in various applications is provided. A personality plate configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is provided. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to a different photo-electric pixel array eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. The camera head enclosure apparatus may include carriers configured to hold circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays for use in various applications. A personality plate specifically configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is disclosed. The invention allows a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and their respective personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to an entirely different photo-electric pixel array and eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. One embodiment of the camera head enclosure apparatus disclosed further includes a plurality of carriers configured to hold a respective plurality of circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected.

Abstract: A camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays used in various applications is provided. A personality plate configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is provided. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to a different photo-electric pixel array eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. The camera head enclosure apparatus may include carriers configured to hold circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected.

Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a handlebar clamping portion and handlebar clamping member having respective first and second clamp surfaces defining interlocking joints. Each interlocking joint may include a recess and a projection therein to resist relative sliding motion in a direction generally parallel to an axis of a handlebar-receiving passageway to thereby resist torsional loading. A plurality of fasteners may secure the handlebar clamp member to the handlebar clamping portion.

Abstract: A suspension system that requires minimal or no welding and can be easily adapted for use with a variety of frame configurations without adversely affecting the frame integrity. One embodiment includes a top bearing (21), a base bearing (31), an upper clamp (19), and a strut (41). The bearing inserts may be secured with conventional fastening means, for example, adhesives or screws. In one embodiment, a lower spring seat may be secured with a snap ring and heat sensitive materials may be used. Thus, the suspension systems may, if welding is necessary, be installed using standard frame welding practice without the need for extraordinary or special fixtures or procedures. Options are thus now available in component material selection and suspension configuration which have previously been limited because of the heat of welding. This frame integral technology may be used with only minor changes to current fabrication practices.

Abstract: The invention provides an expandable modular enclosure system for enclosing circuit boards connected by a stackable bus. The enclosure system includes one or more carriers and spacers, a base unit, and a top unit. The spacers and carriers are alternately stacked between the base unit and top unit, and each circuit board is mounted to a carrier. A side portion with recessed vents extends from one side of each carrier, and each carrier and spacer define an opening. Air flows through the vents, over each circuit board, and through the openings in the carrier to cool the circuit boards. Circuit boards with varying functionality can be included in the enclosure, and as many circuit boards as are necessary can be enclosed without increasing the size of the footprint of the enclosure.

Abstract: A bicycle stem may include a body portion and a handlebar clamping portion connected thereto, and a handlebar clamping member cooperating with the handlebar clamping portion to clamp the bicycle handlebar. The handlebar clamping member and the handlebar clamping portion may each have a cavity in a respective medial portion thereof to accommodate an enlarged diameter portion of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may have a generally rectangular shape with a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar. The handlebar clamping member may also be completely removable from the handlebar clamping portion in some embodiments, to facilitate installation of the handlebar. The handlebar clamping portion may also have a recess therein defining with the cavity a pair of spaced apart contact areas for contacting the handlebar.

Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a steering tube clamp with a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the steering tube. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The stem may include a body portion having opposing first and second ends, a handlebar clamping portion connected to the first end of the body portion, and a steering tube clamping portion connected to the second end of the body portion. The steering tube clamping portion may have a tubular shape defining a steering tube receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the steering tube receiving passageway and in communication therewith.

Abstract: A bicycle gear shifting system includes a gear shifting derailleur, a rotatable shift member to be rotatably carried by handlebars of the bicycle and connected to the gear shifting derailleur, and a hand attachment to be carried by a hand of a rider. The rotatable shift member and the hand attachment may each have respective mating surfaces for positively engaging one another to facilitate gear shifting by the rider and are readily releasable to permit the rider to change hand positions. More particularly, the mating surfaces may include pairs of corresponding recesses and projections. The pairs of corresponding recesses and projections may also be tapered. Furthermore, the mating surfaces may engage in superposed relation upon radial squeezing of the hand of the rider. According to another embodiment, the mating surfaces may engage in side-by-side relation upon lateral positioning of the hand of the rider.

Abstract: A clamp includes an object clamping portion having a tubular shape defining an object receiving passageway therethrough, and a clamp receiving passageway transverse to the object receiving passageway and in communication therewith. An object clamp is received in the clamp receiving passageway, and may include a pair of cooperating clamp members defining an imaginary cylinder and a recess therein for the object. Each clamp member may also have at least one fastener receiving passageway therein offset a predetermined distance from an axis defined by the imaginary cylinder. The object clamp may also include at least one fastener extending between corresponding fastener receiving passageways of the pair of clamp members for urging the clamp members together to engage the object. The at least one fastener may be a plurality of fasteners. The fastener receiving passageways may also be canted at a predetermined angle from parallel to the axis of the imaginary cylinder.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing apparatus for a bicycle frame maintains critical spatial relationships by allowing the seat and the pedal assembly to move slightly, together as a unit, relative to the bicycle frame proper. A telescoping portion of the apparatus has an inner tube housed inside an outer tube. The inner tube has a seat post connected to its top end and a pedal crank axle housing connected to the bottom end. The outer tube is in a fixed, integral relationship with the other frame members. Any of a number of combinations and variations of adjustable spring/damper means isolate the inner tube from the outer tube. Numerous features, including dust boots and a rider-activated keyway lock, can be incorporated into the frame design. The telescoping design reduces impact forces without causing undesirable changes in frame geometry or undesirable changes in the distance between the seat and pedals.