An interactive image matching game and method of play. The matching game includes a plurality of expression cards each having a first indicia indicating a descriptive word and a plurality of sheets of paper each having a second indicia showing a partial image. In play, a player selects an expression card and then completes a first picture incorporating the second indicia within the first picture. The player places the first picture in a secret container and selects a second picture drawn by a second player from the container. The first player guesses the identity of the second player based on the second picture. Further, the first player guesses the word displayed on the expression card received by the second player based on the second picture. Points are acquired with correct guesses. A timer is used to account for a duration in which a player has to complete a first drawing.

A three-dimensional platform comprising a tessellated surface of pieces, each piece comprising a top and sides. The pieces comprise a fixed square piece having at least two opposing sides orientated acutely relative to the top to define a fixed square retention surface. The remaining surfaces orientate substantially perpendicular relative to the top. There is a mobile square piece having at least two opposing sides orientated obtusely relative to the top to define a mobile square retention surface. The remaining surfaces are oriented substantially perpendicular relative to the top. A mobile triangular piece having all sides orientated obtusely relative to the top. The fixed square retention surface indexes only with either the mobile square retention surface or the triangular piece surface to effect retention of the pieces to define the three-dimensional platform.

The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (1) obtained by shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards (12) using a shuffling machine is packaged as an individual pack. The shuffled playing cards (1) is individually packaged and sealed with an adhesive label (13). A bar code (13a) which represents a unique shuffled card ID has been printed on the adhesive label (13). The shuffled card ID is registered in a database by being associated with information which allows identification of a shuffling machine used to shuffle the playing card set.

A kit and a method of playing a game with a kit having: (a) a plurality of stackable objects including one or more images thereon; (b) one or more target selectors including one or more images thereon which correspond to the one or more images of the plurality of stackable objects; and (c) one or more aiming objects.

A bag target and a method of manufacturing the bag target configured to substantively decrease in size for storage, shipment and/or display. The bag target is further configured to absorb and dissipate essentially all of the kinetic energy of a high energy projectile such as an arrow or a crossbow bolt.

Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.

The Archery Target Having a Replaceable Cube Core includes a replaceable cube core, a target frame, and a support base. The target frame houses the replaceable cube core at the center of the target frame. The support base is attached to the target frame and the replaceable cube core abuts the support base. The replaceable cube core provides a visual target display for archers to aim and shoot. The support base ensures that the cube core is firmly held within the confines of the target frame and the support base to prevent the replaceable cube core from shifting or moving under impact from the arrows. The replaceable cube core is formed as a cube having six (6) useable target surfaces. Each target surface provides a consistent penetration depth on each surface for predictable results, regardless of the face that is used for the target surface.

Cornhole games have been a mainstay during tailgating events at football games across the United States. However, the traditional cornhole game offers little challenge as the board has but one target opening and scoring is limited. Further, the traditional cornhole game has no real connection to the game of football; it does not present a representation of the field of play and does not apply the rules of football. The purpose of this invention is to create a method of play for a bean bag tossing game that is based on the game of football and incorporates the rules and strategies of the game of football. In an effort to create such a football-based bean bag tossing game, the game should incorporate the concepts of kickoffs, including onside kickoffs, punts, including fake punts, driving down the field by gaining yardage, the ability to kick a field goal or score a touchdown when in scoring position, the loss of yardage through application of penalties, the loss of possession through the application of turnovers, the possibility of scoring a touchdown after an opponent's turnover, the ability to attempt a last-chance Hail Mary touchdown, and the option to try for a 2-point conversion after a touchdown is scored. The game should also provide the player with an opportunity to use strategy when deciding what plays to make. With this football-based bean bag toss game, all of the main elements of the game of football listed above are incorporated and the game plays out similarly to a real game of football.

