Abstract: A body impact protection system includes an inner layer and an impact force dampening and defusing structure. The inner layer includes a material composition and is adjacent to a body part when the body impact protection system is worn. The impact force dampening and defusing structure is juxtaposed to the inner layer and includes a plurality of components. The components function to reduce pressure on the body part from an impact force on a layer by layer basis. Each layer of the system dampens and defuses the impact force such that, by the time it reaches the body part, it has been substantially attenuated and spread over a large area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a plate settler cover that prevents algae growth, prevents contamination from organic material, and provides structural support for a user who is standing or walking on the plate settler system. The plate settler covers can either float directly on standing water present in the system or may be structurally supported such that the plate cover is positioned above the surface of the water.

Abstract: A multi-layer assembly, such as a sound damping metal laminate used in the automotive industry, having first and second rigid layers and an adhesive layer in between. A retention feature in the form of a raised embossment may be formed in one or more of the rigid layers and may be located near a fastening hole, which accommodates a nut and bolt or some other type of fastening device. The retention feature may impart rigidity and improved stiffness to the multi-layer assembly in the area surrounding the fastening hole, and it may also create a space between the rigid layers that is generally devoid of adhesive from the adhesive layer. This, in turn, can improve the long term performance of the multi-layer assembly by addressing issues such as compression set, spring back and/or stress relaxation. Methods of manufacture and other embodiments are also provided, including ones that accommodate multiple fastening holes, have discontinuous retention features, and use welds in place of nuts and bolts, to name a few.

Abstract: A peel-resistant mechanism includes a body and a plurality of arms extending from the body such that a recess is defined between each pair of adjacent arms. At least one of the arms is positionable to facilitate restricting an edge disbond from spreading across the body of the patch.

Abstract: It is disclosed an appearance-modifying device (10), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby. The appearance-modifying device (10) comprises two oppositely arranged substrates (11, 12), which are spaced apart by a spacer structure (13). The spacer structure (13) spaces apart the two substrates (11, 12) in such a way that a space between the two substrates (11, 12) is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16), the shapes of the individual cells (15, 16) being such that an aperiodic cell pattern (14) is formed by the cells (15, 16). Each cell (15, 16) may comprise an optically transparent fluid having a plurality of particles dispersed therein. The particles are moveable in the fluid through application of an electric field. An appliance at least partly covered by the appearance-modifying device (10) is also disclosed. Furthermore, it is disclosed a method for manufacturing the appearance-modifying device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing molded elements (1) comprising photoluminescent and/or night luminous particles (6). According to the invention, the molded elements (1) are formed of polymer concrete, in the base layer (3) of which photoluminescent and/or night luminous particles (6) and/or further particles (7) are introduced, the base layer being covered and protected by a surface layer (2). The invention further relates to a molded element (1) comprising photoluminescent and/or night luminous particles (6) and an assembly comprising a plurality of molded elements (1).

Abstract: An interlocking sheet profile connector comprises a first and a second connecting profile. The first connecting profile includes a base attached to the first sheet pile wall element, a neck strip projecting from the base and a head strip of larger cross section on the free end of the neck strip. The second connecting profile possesses a base attached to a second sheet pile wall element and a claw strip to secure a head strip. The head strip of the first connecting profile is thus configured both to secure the claw strip of a sheet pile as a sheet pile wall element and to secure the claw strip of the second connecting profile, while the claw strip of the second connecting profile serves both to secure the head strip of a sheet pile as a sheet pile wall element and to secure the head strip of the first connecting profile.

Abstract: Provided is a diaphragm that can be securely and firmly fixed to a predetermined fixing position without deteriorating the function of a film part. The diaphragm is provided with a film part (1a) that is elastically deformable by a predetermined pressure, a thick part (1b) that is disposed at a rim portion of the film part (1a) and has a thickness greater than the film part (1a), and a protection part (1d) that is disposed between the film part (1a) and the thick part (1b) in contact with the film part (1a) and is elastically deformable along with elastic deformation of the film part (1a) to protect the film part (1a).

