Abstract: A replacement shift knob assembly for use on a truck transmission. Many truck transmissions have shift knob assemblies that contain a removable knob element with a specific bottom configuration and at least one manual switch that relies upon the specific bottom configuration of the knob element to function. The present invention replacement shift knob assembly includes a knob element made from an aesthetically pleasing material such as wood, stone, ceramic of the like. A base plate is attached to the bottom of the knob element. The base plate has a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side of the base plate is configured to generally physically mimic the specific bottom configuration of the original shift knob being replaced. The base plate is made from a material that differs from the replacement knob element in order to provide the base plate with greater material strength and wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention comprises a continuous surface made from jigsaw puzzle pieces, wherein the three or more pieces whose corners share a common point when assembled, have corner angles whose sum is less than 360 degrees with the common point as vertex of said corner angles. The present invention makes it possible to work on jigsaw puzzles which, when assembled and during assembly, form continuously curving polyhedral surfaces, and to provide a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces assemble edge to edge into a self-supporting curved surface which is a closed multifaceted polyhedron whose appearance is substantially spherical.

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: A container is provided with a liner, such as a jigsaw puzzle, which is visible through translucent container walls. Retainers to hold the puzzle or puzzles in place against wall surfaces are panels in endwise engagement with one another. A modified form of retainer is a frame embodied in having a backing on which puzzle pieces are assembled and supported. Adhesive areas on the frame hold the frame and the assembled pieces in place against a container wall. Multiple positionable panels carried by a common base may also serve to retain the jigsaw puzzle pieces in place opposite a container wall. A method of providing a container with an assembled display is disclosed. The retainers may be of translucent material to render visible the inner surfaces of assembled puzzle pieces with a graphic display thereon.

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: The present invention provides a high-luminance opal-like diffraction chromogenic film having no dead angle, which comprises a hexagonally close-packed grating monolayer film of micron-order particulates.

Abstract: The cellular structure embodying the present invention includes a length of resilient material folded to form a plurality of planar layers. Each layer is attached to an adjacent layer to from a plurality of cells. Each cell includes a pleated side and an opposing support side. The pleated side has a fold defined by the material. Conversely, the support side has a straight length defined by the material. The cells are configured such that, when the structure is extended, the support sides are coplanar to each other and the pleats are uniformly distributed. Furthermore, the material forming each layer provides for resiliently returning the structure to at least a partially collapsed condition.

Abstract: An achievement award including a novel substantially transparent, injection molded acrylic plaque and a supporting base therefor. The display plaque is provided with a fossil-like, three-dimensional decorative design or image which appears to be embedded in the central body portion of the plaque. The display plaque uniquely includes strategically located bevels that give the plaque the appearance of expensive cut glass and, at the same time, functions to optically mask the mold lines which are formed during the injection molding process. The mold of the invention for use in injection molding the fossilized plaque includes several different types of mold inserts that can be positioned within the mold cavity so as to produce fossil-like designs within the body of the plaque of various shapes such as the shape of a golfer, a bowler, a basketball player and other types of athletic figures.

Abstract: A method of forming a decorative plaque includes the steps of providing a transparent sheet, printing a decalcomania in a multi-color process having a reverse pattern layer with open spaces and applying the pattern layer on the back of the sheet for viewing of the pattern from the front. A contrasting layer is deposited behind the pattern layer to cover at least the open spaces so as to be distinctive when viewed from the front. A protective backing is applied behind the contrasting layer. After applying the decorative pattern by wetting and sliding into position, the assembly is heated in a kiln to approximately 1130.degree. F. in order to melt the glass frit and fuse the pattern layer into the sheet. The deposition of the contrasting layer is performed at a temperature low enough not to remelt the glass frit. In one embodiment, a silvering solution makes the spaces reflective to form a decorative mirror. The backing is provided using scratch resistant paint.

Abstract: A panel adaptable for use in automotive trim applications has a laminate of a support layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth. The support layer is made of a thermoformable material such as foam, felt or polypropylene. The laminate is thermoformed to impart the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The support layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. The panel may have a shirred appearance imparted thereto by the inclusion of a plurality of gathers thermoformed into the support layer.

Abstract: An innovative method of making pinatas utilizes pre-cut and scored cardstock designed with tab and slot closures. Once the shapes are folded and secured, the pinatas can be decorated using traditional or innovative methods. By designing the tab/slot closure of the body on the bottom of the pinata, the enclosed treats may be released in a non-destructive manner.