Tailgating, or having party prior to a sporting event, most often a football game, is an American pastime. In recent years, tailgating has expanded to other sports, including baseball. For many years, cornhole games have been a mainstay during tailgating events at football games across the United States. However, the traditional cornhole game offers little challenge as the board has but one target opening and scoring is limited. Further, the traditional cornhole game has no real connection to the game of baseball; it does not present a representation of the field of play and does not apply the rules of baseball. The purpose of this invention is to create a method of play for a bean bag tossing game that is based on the game of baseball and incorporates the rules and strategies of the game of baseball. In an effort to create a baseball-based bean bag tossing game, the game must incorporate the imagery of a baseball field, the rules of the game, and the concepts of pitching, including balls, strikes and hits, one-, two- and three-base hits, homeruns, sacrifice bunts and sacrifice flies, outs at first, second and third base, fly outs, infield fly-outs and outfield fly-outs, double plays, steals and extra base hits. Players attempt to get hits to get runners on base, then try to bring the runners home to score.The game should also provide the player with an opportunity to use strategy when deciding what plays to make. With this baseball-based bean bag toss game, all of the main elements of the game of baseball listed above are incorporated and the game plays out similarly to a real game of baseball.

A method of automatically generating a calibration file for a card handling device comprises automatically generating a calibration file stored in memory of a main control system for a card handling device. Automatically generating the calibration file comprises identifying at least one parameter associated with a rank area around a rank of at least a portion of the card, identifying at least one parameter associated with a suit area around a suit of the at least a portion of the card, and storing the at least one parameter associated with the rank area and the at least one parameter associated with the suit area in the calibration file. Additionally, a method of automatically generating deck libraries for one or more decks of cards comprises automatically generating a plurality of master images for the cards of the first deck type using the parameters from the calibration file.

An exemplary gaming system, in one implementation, provides active interaction between one or more players and the gaming system. Such an exemplary gaming system includes a receptacle with one or more holes to receive first gaming objects thrown at it. Chambers attached to a rigid member on the receptacle receive and store second gaming objects that are later released into one or more different spatial directions. An intermediate surface operably connected to a mechanical or an electrical triggering mechanism is included in the receptacle. When the first gaming object falls into the receptacle and hits the intermediate surface, the intermediate surface causes activation of the triggering mechanism to directly or indirectly propel the second gaming objects, through the chambers, into one or more different spatial directions. A hand or foot lever allows players to reset the triggering mechanism for the next game.

A heat exchange assembly includes an upper cover panel, a lower cover panel, a plurality of stacked plate assemblies, and a plurality of fins interposed between the plurality of plate assemblies. Each of the plurality of plate assemblies forms a flow passage for receiving a coolant. A continuous flow path extends through the heat exchange assembly. The flow path is in fluid communication with the flow passage of each of the plates and configured to convey air from each of the flow passages to an environment separate from the heat exchanger.

Disclosed is a housing for electronic/electrical that includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a strip of metal plate, and a strip of shape memory material. The inner panel and the outer panel are disposed parallel to each other at regular intervals to define an internal space. The strip of metal plate extends from an inner surface of the outer panel. The strip of shape memory material extends from an inner surface of the inner panel and is attached or detached to/from the metal plate on the outer panel while changing into an original straight shape or a bent shape according to a temperature variation. Here, when the temperature increase beyond a first transition temperature, the shape memory material straightens to form a heat transfer path. At a low temperature environment, the shape memory material bends and is separated from the metal plate to interrupt the heat transfer path.

A heat-insulating shroud for facilitating temperature control of a heated article includes a flexible cover, made from a heat-insulating material, for covering a surface of the heated article, at least one air inlet defined in a first section of the flexible cover, and at least one air outlet defined in a second section of the flexible cover. In a cooling mode of operation, the flexible cover defines an air channel over the surface of the heated article for channeling an air stream from the air inlet(s) over the surface of the heated article towards the air outlet(s). The channeling of the air stream facilitates cooling the heated article. In a heat-conservation mode of operation, the flexible cover of heat-insulating material insulates the heated article from heat loss. Each air outlet may have a closure that opens during the cooling mode of operation and closes during the heat-conservation mode of operation.

A heat transfer system includes a substrate having a heat exchange region including a surface having an enhancement region including alternating regions of selectively placed plurality of nucleation sites and regions lacking selectively placed nucleation sites, such that bubble formation and departure during boiling of a liquid in contact with the enhancement region induces liquid motion over the surface of the regions lacking selectively placed nucleation sites sufficient to enhance both critical heat flux and heat transfer coefficient at the critical heat flux in the enhancement region of the system.

