Abstract: A method for spreading a hammock is disclosed. The method may include selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction. The method may further include suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor and suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor. Once suspended, the hammock base may be spread in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system. The dynamic spreader system may automatically adjust the amount of the spreading in response to changes in the weight, shape, or orientation of contents within the hammock base.

Abstract: A hammock is disclosed. The hammock may include a bed portion having first and second ends spaced a distance from one another. The first end of the bed portion may be suspended from a first tether. The second end of the bed portion may be suspended from a second tether. The hammock may further include an upper portion comprising netting. The upper portion may cooperate with the bed portion to form an enclosure for housing an occupant. The hammock may also include a ridge line extending from the first tether, through the upper portion, to the second tether. The ridge line may have a length greater than the distance between the first and second ends of the bed portion. Accordingly, the upper portion may be suspended some distance above the bed portion, creating greater space for the occupant within the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for spreading a hammock is disclosed. The method may include selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction. The method may further include suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor and suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor. Once suspended, the hammock base may be spread in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system. The dynamic spreader system may automatically adjust the amount of the spreading in response to changes in the weight, shape, or orientation of contents within the hammock base.

Abstract: A method for spreading a hammock is disclosed. The method may include selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction. The method may further include suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor and suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor. Once suspended, the hammock base may be spread in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system. The dynamic spreader system may automatically adjust the amount of the spreading in response to changes in the weight, shape, or orientation of contents within the hammock base.

Abstract: A hammock is disclosed. The hammock may include a bed portion having first and second ends spaced a distance from one another. The first end of the bed portion may be suspended from a first tether. The second end of the bed portion may be suspended from a second tether. The hammock may further include an upper portion comprising netting. The upper portion may cooperate with the bed portion to form an enclosure for housing an occupant. The hammock may also include a ridge line extending from the first tether, through the upper portion, to the second tether. The ridge line may have a length greater than the distance between the first and second ends of the bed portion. Accordingly, the upper portion may be suspended some distance above the bed portion, creating greater space for the occupant within the enclosure.

Abstract: A double hammock configured to accommodate two persons, while providing independent stability to both persons occupying the hammock. The hammock includes a first elongate hammock base, a second elongate hammock base, and an elongate divider member attached to both hammock bases so that the divider separates at least the head sections of the hammock bases and extends between them. Each hammock base includes a head section at one longitudinal end, a foot section at an opposite longitudinal end, an outer side section at one side between the head and foot sections, and an inner side section at an opposite side between the head and foot sections. The divider member includes a first side attached to the inner side section of the first hammock base and an opposite second side attached to the inner side section of the second hammock base.

Abstract: A double hammock configured to accommodate two persons, while providing independent stability to both persons occupying the hammock. The hammock includes a first elongate hammock base, a second elongate hammock base, and an elongate divider member attached to both hammock bases so that the divider separates at least the head sections of the hammock bases and extends between them. Each hammock base includes a head section at one longitudinal end, a foot section at an opposite longitudinal end, an outer side section at one side between the head and foot sections, and an inner side section at an opposite side between the head and foot sections. The divider member includes a first side attached to the inner side section of the first hammock base and an opposite second side attached to the inner side section of the second hammock base.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite material, a process and a product formed by the process. The composite is formed by a process that includes forming a fibrous structure comprising fibers into a preform, coating the fibers of the fibrous structure preform with elemental carbon to impregnate that preform, infiltrating the preform with boron carbide to form an impregnated green body. The impregnated green body is infiltrated with liquid naphthalene or other carbon precursor, which is thereafter pyrolyzed to form a carbon char. Then, the char infiltrated green body is infiltrated with molten silicon to form a continuous matrix throughout the composite. The silicon in the continuous matrix is reacted with the carbon char to form silicon carbide.

Abstract: A compressor assembly comprises a compressor, a motor protector, and a signaling device. Upon an overload condition, the motor protector activates. The signaling device also activates to serve as an alert that the compressor is not malfunctioning but instead is in an overload condition.

