Abstract: The present invention discloses a labor-saving pivotal shaft structure, comprising a fixed part and a movable part, wherein the movable part and the fixed part produce a frictional torque therebetween to provide the movable part with the functions of rotating, arresting, and positioning relative to the fixed part; and a torsion rod which is a rigid rod, whose one end is mounted onto the fixed part; such that the fixed part is connected to a main frame and the movable part as well as the other end of the torsion rod are respectively connected to a cover frame, and thus when the cover frame is being closed down, the fixed part is in a fixed condition and the torsion rod and the cover frame rotate together, leading to the torsion rod being in a twisted condition of storing energy; whereas when the cover frame is being opened up, the stored energy of the torsion rod is released to provide an auxiliary force.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a transmission mechanism having a drive gear and a driven gear. One end of the drive gear is supported by a bearing hole in a housing through a bearing and a curved plate spring. The curved plate spring comprises a main body surrounding the bearing and at least one crank-shaped elastic tongue supported by at least one of ends of the main body. A recess formed on an inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole has a bottom and a pair of inner wall surfaces opposed to each other in the circumferential direction of the bearing hole. A relief portion for avoiding contact with a connection portion of the elastic tongue is formed between at least one of the inner wall surfaces and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole. A boundary between the relief portion and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing hole is engaged with the main body of the curved plate spring, to restrict the movement of the main body in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A yoke assembly for supporting a rack in a rack and pinion steering apparatus comprises a yoke portion having a seat and a spring portion formed from a single continuous piece of material; and a carrier portion configured to retain the rack yoke portion with the rack and pinion steering assembly. The spring portion of the rack yoke portion includes at least a pair of arms having first portions and second portions, wherein the second portions are configured to pivot about a hinge formed between the first portions and second portions.

Abstract: A vehicle (1) having a central control unit (13) which supervises operation of active components of the vehicle (1), and modifies the operating parameters of the active components to modify the dynamic performance of the vehicle (1); and a selection device (15) which is located inside the passenger compartment (11) of the vehicle (1), and is operated by the driver to transmit a selected dynamic performance of the vehicle (1) to the central control unit (13); the selection device (15) includes a switch (16) fitted to the steering wheel (12) of the vehicle (1) and rotatable between at least four different positions (A, B, C, D), each corresponding to a respective dynamic performance of the vehicle (1).

Abstract: A floating plate 41 is attached radially movably to an apparatus body 10 attached to a movable member, and a workpiece holding device for holding a workpiece is mounted on the floating plate 41. A lock plate 33 for fastening reciprocably the floating plate 41 to the apparatus body 10 in a radial direction is provided, and a fastening piston 31 is coupled to the lock plate 33 through a fastening rod 32, and the floating plate 41 is fastened at any position. An aligning piston 47 in which a taper surface 51 engaged with an aligning hole 52 of the floating plate 41 is formed is mounted reciprocably on the apparatus body 10 in the radial direction, and the floating plate 41 is returned to an origin position by the aligning piston 47.

Abstract: A hydraulic gear shift mechanism for a bicycle having a positioning mechanism for controlling the motion of the piston of a master cylinder assembly is disclosed, wherein the master cylinder assembly is in communication with a slave cylinder for operation of a derailleur. The positioning mechanism preferably includes a pivot shaft spaced apart from the handlebar, a rotating member rotatable about the pivot shaft, a push mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a first direction and a return mechanism for rotating the rotating member in a second direction. The push mechanism preferably includes a first latch segment which engages a corresponding push pawl to rotate the rotating member. The return mechanism preferably comprises a second latch segment and a return pawl, the return pawl having a first claw and a second claw which alternately engage the second latch segment.

Abstract: A device for dampening torsional vibrations, comprising a centering sleeve (1) for the reception of a rotatable element and a flywheel mass (2) is characterized in that, with regard to the objective to be solved, namely the realization of an arrangement having a constructively simple design and a highly dynamic stability, the centering sleeve (1) and the flywheel mass (2) are connected to each other. Furthermore, an arrangement comprising the mentioned device and a flexible coupling (5) is claimed.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal is adapted to be rotatably mounted on a pedal shaft of a bicycle about an axis, and includes a tread having upper and lower treading surfaces disposed respectively at two opposite sides of the axis. The upper and lower treading surfaces converge along the axis such that a first thickness defined between first surface ends of the upper and lower treading surfaces is larger than a second thickness defined between second surface ends of the upper and lower treading surfaces, thereby enabling the rider to rest the inside and outside portions of a foot on one of the upper and lower treading surfaces for stead and smooth pedaling of the bicycle.

