k Control device and method for intelligent basketball shooting machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure refers to a control device and method for an intelligent basketball shooting machine, the device includes a control module, a blue-tooth communication module, a display module, a control switch, a power-supplying module, and a first sensor and a second sensor both for counting; the first sensor is used for catching amount of goals in one basket of basketball shooting machine, and the second sensor used for catching amount of goals in another basket of basketball shooting machine; the first sensor, second sensor, blue-tooth communication module, display module, control switch and power-supplying module are respectively connected with control module; the disclosure makes the basketball shooting machine go on single game or online game, besides, the player can play the shooting game with friends by remote way just through an intelligent terminal, which increases interest and convenience. Full Article
k Chess-Like Board Game By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A chess-like board game with a commercial name of Starship Chess provides a one-on-one tactical space combat game, like the game of chess between two versatile playing pieces. The game is played by two players and each player has a fully maneuverable starship, complete with manageable resources, engines, weapons, and shields. Each player must navigate his starship in order to gain an advantage over the player's opponent with respect to direction and position. A starship can engage, withdraw, replenish, and reposition to plan out attacks. Players must learn to think ahead, predict opposing player's tactics, and outwit the opponent to win. Full Article
k DELIVERY SHOE WITH MASKING CAPABILITY FOR CARD BACKS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of using a dealer shoe that is configured to provide access to and removal of playing cards from within the dealer shoe includes: a base, a front plate forming a lower gap with the plate through which individual playing cards can pass, a top, and opposed sides joining the base, top, two sides and the front plate to form a card-carrying cavity. The front plate further is associated with a light producing element configured to shine light (e.g., in patterns, in colors, and the like) over a back of a first playing card extending out of the lower gap; and the wavelength and intensity and qualities of the shone light being sufficient to reduce optical contrast of different colors and/or shades on the back of the first playing card or otherwise disrupt optical viewing of printed images on the backs of playing cards. Full Article
k DELIVERY SHOE WITH MASKING CAPABILITY FOR CARD BACKS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of using a dealer shoe that is configured to provide access to and removal of playing cards from within the dealer shoe includes: a base, a front plate forming a lower gap with the plate through which individual playing cards can pass, a top, and opposed sides joining the base, top, two sides and the front plate to form a card-carrying cavity. The front plate further is associated with a light producing element configured to shine light (e.g., in patterns, in colors, and the like) over a back of a first playing card extending out of the lower gap; and the wavelength and intensity and qualities of the shone light being sufficient to reduce optical contrast of different colors and/or shades on the back of the first playing card or otherwise disrupt optical viewing of printed images on the backs of playing cards. Full Article
k METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING A CARD DECK LIBRARY AND MASTER IMAGES FOR A DECK OF CARDS, AND A RELATED CARD PROCESSING APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
k NOVEL MICROCHANNEL STRUCTURE AND HEAT SINK HAVING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention mainly provides a novel microchannel structure comprising a plurality of first fluid-guiding channels, a plurality of micro fluid-guiding channels and a plurality of second fluid-guiding channels. Particularly, the first fluid-guiding channel has an arc-shaped fluid-guiding end corner communicating with a first channel opening of the micro fluid-guiding channel, and the second fluid-guiding channel has an arc-shaped fluid-guiding start corner communicating with a second channel opening of the micro fluid-guiding channel. Therefore, when a refrigerant fluid flows in the heat sink, the flow speed of the refrigerant fluid would be changed because the cross sectional area of an U-shaped fluid-guiding channel constructed by the arc-shaped fluid-guiding end corner, the micro fluid-guiding channel and the arc-shaped fluid-guiding start corner varies along the flow direction of the refrigerant fluid, such that the heat dissipating ability of the heat sink is enhanced without increasing the power of circulation pump. Full Article
k Method and System for Discharging Flexitank Viscous Material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A discharge system that includes a flexitank having product stored therein and a discharge port. The discharge port is selectively fluidly connected to a first or second heat exchanger input port. The first heat exchanger has an outlet port that is in selective communication with either a second heat exchanger input port, or a discharge location. The second heat exchanger has an outlet port in selective fluid communication with discharge location. The first heat exchanger transfers heat to product flowing through the first heat exchanger; and the second heat exchanger removes heat from product flowing through the second heat exchanger. Full Article
