Abstract: A hand held, vacuum actuated pickup instrument and method of operation are disclosed for an instrument of the type including an elongated body with a pickup attachable at one end and a tail stock at the other end for connection with a vacuum source. According to the present invention, a valve is arranged within the elongated body for selectively venting an axially extending passage connecting the pickup with the tail stock, the valve including a valve element overlying a vent opening, a lever portion attached to the valve element and a fulcrum providing for pivotal movement of the valve element. A restrictive opening is formed between the axially extending opening and the tail stock to further facilitate operation of the instrument.

Abstract: A pencil-size instrument body has a manually operable valve to control an air passage connected to a vacuum source. A first hollow axle projecting forward from the body carries a rotary finger control member. A rigid air tube of small diameter is mounted by one end in a second hollow axle and constitutes therewith a replaceable probe assembly that plugs into the first hollow axle. A rotary hub member on the second hollow axle is operated by the rotary finger control member and is connected to the end of a coil spring that rotatably embraces the rigid air tube. The second end of the coil spring is connected to a rotary tip member on the rigid air tube that picks up small objects by vacuum action and rotates the objects under control of the finger control member.