A cooling plate with a structural plate and a cover plate, wherein the structural plate has a channel-like recess which is enclosed by a raised edge region. The cover plate rests on the raised edge region and covers the channel-like recess in order to form a channel. Openings with connection elements arranged at the openings are provided in the structural plate and/or in the cover plate in order to let a fluid into the channel and to let a fluid out of the channel. A first mounting opening, which is in the form of a round hole, and a second mounting opening, which is in the form of an elongate hole, are provided in both the structural plate and in the cover plate, the respective first and second mounting openings being aligned with one another in order to receive a pin for fixing the two plates during a soldering process.

Disclosed is a heat exchanger including: a heat exchanger body; a gas inlet for introducing exhaust gas into the heat exchanger body; a coolant inlet for introducing a coolant into the heat exchanger body; a gas outlet for discharging the exhaust gas that is cooled by heat exchange with the coolant; and a coolant outlet for discharging the coolant that completes heat exchange with the exhaust gas. In this case, the heat exchanger body includes: a laminated tube core formed by laminating a plurality of gas channels side by side; a housing formed so as to enclose the laminated tube core except for opposite ends thereof; and a wave fin plate integrally provided with a plurality of wave fins and arranged within each of the gas channels, wherein each of the wave fins includes a fixed pitch section, and a variable pitch section.

An integratable movement device for ventilating equipment includes an electric machine such as a motor and a fan wheel connected with the electric machine. The movement device further includes a housing, wherein the electric machine and the fan wheel are installed in an inner lower portion of the housing. An upper portion of the housing integrally forms one or more venting outlets. A plurality of venting outlet units is provided at the venting outlets respectively. A chamber provided between the venting outlets and the fan wheel in the housing defines a venting channel. The housing having the venting outlets and the venting channel, along with the venting outlet units, the electric machine and the fan wheel configure the integratable movement device that is able to be directly assembled into the ventilating equipment.

A high-efficiency plate type heat exchanger increases a heat-exchanging efficiency with an exhaust gas by connecting unit fluidized beds formed with stacked heat exchanging plates to each other in up and down directions, and elongating a flow path of circulating water to be greater than or equal to two passes (2-PASS). The heat exchanger retrieves heat of an exhaust gas by increasing a flow amount of circulating water of a portion close to a burner while a circulation path is elongated as described above. In addition, the high-efficiency plate type heat exchanger increases efficiency thereof by inserting a baffle plate having distribution holes between unit fluidized beds, controlling a flow of an exhaust gas while reducing an exhaust speed of the exhaust gas using heat exchanging fins of the baffle plate, absorbing heat of the exhaust gas, and effectively using a heat transfer area.

The pulse width modulator includes a subtraction unit configured to perform subtraction between an m value digital signal and a pulse width modulation signal; a feedforward filter unit configured such that a ΔΣ modulator to which an output signal of the subtraction unit is input and which includes integrators of a second order or higher is in cascade connection, and configured to operate with a sampling frequency FS; a product-sum computing unit configured to operate with a sampling frequency (FS/n) (n: an integer of two or more) to perform product-sum computing of an output signal of each integrator of the feedforward filter unit; and a pulse width modulation unit configured to operate with the sampling frequency (FS/n) to perform pulse width modulation of an output signal of the product-sum computing unit to output a pulse width modulation signal.

A method for adaptively regulating a coding mode and a digital correction circuit thereof are provided. The method is for a successive-approximation-register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC). In the method, whether to regulate a binary weight corresponding to each of digital bits is determined according to the number of completed comparison cycles to provide a first coding sequence. The first coding sequence is directly compensated according to uncompleted comparison cycles to provide a correct digital output code.

A multi-level DAC includes first and second level resistor ladders, and a dual-switch ladder interconnect reduces DNL at tap-point transitions between first-level ladder resistors. For each first level resistor N, the switch-interconnect network includes dual (first/second) switches connectable to a resistor-top node NT, and dual (third/fourth) switches selectively connectable to a resistor-bottom node NB. The first switch is operable to connect NT to a top tap switch operable to select NT as a top tap point, and the fourth interconnect switch is operable to connect NB to a bottom tap switch operable to select NB as a bottom tap point. The first and fourth switches are connected, forming an outer loop that includes top and bottom tap points. The second switch connects to a top second-level resistor RT, and the third switch connects to a bottom second-level resistor RB, forming an inner loop that includes the series-connected second-level resistors.

