Author: claimsbot

1. An audio jack system comprising:
a digital player generating an audio signal, the digital player defining an audio socket that includes a set of socket contacts, the digital player comprising an onboard speaker, the digital player being configured selectively between an onboard speaker mode and an auxiliary speaker mode based on whether electrical continuity exists across the set of socket contacts;
an adaptor comprising an adaptor plug and an adaptor receptacle, the adaptor plug being movable selectively to engagement with the set of socket contacts of the audio socket and to disengagement with the set of socket contacts of the audio socket;
an auxiliary sound unit comprising an auxiliary plug, a plurality of wires, and an auxiliary speaker; the plurality of wires extending between the auxiliary plug and the auxiliary speaker, the auxiliary plug being movable selectively to engagement with the audio socket, to engagement with the adaptor receptacle, and to spaced apart relationship with both the audio socket and the adaptor receptacle, the digital player being configured in the onboard speaker mode conveying the audio signal to the onboard speaker and not to the auxiliary speaker when the adaptor plug is in the audio socket and the auxiliary plug is in spaced apart relationship with both the audio socket and the adaptor receptacle, the digital player being configured in the auxiliary speaker mode conveying the audio signal to the auxiliary speaker and not to the onboard speaker when the auxiliary plug is in engagement with the audio socket, and the digital player being configured in the auxiliary speaker mode conveying the audio signal to the auxiliary speaker and not to the onboard speaker when the adaptor plug is in engagement with the audio socket while the auxiliary plug is in engagement with the adaptor receptacle; and
an electrical shunt borne by at least one of the auxiliary plug and the adaptor, the electrical shut being spaced apart from the auxiliary speaker by virtue of the plurality of wires extending between the auxiliary speaker and the auxiliary plug, the electrical shunt providing electrical continuity that establishes and maintains substantially zero voltage potential across the set of socket contacts when the auxiliary plug is in engagement with the audio socket, the electrical shunt providing electrical continuity that establishes and maintains substantially zero voltage potential across the set of socket contacts when the adaptor plug is in engagement with the audio socket while the auxiliary plug is in engagement with the adaptor receptacle, and the electrical shut providing electrical discontinuity between the set of socket contacts when the adaptor plug is in the audio socket and the auxiliary plug is in spaced apart relationship with both the audio socket and the adaptor receptacle.
2. The audio jack system of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure defining an interior and an exterior, the digital player being disposed within the interior, the adaptor plug extending into the interior, and the adaptor receptacle being exposed to the exterior.
3. The audio jack system of claim 2, wherein the interior is substantially hermetically isolated from the exterior, and the digital player is substantially hermetically isolated from the auxiliary sound unit.
4. The audio jack system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary sound unit is a headset.
5. An audio jack system comprising:
a digital player generating an audio signal, the digital player defining an audio socket that includes a set of socket contacts, the digital player comprising an onboard speaker, the digital player being configured selectively between an onboard speaker mode and an auxiliary speaker mode;
an adaptor comprising an adaptor plug and an adaptor receptacle, the adaptor plug being movable selectively to engagement with the audio socket and to disengagement with the audio socket;
a switch borne by the adaptor, the switch being selectively movable to an open position and a closed position; and
an auxiliary sound unit comprising an auxiliary plug and an auxiliary speaker, the auxiliary plug being movable selectively to engagement with the audio socket, to engagement with the adaptor receptacle, and to spaced apart relationship with both the audio socket and the adaptor receptacle, the audio jack system being selectively configured as follows:
a) regardless of whether the auxiliary plug is in engagement with the adaptor receptacle or is spaced apart from the adaptor receptacle, the digital player being configured in the onboard speaker mode conveying the audio signal to the onboard speaker and not to the auxiliary speaker when the adaptor plug is in engagement with the audio socket and the switch is in the open position;
b) regardless of whether the switch is in the open position or in the closed position, the digital player being configured in the onboard speaker mode conveying the audio signal to the onboard speaker and not to the auxiliary speaker when the adaptor plug is in disengagement with the audio socket and the auxiliary plug is spaced apart from the audio socket; and
c) the digital player being configured in the auxiliary speaker mode conveying the audio signal to the auxiliary speaker and not to the onboard speaker when the adaptor plug is in the audio socket, the auxiliary plug is in engagement with the adaptor receptacle, and the switch is in the closed position providing electrical continuity that establishes and maintains substantially zero voltage potential across the set of socket contacts.
