Abstract: A multicomponent monofilament cutting line includes a first component material and a second component material, the same or different in chemical structure from the first component material and extruded separately from the first component material. The second component material provides the cutting line with cutting edges and has increased wear resistance properties and increased abrasion resistance properties compared to those same properties of the first component material. The monofilament cutting line for a rotary trimmer for cutting vegetation preferably includes a first component material having a specific gravity of about 1.15 g/cc or less; and a second component material having a specific gravity greater than 1.15 g/cc. Notably, the multi-component, monofilament cutting line itself has increased wear resistance and increased abrasion resistance as compared to a single component monofilament cutting line employing one of either the first or second component materials.

Abstract: A fishing reel includes a reel frame to which a cover is attached so as to enclose various internal components. The cover defines a configured opening in which an insert piece is received. One or more screws or other suitable fasteners extend between the insert piece and the reel frame to trap the cover into secure engagement with the reel frame. Thus, the cover may be attached without an external attachment mechanism as has often been required in the past.

Abstract: A melt-extruded multicomponent monofilament having good abrasion resistance, flex-fatigue toughness and dimensional stability. The monofilament is particularly suitable for use in the manufacture of papermaking machine forming fabrics, and includes an outer region component comprising polyethylene terephthalate and an inner region component comprising a blend of polyetherester block copolymer and polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A multicomponent monofilament cutting line includes a first component material and a second component material, the same or different in chemical structure from the first component material and extruded separately from the first component material. The second component material provides the cutting line with cutting edges and has increased wear resistance properties and increased abrasion resistance properties compared to those same properties of the first component material. The monofilament cutting line for a rotary trimmer for cutting vegetation preferably includes a first component material having a specific gravity of about 1.15 g/cc or less; and a second component material having a specific gravity greater than 1.15 g/cc. Notably, the multi-component, monofilament cutting line itself has increased wear resistance and increased abrasion resistance as compared to a single component monofilament cutting line employing one of either the first or second component materials.

Abstract: An improved packaging arrangement for a fishing reel permits the reel to be tested by a consumer on a limited basis while remaining in the package. The package is preferably formed of a semirigid plastic material defining a configured reel enclosure in which the reel's body is located. A rotatable crank extends for free rotation through a crank opening defined in the package. A crank handle is located at the distal end of the rotatable crank so as to be exterior to the package. Often, the package will further define a posterior opening permitting access to a thumb button located on the reel's body. The package preferably defines a hang aperture so that the packaged reel may be presented for sale on a hanging display in a manner similar to blister pack arrangements of the prior art.

Abstract: An antenna (24) for minimizing reception of undesirable signals below a predetermined frequency band includes a first and a second terminal (A, A′) connectable to at least a receiver (22). The antenna components are connected to the first and second terminals, and a filter (26) is integrally connected across the first and second terminals (A, A′). The filter matches an impedance value of the antenna components with an impedance value of the receiver. Moreover, the filter effectively forms a short circuit at the undesirable frequency to minimize reception of undesirable signals below the predetermined frequency band.

Abstract: An antenna (20) operable over a predetermined range of frequency includes a transmission line (36), a transformer network (42) connected to one end of the transmission line, and at least one inductor-resistor network (46) connected to an opposite end of the transformer network. The inductor-resistor network (46) changes the effective electrical length of the antenna (20) such that as the frequency of operation changes, the current distribution above and below the inductor-resistor network changes in a corresponding manner. A second inductor-resistor network (56) may be serially connected to the other network (46), wherein both function to reduce the current thereabove. Accordingly, as the frequency of operation increases, the electrical height of the antenna decreases.

Abstract: A spincast fishing reel has a reel frame to which front and rear covers are attached. The rear cover includes a pivotable thumb button which is depressed by a user when fishing line is to be cast. The front cover closes the face of the reel, but defines a forward opening through which the fishing line extends. A normally nonrotatable line spool is located inside of the front cover on a mounting hub of the reel frame. Fishing line is wound onto the line spool by a rotatable pickup head located forward of the line spool. An annular shroud element at least partially covers the outer circumferential surface of the pickup head when fishing line is being wound. As a result, the fishing line will travel between the pickup head and the inside surface of the shroud element to facilitate engagement thereof by the pickup head.

