en Method and apparatus for sequencing-batch purification of potassium nitrate from solid waste produced by glass-strengthening process By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST 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. Full Article
en Production of low sodium salt with balanced mineral content By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
en Application of carbon nanotubes on agglomerates of ore fines to increase the mechanical strength thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An application of carbon nanotubes on agglomerates of ore fines to increase the mechanical strength is provided. A process for the preparation of ore agglomerates having enhanced mechanical strength by the application of the carbon nanotubes is also provided. Full Article
en Can't Get an Instacart Delivery Appointment? By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 Fremont high school student Araav Patel has got you covered. Plus, union says whistblower fired, and governor plans for the end of lockdown. Araav Patel lives in a household containing several people at greater risk from COVID-19. The Fremont high school student lives with his parents and grandparents, and suffers personally from a heart condition.… Full Article News
en Over a Million California Students Lack Access to Remote Learning By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 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.… Full Article News
en What if They Held a Pandemic (And A Rent Strike Broke Out Instead?) By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 Prepare for a May Day like no other. When Bay Area counties imposed stay-at-home orders to limit the COVID-19 epidemic, Richmond resident Blanca Retano lost her job as a parent educator at an elementary school. Her husband, a chef, had his hours cut to nine a week.… Full Article Feature
en PIEZOELECTRIC DEVICE FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL VOLTAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electrical voltage-generating piezoelectric device comprising at least a first blade (1) with a curved portion (10) defining a first arm (11) and a second arm (12) of the blade, the first arm (11) being intended to be fastened to a fixed support, the second arm (12) being substantially flat and having a free end (120) designed to oscillate around its resting position under the effect of mechanical force, at least one piezoelectric element (31) resting upon one of the main surfaces (14) of the second arm (12) of the first blade. The device also includes a second blade (2) identical in structure to the first blade (1), the first arms (11, 21) of the first and second blades (1, 2) being fastened together on all or part of their surfaces and being fixed relative to each other. Full Article
en ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE USING ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An energy harvesting device includes: a first nanoporous electrode and a second nanoporous electrode, each of which is configured to which store electrical charge; a first current collector connected to the first nanoporous electrode and a second current collector connected to the second nanoporous electrode; and an enclosure that contains the first and second nanoporous electrodes and the first and second current collectors and transfers a force applied from the outside to the first nanoporous electrode and the second nanoporous electrode, wherein at least one of the first nanoporous electrode and the second nanoporous electrode comprises an ion conductive polymer. Full Article
en GARMENT GENERATING ELECTRICITY BY AMBULATION OR ARM SWINGING PAST TORSO OR BOTH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
en TRACTION AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A suspension system (20) is described for vehicle with a frame, comprising an element (R, 12) propulsive by rolling on the ground; two units (12a, 12b) adapted to impart a torque to the propulsive element that are controllable independently of one another, where the two units are movable relative to the propulsive element independently from one another and rigidly connectable to the frame at one same point (P). By moving one or each unit relative to the propulsive element the distance between the latter and said point is made to vary. Full Article
en CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A ceramic electronic component includes a laminated body including ceramic layers and conductor layers stacked alternately; and first and second external electrodes provided on portions of the laminated body. Each of the first and second external electrodes includes a sintered metal layer provided on the laminated body, a conductive resin layer covering the sintered metal layer, and a plated layer covering the conductive resin layer. The maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on the second principal surface is shorter than the maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on each of the first and second side surfaces. Full Article
en CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A ceramic electronic component includes a laminated body including ceramic layers and conductor layers stacked alternately; and first and second external electrodes provided on portions of the laminated body. Each of the first and second external electrodes includes a sintered metal layer provided on the laminated body, a conductive resin layer covering the sintered metal layer, and a plated layer covering the conductive resin layer. The maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on the second principal surface is shorter than the maximum length of the sintered metal layer provided on each of the first and second side surfaces. Full Article