Abstract: The starter includes a housing housing a solenoid and fixed to an engine, a center case held between a motor thereof and the housing, a clutch housed in the center case, and a pinion shaft movable in its axial direction and spline-connected to an inner periphery of an inner tube of the clutch, which is rotatably supported by a bearing. The housing has a tubular wall section through which the pinion shaft extends and to which the center case is coupled in the axial direction. The tubular wall section is formed with a through hole. The center case has a bearing holding section holding the bearing and a cylindrical projecting section projecting in the axial direction towards the housing at a position radially outwardly of the bearing holding section inside the tubular wall section. The outer periphery of the projecting section faces the through hole.

Abstract: The invention includes a cermet composition represented by the formula (PQ)(RS) comprising: a ceramic phase (PQ) and a binder phase (RS) wherein, P is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Mn and mixtures thereof, Q is carbonitride, R is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and mixtures thereof, S comprises at least one element selected from Cr, Al, Si and Y.

Abstract: Materials and devices are provided for high-throughput printing of nanostructured semiconductor precursor layer. In one embodiment, a material is provided that comprises of a plurality of microflakes having a material composition containing at least one element from Groups IB, IIIA, and/or VIA. The microflakes may be created by milling precursor particles characterized by a precursor composition that provides sufficient malleability to form a planar shape from a non-planar starting shape when milled, and wherein overall amounts of elements from Groups IB, IIIA and/or VIA contained in the precursor particles combined are at a desired stoichiometric ratio of the elements. It should also be understood that other flakes such as but not limited to nanoflakes may also be used to form the precursor material.

Abstract: Powder for grinding according to the present invention is powder for grinding that is manufactured according to the atomize method and serves as a medium for grinding a surface of a base substrate to form concave portions. The powder for grinding contains as its components at least one of Fe and Ni and W (tungsten) and a content of W is 30 to 55 wt % and a specific gravity thereof is equal to or higher than 8.5. Preferably, the powder for grinding further contains Cr at a content of 1 to 25 wt %. Preferably, the powder for grinding further contains B at a content of 0.5 to 4 wt %. It is possible to surely collect the powder for grinding making use of a difference between a specific gravity of the powder for grinding and a specific gravity of grinding wastes. The powder for grinding collected is suitable for being served for reuse at least once.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing microparticles, which process enables production of microparticles such as oxide microparticles by means of a simple apparatus at low cost and which is suitable for producing ITO powder, and an apparatus for producing the microparticles. In the process for producing microparticles, a raw material in the form of a liquid stream, liquid droplets, or powder is fed into a heat source; the formed product in the form of microparticles is captured by means of an atomized liquid fluid; and the microparticles in the form of slurry are collected through gas-liquid separation.

Abstract: This invention is provided for improvement of corrosion-resistant property of a crucible and for promotion of safety in a pyrochemical reprocessing method for the spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel is dissolved in a molten salt placed in the crucible. In a pyrochemical reprocessing method, the nuclear fuel is deposited, and the crucible (2) is heated by induction heating. Cooling media (5, 6) are supplied to cool down, and a molten salt layer (7) is maintained by keeping balance between the heating and the cooling, and a solidified salt layer (8) is formed on inner wall surface of the crucible.

Abstract: A casting furnace for preheating and melting solid feed material includes a melting chamber with a melting hearth therein and a feed chamber in fluid communication with the melting chamber for conveying the solid material into the melting chamber. A heat source melts the feed material within the melting hearth and produces surplus heat used to preheat the solid feed material. Preferably, gas is heated by the heat source and moved into the feed chamber to preheat the feed material while it is conveyed toward the melting hearth. The heated gas is recycled back into the melting chamber to be re-heated therein and reused to preheat additional feed material in the feed chamber. Where the heat source in the melting chamber includes a plasma torch, the gas is recycled via the plasma torch, which ionizes the gas to create a plasma plume for melting the solid material.

Abstract: This process for producing a steel manufacturing dust solidified includes placing dust (10) containing steel as a main component that occurs in a steel manufacturing process in cylindrical mold (8) and applying pressure to thereby obtain solidified dust (B). This steel manufacturing dust solidified (B) is in the form of a briquette, which has, for example, a columnar form whose cross section configuration is circular. The dimension thereof is, for example, 50 to 100 mm in diameter and 30 to 80 mm in height. The steel manufacturing dust (10) may have carbon, aluminum, etc. occurring in the steel manufacturing process mixed thereinto as a binder. The production apparatus therefor includes the mold (8), lid member (9) closing one side thereof and plunger (11) that is inserted in the mold (8).

