Abstract: Co-curable and co-cured UV/visible light-resistant composite material assembly precursors used to make composite material assemblies comprise a compatible co-curable and co-cured peel ply protective layer to impart selected surface characteristics to the co-curable and co-cured composite material assembly precursor prior to peel ply removal and composite material precursor incorporation into a larger assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining information associated a bat includes a bat having a handle, a barrel extending from the handle, and a cap connected to the barrel opposite the handle. The cap is connected to a first portion of a chip, and a second portion of the chip is connected to a portion of the bat other than the cap. A user device communicates with the chip on a network to receive the information associated with the bat or to receive second information used to obtain the information associated with the bat. The information associated with the bat may be whether the cap has been removed, which may identify whether the bat has been modified.

Abstract: A bat includes a handle configured to be held by a user having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end includes a knob having a larger diameter than the handle. The bat further includes a barrel extending from the second end of a handle, the barrel configured to strike a ball during play. The barrel includes a first layer primarily composed of a single wall aluminum, a double wall aluminum, a single wall titanium, a double wall titanium, a single wall composite, or a multi wall composite. A second layer is connected to the first layer and configured to support the first layer to prevent the first layer from fatiguing, permanent damage, or exceeding applicable rules limiting the hotness of the bat.

Abstract: A bat composed of composite materials is disclosed. Multiple layers of composite material is wound, weaved or interlaced around a mandrel to create a tubular structure composed of composite material. The tubular structure is cured and the mandrel is removed, leaving a hollow tubular structure. A composite material insert is inserted to the tip of the tubular structure, to seal the tubular structure. The knob portion of the structure is likewise sealed. The tubular structure is wrapped with fibrous material, such that the fibrous material encompasses the knob, body and tip of the structure. The resulting structure is a bat wherein the knob of the bat transitions to the barrel of the bat and the barrel of the bat transitions seamlessly to the tip of the bat, to create a continuous composite structure. This solid structure is then injection molded, with a solid bat tip and knob in place.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes vane assemblies having a vane lever arm with an inclined profile. The inclined profile may engage with a complementary end of a vane shaft to locate, retain, and prevent rotation of the vane shaft and vane.

Abstract: A bat composed of composite materials is disclosed. Multiple layers of composite material is wound, weaved or interlaced around a mandrel to create a tubular structure composed of composite material. The tubular structure is cured and the mandrel is removed, leaving a hollow tubular structure. A composite material insert is inserted to the tip of the tubular structure, to seal the tubular structure. The knob portion of the structure is likewise sealed. The tubular structure is wrapped with fibrous material, such that the fibrous material encompasses the knob, body and tip of the structure. The resulting structure is a bat wherein the knob of the bat transitions to the barrel of the bat and the barrel of the bat transitions seamlessly to the tip of the bat, to create a continuous composite structure. This solid structure is then injection molded, with a solid bat tip and knob in place.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods described herein provide an input device having keys operatively coupled with light devices that emit light out of the keys. The input device is associated with different modes of operation. The light devices emit the light out of the keys responsive to a selected mode of operation being a first mode of operation. The light devices stop emitting the light out of the keys responsive to the selected mode of operation being a different, second mode of operation. The light devices are activated to indicate the selected mode of operation. One or more processors perform first functions associated with the keys during the first mode of operation and perform different, second functions associated with the same keys during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Adhesion testing systems, methods of fabrication, and methods of testing are disclosed. Test systems include test coupons with non-metallic test adherends. Test coupons are configured to test bonds to the non-metallic test adherends under peeling stress and/or shearing stress. Test methods are simplified and rapid as compared to standard adhesion tests and include methods of accelerated environmental testing. Test methods also are adapted for qualitative and quantitative measurement of bond performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes vane assemblies having a vane lever arm with an inclined profile. The inclined profile may engage with a complementary end of a vane shaft to locate, retain, and prevent rotation of the vane shaft and vane.

Abstract: Adhesion testing systems, methods of fabrication, and methods of testing are disclosed. Test systems include test coupons with non-metallic test adherends. Test coupons are configured to test bonds to the non-metallic test adherends under peeling stress and/or shearing stress. Test methods are simplified and rapid as compared to standard adhesion tests and include methods of accelerated environmental testing. Test methods also are adapted for qualitative and quantitative measurement of bond performance.

