Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a motorized clasping mechanism configured to engage a light bulb, the motorized clasping mechanism configured along an axis, the motorized clasping mechanism configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction; and a electronic drive unit configured to remotely communicate with the motorized clasping mechanism, wherein the electronic drive unit sends control signals to drive the motorized clasping mechanism to selectively move in the first direction and the direction. The tool further comprising an arm member for positioning the motorized clasping mechanism in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the motorized clasping mechanism. The motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple outer surface faces into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In the preferred embodiment of the tool handle, three of its outer surface faces have a continuous holding slot with multiple receiving holes for inserting therein hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. The continuous holding slots of the preferred embodiment of the handle include multiple contoured compartments for holding an inserted hexagonal wrench. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment.

Abstract: A tool for connecting and disconnecting a coupling having a combination of pliers and a wrench. The pliers have a first jaw with extensions which are positioned over the yokes of the first part of the coupling and a second jaw for positioning adjacent the second part of the coupling. The wrench has a third jaw which is slidably attached to the second jaw. The third jaw has extensions which are positioned around the yokes of the second part of the coupling. The pliers of the tool are used to compress the first and second parts of the coupling together. The wrench is used to rotate the second part of the coupling to disconnect or connect the coupling.

Abstract: Invertebrate and vertebrate patched genes are provided, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as methods for isolation of related genes, where the genes may be of different species or in the same family. Having the ability to regulate the expression of the patched gene, allows for the elucidation of embryonic development, cellular regulation associated with signal transduction by the patched gene, the identification of agonist and antagonist to signal transduction, identification of ligands for binding to patched, isolation of the ligands, and assaying for levels of transcription and expression of the patched gene.

Abstract: A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable blade cartridge positioned within the body, wherein a knife blade within the removable blade cartridge is configured to slidably extend out from the first end; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second end of the body. The utility tool includes a knife switch coupled to the knife blade, the knife blade moves from the retracted position to the extended position only when the blade cartridge is engaged within the body. The utility tool having a spring mechanism for biasing the knife blade to the retracted position and a leaf member for engaging and disengaging the blade cartridge from the blade cartridge bay by a snap fit.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a motorized clasping mechanism configured to engage a light bulb, the motorized clasping mechanism configured along an axis, the motorized clasping mechanism configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction; and a electronic drive unit configured to remotely communicate with the motorized clasping mechanism, wherein the electronic drive unit sends control signals to drive the motorized clasping mechanism to selectively move in the first direction and the direction. The tool further comprising an arm member for positioning the motorized clasping mechanism in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the motorized clasping mechanism. The motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable blade cartridge positioned within the body, wherein a knife blade within the removable blade cartridge is configured to slidably extend out from the first end; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second end of the body. The utility tool includes a knife switch coupled to the knife blade, the knife blade moves from the retracted position to the extended position only when the blade cartridge is engaged within the body. The utility tool having a spring mechanism for biasing the knife blade to the retracted position and a leaf member for engaging and disengaging the blade cartridge from the blade cartridge bay by a snap fit.

Abstract: A swimmer's hand paddle simulating a human hand is formed from a generally planar member of PVC foam and has a central dome-shaped palm area for receiving the palm of the swimmer's hand. The paddle includes areas for receiving the thumb and fingers of the swimmer's hand. A wrist strap and one or more finger straps secures the user's hand to the paddle. The palm area, and also the areas which receive the swimmer's thumb and fingers, are provided with a series of apertures to allow the swimmer to feel passing water. The paddle is shaped to include an inwardly directed groove such that the peripheral portion of the paddle nearest the swimmer's second finger lies closer to the central palm area than do the peripheral portions nearest the index finger and ring finger. Also, an indented peripheral portion is formed between the swimmer's thumb and index finger.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple outer surface faces into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In the preferred embodiment of the tool handle, three of its outer surface faces have a continuous holding slot with multiple receiving holes for inserting therein hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. The continuous holding slots of the preferred embodiment of the handle include multiple contoured compartments for holding an inserted hexagonal wrench. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple outer surface faces into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In the preferred embodiment of the tool handle, three of its outer surface faces have a continuous holding slot with multiple receiving holes for inserting therein hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. The continuous holding slots of the preferred embodiment of the handle include multiple contoured compartments for holding an inserted hexagonal wrench. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a motorized clasping mechanism configured to engage a light bulb, the motorized clasping mechanism configured along an axis, the motorized clasping mechanism configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction; and a electronic drive unit configured to remotely communicate with the motorized clasping mechanism, wherein the electronic drive unit sends control signals to drive the motorized clasping mechanism to selectively move in the first direction and the direction. The tool further comprising an arm member for positioning the motorized clasping mechanism in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the motorized clasping mechanism. The motorized clasping mechanism further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the motorized clasping mechanism in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A tool for connecting and disconnecting a coupling having a combination of pliers and a wrench. The pliers have a first jaw with extensions which are positioned over the yokes of the first part of the coupling and a second jaw for positioning adjacent the second part of the coupling. The wrench has a third jaw which is slidably attached to the second jaw. The third jaw has extensions which are positioned around the yokes of the second part of the coupling. The pliers of the tool are used to compress the first and second parts of the coupling together. The wrench is used to rotate the second part of the coupling to disconnect or connect the coupling.