en DISPLACEMENT SENSOR, DISPLACEMENT DETECTING DEVICE, AND OPERATION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
en Activity accessory with energy harvesting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods are provided for activity accessory including an energy harvester or generator. In an example, an activity accessory can include a first enclosure and an energy generator enclosed within the first enclosure. The energy generator can include a second enclosure. The energy generator can include a spherical magnet housed within the second enclosure and windings surrounding the second enclosure. Movement of the spherical magnet within the second enclosure can induce charge movement in the windings. Full Article
en Interior Permanent Magnet Rotor Unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An object is to provide an interior permanent magnet rotor unit that allows possible demagnetization to be suppressed regardless of a material for a portion of a permanent magnet, which is positioned on an outward side in a radial direction of a core. A core is a laminate of first thin-plate-like members and second thin-plate-like members. The first thin-plate-like members and the second thin-plate-like members have first insertion slots and second insertion slots each of which is filled with a permanent magnet. In the first thin-plate-like members, a separating portion is formed at an end of each of the first insertion slots or the second insertion slots, which end is located on an outward side of the insertion slot in a radial direction, to form a slit in the corresponding permanent magnet. Full Article
en ELECTRIC MACHINE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE ELECTRIC MACHINE, ROTOR AND ADJUSTMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electric machine of a motor vehicle, in particular of an adjustment drive or of a radiator fan, has a rotor which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a machine axis. The rotor has a number of permanent magnets which are arranged in the radial direction. Each permanent magnet has one side with a strong magnetic flux and one side with a weak magnetic flux in the tangential direction. When the permanent magnets are adjacent in the tangential direction, different sides are directed towards one another. Full Article
en PERMANENT MAGNET, PERMANENT MAGNET MANUFACTURING METHOD, ROTATING ELECTRIC MACHINE, AND ROTATING ELECTRIC MACHINE MANUFACTURING METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Raw material magnet is milled to magnet powder, and the magnet powder thus milled is mixed with a binder to form a compound 12. Then, the compound 12 thus formed is molded to a green sheet 14 having a sheet shape. Thereafter, a magnetic field orientation is carried out by applying a magnetic field to the green sheet 14 thus molded, and then, the green sheet 14 having been subjected to the magnetic field orientation is shaped to a product shape by deforming thereof. Thereafter, the permanent magnet 1 is produced by sintering thereof. The permanent magnet 1 has a ring shape, and is constituted such that an axis of easy magnetization may be orientated at a slant so as to converge in a direction along a converging axis P which is set to a radius direction as well as to a center direction of the ring shape. Full Article
en COOLING ARRANGEMENT FOR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electric motor includes a stator operable to produce a magnetic field and defining an opening, and a rotor at least partially disposed within the opening. The rotor includes a shaft extending along a rotational axis, a first rotor magnetic core portion including a plurality of laminations stacked contiguously on the shaft, and a second rotor magnetic core portion coupled to the plurality of laminations. The first rotor magnetic core portion and the second rotor magnetic core portion cooperate to define the rotor magnetic core. A plurality of windings is coupled to the rotor magnetic core and an air flow path is formed as part of the second rotor magnetic core portion. The air flow path includes an axial portion that passes through the shaft axially along the rotational axis and a radial portion that extends radially outward through the second rotor magnetic core portion. Full Article
en VIBRATION MOTOR, VIBRATOR-ATTACHED BOARD, SILENT NOTIFICATION DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING VIBRATION MOTOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A vibration motor includes a base portion arranged to extend perpendicularly to a central axis extending in a vertical direction; a shaft having a lower end fixed to the base portion, and arranged to project upward along the central axis; a circuit board; a coil portion; a bearing portion; a rotor holder; a magnet portion; an eccentric weight; a cover portion; and a motor electrode portion electrically connected to the circuit board, and arranged to project downward below a lower surface of the base portion. The entire base portion and the entire circuit board are arranged inside of an outer circumferential edge of a lower end of the cover portion. Full Article
en Single Phase Permanent Magnet Motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A single phase permanent magnet motor includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a stator core with windings. The stator core includes a yoke and claw-poles. Each claw-pole forms an arc pole face which is an involute curved face. All arc pole faces cooperatively define a space for receiving the rotor. A gradually changing uneven air gap is defined between the arc pole faces and the rotor. When the motor powers off and stops, the pole axis of the rotor is offset from the central axis of the claw-poles by a certain angle to avoid the rotor to stop at a dead point position, thus facilitating next startup of the motor. Full Article
en SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING, STORING, AND USING ELECTRICAL ENERGY FROM THE EARTH MAGNETIC FIELD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems for using the Earth's magnetic field to power a machine having a motor, the system including a computer, a plurality of wires, a plurality of energy storing devices, all in controlled electrical communication with each other, wherein the plurality of wires can collect electrical energy from the Earth's magnetic field while the machine is put in motion by a power source powering the motor, wherein the collected electrical energy is stored in the plurality of energy storing devices or used to power the motor. Full Article
en Triboelectric Energy Harvesting Device and Method for Manufacturing Same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a triboelectric energy harvesting device and a method for manufacturing the same. The triboelectric energy harvesting device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first frictional layer provided with a first surface having first electron affinity, and a second frictional layer facing the first surface and having second electron affinity, wherein at least one of the first and second frictional layers is formed of an elastic material and is provided in an elastic structure. Full Article
en Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Powering Portable Electronics By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A triboelectric generator includes a first contact charging member and a second contact charging member. The first contact charging member includes a first contact layer and a conductive electrode layer. The first contact layer includes a material that has a triboelectric series rating indicating a propensity to gain electrons due to a contacting event. The conductive electrode layer is disposed along the back side of the contact layer. The second contact charging member is spaced apart from and disposed oppositely from the first contact charging member. It includes an electrically conductive material layer that has a triboelectric series rating indicating a propensity to lose electrons when contacted by the first contact layer during the contacting event. The electrically conductive material acts as an electrode. A mechanism maintains a space between the first contact charging member and the second contact charging member except when a force is applied thereto. Full Article
en AT-CUT CRYSTAL ELEMENT, CRYSTAL RESONATOR AND CRYSTAL UNIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An AT-cut crystal element includes a crystal element having two side surfaces (namely, a Z'-surface) intersecting with a Z-axis of a crystallographic axis thereof. At least one of the two side surfaces is constituted of three of first to third surfaces. The first to the third surfaces meeting following conditions: the first to the third surfaces intersect with one another in this order and formed by rotating a principal surface of the crystal element by predetermined angles; and expressing the angle of the first surface as θ1, a length of the first surface as D, a thickness of a part of the crystal element having the principal surface as t, and M=D/t, and a conversion percentage as fn (M, (θ1)), the θ1 and the M are set such that the conversion percentage fn (M, (θ1)) becomes a predetermined value Th or less. Full Article
en Integrated garment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A modular garment system includes an attachment system for attaching multiple garments together. In one embodiment, the garment system includes an upper body garment that is attachable to a lower body garment. The upper body garment includes a plurality of connectors that are aligned with a plurality of retaining members on the lower body garment. The retaining members on the lower body garment, for instance, may be placed on top of existing belt loops. The retaining members may include a flap, while the connectors may have a loop-like structure. In order to connect the upper body garment to the lower body garment, the flap may be inserted into the loop-like structure and secured to the lower body garment. The upper body garment can also include a draw cord that can be used to further secure the upper body garment against the lower body garment. Full Article
en Glove and attachment therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is included a hooking cord 52 disposed on the back side of said finger insertion parts and held in and over at least three finger insertion parts 40C, 40D and 40E corresponding to a middle finger, a third finger and a little finger among the five finger insertion parts 40A through 40E of the glove body 10B so as to adjust a distance between the adjacent finger insertion parts whereby the three finger insertion parts can be pulled simultaneously by hooking the hooking cord 52 with a little finger of a hand not wearing the glove and grasping the finger insertion parts 40A and 40B corresponding the thumb and the first finger with a thumb and a first finger of the hand not wearing the glove 10. Full Article
