Abstract: A sheetstock having a bright metallic appearance, especially useful as signage, badging, automotive trim and appliance trim, is provided by applying an island coating system on the second surface of a transparent or translucent sheetstock. The island coating system may comprise a clear layer, a discontinuous metal layer and a backing layer. The sheetstock and/or clear layer may be colored, printed upon or contain decorative particles to enhance the appearance.

Abstract: A modular system of storage is provided to tailor a vehicle to multiple activities by providing a plurality of storage modules which may be interchanged, instantly transforming the interior of the vehicle to a more efficient and customized storage condition. The modules may then be conveniently stored, for instance, in a garage and pre-packed to support a specific event or activity, then attached in a designated location in the interior vehicle trim. The modules may be merged together to form relatively larger modules and be designed to fit into a plurality of recesses/openings in the vehicle for transport (e.g. the cargo space or a floor recess) vs. immediate use locations (e.g. the console, glove box area, door panels, headliners, seat backs, etc.).

Abstract: A structure for supporting an instrument panel by a defroster nozzle so that sufficient rigidity can be imparted to the top of the instrument panel. A supporting member is attached to an upper wall of the defroster nozzle arranged inside the instrument panel and is disposed in contact with the instrument panel to support same.

Abstract: A neckwear is disclosed which includes an outer fabric casing. A one-piece, multi-dimensional lining is carried within the casing and lies substantially coextensive with the casing along the length thereof. The lining is formed of a one-piece textile fabric cut substantially along the bias. The central neckband and knotting portion of the lining is characterized by having a different fabric construction than the fabric construction of the end portions of the lining to provide a finished neckwear product having a neckband and knotting area with the desired performance and tying characteristics. The neckwear also may include a plurality of linings positioned within the casing and a least one of the plurality of linings includes a central neckband and knotting portion having a different fabric construction than the fabric construction of the end portions of the lining.

Abstract: A tufted pile fabric constructed for the formation of carpet tile therefrom and having a diagonal pattern therein extending throughout the fabric. The diagonal pattern is defined by alternately arranged pairs of solid color yarns and spaced dyed yarns tufted in a zig-zag pattern. The tufted pile fabric is tufted to form random variable height loop pile which is thereafter lightly sheared to cut only some of the loops while leaving other loops uncut and some loops partially cut. This shearing visually presents the carpet as a cut pile fabric.

Abstract: A foam backed carpet with an adhesive release surface and a method of installing the carpet is disclosed wherein the carpet has textile fibers secured to a primary backing. A secondary backing formed from a plastisol composition containing polymers or copolymers of vinyl compounds engages the primary backing and an oleophobic pressure sensitive adhesive layer is included on the secondary backing for releasably securing the carpet to an underlying floor. A release cover releasably secured to the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive layer protects and maintains the tackiness of the adhesive layer before laying of the floor covering on an underlying floor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automobile headliner which is formed from a batt of polymeric fibers compressed and molded into a predetermined contoured shape. The headliner is characterized by being of a highly deformable resilient construction to facilitate installation in the vehicle. More specifically, the fibers forming the batt are bonded together at a multiplicity of locations which impart a self-supporting molded rigidity which allows the headliner to retain its shape in the installed condition in the vehicle, yet rendering the same highly deformable and resilient to allow it to be rolled or folded upon itself during installation and to thereafter resiliently recover to its original molded shape.

Abstract: A textile product with enhanced flame and/or smoke retardant properties and a method of forming the same is disclosed. The textile product is comprised of a textile material and a backcoating comprised of a polymer matrix and inorganic smoke suppressant and/or flame retardant intumescent particles. The backcoating may also contain an inorganic filler that further enhances the flame retardancy and low smoke properties of the textile product. The methods of forming this textile product include mixing the smoke suppressant and/or flame retardant intumescent particles with the backcoating prior to its application to the textile material or the simultaneous spreading of the particles on the textile material with the polymer backcoating in order to form a layer of the particles directly adjacent to the textile material.

Abstract: A laminate which is characterized by a resistance to creasing when the laminate is bent, comprising a foam layer having opposed substantially planar front and back surfaces, a surface layer contiguous with the substantially planar front surface of the foam layer and bonded thereto, and a backing layer having spaced apart discrete areas thereof bonded to the rear surface of the foam layer with portions of the backing layer located between the discrete areas extending outwardly in spaced apart relation from the rear surface of the foam layer to form a series of puckers in the backing layer.

Abstract: Ravel resistance is provided in the present warp knit elastic tape by incorporating a thermoplastic heat fusible binder yarn extending back and forth across the width of the elastic tape and in courses of stitch loops forming walewise extending stitch loop chains in the elastic tape. The elastic tape is then heated so that the thermoplastic heat fusible binder yarn softens and fuses to the remaining yarns in the elastic tape to prevent unraveling of the stitch loop chains across the entire width of the elastic tape.

