Abstract: A reaching and grasping tool is provided. The tool includes a pole assembly having a plurality of pole segments slidingly coupled together. A trigger assembly having a handle body and tensioning mechanism is provided. The tensioning mechanism having a cylindrical member rotationally coupled to the handle body and a torsional biasing member operably coupled to the cylindrical member. A jaw assembly having frame, a first jaw, and a second jaw, the first jaw and second jaw being rotationally coupled to the frame. A linkage is operably coupled between the biasing member, the first jaw and the second jaw.

Abstract: A splint to splint injured parts of a body. The splint includes three rigid members one pair of which are joined together by a hinged joint and a second pair of which are joined by a pivot joint. The hinge joint and the pivot joint each include a locking mechanism that allows the user to select from plurality of numerous positions and thereafter lock each of the joints in a selected position. The splint is used to fix a particular body part in a selected position which may require the members to be hinged with respect to each other, pivoted with respect to each other, or both.

Abstract: A machine for delivering a product which may be automatically personalized by a customer at the time of purchase is disclosed. The product may be selected from a plurality of different types of products which may communicate in a plurality of media such as print, braille, or audio or video tape. The machine stores base products which may be modified to communicate in a plurality of media. Product handling means effects a series of operations including transfer of a base product from storage. Electrically controllable modification means effects modification of the base product to produce a modified base product and electrically controllable delivery means effects delivery of the modified base product. An enclosure contains the storage and product handling means therewithin.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed which includes an enclosure with selection and payment means on the outside thereof and with storage and handling means on the inside thereof, all coupled to computer equipment which is on the inside of the enclosure. The computer equipment is programmed to facilitate a customer's creation from among types of products to be delivered and the desired mode of personalization thereof and to deliver a completed personalized product to a receptacle from which it may be removed by the customer. The machine of the invention improves customer service and availability by periodically reporting sales and other information. In addition, the machine self detects errors of operation and provides the capability of stocking new products or software programming revisions via data transmission from a remote location.

Abstract: A machine for vending greeting cards or other personalized or customized products includes audio and video presentations of available products and options available to a customer, provisions for payment and apparatus for automatic delivery of products. Base products such as preprinted forms are stored for selective transfer by a robot device to modifying apparatus such as a printer, modified products being delivered to a delivery receptacle, all operations being under computer control and being changeable as desired for adding or substituting new forms of products.

Abstract: A machine for vending greeting cards or other personalized or customized products includes audio and video presentations of available products and options available to a customer, provisions for payment and apparatus for automatic delivery of products. Base products such as preprinted forms are stored for selective transfer by a robot device to modifying apparatus such as a printer, modified products being delivered to a delivery receptacle, all operations being under computer control and being changeable as desired for adding or substituting new forms of products.

Abstract: A liner of flexible sheet material is placed on a table on which a longitnally-slotted cylindrical tube and a cylindrical container of slightly larger inner diameter are mounted in axial alignment, and the liner is started into the tube slot. The liner is drawn into the tube and formed into a coil therein by the force of a tangential air jet perpendicular to the slot. Then, the coiled liner is moved axially from the tube into the container by a second tangential air jet directed at an angle of about 45.degree. to the axis. The resilience of the coiled liner causes it to spring outward to snugly fit within the container.