Abstract: A magnetic torque sensing device having a disk-shaped member with a magnetoelastically active region. The magnetoelastically active region has a magnetically conditioned region with an initial direction of magnetization that is perpendicular to the sensitive directions of magnetic field sensor pairs placed proximate to the magnetically active region. Magnetic field sensors are specially positioned in relation to the disk-shaped member to accurately measure torque while providing improved RSU performance and reducing the detrimental effects of compassing.

Abstract: A pressure sensing sheet includes at least first, second, and third layers wherein the first and third layers each have conductive paths defined therein that are separated by nonconductive spacers. The orientation of the conductive paths of the first layer are transverse to the orientation of the conductive paths of the third layer. The second layer is made of material that has an electrical characteristic that changes with applied pressure, such as, but not limited to, piezoresistive or piezoelectric material. The first and/or third layers are made from multi-material sheets wherein a first type of material will repel conductive particles when subjected to an autocatalytic coating process, while the second type of material will bond with the conductive particles during the autocatalytic coating process. The use of different materials in the first and/or third layers facilitates the manufacturing of the conductive paths and nonconductive spacers.

Abstract: In order to improve a support unit for motor vehicles comprising a supporting structure mounted on a rear end portion of the motor vehicle a sensor unit is provided for detecting forces acting on the supporting structure and elastically deforming the same. The sensor unit is provided with a sensor base, comprising two fixation regions which are spaced apart and can be fixed to mounting regions of an elastically deformable supporting structure portion. A transformation region disposed between the fixation regions mechanically converts the movements of the mounting regions, and thus also of the fixation regions relative to one another. Movements are generated by the elastic deformation of the supporting structure portion, into a movement of measuring points of the transformation region relative to one another. The movement of the measuring points can be detected by the sensor unit.

Abstract: A sampling system that contains filter components for collecting and concentrating vapor and particles in high-volume flows. The sample is then vaporized and delivered to a detector at a low-volume flow. The invention also has a sampling probe that contains an air-jet to help dislodge particles from surfaces and a heating lamp to help vaporize compounds on surfaces or objects. The sampling system is especially useful for screening for explosives and other illicit chemicals and toxins on people, baggage, cargo, and other objects.

Abstract: Sample or specimen retrieval may be performed via a tool that includes a multi-section tool bit which carries a plug. A cutter of the tool bit forms (e.g., drill, mill, bore, ream) a hole in a structure. A mandrel on a leading section of the tool bit sealing engages the plug in the hole from a blindside of the structure. A sample chamber of a trailing section of the tool bit extends into the hole through a passage in the plug and is opened. Optionally an auger portion of the trailing section rotates to acquire the sample in the sample chamber. The sample chamber is closed and withdrawn from hole and the mandrel seats in the passage to seal the plug. The trailing section is separated from the leading section, and retrieved along with the sample. Such may be particularly suitable for use with submersible ROVs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a deposit of a material which is localized and has a defined shape on the surface of the substrate comprising the steps: (1) delimiting, by photolithography, on the surface of said substrate, at least one localized site and with a defined shape, wettable with a solution containing said material or from which said material is obtained, the areas delimiting and notably surrounding said site being non-wettable with said solution; (2) depositing on said site and said areas, said solution; whereby said material is deposited at said site.

Abstract: A lesion phantom is disclosed, which is a spherical ball having a cavity formed therein for housing contrast agents or medicines, and is adapted for the quantitative evaluation of a medical image in drug development and evaluation. In an embodiment, the cavity of the lesion phantom is coupled to a tapering ring and is adapted to be sealed by a silicon plug, by that contrast agents or medicines can be fed into the cavity easily and conveniently without causing any problem, such as overflowing, bubble residue problem, radioactive contamination, etc. Moreover, by the arrangement of a retractable fixing bar, the positioning of the lesion phantom can be adjusted flexibly at will, and also by the tapering of the tapering ring, the lesion phantom can be prevented from being damaged by any extreme, sudden, unjust, or improper force exerted, and thus the lifespan of the lesion phantom can be prolonged.

Abstract: The combustion engine starter with output pinion (18) comprises a front bearing (12) provided with a front face (120) having an opening (312), a drive assembly equipped with a bush (26) passing through the opening (312) and bearing the output pinion (18) outside the front bearing (12), complementary splines (67,167). A groove (64, 164) interrupts the splines (67) of the bush (26) in order to mount a stop (60, 160) for immobilizing the pinion, a play-compensating spring (61) urging the pinion into contact with the stop (60, 160) formed by a spring ring which has a height greater than its thickness and which is housed with radial clearance at least partially in an annular recess (62) made in the front face (183) of the pinion (18); the internal periphery of the spring ring (60, 160) being mounted in the groove (64, 164) in the bush (26).