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly of several sheet pile walls and at least one pair of connecting profiles (10, 20) with uniform cross section viewed along the longitudinal direction to connect two sheet pile walls (90, 94). In this assembly (100), the first of the two connecting profiles (10) possesses a base attached to the first sheet pile wall (90), a neck strip projecting from the base in a predetermined direction, and a head strip of larger cross section on the free end of the neck strip for engagement with a claw strip partially surrounding the head strip. The second of the two connecting profiles (2) possesses a base attached to a second sheet pile wall (90) and a claw strip to secure a head strip.

Abstract: The first of the two connecting profiles of a sheet pile wall assembly possesses a base attached to a sheet pile wall, a neck strip projecting from the base in a predetermined direction, and a head strip of larger cross section on the free end of the neck strip for engagement with a claw strip partially surrounding the head strip. The second of the two connecting profiles possesses a base attached to a second sheet pile wall and a claw strip to secure a head strip. The head strip of the first connecting profile is thus configured both to secure the claw strip of a sheet pile as a sheet pile wall and to secure the claw strip of the second connecting profile.

Abstract: A multilayer thermal protection system includes a metallic substrate; a first ceramic layer; a bond coat layer attaching the first ceramic layer to the metallic substrate, wherein the first ceramic layer is applied by plasma spraying; at least one second ceramic layer attached to the first ceramic layer, wherein the at least one second ceramic layer includes monolithic ceramic elements adhesively attached to the first ceramic layer; and a ceramic adhesive layer attaching the at least one second ceramic layer to the first ceramic layer.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A countertop and method of countertop manufacture wherein the countertop has a horizontal surface and a vertical edge surface wherein the vertical edge surface is comprised of at least one luminescent component. The luminescent component being of a solid surface material with a luminescent quality.

Abstract: A fabric includes a fabric substrate and a plurality guard plate assemblies affixed to the fabric substrate in a spaced relationship to each other. Each guard plate assembly includes a first layer of material affixed to the fabric substrate and a second layer of material joined to the first layer of material on a surface opposite the fabric substrate. The second layer of material has characteristics different than the first layer of material and are chosen commonly to meet the demands of the application to which the fabric is designed.

Abstract: A three-layer asphalt composition shingle where the top layer is of a full width, a middle layer is less than the full width, and a bottom layer has a width shorter than the middle layer. The middle and top layers of the shingle have tabs and cutouts. The tabs of each such layer generally differ in some feature. Moreover, the corresponding tabs between the middle layer and top layer also differ with respect to some feature, such as a lengthwise size, a widthwise size, shape or in color. Each of the three layers includes color zones, and often plural color zones. The different tab features and the different color features of the various layers provide a high degree of randomness to enhance a visual appearance to a roof shingled with such type of shingles.

Abstract: A carpet tile (11) and tile cutting apparatus (20) that produces a carpet tile with a removable cutout section (13) defined by discontinuous slits (19) and held in place by bridges (14). The apparatus includes a perimeter cutting assembly (50) and retractable inner cutting assembly (40). The perimeter cutting assembly is used to cut the carpet tile and the inner cutting assembly simultaneously forms the discontinuous slits in the inner portion of the carpet tile. The inner cutting assembly can be engaged or disengaged during the carpet tile cutting process. The carpet tile is installed by severing the bridges and laying the border sections (12) on the floor with dissimilar cutouts within the borders to create a visually interesting floor covering.

Abstract: An inexpensive and disposable, highly absorbent pad for placement on a floor surface, directly in front of a urinal, for absorbing fluid not deposited within the confines of the urinal which would otherwise drip on the floor. Fluid absorbed by the pad is prevented from reaching the underlying floor thereby eliminating the problems associated with fluids being deposited on the floor. The pad includes a normally concealed incorporates a normally concealed, flexible, thin plastic disposal container connected to a pad removal member. The disposal container is stored in a normally concealed location, preferably beneath the pad, and automatically deploys and envelops the pad when a force is exerted on the removal member during the pad removal process.