Abstract: A shaped article and method for making the article is disclosed. The method involves forming a raw material mixture of a thermosetting resin which can be either solid resin or liquid resin, hydrophilic filler, which can be carbonizable and/or inorganic, temporary organic binder, and optionally an effective amount of extrusion aids. The mixture is extruded into a shaped article, dried, and the resin is cured. The cured article can be further carbonized and activated. The activated carbon, especially a honeycomb is used for adsorbing components from a workstream.

Abstract: A two-sided towel for wiping moisture from two different surfaces while preventing cross contamination of the moisture between the surfaces. Coextensive first and second sheets, each having a moisture absorbent side and a moisture impervious side are fastened together with the moisture impervious sides abutting. The edges of the resulting sandwich are fastened together while leaving at least a portion of one edge unfastened, forming a pocket between the sheets into which a hand can be inserted. Typically, the towel is used by a fitness center patron to wipe perspiration from his or her body with one side and wipe moisture and dirt from equipment with the other side. The towel can also have fasteners to releasably close the opening so that it can be used as a bag, or be turned inside out and closed to carry damp clothing inside.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, cut-and-folded paper or paper sheet article is described. The article comprises a sheet of paper or paperlike sheet folded along a transverse line in two halves which are perpendicular to each other, and a series of cutout parts projecting one from another and erected on one half at intervals, with the cutout parts being parallel to each other and to the other half. The series of projected parts have shapes varying continuously, and such developing shapes can be of any desired form, such as human or animal shapes. Three-dimensional, cut-and-folded paper articles each having a series of shapes varying but continuing in context can be applied to picture books, greeting cards and the like, providing attractive goods in the market.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of three-dimensional hollow novelty items and their manufacture, particularly items such as artificial pumpkins that the consumer desires to carve or alter after purchase. Disclosed is a carvable novelty article, such as an artificial Halloween pumpkin, comprising a polyurethane shell substantially surrounding an interior volume and having a thin coating, such as an acrylic elastomer, on the exterior surface of the shell. The carvable article can be formed by an inventive process in which polyurethane foam material, such as material having a nominal density of about 2.5-3.0 pounds per cubic foot, is sprayed from a nozzle rotating with respect to the inside of a mold. After the polyurethane foam article and the mold are separated, the article is coated with an elastomeric coating, such as an acrylic material that is applied as a liquid.

Abstract: An ornamental ball includes a spherical body consisting of two semi-spherical half bodies, and an inner ornamental member contained in the ball. The inner ornamental member is fixed inside the ball, having an axis shorter than the diameter of the ball and having two ends of the axis fixed at non-diametrical locations of an inner surface of the ball. Consequently, the ball rotates irregularly owning to the gravitational impact of the ornamental member.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a resilient prestressed honeycomb structure from a honeycomb structure having opposed hollow-ell faces defining opposed planar surfaces. The apparatus comprises a conveyor for conveying the honeycomb structure and a compression apparatus for compressively deforming at least a portion of the honeycomb structure. When the honeycomb structure is conveyed past the compression apparatus, the compression apparatus compressively deforms one of the planar surfaces of the honeycomb structure to form a resilient prestressed cushioned face portion. The compression apparatus comprises a plurality of parallel and elongate compression rolls for compressively deforming the honeycomb structure to form the resilient prestressed cushioned face portion.

Abstract: An improved material for forming vehicle trim panels includes natural fibers formed reinforcing mats. The natural fibers replaced the prior known use of glass fibers. Prior art glass fibers may sometimes cause skin irritation, and the natural fiber eliminates this problem. The fibrous mats are preferably placed on both sides of the central foam layer, and a decorative layer is placed outwardly of one of the fibrous mats. Various naturally occurring fibrous materials such as hemp may be utilized.

Abstract: A decorative garland. A product and method of manufacture of garland includes a web having transversely cut center and border sections, and the center section has longer length transverse cuts and the border sections have shorter length transverse cuts. The cut film web is folded and then stuffed using a wire spine to hold a high density of cut film web. The stuffed web is then twisted causing formation of a helically rotated array of loops of the longer length transverse cut sections, and a tinsel-like material is positioned nearest the wire spine formed from the shorter length transverse cut sections of the web.

Abstract: Molded articles having contoured, decorative outer surfaces are disclosed. The articles comprise a molded polymer substrate and a decorative surfacing film adhered to one side of the substrate. The decorative surfacing film comprises a substantially molecularly unoriented cast polymer film formed from a weatherable polymer. The articles are particularly suited for use as automobile body panels and the like. Also disclosed is a method for making such articles, and a method for making sets of such articles for assembly into automobile bodies and the like.