Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for simultaneously polishing both surfaces of an optical substrate. An upper platen and a lower platen, each covered with a polishing pad material and at least one carrier having an aperture for holding the optical substrate between the platens are provided. The location of the aperture of the carrier is set such that the center of the optical substrate is offset from the center of the carrier and at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the optical substrate extends outwardly beyond at least a portion of at least one of the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter of the platens. The platens are rotated with respect to the carrier, and the carrier is rotated with respect to the platens to polish the optical substrate. The location of the aperture of the carrier is adjustable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for simultaneously polishing both surfaces of an optical substrate. An upper platen and a lower platen, each covered with a polishing pad material and at least one carrier having an aperture for holding the optical substrate between the platens are provided. The location of the aperture of the carrier is set such that the center of the optical substrate is offset from the center of the carrier and at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the optical substrate extends outwardly beyond at least a portion of at least one of the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter of the platens. The platens are rotated with respect to the carrier, and the carrier is rotated with respect to the platens to polish the optical substrate. The location of the aperture of the carrier is adjustable.

Abstract: Spools of tape are carried on a hand tool that facilitates wrapping of the tape about the threaded end of a pipe while maintaining proper tension on the tape. The tool is designed to carry a spool that has a tubular core with a core longitudinal axis and opposed edges, spaced annular inner and outer side walls attached to opposed edges of the core longitudinal axis, and tape wound around the core between the side walls. The hand tool includes an elongated handle and a spool carrier attached to the one end of the handle for rotatably supporting a spool of tape. When used, the tool is orbited around the pipe end, with tension on the tape achieved by thumb pressure against the spool side wall to retard spool rotation.

Abstract: A device for inserting a utility marker is described that includes an elongated handle with upper and lower ends; a marker extractor adjacent the handle lower end that is moveable along a vertical pathway, and a marker magazine adjacent the handle lower end adapted to hold a plurality of markers including a leading marker adjacent the marker extractor pathway. The extractor, when moved to its extended position by pushing on the plunger, extracts the leading marker from the marker magazine, and inserts the lower end of the marker into the ground. Simultaneously, a valve actuator at the lower end of the handle is moved to an operative position to open the valve of an aerosol can, spraying paint adjacent to the marker. In one embodiment of the invention, the magazine is adapted to enclose a continuous roll of markers. In another embodiment, a housing adjacent the marker extractor pathway receives a replaceable magazine of stacked markers.

Abstract: A device for inserting a utility marker is described that includes an elongated handle with upper and lower ends; a marker extractor adjacent the handle lower end that is moveable along a vertical pathway, and a marker magazine adjacent the handle lower end adapted to hold a plurality of markers including a leading marker adjacent the marker extractor pathway. The extractor, when moved to its extended position by pushing on the plunger, extracts the leading marker from the marker magazine, and inserts the lower end of the marker into the ground. Simultaneously, a valve actuator at the lower end of the handle is moved to an operative position to open the valve of an aerosol can, spraying paint adjacent to the marker. In one embodiment of the invention, the magazine is adapted to enclose a continuous roll of markers. In another embodiment, a housing adjacent the marker extractor pathway receives a replaceable magazine of stacked markers.

Abstract: A device for inserting a utility marker is described that includes an elongated handle with upper and lower ends; a marker extractor adjacent the handle lower end that is moveable along a vertical pathway, and a marker magazine adjacent the handle lower end adapted to hold a plurality of stacked markers including a leading marker adjacent said marker extractor pathway. The extractor, when moved to its extended position by pushing on the plunger, extracts the leading marker from the stacked markers, and inserts the lower end of the marker into the ground. Simultaneously, a valve actuator at the lower end of the handle is moved to an operative position to open the valve of an aerosol can, spraying paint adjacent the marker. A unique marker for use with the device is also described, the marker including an extraction projection that is engageable by the lower end of the marker extractor.