In a message dated 1/26/99 George Langford writes:

> Here's the consensus regarding the inverse shooting board,
>  also known as the Non-Normite Jointer Project.

     Snip of consensus of plans and request for comments

>  If we get a prototype done in less than a year, mebbe the thing can
>  be patented in spite of its public development. Patentee ? The List.

The plans sound great.  This is a project I have always thought would be fun
to do. However as to the patent I think you had best check out Shopsmith
(Normie Mag) issue 19 pages 4 to 7 for an Article titled "Jigs, jointer using
hand plane".  I think this is what is known as prior art in the patent field.

This was a good article, and you may find it useful in this project.  They
flipped a plane upside down and built a bed and fence around it and presto had
a jointer.  However I don't think they gave any credit to the Coopers of old.

I don't remember if the Shopsmith neo-coopers jointer had an adjustable fence.
It seems to me that this is the only reason to build one.  If you want to
joint a board, or a pair of them then set the board up in the vice and plane
away.  On second thought perhaps this will make it easier to get a true edge
on one side.  I know Norm does this before running it through his T@b...* S#w t
o
true up the other edge.

Anyway I think the idea is great, I just thought you might find the prior art
helpful.

Scott Stradley