In one embodiment, a surgical instrument comprises an articulable harmonic waveguide. The articulable harmonic waveguide comprises a first drive section comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first drive section may be configured to connect to an ultrasonic transducer. The articulable harmonic waveguide further comprises a first flexible waveguide coupled to the distal end of the first drive section. An end effector extends distally from the first flexible waveguide. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation actuator to flex the first flexible waveguide.

A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

A surgical instrument with a stowing knife blade includes an elongated shaft, an end effector coupled to the shaft and including two opposed jaws, a housing included in one of the jaws, a first member mounted in the housing and movable distally, a knife pivotally coupled with the first member, and a second member. The knife is configured to cut when advanced distally. The first and second members are moved distally at the same rate during a cutting motion of the knife and the second member blocks a rotation of the knife relative to the first member during the cutting motion of the knife. After moving through the first distance, relative movement between the first and second members occurs so as to permit or induce the previously blocked rotation of the knife so that the knife can be stowed.

A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing. The surgical instrument includes an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector operably couples to the elongated portion. A first pivoting member pivotably couples to a distal end of the elongated portion. The first pivoting member defines a first pivot axis intersecting the longitudinal axis when the first pivoting member is rotated. A distal mounting assembly pivotably couples to the first pivoting member and operably couples to the end effector. The distal mounting assembly defines a second pivot axis intersecting the first pivot axis and the longitudinal axis when the proximal mounting assembly is rotated.

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

A surgical stapling instrument can comprise, one, a handle comprising an actuator and, two, an end effector comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The end effector can further comprise a first jaw configured to support staples comprising staple legs and, in addition, a second jaw supporting a matrix element opposite the staples, wherein one of the jaws is movable toward the other in order to engage the matrix element with the staple legs. The stapling instrument can further comprise a cam operably coupled with the actuator, wherein the cam is movable along the longitudinal axis to deform the staple legs.

An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a shaft defining a lumen therein; articulation bands extending through and slidable generally longitudinally within the lumen of the shaft; an end effector affixed to the articulation bands; and generally annular segments positioned about the articulation bands along at least a portion of the length of the articulation bands to define an articulated region, where the segments laterally constrain the articulation bands.

A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher.

A print drum subassembly suitable for ink jet printing applications includes a composite print drum including an outer shell having a wall thickness in a range of about 1.5 mm to about 15 mm and a thermal conductivity greater than about 200 W/m-K disposed around a hollow core having wall thickness in a range of about 4 mm to about 30 mm and a thermal conductivity less than about 10 W/m-K. A radiant heater is arranged within the hollow core and is configured to heat the outer shell without substantially heating the hollow core.

An optical device includes a housing containing a plurality of lenses. At least one of those lenses includes a reticle. An optical device and a processor are also located in the housing. A wind speed sensor is mounted to the housing and configured to send a wind speed signal corresponding to a wind speed to the processor. The processor calculates a wind speed based at least in part on the wind speed signal, and wherein the processor sends an output signal corresponding to the calculated wind speed to the output device.

A negotiable instrument such as a check includes a unique microprint identifier that allows for authentication while preventing unauthorized reproduction and alternation. A printing system generates the identifier after receiving a customer order for printing a plurality of negotiable instruments, to allow inclusion of information that is specific to the customer order and/or the printing process. In various embodiments, the identifier is unique to each or each subset of the plurality of negotiable instruments and facilitates authentication of each of the negotiable instruments when needed.

One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is seen in a wire access line drum assembly, comprising a tubular drum, first and second end portions, and a shaft. The tubular drum includes a first end, a second end, and an inner diameter of a first preselected size. The first and second end portions are coupled to the first and second ends of the tubular drum, and the shaft extends at least partially within the tubular drum. The shaft has an outer diameter of a second preselected size substantially similar to the first preselected size. Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter is seen in a drum storage system. The drum storage system is comprised of a plurality of wire access line drums and a rack. The plurality of wire access line drums each have a wire access line pre-spooled thereon, and the rack is designed to receive the plurality of wire access line drums in a configuration to permit one or more of the wire access lines to be retrieved from the rack and transported to a job site.

The present invention is configured to be provided with: a bottom-equipped tubular cell main body that forms an internal space S1 that extends in a longer direction, and has one end part that is opened; a pair of applying electrodes that are arranged so as to face to each other in the internal space; and a fixing spacer that intervenes between the pair of applying electrodes to thereby define a distance between the applying electrodes, and fixes the pair of applying electrodes, wherein in a state where the fixing spacer is inserted into the cell main body, in a lower part of the internal space of the cell main body, a zeta potential measuring space in which the pair of applying electrodes are exposed is formed.

According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to vary a clock signal frequency for a first time period between a lower limit of a range of problematic frequencies and a frequency lower than the lower limit, and vary the clock signal frequency for a second period of time between an upper limit of the range of problematic frequencies and a frequency greater than the upper limit.

