Abstract: A connecting rod for an internal combustion engine comprises a non-ferrous powder metal material body of a first composition. The body has a small end opening and a large end opening. A bearing surface portion surrounds the large end opening and is fabricated of a non-ferrous powder metal material of a second composition different than the first non-ferrous composition. The first and second compositions are compacted and sintered together with the second material of the bearing surface portion surrounding and being localized about the large and opening.

Abstract: A novel method for preparing fine particles comprising a transition metal and a noble metal which are monodispersed and have almost no particle diameter distribution, and are transferable to a CuAu-I type L10 ordered phase, with safety and at a low cost, wherein a salt or a complex of at least one transition metal selected from Fe and Co and a salt or a complex of at least one transition metal selected from Pt and Pd (exclusive of the combination of Co-Pd) is dissolved in an organic solvent miscible with water or an alcohol in the presence of an organic protecting agent, and the resultant solution is heated under reflux in the presence of an alcohol in an inert atmosphere, to thereby prepare a binary alloy comprising a transition metal and a noble metal, or a salt or a complex of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Bi, Sb, Sn, Pb and Ag is further dissolved in the above solvent and the resultant solution is heated under reflux in the presence of an alcohol in an inert atmosphere, to

Abstract: A process for preparing and passivating Raney nickel from a 50:50 aluminum-nickel alloy. The aluminum-nickel alloy is etched to form Raney nickel. The Raney nickel is then suspended in water and introduced to oxygen bubbled into the suspension thereby passivating the Raney nickel.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal structure comprising the following steps: providing a metal-coated polymer substrate; heating the metal-coated polymer substrate in a hot zone, in which a temperature of at least 600° C. prevails and in which an atmosphere essentially composed of water vapor or of a mixture of water vapor and neutral gas is maintained, so as to remove the polymer substrate and form a metal structure; and cooling the metal structure in a cooling zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reclaiming magnesium from post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings by feeding the post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings into a rotary tray dryer and subjecting the post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings to a controlled temperature and atmospheric environment to remove a substantial amount of liquid from the post consumer scrap and/or secondary magnesium turnings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the leaching of oxidized ores and in particular zinc ores. The ore, wherein the valuable metals are at least partially in silicate form, are routed to an acidic leaching stage in conditions where the silicate decomposes and the valuable metal ion comes into the solution. During leaching the silicate ion first dissolves, but simultaneously decomposes and is precipitated as silica.

Abstract: A hand tool with a U-shaped cutout to slide into the groove at the top of a champagne bottle, and pivoted lever-arms above the cutout straddling the stopper of the bottle. Extractor links connected to these lever-arms, are hinged at the outer end, and have teeth across the inner end, which is aligned with the stopper. Squeezing the lever-arms together causes the extractor links to engage and compress that part of the stopper exposed above the top of the bottle. The extractor links are angled upward toward the toothed end, so that the resulting combined upward force of the two links on opposite sides of the stopper, cause it to be extruded upward. Repeated actuations may be used to remove the stopper completely. The tool grips, and retains the stopper when completely closed.

Abstract: A hammer useful for working rock, stone, and other hardened substrates is provided. The hammer head defines an acoustic chamber which resonates tones when the hammer is used to strike an object. Variations in the tones alert the user to changes in the rock substrate. Optionally, a pin extends from a striking surface of the hammer and extends part way into the acoustic chamber.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench using a sliding stop rod to control the direction of rotation of the ratchet wheel, the sliding stop rod has a smoothly arched front actuating face curved inwards in a rectangular front side thereof, and two toothed portions bilaterally formed in the smoothly arched front actuating face and adapted for engaging the ratchet wheel, the toothed portions having an equal width.

Abstract: A multi-piece socket system having a large internal cavity to allow a protrusion of a long rod or other workpiece to extend into the socket. The socket section has at least two pieces: a drive adaptor and a socket. Optionally, one or more extension collars may also be used. When assembled, the socket, extension collar(s) if used, and drive adaptor form a long tubular body into which a rod or other central member may enter while the nut is being driven onto the rod. The drive adaptor, extension collars, and sockets preferably attach together using a plurality of interlocking teeth on the ends of each member. For further stability, a spring biased pin extends from the wall of one member and through a hole in the wall of the mating member. Additional attachments, such as a threaded rod and drill chuck, may also be used.

