Abstract: An improved impact power tool for carving and engraving an article comprises an air delivery system operable to communicate with a pressurized air source; a drive assembly operable to receive air from the pressurized air source via the air delivery system; a hand held device in driven communication with the drive assembly; and a housing for storage of the air delivery system and drive assembly. The tool includes an improved valve design, a throttle bias valve, and an air storage tank housed within the housing, and an improved housing construction. The improved valve design and air storage tank enable greater stroke speeds of a work tool over a wider power range while also improving the crispness and speed of the impact reaction time over the entire range. The throttle bias valve is in communication with an additional exhaust path, such that th bias valve allows improved control of the hand held device and improved operation over a wider range of air pressures.

Abstract: A lockable mount (10) constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for mounting a jewelry crafting attachment (12) to a workbench (B). The illustrated lockable mount (10) broadly includes a mount plate (14) configured to be coupled to the support (B) to receive the attachment (12) and a locking assembly (16) associated with the mount plate (14) for selectively preventing the attachment (12) from moving relative to the mount plate (14). The illustrated mount plate (14) is configured to provide a universal mount wherein several attachments can be quickly and readily interchanged for secure support thereon and comprises a six sided body presenting a generally trapezoidal configuration. The illustrated locking assembly (16) includes a flexible locking plate (36), an entrapped pin (38), and an actuating screw (40). The flexible locking plate (36) is shiftable between a flush position and a locking position.

Abstract: A workpiece holding system (10) is configured for holding a workpiece (R) for crafting thereof by a craftsman (C). The system (10) broadly includes a mounting assembly (12) removably coupled a support surface (B), an articulating frame assembly (14) coupled to the mounting assembly (12), a workpiece-supporting tool assembly (16) removably coupled to the frame assembly (14), and a mirrored ambidextrous handrest assembly (18) removably coupled to the mounting assembly (12). A fixture (36) spaced from a work zone (W) adjustably receives the tool assembly (16) so that the workpiece (R) held therein can be positioned substantially in the work zone (W) so that when the tool assembly (16) is maneuvered, thereby articulating the frame assembly (14), the workpiece (R) substantially remains in the work zone (W). The tool assembly (16) includes a connection assembly (80) configured to quickly and removably couple tools (78, 140, 152, 154, 172) into a clamp (76).

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the problem of providing a cost effective means of enhancing the pleasure of an attendee at a musical or dramatic or other type of public performance, or at a large classroom or other teaching venue, through a system and method for collecting video images and text at a performance, transmitting these data to authorized individual viewing devices in an attendee's possession at the performance venue, the attendee being able to select the video image desired or text or a combination of both for viewing at the attendee's location.

Abstract: Described is a reconfigurable multiplexer that can multiplex different combinations of channel types. For instance, the multiplexer can be configured to multiplex 28 DS-1 channels and two STS-1 channels into an OC-3 channel. Alternatively, the same multiplexer can be reconfigured to multiplex 28 DS-1 channels into an STS-1 channel.

Abstract: A remote enclosure houses multiple subsystems. A first subsystem is coupled to a central office over a high-speed communication channel such as an OC-3 channel. The first subsystem extracts a downstream message from a first embedded operations channel included in the high-speed communication channel. The first subsystem also, when the downstream message is targeted to a first unit included in the first subsystem, forwards the message to a unit that processes the message for the first unit. When the message is not targeted to any unit included in the first subsystem, the first subsystem forwards the downstream message to another subsystem housed within the remote enclosure via a second embedded operations channel included in a second communication channel. The second subsystem is subtended from the first subsystem and is connected thereto by the second communication channel.

Abstract: A workpiece holding system (10) configured for holding a workpiece (R) for crafting thereof by a craftsman (C) is disclosed. The system (10) broadly includes a mounting assembly (12) removably coupled to a support surface (B), an articulating frame assembly (14) coupled to the mounting assembly (12), a workpiece-supporting tool assembly (16) removably coupled to the frame assembly (14), and a mirrored ambidextrous handrest assembly (18) removably coupled to the mounting assembly (12). The frame assembly (14) includes an L-shaped mounting arm (32) pivotal about an axis (X) of rotation, and an L-shaped tool assembly arm (34) pivotal about an axis (Y) of rotation. The (X) and (Y) axes retain a coplanar and perpendicular relationship throughout the full range of motion of the frame assembly (14) to thereby intersect to define a work zone (W) at the region of intersection thereof.

Abstract: 17A lockable mount (10) constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for mounting a jewelry crafting attachment (12) to a workbench (B). The illustrated lockable mount (10) broadly includes a mount plate (14) configured to be coupled to the support (B) to receive the attachment (12) and a locking assembly (16) associated with the mount plate (14) for selectively preventing the attachment (12) from moving relative to the mount plate (14). The illustrated mount plate (14) is configured to provide a universal mount wherein several attachments can be quickly and readily interchanged for secure support thereon and comprises a six sided body presenting a generally trapezoidal configuration. The illustrated locking assembly (16) includes a flexible locking plate (36), an entrapped pin (38), and an actuating screw (40). The flexible locking plate (36) is shiftable between a flush position and a locking position.