Abstract: A paneled partition assembly is disclosed that can be used to selectively separate a first space from a second space. The paneled partition assembly can cover an opening when in a closed and extended position and uncover the opening when in an opened and retracted position. The paneled partition assembly can include a first panel and a second panel configured such that rotation of a handle on the first panel causes linear movement of the second panel. The partition assembly can include a pair of mating assemblies that selectively move from open and retracted positions on opposite sides of an opening to closed and extended positions in which opposite leading edges abut one another.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for controlling a self-propelled machine, such as a lawn mowing machine, including a housing, an engine attached to the housing, a variable speed transmission, and a twist-grip throttle control. The variable speed transmission can propel the mowing machine, and the twist-grip throttle control can be operatively connected to the variable speed transmission for controlling the variable speed transmission Self-propelled speed of the mowing machine can therefore be controlled by operating the twist-grip throttle control. The twist-grip throttle control is designed to integrally retain an operator presence control so that only a single control needs to be used by the operator during use of the mowing machine.

Abstract: Pin apparatuses and methods are disclosed having particular suitability for use with machine handles such as those associated with walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers. A pin apparatus can include a housing defining an opening for receiving at least a portion of a pin. A pin can be provided having an elongated pin body with a proximal end section and a distal end section. The pin body can be adapted for positioning at least partially through the opening of the housing where the pin is movable with respect to the housing according to a method disclosed herein from an extended position where at least a portion of the distal end section extends to a predetermined extent outside of the opening, and a retracted position where the distal end section is in a retracted position from the predetermined extent. A handle can be provided external from the housing for moving the pin whereby movement of the handle moves the pin between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for controlling a self-propelled machine wherein the apparatuses and methods include a handle and a control device and can utilize first and second linking members. The control device is pivotably coupled to the handle, and includes a slidable control portion that is linearly translatable relative to the handle. The first linking member includes a first proximal section that is coupled to the control device, and a first distal section that is engagable with the machine. The first linking member is actuatable in response to pivoting of the control device. The second linking member includes a second proximal section coupled to the control device and a first distal section engagable with a transmission. The second linking member is actuatable in response to sliding of the slidable control portion. The control device can be pivoted between an ON state and an OFF state to implement operator presence control.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for controlling a self-propelled machine wherein the apparatuses and methods include a handle and a control device and can utilize first and second linking members. The control device is pivotably coupled to the handle, and includes a slidable control portion that is linearly translatable relative to the handle. The first linking member includes a first proximal section that is coupled to the control device, and a first distal section that is engagable with the machine. The first linking member is actuatable in response to pivoting of the control device. The second linking member includes a second proximal section coupled to the control device and a first distal section engagable with a transmission. The second linking member is actuatable in response to sliding of the slidable control portion. The control device can be pivoted between an ON state and an OFF state to implement operator presence control.

Abstract: Pin apparatuses and methods are disclosed having particular suitability for use with machine handles such as those associated with walk-behind machines such as lawnmowers. A pin apparatus can include a housing defining an opening for receiving at least a portion of a pin. A pin can be provided having an elongated pin body with a proximal end section and a distal end section. The pin body can be adapted for positioning at least partially through the opening of the housing where the pin is movable with respect to the housing according to a method disclosed herein from an extended position where at least a portion of the distal end section extends to a predetermined extent outside of the opening, and a retracted position where the distal end section is in a retracted position from the predetermined extent. A handle can be provided external from the housing for moving the pin whereby movement of the handle moves the pin between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for controlling a self-propelled machine wherein the apparatuses and methods include a handle and a control device and can utilize first and second linking members. The control device is pivotably coupled to the handle, and includes a slidable control portion that is linearly translatable relative to the handle. The first linking member includes a first proximal section that is coupled to the control device, and a first distal section that is engagable with the machine. The first linking member is actuatable in response to pivoting of the control device. The second linking member includes a second proximal section coupled to the control device and a first distal section engagable with a transmission. The second linking member is actuatable in response to sliding of the slidable control portion. The control device can be pivoted between an ON state and an OFF state to implement operator presence control.