Abstract: A guitar pad is designed to support a guitar or similar stringed instrument on the lap of a seated player, and the body portion rests on the pad when it is draped over on one of the player's legs. This facilitates the player maintaining proper posture and positioning when playing the instrument. The guitar pad is formed of a single-thickness piece of a flexible non-adhesive grip material formed of a woven scrim on which beads of a low-slip resin are positioned to alternate with open spaces; and a frame or border affixed onto the edge of the grip material. The frame or border may be formed of a narrow strip or strips of a low-stretch flexible material, e.g., leather or synthetic leather.

Abstract: The method is provided that identifies warp orientation of a wood product in an automated or semi-automated process, and affixes the wood product with indicia that will assist the end user, such as a framing carpenter, a finish carpenter, a trim carpenter, etc., with improved wood product application, e.g., studs, beams, joists, molding, etc, and in-service placement. e.g., location and orientation. Wood products with warp orientation indicia are also provided.

Abstract: A microcantilever sensing system includes a waveguide cantilever that permits an optical signal to propagate through an endface of the cantilever. The propagated signal is received by a receiver waveguide across a gap from the cantilever. The receiver waveguide provides the optical signal to a differential beamsplitter. The signal is differentially split according to the position of the optical signal incident upon the receiving waveguide. A method of determining a deflection waveguide microcantilever is also disclosed. An optical signal is transmitted from the endface of a waveguide microcantilever and received by the receiver waveguide. The optical signal is differentially split and then each split signal is compared to determine beam deflection. A method of fabricating a microcantilever sensor provides a differential beamsplitter in optical communication with a waveguide cantilever.

Abstract: A pump comprising a housing including first and second housing sections and a gasket between the first and second housing sections. The housing has a first pumping chamber, an inlet, an inlet passage in the housing leading from the inlet to the pumping chamber, an outlet and an outlet passage in the housing leading from the pumping chamber to the outlet. A pumping member is movable in the pumping chamber to pump fluid through the pump. Inlet and outlet check valves are provided in the inlet and outlet passages, respectively with each of the check valves including a movable valve element. The outlet check valve includes an outlet valve seat and a movable outlet valve element secured to the gasket at at least two spaced apart regions.