Abstract: A method of treating substrates, such as wood, including the steps of applying an alkali silicate solution to one or more substrates and applying an alkali borate solution with boric oxide (B2O3) content to the substrates. Substrates that have been treated using the present method include a borate-silicate polymer within the substrate. When the present substrates are wood, wood products, or green lumber, they may be used to build structures.

Abstract: A method and a composition for treating wood products and a treated wood product prepared according to such methods where wood is treated by providing a wood to be treated, providing a treatment solution which includes an alkali silicate and a sealant composition, pressure treating the wood with the treatment solution, and applying energy to the treated wood.

Abstract: An improved method of making a lithoplate from a 5XXX type alloy which includes controlling the composition and casting practices to eliminate forming a pine tree metal structure in an ingot used for rolling a workpiece to be made into lithoplate. The method also includes homogenizing and hot rolling the ingot at a controlled initial temperature to produce a desired grain and metal microstructure in the sheet rolled from the ingot which is suited for providing a surface having substantially uniform and evenly distributed craters produced by an electrochemical method of graining.

Abstract: An improved method of treating an ingot to be made into lithoplate. The method also includes (a) providing a non-heat treatable aluminum alloy containing magnesium; (b) homogenizing said alloy; (c) rolling said alloy to form a sheet or plate; (d) heating said sheet or plate for a temperature and time sufficient to permit magnesium to migrate to the surface of said metal; and (e) cold rolling said sheet or plate stock to a finished gauge workpiece.

Abstract: A one piece bracket (2) for use in stacking, in superposed relationship, first (56) and second (58) shielded multi contact electrical connectors, comprises elongate body, having at one end thereof a top mounting face providing a seat for a grounding flange of the top connector (56) and at the other end thereof a bottom mounting face providing a seat for a flange of the bottom connector (58). A tail part (18) projects from the body (4) and carries a fastening lug in the form of a block (46) having a central bore (52) for receiving a boardlock (100) for securing the bracket (2) to a circuit board (CB). The block (46) projects below the seat for the flange of the bottom connector, so that the lower surface of the block can engage the circuit board when the bracket (2) has been mounted thereon. The elongate body (4) has a through central bore (24) through which one or more fasteners can be passed to secure the flanges to their respective seats.

Abstract: A railing, fence or like barrier structure formed from a plurality of lightweight, high-strength plastic or like material components, different ones of which are capable of being either injected molded or extrusion molded wherein the plurality of components are connected to one another and at least some of which incorporate a high-strength material reinforcement member formed on the interior thereof during its molding formation. A connecting assembly or alternately a locking assembly serves to interconnect and/or lock other structural components of the railing assembly to form a structure with a high degree of structural integrity and yet maintain a substantially lightweight construction.

Abstract: An improved method of making a lithoplate from a 5XXX type alloy which includes controlling the composition and casting practices to eliminate forming a pine tree metal structure in an ingot used for rolling a workpiece to be made into lithoplate. The method also includes homogenizing and hot rolling the ingot at a controlled initial temperature to produce a desired grain and metal microstructure in the sheet rolled from the ingot which is suited for providing a surface having substantially uniform and evenly distributed craters produced by an electrochemical method of graining.

Abstract: An improved method of making a lithoplate from a 5XXX type alloy which includes controlling the composition and casting practices to eliminate forming a pine tree metal structure in an ingot used for rolling a workpiece to be made into lithoplate. The method also includes homogenizing and hot rolling the ingot at a controlled initial temperature to produce a desired grain and metal microstructure in the sheet rolled from the ingot which is suited for providing a surface having substantially uniform and evenly distributed craters produced by an electrochemical method of graining.