An analog front-end circuit includes an analog processing circuit, an A/D converter, a target register in which a lower limit target value of an input image signal is set, and a calculation circuit. The analog processing circuit includes an offset control circuit which performs offset control based on an offset control value set in an offset control register. The calculation circuit monitors the A/D-converted value in a lower limit value output period when the A/D-converted value corresponding to a lower limit value of an input range is output from the A/D converter, and sets the offset control value that causes the A/D-converted value to become closer to the lower limit target value set in the target register in the offset control register.

A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus from provided modular components is described. At least two types of modular distillation column stages are provided. A first type of modular stage comprises two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage. A second type modular stage comprises one such physical interface. At least one type of tray is provided for insertion into the first type of modular stage. A clamping arrangement is provided for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint. The invention provides for at least three modular stages can be joined. At least one sensor or sensor array can be inserted into each modular stage. At least one controllable element can be inserted into each modular stage. The invention provides for study of traditional, advanced, and photochemical types of reactive distillation.

The present invention features a coke drum de-heading system that includes a de-header valve. The de-header valve includes: (1) a main body; (2) a live loaded seat assembly coupled to the main body and comprising a dynamic, live loaded seat, a live seat adjustment mechanism coupled to the main body and designed to control and adjust the force and resulting seat load of the dynamic, live loaded seat, and a force transfer module in juxtaposition to the dynamic, live loaded seat for transferring the force from the live loaded seat adjustment mechanism to the dynamic, live loaded seat; (3) a static seat positioned opposite from and counteracting or counterbalancing the dynamic, live loaded seat; and (4) a blind or sliding blind capable moving in a linear, bi-directional manner within the de-header valve and between the dynamic, live loaded seat and the static seat.

A double drum traction winch supporting a first and second rotatable drum is provided. The circumferential surface of each drum is provided with circumferential grooves perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum. The grooves of each drum are subdivided in a first set of grooves for guiding a first wire and a second set of grooves for guiding a second wire. The grooves of the first set alternate with grooves of the second set such that the circumferential surface of each drum is provided with multiple grooves of the first group, each interpositioned between two grooves of the second group. Therefore the traction winch is capable of cooperating with a first wire in the first set of grooves or with a second wire in the second set of grooves, wherein both wires differ in type of material and/or cross section and/or maximum tensile strength.

Method and instrumentation for detection of rail defects, in particular rail top defects, in a railway-track by measuring an axle box acceleration signal of a rail vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used as a measure to detect the occurrence of said rail defects. The method also includes measuring a vertical axle box acceleration signal of said rail vehicle, whereby the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used in combination and simultaneously with said vertical axle box acceleration signal. It is preferred that the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used to remove from said vertical axle box acceleration signal a signal-part that relates to vibrations of the rail vehicle's wheel set, including the bearing and axle box, and that the axle box acceleration signals are filtered for removing signal-parts contributed by vibrations of the track, including the rail, rail pads, fasteners, sleepers, and ballast.

A method designed to replace a compromised instrument case with a new case without the need to disconnect any wire, relay or any other electric equipment is described herein. The instrument panel is supported for example by a temporary support frame during the dismantling of the old case and the assembly of the new case. The new case is therefore assembled on site around the instrument panel. The new instrument case includes a floor which is made of at least two parts, one on each side of the wiring. The instrument case therefore remains in a normal working mode during the entire replacement procedure thus preventing downtime. As well, the amount of manpower required for the replacement of an instrument case is drastically reduced.

A water recovery process for a steam assisted gravity drainage system for a heavy oil recovery facility, the process comprising a flash drum and a flash drum heat exchanger/condenser, wherein the water recovery process receives hot water produced by a facility at a temperature above the water atmospheric boiling point and cools it to a temperature below the water atmospheric boiling point before transferring it to the remaining section of the water recovery process.

A button, knob or control key with an etchable support plate which is engraved on the backside with a fine symbol by laser, erosion or mechanical engraving, which only cuts into the material of the support plate, but not through the support plate. The backside of the support plate is optionally coated. A foil is applied on the laminated layer and affixed thereto. The front side of the support plate is treated with a material-removing substance. The material removal with the material-removing substance is performed until the engraving extending into the support plate is at least partially or completely exposed on the front side. Application of a protective layer to the front side of the support plate from which the material was removed. A function symbol is provided on the button such that it can be backlit. It is engraved in a fine line width providing a sharp optical definition erosion, mechanical engraving.

A crumb is manufactured by a process including adding an aqueous flour mixture into an extruder, partially extruding the aqueous mixture through the extruder, adding an aqueous gelling agent to the extruder at a point downstream of the start of the extrusion of the aqueous mixture through the extruder to form a resultant mixture of the aqueous mixture and the aqueous gelling agent in the extruder, and extruding the resultant mixture at a temperature greater than 100° C. to form an extrudate. The extrudate is allowed to expand, dried and milled to form the crumb, which has moisture-resistant properties particularly well-suited for use on frozen, microwavable food products.