k HEAT EXCHANGER AND METHOD OF MAKING A HEAT EXCHANGER By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present document discloses a plate type heat exchanger for an oil cooler, comprising at least two heat exchanger members, each enclosing a respective first cavity (C1), at least one inlet port (20, 22), for feeding a medium to the first cavities and at least one output port (21, 23) for extracting the medium from the first cavities (C1); and at least one mounting member (13, 14), which is attached to an outside of an outermost one, as seen in a stacking direction (Z), of the heat exchanger members. A second cavity (C2) is formed between the at least two heat exchanger members. A medium present in the second cavity (C2) is isolated from a medium present in the first cavities (C1). A reinforcement plate (30, 31) is located on an inside of the outermost one of the heat exchanger members, and at least partially overlapping the mounting member (13, 14). Full Article
k Heat Sink and Case Having the Same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat sink adapted to dissipate heat from a heat source includes a heat dissipating unit that includes at least one deformation portion protruding toward the heat source, and a reflective surface formed on the deformation portion and facing the heat source for reflecting radiant heat from the heat source. A case including the heat sink is also disclosed. Full Article
k LIQUID-COOLING HEAT SINK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A liquid-cooling heat sink has a heat-conductive tube and multiple heat-conductive units arranged adjacent to the heat-conductive tube. The heat-conductive tube has a first tube and a second tube. An isolation member having an isolation channel is located between the first tube and the second tube. The isolation member obstructs the heat exchange between the first tube and the second tube. A first delivery tube and a second delivery tube of each one of the heat-conductive bodies respectively connect to the first tube and the second tube of the heat-conductive tube, thereby integrating the first tube and the second tube and obstructing the heat exchange between the cooling liquids with different temperatures. Each of the heat-conductive units distributes the cooling liquids with different temperatures by the heat-conductive tube, thereby simplifying the pipeline setting and reducing the volume of the liquid-cooling heat sink. Full Article
k LIQUID COOLED RACK INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM HAVING LEAK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) has a liquid cooling subsystem that provides cooling liquid to liquid cooled (LC) nodes received in chassis-receiving bays of a rack. Leak collection structures are positioned to receive cooling liquid that leaks from the liquid cooling subsystem. Liquid sensors detect a presence of leaked cooling liquid in the leak collection structures. A leak detection subsystem responds to a detected presence of liquid by providing a leak indication. In one or more embodiments, the liquid cooling subsystem has a liquid rail formed by more than one rack interconnections vertically aligned in a rear section of the rack that are connected by modular rail conduits for node-to-node fluid transfer. The leak collection structures include a pipe cover received over at least one modular rail conduit. A liquid cavity of each pipe cover spills over into another lower pipe cover at a rate that can be correlated to severity of the leak. Full Article
k INSTALLING ASSEMBLY AND HEAT SINK USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat sink includes a cooling module and an installing assembly for fixing the heat sink on a housing. The installing assembly includes a case, a handle rotatablely fixed in the case and a support including a fixing board with blocks and two brackets. The handle is actively connected with the support. The fixing board is fixed on a bottom plate of the case. The handle includes two bulges. The brackets include two slide openings for receiving the bulges. When the heat sink is installed, the handle is rotated to be vertical, the bulges are out of the slide openings, and the blocks are stuck on the housing. When the heat sink is dismantled, the handle is rotated to be horizontal and the bulges are stuck into the slide openings to resist the brackets, thereof the fixing board being uplifted and the blocks being pushed away from the housing. Full Article
k LIQUID-ASSISTED BOTTOM AIR COOLING OF ELECTRONIC RACKS IN DATA CENTERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic rack includes a housing to contain one or more IT components arranged in a stack, a first rack aisle formed on a first side of the one or more IT components to direct cooler air received from the cooling unit upwardly, and a second rack aisle formed on a second side of the one or more IT components to direct warmer air to the cooling unit downwardly. The electronic rack further includes a cooling unit having one or more cooling units disposed underneath the IT components to receive first liquid from an external chiller system, to exchange heat carried by the warmer air using the first liquid to generate the cooler air, to transform the first liquid into a second liquid with a higher temperature, and to transmit the second liquid carrying the exchanged heat back to the external chiller system. Full Article
k RACK AIRFLOW MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A rack airflow monitoring system is configured to measure airflow through an equipment rack having a housing and a perforated front door to enable air to flow into an interior of the housing. The system includes a control module, and a plurality of airflow sensors secured to the front door of the equipment rack and coupled to the control module. Each airflow sensor is configured to detect a parameter used to measure airflow and communicate detected parameters to the control module. The control module is configured to obtain temperature, airflow velocity, and airflow directionality from the plurality of airflow sensors at the front door of the equipment rack. Full Article