Abstract: A tension device for a corded-loop drive system has a base with a sprocket on the base such that the cord loop travels over the sprocket. At least one resilient finger has a first end attached to the base and a free end. Each finger is sized and positioned to engage the cord loop when the tension device is not properly mounted to a wall or window frame and prevent movement of the cord loop around the sprocket. There is a hole in the finger through which a screw passes. When the base is placed on a mounting surface and the screw is driven into the mounting surface, the free end of the finger will have moved from the first position to a second position away from the cord so that the cord loop may move around the sprocket and the window covering can be fully raised and fully lowered.

Abstract: A device for connecting a gear motor to an aircraft wheel, the device comprising: a casing rotatably carrying a shaft that is to be driven by the gear motor, and on which a pinion is mounted idle by means of a rolling bearing; a toothed ring for being constrained in rotation with the aircraft wheel and arranged to mesh permanently with the idle pinion; and rotation securing means for selectively constraining the idle pinion in rotation with the shaft. With this structure, a smooth bearing is interposed between the shaft and the rolling bearing of the idle pinion.

Abstract: A transmission gear has a tooth surface formed of a free-form surface instead of an involute surface and a root area formed of a free-form surface instead of a trochoid surface. With such a transmission gear, the fatigue strength against contact pressure can be increased by reducing the Hertzian stress in the area around the meshing point of the tooth surface. The tooth surface is formed of a free-form surface in which the smallest radius of curvature in an area around a mating pitch point is maximized, and the fatigue strength against bending can be increased by reducing the bending stress at a tooth root portion of the bottom land. In addition, the gear noise can be reduced. The bottom land is formed of a free-form surface in which the smallest radius of curvature in an area around a tooth root is maximized.

Abstract: A control device for a motor vehicle has a manually controllable drive position selector element and a control element for controlling secondary functions of the motor vehicle. The drive position selector element and the control element for the secondary functions are attached to a common base body which is movable relative to an interior lining part of the motor vehicle. The drive position selector element is designed such that it can be used as a hand rest for the control element for the secondary functions.

Abstract: In a shift lever device, operation of a shift lever to a “P” shift position is allowed when electric-power is not supplied to a solenoid in a state where the shift lever has been operated to a shift position other than the “P” shift position. Moreover, operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position is regulated when electric-power is not supplied to a lock solenoid in a state where the shift lever has been operated to the “P” shift position. Therefore, in a case where the shift position of the shift lever is other than the “P” shift position when electric-power is not supplied to the solenoid and the lock solenoid, operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position can be regulated by operating the shift lever to the “P” shift position, and the shift lever can be placed in the “P” shift position.

Abstract: An accelerator (1) for adjusting an output of an engine includes: a throttle lever (4) that is turned; a rotating member (16) that is turned in conjunction with the throttle lever (4); a gear member (18) that is concentrically and freely fitted to the rotating member (16); a lock lever (24) that is engaged with the gear member (18) to lock a movement of the gear member (18); a trigger lever (5) that moves the lock lever (24); and an elastic member (22) that frictionally engages the rotating member (16) and the gear member (18). The throttle lever (4) is biased toward an idling position within an output adjustment rage of the engine. The frictional force caused by the elastic member (22) between the rotating member (16) and the gear member (18) is greater than the biasing force of the throttle lever (4) toward the idling position.

Abstract: An articulated structure having a tubular inflatable casing that contains a fluid under pressure and that has a central axis along which there are defined at least one fixed-geometry segment and at least one variable-geometry segment, the arm including a deformation mechanism for deforming the variable-geometry segment, the casing and the deformation mechanism arranged so as to generate curvature of the variable-geometry segment in such a manner that the variable-geometry segment conserves a volume that is substantially constant. A robot arm including such a structure.

Abstract: A bicycle cable structure is provided with an inner cable, a first outer case, a second outer case and an adjustment structure. The first and second outer cases are disposed over first and second sections of the inner cable and the adjustment structure is disposed between adjacent ends of the first and second outer cases. The adjustment structure includes a main body and an operating member. The operating member is movably connected to the main body by a non-slidable connection between a first position and a second position. The operating member maintains the adjacent ends of the first and second outer cases farther away from each other while the operating member is in the first position as compared to the second position of the operating member.

