Abstract: The distance between the clamps at opposed ends of a shoulder rest bridge adjustable in infinitely fine increments by utilizing a pressure plate which, in an engaged mode, presses a brake member made from an elastomer, particularly soft rubber, against the underside of the bridge body. The pressure plate is actuated by a pivotable latch having a lever and co-operating with a non-rotatable bearing member having a ramp surface complementary in the direction of incline and in pitch with the ramp surface of the pivotable latch. A supplementary camming mechanism provides, upon hand displacement of one of the clamps towards the other into engagement by both with the instrument, an additional motion of the one clamp toward the instrument thus increasing the clamping force holding the shoulder rest to an instrument.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus, device or method for manufacturing a grip plectrum or pick formed from a first material (such as, for example, plastic or like material), the plectrum having in one embodiment a generally triangular shaped body with a broad top portion, an intermediate portion, and a narrow bottom portion, with the top and intermediate portion being substantially covered with a second material that has a greater degree of grip than the first material. The plectrum has a generally triangular (and preferably tear-drop) shaped body being made from a first material. A top and intermediate portion of the plectrum are substantially or completely covered by a second material on all four sides (front surface, back surface and both side surfaces) and is adapted to be gripped by the user between the thumb and index finger, with a bottom portion being used to pluck the instrument strings. In one embodiment, the second material is preferably a non-slip material such as rubber or the like.

Abstract: A the harmonica includes a comb having a plurality of cell sets each including four subcells defined by cell walls and airflow partition walls, a plurality of mouthpiece openings disposed upstream or downstream of and registered with the corresponding cell sets in terms of flow of exhaled air or inhaled air, and a reed vibrating member having air passageways registered with the subcells, and a plurality of pairs of reeds registered with the subcells and are vibratile in the corresponding air passageways. When an air flow is evenly introduced into four subcells in one cell set through the corresponding mouth opening as a result of an inhaling or exhaling motion of the player to vibrate the four reeds in the corresponding cell set, four substantially the same notes of diatonic scales are produced.

Abstract: In a support device for a set of marching tenor drums arrayed in an arc shape of at least four drums, the device being held on the body of a player, two or three consecutive drums of the array, form at least one group. The device includes a holding mechanism for keeping the positions of the drums in each group constant relative to drums within the same group, and a turnable linking mechanism for linking the group and drums adjoining the group to be turnable relative to each other.

Abstract: A key structure which is free from separation between a wood part thereof and a key base body to which the wood part is secured and has enhanced vertical rigidity in the vicinity of a clearance between the base end of the key base body and the wood part. In the key structure, the key base body has an extended part formed integrally with the base end and extended forward therefrom. The wood part is fixedly bonded to the upper surface of the extended part. A clearance is formed transversely of the key base body between the wood part and the base end. An upper plate body is fixedly bonded to both the upper surface of the wood part and the upper surface of the base end, and the rear part of the upper plate body extends in a manner spanning the base end and the wood part above the clearance.

Abstract: An electronic module (1) for connection of sensors or actuators to a bus line, with an electronic unit, with several jacks (3) for connection of electrical lines (4), and with one jack (5) and one plug (6) for connection of two bus lines (7). The electronic module (1) is especially well suited for use in the hygiene or foodstuffs fields since there is at least one mounting foot (9) for mounting of the electronic module (1) on a support surface (10) and that the housing (2) is made such that the edge area (14) of the housing bottom (12) is further from the support surface (10) than is the area of the housing by the mounting foot (9).

Abstract: A structure for assembling a cover to an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a receiving space to be covered by the cover. The cover is formed with a coupling portion on one side thereof. At least one guiding unit is formed on one side of the receiving space of the electronic device, and is provided with a first positioning portion at one end thereof. At least one sliding unit is formed on another side of the cover, and can be coupled to the guiding unit and slide in relation to the guiding unit. The sliding unit is provided with a second positioning portion at an end thereof relatively far from the coupling portion, wherein the second positioning portion can be coupled to the first positioning portion, so as to limit vertical movement of the cover in relation to the electronic device.

