Abstract: A lightweight, strong hammer. A hollow lightweight aluminum handle is connected to a hammer head. A spring face piece is removably attached to said hammer head. In a preferred embodiment, the spring face piece has a spring face that is welded to a hollow threaded hammer poll. In one preferred embodiment, the hollow lightweight aluminum handle has a contoured shape. In another preferred embodiment the hollow lightweight aluminum handle has a straight shape.

Abstract: A striking tool having a handle and a head attached to the handle. The head defines a front end and a back end. A trampoline plate is attached to the head at the front end. The trampoline plate deflects inward toward the back end and rebounds in a direction away from the back end when the trampoline plate strikes an object. In a preferred embodiment, the striking tool is a hammer and the handle is fabricated by welding together matching molded sheet aluminum handle halves. A receiving nut is welded at a top end of the handle and a hammer head is attached to the handle with a bolt threaded through the receiving nut. In this embodiment the aluminum sheet is only approximately 0.063 inches thick so the hammer handle is very light. A rigid rib that extends through the hollow portion of the hollow handle provides additional strength.

Abstract: A striking tool having a contoured hollow handle and a head rigidly attached to the hollow handle. In a preferred embodiment, the striking tool is a hammer and the handle is fabricated by welding together matching molded sheet aluminum handle halves. A receiving nut is welded at a top end of the handle and a hammer head is attached to the handle with a bolt threaded through the receiving nut. In this embodiment the aluminum sheet is only approximately 0.063 inches thick so the hammer handle is very light. A rigid rib that extends through the hollow portion of the hollow handle provides additional strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a cache memory of a computer graphics system, the apparatus including a frame buffer memory having a graphics memory for storing pixel data for ultimate supply to a video display device, a read cache memory for storing data received from the graphics memory, and a write cache memory for storing data received externally of the frame buffer and data that is to be written into the graphics memory. Also included is a frame buffer controller for controlling access to the graphics memory and read and write cache memories. The frame buffer controller includes a cache first in, first out (FIFO) memory pipeline for temporarily storing pixel data prior to supply thereof to the cache memories.