Abstract: Perforated core honeycomb panel and pump system including a panel comprised of a core of perforated, thermoplastic elastomeric honeycomb bonded to and disposed between upper and lower sheets of thermoplastic elastomeric facing material. The core is made from a plurality of advanced grade, thermoplastic elastomeric strips that have been perforated, such that there is a matrix of small holes formed in the core walls. The strips are intermittently fusion welded or bonded to form a stack which can be expanded to form a honeycomb-like network of cells. The upper and lower facing sheets are bonded to the core and extend outwardly beyond the core, and are sealed around their perimeters so as to form a closed chamber which is hermetically sealed and adapted to contain a suitable gas. In one embodiment, the chamber is communicatively coupled, via a conduit, to an exhaust valve and a bulb pump in order to permit the gas contained within the chamber to be selectively increased or decreased in pressure or volume.

Abstract: An improved sports pad for protecting a particular area of a user's body and including a relatively rigid, lightweight plate molded to conform to the protected body area, an outer layer of resilient thermoplastic honeycomb padding affixed to the outer surface of the plate, and an inner layer of resilient thermoplastic honeycomb padding affixed to the inner surface of the plate. The outer layer is preferably of a closed-cell configuration while the inner layer is of an open-celled configuration perforated to allow the flow of air from cell to cell.

Abstract: An acoustic tile for masking the acoustic signature of a surface or submarine vessel and including an inner skin for securing the tile to the hull of the vessel, an outer water-impervious skin, and a core sandwiched between the inner and outer skins, the core being made of an expanded honeycomb structure being affixed to said inner and outer skins by thermocompression bonding.

Abstract: A flexible ballistic resistant article for protecting a user from a high speed projectile, including an outer layer for stopping the forward motion of the projectile, and an inner layer disposed between the outer layer and the user. The inner layer reduces the backface signature of the outer layer thereby reducing the blunt trauma experienced by the user. The outer layer including a plurality of plies of high tensile strength fibers. The inner layer including a honeycomb core formed of undulated strips of resilient thermoplastic material, thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. The core having a first face formed by a first extremity of the cell walls, and a second face formed by a second extremity of the cell walls. The core further having means for maintaining the core in its expanded configuration so that it can be used to anisotropically flex to stabilize and spread the load experienced by the user.

Abstract: An improved horseshoe shock-absorbing impact pad for horses including a generally oval-shaped panel truncated on one side to have an outer perimeter configured to correspond to the hoofprint of a horse. The panel is made of a relatively firm, resilient material, and includes a honeycomb-configured core having a first sheet of resilient material bonded to one face of the core and a second sheet of resilient material bonded to the opposite face of the core to form a plurality of hermetically sealed cells. The core comprises bonded together first and second regions. The first region having a plurality of strips of thermoplastic material having a first stiffness characteristic, bonded together along a plurality of first bond joints to form a plurality of contiguous regular shaped cells.

Abstract: A moldable panel having a predetermined shape for cushioning and protecting protrusions and areas including a flexible elastomeric thermoplastic honeycomb panel and a rigid thermoplastic plate. The honeycomb panel has a honeycomb core formed of undulated strips of resilient thermoplastic material, thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. The core has a first face formed by a first extremity of the cell walls and a second face formed by a second extremity of the cell walls. The core is maintained in its expanded configuration so that it can be used to anisotropically flex to stabilize and spread the load experienced by a user of the moldable panel. The core is bonded to a first surface of the rigid thermoplastic plate.

Abstract: An anatomical support apparatus, such as a mattress pad or seat cushion, has a supporting frame, a perforated outer envelope, and a resilient inner body encased within said envelope, both said inner body and said envelope being supported by said frame, and an improved resilient inner body, comprising: a first panel including a first honeycomb core formed of resilient thermoplastic material and including cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells, the opposite extremities of said cells walls forming first and second core faces on opposite sides of said first core; andmeans tending to maintain said first core in its expanded cellular configuration so that it will anisotropically flex to stabilize and spread any load applied thereto by a user of said apparatus, and including at least a first facing sheet bonded to said first face and a second facing sheet of material bonded to said second face, said first facing sheet and said second facing sheet of said first panel being perforated and

Abstract: A flexible honeycomb panel containing wire or other abrasive material for abrading a workpiece, including a honeycomb core embedded with a quantity of abrasive material, and a facing sheet. The honeycomb core is formed of undulating strips of resilient thermoplastic material that are thermal compression bonded together to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. The abrasive material is contained within the strips. The facing sheet, formed of resilient thermoplastic material, is thermal compression bonded to a face of the core. The bonding is accomplished by simultaneously applying heat and pressure to the joinder of the facing sheet and the core. The opposite face of the core remains uncovered. In use, the uncovered face of the core is brought into rubbing contact with the workpiece.