Abstract: An adjustable wrench comprises a first handle piece, a second handle piece, an assembly block fastened between the first handle piece and the second handle piece, a rack, and a movable jaw. The first handle piece is provided with a fixed jaw. The block is provided at a longitudinal end with an assembly slot in which the rack is movably disposed such that the rack is urged by an urging rod in conjunction with a compression spring, and that a toothed portion of the rack is engaged, with a toothed portion of a slide block of the movable jaw, thereby enabling the movable jaw to be microadjusted.

Abstract: A tool for engaging a nut, the nut being configured for engaging an abuting surface and having at least one laterally-extending projection. The tool comprises a base and a plurality of upstanding axially projecting tangs extending from the base for alternatively engaging opposing sides of the laterally-extending projection.

Abstract: A socket for manipulating a conduit lock nut comprises a wall enclosing a circular area equal to an outer diameter of a lock nut terminates in a lip. A plurality of teeth spaced at a predetermined distance engage lugs of a lock nut. The teeth have sufficient height to engage the lugs when force is applied to the socket. A centering stem within the wall coacts with an inner wall of an electrical conduit opening to axially align the teeth with lugs of a lock nut about the opening. A tapered lead in provides spatial relief for initial engagement of the stem with an inner wall of an opening. A well between the stem and the teeth provide a recess for protruding walls of an electrical conduit opening to reside in during engagement of the teeth with lugs of a lock nut about the opening.

Abstract: A plier tool having first and second jaws independently and rotatably disposed about a pivot. A pair of handles are rotatably disposed about the same pivot. The handles are attached on opposite sides of the jaws by a bolt that passes through openings in the handles and through the center of the jaws. The handles are capable of being alternately engaged with the jaws by a pair of pivoting members such that the tool is changeable between a first position where the first jaw is engaged with the first handle and the second jaw is engaged with the second handle and a second position where the first jaw is engaged with the second handle and the second jaw is engaged with the first handle. In this manner, the tool can be switched from an internal retaining ring plier to an external retaining ring plier.

Abstract: A tool includes a tool bit and a handle for releasable engagement with the tool bit. The tool bit includes an insert formed thereon. The handle includes a socket formed thereon. The socket includes a cavity defined therein for receiving the insert and at least one hole communicated with the cavity. The at least one hole includes an internal end and an external end larger than the internal end. The at least one annular groove defined in the insert is aligned with the at least one hole when the insert is inserted in the socket. At least one ball is received in the at least one hole. A sleeve includes an internal face and at least one cam surface formed on the internal face thereof. The sleeve is rotationally mounted on the socket between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the at least one cam surface allows complete removal of the at least one ball from the cavity. In the second position, the at least one cam surface pushes the at least one ball into the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cutting a paper pipe, wherein a paper pipe is cut while rotating both a cutting blade and the long paper pipe in opposite directions to each other, in such a manner that rotational linear velocities of a cutting portion of the cutting blade and a central portion in a thicknesswise direction of the paper pipe are controlled to be within certain range. Cutting is performed while controlling the degree of vertical incision of the cutting portion.

Abstract: There is provided a product recovery apparatus in which mixture of cut wastes or a coolant into a receiver box is reduced and which can be disposed in the vicinity of a portion to be processed or in a processing chamber and which saves space and has high recovery rate of products. The product recovery apparatus for recovering the product from a machine tool for processing a material held by material hold means to produce the product, comprises: a product recovery tube for receiving the product; suction air generation means for bringing the product into the product recovery tube by suction of air; and a recovery container of the product disposed between the suction air generation means and product recovery tube. The recovery container may include a coolant reservoir portion for pooling a coolant in the recovery container, and the product recovered by the product recovery tube may be allowed to drop into the coolant in the coolant reservoir portion.

Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus includes a cutter roll assembly and an anvil roll assembly. The cutter roll assembly includes a bearer ring. The anvil roll, which is includes a substantially cylindrical surface, is parallel with the bearing surface of the cutter roll. A multiple-position mechanism provides a plurality of relatively axially shifted positions for the cutter roll assembly and the anvil roll.

Abstract: A method for removing from a carrier a carrier part with a housing arranged thereon, wherein prior to performing the separating operation a notched line is arranged in the carrier on at least one side of the carrier along at least a part of the length of a separating edge to be arranged. The invention also relates to a carrier part with a housing arranged thereon, which carrier part contains openings on the side of the carrier remote from the housing which are filled with encapsulating material, manufactured with the present method. The invention moreover relates to an apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transfer of segregated flat-shaped products to a transport device transporting the products further, comprising a transfer device for the ordered feeding of the products to a transport device. It achieves the object of configuring the said device such that the products which have been transferred in an ordered arrangement are taken over in an ordered manner and transported further in an ordered manner. To this end, the said transport device (2) is coupled with a vacuum device (vacuum container 4) by which, in cooperation with the transport device (2), the products are taken over in an ordered manner and are fixed to said transport device (2) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: There is provided a rotatable cutting tool for supporting at least one knife in at least two alternate angular cutting configurations. The cutting tool includes a body that defines at least one cavity extending generally in a longitudinal direction of the body. Each cavity is defined by first and second knife support surfaces, which are provided in an opposing, non-parallel configuration. The first knife support surface is configured to support one of the knives that is urged against the first surface at a first hook angle, and the second knife support surface is configured to support one of the knives that is urged against the second surface at a second hook angle, which is different from the first hook angle.

Abstract: A process of, and apparatus for, the feeding of elongated strips of magnetic core stock material to successive stations of a multi-station die assembly for forming successive lamination blanks into individual magnetic core lamina is disclosed. To properly align the material with the corresponding dies, relative motion between each pair of successive lamination blanks is facilitated while those blanks are still joined. This relative motion is provided by significantly weakening the material in the region between two successive lamination blanks. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the provision for relative motion includes removing the majority of the material interconnecting two adjacent lamination blanks without separating the individual lamination blanks from one another by use of an additional punch and die at the initial station for partially severing the strip between adjacent lamination blanks.

Abstract: A sheet delivery apparatus includes a cutter cylinder, a cutter reception cylinder, and a conveyor provided downstream of the cylinders. The cutter cylinder and the cutter reception cylinder cooperatively cut a paper web so as to yield sheets of predetermined size. The sheets are delivered by the conveyor. A dampening unit is provided upstream of a region where the cutter cylinder and the cutter reception cylinder closely face each other and in the vicinity of the paper web so as to dampen the paper web such that the surface of the paper web which will face the cutter cylinder is dampened to a greater extent than is the other surface. Grooves are formed circumferentially on the outer circumferential surface of the cutter reception cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing binding film is provided. The apparatus comprises a workstation board and a feeder for supplying the binding film, wherein the feeder is disposed at a front-end side of the workstation board. A separating set comprising a metering roller and a plurality of knifes, a slot-flush set comprising a plurality of flushing heads, and a knife set, are disposed at predetermined positions over the workstation board. The slot flushing, separation and cutting process steps are executed in a single step. A receiving section is disposed at a distal end side of the workstation board and behind the knife set. The processed binding film sheets are automatically received and stacked.

Abstract: A tube cutting assembly has a pair of opposite, rotatable cutting wheels, the outer of which is movable into engagement with a rotatable tube for cutting through the tube wall. Each cutting wheel is provided with a peripheral elastic ring which is configured to engage the tube wall and which is compressible towards the opposite cutting wheel. As a result, undesirable deformations of the cut tube end are avoided.