An ultrasound device including an asynchronous successive approximation analog-to-digital converter and method are provided. The device includes at least one ultrasonic transducer, a plurality of asynchronous successive-approximation-register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADC) coupled to the at least one ultrasonic transducer, at least one asynchronous SAR in the plurality having a sample and hold stage, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a comparator, and control circuitry, wherein a DAC update event following at least one bit conversion is synchronized to a corresponding DAC update event of at least one other ADC in the plurality of ADCs.

A converter includes: a terminal that receives code-modulated power that has been generated with a modulation code; and a circuit that intermittently converts the code-modulated power with a conversion code based on the modulation code. The code-modulated power is alternating-current power.

The present invention relates to a modular photoelectric-switch keyboard key, including modular photoelectric switch, base, keymodule and elastic element, the said modular photoelectric switch is mounted in the said base, the said keymodule is slideably placed in the sliding cavity of the said base and the said elastic element is placed between the said base and the said keymodule; the said modular photoelectric switch comprises transmitting tube, receiving tube and distance piece, the said transmitting tube and the said receiving tube are placed oppositely and are electrically connected with the circuit board; the said distance piece is connected with the said keymodule and located between the said transmitting tube and the said receiving tube.

For continuous-time multi-stage noise shaping analog-to-digital converters (CT MASH ADCs), quantization noise cancellation often requires accurate estimation of transfer functions, e.g., a noise transfer function of the front end modulator and a signal transfer function of the back end modulator. To provide quantization noise cancellation, digital quantization noise cancellation filters adaptively tracks transfer function variations due to integrator gain errors, flash-to-DAC timing errors, as well as the inter-stage gain and timing errors. Tracking the transfer functions is performed through the direct cross-correlation between the injected maximum length linear feedback shift registers (LFSR) sequence and modulator outputs and then corrects these non-ideal effects by accurately modeling the transfer functions with programmable finite impulse response (PFIR) filters.

An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a device that can include a reference shuffler and a loop filter. An ADC can achieve better performance with incremental adjustment of a pointer of the reference shuffler, changing coefficients of the loop filter, and storing calibration codes of the ADC in a non-volatile memory. By incrementally adjusting a pointer of the reference shuffler, a calibration can be performed more efficiently than with a random adjustment of the pointer. By temporarily changing the loop filter coefficients, a greater amount of activity can be introduced into the loop filter. This activity can allow the calibration to proceed more efficiently. By storing the calibration codes in a non-volatile memory, a search space for calibration codes can be reduced. Thus, a calibration can occur more quickly, and the calibration itself can be improved.

A flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes comparators that convert an analog input signal to a digital output signal. Offsets of these comparators introduce noise and can hurt the performance of the ADC. Thus, these comparators are calibrated using calibration codes. Conventional calibration methods determine these calibration codes by removing the ADC from an input signal. Otherwise, it is difficult to distinguish the noise from the signal in the calibration measurement. In contrast, an embodiment can determine the calibration codes while the ADC converts the input signal to a digital signal. Such an embodiment can be achieved by a frequency-domain technique. In an embodiment employing a frequency-domain power meter, an input signal can be removed from the power measurement. This removal enables accurate measurement of in-band noise without having the measurement be corrupted by input signal power.

Method for the production of a coarse-grained ammonium sulphate product by crystallization and installation for carrying out the method from an ammonium sulphate solution in a DTB type crystallizer having an internal suspension circuit and a clarifying zone, from which a clarified partial flow of solution is constantly drawn off into an external circuit, is heated in a heat exchanger to dissolve the solids contained therein and is guided back as a clear solution into the lower region of the crystallizer. A fine crystal suspension flow is drawn off from the clarifying zone as a further partial flow and guided back into the internal circuit of the crystallization stage without any previous dissolution of the solid proportion contained therein.

Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.

Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.

A method of producing a surface-treated carbon black powder dispersion includes subjecting carbon black fine particles having a volume average particle size of 100 nm to 20 μm to wet granulation and drying by heating to obtain granulated carbon black having a hardness of 12 cN or less and a pH of less than 7, grinding the granulated carbon black to obtain a ground product having a volume average particle size of 20 nm to 20 μm, and subjecting the ground product to wet oxidization in an aqueous medium. The resulting surface-treated carbon black powder dispersion exhibits excellent print density, print quality, discharge stability, and storage stability when used as an inkjet printer aqueous black ink.

