Abstract: A laminated structural insulated panel has an inner or core layer, an outer layer on the opposite facing surfaces of the core layer and an adhesive layer between each surface of the core layer and its respective outer laminate layer. To increase the strength and reduce the likelihood of delamination, the present panel is provided with a plurality of perforations in the surface of the core layer that receives the outer and adhesive layers. Each of the perforations form a chamber that receives a portion of the bonding agent or adhesive utilized for the adhesive layer. The bonding agent or adhesive bonds to the side walls of the chamber to mechanically anchor the outer layer to the interior of the core layer by substantially increasing the bonding surface between the adhesive layer and the core layer. In one embodiment, the core layer is an expanded polystyrene or other rigid foam.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite sandwich core molded article, including forming a thermo-elastic rigid foam core into a desired shape, wrapping the preformed foam core with a fabric, placing said wrapped preformed foam core in a mold whose inner confining surfaces form the shape of the final article, injecting a liquid thermosetting resin into the mold such that the thermosetting resin surrounds and wets the fabric wrapped about the preformed foam core, heating the mold to a temperature sufficient to expand the rigid foam core to compress the fabric wrapped surface of the foam core against the inner confining surfaces of the mold; and cooling the mold and removing the article from the mold.

Abstract: An exercise machine for simulating the stroke of a canoe paddle is disclosed. A tube is pivotably mounted on the longitudinal axis of a frame. A paddle-like shaft is pivotally connected to a frictional resistance element sidably mounted on the tube. The frictional resistance element provides greater resistance to movement in one directional sense than to movement in the other directional sense to that the stroke and return stroke of a canoe paddle can be simulated. The frictional resistance element is formed of an outer member having a conical inner surface and an inner member having a conical outer surface, the inner member being fabricated into two halves on either side of a longitudinal plane. The tube passes through a longitudinal bore of the inner member, the bore being lined with frictional material. Forces acting to move the frictional resistance element in a first direction cause the outer member to compress the halves of the inner member as a function of the cone angle.

Abstract: An extremely light-weight racing paddle is disclosed which is formed of a very light-weight core of low structural strength surrounded by a shell formed of an extremely strong, light-weight fibrous material which supplies structural strength to the core material. The thickness of the fibrous material is varied along the shaft of the paddle so as to be thickest in the regions of highest stress. The blade of the paddle is reinforced by a selected pattern of fiber strips. Various embodiments of the basic paddle structure are disclosed, as is the method of making the paddle.