Abstract: A roller furler assembly for furling a sail where the luff is vertically or diagonally supported by a stay cable. The assembly includes a hollow drive shaft longitudinally aligned around the stay cable adjacent to the luff. A drive mechanism is coupled to the lower end of the drive shaft. Integrally formed or connected to the drive shaft is a torque input device that connects to a portion of a hollow, flexible sail edge device fitted over the middle and upper sections of the drive shaft. The sail edge device includes a longitudinally aligned slot or track that directly connects to a beaded edge attached to the luff. The torque input device is approximately 5%-25% of the stay cable so when the drive shaft is rotated, torque or rotational force is applied directly to the section of the luff located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque input device.

Abstract: A roller furler assembly for furling a sail where the luff is vertically or diagonally supported by a stay cable. The assembly includes a hollow drive shaft longitudinally aligned around the stay cable adjacent to the luff. A drive mechanism is coupled to the lower end of the drive shaft. Integrally formed or connected to the drive shaft is a torque input device that connects to and re-enforces a portion of a hollow, flexible sail edge device fitted over the middle and upper sections of the drive shaft. The sail edge device includes a longitudinally aligned slot or track that directly connects to a beaded edge attached to the luff. The length of the torque input device is approximately 5%-25% of the stay cable and sufficient so that when the drive shaft is rotated, torque or rotational force is applied directly to the section of the luff located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torque input device and near the sail's geometric center.

Abstract: A dimensionally more stable mat is made from a less dimensionally stable mat by saturating the mat with a binder and passing and compressing the mat between a pair of squeeze rolls to remove binder from the mat. At least one of the rolls has a series of annular grooves therein spaced apart along the length of the roll and across the width of the mat whereby as the mat is passed between the rolls a first and a second series of longitudinally extending bands are formed in the mat having different average binder concentrations. The second series of bands, formed in the mat at the annular grooves of the roll, has an average binder concentration greater than that of the first series of bands.

Abstract: Provided is a filter medium comprised of core-sheath fibers wherein the sheath portion comprises an effective amount of antimicrobial agent. Preferably, all fibers of the filter medium comprise such core-sheath fibers, so that every fiber of the filter medium contains the antimicrobial agent to effectively deter bacterial growth.

Abstract: Described are game decoys and methods of preparing game decoys, the decoys including at least a portion that includes a rigid polyurethane, the methods and decoys can exhibit properties such as durability and resistance to mechanical damage, and may exhibit specific measured properties selected from elongation, hardness, and specific gravity, to achieve such mechanical properties.

Abstract: Described are game decoys and methods of preparing game decoys, the decoys including a polymeric coating that improves durability of the decoy.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a rearview mirror comprises a first substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, a reflective coating disposed on a surface of the first substrate, and an electronic circuit component secured to the rear surface of the first substrate. The mirror element may be an electrochromic mirror element comprising a transparent second substrate positioned in front of the first substrate. The electronic component secured to the rear surface may be a component of a drive circuit for the electrochromic mirror element. The rearview mirror element may further comprise electrically conductive tracings provided on the rear surface of the first substrate electrically coupled to the electrical component. The tracings may be used to electrically couple the drive circuit to the electrodes of the electrochromic mirror element. The tracings may be deposited on the rear surface using numerous methods including inkjet printing techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromechanical system for minimizing passenger door contact with the Passenger Loading Bridge (PLB) floor and subsequent damage to said door, during passenger loading or off loading. The system, as configured at the Cab entry, senses the proximity of the aircraft door by contacting a sensing pad, attached to the PLB floor. This initiates a sequence of events. 1) Both visual and auditory alarms are initiated to alert the passenger loading agents and/or the bridge operator of a fault. 2) The PLB is moved down and away from the door sufficiently to prevent the PLB floor from coming in contact with the door. The loading agents or PLB operator can then perform the necessary steps to reset the device and continue loading.

Abstract: A dimensionally more stable mat is made from a less dimensionally stable mat by saturating the mat with a binder and passing and compressing the mat between a pair of squeeze rolls to remove binder from the mat. At least one of the rolls has a series of annular grooves therein spaced apart along the length of the roll and across the width of the mat whereby as the mat is passed between the rolls a first and a second series of longitudinally extending bands are formed in the mat having different average binder concentrations. The second series of bands, formed in the mat at the annular grooves of the roll, has an average binder concentration greater than that of the first series of bands.

Abstract: A method and means for forming an artistic sculpture is described. The method includes a unique source of wood: a bowling pin. The inner wood core of the bowling pin is removed to reveal a richly patterned maple which is conducive to forming a wide variety of shapes and styles of artistic works.