Abstract: A method for manufacturing a self-closing tubular belt with predetermined compression forces at a longitudinal joint comprises winding a plastic material onto a small mandrel such that the plastic material thickness is not more than the height of a mandrel spiral rib, curing the plastic material, and removing the plastic material from the small mandrel, resulting in the plastic material being in a form of a spiral rubber spring having gaps between its twists. The resultant rubber spring is then wound on a larger mandrel thereby forming winding gaps. These winding gaps are then filled with a raw filler material, and these are processed so that all turns of the rubber spring are joined together monolithically. This is removed from the mandrel by making a longitudinal split in the spring, producing the tubular belt having prestressed regions formed by the spring, and resisting portions formed by the filler material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of a composite chassis piece (16, 28) for a motor vehicle, in particular, for production of a roof module in a tool (10), comprising a first (14) and a second tool part (12) which may be adjusted relative to each other. An outer skin (16) is laid in the first tool part, at least one part (24) of the circumferential region (22) of the side of the outer skin facing the first tool part is tightly inserted in a sealing arrangement (18) provided on the first tool part, plastic material (28) is applied to the side of the outer skin facing away from the first tool part, whereby a shaping of the plastic material is performed by the second tool part and the composite chassis piece is released from the seal arrangement and removed from the tool. The invention further relates to a corresponding tool.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent-graft having an essentially tubular configuration with a central longitudinal lumen and having a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The stent-graft may include a self-expanding stent and a first and second tube of biocompatible material between which the stent is positioned. The stent-graft may also include an interlayer member between the first and second tube. The method generally includes applying pressure and heat to a stent-graft assembly to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material around the stent.

Abstract: Fusion cast indium zinc oxide articles and methods of manufacturing fusion cast indium zinc articles are disclosed. The fusion cast indium zinc articles can be used as sputtering targets for forming transparent conductive films.

Abstract: A reinforcing bar joint sleeve fixing device for fixing a reinforcing bar joint sleeve disposed in the interior of precast concrete to a molding form in fabricating a precast concrete structure with use of the molding form, which device permits both axial and radial positions of the reinforcing bar joint sleeve to be set positively and is employable repeatedly, the reinforcing bar joint sleeve fixing device comprises a cylindrical ring member disposed in the interior of a reinforcing bar joint sleeve, a plurality of slide pins fitted in an outer wall of the ring member so as to be slidable radially outwards, an elastic ring for pressing the plural slide pins radially inwards, a shaft formed of a head portion and a rod portion concentric with the head portion, the head portion being received in the interior of the ring member and having a conical shape which is larger in diameter toward axially the inside of the reinforcing bar joint sleeve, an insertion hole formed in the molding form for insertion therethrou

Abstract: An article of textile-soled footwear and method of making employ a simple fabrication process and apparatus that allows fabrication of the footwear outer shell via a single injection-molding step. The article of footwear has a textile layer at the ground-contacting surface of the outsole, the textile layer being moldably and integrally attached, in a common mold, to the molded outsole as it is being created during the injection process. Fasteners are set along the side of the sole plate of the injection mold to secure the textile layer across the sole plate and prevent it from being moved during injection of the moldable compound to form the outsole. The sole plate and the sidewalls of the injection mold are assembled in place for the injection process. The shoe upper is fitted onto the shoe last and set in place in the mold, the mold is closed, and the moldable compound is injected into the mold.