Abstract: A wiring module is installed within an electrical box, wherein the wiring module is configured to connect to a power cable routed to the electrical box. The wiring module distributes electrical power according to a functional module that is pluggable into the wiring module. A cover is removably mounted to the wiring module so that the cover extends generally flush over an open face of the electrical box. The cover prevents plaster and other material from fouling the wiring module during wall panel installation and is removed after wall panel installation so as to plug the functional module into the wiring module.

Abstract: Weatherproof, while-in-use electrical receptacle cover assemblies include a base with a cover hingedly coupled to the base and one or more adapter plates. The cover hinge is preferably formed by a pair of camming recesses, a pair of mating pins, and a pair of leaf springs. The leaf springs urge the pins into engagement with the camming recesses. The camming recesses guide the pins in a direction perpendicular to the action of the springs. The cover is provided with at least one catch on an edge opposite the hinged coupling to the base and the base is provided with at least one pawl which engages the catch when the cover is closed. The action of the springs and the camming recesses urge the catch into engagement with the pawl which locks the cover closed against unintentional opening.

Abstract: The resilient sleeve member defines an axially extending inner passage. The holdout device includes a core mounted in the inner passage of the sleeve member. The core defines a core passage to receive the elongate substrate and has at least first and second sections. The first and second sections are arranged in a supporting position such that the core maintains the sleeve member in a radially expanded condition. The first and second sections are arranged for relative telescoping movement from the supporting position to a releasing position to permit at least a portion of the sleeve member to radially contract from the radially expanded position to a radially recovered position.

Abstract: In order to attain a compact and simplified feeder assembly 1, the feeder assembly adopts a space receiving a wiring harness 6 to be bend, a sliding member 7 provided in the wiring harness, and a sliding guide to guide the sliding member in the space side. The wiring harness is bent to loop or U-shape. The space is provided in a protector 4. The sliding guide 5 is formed in mountain shape or slanted. The sliding guide 5 is a pair of rails, guiding through-holes or walls opposed to each other, the wiring harness 6 is inserted between the pair of rails, and the sliding member 7 is a spherical member which contacts to slide freely on the pair of rails or walls, or an axis which engages with the guiding through-holes.

Abstract: For miniaturizing a power supply structure to absorb slack of a wire harness and improving bending durability, a continuous electric power supply device 1 includes a wire harness 3 formed to have a loop portion 4, an elastic member 6 along the loop portion 4, the elastic member energizing the loop portion to expand in a radial direction. The loop portion 4 and the elastic member 6 are disposed in a protector 2. The protector has a opening 13 for leading the harness and a guide portion 7 for supporting the loop portion 4 at a position opposite to the opening 13. The elastic member, flat spring 6 can have a length forming a loop shape to intersect itself.

Abstract: The present invention is a flame retardant cable having an insulated conductor and at least two insulation layers. The cable demonstrates a composite dielectric constant less than or equal to about 2.6 and a composite dissipation factor less than or equal to 0.005 even though one of the insulation layers has a dielectric constant greater than 2.6 or a dissipation factor greater than 0.005. The presently invented cable is achieved with a non-halogenated polyolefin as an insulation layer polymer, where the polyolefin having relatively poor dielectric/dissipative properties and the insulation layer composition being substantially free of halogenated or antimony trioxide flame retardant additives.

Abstract: A multiphase superconducting cable connection structure includes a connection box accommodating three conductor connects connecting a superconductor of a cable core of each phase extracted from a pair of 3-phase superconducting cables, a solid insulation member fixed to an outer circumference of each conductor connect, and a metal flange fixing the solid insulation member to the connection box. By fixing the metal flange to the connection box (a refrigerant vessel), the conductor connect can be positioned and the conductor connector's movement caused as the cable core thermally contracts can be reduced. The structure can help to position the conductor connect in the connection box and reliably hold it at a prescribed position.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic apparatus and method of producing the apparatus. The apparatus has a central longitudinal axis and the apparatus is stretchable in a longitudinal direction generally aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The apparatus comprises a stretchable polymer body, and at least one circuit line operatively connected to the stretchable polymer body, the at least one circuit line extending in the longitudinal direction and having a longitudinal component that extends in the longitudinal direction and having an offset component that is at an angle to the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal component and the offset component allowing the apparatus to stretch in the longitudinal direction while maintaining the integrity of the at least one circuit line.

