Abstract: A drape element includes a sheet of flexible, non-magnetic material having opposed first and second longitudinal sheet edges, a longitudinal centerline toward which is defined an inward direction and away from which is defined an outward direction, and a first longitudinal pocket disposed proximate the first longitudinal sheet edge. A first straight magnetic wire is disposed in the longitudinal direction within an inward longitudinal portion of the first longitudinal pocket, and a first alternating sequence of magnets and non-magnetic spacers is disposed within an outward longitudinal portion of the first longitudinal pocket. Each of the magnets has opposed first and second magnetic poles, with a respective first magnetic pole of each of the magnets being disposed in contact with the first straight magnetic wire.

Abstract: A sanding pad comprises a laminate structure of a deformable and flexible core layer defining a first surface and an opposing second surface, each said surface having a sandpaper layer affixed thereto, whereby each said sandpaper layer is bonded to a plurality of fabric features, such as pile loops defining a respective one of the first and second core surfaces, whereby the pile loops defining the first core surface can flex in an opposite direction from the pile loops defining the second core surface when the core layer is deformed and flexed. In this regard, the core layer can flex in a variety of directions and conform to a variety of shapes and geometries, including convex and concave contours. The sandpaper layers each comprise an abrasive grit mounted to a backing layer which is bonded to the pile loops of the core layer.

Abstract: A drape element includes a sheet of flexible, non-magnetic material having opposed first and second longitudinal sheet edges, a longitudinal centerline toward which is defined an inward direction and away from which is defined an outward direction, and a first longitudinal pocket disposed proximate the first longitudinal sheet edge. A first straight magnetic wire is disposed in the longitudinal direction within an inward longitudinal portion of the first longitudinal pocket, and a first alternating sequence of magnets and non-magnetic spacers is disposed within an outward longitudinal portion of the first longitudinal pocket. Each of the magnets has opposed first and second magnetic poles, with a respective first magnetic pole of each of the magnets being disposed in contact with the first straight magnetic wire.

Abstract: A device for picking up balls from a court surface comprises: a container having a bottom face which includes a bottom outer frame and a plurality of elongate members forming a door; a plurality of elongate legs having top and bottom ends, wherein each bottom end is integral with the container; and a support frame formed by the top ends and at least one transverse member. The device may be inverted between a first position, in which the device is supported on the court surface by the bottom face, and a second position, in which the device is supported by the support frame, without movement of any parts of the device with respect to each other. In the first position, the bottom face may be pressed against balls on the court surface so as to urge them through openings between the elongate members and into the interior of the container.

Abstract: A method of preventing disruption of a taped finished drywall board joint in a room having a center ridge member and angularly inclined ceiling rafters which involves a metallic connector positioned between the wallboard sections and the ridge member and rafters. The connector has two metallic wings with a center longitudinal bendable connection. The wings have flexible tabs at their free edges which are attached to the rafters and the connector itself is attached to the wallboard adjacent to the ridge member. The wallboard also is attached to the rafters 8-12 inches from the edges of the wings. Because the tabs can bend away from the wings, this construction allows the joint to flex if the rafters warp or shrink without disrupting the finish coating on the outside of the wallboard joint at the ridge member. The connector also can be applied to other critical joints in a home where the framing members are subject to movement such as flat ceilings to avoid truss uplift or rafter movement.

Abstract: A corner bead for wallboard applications comprising a polymeric core having a bonding surface for bonding to wallboard wherein the bonding surface has applied thereto a water activated adhesive which is bonded to the polymeric core by a curable adhesive having embedded therein fibers which are also embedded in the water activated adhesive.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wallboard panels having recessed edges along all four edges.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wallboard panels having recessed edges along all four edges.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wallboard panels having recessed edges along all four edges which process involves passing an unfinished length of wall board through a lateral recess forming apparatus.

Abstract: A wallboard tape having a base layer of paper tape having two parallel outer edges and two strips of paper tape applied to the base layer and parallel to the outer edges with an adhesive material. The strips are separated by a gap.

Abstract: A wallboard including a base tape of nonwoven fibers. The fibers include of from about 75%-25% rigid fibers and 25%-75% flexible fibers. Opening are defined between the fibers. A plurality of discrete fibers are adhered to the base tape to form a topcoat. The topcoat fibers include a different material than those of the base tape. The topcoat fibers not covering or filling all of said opening such that said openings are capable of receiving a wallboard compound when applied thereto.

Abstract: Wallboard tapes having flexibility and elasticity are provided comprising a nonwoven mat or from at least 50% to 90% rigid fibers and no more than 50% to 10% of flexible fibers. The preferred tapes are comprised of glass fiber as the rigid fiber and polyester fiber as the flexible fiber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wallboard panels having recessed edges along all four edges which process involves passing an unfinished length of wall board through a lateral recess forming apparatus.

Abstract: A wallboard tape having a base layer of paper tape having two parallel outer edges and two strips of paper tape applied to the base layer and parallel to the outer edges with an adhesive material. The strips are separated by a gap.

Abstract: A method enables gypsum/fiber board to be manufactured such that recessed areas are formed on the same face of the cut wallboard on all four edges without interrupting the production line. The system accommodates different lengths of cut wallboard as the lateral cut edge recess forming apparatus is adjustable in width to accommodate different lengths of cut wallboard.

Abstract: A method enables gypsum/fiber board to be manufactured such that recessed areas are formed on the same face of the cut wallboard on all four edges without interrupting the production line. The system accommodates different lengths of cut wallboard as the lateral cut edge recess forming apparatus is adjustable in width to accommodate different lengths of cut wallboard.

Abstract: A viscous applicator having a chamber for holding viscous fluid such as dry wall compound. A one-way filling valve and a discharge nozzle are located on the chamber. The nozzle is opened and closed using a pull rod connected to a seal on one end. The second end is controlled by a rotatable handle on the applicator main housing. A gas spring is located in the housing and retracts during loading of dry wall compound into the chamber and discharges compound when the discharge nozzle is opened by the pull rod. The handle is spring loaded to close the nozzle when released. A hollow push rod connects the gas spring to a dispensing head in the chamber and the pull rod is movable through the push rod and the dispensing head. A series of cam slots and followers controls motions of the handle and the pull rod.

Abstract: A viscous applicator having a chamber for holding viscous fluid such as dry wall compound. A one-way filling valve and a discharge nozzle are located on the chamber. The nozzle is opened and closed using a pull rod connected to a seal on one end. The second end is controlled by a rotatable handle on the applicator main housing. A gas spring is located in the housing and retracts during loading of dry wall compound into the chamber and discharges compound when the discharge nozzle is opened by the pull rod. The handle is spring loaded to close the nozzle when released. A hollow push rod connects the gas spring to a dispensing head in the chamber and the pull rod is movable through the push rod and the dispensing head. A series of cam slots and followers controls motions of the handle and the pull rod.

Abstract: A drywall sander comprises a handle, a sanding head adapted to being reciprocated for back and forth motion, a moving coil actuator associated with the sanding head for reciprocating the sanding head, and a universal joint for connecting the handle to the moving coil actuator.