Abstract: A briquette for use as steelmaking material and a method of manufacturing the same, capable of effective reusing of the shot waste. After dropping a solidification assistant into shot waste consisting of powder metal containing iron powder and shot beads, the shot waste is compression molded. The compression molded shot waste is dried. Alternatively, the shot waste is admixed with cutting sludge containing ferrous-metal cutting residue particles and a cutting fluid containing oil and water, thereby forming cotton-like agglomerations. The cotton-like agglomerations are compression molded, thereby forming a brittle compact, which has the fibrous cutting sludge roughly sheared and which is removed of excessive water and oil. The brittle compact is impregnated with the solidification assistant, solidified and dried.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing razor blades from a strip material includes reducing the thickness of a lengthwise-extending blade edge region of the strip material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing decorative scissor handles and scissors made from the method are provided. A method for forming pattern parameters for molds for scissors handles is also provided. In a closed position, the handles resemble a design, such as a reindeer, a snowman, or any other desired design. The exterior surfaces of the handles can be decorated.

Abstract: A saw blade (15) includes a body (16) and a plurality of teeth (1). The teeth (1) include a cutting portion (2) of a geometrically defined shape and including a cutting edge (3). The cutting portion (2) includes a wearing protection layer (7) which covers the cutting edge (3). The cutting edge (3) has an edge radius (4) between approximately 0.005 mm and 0.045 mm relating to a condition of the cutting portion (2) without the wearing protection layer (7). Preferably, the wearing protection layer (7) is made of a hard material, especially TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, CrN or DLC.

Abstract: The invention is a wearable accessory item that functions as a bottle opener and a method of using same. Accessory item has a strap and mounting plate attached thereto. Mounting plate has first and second surfaces and a third surface therebetween. Pry plate and pry bar each project from one of mounting plate surfaces and are each positioned in a plane. Pry plate and pry bar each have a surface that engages surfaces of bottle cap inserted into opening therebetween. In another embodiment, the invention is an adapter for use with a conventional wearable accessory item.

Abstract: A housing structure for a motor with leads includes a frame and a sheathing member. The frame is disposed in the housing, and the sheathing member is disposed in the frame. The sheathing member contains the motor with leads. The frame and the sheathing member limit the motor, such that the motor is fixed in the frame, effectively preventing the motor from loosening in the frame, or falling out of the frame.

Abstract: A multipurpose concrete form tool (10) is provided which is designed to facilitate assembly and disassembly of concrete forms made up of side-by-side form panels (40). The tool (10) includes a primary handle (12), an upper hammer head (14) having a striking section (22) and a rearward claw section (24), and a lower, transversely oriented auxiliary handle (16). The striking section (22) presents a substantially flat striking surface (28) as well as rearwardly extending, top and lateral surfaces (30, 32, 34), which are also substantially flat and perpendicular to the surface (28). The claw section (24) is preferably of unitary, imperforate construction, presenting a rearmost solid claw surface (36). The tool (10) facilitates attachment and detachment of form panel-connecting wedge pins (50, 52), manipulation of individual form sections (40), and removal of residual concrete (54).

Abstract: A socket has an insertion which includes a plurality of parallel first grooves and ridges on an outer periphery thereof and a pneumatic tool includes a rotatable driving end on a head thereof and the driving end has a recess with a plurality of second grooves and ridges defined in an inner periphery thereof. The insertion is slidably inserted into the recess and the first grooves and ridges of the insertion are engaged with the second grooves and ridges of the recess. A connection device secures the socket to the driving end, the connection device includes a protrusion and a receiving groove on either the insertion or the inner periphery of the recess such that the protrusion can be engaged with the receiving groove.

Abstract: A depth stop device for a screw driving tool includes an adjusting ring (30), a connection sleeve (22) for rotatably mounting the adjusting ring (30) on the nose member (6) of the screw driving tool housing (4), a substantially sleeve-shaped depth stop (36) displaceable in an axial direction relative the connection sleeve (22) by rotation of the adjusting ring (30), and at least partially elastic locking element (40) engageable in the axial direction with both the adjusting ring (30) and the connection sleeve (22), the locking element being also adapted to secure the adjusting ring (30) on the connection sleeve (22) in a rotational direction (D).