Abstract: A roof membrane and a roof system employing a EPDM membrance which is compatible with a bituminous adhesive. The membrance includes an outer layer of polymeric layer such as EPDM bonded to a polyester protective layer which is in turn bonded to a fleecy material. This can be adhered to a roof deck surface using hot asphalt or bitumen which bonds the fleecy material to the roof deck in turn holding the EPDM in place. The polyester layer prevents the asphaltic material from attacking and dissolving the EPDM with the fleecy material providing good adhesion between the polyester and the EPDM.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is performed by providing a glass sheet having first and second opposite surfaces merging with each other along a peripheral ground angled surface setting-off with the glass sheet first surface an included angle substantially greater than normal. The glass sheet is placed in a mold having opposing cavity portions which collectively define a cavity including a peripheral edge cavity portion defined in part by a cavity defining surface which lies in the plane of the glass sheet first surface when the mold is closed. The mold is then closed such that the cavity defining surface and the glass sheet round angled surface set-off and angled complementary to the included angle and with the glass sheet per surface abutting the cavity defining surface inboard of the glass sheet ground angled surface.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A flooring system for use in a residential environment. The flooring system includes a subfloor adapted to support the mass of a user and modular surface covering elements for disposition in edge to edge covering arrangement across at least a portion of the subfloor. The modular surface covering elements include a pile fabric face with an arrangement of yarns projecting outwardly defining a pile layer for contact by a user. At least one layer of cushioning material is disposed in contacting relation at a position below the pile fabric face.

Abstract: A transparent packaging container comprises a plastic tube having a welded longitudinal seam wherein the plastic is polyethylene terephthalate.(PET).

Abstract: A substantially solid glass-based simplified supporting structure includes at least one supporting unit made up of at least two glass sheets separated by at least one sheet of organic material. At least one protective member is provided on a face of the supporting unit, this protective member being made up of at least one sheet or layer of inorganic material and/or of at least one sheet or layer of organic material.

Abstract: A protective cover over the surface of machinery such as an automobile or airplane protects the vehicle from both rain and hail with dish shaped individual units fastened to a heavy cloth with the dish shaped individual units preventing direct impact and spreading the glancing impact so as to prevent damage from even large hailstones.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unitary roofing shingle sheet comprising (a) an undivided cop section having an unexposable upper portion and a lower portion carrying a partially exposable horizontal band of distinguishable colors or color patterns and (b) exposable tabs in a butt bottom section depending from the lower boundary of the band in the partially exposable portion of (a); the exposable portions of said shingle being covered with weather resistant granules of distinguishable hues or patterns disposed in discrete exposable areas in the band of section (a) and on each of said tabs so as to provide a distinctive color or pattern for each tab and a contrasting color or color pattern above each tab in the adjoining exposable portion of said band of section (a).

Abstract: An improved pavement marking sheet material, and a method for making such pavement marking sheet material. The pavement marking sheet material comprises a selected configuration of upright retroreflectors. The upright retroreflectors are arranged in a selected configuration so as to maximize reflectivity as measured at actual observation geometries by allowing light to be incident to effective portions of the retroreflective elements on the upright retroreflectors.

Abstract: Single-member sets of zoomorphic tiles, in which any single tile, if duplicated, can tile the plane in periodic ways, or, with duplicates of its mirror image, in either periodic or non periodic ways, and which can also form tilings of the plane in conjunction with duplicates of any other appropriately sized but differently shaped embodiment or embodiments of the invention. The diverse and variable arrangements show vertices at which 3, 4, 5, and 6 tiles meet. These tiles, tilings, patches and rosettes of tiles may be used in puzzles, games and other recreations, for teaching certain aspects of geometry, for various purposes in conjunction with computers, for the decoration of fabrics or other surfaces, for the shape of food items such as cookies, or for other uses to which tiles or tilings may be put.

Abstract: Artistic tile designs are mass produced with precut tile pieces from commercially available square tile units. An initial tile design is created with the tile pieces to serve as a pattern. Thereafter the tile designs are reproduced by placing a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent sheet-type substrate or backing over the initial design, and by securing matching tile pieces to the substrate, as viewed through the substrate. The substrate is of the type that is sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape while handled. The tile design can be repeated on the reverse side of the substrate using the design on the front side as the pattern to provide a double-sided design. If an opaque substrate is to be used, the front faces of the tile pieces are temporarily secured to a readily removable substrate, and the adhesive is thereafter applied to the back of the tile pieces to be permanently mounted.

Abstract: A carpet includes at least two sets of square carpet tiles of different sizes. The carpet tiles of the carpet have a plurality of trapezoidal projections and complementary grooves so that the tiles may be interlocked with each other. One set of the carpet tiles has edges which are longer than those of the other set each of which is integrally proportional to an edge of the other set of carpet tiles. A special trapezoidal tooth and a complementary notch adjacent the tooth are provided at each longer edge of the carpet tiles and equally spaced from each other by one unit length, the unit length equalling the length of the edge of a tile from the other set of carpet tiles.

Abstract: A flexible, cushioning dunnage product producible on a converter mechanism from a roll of sheet-like stock material, such as biodegradable paper. As the stock material is pulled off the roll by the converter, the edges of the stock material are rolled inwardly to form pillow-like portions which are urged by the converter mechanism laterally inwardly with respect to one another into confronting abutting relation, with the pillow-like portions being then connected together along their engaged abutting sides by in the preferred embodiment, transversely extending coined sections extending transversely of the product and defining a generally central connecting portion running in a direction lengthwise of the product.

Abstract: A transparent laminated window structure having high impact resistance is disclosed, wherein the window comprises a continuous inner layer of thermoplastic material, and an outer layer substantially parallel to the inner layer including at least a first course of discrete, mutually spaced glass segments, the spaces between adjacent segments containing an adhesive material. The window structure may further comprise a strip of elastomeric material compressed between the inner and outer layers so as to define a gas gap between the layers. A projectile contacting a particular glass segment in the outer layer will fracture that segment, but will not cause cracking in the adjacent, mutually spaced segments in the same course, and therefore, a high degree of visibility through the window structure will be retained after impact by the projectile.

Abstract: A decorative surface arrangement for an article of furniture includes a plurality of tiles, at least some of which carry decorative matter on their exposed surfaces. The edges of each tile have retaining means cooperable with retaining means on the edges of other tiles to maintain the tiles in engagement with one another while permitting relative sliding movement between the tiles in the plane of the decorative surface. The tiles move within a frame fixed to the furniture and engage retaining means carried by the frame. There is space available within the frame for accommodating one tile more than the number of tiles within the frame. The retaining means may include tongue means projecting laterally from part of the circumference of each tile and groove means in the remaining part of the tile circumference.

Abstract: Fibrous insulating material consisting of a rectangular or semi-cylindrical block obtained by stacking ceramic fiber blankets or felt in the thickness direction thereof and bonding contact surfaces of adjacent blankets or felt to each other with an adhesive. Such insulating fire material is bonded to the furnace surface such that the bonded surfaces are perpendicular to the wall surface. By using the fibrous insulating material which is ready to handle, it is possible to facilitate and reduce time required for construction of the insulating wall.

Abstract: A high yield technique for converting round logs of balsa or other species of wood of relatively small diameter into large rectangular panels, the percentage of log volume that is converted being substantially greater than with prior techniques. The logs are radially sectioned into sectors having the same apex angle. Each sector is then longitudinally cut at its apex and arc to define a truncated feedstock piece whose cross-section is that of an isosceles trapezoid, the feedstock pieces being of variable width depending on the diameters of the logs from which they are derived. The pieces are fitted together in a complementary manner to create uniform layers which are superposed to form a stack defining a dry block assembly. The end pieces in each layer are constituted by feedstock piece halves to present a vertical block edge. All feedstock pieces in the dry block assembly are then wet-coated with a curable adhesive.

Abstract: A three layer building panel material product made from recycled waste thermoplastic synthetic resin material and cellulose fibers aggregate, outer layers of which substantially comprise reset pressure rolled, heat-fused, and re-hardened thermoplastic synthetic resin bits, and having a core of cellulose fiber aggregate bonded by re-hardened heat-fused thermoplastic synthetic resin bits pressure bonded to the outer layers.