Abstract: A machine for processing envelopes includes a receiving assembly with a tray where envelopes are received and guided towards an envelope cutting assembly. A sensor determines the width of the envelope to align on of the two longitudinal cutting members. Another sensor detects the leading and railing edge of the envelope and with a circuit control the advancement of the envelope to cooperative positions that permit another cutter member to act transversally. The envelope is then passed to an unfolding assembly where the uppermost and lowermost sheets are loose and sandwich inbetween the contents. The uppermost sheet is pulled out to the display assembly that is hermetically closed. Subsequently, a transversally moving roller is used to lift the folds of the content, if any, and to affix the unfolded contents to protruding pins. The engagement with the protruding pins is slowly undone as the contents are pushed towards the display assembly.

Abstract: A bevel miter saw is provided having a switch handle that is ergonomically rotatable to a selected predetermined position as provided by a detent mechanism. An embodiment of the detent mechanism includes a detent member having radially directed slots, and a detent pin movable in a generally radial direction relative to the slots. Furthermore, a safety feature is provided wherein the detent pin is mounted to a lever including a projection that obstructs a trigger switch in the handle when the detent pin is not engaged in one of the detent slots so that the handle could rotate.

Abstract: A front-accessible bevel locking system for use with a power tool, including a mechanism for locking the power tool into a selected tilt or bevel position for bevel angle cuts. The bevel locking mechanism has a lever attached to a link rod by a cam mechanism such that, as the lever is moved to the locked position, the link rod holds a pivot support for the power tool at a bevel angle.

Abstract: A miter saw is provided having a support arm that is pivotally mounted to a base for adjustment of a pivot angle, the saw including a detent mechanism to provide pivot stops at common bevel angles, such as at 45° L, 0° (vertical), and 45°R. The detent mechanism includes a step-shaped, arcuate detent block mounted to the support arm in an adjustable manner to permit the accurate setting of the block in a home position. In an embodiment, a pair of set screws acts against opposite ends of the detent block, permitting precise adjustment in either direction. An axially movable detent pin is mounted to the base to contact against stepped surfaces of the block. The arm is free to pivot within a bevel angle range defined by one of the surfaces. Steps between surfaces act as a pivot stops, abutting the pin at a corresponding predetermined angle of the arm.

Abstract: A multiple variable punch assembly is configurable for punching holes and slits in a plastic film material. The assembly has frame is positioned below the plane of film with one or more transverse carriages positioned to slide on the sides of the frame. Each of the carriages has side plate members, and upper and lower rails extending across the frame in the transverse direction. The upper rail is positioned above the plane of the film and the lower rail is positioned directly below the upper rail and below the film web plane. The positions of the carriages can be adjusted along the frame in the machine direction. The punch head assemblies are adjustably mounted the carriages, with an upper plate fitted onto the upper carriage rail and a lower backing plate situated beneath it on the lower carriage rail. An alignment pin can be inserted into aligned holes for positioning the upper plate and the lower backing plate.

Abstract: A saw guide for hand-held power saws may be adjusted for cutting of wooden I-beams at various angles to the length of the I-beam. A first member abuts one flange, and a second member abuts the other flange, of the I-beam. The second member includes an elongated horizontal surface for support of the saw, and an elongated vertical guide surface for guiding the saw in a straight line to create the straight cut. The second member is pivotable in a horizontal plane and lockable relative to the first member to set and lock the position of the guide surface relative to the first member and the I-beam. The second member preferably includes an adjustable stop that is moveable and lockable to various positions on the second member to place the stop against the inner surface of the second flange no matter at what the angle of second member is set.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting liquid crystal display panels is disclosed in the present invention. The apparatus includes at least one table receiving bonded mother substrates having a plurality of unit liquid crystal display panels, at least one cutting wheel forming a scribing line on a surface of the bonded mother substrates, and a suction unit coupled to the at least one cutting wheel and sucking in glass debris on the surface of the bonded mother substrates.

Abstract: An improved system and method for mounting instrument components is provided for use in facilitating the tuning and retuning procedure of string instruments. The improved system comprises a component having a stud aperture at each end and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus further comprises a mounting device and an insert having a plate, an aperture portion, and a threaded bottom portion. The threaded bottom portion is removably fastened into the instrument. Subsequently, the component is positioned such that the stud aperture is located over the plate. Next, the mounting device is fastened into the aperture portion of the insert such that the mounting device clamps down on the component. In a further embodiment, adjustment screws may be utilized to laterally position the component relative to the insert and the mounting device.