Abstract: Pre-tension and post-tension processes for the manufacture of pre-stressed structures in which bonded carbon fiber cables are provided with burial anchors and temporary anchors outward of the burial anchors. The burial anchors are embedded in the structure. The temporary anchors enable stressing of the carbon fiber cables.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a golf ball including the steps of cooling a golf ball subassembly such that the golf ball subassembly undergoes a volumetric reduction, and applying a cover layer over the volumetrically reduced golf ball subassembly. The method can further include a three-step curing process after applying the cover layer. The three-steps include maintaining mold halves containing the covered subassembly at a first temperature, heating the mold halves to a second temperature, then maintaining the mold halves at a third temperature. Also, the method can include cooling the cover materials in a mixer so that higher levels of catalyst can be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are for fabricating a concrete product in a slip-form casting process, in which method concrete mix is fed into a slip-form mold of a defined cross section moving progressively in the casting process so as to obtain a concrete product of a desired shape. The method includes an interruptible guidance control of the prestressing tendons so as to allow the tendon guides to travel past supplementary parts such as reinforcing steels connected to the prestressing tendons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to prepare strand segments of predetermined length for use in a molded concrete product at an assembly facility. The strand segments are loaded into a strand reel (10) having multiple slots. The strand reel is then transported to the mold site. At the mold site, the strand segments can be simultaneously pulled out from the strand reel for placement in the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to feed strand (30) through apertures (214) in bearing plates (60) and bulkheads (202) in a mold (62). A collar (210) can be attached to a rod (208) for limited motion relative thereto, including rotation relative the rod about its elongate axis. The end (96) of the strand (30) is received in a cylindrical receptacle (232) in the collar and the strand can then be used to push the rod, collar and strand through the apertures. A strand feeder rack (56) can be used to simultaneously feed a number of strands.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to feed strand (30) through apertures (214) in bearing plates (60) and bulkheads (202) in a mold (62). A collar (210) can be attached to a rod (208) for limited motion relative thereto, including rotation relative the rod about its elongate axis. The end (96) of the strand (30) is received in a cylindrical receptacle (232) in the collar and the strand can then be used to push the rod, collar and strand through the apertures. A strand feeder rack (56) can be used to simultaneously feed a number of strands.

Abstract: A method for the production of prestressed concrete products and a plant for implementing the method. Moulds provided with pretensioned wires are moved through fixed casting machines into a hardening space. In the hardening space, the combination of mould and product is lifted sideways from the casting line before hardening, using synchronised lifting equipment. The combination may be stacked for space economy. After hardening, the product is removed from the mould using the same lifting equipment. The moulds are returned to the beginning of the casting line, during which stage they are cleaned and refurbished. The products are transferred to cutting and finishing stations.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent-graft having an essentially tubular configuration with a central longitudinal lumen and having a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The stent-graft may include a self-expanding stent and a first and second tube of biocompatible material between which the stent is positioned. The stent-graft may also include an interlayer member between the first and second tube. The method generally includes applying pressure and heat to a stent-graft assembly to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material around the stent.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluorethylene (“ePTFE”) covering. An endoluminal stent, which has a reduced diametric dimension for endoluminal delivery and a larger in vivo final diametric diameter is encapsulated in an ePTFE covering which circumferentially covers both the luminal and abluminal walls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the endoluminal stent. The endoluminal stent is fabricated from a shape memory alloy which exhibits either shape memory or pseudoelastic properties or from an elastic material having an inherent spring tension.

Abstract: A method for storing nuclear fuel in a container (10) including a concrete body and a fuel receiver embedded in the concrete body, comprises the steps of: providing formwork (62) for the concrete body and supporting the fuel receiver within the formwork; placing the formwork in an immersed position in a pool (54) containing a body of water; placing concrete in the immersed formwork (62); and removing the formwork with the concrete body cast therein from the pool (52).

Abstract: A prosthesis, and method for forming same, are provided which includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubes having angularly offset node and fibril configurations. Also, the node and fibril configurations are angularly offset from the longitudinal axes of the respective tubes, providing resistance against failure in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A device (10) for storage of hazardous material, especially heat-producing hazardous material, such as radioactive spent nuclear reactor fuel, comprises a substantially cylindrical reinforced concrete body (12) and has an axially elongate storage space (18) for the hazardous material. A prestressed reinforcement (17) having reinforcing members (28, 29) extending helically about the storage space (18) is provided in the concrete body (12) adjacent to the outer side thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing members (28, 29) are divided into two groups, one inside the other, the hand of the reinforcing members (28) of one of the groups being opposite to the hand of the reinforcing members (29) of the other group. Also preferably, the ends of the concrete body are provided with end covers (15, 16) in which the reinforcing members (28, 29) are anchored.

