Abstract: A floor covering suitable as an entrance mat comprises a plurality of tread strips of substantially resilient and flexible material, each tread strip having a wear layer of fibrous or fibrous like material whereby said tread strips provide a fibrous tread surface, and a plurality of spacer strips of substantially rigid material arranged interposed between the tread strips whereby each successive pair of tread strips is spaced apart by at least two of said spacer strips, and the pluralities of strips being secured together in side by side relationship by connecting means which pass through aligned apertures in the strips, each spacer strip comprising a pair of longitudinally extending and co-planar abutment faces to bear against and provide lateral support to a side face of a tread strip, the maximum spacing of extreme edges of said abutment faces as viewed in cross-section being less than the height of the side face of the tread strip whereby said pairs of spacer strips provide a recess region between a succe

Abstract: A panel (10) for use as a space divider (100) or to be attached to furniture (102) is described. The panel has a molded polystyrene beads (STYROFOAM.TM.) bead board core (12) encased in a plastic film layer (14) which stabilizes the panel and allows the panel to be used as a tack board. A decorative outer cover (18) is provided over the core and plastic layer to increase the aesthetic quality and versatility of the panel. Support plates (26) are provided along the edges (12C) of the core underneath the plastic layer to increase the structural strength of the panel and to enable attachment of the panels to each other or to other furniture. Attachment rails (20) are provided on the outside of the panel to protect the edges of the panel and enable a connector hinge (22) to be attached to the panel for connecting two panels together.

Abstract: A floor mat including a plurality of rigid, elongated rails interconnected by flexible coupling members is provided. Each of the rails include a base portion supporting a tread surface and a pair of parallel side members connected to the sides of the base portion. Each of the side members defines a passageway. The coupling members are flexible, resilient, and each including a web with longitudinal side margins. Each web has connected to each side margin an arrangement for engaging the passageway of a side member. When the floor mat is disposed on a flat, horizontal floor, the web is at bottommost position in the floor mat.

Abstract: A multi-purpose rubber mat comprising strips of rubber material having a top and bottom sides and edge portion; said strips laid together whereby the top side of one abuts the bottom side of another; and said laid together strips threaded and held together to form a barrier surface to contain flying objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular section which may be constructed from a sheet having a pair of opposed edges. The opposed edges are releasably connectable such that the section may be stored in a relatively flat configuration. The screw fasteners used to connect the edges together may be restrained from rotation using for example a stringer element appropriately stabilised relative to the fasteners.

Abstract: A paint saver pad comprised of a sheet or pad of resilient, waterproof material that can be easily installed in the cargo carrying area of a vehicle, typically a pickup truck, prior to the installation of a cargo carrying area protective bedliner in order to protect the vehicle surface from wear caused by the liner.

Abstract: Absorbent panel structures that comprise a unitary pulp panel having a forward section and a rearward section, the rearward section comprising from about 20% to about 70% of the rearward panel length. One or more longitudinally elongated areas or grooves of reduced thickness and basis weight are formed in the panel. The rearward section preferably has a mean basis weight that is from about 30% to about 70% less than the mean basis weight of the forward section of the panel. The thickness of the elongated areas may be uniform along the length of the panel or may decrease along the panel length direction from the front edge to the rear edge. Superabsorbent particles may be uniformly dispersed throughout the panel or may be dispersed in longitudinal stripes that may or may not coincide with the elongated areas.

Abstract: There are disclosed spacer elements for use in insulated glass assemblies of the single and multiple atmosphere type which incorporate non-thermally conductive materials as the main structural support member in the assembly. The result is a lightweight, warm edge assembly.

Abstract: A set of thin, flat stencil plates are stacked together face-to-face to form a three-dimensional article shaped as a decorative article. The stencil plates are held together in the three-dimensional form by a connecting member or by frictionally interlocking them to one another. The stencil plates each contain one or more apertures of unique shapes, so the plates can be disassembled from the three-dimensional form and used individually as separate stencils. The stencil plates have peripheral outer surfaces which cooperate to form the three-dimensional shape of a selected design figure when the plates are assembled in a particular sequence, and the article, in its assembled form, conceals the stencils contained inside the finished three-dimensional article. The invention has use as a puzzle in stacking together the stencil plates in the proper sequence, and the finished article can be an art object or a toy, for example.

