Abstract: Shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomers. The shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomers being synthesized by filling an alignment cell with liquid crystal monomers. The liquid crystal monomers align to a surface of the alignment cell and then are polymerized with a dithiol chain transfer agent. The alignment cell is configured to impose a director orientation on a portion of the shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer. For some embodiments, liquid crystal elastomer laminates are prepared by arranging a plurality of liquid crystal elastomers such that a director orientation of each liquid crystal elastomer of the plurality is in registered alignment with an adjacent liquid crystal elastomer of the plurality. The arrangement is secured and the plurality of liquid crystal elastomers cured.

Abstract: A system and method to help players of string instruments with the usability of their instruments, particularly with the detection and assessment of the mechanical status of their instrument's strings and in determining when and/or whether the strings need to be replaced.

Abstract: A first ferromagnetic piece of metal is attached to the inside surface of a stringed musical instrument such as an acoustic guitar, allowing an external magnetic mount to be attached to the musical instrument through the magnetic force of the magnetic mounts magnet on the first ferromagnetic piece of metal. One or more electronic device equipped with one or more ferromagnetic elements trapped, sandwiched, mounted on or made part of the device and/or a device protective case may then be softly, removably and firmly mounted to the outer surface of the instrument without chemically adhering to or disturbing the outer surface of the instrument through magnetic attachment to the magnetic mount. The inner-mounted ferromagnetic element may be attached permanently or removably to the inner surface of the instrument, so that the external magnetic mount may have its position adjusted for optimizing the position of the externally mounted device.

Abstract: A 3-point neck attachment system is disclosed where the neck of a guitar is mounted on a guitar body with the neck and body making contact at three points, each contact point consisting of a screw-adjustable member and a contact surface. Two screw-adjustment members are located in the neck pocket of the guitar body and allow fine adjustment of neck yaw angle and overall scale length. A third screw-adjustable member is mounted vertically in the heel of the neck and allows fine adjustment of the neck angle. The geometry of the contact surfaces can be configured to allow the neck to be easily and securely mounted to the guitar body without fasteners, employing only the strings' tension. When combined with a quick string de-tensioning mechanism, the fastener-free neck joint allows the guitar to be quickly disassembled, either for transport or rapid substitution of interchangeable guitar components, and then to be easily and rapidly re-assembled to pitch and precisely adjusted for optimum playing.

Abstract: A magnet or array of magnets is attached to the inner surface of a stringed musical instrument such an acoustic guitar, allowing an external electronic device equipped with one or more magnet or ferromagnetic elements to be softly and removably mounted to the outer surface of the instrument without adhering to or disturbing the outer surface of the instrument. The inner-mounted magnet or magnet array may be attached permanently or removably to the inner surface of the instrument, and may have its position adjusted for optimizing the position of the externally mounted device.

Abstract: A magnet or array of magnets is attached to the inner surface of a stringed musical instrument such an acoustic guitar, allowing an external electronic device equipped with one or more magnet or ferromagnetic elements to be softly and removably mounted to the outer surface of the instrument without adhering to or disturbing the outer surface of the instrument. The inner-mounted magnet or magnet array may be attached permanently or removably to the inner surface of the instrument, and may have its position adjusted for optimizing the position of the externally mounted device.

Abstract: Machine vision inspection devices and machine vision methods for inspecting objects, such as objects with shiny surfaces. Device embodiments include an illumination housing with a central aperture and a specialized aperture cover. Use of the claimed device embodiments to inspect objects eliminates the void (dark spot) common to known machine vision inspection methods.

Abstract: Machine vision inspection devices and machine vision methods for inspecting objects, such as objects with shiny surfaces. Device embodiments include an illumination housing with a central aperture and a specialized aperture cover. Use of the claimed device embodiments to inspect objects eliminates the void (dark spot) common to known machine vision inspection methods.

Abstract: Machine vision inspection systems and methods for inspecting objects, such as objects with shiny surfaces, as well as illuminators with aperture covers for use therewith. Use of such an aperture cover eliminates the void (dark spot) in the illumination field that inherently results from the presence of an aperture through which an associated camera views an object to be inspected.

Abstract: Machine vision inspection systems and methods for inspecting objects, such as objects with shiny surfaces, as well as illuminators with aperture covers for use therewith. Use of such an aperture cover eliminates the void (dark spot) in the illumination field that inherently results from the presence of an aperture through which an associated camera views an object to be inspected.

Abstract: A machine for inspecting the mold code on the heel of a glass bottle having a vertical axis. A light source is located below the bottle for directing a light beam vertically, coaxially upwardly towards the bottle. An inner conical reflector having an outer conical reflecting surface located between the bottle and the light source and coaxial with the axis of the bottle receives the light beam from the light source and reflects it as a first conical light beam. An outer ring reflector, having an inner conical reflecting surface, receives the first conical light beam and reflects it as a second conical light beam directed at the mold code on the heel of the bottle. The second conical light beam reflects from the mold code and retraces the second conical light path. There is a CCD camera and a beam splitter located between the inner conical reflector and the light source redirects a portion of the light reflected from the inner conical reflecting surface towards the CCD camera to image the mold code.