Abstract: A flexible honeycomb apparatus for scrubbing, bathing, washing humans and inanimate items, including a first panel, a first handling means, and a second handling means. The first panel includes a honeycomb core formed of undulated strips of resilient thermoplastic material, thermal compression bonded together at a plurality of bond joints to form cell walls defining a plurality of contiguous regularly shaped cells. The core has a first surface formed at a first extremity of the cell wall, a second surface formed at a second extremity of the cell wall, a first length edge oriented parallel to the bond joints, a second length edge oppositely disposed and parallel to the first length edge, a first width edge oriented perpendicular to the bond joints, and a second width edge oppositely disposed and parallel to the first width length.

Abstract: A honeycomb manufacturing expander mechanism which includes a cam or guide plate having two sets of guide slots respectively extending outwardly in opposite directions away from a center portion of the plate. The inboard ends of the slots in each set are equally spaced from each other. In extending outwardly, the slots in each set converge such that the spacing between the outboard ends of each slot is less than that of the inboard ends. Disposed beneath the plate are a pair of mutually parallel bars, each carrying a plurality of expander pins which extend upwardly through corresponding slots in the plate. The bars are movable in concert from positions beneath the inboard ends of the slots to positions beneath the outboard ends of the slots by one or more motor-driven lead screw drives.

Abstract: A horseshoe impact pad including a molded base of urethane material or the like having a recess formed in the upper, hoof engaging surface thereof and having a resilient honeycomb panel disposed within the recess and fixedly secured to the base. The horseshoe pad may be of full hoof design, for certain racing application, or may be generally limited to the hoof area covered by the horseshoe itself. The hoof side of the pad may also be configured to include a frog support component. The turf side of the pad may be provided with stabilizing ribs, heel shock-reducing projections, etc., and the base may be tapered to provide a desired tilt to the animal's hoof.

Abstract: An improved bicycle seat comprising a rigid shell supporting a foam layer having a pad of thermoplastic elastomer honeycomb either bonded thereto or embedded within said foam. A durable skin covers the shell, foam and padding layers. In an alternative embodiment, the foam, padding and covering skin are combined in a seat cover to be used over a standard bicycle seat.

Abstract: A panel of perforated thermoplastic material having sound and shock dampening characteristics comprised of a perforated honeycomb core and either whole or perforated facing sheets, thermal compression bonded to the core. The core can be faced on one side only, or on both sides to create a pad or panel of such material.

Abstract: Means for dampening vibrations in a strung game racket or a spoked wheel comprising a block of flexible, thermoplastic elastomer honeycomb bonded to and sandwiched between two thermoplastic facings. The device is inserted between at least two strings of the interwoven string diaphragm of the racket, or two spokes in a spoked wheel arrangement, in such a manner as to allow the exposed honeycomb core at the sides of the device to wrap around the engaged strings or spokes and hold the device in place. The device absorbs vibrations in the strings that originate from the striking surface when a ball is struck, and vibrations in the spokes emanating from normal use of a wheel.

Abstract: A shock absorbing filler for hollow sporting equipment that will absorb vibrations generated during use of said equipment. An elongated block of thermoplastic elastomeric honeycomb, either bare, singly faced or doubly faced, is packed within the hollow handle or hollow throat of an item of sporting equipment. The honeycomb block expands within said hollow core to provide a vibration dampening interface.

Abstract: A shock absorbing wrap for sporting equipment that will absorb vibrations felt by a player using said equipment as well as aid the players grip on the equipment. The wrap may be wound in an overlapping fashion and securely clamped in place or it may be adhered to the piece of equipment. The outer facing of the wrap can be perforated to provide a non-slip surface. Alternatively, the wrap can be used underneath a more traditional leather wrap.

Abstract: A resilient panel having anisotropic flexing characteristics in which thermal compression bonding techniques have been to laminate a plurality of sheets of thermoplastic polyurethane material together with bonds that are in strip form, spaced at regular intervals, and staggered between alternate sheets of material. The laminated stack was then cut into slices of appropriate thickness, and the slices were expanded to form a honeycombed core which, while held in spread apart disposition, was thermally pre-formed and made ready to receive facing materials. The facing materials were then thermal compression bonded to each side of the honeycombed core, and the panels were trimmed to assume their final dimensions.