Abstract: A press felt for use in the press section of a papermaking machine includes a base fabric and at least one layer of an assembly of fibers, preferably forming a carded web or batt, the assembly of fibers containing a plurality of fibers having a deep grooved configuration. The deep-grooved fibers of the press felt provide improved dewatering properties to the press felt as compared to conventional round monofilaments of the same denier currently employed as the batt in press felts used in the press sections of papermaking machines. A method for at least partially dewatering a sheet of paper fibers within the press section of a papermaking machine includes positioning the sheet of paper fibers on the press felt described herein, transporting the sheet of paper fibers through the press section, and pressing the sheet to at least partially remove the water therefrom.

Abstract: An antenna (100) operable over a predetermined broad band and connected to a transmission line (102) includes a tip radiator (106) having a series capacitance (129) and a base radiator/choke (104) operatively connected to the tip radiator for changing feed point reactance values to values that provide a desired bandwidth to minimize the antenna's voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) over frequencies in the predetermined broad band. The antenna also includes a choke assembly (108) operatively connected to the transmission line for suppressing current below a predetermined point of the antenna to maintain the desired bandwidth and VSWR.

Abstract: A step mounting assembly adapted for demountably securing a removable step member to a hollow utility pole. The step mounting assembly utilizes a backing plate having an obverse and a reverse face. An aperture penetrates the backing plate to receive the shank portion of a mounting bolt with the head thereof disposed in opposition to the obverse face of the mounting plate. A projection extends outwardly from the reverse face of the unique backing late at least partially to circumscribe the aperture that penetrates the backing plate. A spacer lug extends outwardly from the obverse face of the backing plate, the spacer lug being located in proximity to the aforesaid aperture. A washer is interposed between the bolt head and the spacer lug. An elongated bar nut is adapted to engage the threaded shank on the mounting bolt while the bar nut is captured within the projection disposed on the reverse side of the unique backing plate.

Abstract: An extruded monofilament is formed from a compatibilized blend of polyphenylene sulfide and a polyamide resin. The blend is compatibilized by the addition of a compatibilizing resin selected from the group consisting of chemically modified and functionalized polyolefins. Preferably, from about 25 to about 99 parts by weight of a polyphenylene sulfide resin and from about 75 to 1 parts by weight of at least one polyamide resin, together with from about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a compatibilizer are blended and extruded to form the monofilament. The resultant monofilament exhibits improved physical properties as compared to unblended polyphenylene sulfide resins (PPS), as well as uncompatibilized blends of PPS with other materials. The monofilaments prepared from these compatibilized blends are useful as components of industrial fabrics, particularly fabrics such as are used as belts on paper forming machines. The polymer blend and a process for the manufacture of the monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: A hollow, tapered, fiber-reinforced plastic utility pole, and a method for making the pole. The pole is designed by a computer-modelling technique that simulates applying resin-coated, reinforcing strands over the outer surface of a mandrel. A plurality of test stations are incrementally spaced from the tip portion to the butt portion of the pole simulated on the mandrel. The thickness-to-diameter ratio must be equal to or greater than an established constant at each station or additional circuits of resin-coated, reinforcing strands deemed to have been applied, as required. One then calculates the stress resistance at each successive station to determine if the acceptable stress is greater than the stress resistance required. Whatever additional circuits of resin-coated, reinforcing strands are necessary are then deemed to have been applied.

Abstract: An extruded monofilament is formed from a compatibilized blend of polyphenylene sulfide and a polyamide resin. The blend is compatibilized by the addition of a compatibilizing resin selected from the group consisting of chemically modified and functionalized polyolefins. Preferably, from about 25 to about 99 parts by weight of a polyphenylene sulfide resin and from about 75 to 1 parts by weight of at least one polyamide resin, together with from about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a compatibilizer are blended and extruded to form the monofilament. The resultant monofilament exhibits improved physical properties as compared to unblended polyphenylene sulfide resins (PPS), as well as uncompatibilized blends of PPS with other materials. The monofilaments prepared from these compatibilized blends are useful as components of industrial fabrics, particularly fabrics such as are used as belts on paper forming machines. The polymer blend and a process for the manufacture of the monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: A polyester monofilament is formed from a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolyric stabilizing agent, and exhibits increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation. The high temperature polyester resin can be blended with from 0 to about 5 percent by weight of a thermal stabilizing agent. In addition, a masterbatch including the PET resin and hydrolytic stabilizing agent may be compounded prior to blending with the high temperature polyester resin. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic and thermal degradation and includes a plurality of woven polyester monofilaments, comprising a high temperature polyester resin, a PET resin and a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper making machines.