Abstract: An improved system for terminating a cable housing on a Bowden cable system is provided that allows for the use on conventional end caps or ferrules while providing a wide variation of sealing and inner cable protection options.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal apparatus includes, as a reaction force adding mechanism to add reaction force against pedaling force of an accelerator pedal, a rotation member which is rotatable relatively against a pedal arm, a locking mechanism which is capable of locking the rotation member when the accelerator pedal is at an arbitrary depression position, and an intermittent interlocking member which intermittently interlocks the rotation member with the pedal arm so that the rotation member is interlocked with the pedal arm when the locking mechanism is not in operation and reaction force is added against depressing operation of the accelerator pedal under operation of the locking mechanism while rotation of the pedal arm is allowed with release of interlocking of the rotation member and decrease or elimination of the reaction force owing to elastic deformation caused by pedaling force which overcomes the reaction force.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus of a cam plate for a vehicular air conditioning system may include the cam plate rotatably coupled to an air conditioning case by a cam shaft and including a guide slot, a plurality of positioning holes formed in the cam plate, a detent mechanism projecting from the air conditioning case toward the cam plate, and an arm rotatably coupled to the air conditioning case and including a connecting pin that may be slidably coupled to the guide slot of the cam plate, wherein, while the cam plate rotates about the cam shaft and the connecting pin included in the arm performs a camming action along the guide slot formed in the cam plate, a leading end of the detent mechanism may be selectively inserted into one of the positioning holes to detent the position of the cam plate when the connecting

Abstract: A device for pressing a rack onto a pinion engaged with the rack, for a steering system of a motor vehicle, is equipped with a pressure piece, which can be loaded in the direction of the rack by way of a compression spring and is displaceably guided in a housing, and with an adjusting device for compensating play that occurs in the steering system. A spring washer is disposed between the adjusting device and the pressure piece, wherein the adjusting device has shoulder and the pressure piece has a recess or the pressure piece has a shoulder and the adjusting device has a recess in the region of the spring washer. The adjusting device further comprises two adjusting disks which are rotatable relative to one another and beat against one another at contact surfaces, and the contact surfaces have at least two beveled edges. The complete adjusting device is preinstalled as an assembly unit comprising the pressure piece, the spring washer, and the compression spring with the use of a spring pin.

Abstract: A connecting rod having a small end and a large end, the small end including a pin bore defined by a pin bore surface. A thermal spray coating applied to at least a portion of the pin bore surface and a method of applying the thermal spray coating to the pin bore surface using a thermal spray technique.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly is basically provided with a crank axle, a first outer shell member, a second outer shell member, a first crank axle supporting member and a second crank axle supporting member. The crank axle has an end portion with an external mounting surface and an internal mounting surface. The first and second outer shell members are arranged relative to each other with a space being formed between the first and second outer shell members. The first crank axle supporting member is disposed on the first outer shell member and supports the external mounting surface of the crank axle. The second crank axle supporting member is disposed on the first outer shell member and supports the internal mounting surface of the crank axle.

Abstract: Double crank alternating cycle traction system in which two independent free-turning cranks with a dynamic articulation at the place where the force is applied are strategically added to a conventional pedal cycle. The operation of the resulting mechanical composition increases the mechanical advantage of the original system. The invention is applicable to pedal cycles, mainly all kinds of bicycles, i.e. bicycles, tricycles, four-wheeled bicycles, moved by the extremities of the human body, i.e. the hands or feet.

Abstract: A platform upon which a humans foot can be placed has an upper and a lower surface, distal and proximal ends respectively corresponding to the toes and heel of the humans foot, and a ridge extending approximately vertically from the platforms upper surface around the perimeter of the proximal end of the platform to aid in retaining the humans heel at the proximal position of the platform when positioned on the upper surface of the platform. Associated with the platform is a distal plate adjustably connected to the distal region of the lower surface of the platform.

Abstract: A transmission includes a first primary shaft carrying driving gearwheels for odd gears and reverse, a coaxial second primary shaft carrying driving gearwheels for the even gears, and a secondary shaft carrying idle driven gearwheels meshing with the driving gearwheels. The gearbox has a gear shift device having sliding engagement sleeves each arranged to connect a driven gearwheel corresponding to a given gear for rotation with a secondary shaft. Corresponding sliding shift forks cause an engagement sleeve to slide between a neutral and shift positions. A rotary drum has grooves on its cylindrical surface in which a stud slides, and is connected for translation with a respective shift fork in its sliding direction. An actuation unit rotates the drum stepwise among angular positions corresponding to engagement sleeves' predetermined positions. In a first angular position the engagement sleeves simultaneously engage gear reverse.

