Abstract: The invention is an article of footwear having one or more support elements disposed in the sole. At least one of the support elements includes an aperture that increase the compliance of the sole. By selecting a specific aperture configuration for each support element, the compliance of each area of the footwear may be adjusted to conform to the demands of a particular application for the footwear. In addition, the footwear may include one or more plugs that are removably-received by the apertures to provide the wearer with control over the compliance characteristics of the sole.

Abstract: A pedal board for musical instruments. Pedal mounting, guide, and electrical switch mechanisms are provided in a pedal board for an electronic organ. Each pedal is mounted by a cylindrical pin attached to the back end of the pedal and to the base of the pedal board by an interference fit. A similar, guide pin is attached to the front end of the pedal by an interference fit. The guide pin fits loosely in an aperture which limits lateral movement of the pin and, thence, of the pedal itself. The lower end of the guide pin actuates an elastomeric electric switch when the pedal is pressed down. The elastomeric electric switch is mounted on a printed circuit board, and includes a chamber having a bell-shaped wall attached to a support strip by weakened edges and enclosed at the bottom by a diaphragm carrying a conductive element. The conductive element shorts contacts on the printed circuit board when the chamber is compressed by the guide pin. Pedal board tension and resiliency is provided by the mounting pin.

Abstract: A rocker switch, particularly for selecting voices in an electronic organ. A translucent tab is pivotally mounted at its center on a printed circuit board such that when the tab is pressed at either end, it actuates a respective elastomeric electric switch also mounted on the printed circuit board. A lamp is releasably mounted on the printed circuit board through an aperture in the back thereof by a twist-lock mechanism. A petal-like reflector and shield is disposed behind the tab for reflecting light from the lamp through the tab while blocking stray light and minimizing heat buildup. Elastomeric electric switches are positioned on the circuit board by pins and held in place by the pressure of the petal-like reflector, which is attached to the circuit board by plastic rivets. The tabs snap onto pivot points integrally formed as part of a rocker bar that includes the petal-like reflector.

Abstract: A walk-through metal detector comprising an array module supporting transmit and receive coil arrays. Surrounding the array module, yet not touching it, is an outer shell protecting the array module from contact. A passageway tube passes through the opening in the array module, and is supported by the outer shell, further isolating the array module from mechanical vibration. The array module has a relatively high resonant frequency; thus, vibration induced signals are higher in frequency than actual target signals and are disregarded by the detection circuitry. The metal detector also includes a bypass chute, mechanically isolated from the array module, in which metallic objects may be placed and transported to the exit of the passageway without setting any alarms. The array module supports a balanced transmit and receive coil array for insensitivity to external electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A housing for the magnetic induction coils of the search loop assembly of a metal detector is constructed of plastic resin reinforced with non-metallic electrically conductive graphite fibers, and is connected to ground potential of the main electronics package of the metal detector so that the housing acts as a static-draining shield for the search loop assembly. The mixture of graphite fibers and plastic conducts electricity well enough to prevent accumulation of static electricity charges and makes the housing stronger and more abrasion resistant than similar housings of non-reinforced plastic. The housing may be molded as two halves to include a central aperture, to allow the user of the metal detector to see the precise location on the ground at which to dig for detected targets.