Abstract: The measuring tube of the in-line measuring device is formed by means of a support tube and a liner internally lining the support tube. The liner adheres to the support tube, with interposition of a mediating primer. Both the primer and the liner are composed, at least in part, of polyurethane. Especially, both the polyurethane of the liner and also the polyurethane of the primer are suitable for drinking water applications, so that the in-line measuring device itself is also suited for measuring drinking water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine phase fractions for phases within a fluid mixture flow under a wide range of flow conditions including wet-gas flow. Appropriate flow algorithms can utilize this phase fraction information with a total flow rate of the mixture to find individual flow rates for phases, such as oil, water, and gas or gas and liquid, which can represent a combination of oil and water phases. For some embodiments, a multiphase flowmeter includes an array of spatially distributed pressure sensors configured to determine a velocity of the mixture flow and hence the total flow rate, which is applied with information from a differential pressure meter to calculate the bulk density of the fluid mixture. Further, additional speed of sound information or a water-in-liquid ratio as may be determined by spectral analysis can enable differentiation between the oil and water phases.

Abstract: A speed measuring device with an output generating system is disclosed. The output generating system can generate visual outputs and/or audible outputs in response to a detected flow of air. The device includes a coupling component that allows the device to be wearable by a user.

Abstract: A torque driver that includes a regulator circuit for mitigating zero-g discontinuity effects and deadbanding is presented. An accelerometer may comprise the torque driver and the torque driver may be arranged to receive a control signal from a control circuit that is coupled to deflection sensing circuitry. When the accelerometer undergoes an acceleration the deflection sensing circuitry generates an acceleration signal that is communicated to the control circuit. The control circuit responsively generates a control signal, which the torque driver users to balance a proof mass beam within the accelerometer. The regulator circuit mitigates zero-g discontinuity effects and deadbanding by preventing the torque signal from producing torque signals that simultaneously track the control signal. To do this, the regulator circuit may include a rectifying buffer and/or a modulator.

Abstract: A force sensor chip which comprises: a base member, which includes an action portion to which an external force is applied through an attenuator, a support portion supporting the action portion, and a connection portion which connects the action portion and the support portion and deflects according to the applied external force; and a plurality of strain resistance elements which are arranged in the connection portion and detect the applied external force based on a deflection of the connection portion, wherein longitudinal directions of the plurality of the strain resistance elements are oriented in an identical direction.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor apparatus is disposed between the bottom cushion and frame of a seat. The sensor apparatus includes first and second mutually parallel rigid force translation plates biased apart by a set of springs, first and second conductor plates centrally affixed to inboard faces of the first and second force translation plates, and a control circuit responsive to the gap capacitance between the first and second conductor plates. The force translation plates are joined in a manner to maintain the conductor plates parallel to each other while permitting movement of either force translation plate relative to the other in a mutually perpendicular direction.

Abstract: A deformation sensor, which has excellent workability and a high degree of freedom in shape design and which can detect deformation and load in a wide area of components and portions, has a main body of sensor, electrodes which are connected to the main body of sensor and can output electric resistances, and a restraining component which restrains elastic deformation of at least a part of the main body of sensor. The main body of sensor has an elastomer, and spherical conductive fillers which are blended into the elastomer at a high filling rate in an approximately single-particle state, and is elastically deformable. In the main body of sensor, as an elastic deformation increases, the electric resistance increases.

Abstract: An exhaust sampling system is disclosed that includes a pre-fill gas source having a pre-fill gas. A sampling conduit is configured to collect exhaust gas and make-up gas. A sample bag is fluidly connected to the sampling conduit and the pre-fill gas source. A controller is programmed to run a test procedure in which a sample of exhaust gas and make-up gas is collected in the sample bag. The controller is configured to send a command that fills the sample bag with pre-fill gas prior to the test procedure. The pre-fill gas remains in the sample bag during the test procedure. The amount of pre-fill gas is selected to prevent the sample from condensing in the sample bag.

Abstract: A gearwheel unit includes a gear body and a clutch gear. The gear body includes a gear part and a positioning part. The gear part is configured and arranged to transmit rotation of a rotational shaft with a prescribed change gear ratio. The positioning part is integrally formed with the gear part at a position spaced apart from the gear part by a prescribed distance in an axial direction so that a prescribed open space is formed between the positioning part and the gear part. The clutch gear is fixedly coupled to the gear body as being positioned with respect to the gear body by the positioning part so that at least a part of the clutch gear overlaps the prescribed open space formed between the positioning part and the gear part of the gear body when viewed in a radial direction.

