Abstract: A composite material comprised of polymeric beads and adhesive, primarily intended for use in constructing buildings, athletic fields, waste pond covers, packaging, contact sports gear and medial equipment, is comprised of a plurality of electrical excitation zone-treated beads having average diameters between about 1 mm and about 10 mm that are substantially coated with the adhesive material and used in quantities such that void spaces constitute at least about 10 percent by volume of the total volume of the composite material. Upon curing, said adhesive preferably has hardness levels ranging from about Shore A 20 to about Shore A 95.

Abstract: A composite material comprised of polymeric beads and adhesive, primarily intended for use in constructing buildings, athletic fields, waste pond covers, packaging, contact sports gear and medial equipment, is comprised of a plurality of electrical excitation zone-treated beads having average diameters between about 1 mm and about 10 mm that are substantially coated with the adhesive material and used in quantities such that void spaces constitute at least about 10 percent by volume of the total volume of the composite material. Upon curing, said adhesive preferably has hardness levels ranging from about Shore A 20 to about Shore A 95.

Abstract: A porous, breathable pad for use as protective padding by a person to absorb the force of an impact and to protect the user from injury while allowing liquids and air to freely pass through the pad. The pad includes a plurality of discrete, solid beads of inelastic and waterproof, closed-cell foam wherein some outer portions of adjacent beads abut one another and other outer portions of the adjacent beads are spaced from each other to create interstitial spaces. In the preferred embodiments, substantially all of the adjacent beads are fused together at their abutting, outer portions and the interstitial spaces are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the pad.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. In a first set of preferred embodiments, the pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In an alternate embodiment, the outer casing is made of an elastic material that is overfilled preferably to its elastic limit to act in the manner of the preferred embodiments. In a second set of preferred embodiments, the outer casings of the pads are actually filled no more than a simple gravity fill (i.e., 100%) and preferably are underfilled (e.g.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. In a first set of preferred embodiments, the pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In an alternate embodiment, the outer casing is made of an elastic material that is overfilled preferably to its elastic limit to act in the manner of the preferred embodiments. In a second set of preferred embodiments, the outer casings of the pads are actually filled no more than a simple gravity fill (i.e., 100%) and preferably are underfilled (e.g.

Abstract: Flexible pads primarily intended for use as protective padding for athletes and other users. In one preferred embodiment, the pads include two, outer layers of substantially inelastic material spaced apart by a middle section of discrete beads of substantially elastic, resilient material. Adjacent beads of the middle section preferably abut one another and are integrally joined to each other. Similarly, the outer layers of the pad contact adjacent beads of the middle section sandwiched therebetween and are joined to them to form an integral, strong pad. The outer layers of the pads are preferably porous and breathable and made of waterproof (non-absorbent) material. The resilient beads are preferably also made of waterproof material wherein moisture and air will readily pass through the assembled pads but will not be absorbed by any of the component layers or beads. The pads help to keep the athlete cool and dry in use and can be washed and dried for re-use.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. The pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In use, the porous pads are compressed and rebound to create a pumping effect that circulates air into and out of the pads drawing heat and perspiration from the athlete's body and keeping the athlete cool and dry. If desired, the pad can be secured directly to the athlete's jersey to enhance this pumping effect as well as the dissipation of the force of any impact.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. The outer casing is made of an elastic material that is overfilled to its elastic limit to act in the manner of the preferred embodiments. In a second set of preferred embodiments, the outer casing of the pads are actually filled no more than a simple gravity fill (i.e., 100%) and preferably are under filled (e.g., 90%) to less than a gravity fill. This second set of pads is preferably used in combination with a hard, outer shell. Variations of the basic feature of the first and second sets of pads are also disclosed. The pads of the present invention are lightweight and washable and can be adapted and integrated into a wide variety of items.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. In a first set of preferred embodiments, the pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In use, the porous pads are compressed and rebound to create a pumping effect that circulates air into and out of the pads drawing heat and perspiration from the athlete's body and keeping the athlete cool and dry. If desired, the pad can be secured directly to the athlete's jersey to enhance this pumping effect as well as the dissipation of the force of any impact.

Abstract: Protective padding primarily intended for use in sports gear. The pads include flexible, outer casings of porous, breathable, inelastic material overfilled with resilient, discrete beads of elastic material. The beads are initially in compressed states within the casing and place the outer, inelastic casing in tension. When a blow or force is applied, the beads are further compressed to absorb and dissipate the impact. Additionally, the applied blow or force will increase the tension in the outer casing to even further compress the elastic beads for better absorption and dissipation of the impact. In use, the porous pads are compressed and rebound to create a pumping effect that circulates air into and out of the pads drawing heat and perspiration from the athlete's body and keeping the athlete cool and dry. If desired, the pad can be secured directly to the athlete's jersey to enhance this pumping effect as well as the dissipation of the force of any impact.

