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 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: 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. The patched genes permit production of patched protein and production of antibodies that bind to patched proteins. 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: Methods for isolating patched genes, particularly mammalian patched genes, including mouse and human patched genes, as well as invertebrate patched genes and sequences, are provided. Loss-of function of the 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. Therefore, methods for using the patched gene as a diagnostic for assessing a genetic predisposition to cancer, and to identify specific cancers having mutations in this gene, are disclosed.

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 surface faces into which hexagonal tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot is of a size and dimension which corresponds to a hexagonal tool size. In the preferred embodiment of the handle three of the faces have a single holding slot with multiple receiving holes for holding hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. A lock is positioned over the short leg of the hexagonal wrench and the holding slot to hold the wrench in position during use. The width of the bottom of the lock is smaller than the width of the top of the lock in order to give the lock a natural spring-like property, thereby allowing it to clamp onto the handle and remain in its locked position. The lock may be positioned to hold a tool in any one of the holding slots.

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 method for removing debris from a free flowing water system (100) using an improved filter apparatus (10) is described. The apparatus includes a rail (12) which is mounted adjacent the water supply intake opening (102) and a continuous belt (36) made of chain links (38) and connectors (44) which mounts around an upper sprocket cylinder (26) and a lower sprocket cylinder (32) spaced between the ends of the rail. Openings (42) in the belt collect debris from the water flowing through the belt. The connectors have lifters (50) which move the debris collected on the front side (36A) of the belt and tilt to dump any debris of excess weight back into the water system. As the belt moves upward, the debris collected on the belt and by the lifters is moved out of the water system toward the top of the rail. As the belt moves over the upper sprocket cylinder, the upper sprocket teeth (28A) extend through the openings of the belt loosening the debris trapped on the front side of the belt.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The preferred embodiment of the handle is hexagonal shaped and holds multiple sizes of hexagonal tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple surface faces into which hexagonal tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot is of a size and dimension which corresponds to a hexagonal tool size. In use, a hexagonal wrench is positioned in the appropriate holding slot with the short leg or mounting end of the hexagonal wrench resting in the holding slot and the long leg of the hexagonal wrench extending through a receiving hole formed through the bottom of the slot and the tool handle. The long leg having a proximal end for driving the screw or tool. A lock is then positioned over the short leg of the hexagonal wrench and the holding slot.

Abstract: An improved filter apparatus (10) for removing debris from a free flowing water system (100) is described. The apparatus includes a rail (12) which is mounted adjacent the water supply intake opening (102) and a continuous belt (36) made of chain links (38) and connectors (44) which mounts around an upper sprocket cylinder (26) and a lower sprocket cylinder (32) spaced between the ends of the rail. Openings (42) in the belt collect debris from the water flowing through the belt. The connectors have lifters (50) which move the debris collected on the front side (36A) of the belt and are able to tilt to dump any debris of excess weight back into the water system. The belt is moved upward by a motor (54) which rotates the upper sprocket cylinder. As the belt moves upward, the debris collected on the belt and by the lifters is moved out of the water system toward the top of the rail.

Abstract: A swimmer's hand paddle in the form of a rigid planar member has a mitten-shaped surface area, larger than the human hand and wider in the palm area than in the area of the middle finger, and has an irregularly-shaped aperture of a width approaching the width of the hand positioned at a location on the paddle so as to be covered by the most sensitive area of the palm when the hand is properly positioned on the paddle. From one end of a proximal curved wrist edge to a point beyond the end of the thumb, the thumb side edge closely approaches the outer edge of the thumb and then curves inwardly and merges with a sharply curved distal end, whereas the little finger side edge extends with flared curvature from the distal end to the other end of the curved wrist edge.

Abstract: A cruise control system (10) for use with a hydrostatic drive system having a traction pedal (12) includes a pivotal link (42) and stops (44 and 46) comprising a lost motion connection between the traction pedal and the traction control linkage (30). Selective retention of the pump control lever is accomplished by a pair of electromagnets (64) responsive to a switch (88) associated with the lost motion connection.

Abstract: A swimmer's flexible plastic hand paddle has a surface area larger than a human hand, and a plurality of perforations (approximating the user's hand size) which are positioned to an off-set location on the paddle toward the thumb side of the user's hand. The edge of the paddle closely approaches the outer edge of the user's hand on the thumb side when the hand is in position on the paddle, whereas on the little finger side of the paddle there is a substantially larger (compared to the thumb side of the paddle) area (preferably unperforated) that makes a water foil. The corners of the paddle are rounded and means for attaching the user's hand to the paddle and positioned it in a desired position over the perforations are provided. The thickness in a plastic material having a modulus of elasticity of about 130,000 p.s.i. is from 2 to 4 mm., preferably 3 mm.

Abstract: A protective container is disclosed which includes an integral pocket for holding identification material relating to the contents of the container. The pocket and an associated tab over the pocket opening position the identification material such that bar code graphs or magnetic media mounted thereon can be easily read and accessed without requiring that the container be opened or removed from a stack of containers. In the disclosed embodiment, static protective foam liners are used to support the contents as well as provide an electrical path for any charge accumulated on the contents. The container is formed of an optically transparent material which is also static protective in nature. A viewing means is provided in the container and internal support means so that the presence or absence of any contents can be rapidly determined without opening the container.

Abstract: A phase separator or vapor trap is provided for use with a plastic extruder. The phase separator includes housing means which define a first chamber for separating hydrocarbon compounds from exhaust vapor, an internal conduit located within the first chamber, and a couple which joins extruder discharge conduit with the inlet of the internal conduit. The inlet means provides a larger cross-sectional area than the extruder vapor exhaust conduit. The first chamber includes a baffle which surrounds the internal conduit and further defines at least one flow opening. The aggregate cross-sectional area of the flow openings are substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the discharge conduit. Diffusion means adjustably attached to the end of the internal conduit causes radial diffusion of the exhaust vapor within the first chamber.