Provided is a method and an apparatus for purifying potassium nitrate from the solid waste produced by a chemical glass-strengthening process. In the method, the solid waste is melted into a liquid waste at first. Potassium nitrate of various purity grades can be obtained by batch processing the liquid waste through stepwise cooling processes of cooling the liquid waste to a first temperature facilitating the potassium nitrate contained in the liquid waste to be crystallized at a first rate and then cooling the liquid waste to a second temperature close to the freezing point of the potassium nitrate at a second rate that is slower than the first rate. The recovered potassium nitrate from the solid waste can be recycled and reused.

A process is provided for preparing a salt product with reduced sodium content including the step of providing a concentrated brine, which is typically seawater, to which has been added potassium chloride. The mixture is transferred to a crystallizer unit where at least a portion of the mix is transferred to the crystallizer through a washing column. Liquid is evaporated from the crystallizer such that crystals form, crystals are passed from the crystallizer through said washing column to a separating unit such that in the passing through the washing column the crystals are rinsed with the brine portion being transferred as a counter current through the column. The inventive process is characterized by recycling of the brine from which the salt crystallizes, thus all main ingredients of the mixed input brine reach a steady equilibrium concentration in the mother liquor in the crystallizer. These will then precipitate as crystals, as more of the respective substances gets added to the mother liquor through inflow of mixed input brine. None of the liquor is purged out of the system as in conventional salt crystallizers. All the components in the feed are substantially contained in the product from the crystallizer either as crystalline material or soluble ingredients.

The present invention relates generally to processes for preparing agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks of a particle size suitable for reaction in certain gasification reactors and, in particular, for coal gasification. The present invention also relates to integrated coal gasification processes including preparing and utilizing such agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks.

Small, little-known companies are selling CBD as a cure-all. While the Trump Administration has deregulated right and left — for instance, allowing polluters to go hog wild — the Food and Drug Administration isn't effing around when it comes to cracking down on companies selling supposed cures for the COVID-19 virus. Several of those targeted companies make CBD.…

For the safety of everyone, please do your part. Last Friday, health officers in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and several of their Bay Area counterparts issued an order generally requiring workers and members of the public to wear face masks when they are out and about in the community. The orders were sweeping, and applied to most of the cases in which any of us leave our homes during this global health emergency.…

More than a month since officials closed schools due to Covid-19, California leaders said a two-week blitz led by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has brought in 70,000 computers and other devices that will be distributed to needy students this week. Gov. Gavin Newsom has stressed the importance of distance learning and education multiple times during the past month—even talking about helping his own children with school work.…

Provided is a garment generating electricity which transforms kinematic energy generated when a user wearing the garment walks and/or swings arms past torso to an electric energy, and has a simple structure and is produced at low cost, and realizes excellent electricity generation efficiency. A garment generating electricity from ambulation or aim swinging past torso or both includes a magnet member arranged on a first part of a garment to generate magnetic field, a coil member provided on a second part of the garment which reciprocally moves with the first part of the garment while walking or swinging aims past torso, the coil member generating electricity from the magnetic field of the magnet member, and a storage battery charged with the electricity generated by the coil member.

A system and method provides a piezoelectric stack arrangement for reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level for active piezoelectric materials. A stack arrangement of d36 shear mode single crystals of both air X-cut and Y-cut ±1:45° (±20°) arrangement are bonded with discrete conductive pillars to form a shear crystal stack. The bonding area between the neighboring crystal parts is minimized. The bonding pillars are positioned at less than a total surface are of the single crystal forming the stack. The stack fabrication is facilitated with a precision assembly system, where crystal parts are placed to desired locations on an assembly fixture for alignment following the preset operation steps. With the reduced clamping effect from bonding due to lower surface coverage of the discrete conductive pillars, such a piezoelectric d36 shear crystal stack exhibits a reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level and substantial and surprisingly improved performance.

A displacement sensor having a rectangular shaped elastic member. A piezoelectric element is attached to a first main face of the elastic member. The piezoelectric element has a rectangular-shaped piezoelectric sheet and electrodes on both main faces of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet is made of poly-L-lactic acid and is at least uniaxially-stretched. The piezoelectric element is attached so that the uniaxial-stretching direction of the piezoelectric sheet is 45° relative to a long-side direction of the elastic member. When the elastic member is bent along the long-side direction, the piezoelectric sheet is stretched along the long-side direction, and the piezoelectric element generates voltage of predetermined level.