Abstract: A conducting device for a display device is disclosed. It comprises one or more non-conducting base lines formed in predetermined locations on a substrate layer, and one or more conducting line structures formed over the non-conducting base lines on the substrate layer, wherein the non-conducting base lines raise the conducting line structures in height for increasing a cross-sectional area thereof for reducing a resistance of the conducting line structures.

Abstract: A connector is provided for simultaneously improving both the NEXT high frequency performance when low crosstalk plugs are used and the NEXT low frequency performance when high crosstalk plugs are used. The connector includes PCB substrates made of materials having different dielectric frequency characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved scale that only shows a user how much weight he or she has gained or lost. The scale includes a weight sensing apparatus and a numerical display. A computer stores a user's initial pre-diet weight, and then compares that weight to the user's weight from time to time as the user progresses through his or her diet. The only information displayed is the current date and the magnitude of the weight differential (e.g. “+5” lbs or kg). In this way, the user can avoid learning, and possibly fixating, on his or her actual weight.

Abstract: An article of luggage has a casing and at least a carrying handle attached to the casing. A member engageable with a predetermined portion of the casing for measuring a weight of contents loaded therein and for generating display signals. A display is connected to the casing and is coupled to the weight measuring means for displaying the weight of such contents loaded into the casing in response to such display signals, wherein the display signals are representative of the weight of such contents. A power source is coupled to the weight measuring member and the display.

Abstract: An electromagnetic digitizer arrangement that may include a comb-like pattern of sensing traces that form various sensing loops depending upon the configurations of various switches is described. The comb arrangement of traces may be fabricated using only a single layer per sensing axis. Thus, the digitizer may be fabricated in a technology, such as indium tin oxide on glass, that cannot provide plated-through holes.

Abstract: A joystick for an electro-hydraulic control system is provided with a rotary potentiometer having a pivotable arm. This pivotable arm is integrally arranged on a rotary shaft and pivots responsive to pivotal control of a joystick in a predetermined direction or a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. The joystick is also provided with a torsion coil spring for normally holding the pivotable arm in a neutral position, a pin arranged on the pivotable arm and capable of expanding the torsion coil spring upon pivotal movement of the pivotable arm, a holding pin for holding the torsion coil spring at its coil portion, and a cover member having a pair of guide portions for limiting movements of the coil portion of the torsion coil spring in the predetermined direction and the opposition direction when the torsion coil spring is in its neutral position.

Abstract: A multiple switch device for controlling and linking a plurality of switches (600) disposed on a circuit board (500) comprises an operation button (110), a shaft (120), and at least one fixing base (130). The operation button comprises a handle (112) and a rod (114) fixed to the handle. The shaft comprises a connecting plate (122) disposed at an end of the shaft, and a plurality of protruding plates (124) disposed on the shaft. The rod is engaged with the connecting plate to securely connect the shaft and the operation button. Each of the protruding plates aligns with a corresponding switch. The fixing base supports the shaft on a circuit board.

Abstract: A switch flip pack for the interior of an automobile comprising a door trim panel with a switch panel carrying at least one electrical switch, a flip cover pivotally attached to the switch panel, and a electroluminescent lamp mounted to the flip cover. The flip cover has an opened position in which the electrical switch is accessible and a closed position in which the electrical switch is inaccessible. When energized, the electroluminescent lamp is positioned for emitting visible light to illuminate the electrical switch when the flip cover is in the opened position. A method is also provided for forming the flip cover and electroluminescent lamp by an injection molding process.