6. The audio jack system of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary sound unit is a headset.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-26. (canceled)
27. An apparatus for use with a golf club shaft and a shaft insert assembly that includes a shaft insert and an insert lock, the apparatus comprising:
an apparatus shaft; and
means, associated with the apparatus shaft, for unlocking the insert lock and securing the apparatus shaft to the insert assembly.
28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the apparatus shaft comprises a telescoping apparatus shaft.
29. An apparatus for use with a golf club shaft and a shaft insert assembly that includes a shaft insert and an insert lock, the apparatus comprising:
an apparatus shaft;
a first tool associated with the apparatus shaft and configured to engage the insert lock; and
a second tool associated with the apparatus shaft and configured to be removably secured to the insert assembly.
30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the apparatus shaft comprises a telescoping apparatus shaft.
31. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the
the first tool is part of a lockingunlocking bit configured to be removably secured to the apparatus shaft; and
the second tool is part of a removal bit configured to be removably secured to the apparatus shaft.
32. An apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein
the apparatus shaft includes a connector opening; and
the lockingunlocking bit and the removal bit include respective connectors that are sized and shaped to fit within the shaft connector opening.
33. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein
the insert lock includes a longitudinally movable member with an opening; and
the first tool is configured to fit within the opening.
34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein
the insert lock includes a base with a threaded lumen; and
the second tool comprises a threaded fastener configured to mate with the threaded lumen.
35. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first and second tools are permanently secured to the apparatus shaft.
36. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the first and second tools are part of a single dual-use device.
37. An apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein
the single dual-use device includes a first longitudinal end associated with the apparatus shaft and a second longitudinal end;
the first tool comprises a protrusion that defines the second longitudinal end; and
the second tool comprises a threaded fastener.
38. An apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the protrusion comprises a Hex head.

1. A method of working a rubber vulcanization machine wherein the machine includes means for plasticizing and injecting a rubber material in a fluid state to thereby create a flow of liquid material within a flow channel in which the material does not set in use, the flow channel having at least one outlet in communication with an internal volume of a mold in which the material is to set, the flow channel being provided with at least one inverter device for changing a flow path of the liquid material along the flow channel to thereby invert a radial temperature profile in the flow of the liquid material between an upstream zone and a downstream zone of the flow channel and wherein the at least one inverter device includes a plurality of first convergent channels for directing a first stream of the flow of liquid material from opposite peripheral sides of the upstream zone of the flow channel toward a center of the downstream zone of the flow channel and which first convergent channels have inlets facing the upstream zone of the flow channel and outlets facing toward the center of the downstream zone of the flow channel, and wherein the at least one inverter device also includes a plurality of second divergent channels for directing a second stream of the flow of liquid material from a center of the upstream zone of the flow channel toward the peripheral sides of the downstream zone of the flow channel and which second divergent channels have inlets facing the upstream zone of the flow channel and outlets diverging toward the opposite peripheral sides of the downstream zone of the flow channel, the method including the steps of:
A. Causing the rubber material to flow through the flow channel and then, via the at least one outlet, into the internal volume of the mold, towards at least one cavity, and
B. Adjusting a number andor locations of the inverter devices andor the operating conditions of flow of liquid rubber material to control the radial temperature profile of the material in order to invert the radial distribution of the temperature profile.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the radial temperature profile is uniform.
3. A rubber vulcanization machine for implementing the method of claim 1 including means for plasticizing and injecting a rubber material in a fluid state to thereby create a flow of liquid material within a flow channel in which the material does not set in use, the flow channel having at least one outlet in communication with an internal volume of a mold in which the material is to set, wherein the flow channel is provided with at least one inverter device for changing a flow path of the liquid material along the flow channel to thereby invert a radial temperature profile in the flow of the liquid material between an upstream zone and a downstream zone of the flow channel and wherein the at least one inverter device includes a plurality of first convergent channels for directing a first stream of the flow of liquid material from opposite peripheral sides of the upstream zone of the flow channel toward a center of the downstream zone of the flow channel and which first convergent channels have inlets facing the upstream zone of the flow channel and outlets that face toward the center of the downstream zone of the flow channel, and a plurality of second divergent channels for directing a second stream of the flow of liquid material from a center of the upstream zone of the flow channel toward the peripheral sides of the downstream zone of the flow channel and which second divergent channels have inlets that face the upstream zone of the flow channel and outlets diverging toward the opposite peripheral sides of the downstream zone of the flow channel.
4. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein the at least one inverter device includes a body that is secured to walls of the flow channel.
5. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of divergent channels and the plurality of convergent channels are provided within the body.
6. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 4, wherein the body of the at least one inverter device is secured to the walls of the flow channel by being incorporated in a bore in the flow channel and being held stationary by a screw-on nozzle.
7. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein, at any point of the at least one inverter device, a ratio between a sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of convergent and plurality of divergent channels and a total cross-sectional area of the flow channel is greater than 30%.
8. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein up to ten convergent channels are provided and up to ten divergent channels are provided in the at least one inverter device.
9. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein the flow channel subdivides into a plurality of branch channels, and at least one branch channel is provided with a corresponding inverter device.
10. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein at least two inverter devices are provided, which devices are placed in series in the flow channel.
11. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein, at any point of the at least one inverter device, a ratio between a sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of convergent and plurality of divergent channels and a total cross-sectional area of the flow channel is greater than 50%.
12. A rubber vulcanization machine according to claim 3, wherein four convergent channels and four divergent channels are provided in the at least one inverter device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A tool for forming moldable material, comprising:
a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially therebetween; and
an insert configured to concentrically mate with said sleeve such that a gap is defined between said sleeve and said insert, wherein said insert comprises a barrel portion having at least one air outlet aperture configured to direct air into said gap,
wherein said insert comprises a nib extending from said barrel, said nib configured to form a pouch within a moldable material pressed into said tool, and
said insert comprises a concave area between said barrel and said nib, said concave area defining a sharp edge around a perimeter of said barrel at its juncture with said concave area.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said insert further comprises an air inlet aperture in communication with said air outlet aperture, said air inlet aperture accessible from an exterior of said tool.
3. The tool of claim 1, wherein said bore comprises a tapered region and a parallel region.
4. The tool of claim 1, wherein said air outlet aperture comprises a plurality of air outlet apertures.
5. The tool of claim 4, further comprising a channel connecting said air outlet apertures.
6. A tool for forming moldable material, comprising:
a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially therebetween;
an insert configured to concentrically mate with said sleeve such that a gap is defined between said sleeve and said insert, wherein said insert comprises a barrel portion having at least one air outlet aperture configured to direct air into said gap, and
a concave area in an outer surface of said barrel, said concave area extending around a circumference of said barrel.
7. The tool of claim 6, wherein said air outlet is positioned in a trough of said concave area.
8. A tool for forming moldable material, comprising:
a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially therebetween;
an insert comprising a barrel having a plurality of air outlet apertures, said insert configured to concentrically mate with said sleeve such that a gap is defined between said sleeve and said barrel; and
a nib protruding from said barrel, said nib configured to form a pouch in a moldable material pressed into said tool,
wherein said barrel comprises a trough extending around a perimeter of said barrel, and wherein said air outlet apertures are positioned within said trough.
9. The tool of claim 8, wherein said insert comprises a concave surface between said barrel and said nib.
10. A method of forming moldable material, comprising:
providing a tool according to claim 1;
pressing a moldable material into said tool to form a formed product; and
ejecting said formed product from said tool using compressed air.
11. The tool of claim 6, wherein said insert further comprises an air inlet aperture in communication with said air outlet aperture, said air inlet aperture accessible from an exterior of said tool.
12. The tool of claim 6, wherein said bore comprises a tapered region and a parallel region.
13. The tool of claim 8, wherein said insert further comprises an air inlet aperture in communication with said air outlet aperture, said air inlet aperture accessible from an exterior of said tool.
14. The tool of claim 8, wherein said bore comprises a tapered region and a parallel region.
15. A method of forming moldable material, comprising:
providing a tool according to claim 6;
pressing a moldable material into said tool to form a formed product; and
ejecting said formed product from said tool using compressed air.
16. A method of forming moldable material, comprising:
providing a tool according to claim 8;
pressing a moldable material into said tool to form a formed product; and
ejecting said formed product from said tool using compressed air.