Abstract: A gear shift controlling apparatus of an automatic transmission for a vehicle has a synchronization-time engagement pressure correcting device that, before synchronization of gear-shifting, makes an increase correction of an engagement pressure of the disengaged-side engaging element by a first prescribed amount, to cause an input shaft rotational speed immediately before synchronizing of the automatic transmission to approach a rotational speed calculated by multiplying an output shaft rotational speed by a gear ratio of a gear after gear-shifting the automatic transmission.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronization piece which, as part of a servo synchronization system comprising a sliding sleeve, a clutch body, a synchronizer ring and an idler gear, can synchronize a transmission having toothed wheel gears. The invention furthermore relates to an entire synchronizing system having a synchronization piece according to the invention. A full-servo synchronization system is also presented.

Abstract: A power train for a wind power plant includes a rotor (1) for driving a gear (4), wherein the rotor blades (2) of the rotor are pivotally arranged around the longitudinal axis thereof on the hub of the rotor (1). A three-phase generator (5) is connected to the gear (4) and a power supply network (12). The gear (4) is also provided with an auxiliary variable speed drive (7). Each rotor blade (2) is provided with a drive for individually rotating around the longitudinal axis thereof for levelling the rotation speed and/or the torque of the power train.

Abstract: Poor appearances, such as burns, black streaks, and short shots, that tend to occur near an outer circumference side edge of a tooth crest when a resin face gear is formed by injection molding, as a result of gas within a cavity not being smoothly discharged, is prevented. A projecting section is formed on an outer peripheral surface of teeth and on an outer peripheral surface of a web in a resin face gear, projecting in an outward radial direction. A parting line of a mold is formed passing through a peak formed near a tooth crest edge on the projecting section.

Abstract: A shifting apparatus for a transmission includes a shift-and-select shaft, a retaining member, at least one shifting member rotatably and slidably supported by the shaft to be in contact with an axial end of the retaining member, plural driving pins, plural neutral interlock grooves formed at outer plan surfaces of the retaining member to be slidably engaged with the driving pins, plural shifting interlock grooves, a stepped recessed-portion formed at one of outer plan surfaces of the shifting member, and plural non-shifting grooves formed at the other outer plan surfaces of the shifting member. The shifting member is rotated and detected in a selected position relative to the retaining member. Then, the retaining member and the shifting member are reciprocated so that one of the driving pins makes a contact with the shifting inclined surface of the shifting member and the fork shaft is reciprocated.

Abstract: A phase control valve, which supplies a drive hydraulic pressure to an advance chamber or a retard chamber, is integrated with a drain switch valve, which controls opening and closing of an advance drain control valve and opening and closing of a retard drain control valve, to form a solenoid spool valve. The advance drain control valve is provided in an advance check valve bypass passage, which bypasses an advance check valve, and is driven by a pilot hydraulic pressure to open and close the advance check valve bypass passage. The retard drain control valve is provided in a retard check valve bypass passage, which bypasses a retard check valve, and is driven by a pilot hydraulic pressure to open and close the retard check valve bypass passage.

Abstract: A crankcase for a multiple-cylinder four-cycle engine, including an upper crankcase and a lower crankcase which are joined to each other at a joint surface; a separating wall which is integrally cast with the upper crankcase and the lower crankcase to extend from the joint surface toward the opposite side of the joint surface and are configured to define crank chambers corresponding to adjacent cylinders; and a crank journal bearing hole which is formed on the separating wall and is configured to support a crankshaft. At least the separating wall formed in the upper crankcase has a thickness that increases from the joint surface of the crankcase to a region near a deepest portion of the crank journal bearing hole and decreases from the region near the deepest portion of the crank journal bearing hole toward the opposite side of the joint surface of the crankcase.

Abstract: A twisted string actuator as a light-weight and space saving actuator includes a small motor and a twisted string having a structure in which two strings are twisted with each other loosely. A first end of the twisted string is connected to a finger joint, and a second end of the same is connected to a rotation shaft of the motor via a power transmission mechanism. When the rotation shaft of the motor rotates, a twisted state of the two strings of the twisted string is tightened or loosened, so that a length of the twisted string is decreased or increased. As a result, the finger joint is driven to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a rare earth anisotropic hard magnetic material, which has, on atomic percent basis, a composition of (Sm1-?R?)xFe100-x-y-zMyIz, wherein, R is Pr alone or a combination of Pr with at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y; M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Mo, Al, and Zr; I is N alone or a combination of N and C; 0.01???0.30; 7?x?12, 0.01?y?8.0, 6?z?14.4, and which anisotropic rare earth hard magnetic material is crystallized in a Th2Zn17-type structure, of which crystalline grains are in a flake shape with a gain size ranging from 1 to 5 ?m, and c-axis of the crystalline grains, an easy magnetization direction, being oriented along the minor axis of the flake crystalline grains.