Abstract: An elastic crawler including a crawler body (6) made of a rubbery elastic material in a form of an endless belt, and a tension cord (10) being buried in the crawler body (6) along the circumferential direction A thereof and having opposite ends (10a), (10b) which are joined together by overlapping one upon the other so as to arrange the tension cord (10) as an endless cord having an overlapped joint portion (12). The overlapped joint portion (12) of the tension cord (10) is formed into an arcuate shape protruding on the outer circumferential side of the crawler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method for making the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to membrane covered structural frame, and to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a structural frame. In one aspect, a polymeric tube is provided having a first diameter and a first tube wall thickness. A radially expandable and contractible structural frame is radially contracted, and inserted into at least a portion of the structural frame. The radially contracted structural frame then expands to expand the polymeric tube to a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. As the polymeric tube radially expands, the tube wall thickness becomes thinner, so that the polymeric tube becomes a thin walled tubular membrane. The polymeric tube and structural frame are then mechanically attached to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a reinforced oblong concrete product for longitudinal load-bearing purposes, in particular a driving pile. According to the present invention reinforcing fibers are used to prevent break-up of the concrete due to radial forces which occur during driving, and the concrete composition is provided with said reinforcing fibers before the concrete composition is applied to the reinforcing wire. This method reduces the amount of heavy labour and cost. The invention also relates to a driving pile comprising reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacturing of prestressed reinforced concrete railroad ties and the like in which the apparatus consists of an elongated spine or compression member which has no foundation but rather is independent of the supporting surface upon which it rests. In one version of the apparatus two bridge members confront the opposite ends of the spine and permanent tension resisting members pass beneath the spine from end to end of the spine and are attached to the lower ends of the bridge members. In another version two structural members are embedded in the concrete of the spine and protrude to provide terminal members.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for manufacturing dental floss holders has at least one strand of dental floss from a supply spool extended through the space between mating mold pieces and thereafter to a take-up device. From each injection stage of the molding cycle a rack of connected dental floss holders is produced. Tension of the floss is maintained from the upstream supply spool by a first tensioning device through the mold to the downstream end by the take-up device. During each injection cycle the take-up device engages another rack of molded parts and moves it to a downstream position where it is severed from the strand of floss while it maintains the tension in the floss upstream of the severed rack. This is achieved by the take-up device engaging at least two successive racks downstream of the mold and using the rack closest to the mold to maintain tension.

Abstract: A method for the production of prestressed concrete products and a plant for implementing the method. Moulds provided with pretensioned wires are moved through fixed casting machines into a hardening space. In the hardening space, the combination of mould and product is lifted sideways from the casting line before hardening, using synchronised lifting equipment. The combinations may be stacked for space economy. After hardening, the product is removed from the mould using the same lifting equipment. The moulds are returned to the beginning of the casting line, during which stage they are cleaned and refurnished. The products are transferred to cutting and finishing stations.

Abstract: A composite structural element (10) includes one or more tyre tread portions (16) encapsulated in a casing (14) preferably formed from a settable liquid, and being of a rigidity sufficient for said tread portions (16) to be held substantially straight by the casing and is adhesively engaged with the tread portions. The method of forming the composite structural element (10) includes removing the tread portion from a tyre, cutting the thread portion at least once across its tread, forming or holding the cut tread portion substantially straight, encapsulating the straightened tread portion in a settable liquid, and allowing or causing the settable liquid to set to form the casing with the straightened tread portion encased therein.

Abstract: A water-tight and gas-tight zip fastener with a sealing port and a method for forming the same provides a zip fastener made of plastic in which preferably spirals in a spiral zip fastener are injection molded with a thermoplastic elastomer which forms a continuously contoured coating, bearing directly on the contiguous edges of the zip fastener strips, and when the zip fastener is closed, the coatings are under compression and form a contiguous seal with each other and to the zip fastener slide to prevent undesirable gas and water penetration.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluorethylene (“ePTFE”) covering. An endoluminal stent, which has a reduced diametric dimension for endoluminal delivery and a larger in vivo final diametric diameter is encapsulated in an ePTFE covering which circumferentially covers both the luminal and abluminal walls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the endoluminal stent. The shape memory endoluminal stent is fabricated from a shape memory alloy which exhibits either shape memory or pseudoelastic properties or from an elastic material having an inherent spring tension.