Abstract: A device has an output which is formed by a gearwheel that can be coupled to a gearwheel on a crankshaft of a combustion engine. The device comprises a first auxiliary drive source arranged as an electromotor, which is coupled to the output via a node. A first branch of a drive line is present between the electromotor and the node and a second branch of the drive line is present between the node and the output. The device further includes a second auxiliary drive source arranged as a flywheel which is coupled to the output via the node. A third branch is then present between the flywheel and the node.

Abstract: A hard phase forming alloy powder, for forming a hard phase dispersed in a sintered alloy, consists of, by mass %, 15 to 35% of Mo, 1 to 10% of Si, 10 to 40% of Cr, and the balance of Co and inevitable impurities. A production method, for a wear resistant sintered alloy, includes preparing a matrix forming powder, the hard phase forming alloy powder, and a graphite powder. The production method further includes mixing 15 to 45% of the hard phase forming alloy powder and 0.5 to 1.5% of the graphite powder with the matrix forming powder into a raw powder. The production method further includes compacting the raw powder into a green compact having a predetermined shape and includes sintering the green compact. A wear resistant sintered alloy exhibits a metallic structure in which 15 to 45% of a hard phase is dispersed in a matrix. The hard phase consists of, by mass %, 15 to 35% of Mo, 1 to 10% of Si, 10 to 40% of Cr, and the balance of Co and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: The invention provides a pollution-free reuse method for iron-based grinding waste, involving the technology of recycling economy, with special reference to the metallurgical industry, iron-based grinding waste green recycling technology. The present invention of the iron grinding waste recycling and reuse methods includes degreasing, heat treatment, sieving, matching, and obtains iron-based alloyed powders, which can be used in SHS lined steel pipe, powder metallurgy structural component, magnetic grinding, thermal spray. More than 95% iron-based alloyed powders can be recycled from wide source of iron-based grinding waste. The invention has the advantage of low cost, no secondary pollution and wide application.

Abstract: The invention provides a preparation method for producing metal zirconium industrially and producing low-temperature aluminum electrolyte as byproduct, which comprises the following steps: A) aluminum and fluorozirconate are put in a closed reactor, inert gas is fed into the reactor after evacuation, the reactor is heated up to 780° C. to 1000° C. and then the mixture in the reactor is stirred rapidly; and B) after reaction continues for 4 to 6 hours, the liquid molten at the upper layer is sucked out to obtain low-temperature aluminum electrolyte, and the product at the lower layer is subjected to acid dipping or distillation to remove surface residue to obtain metal zirconium.

Abstract: A method for recovering rare earth, vanadium and nickel from waste vanadium-nickel catalysts, comprising steps of: acid leaching, by soaking waste vanadium-nickel catalysts into a sulfuric acid solution and obtaining a mixture containing alumina silica slag; sedimentation, by filtering out the alumina silica slag from the mixture to obtain a filtrate, and then adding a salt into the filtrate to precipitate rare earth followed by isolating a sediment of rare earth double salts and a liquid solution via filtration; and extraction, by providing and adding an alkali into the sediment of rare earth double salts followed by further soaking the rare earth double salts in an acid solution to precipitate rare earth, and adding an oxidizer into the liquid solution to adjust the pH value thereof and then extracting vanadium and nickel from the liquid solution via an ion-exchange resin.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for recovering a precious metal from a pregnant leach solution using a resin extractant. The precious metal is eluted from the loaded resin using an eluant comprising trithionate. The barren resin is contacted with a sulfide, bisulfide, and/or polysulfide to convert sorbed trithionate to thiosulfate. The desorbed thiosulfate is contacted with an oxidant and converted to trithionate for eluant recycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a bit of a tool. The method includes the steps of providing a blank, forging, cutting and pressing. The size of the blank is determined according to the size of the bit. By the forging, the blank is made with a connective section and a neck. The connective section is formed with a polygonal profile, a first chamfer at an end thereof and a second chamfer at another end thereof. The neck extends from the polygonal connective section and includes ribs separated from one another by grooves. By the cutting, the neck is made with a tapered section. By the pressing, the tapered section of the neck is turned into a driving section of the bit to reduce the length of the tapered section of the neck but increase the width of the tapered section of the blank.