Abstract: A refractory metal recovery method includes applying a coolant to a wheel grinding operation at a total rate exceeding a total rate at which the coolant evaporates and distributing the coolant across an interface with the abrasive wheel sufficient to apply the coolant at local rates exceeding local rates at which the coolant evaporates. The method produces refractory metal swarf and decreases oxidation of the swarf compared to dry grinding, allowing collection of the swarf. The abrasive grit may have a size of from about 16 to about 24 mesh and the coolant may contain a nitrite.

Abstract: A heap with precious metal-containing mineral material with precious metal locked within sulfide mineralization is subjected to bio-oxidation followed by acidic thiocyanate leaching to dissolve precious metal. Sulfide sulfur is oxidized during both of the bio-oxidation and the thiocyanate leaching.

Abstract: For removal of precious metal from thiocyanate leach solution, precious metal is transferred from precious metal-thiocyanate complex to precious metal-cyanide complex. Preparation of thiocyanate leach solution includes dissolving cyanide in an aqueous liquid and converting the cyanide to dissolved thiocyanate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating iron-and-steel plant sludge comprising adjusting the available CaO content of the sludge so as to obtain an available CaO content of 3% to 8% based on the sludge weight, adding a carbon-containing fuel, introducing the sludge onto one of the upperstages of a multistage furnace, heating the multistage furnace, gradually transferring the sludge onto the lower stages, and adjusting the temperature of the exhaust gases of the multistage furnace to at least 500° C. and that of the treated sludge at the output of the multistage furnace to a temperature ranging between 700° C. and 800° C.

Abstract: A tool for torquing threaded fasteners includes a socket body having formed therein a fastener-receiving receptacle with an axis of rotation, the receptacle having a plurality of interior faces arranged in a generally polygonal configuration and substantially parallel to the axis, with each of the interior faces having projecting laterally inwardly therefrom a pair of fastener-engaging surfaces with inner and outer ends spaced apart in use substantially axially, each fastener-engaging surface being arcuate and sloping away from the axis from a closed end toward an open end of the socket.

Abstract: A shank configuration for rotary drill bits, is disclosed for positioning of the shank in relation to the bit body. A tapered surface or feature of the shank may be configured and sized to matingly engage a complementarily shaped surface or feature of the drill bit body and thereby become centered or positioned in relation thereto. A deformable element may be disposed between the shank and bit body. Also, the shank may comprise a material having a carbon equivalent of less than about 0.35%. A multi-pass weld procedure may be employed to affix the shank and bit body to one another wherein welds may be formed so that one weld originates at a circumferential position that differs from the origination circumferential position of its immediately preceding weld by at least about 90°. Further, a stress state may be developed within the multi-pass weld. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hammer structure with a hammerhead having an impact face with a shape of the letter “D” is disclosed. The impact face has three straight sides, and one arc-shaped side; as a result, the surface area of the impact face is substantially larger than that of a conventional O-shaped impact face with the same width and height. Since the effective impact face is enlarged, the point of force application can be more precisely controlled, regardless of whether the hammering is carried out on a single wall, a corner between two walls, or any similar locations. Moreover, the problems caused by dead spots can be overcome.

Abstract: A flange wrench for tightening and loosening pipe flanges onto/off of pipes has a drive head and an elongate handle. The drive head has a flat planar surface essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the wrench handle, and a pin extending therefrom essentially normal to the plane of the essentially planar surface. The head also includes a first essentially planar shoulder surface that is adjacent to and generally normal to the first planar mating surface, such that the planar shoulder surface is generally parallel to the axis of the pin. To use the flange wrench, the user inserts the pin into an existing or drilled mounting hole in the flange and positions the wrench planar mating surface against the planar surface of the flange such that the flange wrench planar shoulder surface is adjacent the circumferential edge of the flange.