Abstract: Methods for isolating patched genes, particularly mammalian patched genes, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as invertebrate patched genes and sequences, are provided. Decreased expression of patched is associated with the occurrence of human cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas of the skin. The cancers may be familial, having as a component of risk an inherited genetic predisposition, or may be sporadic. The patched and hedgehog genes are useful in creating transgenic animal models for these human cancers. The patched nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated 15 physiological pathways. In addition, modulation of the gene activity in vivo is used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancer, identification of cell type based on expression, and the like.

Abstract: Invertebrate and vertebrate patched genes are provided, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as methods for isolation of related genes, where the genes may be of different species or in the same family. Having the ability to regulate the expression of the patched gene, allows for the elucidation of embryonic development, cellular regulation associated with signal transduction by the patched gene, the identification of agonist and antagonist to signal transduction, identification of ligands for binding to patched,isolation of the ligands, and assaying for levels of transcription and expression of the patched gene.

Abstract: Invertebrate and vertebrate patched genes are provided, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as methods for isolation of related genes, where the genes may be of different species or in the same family. Having the ability to regulate the expression of the patched gene, allows for the elucidation of embryonic development, cellular regulation associated with signal transduction by the patched gene, the identification of agonist and antagonist to signal transduction, identification of ligands for binding to patched, isolation of the ligands, and assaying for levels of transcription and expression of the patched gene.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple outer surface faces into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In the preferred embodiment of the tool handle, three of its outer surface faces have a continuous holding slot with multiple receiving holes for inserting therein hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. The continuous holding slots of the preferred embodiment of the handle include multiple contoured compartments for holding an inserted hexagonal wrench. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment.

Abstract: Methods for isolating patched genes, particularly mammalian patched genes, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as invertebrate patched genes and sequences, are provided. Decreased expression of patched is associated with the occurrence of human cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas of the skin. The cancers may be familial, having as a component of risk an inherited genetic predisposition, or may be sporadic. The patched and hedgehog genes are useful in creating transgenic animal models for these human cancers. The patched nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated 15 physiological pathways. In addition, modulation of the gene activity in vivo is used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancer, identification of cell type based on expression, and the like.

Abstract: A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable blade cartridge positioned within the body, wherein a knife blade within the removable blade cartridge is configured to slidably extend out from the first end; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second end of the body. The utility tool includes a knife switch coupled to the knife blade, the knife blade moves from the retracted position to the extended position only when the blade cartridge is engaged within the body. The utility tool having a spring mechanism for biasing the knife blade to the retracted position and a leaf member for engaging and disengaging the blade cartridge from the blade cartridge bay by a snap fit.

Abstract: A multi-tasking utility tool comprising a body; a knife compartment coupled to the body, wherein the knife compartment contains a cutting tool, the cutting tool configured to extend out from the knife compartment; and a cartridge unit coupled to the body, the cartridge unit having a first writing instrument and a second writing instrument, wherein the first writing instrument and the second writing instrument are positioned opposite from one another, the cartridge unit rotatable between a first position and a second position, further wherein the first writing instrument is positioned within the body in the first position and extends away from the body in the second position.

Abstract: Invertebrate and vertebrate patched genes are provided, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as methods for isolation of related genes, where the genes may be of different species or in the same family. Having the ability to regulate the expression of the patched gene, allows for the elucidation of embryonic development, cellular regulation associated with signal transduction by the patched gene, the identification of agonist and antagonist to signal transduction, identification of ligands for binding to patched, isolation of the ligands, and assaying for levels of transcription and expression of the patched gene.