Abstract: An illumination push switch unit is provided in which driving units for driving first and second detecting units are formed at side walls other than adjacent side walls of peripheral walls of first and second sliders with a barrier walls of a case interposed therebetween, notch portions are provided at the bottom surface side of the barrier wall and the bottom surface sides of the adjacent side walls of the peripheral walls with the barrier wall interposed therebetween, and a space portion, which becomes an optical path toward the display surfaces of the first and second operation members, is formed between the top surface of the insulating substrate and the notch portions through the notch portions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a paddle switch operated by pushing on the lower portion of a rocker paddle to turn the switch “on” or “off”. The lower edge of the paddle pivots in and out about its upper edge. The switch includes semi-rigid spiral wound driver means having a conical end coupled to be driven by the rocker paddle. When the rocker paddle is pushed in, the paddle urges the semi-rigid driver means to rotate a cam means in a first, clock wise direction, or a second, counter clock wise direction. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member having a cam follower back and forth along a linear axis. A shaped leaf spring cooperates with the cam follower to assist in the movement of the slider and determines its rest positions. An indicator such as an LED is used to indicate the state of conduction of the switch. When the rocker paddle is released, it is biased by a spring to pivot back to its initial position.

Abstract: A button assembly of a control panel assembly, which includes buttons each enabling execution of a selected operation of a drum washing machine when pressed, is disclosed. The button assembly includes a control panel provided with a plurality of button holes, a printed circuit board fixedly mounted to a rear surface of the control panel, a vertical rib attached to the control panel, a plurality of vertically-arranged horizontal ribs each having one end connected to the vertical rib, a plurality of buttons each connected to the other end of an associated one of the horizontal ribs, and slidably fitted in an associated one of the button holes, and flow guides each adapted to guide water, penetrating an associated one of the button holes, downward along a predetermined flow path.

Abstract: A key mechanism is disclosed. A base plate includes a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion opposing the first pivoting portion. A keycap is disposed on the base plate and includes at least one engaging portion. A linking bar is connected between the base plate and the keycap and includes a first body portion, two second body portions, and two curved portions. The first body portion is rotatably engaged in the engaging portion of the keycap. The second body portions are connected to the first body portion and oppose each other. The curved portions are connected to the second body portions and pivot to the first and second pivoting portions of the base plate, respectively.

Abstract: An arc chamber barrier for a circuit breaker is provided. The arc chamber barrier has a body with a first interlock component that is structured to engage a second interlock component disposed in the circuit breaker primary cover. The arc chamber barrier body is further structured to be disposed in an elongated contact chamber at the interface of an arc chamber portion and an operating mechanism portion. In this configuration, the arc chamber barrier first interlock component resists displacement of the arc chamber barrier body when a pair of separable contacts moves between the second, closed position and the first, open position.

Abstract: An improved battery pack is proposed. The battery pack includes a housing, and first and second cells disposed in the housing, the first cell having a radius and a periphery. In addition, the battery pack includes a metal strap connecting the first and second cells, the strap having an end disposed over the first cell and a portion of the periphery, and two contact protrusions contacting the first cell, wherein distance between the strap end and the overlaped periphery is greater than the radius of the first cell.

Abstract: According to the invention a hollow cylindrical shank of electrically conducting metal is connected to a resistance welder. A coolant supply tube passes through the shank and has an interior coolant supply passage. The coolant supply tube has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical shank. A weld cap seats on the shank and has a cap tip and a cap skirt that depends from the cap tip and is attached to the shank. An underside of the cap tip faces the shank and the supply tube. A coolant receiving bore formed into the underside of the weld cap extends into the cap tip to receive the coolant supply tube part way into the bore. The bore formed into the underside of the cap tip defines a bore sidewall that provides added area of heat transfer contact between the coolant and the cap tip.

Abstract: A method for laser welding at least two metal parts, wherein the parts are welded along a weld area, includes simultaneously applying a continuous laser beam and a pulsed laser beam onto the weld area. The action of the pulsed laser is added to that of the continuous laser; with the continuous laser, it is possible to establish a stable molten bath in the weld area, the pulsed laser by its large peak energy, facilitating penetration of the energy and therefore of the molten bath, which allows deeper welding. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of joining terminals by soldering is provided which allows control of increasing gas supply even in soldering performed in a gas atmosphere within a gas chamber. Utilizing a springback phenomenon occurring at a flat portion of a terminal, a solder joint of the terminal is immersed in molten solder. Then, laser soldering is performed using a gas chamber made of a material which transmits a laser beam at least in part.