k SEMI-EXHAUSTIVE RECURSIVE BLOCK DECODING METHOD AND DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention provides a decoder for decoding a signal received through a transmission channel in a communication system, said signal carrying information symbols selected from a given alphabet and being associated with a signal vector, said transmission channel being represented by a channel matrix, wherein said decoder comprises: a sub-block division unit (301) configured to divide the received signal vector into a set of sub-vectors in correspondence with a division of a matrix related to said channel matrix;a candidate set estimation unit (305) for recursively determining candidate estimates of sub-blocks of the transmitted signal corresponding to said sub-vectors, each estimate of a given sub-block being determined from at least one candidate estimate of the previously processed sub-blocks,wherein said candidate set estimation unit is configured to determine a set of candidate estimates for at least one sub-block of the transmitted signal by applying at least one iteration of a decoding algorithm using the estimates determined for the previously processed sub-blocks, the number of candidate estimates determined for said sub-block being strictly inferior to the cardinal of the alphabet and superior or equal to two, the decoder further comprising a signal estimation unit (306) for calculating an estimate of the transmitted signal from said candidate estimates determined for said sub-blocks. Full Article
k DYNAMIC LINKING OF CODESETS IN UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A codeset having function-code combinations is provisioned on a controlling device to control functions of an intended target device. Input is provided to the controlling device which designates a function to be controlled on the intended target device. From a plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in a database stored in a memory of the controlling device a first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device is selected. When the codeset is then provisioned on the controlling device, the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the designated function and the first code. Full Article
k ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING STATUS OF KEYS THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electronic apparatus and a method for detecting status of keys thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus comprises a key module, a key control circuit, a conversion circuit with calibration mechanism and a processor. The key control circuit detects whether any of keys in the key module is pressed. If the detection result is affirmative, the press status of each of the keys is scanned by the key control circuit to obtain a coarse scan result. The conversion circuit with calibration mechanism is configured to perform the other system function of the electronic apparatus. When the processor determines that at least one of the keys is not pressed according the coarse scan result, the conversion circuit with calibration mechanism is switched to assist a re-scan operation of the press status of the at least one of the keys. Full Article
k Modular Photoelectric-switch Keyboard Key By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
k Rotating knife, washing column, and method for disintegrating a crystal bed in a washing column By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST A rotating knife is disclosed for disintegrating a crystal bed formed in a washing column for processing suspension of solid particles in a liquid. The rotating knife is provided with a spoke support. The spoke support comprises at least two spokes. The relative angle of the spokes is between approximately 20° and approximately 80°. Full Article
k Process for producing dispersion of surface-treated carbon black powder, and process for producing surface-treated carbon black powder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
k Method of making titanium dioxide in the shape of columnar particles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Titanium dioxide which includes particles having a large major-axis length in a large proportion and comprises columnar particles having a satisfactory particle size distribution. A titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are heated/fired in the presence of titanium dioxide nucleus crystals having an aspect ratio of 2 or higher to grow the titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Subsequently, a titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are further added and heated/fired in the presence of the grown titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Thus, titanium dioxide is produced which comprises columnar particles having a weight-average major-axis length of 7.0-15.0 μm and in which particles having a major-axis length of 10 μm or longer account for 15 wt. % or more of all the particles. Full Article
k Method for manufacturing silicon blocks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A device for taking up a silicon melt comprises at least one block of a refractory with a capillary structure. Full Article
k Agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstock and uses thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
k COVID, Cannabis, and Quacks By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 15 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 No, Weed Does Not Cure the Virus To a degree perhaps not before seen in modern history, the COVID-19 pandemic is revealing a lot of people and institutions for what they really are, good and bad. Cold, hard reality has a way of doing that.… Full Article Feature