Abstract: A wrench includes a main body, an engaging member, a direction setting plate, beads, several twin holes on the setting plate, and rolling elements; the engaging member has spaced external protruding portions, and concavities between every two adjacent protruding portions; the setting plate has spaced protrusions equidistant from the center; the beads are fitted on and biased away from the engaging member and pressed against the setting plate, and each fitted on one of corresponding twin holes; the rolling elements are respectively positioned in the spaces between every two adjacent protrusions; the main body will cause the engaging member to turn when each bead is fitted on a first one of corresponding twin holes, and when it is turned in an active direction; the main body won't cause the engaging member to turn together with it when it is turned in an inactive direction opposite to the active one.

Abstract: An adjustable spanner capable of adjusting size of an opening rapidly comprises a handle having a head and a fixing jaw; the handle having a sliding groove and a sliding path; an inner sliding path being extended with a shoulder; a movable jaw having a guide portion at one end thereof; a lower side of the guide portion having a teeth portion; a sliding block being installed in the sliding path; the sliding block having a teeth portion near the movable jaw and an elastic unit at a position far away from the movable jaw; and at least one pressible unit having an connecting unit and an operation portion; the connecting portion being connected to the sliding block; and the operation portion being at one side of the handle; an inner side of the pressible unit having buckling unit for resisting against the shoulder of the sliding path.

Abstract: The present invention is an combination drum/percussion hardware wig nut tightening/loosening tool and tuning key. It is comprised of a cylinder body, with two sets of open slots at one end for wing nut adjustments. One end of the cylindrical body comprises protruding socket slots designed to engage wing nuts of various sizes for rapid but sensitive adjustments. The other end of the cylinder tapers down in diameter to a socket style wrench. The socket style wrench end can be used for tuning heads on standard percussion instruments such as congas, bongos, timbales, etc, and for tightening and loosening various nuts and bolts through out the musical industry world. A slidable coupled cross center rod, can be round, oval, hexagon, octagon and others forms, is guided thru the cylinder body midsection, at an angle adjustable for maximum leverage in confined spaces.

Abstract: An angle retaining assembly of a hand tool comprises a handle; a head having at least one screw hole for receiving at least one resisting element; when the resisting element screws into the screw hole; a front end of the resisting element protrudes out to be in contact with the pivotal portion of the handle to have a resisting effect so as to fix the bending angle between the head and the handle. The at least one screw hole is formed at a lateral side or a front side of the connecting portion. Or the at least one screw hole is formed at a lower side of pivotal portion of the handle.

Abstract: A pivotable head with a protrusion which is pivotably connected to an end of a handle and a threaded rod is movably inserted in the handle and removably contacts the protrusion so as to position the pivotable head at desired angles. The handle has an aperture in which a control member is rotatably received which is threadedly mounted to the threaded rod so that when rotating the control member, the threaded rod is moved axially to disengage from the protrusion or to contact the protrusion.

Abstract: A pivoting assembly of a hand tool comprising a tool body, the tool body including a driving portion, a handle and a pivotal portion; the pivotal portion having a first pivoted end and a second pivoted end; the first pivoted end being installed to one of the handle and driving portion; and the second pivoted end being installed to the other one of the handle and driving portion so that an angle between the handle and driving portion is adjustable. The first pivoted end is formed with a buckling hole; a tooth portion is formed in the buckling hole; the second pivoted end is formed with a post; the post is axially moveable with respect to the tooth portion of the buckling hole; and a bottom of the post is formed with teeth with respect to the tooth portion of the buckling hole.

Abstract: A pivoting assembly of a hand tool comprising a tool body, the tool body including a driving portion, a handle and a pivotal portion; the pivotal portion having a first pivoted end and a second pivoted end; the first pivoted end being installed to one of the handle and driving portion; and the second pivoted end being installed to the other one of the handle and driving portion so that an angle between the handle and driving portion are adjustable. The first pivoted end is formed with a buckling hole; a tooth portion is formed in the buckling hole; the second pivoted end is formed with a post; the post is axially moveable with respect to the tooth portion of the buckling hole; and a bottom of the post is formed with teeth with respect to the tooth portion of the buckling hole.

Abstract: A multi-functional hand tool comprises a hand tool body which has a handle; each of two ends of the handle having a connecting unit for connecting various assembly so that the hand tool has various functions. At least one connecting unit is formed with a recess. At least one connecting unit is formed with a polygonal connection portion. The handle is formed with a pivotal portion. The pivotal portion is installed at one third of the handle.