en Convertible golf garment with integrated belt loops By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-layered garment may comprise components that are affixed using integrated belt loops. In particular, shorts belt loops of a shorts component may pass through an opening created when single-layer skirt belt loops of a skirt component are oriented outwards. Both the skirt belt loops and the shorts belt loops may be fully functional and aesthetically pleasing belt loops. Additionally, the shorts belt loops may be combined with the skirt belt loops to form integrated belt loops, thereby allowing a belt to pass beneath both sets of belt loops simultaneously to affix the shorts component to the skirt component. Full Article
en Surface treatment device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device used to smooth a material's surface with abrasion. More specifically, the device is in the form of a glove or mitten with an abrasive layer that is placed over, and secured on, a user's hand to protect the user's hand and to provide an agile and flexible range of motion while sanding a material's surface. Full Article
en Impact sensing device and helmet incorporating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An impact sensing device including a plurality of accelerometers orthogonally oriented with respect to each other and attachable at a body location, each capable of producing a signal indicative of an impact. An integrated circuit is configured to determine the magnitude and direction of the impact based on the signals and operative to activate an indicator when the magnitude exceeds a selected threshold based on the direction of the impact. A head injury coefficient is determined based on the magnitude and a duration of the impact, and the threshold level of acceleration is expressed in terms of a head injury coefficient value. The head injury coefficient value is determined by empirically correlating a head injury coefficient measured at the body location and a head injury coefficient measured at the center of mass of a human head resulting from an impact. Full Article
en Urination opening in men's underwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fabric assembly attachable to the front side of a men's underwear and a men's underwear having such a fabric assembly are described. The fabric assembly has layers of fabrics having linear slots perpendicular to each other so that the wearer can take his genital organ out through the intersection of the linear slots. The peripheries of the fabric layers are elastically stitched together to make a fabric assembly. The fabric layers have sufficient rigidity such that the linear slots do not open under the pressure of the genital organ, unless the wearer uses his hands to open the slots. The fabric assembly may also have a flap on the inside or outside of the fabric layers. One or two sides of the flap may be attached to the men's underwear and the other sides may not be attached to permit easy opening of the flap by hand. Full Article
en Personal protection device and garment incorporating said device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A personal protection device for protecting a user is described. The personal protection device can have an inflatable member having an internal chamber that can be inflated or deflated according to predetermined conditions. Full Article
en Visor attachment mechanism in helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In this invention, a visor is configured to be inserted into a slit of a movable plate. One of an engaging projecting portion and an engaging concave portion is provided on the visor, and the other is provided on the movable plate. When the visor pivots in a first direction about the engaging projecting portion, a concave corner portion of the visor comes into contact with a first position regulating portion of the movable plate, thereby impeding the pivotal movement of the visor. When the visor pivots in a second direction, the outer wall surface of the visor comes into contact with wall portions of the movable plate, thereby impeding the pivotal movement of the visor. Full Article
en Energy absorbing athletic glove By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove. Full Article
en Physical treatment garment By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Physical treatment garment for aiding in treatment and healing of injured or strained muscles. Garment is made of flexible material that can be pulled up around the waist, such as compression shorts or full length tights or leggings, and the garment has one or more pockets in the thigh and/or hamstring area to hold cold packs or heat packs and have a fastener apparatus at the top. The garment has fastening apparatuses on or about the hip area and on or about just above the knee. Using a flexible or compression wrap with the compatible fastening apparatuses, the compression wrap is wrapped around the leg and/or groin area and secured using the fastening apparatuses. Pockets for ice or heat treatment are similarly located in the front or rear of the tights or leggings with fastening connections to hold ice or heat packs for treatment of the applicable injury. Full Article
en Auto darkening filter adapter frame assembly for a welding helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adapter frame assembly is provided to receive and support an extra-large 110 mm×110 mm ADF, safety lens and diopter within the viewing window of an existing welding helmet. The adapter frame assembly provides for replacement of the safety lens without removing the ADF and installation or removal of a diopter without removing the safety lens or diopter. The ADF, safety lens and diopter are all easy to install and change. Full Article