An exercise device, comprising: more than one resistance adjusting inserts wherein said resistance adjusting inserts are selected to change the overall resistance a user exercises against; a chamber wherein one or more of said resistance adjusting inserts are capable of being inserted within said chamber; and an inlet to said chamber wherein the one or more of said resistance adjusting inserts are movable within the chamber by breath of a user. A method for exercising comprising: using an exercise device comprising a chamber capable of holding at least one resistance adjusting insert where the chamber has an inlet; selecting at least one resistance adjusting inserts from more than one resistance adjusting inserts; and, moving the selected inserts in the chamber by air pressure generated by a user directed through an inlet into the chamber.

An apparatus for processing a fabric has a drum with an elliptically-shaped cross-section having a pair of narrow sides and a pair of broad sides. Each of the narrow sides have an impact edge. Each of the pair of broad sides has a sliding surface. The drum has a differential helical expander formed on an outer surface thereof. A bearing and drive shaft set are affixed to the drum so as to impact rotational motion to the drum.

Disclosed is a drum type washing machine having a touch up function and a method for touching up thereof. The drum type washing machine having the touch up function is provided with a touch up button for removing wrinkles on laundry left in the drum type washing machine and a method for touching up. Accordingly, it is not required for a user to additionally execute rinsing and dehydrating processes, or ironing so as to remove wrinkles on the laundry, thus it is convenient. And, since it is not required to additionally execute the rinsing and dehydrating processes, it is capable of preventing unwanted consumption of water and electricity.

A rotary drum for a fiber-stacking device includes a drum body, pattern plates each having a single fiber-stacking depression, and holding mechanisms each detachably holding a corresponding pattern plate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum body. Each holding mechanism has a fixed hook and a moveable hook. The fixed hook is immovably attached to one side of the drum body and forms a first groove with the drum body. The movable hook is attached to the other side of the drum body to be moveable between a holding position and a release position, forms a second groove with the drum body at the holding position, and opens the second groove at the release position. When the movable hook is at the holding position, the two side parts of the pattern plate are accommodated inside the first and second grooves.

A support stand for supporting a stringed instrument having a securing mechanism, a front compression plate having a leg portion, and a back compression plate having a leg portion, where the front compression plate engages the securing mechanism, the back compression plate engages the securing mechanism, and the support stand supports the instrument in a generally upright position when the support stand is placed on a surface.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

A musical drum having a hollow shell with at least one opening defined by a circumferential bearing edge, a drumhead, which includes an upper surface consisting of the batter head and a bottom surface, a snare assembly with a plurality of individual wires having opposite end portions, a mounting member affixed to at least one end portion, and means for releasably attaching the snare assembly to the circumferential bearing edge comprising a flexible U-shaped clip in engagement with the circumferential bearing edge in pressure-contact relation. The individual snare wires are disposed in abutment against the bottom surface of the drumhead to cause the wires to vibrate upon the striking of the batter head.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A method, computer program product, and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument. An initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge is determined. The height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor. The floating bridge is locked. A frequency of the first string is analyzed. In response to determining the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, thereby adjusting a string tension of the first string. The one or more bridge servo motors adjusts a spring tension until the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string. In response to determining the first string is tuned, the floating bridge is unlocked.

A method, computer program product, and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument. An initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge is determined. The height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor. The floating bridge is locked. A frequency of the first string is analyzed. In response to determining the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, thereby adjusting a string tension of the first string. The one or more bridge servo motors adjusts a spring tension until the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string. In response to determining the first string is tuned, the floating bridge is unlocked.

A method and system for teaching oneself to learn to play a string instrument and master it by analyzing one's real-time hand/finger movement/technique/form, enabling oneself to progress and correct one's own mistakes simultaneously. In one aspect, a system for learning to play a string instrument is provided that includes a simulation instrument that includes a plurality of strings, wherein at least one of the strings includes at least one-touch sensing sensor thereon in communication with at least one processor to receive a signal from the at least one touch-sensing sensor and determine therefrom when and where on the at least one string a user applies pressure to the at least one string.

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.

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.

A delay time counter in a DSP cyclically counts a sampling clock from zero to a delay time sampling count and issues a delay time interrupt to a CPU each time the sampling clock count reaches the delay time sampling count. The CPU measures a time difference between each time the DSP issues the delay time interrupt and each time sequence clock interrupts occur a number of times corresponding to the delay time. Then, in order to reduce this time difference, the CPU increases or decreases a maximum count that is set to the sequence clock counter. Therefore, in the next delay process, the shift between the time by which the automatic performance is advanced by the CPU (which is equal to the delay time) and the timing of the delay process executed by the DSP (which is also equal in length to the delay time) will be corrected.