Abstract: A multiple sliding extension rod comprises an ejector pin disposed axially within its one end; a pressing head disposed radially through the wall of the extension rod with its end having an incline extended into the inclined pathway to allow the ejector pin reciprocating during pressing head being pressed and released; the ejector pin further comprising a ball-socket that consists of a first seat and a second seat successively wherein the first seat is deeper than the second seat. When said ejector pin reciprocates, the second seat pushes a retaining ball disposed in the wall of the extension rod upward and protuberant from the external surface of the extension rod; alternatively, the first seat receives the falling retaining ball and lead the retaining ball withdrawn from the external surface of the extension rod.

Abstract: A bar feeder includes a feeder tube mounted on a machine base, a transmission mechanism, a driving mechanism having a rotary shaft, a projecting rod connected to the driving mechanism and rotatable with the rotary shaft to engage or disengage from the transmission mechanism, a pushing rod, and a driven mechanism rotatable with the rotary shaft to move the pushing rod into engagement or away from the transmission mechanism. When the pushing rod and the transmission mechanism are coupled together, the pushing rod is movable along the feeder tube, and the projecting rod is disengaged from the transmission mechanism and moved away from the feeder tube. When the pushing rod and the transmission mechanism are disconnected, the pushing rod is not movable along the feeder tube, and the projecting rod is coupled to the transmission mechanism and movable along the feeder tube.

Abstract: An improved riving knife/guard assembly for a table saw allows the guard to be removed and attached without the use of any tools, provides a clear view of the work zone, blade and workpiece, and is easily adjustable to accommodate different size workpieces and cutting angle. The assembly includes a riving knife extending upward from the table substantially coplanar with the saw blade and a guard that releasably attaches to the riving knife with a rotatable latch with the guard at least partially surrounding the saw blade.

Abstract: A miter saw capable of reducing scattering amount of cutting chips at a terminal phase of cutting operation. The miter saw includes a base section for supporting a workpiece, a cutting section, and a support section for supporting the cutting section. The support section includes a slide support part extending from the base section, and a pivot support part for pivotally movably supporting the cutting section. The cutting section includes a cutting chip inflow part. A guard extends from the slide support part. The guard has a slope portion for guiding cutting chips toward the inflow part. The slope portion is positioned on an extension of an intersection line defined between the base section and a saw blade and is movable in the direction of the intersection line.

Abstract: A compound miter saw includes a table on which a workpiece is placed, a miter saw unit supporting a saw blade, and a housing pivotally supporting the miter saw unit related to the table in such a manner that the miter saw unit is at least laterally pivotable. Further, the miter saw includes a bevel mechanism for selectively determining the lateral position of the miter saw unit at any of a plurality of pivoted positions, including a vertical position where the saw blade is positioned substantially vertically relative to the table, and leftward and rightward pivoted positions where the blade is inclined laterally leftwardly and laterally rightwardly from the vertical position. The bevel mechanism includes a movable rod and three fixed stop members, the rod being operable to move between a first rod position abutting one of the fixed stop members and a second rod position not abutting the one of the fixed stop members so as to permit the lateral pivotal movement of the miter saw unit.

Abstract: An index cutter (I) forms a thumb index on a sheet. The index cutter (I) includes: a flat plate-shaped first base member (1) having a first blade portion; and a flat plate-shaped second base member (2) rotatable coupled to the first base member (1) and having a second blade portion. When the first base member (1) and the second base member (2) are rotated relatively to each other, a part of the sheet is cut by the first blade portion and the second blade portion.

Abstract: A movable machining element, for example a wall saw, can have one or more characteristics including a reversible driving head, a driving head removable from a carriage and having a quick release or quick lock mechanism, a driving head that is removable from a carriage without the use of threaded fasteners or having to unthread a holding element for removing the driving head from the carriage, a driving head with parallel, concentric or coaxial travel elements and tool driving elements, a tool driving assembly including a travel gear accessible from more than one direction, a component in the machining element having an oriented fiber or other composite incorporated in or as part of the component, an eccentric lateral adjustment assembly, or a drive shaft having a non-circular driving surface, for example a hexagonal drive shaft. In a wall saw, a blade and blade flange assembly are easily assembled on the saw or removed from the saw.