Abstract: A pile carpet having a primary backing with pile yarns extending from the primary backing is provided with a tuft-lock coating comprising a copolymer of vinylidene chloride with at least one acrylic monomer, and having a glass transition temperature of 0.degree. C. or less. The coating imparts excellent tuft-lock properties to the carpet and also serves as a thermoplastic adhesive layer for laminating the carpet to a secondary backing.

Abstract: A trunk liner is disclosed for an automobile trunk compartment of the type having a spare tire well recessed in a medial floor area of the comparmtent. The trunk liner is formed of fibrous material and molded to form a relatively stiff body having a center floor cover panel and a plurality of panels extending unwardly along the sides of the center floor cover panel and integrally connected thereto, and a recessed spare tire well liner integral with and extending downwardly from a medial portion of the center floor cover panel. The stiffness of the molded fibrous body and the outwardly diverging relationship of the plurality of panels permit the panels to resiliently engage inner wall surfaces of the trunk when the panels are biased inwardly toward an upright position when mounted in the trunk. A separately formed cover for the spare tire well liner is provided, with the trunk liner having a relatively narrow molded ledge extending around the spare tire well liner for receiving the cover in proper position.

Abstract: An apparatus for visually guiding the occupants of a structure in a path of travel along the floor within a structure is provided. This apparatus is comprised of a carpet overlying the floor, and a lighting strip positioned underneath the carpet. The lighting strip comprises an elongate ribbon, with a group of laterally spaced-apart electrical conductors encased in and extending longitudinally of the ribbon of sheet material. A series of light-transmissive plastic housings are connected to and arranged longitudinally along a common outer surface of the ribbon of plastic sheet material. Light-emitting means are positioned within each of the housings, and are electrically connected to predetermined ones of the group of electrical conductors encased in the ribbon of sheet material. The carpet has holes extending therethrough which are arranged in a series corresponding to the series of light-transmissive housings on the lighting strip.

Abstract: An illuminable covering of a textile material having a fibrous face with at least one lighting source connected to the back of the textile material is disclosed. A plurality of light-transmissive fibers are connected to the light source and emanate therefrom, with their free end portions terminating adjacent the fibrous face of the textile material for transmitting light thereto when the light source is energized. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the textile material is a floor covering material such as a carpet or rug.

Abstract: The open mesh warp knit fabric of the present invention includes a base fabric knit with electrically nonconductive base yarn and forming an open mesh pattern of lightweight construction having spaced openings to provide ventilation therethrough. Electrically conductive filaments are incorporated in the base fabric and provide an open grid extending throughout the entire area of the base fabrics with the conductive filaments being incorporated predominantly in only one side of the base fabric. The conductive yarns provide only about one-half of one percent of the total weight of the fabric and are of a relatively fine denier so that the conductive yarn is substantially invisible to the naked eye. Various types of garments and accessories are illustrated as being formed of the electrostatic dissipating fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding the occupants of a structure along a path of travel within the structure is provided. The apparatus is comprised of modular floor covering units which are abuttingly arranged to cover the floor of the structure, with some of the units being signal units having a light-transmissive housing positioned in an opening therein, and having light-emitting means positioned in the housing. Power means are provided to energize the light-emitting means, and thereby provide a visually discernable pathway on the floor. The floor covering units preferably comprise carpet tiles, the light-transmissive housings are preferably formed of molded plastic and the light-emitting means are preferably light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: Ravel resistance is provided in the present warp knit elastic tape by incorporating a thermoplastic heat fusible binder yarn extending back and forth across the width of the elastic tape and in courses of stitch loops forming walewise extending stitch loop chains in the elastic tape. The elastic tape is then heated so that the thermoplastic heat fusible binder yarn softens and fuses to the remaining yarns in the elastic tape to prevent unraveling of the stitch loop chains across the entire width of the elastic tape.

Abstract: An impact-resistant electrical heating pad is characterized in that both upper and lower surfaces are antistatic. A preferred embodiment of the pad comprises a scrim fabric, a resistance heating wire carried by the scrim fabric, and sheets of high impact plastic material connected to opposing sides of the scrim fabric to form upper and lower plastic sheets. These impact-resistant plastic sheets have electrically conductive particles distributed throughout, so that the sheets themselves are electrically conductive. An electrical conductor is connected to the electrical resistance wire for energizing the same, and is also connected to the plastic sheets for eliminating static electricity from the pad. A ground fault detection circuit is connected to the electrical conductor to interrupt the power supply to the resistance heating wire if a short occurs.