Abstract: A miniature inspection system for observing an object. The system comprises a camera (4) defining an optical axis (8) defined between the camera (4) and the object when located at the object inspection location. A ring light (14) is located concentrically with respect to and along the optical axis at a location between an entrance aperture of the camera (4) and the object, when located at the object observing location. A field lens (10) is located along the optical axis at a location between the camera (4) and the object, when placed at the object observing location. A mirror or a penta-prism (34) may be located along the optical axis, between the camera (4) and the field lens, so that light reflected from the object along the optical axis is reflected by either the mirror or the penta-prism (34) toward the entrance aperture of the camera (4). An illumination source (50), may be also provided to supply illumination along the optical axis of the system.

Abstract: An all-terrain wheeled vehicle. The wheeled vehicle includes a frame having a handle assembly, which is configured to allow a person to propel the wheeled vehicle by either pulling or pushing the vehicle, and a pair of large diameter wheels provided on opposite sides of the frame. Intermediate the wheels, mounted on the frame is a load carrier, such as a stretcher, chair or basket. The wheeled vehicle includes a wheel positioning system including a wheel track adjuster and individually adjustable wheel height adjusters for varying the height of each of the vehicle wheels with respect to the lad carrier. Optional power assisted drive and braking mechanisms are also provided.

Abstract: An improved stringed instrument soundboard system. The system includes a soundboard frame having a peripheral rim member, which extends from first and second ends of the soundboard frame. The peripheral rim member defines a peripheral shape of the soundboard frame. The soundboard system also includes an acoustic grill, which is made up of at least one grill sections, and which corresponds substantially to the shape of the soundboard frame. Each grill section has a peripheral rim, which is attached to the peripheral rim member of the soundboard frame.

Abstract: A surface marking system for providing a surface with a reflective marking for inspection by a vision system. The surface marking system comprises at least one corner cube cavity formed in the surface to be marked, the at least one corner cube cavity comprises three substantially planar surfaces, each of the three substantially planar surfaces extending perpendicular to one another. The three substantially planar surfaces intersecting one another at a point common to all of the three substantially planar surfaces and a ridge is formed between each of the mating adjacent pairs of the three substantially planar surfaces. An impact tool with the desire geometry or etched art work is employed to form the corner cube cavities.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for providing a continuous, uniformed, diffused light environment for use in conjunction with an electronic machine vision or manual microscope inspection system, particularly for inspection of specular surfaces such as ball bearings, reflective packaging and other shiny surfaces. The illumination device includes a source of light which is associated with at least the secondary diffusers to provide secondary diffused illumination, of an object to be observed, substantially along the observation axis of the object. The same light source may also illuminate a rear surface of the primary diffuser. The height of the illumination device is approximately three and one half times the clear aperture dimension of the illumination device or less. The illumination devices is arranged to provide uniformed illumination of the object with light which is equal in intensity and character to facilitate accurate viewing of the entire area of the object to be viewed.

Abstract: An imaging system for viewing indicia on an object to be observed in which the indicia comprises a plurality of either hard and/or soft marks. The light supplied by a light source is collimated by at least one lens and supplied toward an object to be observed and the reflected light is then focussed at a focal plane. The focal plane is located adjacent or coincident with a light receiving entrance of a camera or other imaging device. When a soft mark is imaged, the light is supplied at an angle to but not along the optical axis and is focussed by the lens to from an accurate image of the light source at the focal plane. Any light which contacts the unaltered specular reflective surface of the object to be observed as well as the central area of the soft mark facilitates a true and accurate reflection of the light source at the focal plane while the altered, non-flat areas of the object to be observed at least partially scatter or disperse the supplied light.

Abstract: An improved, modular guitar system is disclosed and includes a guitar body frame, which has a central member disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body frame and a peripheral rim member defining a peripheral shape of the body frame. The system also includes a separate acoustic grill, which is made up of first and second grill sections that are removably attached to the peripheral rim member of the body frame only. The system also includes a removable guitar neck and headstock assembly, which includes a headstock/string retention mechanism, which allows the guitar to be disassembled without allowing the strings to unravel from the guitar string tuning machines. The system also includes an inflatable acoustic chamber, which is attached to the guitar body frame along the guitar body frame peripheral rim member. The inflatable acoustic chamber includes a membrane communicating with the guitar body acoustic grill sections when the acoustic chamber is inflated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a conical or domed ring light having a plurality of light sources arranged at a desired angle with respect to an optical axis. Some of the dimensions of the illumination apparatus are first determined and, then using the appropriate formulas, the remaining dimensions of the circuit board are calculated. Thereafter, the calculated dimensions are employed to cut, from a planar flexible circuit board, the desired arcuate section(s). The light sources are then installed at desired locations on a first surface of the flexible circuit board and are each coupled to a common electrical connector, having one or a plurality of power sources, to facilitate supplying electrical power to each one of the light sources.

Abstract: An imaging system for viewing indicia on an object to be observed in which the indicia comprises a plurality of either hard and/or soft marks. The light supplied by a light source is focussed by at least one lens and supplied toward an object to be observed and the reflected light is then focussed at a focal plane. The focal plane is located adjacent or coincident with a light receiving entrance of a camera or other imaging device. When a soft mark is imaged, the light is supplied at an angle to but not along the optical axis and is focussed by the lens to from an accurate image of the light source at the focal plane. Any light which contacts the unaltered specular reflective surface of the object to be observed as well as the central area of the soft mark facilitates a true and accurate reflection of the light source at the focal plane while the altered, non-flat areas of the object to be observed at least partially scatter or disperse the supplied light.