Abstract: A multi-purpose socket tool for loosening and tightening water inlet nuts used to connect pipes and tubing to toilet tank and wash basin faucet connections. The tool has an elongated body having a void through the body from a first end to a second end and forming a wall between the void and the outside of the body, and a longitudinal and continuous slit formed in the elongated body of sufficient width to accept a water inlet line. The first end is formed to accept a plurality of different types of water inlet nut and the second end is formed to accept a different type of water inlet nut. The second end of the socket tool may include an adapter to fit different sized nuts.

Abstract: A single-direction operable open-end spanner includes a handle having an open end delimited by opposite jaws. One of the jaws forms a cavity delimited by a curved internal wall to receive a movable jaw block. The block is biased by a spring so that when the spanner applies a torque to tighten a threaded member; the jaw block is pushed against the internal wall by a reaction force from the threaded member to ensure proper and sound engagement between the jaw block and the treaded member. When the spanner is rotated in a reversed direction to loosen the threaded member, the jaw block is driven in a direction against the spring and away from the threaded member to form an enlarged clearance between the jaw block and threaded member to allow the jaws to slide over the side faces of the threaded member.

Abstract: An open ended adjustable clamping device useful as a wrench comprised of a supported jaw movably attached to a supporting jaw. Attached to one or both jaws is an additional sliding jaw movable along a separate axis and driven either simultaneously in a synchronized relationship with the movement of the supported jaw or by a separate unsynchronized movement in order to close upon a hexagonal fastener from two axes. Each jaw has two clamping faces configured to match two sides of a hexagon. Each jaw is positioned in relationship to one another in order to form a hexagon. The two axis movement is driven by a single application of force by the user and may transmitted from one jaw to the next by a system of ramps and wedges or other transmission means capable of maintaining the correct ratio of movement so as to maintain the geometric relationship of the jaws. Alternatively the user applied force may be used to cause movement along one axis first, and then redirected to mobilize jaws along a second axis.

Abstract: An improved wrench for loosening and tightening objects having flexibility in two different planes of movement. The flexible drive wrench consists of an adjustable handle capable of rotating to achieve different angles along with a flexible shaft comprising of numerous steel links. The handle rotates around the flexible links when the release is engaged and locks when the release is disengaged. In addition, the steel links allow for flexibility along another plane of movement. Numerous links are connected together to form a flexible wrench by inserting a stud with a rounded end into the slotted cavity of the next link with a mushroom head steel pin connecting them. To the last link of the flexible wrench is connected a link with an open-end wrench head, closed-end wrench head, ratcheting head, or other fastening tool head for the removal of fasteners such as bolts, nuts, and other fasteners.

Abstract: A pair of locking pliers includes a first handle having a holed wall; a second handle pivotably secured to the first handle; a multi-sided link pivotably secured to a jaw of the second handle and including a shank passed through the wall; an L-shaped lever pivotably secured to the first handle and including a first portion disposed rearward of the wall, a projected second portion between the handles, and a multi sided aperture through the first portion with a rear end of the link passed through; and a spring put on the link and biased between the wall and the first portion. The link is locked in the aperture by disposing the first portion obliquely about the link. Pivoting the lever will compress the spring, unlock the pliers by disposing the link perpendicularly to the first portion, and pivotably push the first and second handles away from each other.

Abstract: A screwdriver with slip-resistant blade includes a handle being provided on an outer surface with a plurality of parallel and axially extended ribs, and a blade having a proximal end connected to the handle and a distal end formed into an operating tip. Theblade is formed on an outer surface at a predetermined position with a coarse and highly frictional area as a slip-resistant section. When the screwdriver is used to loosena screw, the user may grip at the slip-resistant section of the blade to efficiently turn the screw with shortened time and less effort after the screw has been primarily turned and loosened by turning the handle of the screwdriver.

Abstract: A twisting spanner with an auto positioning assembly comprises a push post; a sound seat; and a periphery of the supporting seat having a buffer cover; and a spring; one end of the spring having a supporting seat; and at least one end of the supporting seat having a positioning body. The positioning body is integrally formed with the supporting seat. The positioning body is a ball. The supporting seat has a positioning hole facing to the positioning groove. The buffer cover is made of soft material. The buffer cover is made of copper. The supporting seat has a limiting post capable of being inserted into the spring. The supporting seat has a receiving hole receiving with at least one roller.