Abstract: A multiple segment steel rule die is provided comprising a base plate having one or more channels formed therein, cutting rules secured in the channels, scoring rules secured in the channels, and at least one counter plate for cooperating with the base plate. The counter plate has slots formed therein for receiving the scoring rules. The base plate and the at least one counter plate are removably fixed to opposite heads of a press to facilitate operation of the steel rule die. The multiple segment steel rule die produces at least two blanks from stock material during a pressing operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a setup information generating device for a punch press which can generate setup information on replacement of a punch and a die with compatible tools, that is, replacement among punches and dies identified by the same tool number and used for processing for the same shape and the same size and which can also generate setup information according to processing know-how or the like. The device has setup information generating means 48 for comparing a processing schedule with tool numbers in mounted tool information storage means 45 to generate setup information. The device has compatible tool registering means 38 for registering processing conditions such as material quality and board thickness and information on which of plural types of punches 81 and dies 82 identified by the same tool number are compatible as a punch 81 and a die 82 which meet the processing conditions are registered in accordance with inputs from an operation panel 46.

Abstract: A simple attachment (30) for a reciprocating tool (10) that will effectuate the ability to do a flush cut in an inexpensive and simple manner which is neither too rigid, nor not rigid enough. This is effectuated by providing an insert (30) which fits into the reciprocating tool in the same fashion as a regular blade. The present invention then offsets the placement of a blade (110), sander, file, or other tool by as many inches as wished by the user. The blade (110) sander, file, or other tool is held rigid through the use of a 45 degree bracket (50) spanning the distance from the original plane to the offset plane, or via a single or compound trapezoid design (200).

Abstract: A carbide or cermet tip for an industrial circular saw blade is provided with improved geometric features that provide enhanced performance and longer life for the saw blade. The features include a bottom mounting surface opposite a flank relief surface, a back mounting surface opposite a leading face surface, each surface bounded by a first side surface and a second side surface; and a chip splitting groove formed on a flank relief of the tip. The ratio of the width of the chip splitting groove to the width of the tip, the width of the chip splitting groove, and the ratio of the depth of the chip splitting groove to the width of the tip are optimized. The tip is adapted to prevent contact of the chip with a gullet area of the circular steel saw body.

Abstract: A fallboard structure of a keyboard instrument capable of selectively shielding or opening the inside of the instrument from or toward a player. A fallboard covers a keyboard section when it is closed, and permits the keyboard section to be operated for performance when it is open. A front plate pivotally supports the fallboard and shields a space upward and rearward of the keyboard section against a player when it is in a first state. When the fallboard is made open and engaging portions of the front plate are moved along displacement guides provided at supporting portions disposed at side portions of a keybed, the front plate is moved in unison with the fallboard and changed to a second state where the space upward and rearward of the keyboard section is open toward the player.

Abstract: A soundboard for a hollow-body stringed instrument made of layers of carbon-fiber and resin material surrounding a core of one or more layers of constant-thickness plywood, veneer (thinly sliced wood) or paper. Additional shaped layers are provided to produce a desired pattern of stiffness in the soundboard. The soundboard may be tuned by attaching additional masses to a surface of the soundboard. A method of making and tuning the soundboard of the invention is provided.

Abstract: An adjustable strap has a first portion having a tunnel therein to slidingly receive a second strap portion therein. In use, compression of the first portion secures the relative position of the strap portions.

Abstract: An interchangeable cover covers the front viewable face of a body and/or a headstock of a guitar. The removable cover has an outline corresponding to an outline of the front face of the guitar body and/or headstock. Fasteners are provided along a periphery of each removable cover to attach each respective cover to the front viewable face of the body and or headstock of the guitar. The covers may have decorative apertures filled with a replaceable decorative insert, such as one or more pieces of mosaic inlay, a rastered image engraved on a rear portion thereof, multiple apertures with replaceable decorative inserts with different design features or a strip light embedded in the face of the body, with the cover being transparent over an area above the strip light. Preferably the periphery of each cover has a rounded and polished edge.

Abstract: A wind instrument with improved tonal characteristics by positioning an octave hole, an octave key mechanism, and/or a water key on a surface of the wind instrument that is not a tone-rich region. The wind instrument may be a woodwind instrument such as a saxophone or a brass instrument such as a trumpet. The octave hole may be placed on a concave portion of a curve in the wind instrument. The octave hole may be covered by an octave key mechanism that opens the octave hole using the same fingering that would open an octave key in a typical wind instrument. The water key may be placed on a portion of the body of the wind instrument that is not a tone-rich region of the wind instrument.

Abstract: A practice drumhead assembly including a mesh membrane held in substantially fixed relation to an acoustic membrane. The assembly preferably includes an annular tensioning ring for tensioning the mesh membrane, and an engagement member for substantially fixing the mesh membrane relative to the acoustic membrane. The tensioning ring includes a cylindrical rod with a turnbuckle that is rotated to increase the diameter of the tensioning ring.