Abstract: A laser energy microinscribing system, comprising a semiconductor excited Q-switched solid state laser energy source; a cut gemstone mounting system, allowing optical access to a mounted workpiece; an optical system for focusing laser energy from the laser energy source onto a cut gemstone; a displaceable stage for moving said gemstone mounting system with respect to said optical system so that said focused laser energy is presented to desired positions on said gemstone, having a control input; an imaging system for viewing the gemstone from a plurality of vantage points; and a rigid frame supporting said laser, said optical system and said stage in fixed relation, to resist differential movements of said laser, said optical system and said stage and increase immunity to vibrational misalignments. The laser energy source is preferably a semiconductor diode excited Q-switched Nd:YLF laser with a harmonic converter having an output of about 530 nm.

Abstract: A hybrid liquid-jet/laser device may be used to remove material from a tube or sheet to form a medical device, such as a stent. The liquid-jet/laser stream may be impinged against the wall of the tube or sheet between the ends of the tube or sheet, wherein an aperture may be formed in the tube or sheet, followed by a lead-in, and then a full thickness cut. A full thickness cut should be achieved via a lead-in before moving the liquid-jet/laser stream along a final cut path.

Abstract: A system and method for a variable hot start of a welding-type device is disclosed. The variable hot start includes determining at least one of a plurality of parameters of a welding-type device including a desired V/A output for a welding-type process. The variable hot start process also includes selecting a startup V/A output greater than the desired V/A output based on the desired V/A output and selecting a duration of a hot start period based on the at least one of the plurality of parameters. A welding-type process is then hot started over the selected duration of the hot start period.

Abstract: A multifunction meter and method for monitoring a welding-type device is disclosed. The multifunction meter has a single display unit, a first input configured to receive feedback from an engine, and a second input configured to receive feedback from a power converter. The engine is configured to deliver power to the power converter which is configured to deliver a welding-type power to a welding-type apparatus. A processing unit is connected to the single display unit, the first input, and the second input, and processes the feedback from the engine and the feedback from the power converter and displays data indicative of engine operation and power output of the power converter on the single display unit.

Abstract: A method for reducing spatter in the short-circuit transfer gas shielded arc welding is disclosed. In this method, the resistance changing rate or the impedance changing rate of the welding circuit loop is detected for estimating the diameter of the short-circuit liquid bridge. When the diameter of the short-circuit liquid bridge shrinks to the preset value, the short-circuit bridge current is bypassed or shunted by the current closed loop feedback bypass control, and the current is decreased to a very low level rapidly and maintained this level until the bridge is broken, which results in a gentle and smooth drop transfer in a low current level condition, so as to avoid the mass spatter. Furthermore, a system for performing the method has also been disclosed.

Abstract: In a case where a motor 3 is stopped upon completion of welding, a motor stop can be effected irrespective of the length of control lines by disposing a first motor stop means 5a or a second motor stop means 5b in a feeding means 2.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic pane provided with embedded electrical conductors, in particular a window pane, in which the conductors are joined to a surface of a plastic sheet that subsequently receives another layer of plastic by injection molding from the rear for the purpose of forming a pane body. In the process the material of the plastic sheet and the injection-molded plastic are joined together directly by mutual adhesion, and the surface of the plastic sheet that is located on the opposite side from the conductors forms one of the outer faces of the finished pane. The electrical conductors are formed by furnishing the surface of the plastic sheet with at least one metal wire which is to be exposed to the rear injection molding.