en Means to secure a lens into lens frame of a snow goggle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to a means of securing a lens member into a snow goggle frame member, wherein the goggle frame member includes first insertion apertures, with first locating blocks at front edge, the lens member has a lens secured thereon, the lens includes first troughs to receive a corresponding first block therein, a pair of first rails are formed at respective sides of the first trough, each first rail has a first notch which includes a pair of second notches thereat, retainers are secured to the goggle frame and lens frame respectively, one end of the first insertion aperture includes a first insertion post at one end and a first insertion section at the other end thereof to receive the first insertion post therein, the first insertion section is then inserted into the first notch. The goggle may be replaced with various lenses and secured firmly. Full Article
en Protective garment with vent features By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A protective garment including a heat, flame and abrasion resistant outer shell configured to be worn on at least part of a body of a wearer, the outer shell including an opening formed therein. The garment further includes a heat and flame resistant material, of a different type of material than the outer shell, positioned in the opening. Full Article
en Orthopedic component for use with an orthopedic brace By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An orthopedic component for use in orthopedic device includes a rigid frame and a flexible subshell connected to and extending flexibly outwardly from the rigid frame. The subshell may have a shell body and a perimeter edge portion defining a lip extending outwardly from a surface of a shell body and defining a clearance between the shell body and the lip. The subshell may include a plurality of slots and ventilated padding is used in combination with the slots. A tightenable fastener may be adjustably secured to the rigid frame and extend through an opening on the subshell, wherein the first side portion of the subshell is adjustable in location relative to the rigid frame. Full Article
en DRUM PEDAL WITH FEATURES FOR ADJUSTMENT OF CHAIN OR SIMILAR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
en Expressive Damper for a Percussive Instrument By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a sound modification device used for a percussion instrument. It is comprised of a rigid clip that is spring-based to a closed position and an integrated dampening material, leather or plastic etc., that comes in contact with the vibrating surface. Once the clip is pulled apart it can be released to firmly attach over the hoop of any drum. The musician can choose the size or material of the dampening component to eliminate unwanted ring and or change the resonant note of the drum. The thickness of the dampening component can also be chosen by the drummer to increase or decrease the dampening characteristics. Full Article
en ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM AND EFFECTS MODULE FOR SUCH A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an electronic musical instrument system (1) for influencing the sound of an electric musical instrument having a housing (2) that has signal ports (14, 18) and a power supply port (15). In order to simplify the individual combination of different audio effects, the housing (2) contains control electronics (6) that have associated slots (4a-4f) for effects modules (19), wherein the slots (4a-4f) are arranged in the housing (2) and each slot (4a-4f) has a multipin connection (5a-5f) for connection to a plug-in effects module (19). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding effects module (19). Full Article
en Selective pitch emulator for electrical stringed instruments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
en INSTALLATION STRUCTURE FOR ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 04 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
en DISPLAY DEVICE FOR PRACTICE OF KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT DIAGRAMED WITH BLACK KEYS AS MARKERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT In the present invention, images of a keyboard can be efficiently input into a learner's brain by using a display device in which two kinds of parallel black keys on a keyboard instrument are diagrammed as marker figures which are a substantially n-shaped figure and a substantially m-shaped figure, and the positions of pressed keys are plotted onto the marker figures. The display device can be configured using, for example, printed matter (e.g., a sheet or a card), a font set, an electronic display, and a three-dimensional object, and is provided as a sheet for writing music, performance or practice sheet music, learning cards, or a three-dimensional mimic keyboard. Altogether, provided is a novel music education method based on the images of a keyboard. Full Article
en Mounting System For Pivotal Coupling Of A Tuner To An Instrument By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein are embodiments of a mounting system for pivotal coupling to an instrument, the mounting system including a tuner, a ball element outwardly extending from the tuner, and a socket element having a wall defining a socket in communication with a wall opening; whereby the socket is configured to pivotally receive at least a portion of the ball element via the wall opening to pivotally couple the ball element to the socket element. Full Article
en STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A stringed musical instrument including a body in which a cutaway is formed, wherein the body includes a back board on which at least one brace is provided so as to extend in a width direction of the back board, and wherein a first brace, which is the closest to the cutaway among the at least one brace, has a dimension in the width direction of the back board smaller than a width of the back board at a position of the back board at which the first brace is fixed, the first brace being fixed to the back board so as to be disposed nearer to one side of the back board than another side thereof on which the cutaway is formed. Full Article
en Bow for string instruments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A bow includes: a stick, a bow head at a front end of the stick, a frog at a tail end of the stick; and a bow hair tightly connected between the bow head and the frog. The bow further includes: a first hair binding terminal and a second hair binding terminal, respectively for mounting two ends of the bow hair; a locking screw, for fixing the first hair binding terminal at the bow head by rotating tight, and releasing the fixed first hair binding terminal by rotating loose; and a cover, slidably provided on the frog, wherein the cover slides back and forth to detachably fix the second hair binding terminal in the frog. Full Article
en BOWED STRING INSTRUMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a bowed string instrument that allows a player to hold it in a stable manner and to handle a bow and strings without much effect. A bowed string instrument 1 has a body 102, a shoulder pad 103 connected to the body 102, a body receiver 106 disposed below the body 102 so as to receive a load of the body, and an operative joint portion 107 coupling the body 102 and the body receiver 106 to each other while allowing the body 102 to be slidable on a spherical surface. The body 102 includes a fingerboard 105, a plurality of strings 104 extending above the fingerboard 105, and a pair of bridges for supporting and tensioning the plurality of strings 104 above the fingerboard 105. Full Article
en Procedurally Generating Background Music for Sponsored Audio By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A content server generates sponsored audio including procedurally generated background music. The content server obtains reference music features describing musicological characteristics of reference songs as well as sponsored audio information received from a third-party. The content server determines music generation parameters based on the sponsored audio information and based on a music model mapping the reference music features to music generation parameters. The music model may incorporate machine learning techniques to improve the mapping. The content server generates background music by using the determined music generation parameters as input to a procedural music algorithm, and generates sponsored audio by combining the generated background music concurrently with an audio voiceover obtained from the sponsored audio information. The sponsored audio is provided to a client device, which presents the sponsored audio to a user. Full Article
en Methods for Stringed Instrument Construction By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT The Invention is designed so that it is comfortable to hold, and easy to play for long periods of time without becoming fatigued. There are two different designs that the invention can utilize. Both designs provide for an instrument that is compact, making it comfortable for the musician to reach various parts of the fingerboard while still providing a normal scale fretboard. The first design features one neck, shaped to look like the letter Z. The neck is actually composed of three sections: The first section contains the lower notes of the fretboard, while the second section contains the higher notes. Between these two sections sits a connecting strut that connects the strings via an additional string saddle. This design thus produces uses two separate fretboard areas that are easy to reach, providing comfortable access to a full scale of notes. The second design includes two wholly separate necks, similar to a double neck guitar. (1) One neck is normal length and is meant to be used to play the higher notes of the scale. The musician has the option to play the lower notes on this neck, as well. To make the lower notes easier to reach, another neck is included just below the first neck. The second neck is either placed further up the body horizontally, or is undersized, making the lower frets closer to the body of the musician. The second neck's bridge is located on the back of the instrument, thus providing a regular string length, and thus a full scale of notes. This design is similar to that of portable guitars, but goes a step further. Instead of replacing the head stock of the instrument with a back mounted bridge, (2) or using a removable neck, (3) the placement of the neck is moved further up the body horizontally. Like some portable instruments, the bridge is mounted on the back side, but for different reasons. In the invention, the bridge is moved much further up the back of the instrument, allowing either the neck to be placed further up the body on the front side, or an undersized neck to be used, thus keeping a full scale of notes on the fretboard. The lower notes of this neck are easier to reach than a normal positioned neck. The higher notes of this neck will be hard to reach, but can be utilized by musicians for some applications, most notably slide playing, and harmonic effects. For others, the first neck will be used for playing on higher frets.Additionally, both instrument designs utilize a curved underside, conforming to the shape of the leg, thus providing for comfortable sitting playing. Full Article