Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. The blade adjustment assembly is positioned on a neck which is rotatable relative to the frame. A user is capable of accessing and replacing the blade assembly without altering the position of the blade adjustment assembly relative to the neck.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. A rigid collar of the retainer is configured to operatively engage at least one of a periphery and the edge of an opening of the template thereby enabling the blade to cut a shape in the cutting material which assimilates the shape of at least a portion of the at least one of the periphery and the edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining operational parameters of a tire in terrestrial vehicles are described. Velocity of a vehicle is determined, for example, by using the global positioning system. A free-rolling radius of a free-rolling wheel is determined from the velocity and angular velocity of the free-rolling wheel, which is determined with a wheel sensing unit when angular acceleration is negligible. Absolute velocity and acceleration are determined from the free-rolling radius and the angular velocity. Longitudinal stiffness and effective radius of the tire on a monitored wheel are determined. For a free-rolling wheel, these parameters may be determined separately. For a driven wheel, these parameters are determined simultaneously when the vehicle is accelerating using a nonlinear estimation algorithm.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are couple to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is subtantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. The blade adjustment assembly is positioned on a neck which is rotatable relative to the frame. A user is capable of accessing and replacing the blade assembly without altering the position of the blade adjustment assembly relative to the neck.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. A rigid collar of the retainer is configured to operatively engage at least one of a periphery and the edge of an opening of the template thereby enabling the blade to cut a shape in the cutting material which assimilates the shape of at least a portion of the at least one of the periphery and the edge.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. The blade adjustment assembly is positioned on a neck which is rotatable relative to the frame. A user is capable of accessing and replacing the blade assembly without altering the position of the blade adjustment assembly relative to the neck.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. A rigid collar of the retainer is configured to operatively engage at least one of a periphery and the edge of an opening of the template thereby enabling the blade to cut a shape in the cutting material which assimilates the shape of at least a portion of the at least one of the periphery and the edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to closed three-dimensional needlepoint canvases. Each of the canvases of the present invention is made from two interconnectable perforated shells. In various embodiments, interchangeable shells of different shapes are provided which can be connected together to form three-dimensional canvases in a variety shapes and sizes. In certain embodiments the shells have mechanically interlocking bases for easy detachment without external clips. The invention also provides craft kits containing the three-dimensional needlepoint canvases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to closed three-dimensional needlepoint canvases. Each of the canvases of the present invention is made from two interconnectable perforated shells. In various embodiments, interchangeable shells of different shapes are provided which can be connected together to form three-dimensional canvases in a variety shapes and sizes. In certain embodiments the shells have mechanically interlocking bases for easy detachment without external clips. The invention also provides craft kits containing the three-dimensional needlepoint canvases.

Abstract: A removable storage compartment assembly for a material cutter comprising a compartment placement region and a removable storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a compartment lower portion removably engaged to the compartment placement region and a compartment upper portion removably and mateably engaged to the compartment lower portion. A biasing member is operatively connected to the compartment lower portion. When the compartment lower portion is disengaged from the compartment placement region, the biasing member biases the compartment lower portion away from the compartment placement region.

Abstract: A shape cutting system for cutting a material having a surface. The shape cutting system includes a cutting unit and at least one template. The cutting unit includes a frame, a blade adjustment assembly and a blade assembly are coupled to the frame. The blade assembly is positioned at least partially within the frame such that a longitudinal axis of the blade assembly is substantially perpendicular to a lower support surface of the frame. The blade assembly includes a blade retainer and a blade connected to the retainer. A rigid collar of the retainer is configured to operatively engage at least one of a periphery and the edge of an opening of the template thereby enabling the blade to cut a shape in the cutting material which assimilates the shape of at least a portion of the at least one of the periphery and the edge.