Abstract: A structural member formed from a plurality of layers of interwoven fibrous material. The plurality of layers intersect and join each other along lines of contact. The lines of contact form axes of the member. A hollow central portion having a perimeter is defined by the plurality of intersecting layers and the lines of contact. A plurality of points are formed on the perimeter of the hollow central portion defined by the lines of contact formed by the axes. At least one flange extends outwardly of the hollow central portion at each of the points, wherein each of the plurality of layers extends beyond the axes of the member to define the flanges.

Abstract: An all-composite article comprising two composite parts pivotally joined by a composite hinge which is fabricated integrally therewith. The method of making such an all-composite article.

Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette in which critical parts subject to wear are coated with a hard coating such as an ultraviolet-cured resin. Among other effects, the generation of rubbed-off powder is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of data drop-out. Also, the case of the cassette is protected from damage.

Abstract: A two ply laminated structural material is made from used vehicle tires, such as steel belted radial automobile tires. Each ply consists of a plurality of individual tread bearing tire belts joined end to end. The individual belts are made from tires by removing the tire sidewalls and transversely cutting the annular remainder. The individual belts are joined so as to provide a continuous structural belt capable of carrying a load in tension. By bonding two such belts together thread to thread using adhesive or vulcanization, a structural material is obtained having sufficient stiffness and strength to be used in the manufacture of a variety of rubber products.

Abstract: A puzzle towel/mat for bath, beach and kitchen is provided which consists of a plurality of irregularly shaped pieces having interlocking sides to match up with each other, so as to form one complete unit when fitted together. A mechanism is for retaining the interlocking sides of the plurality of irregularly shaped pieces together when matched up with each other, so as to keep the one complete unit together to be utilized.

Abstract: A longitudinal laminate board of binder fixed mineral wool. The laminate board consists of adjacently disposed longitudinally directed pieces, whose fibre planes form a right angle to the plane of the laminate board. The length of the pieces is less than half of that of the laminate board and they are jointed to each other. None of the joints is immediately next to any of the ends of the laminate board or to any of the supports for the board.

Abstract: A plurality of rigid bars, made of wood, plastic or other material, are joined together to form an articulated assembly. A rope is threaded through bores formed in the bars. Spacers are placed over the rope between the bars. Ends of the spacers can be angled for inclining, declining or flat arrangements of adjacent bars. In the alternative, ends of spacers can be rounded and received in a rounded depression of the bore. In an alternate embodiment, flexible interlocking elements are connected to adjacent bars. Interlocking elements can have engaging male and female portions or can be screwed together. Each male and female portion can pass through a plurality of bars. When laid flat over a surface, the articulated assembly may be used as a support that forms a deck, walkway, or similar structure. Other uses of the assembly include a latticework, a barrier and a vertical support.

Abstract: The present invention provides high quality laminated veneer lumber as a material for such uses as in architecture and furniture, and a method of mass production thereof using veneer which is flattened in advance. A sheet of veneer is obtained by cutting a log with a rotary lathe or the like, and flattening and cutting the same into a predetermined length. Sheets of veneer thus obtained are cut on both edges in the grain direction to form symmetrically diagonal end faces and bonded with one another at said end faces with their grain directions aligned to form an elongated sheet of veneer. The resultant elongated sheet of veneer is cut into a predetermined length to form a laminated veneer material having seams a. Plural sheets of thus formed laminated veneer material are laminated and bonded with their grain directions aligned to form laminated veneer core 3. The laminated veneer core 3 is either directly used as a laminated veneer lumber, or is covered with another sheet of seamless veneer 4 on its surface.

Abstract: An image producing and transfer apparatus which utilizes a base sheet covered with a tacky adhesive which in turn is covered with a liner sheet composed of a plurality of individually removeable liner segments. Part of the apparatus includes a plurality of break-away members which are manufactured at the same time as the apparatus and of the same material of construction and the same die cutting process to become a tool in the method of this invention. Each break-away member includes a tacky adhesive surface which, when applied to the outer surface of one of the liner segments, facilitates the removal of that liner segment thereby exposing an area of the tacky adhesive which can now be covered with a particulate matter. All liner segments are removed in this manner. When all liner segments have been removed and the particulate matter applied, there remains a border segment. A liquid glue is coated onto the completed image of this particulate matter with some of this glue coating the border segment.