Abstract: An electrically conductive heated glass panel assembly, control system, and method for producing panels are provided to warm objects and to insure unobstructed viewing through glass by removing moisture. An integrated connection circuit interconnects glass sheets, which have a low emissivity conductive coating deposited thereon. The circuit includes copper bus bars that are disposed onto the conductive coating through the use of a circularly rotating or an inline heating head and mask apparatus. A metallic tab, which extends from the glass sheet's peripheral edge, is disposed onto each conductive metal bus bar for external electrical connectivity. Two types of glazing channels are offered to interconnect multiple panels to external circuits and controls. A solid-state controller may be provided to obtain sensor control signals so as to drive a triac circuit that provides current flow through the panel for the desired heating.

Abstract: A flexible heating sheet is composed of two heat fusible aromatic polyimide films and an electric heating element having an electric source-connecting terminal at each end which intervenes between the heat fusible aromatic polyimide films, in which each heat fusible aromatic polyimide film is covered with a heat resistant aromatic polyimide film.

Abstract: An induction foil cap sealer which includes a visual display device that shows power consumption in a bar graph format.

Abstract: Oven enclosure with microwave functionality, in which, at a short distance from an enclosure bottom panel, support elements are provided for accommodating a microwave-permeable base plate serving as a food holder.

Abstract: Photodetecting devices or arrays and methods of making such devices or arrays. In one exemplary embodiment, a photodetecting array includes a plurality of detecting cells arranged in an array, each of the detecting cells including a photodiode, a plurality of data lines coupled to the detecting cells, and a mesh of bias voltage lines which comprise first bias lines disposed substantially parallel to gate lines which are coupled to the detecting cells and second bias lines disposed substantially perpendicularly to the gate lines, wherein the total length of the first bias lines exceeds a total length of the second bias lines.

Abstract: A device and method to provide an optical guide of a pixel to guide incoming light onto a photosensor of the pixel and to improve the optical crosstalk immunity of an image sensor. The optical guide consists of an optically reflecting barrier formed as a trench that mitigates against optical crosstalk. The optical guide is made of an air-filled ring of spaced slots. In another embodiment, the optical guide structure can be filled with a low dielectric material with an index of refraction that is less than the index of refraction of the material used for the surrounding layers.

Abstract: The image sensor makes use of a distributed amplifier having its non-inverting input provided by a pixel amplifier transistor, and its inverting input and output provided in the pixel's column circuitry. The distributed amplifier is directly integrated with the image sensor's ADC circuit, and sampling and autozero are performed in a single step, thus reducing the number of noise contributions made by the components of the image sensor's readout chain.

Abstract: Microelectronic imager assemblies comprising a workpiece including a substrate and a plurality of imaging dies on and/or in the substrate. The substrate includes a front side and a back side, and the imaging dies comprise imaging sensors at the front side of the substrate and external contacts operatively coupled to the image sensors. The microelectronic imager assembly further comprises optics supports superimposed relative to the imaging dies. The optics supports can be directly on the substrate or on a cover over the substrate. Individual optics supports can have (a) an opening aligned with one of the image sensors, and (b) a bearing element at a reference distance from the image sensor. The microelectronic imager assembly can further include optical devices mounted or otherwise carried by the optics supports.

Abstract: A plurality of optical sensing elements in an array where each element has a unique element address identifying the element location. Each element senses light and produces an element address signal in proportion to the intensity of the light sensed by the element. The element address signal corresponding to the highest intensity sensed by the array is asserted as an array output signal.

Abstract: A light monitor includes a single semiconductor substrate. A light to frequency (LTF) converter is on the single semiconductor substrate, a threshold comparator is on the single semiconductor substrate and coupled to an output of the light to frequency converter, and a light intensity calculator is on the single semiconductor substrate and coupled to an output of the threshold comparator.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a light-receiving circuit, in particular, the circuit for an avalanche photodiode (APD), in which the current of the APD is dynamically controlled to protect the APD from the over current. The circuit comprises the high voltage source, the current mirror circuit connected to the high voltage source, the APD connected to one of the current output terminal of the current mirror circuit, and the current source connected to the other current output terminal of the current mirror circuit. The current flowing out from the other current output terminal is dynamically controlled by the current source to protect the APD from the over current.