Abstract: A tool for assembling parts to be connected to each other includes, a body for rotating a first end and a second end of a bolt, and a holder attaching to the body for holding a fastener against rotation and in alignment with the second end of the bolt. The fastener does not rotate while rotatably receiving the second end of the bolt.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a complex wrench composed of a strip-shaped shank which includes a front section, a middle section and a rear section along its length direction in order thereof, the front section and the rear section connecting a first driving head and a second driving head respectively, the middle section being a twisted section which makes the axis lines of the first driving head and the second driving head on different planes, and the middle section having at least one sunken area where is covered with a plurality of embossed patterns.

Abstract: A drive tool comprises a socket body, which has a drive end for coupling to a handle and a socket end for coupling to a bolt or nut. The drive end defines a drive opening for being engaged with a drive lug of the handle. The drive opening is defined by at least two sets of engagement surfaces, all sets of engagement surfaces being evenly distributed with respect to a central line of the socket body and being spaced at intervals of an angle, each set of engagement surfaces being configured to define a sub-opening that is matched with the drive lug of the handle so that the drive lug of the handle can be engaged with each set of engagement surfaces. Thereby, the handle can be coupled to the drive tool more easily so as to facilitate an operation.

Abstract: A waste strip-removing apparatus for use with a ripsaw that saws an incoming board into one or more usable boards and removes the opposite side edges, which become two waste strips that must be removed and transported to a different destination from that to which the usable board(s) is (are) transported. The apparatus includes two air-blasting units each having one or more air nozzles assigned to each waste strip. The air-blasting units are positioned with respect to a lateral direction by a positioning mechanism so that air directed from the nozzles impinges on the waste strips and moves them laterally away from the usable board(s). The positioning mechanism can include a linear motor having two forcers movable along a platen and respectively attached to air-blasting units.

Abstract: A plate workpiece processing tool including a workpiece support defining a support plane for supporting a workpiece, a tool punch, a tool die, and a control unit configured to control movements of the tool punch and the tool die along a stroke axis. The tool punch and the tool die are displaceable, along the stroke axis, to a processing position above the support plane of the workpiece support such that the tool punch and the tool die are capable of processing a region of a workpiece having a formed shape that extends upwardly from the workpiece support.

Abstract: A punch device includes a mounting platform, a punch mechanism, a feeding mechanism, and a positioning and ejecting mechanism. The punch mechanism is mounted over the mounting platform for punching a pre-punched workpiece positioned on the mounting platform. The feeding mechanism is mounted on the mounting platform for conveying the pre-punched workpiece. The positioning and ejecting mechanism is mounted on the mounting platform and positioned under the punch mechanism, for positioning the pre-punched workpiece during a punching process, and ejecting the punched workpiece after the punching process is performed, thereby facilitating an operator to take away the punched workpiece.

Abstract: A transfer device equipped with a rotating body having multiple workpiece holding units that support a holding surface holding a continuous sheet member through suction that faces outward in the radial direction of the rotation body. Between adjacent workpiece holding units, arranged in the direction of rotation, the device is equipped with bed knives that produce single sheets by sandwiching and cutting the continuous sheet member in combination with a cutter member arranged to face the outer surface of the rotation body. The workpiece holding units pivot to follow the radial direction of rotation of the rotation body and modify the long direction face of the single sheets when the rotation of the rotation body takes the workpiece holding units past the position where the cutter member is arranged. At this time, the workpiece holding units are arranged so that part of the workpiece holding units passes over a bed knife.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for die cutting label stock comprising a facestock, an adhesive and optionally a liner to form labels where a liner of the linered pressure sensitive adhesive label stock may be a thin or ultrathin liner.

Abstract: It is intended in an apparatus for successively making plastic bags that a plastic film 1 is cut by a Thomson blade 3 without making the Thomson blade 3 pressed with a large force. The Thomson blade 3 is brought into contact with the plastic film 1 on one of opposite sides of the plastic film 1 in a direction of thickness thereof while a rolling member 4 is brought into contact with the plastic film 1 and rolled and moved along the plastic film 1 and the Thomson blade 3 on the other side of the plastic film 1 in the direction of thickness thereof. The plastic film 1 is therefore sandwiched between and cut by the Thomson blade 3 and the rolling member 4 to successively make plastic bags.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus includes a base including an arm selectively movable with respect to the base. The arm is selectively rotatable about a first arm axis. A base plate is engaged with the arm. A tool is configured to be detachably coupled to the base plate. The tool is movable with the base plate when coupled to the base plate. The apparatus includes a first mode with the tool coupled to the base plate and the arm being selectively rotatable about the first arm axis, a second mode with the tool coupled to the base plate and the arm being constrained from rotating about the first arm axis, the arm being substantially stationary with respect to the base; and a third mode with the tool detached from the base plate.