Abstract: A cover for use with a container (1) comprises one or more layers (11, 12, 15) of high tensile strength, high stretch resistance flexible material which are capable of resisting penetration by bomb blast and fragmentation and which are adapted so that the cover can expand and absorb and/or channel the blast from within the container (1). For this purpose, the layers of flexible material are interconnected by hook-and-eye type fabric fasteners, which can give or release under load to allow controlled expansion of the cover in the event of an explosion. The container may be the type used to carry cargo or luggage on an aircraft and placing the cover (11, 12, 15) about the container a bomb secreted in the luggage or cargo will be prevented from destroying the aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mat comprising a plurality of elongated rails arranged parallel to one another and each having a receiving portion adapted to receive a tread member. The rails are coupled by way of first and second connecting elements, preferably consisting of T-shaped members and U-shaped members, by insertion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rails.

Abstract: A threshold mat comprising alternating scraper units and wiper units. The improvement is that the wipers, that is strips of carpeting are carried on extrusion carriers and are gripped by their edges via a tightenable clamp incorporated in the scraper unit. The feature of tightening enables different thicknesses of carpet material to be accommodated.

Abstract: A floor mat (10) is provided which includes longitudinal rail sections (e.g., 16, 17) capable of being interconnected with other longitudinal rails to form a roll up floor mat or pedestrian walking surface. The rails include a plastic cushion layer (21) which can be coextruded onto the upwardly facing surface of an underlying rigid plastic rail core (8), with the cushion layer being softer than the rail core and forming an integral walking surface thereon. At least one living hinge (23) may be employed within the rail section for pivotal movement of the rail, allowing the floor mat to be rolled up.

Abstract: A surgical floor mat having a plurality of compressed sponge sections with a low profile in a dry condition and a expanded profile in a wet condition for absorbing fluids which fall onto the sponge sections over the course of a surgical procedure. Furthermore, the compressed sponge sections are adhered to a waterproof and foldable sheet with a gap between each of the sponge sections to allow the foldable sheet and sponge sections to be easily folded for purposes of storage or later disposal. The waterproof and foldable sheet has a non-slip undersurface for secure engagement between the operating room floor and the surgical floor mat. Additionally, an adhesive strip can be used and affixed to the undersurface of the foldable sheet for greater securement to the floor and a number of different configurations for the surgical floor mat can be used.

Abstract: A foot mat comprises a multiplicity of elongated rail members formed by coextrusion of a substantially rigid polymeric material and a compressible polymeric material. Each rail member has a rigid tread-supporting web portion, at least two rigid leg portions, which are adapted to support the tread-supporting web portion stably on a surface, a cushion portion of the compressible material on the bottom of each leg portion, and a pair of rigid bulbous coupling portions of the substantially rigid material, one on each side of the tread-supporting web portion. Each coupling portion is substantially longitudinally coextensive with the tread-supporting web portion and extends generally laterally outwardly from the tread-supporting web portion. A tread member is received on the top of the tread-supporting web portion of the rail member.

Abstract: A plurality of rigid bars, made of wood, plastic or other material, are joined together to form an articulated assembly. A rope is threaded through bores formed in the bars. Cylindrical spacers are placed over the rope between the bars. In an alternate embodiment, flexible interlocking elements are connected to bores formed in the bars. When laid flat over a surface, the articulated assembly may be used as a support that forms a deck, walkway, or similar structure. Other uses of the assembly include a latticework, a barrier and a vertical support.

Abstract: Tetrahedral elements are hingedly connected along opposed edges to form an elongate structure with a pair of cable guides at apices of each pair of connected edges. Cables fixed at or near the apices of the element at the free end of the structure and passing through the guides are used to control the shape of the structure by applying tension at the fixed end of the structure.

