Abstract: A process of making molds and inserts where each mold or insert consists of superimposed plates, tightly secured together, having the hollow form(s) or pattern(s) been cut in place. The hollow form(s) or pattern(s) were cut by means of laser or similar cutting machine, which is not possible to do in the blanks or solid pieces that are used to make most molds or inserts because the material to be cut is too thick.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted broom for sweeping floors having a sweeping member, preferably in the form of a plurality of stiff bristles, for bi-directional sweeping of the floor. The sweeping member is operatively mounted within a housing member, which housing member partially encloses the sweeping member within its hollow interior such that the bristles depend from the housing member through a first opening. A handle member is securely attached to the housing member and extends upwardly therefrom. The sweeping member has bristles which are extended such that the broom may be used as a conventional broom, and as a vacuum pick-up. An electrical switch is actuated so as to turn on a suction means that is operatively connected to the interior of the housing member, thus to create a partial vacuum, at the first opening of the housing member.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted broom for sweeping floors having a sweeping member, preferably in the form of a plurality of stiff bristles, for bi-directional sweeping of the floor. The sweeping member is operatively mounted within a housing member, which housing member partially encloses the sweeping member within its hollow interior such that the bristles depend from the housing member through a first opening. A handle member is securely attached to the housing member and extends upwardly therefrom. The sweeping member is moveable between a first extended position the bristles are extended sufficiently that the broom may be used as a conventional broom, and a second retracted position where the sweeping member is substantially retracted into the housing member, with only a short end portion of the bristles extending outwardly from the housing member.

Abstract: A member which when disposed in a plane in abutting relationship with a plurality of other members defines a planar surface which will remain flat when pressure is applied along the thickness from two opposed directions. The member takes the form of a body having upper and lower flat parallel main faces joined by six curved side faces disposed end to end defining and endless closed path. The upper main face has a periphery of six sections disposed end to end, these sections defining like arcs with like radii of curvature but being alternately convex and concave. The lower main face identical to the upper main but is rotated through 60.degree. of arc with respect thereto to insure that the end points of each concave arc section of either main face are vertically aligned with the corresponding end points of the corresponding convex arc section of the other main face.