Abstract: A machine tool capable of absorbing expansion/contraction of a bundle of supplying hoses caused together with the movement of the ram in the Y-axis direction without increasing the size of the entire machine, is provided, in which a turret 5 includes a base member 8 disposed on a bed 2 in a movable manner in a Z-axis direction, a slide base 9 disposed on the base member 8 in a movable manner in an X-axis direction, a ram 11 disposed on the slide base 9 in a movable manner in a Y-axis direction being orthogonal to a plane including the X-axis and the Z-axis, and a turret body 12 mounted to the ram 11, and in which a bundle of supplying hoses 15 supplying electric power, coolant and oil pressure from the said bed 2 side to the turret body 12 is cabled to extend from the turret body 12 side through the ram 11 in the Y-axis direction by being bent in a direction crossing the Y-axis under the ram 11 to further extend in the crossing direction.

Abstract: A machine tool capable of structuring a turret disposed at a lower portion of a slant face to be movable in the Y-axis direction without causing an increase in the entire machine in size, in which a first turret 5 is structured to include a base member 8 disposed on a bed 2 in a movable manner in a Z-axis direction, a slide base 9 disposed on the base member 8 in a movable manner in an X-axis direction, a pair of X-axis feed mechanisms 10, 10 moving the slide base 9 in the X-axis direction, a ram 11 disposed at a portion of the slide base 9 and between the pair of X-axis feed mechanisms 10, 10 in a movable manner in a Y-axis direction being orthogonal to a plane including the X-axis and Z-axis, and a turret body 12 and a turret head 13 mounted on the ram 11, is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with the chuck of a lathe. The apparatus comprises an angled holder having a first predetermined shape and made of a first predetermined material and a faceplate engageable with the holder, the faceplate has a second predetermined shape and is formed of a second predetermined material. There are, further, bolts for securing the faceplate to the angled holder and another bolt for securing such chuck to the faceplate.

Abstract: A punch roller bypass unit is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the punch roller bypass unit includes a unit frame having a pair of spaced-apart tracks, a first roller carried by the tracks and a second roller carried by the tracks in positionally adjustable relationship with respect to the first roller. A method of bypassing a paper web around a punch roller in a punching unit of a paper processing system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material. The deflectable lifting device can comprise an arcuate portion or head over which the sheet or web can slide in a bearing fashion.

Abstract: In a thermal cutting machine such as plasma cutting machine or a laser cutting machine, control of the moving speed of a cutting head (24) is improved so as to increase throughput of the cutting machine with increase in cost restricted. Products are cut out one by one from a plate member (14) while a cutting head (24) is moved relative to the plate member (14) on a table (12). In this process, when the cutting head (24) is fast-forwarded without performing cutting to a position at which cutting of each product starts, the speed of movement in the direction (Y-axis direction) along a short side of the table (12) is controlled at a speed higher than that of the movement in the direction (X-axis direction) along a long side of the table. The pattern of a sequence of cutting out the products from the plate member (14) is a meandering pattern in which reciprocation in the Y-axis direction dominates and the movement in the X-direction is one time one way.

Abstract: The rotary die cutter includes a frame, having rails and vertical post walls, and a cylinder supported by the vertical post walls at a first position. There is a polyurethane tube affixed to and extended over the cylinder. First and second rings are affixed to the ends of the cylinder for fixing a position of the polyurethane tube. A pair of bearing holders at each end of the cylinder vertically lift the cylinder from a first position to a second position. The bearing holders are engaged to lifting screws driven by a motor. A pair of sliding plates at each end of the cylinder axially or horizontally shift the cylinder when lifted from the first position to a second position. The sliding plates are engaged to a screw driven by a motor for horizontal movement. The cylinder is rotated by a pulley assembly attached to the bearing holders.

Abstract: A convertible miter/table saw comprises a base frame supporting a lower, miter saw table rotatable about a vertical axis. A circular saw assembly, namely a saw blade and motor, is mounted on a rear pedestal of the table and pivotable about a horizontal axis, the miter saw table providing a turntable and having a lower saw slot for receiving the saw blade. In miter saw mode, the swivel position of the miter saw table is adjusted and the circular saw blade moved downwards into the lower saw slot. In table saw mode, an upper saw table connected to the rear of the base frame is pivoted about a horizontal axis from a raised, generally vertical position to a lowered, generally horizontal position in which a slot in the upper saw table accommodates the circular saw blade when the latter is aligned therewith.

Abstract: A punch for making a decorative design in a sheet medium having a body formed with a fissure for receiving the sheet media, a cutter axially movable within the body and a die secured in the body for engaging with the cutter. The cutter has a first edge for cutting along at least a portion of a periphery of the decorative design, leaving at least another portion of the decorative design uncut. The cutter has at least one second edge within the first edge for cutting a second element within the decorative design, such that the resulting decorative design in the sheet media may be folded upwards from the sheet media along the portion of the decorative design cut by the first edge and where the portion of the design that is folded upward contains the second element cut by the second edge.