Abstract: A hinged flexible article is provided which has rigid or semirigid substrate means with an insert of a hinge material which permits repeated flexing of the article about the hinge without failure. The substrate means has a hardness of at least about 35 Shore D as measured by ASTM test D-2240, while the hinge material has a hardness of from about 25 to about 60 Shore D as measured by ASTM test D-2240.

Abstract: Dental plaque-disclosing compositions comprising FD&C Red No. 40 which selectively stain plaque formed on tooth surfaces, making plaque easily observable to the naked eye at visible light wave-lengths.

Abstract: A floor mat is disclosed which provides a flexible, resilient, cushioned, tread surface and substantial foreign matter collection area. The preferred floor mat includes a plurality of elongated, flexible, resilient, spaced-apart, intercoupled rails. Each preferred rail includes a plurality of elongated, upstanding, spaced-apart cleaning structures extending upwardly from the rail top surface with a transverse wall between adjacent cleaning structures which together cooperatively define respective collection troughs. Each transverse wall includes a plurality of foreign matter removal openings and each rail includes a plurality of elongated, longitudinally disposed passageways extending substantially along the length of each rail and positioned respectively beneath a corresponding cleaning structure for cushioning impact on the cleaning structures.

Abstract: A method of preparing truck floor boards of a desired standard length from floor boards having differing, initial standard lengths. For the case wherein the desired standard length is less than initial standard length, one may begin with severing, by saw-cutting, from a board having at least one initial standard length, as many desired length-boards as are available; this leaves a remainder board. One may also begin with such a remainder board, as an end product of a previous execution of the method, or of a cycle of the method. A finger joint profile is cut in the trailing end surface of the remainder board, and a mating finger joint profile is cut into the leading end surface of an initial-standard-length board. By gluing, the finger jointing is completed, and from the resultant composite board, severed out by saw-cut are as many desired length boards as are available. This may leave a new remainder board of sufficient length to warrant its inclusion in a new cycle of the method.

Abstract: A net comprising a plurality of rings grooved on both sides and interconnected by "V" shaped flexible connectors, locked in to form an "O" shaped connection by a ratchet latch mechanism. The net is stretched to any desired construction and can be used for children playgrounds, or for naval security systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to insert strips for a floor covering structure for public walking areas such as in foyers of commercial buildings. The floor structure is made up of connected longitudinal sections, each section having a central longitudinal channel, a raised removable strip being disposed into each channel, to provide a walking surface and the strip having a relatively friction free underlying surface for an easy insertion into a channel and the same being arranged to be retained in the channel.

Abstract: A floor mat is composed of a multiplicity of rigid elongated rails arranged parallel to each other, each rail having a body portion adapted to receive a tread member and a coupling portion by which it is joined to an adjacent rail. The body and coupling portions are found by extrusion of a rigid high-impact strength thermoplastic polymeric material and are joined by a living hinge of a highly flexible thermoplastic elastomer formed by coextrusion with the body and coupling portions. Each rail includes at least two ribs along its underside laterally spaced apart from each other and adapted to support the rail on a surface, each rib being formed by coextrusion with the body and coupling portions and the living hinge of a soft, compressible thermoplastic polymeric material and serving as a cushion and an anti-slip element of the mat.

Abstract: A link chain or string is produced in an injection molding tool in such a way that a plurality of links threaded onto a string or cable are molded simultaneously, for example in the form of spheres. In order to avoid the transmission of axial forces to the links, which forces might disturb the axial spacings from link to link, the injection molding tool is provided with restrictions which reduce the cross-sectional area of molten material flow channels to a minimum. Preferably, the restricted area is located directly at the respective link. The channels all lead to a common injection molding channel to which the molten material is supplied for thus simultaneously casting or molding of a plurality of links to strings or cables. The restrictions make sure that any forces resulting from shrinkage during the cooling and solidifying cannot shift the balls or links even if the latter are not yet completely solidified internally. Thus, errors in the on-center spacing between adjacent links are avoided.

Abstract: An articulated floor mat structure is disclosed, in which a series of rigid, slat-like elements are hinged together and locked to prevent lateral movement, to form a mat structure that can be rolled up. The individual structural elements are shaped to provide for slide-in or snap-in assembly of tread strips, along their upper surfaces, and pad strips, along their lower surfaces. Edge strips are secured along the side edges of the mat assembly in an advantageous manner, to retain the tread strips and pad strips in assembled positions. An arrangement of integral loop tabs on the edge strips and integral hook tabs on the structural members greatly expedites the assembly process and correspondingly reduces the cost of manufacture, without compromising performance.

Abstract: A removable protective liner adapted to fit and be releasably connectable atop the enclosed, generally horizontal rear bed of vehicles such as Blazers.RTM., Broncos.RTM., Cherokees.RTM., and the like. The liner is formed of a horizontal panel fabricated of thin flexible sheet material such as vinyl or naugahide.RTM. and is adapted to cover substantially the entire rear bed and the rear seats of such vehicles in their folded down position. The liner may also include side panels and a spare tire cover extending upwardly from the side margins of the horizontal panels. The releasable attaching means between the liner and the vehicle rear bed may be Velcro.RTM., mating snaps, or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laminate wood structure in the form of a board having a surface composed substantially entirely of edge-grain, the laminate wood stucture comprising a plurality of elongate plain-sawn wooden strips each having exposed edge grain along at least one edge, the wooden strips being arranged in parallel stacked relationship to one another such that the surface is collectively formed by the edges of the plurality of strips.

Abstract: A connecting structure of floor mat sections particularly adapted for public foyer walking areas, the connecting sections being formed to be unitary of plastic material, certain of said sections having terminal portions at each side thereof having axial bores therein coextensive therewith, said bores having slots therethrough at the outer side thereof and alternate of said sections having terminal portions at each side thereof having outwardly extending web portions having outer edges adapted to be received and retained within an adjacent of said bores for interconnection of said sections, said webs having medial thickness such as to pass through said slots, said sections having tread surfaces and underlying support surfaces, said surfaces being reversible.

Abstract: An improved continuous automated method of manufacturing insulated door panels is provided. The process includes a step of continuously connecting discrete first skin segments end to end by means of flexible joints to form a string of first skin segments and then conveying the string to a foamable liquid injecting station. In a preferred embodiment, a polyethylene film is applied to the string in order to contain foamable liquid in event of a gap caused by separation of a flexible joint.

Abstract: A raised panel-style door and method of making same are described. The structure includes a solid core having a planar veneer support surface regularly interrupted by channels extending in a rectangular course. The channels are inlaid with picture frames formed of decorative wood strips having marginal edges in the plane of the veneer support surface and being recessed therebetween. When overlaid with veneer, surface regions outside the picture frames are made to look like stiles and rails, while those inside are made to look like panels. The door may also have an internal fire-retardant layer.

Abstract: A raised panel door having a core panel extending within it and panel inserts lodged within the voids of a lattice structure presented on opposite sides of the door. Molding strips overlay and conceal regions where the inserts abut against expanses in the lattice structure defining the voids. A veneer overlay covers margins of the molding strips.

Abstract: An array of gravity-held-in-place-load-bearing-horizontal-modular-accessible-tiles with flexible joints between adjacent modular-accessible-tiles in which the flexible joints are cuttable and reassembleable to provide accessibility to flat conductor cable disposed above or below one or more horizontal-disassociation-cushioning-layers which require flexible joints between adjacent modular-accessible-tiles to be dynamic-interactive-fluidtight-flexible-joints to assemble the modular-accessible-tiles by gravity, friction, and accumulated-interactive-assemblage into a floating finished floor array without adherence to the horizontal-base-surface, wherein the horizontal-disassociation-cushioning-layer provides accommodation to the thickness variations cause by termination and crossing over of layers of flat conductor cables and the horizontal-disassociation-cushioning-layer also provides improved impact sound isolation.

Abstract: Interlocking landscaping planking wherein the opposite edges of each interlocking plank has a tongue and groove of special shape and relative dimensions to permit maximum flexibility in assembling curved landscaping arrangements consisting of multiple numbers of the planks joined side by side. The novel trapezoid or circular shaped tongue is centered vertically is one edge of each interlocking plank, its base indented slightly from the front and back surfaces of the plank to permit and to limit the lateral movement of the plank. The exterior surfaces of the tongue slope or curve inwardly, tapering to a flat apex. The novel trapezoid or circular shaped groove complements the novel trapezoid or circular shaped tongue, but spaced slightly therefrom and is centered vertically in the opposite edge of the plank, its mouth indented slightly from the front and back surfaces of the plank to permit and to limit the lateral movement of the plank.

Abstract: A thermally protective covering for a structure includes a thermally ablating layer comprising a nonporous ablative material comprising pyrolytic graphite or carbon composites bonded to a rigid, nonporous insulating layer comprising composites having high strength fibers in an insulating matrix. The insulating layer is bonded to the casing of the structural element to be protected. More preferably, the thermally ablating layer comprises pyrolytic graphite and the rigid, nonporous insulating member comprises silica phenolic. The ablating layer is bonded to the insulating layer with a high temperature graphite cement having adhesive properties to at least 3000.degree. K. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for venting pyrolysis gas produced during exposure of the ablating layer to a high energy laser.

Abstract: A gravity-held-in-place-load-bearing-horizontal-tile-array over a horizontal-base-surface, typically a floor, which comprises an array of rigid tiles set on a horizontal-base-surface. The rigid tiles have edges positioned adjacent to the edges of adjoining tiles in the array, with the array of rigid tiles being separated from the horizontal-base-surface by at least a 1/8 inch thickness of horizontal-disassociation-cushing-layer. The tiles are adhesively joined at their edges to adjacent edges of adjoining tiles with an elastomeric sealant with adhesive properties.

Abstract: A structural element for more rapidly erecting a tiled stove comprises a quadrangular tile and a quadrangular separate element associated to this tile. The tile has a tile leaf, at the inner side of which a tile body is disposed being unitary with the tile leaf. Two adjacent tiles confine a vertical groove, preferably having a dove-tail cross section, which groove is completely filled by a protrusion of the separate element, which protrusion protrudes from the outer side of a plate of the separate element which plate covers substantially the half of the inner surface of two adjacent tiles each.

Abstract: A connecting structure for sections of floor coverings such as of floor covering use in public walking areas, the connecting structure having longitudinal transversely spaced upstanding T members adapted to be retained in accomodating side vertical openings of the adjacent edge portions of floor covering sections for connection of the sections and being sufficiently flexible to bend along a longitudinal axis for a roll up of adjacent sections.

Abstract: A mirror substrate, in particular for use in astronomical optics, comprises two symmetrical preformed plates of glass (10, 12) glued by their respective inside faces (26, 28) on either side of an intermediate structure (14), the outside face (38) of one of the plates (10) being suitable for subsequently receiving a reflecting coating. The intermediate structure (14) is a composite structure made of glass foam which is substantially uniform in nature, and in the preferred embodiments it comprises a central core (16) of glass foam together with two sets (18 and 20) of blocks of glass foam.

Abstract: A thermoformed sheet 1 for a plate-type gas-gas heat exchanger of the type comprising a case in which are stacked parallel plates spaced from each other by lateral spacing means, these plates having at their ends pointed regions provided with elements for alternately closing one of the two sides of the point, the case further comprising walls connected in a fluidtight manner to the pointed portions of the ends of the plates so as to form distinct inlet and outlet conduits for the gases which circulate in a countercurrent manner in the alternating spaces formed by the plates, this sheet being characterized in that it comprises a series of identical rows of elongated patterns 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d having edge portions folded on one side or the other of the sheet, each pattern comprising two parallel longitudinal edge portions 3a, 4a; 3b, 4b; 3c, 4c, 3d, 4d by which it is connected to the adjacent patterns so as to form a row and terminating in two pointed end portions 8a, 9a; 8b, 9b; 8c; 9c; 8d, 9d by which the patter

Abstract: A display panel constructed from a plurality of similar panel members 10 having a cross-section shaped to provide an undercut recess 14, 16 extending throughout its length along at least one of its longitudinal edges. Each panel member has a formation 22, 26 along one longitudinal edge and a correspondingly shaped formation 22, 26, along another longitudinal edge, so that the panel member can form a tongue and groove joint with a similar panel member. The relationship between the undercut recess and the adjacent formation is such that when a joint with another panel member is effected the undercut recess remains open. Thus the panel members can be used to construct a slatted panel display system.