k FDA Cracks Down on CBD COVID Claims By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 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.… Full Article Chronic Town
k Sick, But Not Diagnosed By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 The proliferation of presumptive COVID-19 cases highlights the unreliability of data regarding the spread of the disease. Joshua Davis woke up feverish and coughing on the night of March 11. The next morning, the 29-year-old Oakland resident called his healthcare provider at Kaiser Permanente, where a nurse practitioner prescribed him with Tamiflu.… Full Article Feature
k Like a Petri Dish By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 22 Apr 2020 01:00:00 -0700 Tens of Thousands of California Inmates at Risk of COVID-19 Infection Jose Amendariz was on one of his frequent trips to the nurse’s station in Orange County’s largest jail when deputies hauled in a man in a mask. Of all the inmates inside the jail, the 29-year-old Armendariz needs the most care: insulin shots for Type I diabetes, pills for hypertension, asthma inhaler puffs for his ravaged respiratory system.… Full Article Feature
k 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
k 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
k FILM BULK ACOUSTIC WAVE RESONATOR (FBAR) HAVING STRESS-RELIEF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An acoustic resonator structure comprises: a substrate having a cavity, which has a plurality of sides; a first electrode disposed over the cavity; a piezoelectric layer disposed over a portion of the first electrode and extending over at least one of the sides; and a second electrode disposed over the piezoelectric layer, an overlap of the first electrode, the piezoelectric layer and the second electrode forming an active area of the FBAR. The active area of the FBAR is completely suspended over the cavity. Full Article
k SYSTEM AND FABRICATION METHOD OF PIEZOELECTRIC STACK THAT REDUCES DRIVING VOLTAGE AND CLAMPING EFFECT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
k MOTOR DRIVE DEVICE WHICH COOLS HEAT SINK BY OUTSIDE AIR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A motor drive device is fixed to a wall part of a housing and comprises a duct having an inflow port and an outflow port of air. A main body part of the duct functions as a heat-sink unit which releases heat into the duct. The duct is arranged inside the housing. The inflow port and the outflow port are formed so that outside air can flow through openings formed in the wall part. Full Article
k BUCKLING WAVE DISK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A power conversion device has a buckled wave disk that has an axis and is radially compressed between a hub and a wave ring. The buckled wave disk is buckled in the radial direction to form circumferential waves which are displaced in the axial direction and extending around the buckled wave disk with lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves extending between the hub and wave ring. The wave ring is outwardly radially displaced at nodes corresponding to lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves. A wave propagation actuator cooperates with the buckled wave disk for driving a wave and the lines formed of inflection points of the circumferential waves around the buckled wave disk. An outer ring surrounds the wave ring, the outer ring being driven by or driving the wave ring at the nodes. A method of making a wave disk is provided. Full Article
k Activewear with waistband pocket By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is activewear with hidden pockets. More particularly, athletic garments such as pants comprising one or more waistband pocket, preferably concealable, are included. In embodiments, athletic garments with an interior concealed pocket in the fold-over portion of a fold down waistband are provided. The waistband pocket enables the wearer to store items such as car keys, hotel room keys and/or smart phones relatively inconspicuously and securely in the waistband of the garment. A purpose of the concealment includes minimizing attention from the items stored within the pocket and allowing the wearer to participate in a variety of athletic sports or events while carrying personal items in a secure manner. Preferred embodiments include athletic pants comprising (i) a fold down waistband, (ii) an annular storage pocket capable of retaining items without any additional material added to the pant, and (iii) one or more slits for the opening for the pocket. Full Article
k Face mask for helmet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A facemask for a helmet. The helmet includes a forehead area and two side areas. The facemask comprises a plurality of intersecting, integral metal supports forming a face protection area. The face protection area includes a top section, two side attachment sections and a front section. The top section can be shaped to conform to and attached to the forehead area of the helmet while each side attachment section can be shaped and formed to attach to one of the side areas of the helmet. Further, the front section can extend from the top section and each attachment section. Full Article
k Therapeutic sock system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interior sock is fabricated of a flexible elastic polymer. The interior sock has a cylindrical closed toe section, a cylindrical open ankle section and an intermediate heel section. The heel section is provided between the toe and ankle sections. An exterior sock is fabricated of a knitted blend of cotton and a minor portion of an elastic. The exterior sock has a cylindrical closed toe section, a cylindrical open ankle section and an intermediate heel section. The heel section is provided between the toe and ankle sections. A quantity of therapeutic fluid is located within the interior sock. The therapeutic fluid is in contact with a foot of a user. The interior sock provides support for the therapeutic fluid. The exterior sock provides pressure and warmth to the interior sock and the therapeutic fluid. Full Article