Abstract: An inventive punching unit is provided with punches (2) whose blade (2a) is cut away in a shape of V at a shearing angle (a) whose apex (b) is set at a position offset from an axial center line (O-O) of the punch (2) by a predetermined distance (c). Because the lengths of left and right edges (P3 and P4) of the blade (2a) are different and these edges (P3 and P4) contact with a sheet at staggered timing, a peak value of punching force of the punch (2) may be lowered. Thus, the peak values of the punch are lowered and hence a driving force is lowered.

Abstract: A puncher is used when piercing a workpiece with a piercing punch while the workpiece is kept pressed by a stripper. The cover provided on the puncher is made of metal and a diameter of a cover portion at and near a tip end side is smaller than that of the other cover portion other than the cover portion. The other cover portion of the cover receives a biasing member. The cover portion at a tip end side gradually reduces its diameter toward the tip end to form a tapered portion. The puncher provides a long lifetime, guarantees sufficient pressing force onto a workpiece, and punches a hole at a position near and nearer a corner of the workpiece having adjacent metal plate surfaces forming an angle of from 90 degrees to 95 degrees at the corner.

Abstract: The invention describes a device for guiding a saw blade, in particular a saw blade that is driven in an oscillating way, having a base body through which a guide slot extends for guiding a saw blade, which guide slot opens into a first guide surface configured as contact surface for the workpiece, having a stop which is supported on the base body and which comprises a second guide surface configured for being brought into contact with the workpiece and arranged at an angle relative to the first guide surface, and having a handle as means for holding the base body.

Abstract: A food cutting device includes a body having two longitudinal edges and a blade configured such that its cutting edge is a predetermined distance from a removeable plate inserted therein. The device preferably includes a food holder having a guide configured to slideably connect to at least one of said longitudinal edges of the body to bring a food item safely in contact with the blade. A storage caddy, which may used in conjunction with the food cutting device, includes a housing and a pair of housing guides configured to slideably connect to the body, wherein the storage caddy includes a number of partitions or chambers to accept unused plates. At least one of the plates may include a protector designed to at least partially conceal the blade on the underside of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus (400) for facilitating the removal of a tube stub from a drum includes an arbor (401) configured to extend within the tube stub to be removed, and a circular, rotating cutter (402) protruding from the arbor (401). The cutter (402) is configured to score an internal surface of the tube stub along an axial direction of the tube stub. A controller (403) associated with the apparatus (400) controls the axial and rotational movement of the arbor (401) to create one or more cuts in the tube stub to facilitate removal of the tube stub from the drum.

Abstract: A musical instrument body is provided with an array of keys at a front portion of the musical instrument body, and side plates at both side portions of the musical instrument body. A keyboard lid is mounted in the musical instrument body slidably between a closed position for covering the array of the keys and an open position for exposing the array of the keys. In case that the keyboard lid is shifted to the open position from the closed position, a front lid section moves rearward along a first guide recess together with a rear lid section, and when the rear lid section reaches a rearmost position, a rear lid supporting part is positioned in a second guide recess, while a front lid supporting part moves from the first guide recess to a third guide recess at a branch point according to release of connection between the front lid section and the rear lid section, and subsequently the front lid section is guided along the third guide portion.

Abstract: An oboe comprising an elongate body in two parts which can fit inside each other, wherein one first part (10) is provided with a place (11) for putting the reed at one end thereof (10a) which is adapted in order to receive said reed and a second part (20) which is adapted in order to be fitted to a bell (30). The transversal plane of fitment of said two parts (10, 20) of the body is located between the octave holes (13) and the note holes, wherein the note holes are positioned exclusively in the second part (20) and the bell (30).

Abstract: A percussion instrument that produces a vibrato which is the most noticeable characteristic of the instrument. In one embodiment, the instrument is configured as a single two-dimensional curve, or a primary curve which is deeper or more pronounced than secondary curves along the surface of said instrument, and wherein said primary curve facilitates an oscillating flexing motion which produces an increase in the amplitude of the lowest frequency mode of vibration, the low pitch frequency modulates the whole of the spectrum of a musical sound by repeatedly raising and lowering said spectrum of sound in a periodic or oscillating manner, this effect being defined here as “vibrato”. The instrument is suspended from one or more points, by means of an instrument supporting member or mounting device, rigid or flexible. The suspension or mounting points approximate the nodal area of the instrument.