Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface, an inner surface opposite the ball striking surface, and a thickness defined between the ball striking surface and the inner surface, and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. The face has a modulus gradient across the thickness of the face, such that the modulus of the face varies at different distances from the ball striking surface. The face may also include at least one of an insert, a composite material, a multi-layered structure, and/or a portion treated by a surface treatment to contribute to the modulus gradient.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface, an inner surface opposite the ball striking surface, and a thickness defined between the ball striking surface and the inner surface, and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. The face has a modulus gradient across the thickness of the face, such that the modulus of the face varies at different distances from the ball striking surface. The face may also include at least one of an insert, a composite material, a multi-layered structure, and/or a portion treated by a surface treatment to contribute to the modulus gradient.

Abstract: Lightweight blast mitigating composite panels (10) include a first glass composite shell (14; 152), an intermediate, preferably honeycomb layer (56; 156), a reinforcing layer (60; 160), an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE) layer (64; 164) and a second glass composite shell (15; 168) adhered together with fire resistant adhesive layers (54; 58, 63, 66; 154, 158, 163, 166). The UHMWPE layer (64; 164) includes top and bottom coatings (70, 71) of fire resistant thermoset plastic preferably in the form of a paste. The panels (10) have use in a wide range of applications including in a blast mitigating overhead storage bin (100). The storage bin (100) includes a main body portion (133) defining a storage area formed from composite unarmored and armored panel segments (137, 138; 128-132).

Abstract: Golf club and golf club head structures include an inner wall or backstop arranged behind a ball striking surface of the golf club head and defining a gap between the inner wall and a rear surface of the ball striking surface. In some arrangements, the size of the gap may vary along a heel-to-toe length of the inner wall or backstop. For instance, the size of the gap may gradually increase from a first end of the inner wall toward a central region of the inner wall, and may gradually decrease from the central region toward a second end of the inner wall. In some examples, the inner wall or backstop may be connected to the golf club head, for instance, at a first end and/or a second end.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface, an inner surface opposite the ball striking surface, and a thickness defined between the ball striking surface and the inner surface, and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. The face has a modulus gradient across the thickness of the face, such that the modulus of the face varies at different distances from the ball striking surface. The face may also include at least one of an insert, a composite material, a multi-layered structure, and/or a portion treated by a surface treatment to contribute to the modulus gradient.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball, a main body member connected to the face and having an engagement surface located in the rear side, a removable body member removably connected to the main body member, and a connecting element removably connecting the removable body member to the main body member. The connecting element includes a moveable engaging member that is moveable between a locked position, where the engaging member engages the engagement surface to retain the removable body member to the main body member, and an unlocked position, where the engaging member does not engage the engagement surface and the removable body member is removable from the main body member.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball, a main body member connected to the face and having an engagement surface located in the rear side, a removable body member removably connected to the main body member, and a connecting element removably connecting the removable body member to the main body member. The connecting element includes a moveable engaging member that is moveable between a locked position, where the engaging member engages the engagement surface to retain the removable body member to the main body member, and an unlocked position, where the engaging member does not engage the engagement surface and the removable body member is removable from the main body member.

Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a removable wrapping element proximal to the ball striking face.

Abstract: Lightweight blast mitigating composite panels (10) include a first glass composite shell (14; 152), an intermediate, preferably honeycomb layer (56; 156), a reinforcing layer (60; 160), an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE) layer (64; 164) and a second glass composite shell (15; 168) adhered together with fire resistant adhesive layers (54; 58, 63, 66; 154, 158, 163, 166). The UHMWPE layer (64; 164) includes top and bottom coatings (70, 71) of fire resistant thermoset plastic preferably in the form of a paste. The panels (10) have use in a wide range of applications including in a blast mitigating overhead storage bin (100). The storage bin (100) includes a main body portion (133) defining a storage area formed from composite unarmored and armored panel segments (137, 138; 128-132).

Abstract: A golf club with a golf club head having non-metallic fasteners is presented. The club head may include a face member, a body member, a sole member and a crown member. The various portions of the club head may be connected using mechanical fasteners, such as screws. In some arrangements, the screws may be formed of a non-metallic material, such as a composite material, in order to reduce weight associated with the club head. In some arrangements, a portion of the mechanical fasteners may be formed of a non-metallic material and may be placed in regions of the club head where reduced weight is desired, while another portion of the fasteners may be formed of metal or other heavier material and may be placed in regions where additional weight may be desired.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a face plate and a body member positioned rearwardly of the face plate and having at least two body components. Each of a plurality of apertures is formed in one of the face plate and the body components. At least one fastener extends through at least two of the apertures, the fasteners being configured to removably secure the face plate and the body components together upon being turned a portion of a revolution.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a club head having a plurality of components and a plurality of retaining members, with each retaining member positioned on one of the components. A tensioning assembly for releasably securing the components of the club head together includes a tension element coupled to the club head components by way of the retaining members, and a tensioning member for introducing tension into the tension element.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a club head having a plurality of components and a plurality of retaining members, with each retaining member positioned on one of the components. A tensioning assembly for releasably securing the components of the club head together includes a tension element coupled to the club head components by way of the retaining members, and a tensioning member for introducing tension into the tension element.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a club head having a plurality of components and a plurality of retaining members, with each retaining member positioned on one of the components. A tensioning assembly for releasably securing the components of the club head together includes a tension element coupled to the club head components by way of the retaining members, and a tensioning member for introducing tension into the tension element.

Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a removable wrapping element proximal to the ball striking face.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a club head having a plurality of components and a plurality of retaining members, with each retaining member positioned on one of the components. A tensioning assembly for releasably securing the components of the club head together includes a tension element coupled to the club head components by way of the retaining members, and a tensioning member for introducing tension into the tension element.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a face plate and a body member positioned rearwardly of the face plate and having at least two body components. Each of a plurality of apertures is formed in one of the face plate and the body components. At least one fastener extends through at least two of the apertures, the fasteners being configured to removably secure the face plate and the body components together upon being turned a portion of a revolution.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making high strength friction stir welded joints. Broadly the invention provides for a method for making a friction stir welded joint including the steps of applying an adhesive to one surface of a first material to be welded; applying a second material to be welded to the adhesive the first material; curing the adhesive; and forming a friction stir weld joint through the cured adhesive by friction stir welding.

Abstract: The present invention provides for intelligent and efficient line testing by allowing a test control entity, such as an operational support system (OSS), to obtain information bearing on testing telephony lines. The information to be obtained relates to the structure or operation of the switching device. Preferably, the information obtained includes suggestions of which lines to test using test heads associated with the switching device. The suggestions may include a list of number that can be tested concurrently. Such suggestions may assist the OSS in providing instructions to the test heads to avoid line contention during testing, testing lines that are in use, or any number of scenarios potentially detrimental to efficient line testing. The information or suggestions may be obtained from an element manager or like entity having information about a particular switching device, or may be obtained directly from the switching device.

Abstract: The present invention enhances synchronization when frames are transmitted over an intermediate network by incorporating a synchronization code along with a data frame in a transport frame used to transport the data frame over an intermediate network. The synchronization code is generated and used to check framing and correct framing errors when the data frames are extracted from the transport frames.