In an elastic wave device, a piezoelectric substrate is stacked on a support substrate and an IDT electrode is provided on the piezoelectric substrate. Wiring line portions are provided on the piezoelectric substrate. A first hollow portion is provided in the support substrate at least below at least one of the wiring line portions and or below a region between the wiring line portions.

A pair of notches or slits in a collar can prevent the formation of bulky crests or wrinkling when the collar is arranged in an outer open ‘continental style’ under a jacket, however there is also a propensity for such a collar to curl up at the notches. The invention herein discloses the use of a fastening means to prevent the slit borders, forming the edge surfaces of each back section of the collar, from curling up from the shirt surface. The fastener means are located on each side of the collar, such that one member is located on the inner surface of the back collar where the outside edge meets the base of the slit edge and the other member is located on the outer surface of the collar band.

A device for enhancing support of eyeglasses on the head of a person. The device is in the form of an independent support member or an adjustable strap having a support member to enhance support of eyeglasses. The strap may include a cushion to provide comfort. The support member includes a hook for supporting the eyeglasses. The device is useful for supporting eyeglasses from the bridge of the nose of a person who has undergone rhinoplasty surgery or for supporting heavy equipment associated with eyeglasses used for surgical applications. The independent support member is easily attached to a head-engaging device and eyeglasses to enhance support of the eyeglasses.

The present disclosure refers to an elasticized structure and a method for making such an elasticized structure. The elasticized structure, includes a first piece and at least one second piece. The first piece is superimposed and fixed onto the second piece in at least a first fixing zone and at least a second fixing zone. The second piece is at least partially made of an elastic material and has an internal zone comprised between the first fixing zone and the second fixing zone. The elasticized structure is able to assume a tensioned position and a rest position. In the rest position, the first piece has a hump comprised between the first fixing zone and the second fixing zone and flat parts alongside said first fixing zone and said second fixing zone, respectively.

An inflatable bonnet cap system for wrapping around a user's hair featuring an inflatable headpiece with a series of inflatable horizontal and vertical tubes, each horizontal tube has connectors and a valve for inflation, and a spring ring having a spring ring tube constructed with accordion-style seams, the spring ring tube has connectors with valves for inflation. An insert edge is on the bottom edge of the bottommost horizontal tube, and a wedge is disposed on the top surface of the spring ring tube. The insert edge can be accepted into the wedge of the spring ring tube. The system of is inflatable and retractable.

Drum pedal assemblies are disclosed which can include one or more adjustment features. Adjustment features which can be included in embodiments of the invention can include spring tension adjustment features, pedal incline adjustment features, lever length adjustment features, beater stem angle adjustment features, chain path adjustment features, operable chain length adjustment features, and chain connection point position adjustment features.

Presented is a method for controlling an electronic stringed instrument. Embodiments of electrical stringed instruments according to the present invention can be actual stringed instruments or virtual representations of stringed instruments. The methods provide a way in which to teach and play electronic stringed instruments which allow a novice musician to focus on a small portion of playing of a stringed instrument while maintaining overall musicality and ability to play the instrument.

An installation structure for an acoustic transducer configured to vibrate a vibrated body in a first direction so as to permit the vibrated body to generate sounds, wherein the acoustic transducer includes: a magnetic-path forming portion that forms a magnetic path; a vibrating unit configured to vibrate in the first direction; and a connecting unit connecting the vibrating unit and the vibrated body to transmit vibration of the vibrating unit to the vibrated body, wherein the magnetic-path forming portion has a through-hole penetrating therethrough in the first direction from a first opening to a second opening, the connecting unit passing through the through-hole, wherein the vibrating unit is disposed on a first-opening side of the magnetic-path forming portion and is fixed to the connecting unit on the first-opening side, and wherein the vibrated body is connected to the connecting unit on a second-opening side of the magnetic-path forming portion.

According to some aspects, a cymbal system is provided, comprising a cymbal, and a vibrational transducer magnetically coupled to the cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal. According to some aspects, a method for transducing vibrations of a cymbal is provided, comprising magnetically coupling a vibrational transducer to a cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal.