Abstract: A primer composition for adhering a topcoat to a flexible plastic substrate includes a blend of acrylic and urethane resins, and pigments dispersed in a water based solvent system. About 10 to about 20 percent of the resins are polyurethene by weight, the balance of the resins consisting essentially of acrylic polymers. The composition consists of from about 15 to 30 percent resins, and from about 20 to about 35 percent pigments by weight, and has a total solids content of from about 35 to about 70 percent. The water based solvent system is primarily water, but contains water-miscible organic components which provide for rapid drying, and good coalescing and film forming properties, while minimizing volatile organic content. The compositions dry rapidly at ambient conditions upon application to flexible plastic substrates to provide a continuous, flexible film which exhibits excellent adhesion with the substrate and with subsequently applied topcoats.

Abstract: A fast-curing sealant composition is made from generally liquid oligomers and has good tensile strength, one hundred percent modulus, Shore-A Hardness, and good insensitivity to water. One part of the sealant composition is generally a polyester or polyether oligomer having acetoacetate end groups or functionalities thereon, whereas the second part is also generally a polyester of polyether oligomer generally containing primary amine end groups or functions. The oligomers are generally of a low molecular weight, as from about 500 to about 10,000, and are modified by compounding with various additives such as carbon black, antioxidants, ultraviolet light inhibitors, and the like. Polyfunctional acetoacetate-terminated molecules having 3 or more functional end groups or polyfunctional primary amine-terminated molecules having 3 or more functional end groups serve to increase the crosslink density and modulus of the compositions. The sealant can be used as a coating or as a caulking type compound.

Abstract: A tennis racquet comprising a continuous convex bow containing a plurality of interlaced strings attached under tension, and a handle formed integrally with the bow. The racquet is free of a yoke and a shaft and has a sweet spot located relatively closer to the distal end of the racquet. The racquet exhibits improved stiffness, bending moments and leverage in a racquet having a relatively large head size. The racquet has a higher relative swing weight than other light-weight, large-head racquets by reducing weight at the center of the racquet by eliminating the yoke and throat, thereby providing improved power.

Abstract: A retaining clip for securing a weather sealing strip to the perimeter of a window opening of an automotive vehicle includes a substantially planar vertical centered portion; an integral downwardly depending, substantially planar arm connected to one side of, and substantially parallel with the central portion; a pair of wings which extend upwardly and outwardly from the downwardly depending arms and being adapted to engage the narrow sides of, and secure the downwardly depending arm within, a narrow rectangular slot formed in a sheet material such as a sheet metal body panel; and an integral, substantially upwardly extending arm connected to the other side of the central portion. The clip is adapted to secure a weather sealing strip between the control portion of the clip and the upwardly extending arm.In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, a tab is provided on a shoulder portion of each wing to facilitate removal of the clip for servicing or replacement.

Abstract: An aqueous primer composition for facilitating and promoting good adhesion across an interface between a nonporous substrate and a polymeric coating composition contains from about 0.05 to about 0.3 parts by weight of an amimopropylsilane or a mercaptopropylsilane per 100 parts by weight of water and, optionally to facilitate adhesion under wet conditions, up to about 0.4 parts by weight of a hydrophobic silane per 100 parts by weight of water and aminopropylsilane or mercaptopropylsilane. The primer composition is nontoxic, nonflammable and free or substantially free of any environmentally undesirable volatile organic components. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the primer composition includes an effective amount of a conventional surfactant sufficient to uniformly wet the surface of the substrate to enable uniform dispersion of the silane coupling agent over the surface. The primer composition is also preferably adjusted to a pH of from about 2.0 to about 5.

Abstract: A fiber glass reinforced plastic can be in-mold coated utilizing a free radical peroxide initiated thermosetting composition of at least one polymerizable epoxy based oligomer having at least two acrylate groups, at least one copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one copolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated compound having a --CO-- group and a --NH.sub.2, --NH-- and/or --OH group, and other conventional components such as at least one zinc salt of a fatty acid, at least one accelerator, at least one filler, and the like. The thermosetting compositions of the present invention utilize a very low or nil amount of an adhesion agent such as a polyvinyl acetate and unexpectedly achieves better flow and good coverage at reduced coating weights.

Abstract: A one-piece glass run guide for retaining and smoothly guiding a slidable vehicle window includes a molded polymeric strip having a substantially U-shaped transverse cross section including a base, an inboard leg having a projecting lip portion which engages an interior surface of a slidable vehicle window, and an outboard leg having a projecting lip portion which engages an exterior surface of the slidable vehicle window. The one-piece glass run guide of the invention is formed of a fiber reinforced polymer having sufficient strength and rigidity to counter forces exerted by the sliding vehicle window to prevent undesirable inboard, outboard, forward and rearward movement of the window, while at least the surfaces of the lip portions which contact the surfaces of the slidable vehicle window are low friction, non-abrasive surfaces which facilitate smooth movement of the window as it is raised or lowered.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a deformable window strip used to separate and seal two panes of glass. More specifically, the deformable window strip of the present invention comprises a flow resistent polymeric matrix which substantially decreases the need for rheological modifiers.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for applying fluid roof panel adhesive to a substrate includes a holding tank (12) for holding a supply of adhesive vertically above the substrate. The tank is supported by a pair of spaced wheels (14) and has a handle (16) to enable moving the device over the substrate. Openings (32) in a lower wall (30) of the tank enable adhesive to flow onto the substrate. Blocking members (36) associated with each opening are movable in response to the position of a lever (20) to enable or prevent flow of adhesive through the openings. Movement of the apparatus over the substrate provides for controlled deposition of uniformly spaced beads of adhesive suitable for holding roof panels to the substrate.