Abstract: A table saw assembly in one embodiment includes a base portion, a saw blade opening, a saw assembly and a first extension. The base portion includes a base work piece support surface which defines a support plane. The saw blade opening is defined in the base work piece support surface. The saw assembly includes a saw blade which is positionable to extend upwardly through the saw blade opening. The first extension includes a first extension work piece support surface which is pivotable with respect to the base portion between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first extension work piece support surface is coplanar with the base work piece support surface. In the second position, the first extension work piece support surface is located above the support plane.

Abstract: A table saw assembly includes a base portion with a base work piece support surface which defines a support plane and a saw blade opening. A saw blade is positionable to extend upwardly through the saw blade opening. A first extension includes a first extension work piece support surface which is pivotable with respect to the base portion between a first position coplanar with the base work piece support surface and a second position above the support plane. A second extension includes a second extension work piece support surface which is pivotable between a third position coplanar with the base work piece support surface and a fourth position above the support plane. The table saw assembly includes a handle located above the work piece support surface and accessible by a user when the first extension is in the second position and the second extension is in the fourth position.

Abstract: A table saw assembly in one embodiment includes a base portion with a base work piece support surface defining a support plane and a saw blade opening defined in the base work piece support surface, a saw assembly, a first extension and a first sliding support assembly. The saw assembly includes a saw blade positionable to extend upwardly through the saw blade opening. The first extension includes a first extension work piece support surface pivotable with respect to the base portion between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first extension work piece support surface is coplanar with the base work piece support surface. In the second position, the first extension work piece support surface is located above the support plane. The first sliding support assembly is movable along the support plane and is configured to support the first extension in the first position.

Abstract: Provided is a table saw assembly including a base portion, a saw blade opening, a saw assembly and a first leg assembly. The base portion includes a base work piece support surface which defines a support plane. The base portion includes a lower surface opposite the base work piece support surface. The saw blade opening is defined in the base work piece support surface. The saw assembly includes a saw blade which is positionable to extend upwardly through the saw blade opening. The first leg assembly includes a first foot portion. The first leg assembly is pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first foot portion is positioned lower than the lower surface of the base portion. In the second position, the first foot portion is positioned above the lower surface of the base portion.

Abstract: A saw blade clamping device has a first clamping device for clamping a first working element and a second clamping device for clamping a second clamping element, wherein the first clamping device and the second clamping device are parallel to each other and mounted to a transmission controlling mechanism. The two clamping devices can be controlled by the transmission control mechanism to can not only clamp a single saw blade but to allow for replacement of the single saw blade by double saw blades without changing the clamping system, which enables the replacement of the saw blade to be more convenient and quick.

Abstract: In a predetermined sound generation mode, a drive signal having a frequency characteristic corresponding to an operated key is supplied to excitation units provided on a soundboard. The soundboard is vibrated in response to a mechanical vibration generated by the excitation units to generate an acoustic sound by the vibration of the soundboard. The frequency characteristics of the drive signal to be supplied to each of the excitation units is set in association with the vibration characteristics of the soundboard at a position of a vibration member of each excitation unit connected to the soundboard. For example, the frequency characteristics of the drive signal is set to characteristics capable of suppressing resonance of the soundboard.

Abstract: A guitar pick with at least three corners, at least two of which have a different gauge or stiffness to produce different sounds on a guitar. In the preferred form, the pick is generally symmetrical and all corners are “playing” corners of different gauge, intended for use across the strings of a guitar.

Abstract: An improved adjustable stringed instrument apparatus, hereafter known as ‘support’, ‘instrument support’ or ‘guitar support’, that supports the instrument in playing position while the user is in the sitting position. The support attaches to the instrument using magnets and rests on the user's leg. It utilizes a flexible leg support means connected to a magnetic attachment means, also referred to as the magnet housing, at one end and an adjustable rigid support with hinged pivoting magnet housing on the opposing end. Three discrete mechanisms on the support allow for vertical, horizontal, and angular adjustments of the instrument. The support's design allows it to be easily attached, removed, collapsed, and stored with no detrimental effects to the instrument. It also allows the support to be securely attached to a variety of imperfect surfaces.