Abstract: Methods of making guitar pick holders from flexible magnetic materials are described. In one illustrative example, a magnetic side of a flexible magnetic sheet is laminated with a vinyl sheet which provides a coloring and/or design. The side opposite this magnetic side is laminated with a static cling vinyl sheet, after text is reverse-printed on its non-static cling side. Coloring, design, and/or text may also be printed on the vinyl sheet. The laminated flexible magnetic sheet is then die cut to simultaneously form a plurality of guitar pick holders of a predetermined shape. Other methods are described, including methods of individually making custom guitar pick holders.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, flat, and visually appealing flexible magnet which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. A guitar pick which is used with the holder is made of a synthetic material but also includes a magnetically receptive material (e.g. iron) formed on or within the synthetic material. The guitar pick is magnetically held against a front magnetic surface of the flexible magnet and is thereby carried with the guitar, even when it is subject to relatively strong forces of accelerative motion (i.e. when the guitar is physically handled or shaken).

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a guitar pick holder is made of a thin, planar, and visually appealing magnet which adheres to a front outside surface of a guitar. A guitar pick which is used with the holder is made of a combined blend of plastic and magnetically receptive material (e.g. iron). The blend of materials provides the guitar pick with a sufficient magnetic attraction so that it can be magnetically held against the magnet, while simultaneously providing a flexibility, durability, and “look and feel” of a conventional synthetic pick. The guitar pick may be magnetized as well. A vinyl or polyester material may be provided over at least a portion of the surface of the guitar pick to provide for coloring or decoration, as such guitar picks are placed “on display” for the guitar.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting bars of keyboard percussion instruments comprising: (a) rods of 90 degree angle mounted to a keyboard percussion frame so as to provide support for bars (b) springs for allowing movement of said bars by being through said bars and coupled to said rods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a series of percussions in close succession on at least a percussion instrument such as a bass drum by a single operator. The operator activates successively and repetitively with the leg, then with the foot corresponding to two mobile parts comprising each a beater, adapted to strike the percussion instrument to produce cycle of at least four successive impacts separated in pairs by a time interval less than a quarter of a second.

Abstract: Metal components for a stringed instrument which slide against the string and other components are provided. By providing at least those portions which slide against other components with a lubricating solid coating including a mixture of nickel and a fluorine resin, rusting and corrosion caused by perspiration adhering to those components is prevented. Also, frictional resistance due to the components sliding against each other is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for lifting and setting a piano string coil (16) is provided for improving tuning stability. Preferably, the apparatus (10) includes an internal slide hammer portion (12) and a string engaging portion (14) extending from the internal slide hammer portion (12). The string engaging portion (14) is intended to engage a piano string coil (16) wrapped around a tuning pin (18) and transmit an upward or downward force from the internal slide hammer portion (12) to the piano string coil (16).

Abstract: The present invention is method and apparatus for music performance and composition. More specifically, the present invention is an interactive music apparatus comprising actuating a signal that is transmitted to a processing computer that transmits output signals to a speaker that emits sound and an output component that performs an action. Further, the present invention is also a method of music performance and composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for colorizing music for converting black and white musical scores into colorized musical scores through the use of a method that can be implemented by a computer wherein each whole tone and half tone is assigned a unique color and pattern, respectively, using a septuary system of colors. The unique colors and patterns are applied to piano keyboards, keyboard guides and to other musical instruments. Colorized musical scores in standard format or, alternatively, in a linear format on one or more computer screens or special display devices are displayed for viewing by the musician. The musical instruments are colored according to the musical score notes to facilitate playing of music.

Abstract: A digital multi-media device provides features for a user unskilled in musical arts or sound handling techniques that provides automatic musical score composition in accordance with contained composition instructions. Stored sound samples and interfaces for obtaining external signals provide signals for merger with visual and sound presentations to obtain altered presentations either time shifted or in real time. In this fashion the user can create simulated radio stations for playback of prearranged and composed audio material. Further, the automatically composed musical score may be mixed with synthesized, digitized signals from the stored sound samples and external signals obtained through the device interfaces.

