Abstract: A bearing unit for holding a shaft, the bearing unit having a housing and integral lands extending inwardly from the inner surface of the housing for tangentially engaging the rotating shaft, the bearing unit being made from a slippery polymer alloy comprising a heterogeneous composition of a thermoplastic in a continuous phase, a thermoplastic rubber compound dispersed in the thermoplastic and a lubricant dispersed in the thermoplastic.

Abstract: A bearing stave for use in a water-lubricated bearing having a discontinuous surface with a plurality of discrete, separated contact locations for contacting the shaft, the discontinuous surface being made of slippery polymer alloy.

Abstract: A bearing stave for use in a water lubricated bearing having a discontinuous surface with a plurality of discrete, separated contact locations for contacting the shaft, the discontinuous surface being made of slippery polymer alloy.

Abstract: A fender protective structure having an inner layer of resilient plastic/elastomer alloy having a delayed elastic response, having voids to reduce weight and allow the inner layer to expand upon impact. A relatively hard top layer is also provided.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft of a ship wherein the shaft if generally to be supported by such bearing assembly in a horizontally extending position. The bearing assembly has a housing with a cylindrical shell mounted therein having a central bore with a longitudinally extending central axis. The shell has a plurality of circumferentially spaced staves provided therein which project into the central bore to support the drive shaft. The staves have transverse grooves provided therein.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.

Abstract: A method of making a fender protective structure having a layer of resilient plastic/elastomer alloy having a delayed elastic response, comprising providing a mold, placing elastomer spacers in the mold, adding the plastic and elastomer to the mold under heat and pressure, and opening the mold and removing the spacers to create voids the alloy.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for supporting a drive shaft includes a cylindrical housing, and a plurality of elastomeric bearing sections disposed within the housing. The bearing sections are bonded to the housing by first applying a pattern of alternating parallel lines of adhesive to the inner diameter of the housing, installing the bearing sections, and inflating an airbag within the housing to thereby apply a uniform radial pressure to the inside of the housing while the adhesive cures.

Abstract: A fender protective structure includes a top layer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene on a resilient layer comprised of a rubber and plastic alloy. Bore holes are provided in the resilient layer for permitting bulging to facilitate energy absorption when the fender protective structure is impacted by a moving object.

Abstract: A flat, rectangular, inflatable bag type lifting device includes two rectangular walls interconnected at their marginal portions to enclose an inflation chamber or cavity. Each of the two walls have length to width ratios greater than one and include layers of rubberized mutually parallel cords extending at a preselected acute angle relative to the longitudinal center line of the wall in which they are contained with cords of immediately adjacent layers being in opposite directions. When inflated, the bag reduces in length due to the movement of cords to a larger acute angle and thereby achieves a lift height effective for lifting or jacking up structures such as automobiles.