Abstract: A pot lid storage holder, which may be used for storing a pot lid having a knob-shaped handle with a necked-down portion disposed between the pot lid and a relatively enlarged portion of the handle, and for storing a pot lid having a drawer-pull type handle. The pot lid storage holder includes first and second gripping elements projecting from a base, the first and second gripping elements configured to receive through an opening therebetween, in a downstream direction of insertion of the pot lid into the holder pointing toward the base, the necked-down portion of the handle, and to exert a compressive spring force on the necked-down portion that decreases with increasing depth of insertion.

Abstract: A pot lid storage holder, which may be used for storing a pot lid having a knob-shaped handle with a necked-down portion disposed between the pot lid and a relatively enlarged portion of the handle, and for storing a pot lid having a drawer-pull type handle. The pot lid storage holder includes first and second gripping elements projecting from a base, the first and second gripping elements configured to receive through an opening therebetween, in a downstream direction of insertion of the pot lid into the holder pointing toward the base, the necked-down portion of the handle, and to exert a compressive spring force on the necked-down portion that decreases with increasing depth of insertion.

Abstract: A specialized wood splitting tool and chopping block, used together, enable cutting kindling from ordinary firewood in an effective and safe manner. The splitting tool uses leverage in addition to downward momentum of the cutting head to split wood. The metal handle and metal cutting head are preferably formed from a single piece of steel, in a perpendicular configuration similar to an adze. A splitting wedge blade within the handle exerts transverse shear forces to enhance splitting, and flat upper surfaces of the cutting head and the handle near the joint provide a striking surface. A complimentary chopping block for bracing logs of various diameters in a steady upright position has a V-shaped recess that is open on one end. The chopping block provides resistance to the unique leverage of the splitting tool during the splitting action.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying tissue structures in advance of a mechanical medical instrument during a medical procedure. A mechanical tissue penetrating medical instrument (22) has a distal end for penetrating tissue in a penetrating direction. An optical wavefront analysis system (32-50) provides light to illuminate tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receives light returned by tissue ahead of the medical instrument. An optical fiber (30) is coupled at a proximal end to the wavefront analysis system and attached at a distal end to the medical instrument proximate the distal end of the medical instrument. The distal end of the fiber has an illumination pattern directed substantially in the penetrating direction for illuminating the tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receiving light returned therefrom. The wavefront analysis system provides information about the distance from the distal end of the medical instrument to tissue features ahead of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A specialized wood splitting tool and chopping block, used together, enable cutting kindling from ordinary firewood in an effective and safe manner. The splitting tool uses leverage in addition to downward momentum of the cutting head to split wood. The metal handle and metal cutting head are preferably formed from a single piece of steel, in a perpendicular configuration similar to an adze. A splitting wedge blade within the handle exerts transverse shear forces to enhance splitting, and flat upper surfaces of the cutting head and the handle near the joint provide a striking surface. A complimentary chopping block for bracing logs of various diameters in a steady upright position has a V-shaped recess that is open on one end. The chopping block provides resistance to the unique leverage of the splitting tool during the splitting action.