Abstract: A multiple station in-line product handling machine (40) is provided which has infeed stations (42-46) equipped with improved feeder and receiving units (60, 62) as well as a unique pusher chain assembly (78). The feeder units (60) include a sucker shaft (88) adapted to successively grip the leading ends (336) of the bottom products (334) in a stack thereof and to pivot such leading ends (336) downwardly without any substantial translational movement of the product (334); the downwardly pivoted ends (336) are then engaged by a cooperating nip roller (100) and feed belt assembly (71) to withdraw the product (334) from the stack. Preferably, the sucker shaft (88) and nip roller (100) are driven by respective cams (106, 108) mounted on a powered shaft (110). The receiving units (62) have receiving structure (74) together with a rotatable wheel (76) equipped with a resilient peripheral product-engaging element (174) which quickly and reliably move the fed product (334) along the length of the machine (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the genetic transformation of organisms by accelerated particle mediated transformation. Foreign genes are introduced into cells by coating on carrier particles which are physically accelerated into the cells. The treated cells are recovered, and a portion of them will contain in their genome the foreign gene. The procedure may be used to create genetically engineered organisms of many types.

Abstract: A feeder for flexible sheet material includes a gripping assembly (30) provided with a hollow gripper shaft (54) and a vacuum operated gripper (52). The shaft (54) is movable through an arcuate path of travel between engagement and sheet-releasing positions. The vacuum pressure to the gripper (52) is controlled to cause the marginal portion of the lowermost sheet to be gripped by the gripper when the shaft is in the engagement position and to discontinue the vacuum to the gripper at the sheet-releasing position. A valve assembly (64) is disposed between a vacuum line and the hollow shaft (54) and is mounted for rotation on the gripping assembly (30). The valve is rotatable between open and closed positions in response to movement of the shaft through the arcuate path of travel between the engagement and sheet-releasing positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the genetic transformation of organisms by accelerated particle mediated transformation. Foreign genes are introduced into cells by coating on carrier particles which are physically accelerated into the cells by positioning the carrier particles on a carrier sheet which is accelerated by a device which produces a shock wave. The treated cells are recovered, and a portion of them will contain in their genome the foreign gene. The procedure may be used to create genetically engineered organisms of many types.

Abstract: An impact power tool for use in delicate hand-working operations includes a body presenting a bore and a piston received within the bore and shiftable relative thereto. An impact transmitting member is also received in the bore and is shiftable relative to the body. This impact transmitting member is positioned axially in the bore by a mounting element interposed between the impact transmitting member and the body, the mounting element being resilient relative to the body. The piston is driven along a stroke length between an impact position engaging the impact transmitting member and an extended position out of contact with the member.

Abstract: A craftsman's tool for supporting jewelry includes an L-shaped frame pivotally coupled to a stationary support such as a work bench or the like, and a collar rotatably connected to the frame removably carries a housing which receives a shiftable member presenting movable clamping jaws for releasably holding an item of jewelry. A handrest fixed to the frame swings to an out-of-the-way position as the frame is pivoted relative to the support for improving access as may be needed to the jaws or the item of jewelry supported thereby. A third hand device for positioning an object on the item of jewelry supported by the jaws is fixedly connected to the frame so that the frame can be pivoted as necessary without disturbing the positional relationship between the object held by the third hand device and the jewelry item carried by the jaws.

Abstract: An impact power tool for delicate hand working operations is provided which is especially adapted for detailed engraving, carving, and delicate stone setting applications. The power tool preferably includes a hand-held impact device, a piston received within the body of the device and shiftable therein for delivering impact energy to the device, conduit for delivering and venting motive fluid from and to the hand-held device for shifting of the piston, and a valve coupling the directing and venting conduits to the device in alternative fashion at rapid, variable, cyclical rate. The impact tool may be operated by connection to a standard source of pressurized air. The tool is capable of providing a greater range of impact strokes per second than conventional hand-held controlled impact tools, and thereby provides expanded capability for extremely delicate and fine engraving, carving and stone setting work.

Abstract: A portable hand held tool for restoring the surface of a metal sheet such as the body skin of a vehicle from a dented condition. The tool is in the form of a pair of levers pivotably joined at their mid-section together and to an arm that extends from the pivoted joint. One free end of the arm is fitted with a suction cup and one end of each lever is fitted with a cushion pad or a suction cup so that with the pads pressed against a dented sheet at opposed boundary sections of the skin adjacent the dent, and the arm suction cup pressed against the dented section, manual movement of the levers will pull the dented section into the plane of the remainder of the skin.