k Elasticized structure and method for making an elasticized structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT 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. Full Article
k Compression stocking applicator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure provides a medical compression stocking applicator having an elongate member which has a pair of opposed sidewalls and an interconnecting wall and therefore may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section and is open at each end. The elongate member also includes a heel opening between the ends of the elongate member. The heel opening extends entirely through the elongate member, and is adapted to support a person's heel during application of a stocking. Full Article
k Mask By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mask is assembled from a single blank. The blank is creased and folded to make a front, top and a back panel, with the top panel folding down to make two side panels. The side panels cooperate with the front and back panels by connections protruding from the panels. The mask can be stored or shipped in a flat two-dimensional, unassembled mode and can be opened or assembled to a three-dimensional form, which may be worn on the head of a user. Full Article
k 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
k Footwear remover and drying rack By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A footwear remover has a platform elevated above the ground, with one or more recesses in the platform for removing footwear. The platform provides sufficient surface area to allow a user to place an unshoed, clean foot away from where a soiled shoe was previously positioned. In one embodiment, the footwear remover may be mounted to a suspending surface and used as a drying and storage rack for footwear. The footwear remover may optionally include hanging features for drying and hanging accessory items. Full Article
k Roller skating apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hand ice skating mechanism in conjunction with an athletic protective mechanism utilizing a glove portion including a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a blade retaining portion and a blade assembly in communication with the blade retaining portion. Full Article
k 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
k 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
k Adaptive Music Playback System By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT An adaptive music playback system is disclosed. The system includes a composition system that receives information corresponding to user activity levels. The composition system modifies the composition of a song in response to changes in user activity. The modifications are made according to a set of composition rules to facilitate smooth musical transitions Full Article
k GUITAR PICKUP DEVICE AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A pickup for a guitar that has four (4) or more separate magnetic coils and selection means to select among the coil outputs. In some embodiments, the pickup is passive, not requiring an active pre-amplifier and voltage supply to shape the sound. In some embodiments, the selection means may be incremental or continuous, providing a wider degree to selectivity between and among the outputs of the separate coils. Full Article
k ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT, AND ENSEMBLE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SUCH AN ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An acoustic drum kit including a bass drum, a snare drum and a hi-hat stand, the base drum including two parts that are movable with respect to one another between a spaced-apart position, in which the snare drum is fixed removably to the bass drum and to the hi-hat stand such that the drum kit is in a playing configuration, and a compact position, in which the snare drum and the hi-hat stand are housed inside the bass drum, between the two parts thereof, such that the drum kit is in a storage and transport configuration. Full Article
k DRUMSTICK GRIP AND PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The specification discloses a novel drumstick configuration with an enhanced grip and performance characteristics. Included in the drumstick are a plurality of preferably continuous circumferential longitudinally spaced-apart grooves disposed in an outer surface of an elongate body portion. The grooves each contain a grip-enhancing material which has an upper surface disposed slightly above the outer surface of the body portion to enhance the grip and general performance characteristics of the drumstick. Full Article
k LED COLOR ORGAN PICKGUARD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A pickguard having a color organ circuit integrated with the pickguard. Full Article
k ACTION-SET ADJUSTABLE GUITAR NECK ATTACHMENT APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT This apparatus and system provides an acoustic hollow body guitar which allows for the careful adjustment of the instrument neck to body relative angle of inclination and thus the string to fret distance (action height). This adjustment has the capability of being accomplished while the guitar is in the tuned state and in the playing position. The traditional wood jointing is abandoned and replaced by a guitar neck to body hinge-less mounting bracket assembly apparatus. This system employs a single adjusting nut/dial that is accessed through either/and a port in the side of the upper bout or the sound-hole. Full Article