Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example. Permanent bead material is preferably made of polyacrylonitrile, carbon fiber, or graphite.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example. Permanent bead material is preferably made of polyacrylonitrile, carbon fiber, or graphite.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example.

Abstract: A load bearing structure having a set of uniform voids functions to resolve the forces imposed by developing compression in the material having the voids and minimizing the amount of tension developed in the material. The voids are deployed to encompass a matrix of points arranged such that each point is spaced an equal distance from twelve and only twelve adjacent matrix points. If the structure is considered to be composed of a closely packed set of hypothetical rhombic dodecahedra (RD) and the four-edge vertices of each of those hypothetical RDs is truncated, the result will be a set of cubic voids. The center of each of those cubic voids will define the matrix referred to above and the cubic voids will serve to provide the optimum resolution of stress which minimizes the development of tension in the material. One in four of the hypothetical RDs can be eliminated achieving the same force resolution in a structure containing less material.

Abstract: A structural frame is composed of a series of struts which are arranged in a particular fashion that steers the stress applied to the frame so as to minimize development of tension and maximize the resolution of the stress in terms of compression. The frame is composed of a plurality of unicubes which are twelve equal length struts arranged to form the edges of a cube and eight additional equal length struts extending out from each corner of the cube. Each of the eight outwardly extending struts forming an equal angle with each of the three cube edge struts to which it is connected. The outboard ends of these outwardly extending struts are connected together so that sets of four such outboard strut ends are connected to form a network of these unicubes, which network constitutes the structural frame.

Abstract: A load bearing structure having a set of uniform voids functions to resolve the forces imposed by developing compression in the material having the voids and minimizing the amount of tension developed in the material. For the voids to have this function, they must be deployed in a particular fashion. The voids are deployed to encompass a particular set of points. The set of points are such that each point in the matrix is spaced an equal distance from twelve and only twelve adjacent points of the matrix. The distance between the points does not matter as long as all are uniformly distanced in accordance with that rule. If the structure is considered to be composed of a closely packed set of hypothetical rhombic dodecahedra (RD) and the four edge vertices of each of those hypothetical RDs is truncated, the result will be a set of cubic voids.

Abstract: A human-powered, foot or hand operated paddle propulsion system for a variety of differently sized and configured watercraft. A rigid supporting subframe attaches the system to an end of the watercraft. A spaced-apart terminus is wedged towards a boat seat base. The terminus and subframe cooperatively secure the system within the boat. The subframe has a C-shaped bow plate coupling it to the boat end. The paddle assembly is removably quick-connected to the bow plate. Knobbed, slidably adjustable mounting bolts captivate the subframe upon the bow. The frame comprises a pair of adjustable, telescoping frame beams that enable it to retract or extend. The frame supports an adjustable actuating assembly including foot-operated pedals and optional hand bars for powering the boat. Cabling links the actuating assembly to the drive paddle assembly. Slidable captivation of the activating assembly upon the frame facilitates cable length and tension adjustments.

Abstract: A tile product is disclosed which comprises a ceramic substrate having opposed major surfaces, a layer of natural stone and an adhesive bonding the layer of natural stone to one of the major surfaces of the ceramic substrate. The layer of natural stone preferably comprises a plurality of strips made of fossilstone and the substrate is preferably made of an unglazed ceramic bisque.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile is disclosed which comprises providing a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first and second major surface of the sheet of natural stone and the first major surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates. The plurality of ceramic substrates and the sheet of natural stone are assembled to form a laminated assembly such that the first surface of each of a portion of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween, and the remainder of the ceramic substrates face the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile is disclosed which comprises providing a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first and second major surface of the sheet of natural stone and the first major surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates. The plurality of ceramic substrates and the sheet of natural stone are assembled to form a laminated assembly such that the first surface of each of a portion of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween, and the remainder of the ceramic substrates face the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile product is disclosed which comprises provided a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each of the plurality of ceramic substrates having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone and the first major surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates. The plurality of ceramic substrates and the sheet of natural stone are assembled such that the first surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with the adhesive material therebetween. Preferably, the second major surface of the ceramic substrate is polished and then the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone is polished. The resulting laminated assembly may be cut into a plurality of tiles. The laminated tiles produced by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A home carbonation system for producing soft drinks. A high pressure CO.sub.2 vessel comprises a regulator valve assembly which provides fail safe venting, a refill capability, and a low pressure output. It may be interconnected via a fill hose to a seltzer dispenser comprising a multifunction discharge valve secured to a plastic bottle. A plurality of syrup bottles, each filled with a different flavor of concentrate, enable the mixing of desired soda flavors. A storage rack efficiently houses the pressure vessel, the seltzer bottle, and the individual syrup containers. A pressure vessel housing box includes an offset nest which conveniently stores the fill tube. The seltzer bottle is reinforced by a two-piece, vented, anti-fragmentation shroud equipped with inspection slots for enabling proper mixing. The discharge valve is threadably coupled to the bottle, and it includes a gas inlet orifice for receiving low pressure gas from the regulator assembly.

Abstract: A home carbonation system for producing soft drinks. A high pressure CO.sub.2 vessel comprises a regulator valve assembly which provides fail safe venting, a refill capability, and a low pressure output. It may be interconnected via a fill hose to a seltzer dispenser comprising a multifunction discharge valve secured to a plastic bottle. A plurality of syrup bottles, each filled with a different flavor of concentrate, enable the mixing of desired soda flavors. A storage rack efficiently houses the pressure vessel, the seltzer bottle, and the individual syrup containers. A pressure vessel housing box includes an offset nest which conveniently stores the fill tube. The seltzer bottle is reinforced by a two-piece, vented, anti-fragmentation shroud equipped with inspection slots for enabling proper mixing. The discharge valve is threadably coupled to the bottle, and it includes a gas inlet orifice for receiving low pressure gas from the regulator assembly.

Abstract: A tile product is disclosed which comprises a ceramic substrate having opposed major surfaces, a layer of natural stone and an adhesive bonding the layer of natural stone to one of the major surfaces of the ceramic substrate. The layer of natural stone preferably comprises a plurality of strips made of fossilstone and the substrate is preferably made of an unglazed ceramic bisque.