Abstract: For the manufacture of a heavy duty elastomeric having a stack of elastomeric and metal reinforcing layers interleaved with one another use is made of a mould sufficiently large to allow an elastomeric cover layer to be formed and cured simultaneous with compression and cure of the elastomeric layers. Relative transverse movement of the metal layers during compression is restricted by spacers which occupy in the mould a small part of the space that in the finished product is to be occupied by the cover layer. Subsequent to moulding and cure the spacers are removed and the resulting spaces in the part formed cover are filled.

Abstract: A games racket frame is discontinuous being in two parts (11, 12). The parts (11, 12) are joined by a vibration-damping material (21) secured in position by plugs (23, 24). A reinforcing member (14) is also provided and this may comprise a collar (20) surrounding the discontinuity (13), together with a rod (25) contained within the vibration-damping material (21). Rackets according to the invention exhibit reduced transmission of shock and vibration to the player, thus minimizing the risk of "tennis elbow" and similar injuries.

Abstract: A coated carbon-carbon composite of the kind incorporating carbon fibres in a carbon matrix also incorporates in at least a region (2) thereof other fibres of a different axial coefficient of thermal expansion from that of the carbon fibres, the other fibres being arranged in relation to adjacent carbon fibres so as to provide in combination with the carbon matrix a coefficient of thermal expansion of that region (2) of the composite which is compatible with that of an anti-oxidation coating (1) on the surface of that region.

Abstract: The invention provides a storage bag of flexible sheet material characterized in that it is of generally rectangular configuration comprising a planar base section, opposed generally vertically disposed side wall sections, opposed generally vertically disposed end wall sections and a generally planer roof section. The invention also provides a harness for containing the storage bag within a standardized for transport purposes. The invention further provides a blank for forming the storage bag and a method of folding and joining the blank to form the storage bag.

Abstract: To monitor for the formation of a crack in a metal wheel such as that of an aircraft tire and wheel assembly the wheel is provided with an optical fiber arranged to extend no-rectilinearly in a position of the wheel surface selected to be preferential for the development of a crack; preferably the preferential region for crack development is the tire bead seat region and the optical fiber is arranged to extend non-rectilinearly around the circumference of the tire bead seat region thereby to lie interposed between the wheel and tire.

Abstract: An erosion protection unit (7), comprising a tetrahedral frame comprising six outer elongate members (9) arranged in the outline of a tetrahedron, and a triaxial central strut arrangement (11) comprising three struts (13, 15, 17) arranged mutually perpendicular to one another and passing through the geometric center of the tetrahedron, such that each outer member is braced by a strut passing from its center to the center of a second opposite outer member.

Abstract: An elastomeric mounting comprises an annular elastomeric diaphragm shaped to deform by both bending and shear over a normal working range to accommodate relative longitudinal movement between two members between which the diaphragm is located. The diaphragm is provided in combination with elastomeric axial buffer operable to restrain relative movement of the interconnected members outside the normal working range and elastomeric transverse load bearing to restrain relative transverse movements.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for folding a sock cuff, which comprises a blade mounted on and projecting from a support, a first carriage mounted for reciprocal movement along and over said blade and having first gripping means adapted to space and grip the open end of a sock such that movement of the carriage along the blade will substantially envelop the blade with the sock, a second carriage mounted for reciprocal movement along said blade and having second gripping means adapted to move transversely to the blade to grip the sock covering said blade, and means for actuating (i) said carriage to reciprocally move said carriage along said blade, (ii) said first gripping means to grip and release the open end of said sock and, (iii) said second gripping means to reciprocally move said means along the blade and transversely thereto. A process of folding a sock cuff, more particularly, a `walk` sock cuff, is also provided.

Abstract: A resilient mounting intended primarily to withstand compressive loading is of a tubular and interleaved construction comprising a pair of end plates and an intermediate annular plate which serves to stiffen a tubular elastomeric body provided between the end plates. A buffer member is secured to one of the end plates and extends longitudinally within the tubular body to lie normally free from contact with the tubular body. A protective cushioning layer provided between the buffer member and internal edge of the intermediate plate prevents direct contact between the buffer member and intermediate plate under transverse load.

Abstract: A multi-disc brake suitable for an aircraft has a stack of rotor and stator discs in which the discs of a set at one end of the stack each have a greater allowance for wear than the discs of a set at the other end of the stack whereby the group of discs are removed together from one end of the stack as a fully worn group at a brake servicing operation. An unworn group of discs is added to the other end of the stack.

Abstract: A golf ball with a plurality of dimples in its spherical outer surface has at least 10% of said dimples so disposed relative to one another that any two adjacent dimples overlap. The minimum overlap width is greater than 0.02 inches (0.508 mm).

Abstract: A high speed radial ply tire, such as an aircraft tire, having a tread reinforcement comprising three groups of layers. The first, radially inner, group comprises two bias ply layers; the second group, wider than the first, being substantially parallel to the tire mid-circumferential plane and the third, radially outer group, narrower than the first, also being substantially parallel to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire. A fourth group of bias cut layers may be positioned between the second and third groups.