Abstract: An improved graphite composite shaft which can be used in fishing rod or golf clubs includes a base shaft made at least partially of graphite composite material provided in one or more layers or plies. Each shaft has a relatively slender tip that is normally prone to impact damage. An outer concentric reinforcement layer made of a composite material having thermoplastic fibers, such as Vectran, Spectra, or the like, is provided on the base shaft. The reinforcement layer extends only part of the way up the length of the base shaft from the tip thereof. The reinforcement layer makes the shaft more resistant to impacts occurring at the tip, thus increasing the durability of the shaft without decreasing the performance of the fishing rods or golf clubs that incorporate the shaft.

Abstract: An improved method of making a bent graphite shaft in which a mandrel is provided as the basic form for forming the shaft. The mandrel includes a flexible portion at the location of the desired bend in the shaft. Graphite composite material is applied to the mandrel and to the flexible portion thereof. The flexible portion is then bent into a configuration which provides the desired bend, and the flexible portion is held in this configuration while the graphite composite material is cured in situ on the mandrel to form a rigid, graphite shaft. The mandrel is then slid out of the shaft with the flexible portion of the mandrel being sufficiently flexible to allow the mandrel to pass out of the shaft without fracturing the shaft.

Abstract: A sink assembly is disclosed that has a separate rim and basin made of different materials. The basin has a flange surrounding a bowl that is exposed under the rim to form an accessible ledge. A glass-filled polyester resin is injected into a mold adjacent the underside of the rim member and the flange. The polyester resin bonds with the rim member and prevents the basin from moving relative to the rim member.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a decorated laminate comprising a unitary, heat and pressure cured layered structure having non-skid surface comprising a thermoplastic urethane elastomer layer.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of manufacturing a laminated sheet having a non-skid surface. In a preferred embodiment a method of manufacturing a decorated unitary laminated tray having a thermoplastic non-skid layer is disclosed.

Abstract: A decorative fitting having an internal layer as well as a method of fabricating it are disclosed. Preferably, the color layer is a very thin color wall dimensioned so that when it is viewed at one angle it gives the appearance of being a solid wall, yet when it is viewed at another angle it is substantially transparent. To make the color wall, one preferably forms a frame on a first substantially transparent panel such that the frame projects out from the first panel surface. One then abuts a second substantially transparent panel against the frame so as to form a color material insert cavity point, one injects a flowable colored material/adhesive mixture into the cavity and permits the colored adhesive to harden and bind the panel walls together. Thereafter, one cuts the transparent panels into a multiplicity of handle components by cutting the walls along lines partially transverse to the color layer. This forms multiple handle components which are a sandwich of the walls with the color layer in between.