Abstract: In a method for characterizing a signal, which represents an audio content, a measure for a tonality of the signal is determined (12), whereupon a statement is made (16) about the audio content of the signal based on the measure for the tonality of the signal. The measure for the tonality of the signal for the content analysis is robust against a signal distortion, such as by MP3 encoding, and has a high correlation to the content of the examined signal.

Abstract: An invention extending functionality and applications of traditional music keyboards. Individual musical keyboard keys may have individual key displacement sensors measuring key travel. Individual keys may further include surface sensors measuring two additional parameters, creating three independent continuous parameters essential for controlled rendering of vowel sounds and orchestral timbre spaces. Surface sensors may comprise pressure sensor arrays, which, via geometric image-processing, may produce five to six readily controlled independent parameters per key, useful in controlling expressive soloing and long-duration background sounds. Per-key pressure sensor arrays may comprise mass-produced modular components including intelligent distributed image processing to simplify manufacturing and substantially reduce cost. Synthesized tactile feedback may render variable keyboard actions or create ‘multilevel’ key travel functionality.

Abstract: A packaged preamp with an integral pickup, a battery holder, an output jack, and a plurality of control mechanisms. The packaged preamp can be mounted on a flat, curved, or variably curved side of an acoustic guitar body, such as a lower side away from the guitar player, while allowing optimal access to the output jack and the controls. The pickup is pre-wired into the preamp and requires only a mechanical attachment within the guitar. The output jack is integral to the preamp's front panel, the battery is accessed through a cover on the front panel, and the controls are accessed through the front panel. Once the pickup is attached inside the guitar, the packaged preamp is attached within a pre-cut opening in the side of the guitar, thereby completing the installation of the preamp.

Abstract: This invention discloses a gun barrel that can be used to fire large projectiles beyond the lower atmosphere, and in particular, that can be used to assist with the launching of satellites into orbit. The gun barrel has an outer support layer, an inner support layer lining the bore of the gun barrel and a compressible material disposed between the outer support layer and inner support layer. The support layers are preferably steel, and the compressible material is preferably concrete. In one embodiment, the breech portion is made of a metal such as steel, and the remainder of the gun barrel is made of an inner support layer an outer support layer and a layer of compressible material therebetween. The gun barrel of this invention is less expensive to make and lighter than a similarly-sized gun barrel made of steel, while being sufficiently strong to launch large projectiles.

Abstract: External armament apparatus, including a machine gun, an associated ammunition box for supplying belted ammunition to the gun, a flare dispenser, a missile launcher or other external stores apparatus, and a forward looking infrared sensor (FLIR), is exteriorly supported on a landing gear sponson tow plate of a helicopter, adjacent a cabin area gunner's window. The external mounting of the gun and other armament apparatus frees up cabin space, permits the gunner's window to be closed with the gun in a ready position, and permits a 0.50 caliber machine gun to be used an alternative to either a 7.62 mm mini-gun or a single barrel 7.62 mm machine gun adjacent the gunner's window.

Abstract: A pilot control valve for controlling a reciprocating pump having a valve member shiftable within a valve body between a first or “downstroke” position and a second or “upstroke” position. When the valve member is in its first position, the valve member positions a pair of slide valves to allow communication of control fluid to the lower surface of a piston to move the piston from a first position to a second position. As the piston reaches its second position, a poppet disposed in a rod attached to the piston allows control fluid acting on the valve member to depressurize. As such control fluid is depressurized, pressurized control fluid acts on the valve member to move the valve member from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: A pivot pin is provided for pivotally connecting a hydraulic actuator to a power machine. The pivot pin includes a first pin part having a first bolt-receiving passageway. The pivot pin also includes a second pin part having a second bolt-receiving passageway. In addition, the pivot pin includes a bolt that extends through and is engaged by the first and second bolt-receiving passageways.