Abstract: A CVI furnace is described in which single layer of a porous material or multiple layers of porous materials stacked in a module are loaded into a furnace. The modules are loaded into the furnace singularly or as multiple units stacked vertically or side by side. The modules can be moved through the furnace continuously or step-wise. The furnace comprises a separate CVI chamber. The porous material is heated and subjected to densification, thereby ensuring a dispersion of the reactant gas onto the porous material. A process of densifying a sheet of porous material is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite material, a process and a product formed by the process. The composite is formed by a process that includes forming a fibrous structure comprising fibers into a preform, coating the fibers of the fibrous structure preform with elemental carbon to impregnate that preform, infiltrating the preform with boron carbide to form an impregnated green body. The impregnated green body is infiltrated with liquid naphthalene or other carbon precursor, which is thereafter pyrolyzed to form a carbon char. Then, the char infiltrated green body is infiltrated with molten silicon to form a continuous matrix throughout the composite. The silicon in the continuous matrix is reacted with the carbon char to form silicon carbide.

Abstract: A short tube of large enough diameter to allow a rope, wire, cable or cord to pass through the center and wrap around the wall of the tube easily one or more times. The purpose of which is to drain off water when the highest end of a moored rope or cable is exposed to rain. As water runs down the rope it will drip off at the lowest part of the bend created by the wrap around the wall of the tube. The length of the tube being a ratio of the diameter of the rope and the slant at which the rope is moored so that a long enough wrap and an optimum angle are obtained with respect to gravity.

Abstract: A compressor assembly comprises a compressor, a motor protector, and a signaling device. Upon an overload condition, the motor protector activates. The signaling device also activates to serve as an alert that the compressor is not malfunctioning but instead is in an overload condition.

Abstract: A hammock which has a netted fabric covering and a tarp suspended above it, form a structure similar to a tent suspended above ground. The tarp, made of waterproof lightweight fabric, is attached to the netted fabric in the middle and hangs down on either side of the hammock. The tarp can also be pulled out by the corners to form a canopy over the hammock by means of ropes tied to a branch of a tree or other support. Pockets attached to the underside of the hammock are large enough to hold clothing and other gear. These pockets also provide insulation from the cold. The main support comes from a single rope for each end attached through a sleeve which gives extreme stability. Elastic straps connected to the ends of the tarp adjust for stress to the tarp and netting as weight is applied to the hammock. A section of webbing sewn to the top of the head end of the netting and to the underside of the tarp provide a drop space between the tarp and netting which allows for condensation run off.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for a braking system employing multiple disc brakes to insure an air gap between the pressure plate of the brake stack and the piston head of a piston. The piston is mounted in a cylindrical housing with an end wall to which a rod is secured. The rod extends into the piston and has a hardened ball on its end for engagement by a deformable sleeve. The deformable sleeve is connected to an outer cylindrical tube for movement therewith. Such outer tube has a flange on one end that slidably engages the cylindrical wall of the piston and a ring on the other end that is adapted to engage an annular spring retainer member slidably mounted on the outer tube. The piston has an inwardly extending annular abutment that engages the retainer member with a coil spring encircling the outer tube having one end engaging the flange and the other end engaging the retainer member to provide widely spaced footprints for the spring.

Abstract: A heat shield installation on a tire supporting wheel and brake assembly having a rim member with an inner surface that surrounds a heat sink composed of stator and rotor brake discs. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drive keys are located between the heat sink and the inner surface of the rim member with such keys slidably mounting the rotor discs. A heat shield is located between the inner surface and the drive keys with a plurality of circumferentially spaced spacers secured thereto. Fastener members interconnect the drive keys to the rim members through the spacers while securely locking the heat shield radially and axially relative to the rim member of the tire supporting wheel.

Abstract: An improved camera accessory carrying case is provided which has a plurality of cylindrically shaped compartments for accessories arranged in side-by-side relationship. Each compartment is individually attached to a backing panel. The compartments and panel are constructed of flexible padded material for protection of the accessories from shock. A single flexible covering flap is provided with a laterally extending closure strip for connection with vertically extending closure strips on each compartment. Padding which is adjustable as to thickness is disposed in the bottoms of the compartments to provide additional cushioning and to adjust the depth of the compartment to fit the accessory, such as camera lenses.