Abstract: Described is an aqueous sprayable glass fiber binding composition comprising: a) an aqueous compatible formaldehyde thermosetting coating composition; and b) a compatible aqueous latex elastomeric composition. Also described are binder compositions that decrease fallout of glass fiber and binder from the coated glass fiber. Also disclosed is a glass fiber binder composition having low odor content.

Abstract: A self-supporting headliner panel for lining the interior surface of an automotive roof comprises a front sheet, a back sheet and an intermediate corrugated sheet adhered to the front and back sheets. The front sheet and the back sheet each comprise wood fibers and polypropylene. To form the panel, a laminate of the front sheet, the back sheet and the intermediate corrugated sheet is molded in a heated mold which melts polypropylene fibers in the front and back sheet causing the laminate to conform to the shape of the mold and adhering the three sheets together.

Abstract: A flexible coupling for connecting an engine manifold to an exhaust pipe to relieve torque. Concentrically spaced flexible tubes, which have insulation filling the annular space between them, are connected to inlet and outlet tubes having interior ends located between the ends of the flexible tubes. The inlet and outlet tubes have enlarged upstream ends and smaller downstream ends. By overlapping the ends of the inlet and outlet tubes, the tubes are able to have relative angular movement when the flexible tubes bend due to engine torque. One or more separate tubes which also have enlarged and smaller upstream and downstream ends may be provided to overlap with the inlet and outlet tubes to allow bending of longer couplings.

Abstract: An automotive exhaust system incorporating an insulated exhaust pipe. The insulation is selected so that it is very efficient at relatively low temperatures, thereby allowing the exhaust gases to reach the light-off temperature of the catalytic converter in a short time, and less efficient at high temperatures, thereby maintaining the temperature of the exhaust gases below the level at which aging of the catalytic converter increases.

Abstract: Insulating the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion exhaust system by sliding a flexible insulated tube over the exhaust pipe. The tube comprises concentrically arranged inner and outer corrugated stainless steel tubes, with the annulus between the corrugated tubes filled with refractory fiber insulation. The wall thickness of the corrugated tubes is in the range of 0.002 inch and 0.004 inch, which provides the insulated tube with sufficient flexibility to be trained over the angled portions of the exhaust pipe. The contact between the corrugations and the pipe assists in holding the insulated tube in place. The inner tube may extend beyond the outer tube and be flared back to the outer tube to enclose the insulation and facilitate movement of the insulated tube over the exhaust pipe. Alternatively, the insulation may also be sealed by end caps.

Abstract: An insulated exhaust pipe comprising inner and outer spaced corrugated metallic tubes separated by refractory fiber isulation. Strips of higher density refractory fiber insulation hold the low density insulation in place during operation and prevent degradation of the fiber by vibration. The pipe is made by rolling the inner tube over a layer of insulation, including strips, to which adhesive has been applied. The insulated tube is then inserted into the outer tube, rotating the insulated tube so that the corrugations of the outer tube do not damage the insulation. Specific structure for carrying out these method steps is disclosed.

Abstract: Attachment means for connecting an insulated pipe to an element, such as the manifold, in the exhaust system of a vehicle. The attachment means includes a conduit which extends into the end of the insulated pipe. A transverse lug or a helical flange on the conduit engages the spiral corrugations of the inner diameter of the pipe to allow the conduit to be threaded into the pipe. The end of the pipe is received in an end cap slidably mounted on the conduit. When the cap hits a stop on the conduit during threading of the conduit into the pipe the lug or helical flange pulls the pipe against the cap, tightening the connection to the pipe.

Abstract: A process for making a fibrous mat includes the steps of (a) combining (i) glass fibers, (ii) polyolefine fibers, (iii) fibers selected from the group consisting of polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, and mixtures thereof, and (iv) a cross-linked latex binder, (b) consolidating the fibers and binder into a loosely packed mat, (c) curing the consolidated mat at a temperature in the range of about 250-400 F., and (d) molding the cured mat into a desired shape at ambient temperature.

Abstract: An automotive headliner comprised of a laminate of double corrugated paperboard. Perforations in all the sheets of the laminate except the back paperboard sheet improve the acoustical performance of the liner. A vapor barrier on the back sheet prevents entry of moisture into the laminate from the roof, and a layer of sound dampening material on the front face of the laminate improves the sound absorption of the laminate. The front corrugation is larger than the back corrugation. When molding the laminate it is first moisturized, then heat molded. Heat is applied until the laminate has regained its rigidity.

Abstract: A thermoformable fibrous mat which has good strength and temperature resistance and which combines balanced properties of flexibility and rigidity. The novel, inventive mat comprises glass fibers; polyolefin fibers; polyamide and/or polyester fibers; and a cross-linked latex binder. Preferably, the latex binder is a combination of styrene-butadiene and carboxylated styrene-butadiene. A process for forming the inventive mat is also disclosed.