Abstract: The disclosure is for a method and apparatus for constructing a concrete wall with a single pouring of concrete. The mold for the pouring of the wall is formed essentially of plastic foam insulation which remains attached to the finished wall to serve as thermal insulation. The wall structure is therefore self jigging and requires no elaborate mold structure or any time or labor to remove the finished wall from the mold.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a steel cable reinforced conveyor belt while monitoring the tensions of all the cables.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing support materials in carrier frames in the manufacture of seat components for chairs including moving the support material to an openable mold press forming a mold cavity for the carrier frame when the mold press is closed, shaping the support material, and molding the carrier frame to capture the shaped material in the carrier frame. In one embodiment, the support material is stretched as it is moved to the mold press, and/or in the mold press before molding the carrier frame. Excess support material is removable from an outer side portion of the carrier frame after molding the carrier frame and before discharging the carrier frame and support material captured thereby from the mold press.

Abstract: Parallel spaced shallow grooves are cut within the surface of an existing reinforced concrete member in the direction of bending and at locations where existing tensile reinforcing is inadequate. A curable polymer adhesive resin, such as an epoxy resin, is inserted into each groove and an elongated fiber reinforcing element, such as a composite rod with continuous carbon fibers, is positioned within each groove, substantially filling the groove, so that the minimum volume adhesive resin surrounds the reinforcing element. The adhesive resin within each groove is formed flush with the surface and allowed to cure to bond each reinforcing element to the concrete defining the groove. The grooves and reinforcing elements extend within the top surface of a concrete slab across a beam or support for the slab, extend within the bottom surface of the slab at least fifty percent of the distance between adjacent supports for the slab, or within a vertical surface of a concrete or masonry wall or column.

Abstract: A prestressed pavement has apparatus to prestress the slabs, has slab abutments to resist the prestress force, has short-life friction-reducing medium to prevent the slab early cracking, has restraints to prevent the slab buckling, and has accumulators to control the prestress. The pavement does not need longitudinal tensile material, and can be built by continuous and one-time concrete casting. The prestressing is simple, fast, and may be delayed or made by stages. The techniques can be used to convert existing non-prestressed concrete pavements to prestressed pavements.

Abstract: A mold and a method for manufacturing a support to be mounted on a rim of a vehicle by injection or transfer molding in which the molding material is force fed into a closed molding cavity. The mold includes an internal core for molding the inner surface of the support, upper and lower platens or shells for molding the body of the support and segments for molding the outer bearing surface. The mold includes a mechanism capable of imparting relative movement to the platens or shells which not only permits opening and closing of the mold but also ensures the specific movements of the core. The core includes at least three separable rigid parts: a center part and at least two complementary parts. The center part has two flat bearings, inclined at the same angle relative to the axis of the mold. These flat bearings are designed to cooperate with corresponding bearings arranged on each of the complementary parts to place the mold in a molding condition or in a stripping condition.

Abstract: A method for a variable manufacture of concrete railroad ties, with or without prestressed reinforcement, is provided wherein molds are cleaned in a preparation station and provided with the reinforcements, and are subsequently filled with concrete in a concreting and shaking station. Then the railroad ties are cured by a heat treatment. All railroad ties are produced in multiple molds, preferably in quadruple molds having identical dimensions, and the heat treatment is carried out in heating chambers. The heating chambers are loaded and unloaded with the concrete-filled molds by means of a shelf servicing device, which also supplies the molds to a stress relieving and emptying station which leads to the preparation station. Furthere provided is an apparatus for implementing this method.

Abstract: A method of internal molding and decreased supercritical fluid drying times for aerogels and exergels by means of using gas porous molding features that are compatible with the prestressed fiber reinforcing system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin spring which can improve close contact between a spring body and inner-pressure generating members to reduce variations in load characteristics due to repeated deformation during use. The method of manufacturing a resin spring includes the steps of forming an elastomer preform having inner closed chambers, inserting inner-pressure generating members into the inner closed chambers of the preform, and compressing the preform with the inner-pressure generating members therein by applying an external force to produce a permanently deformed portion having an oriented molecular structure.

Abstract: A resorbable interbody fusion device for use in spinal fixation is disclosed. The device is composed of 25-100% bioresorbable or resorbable material. The interbody fusion device of the invention can be in any convenient form, such as a wedge, screw or cage. Preferably, the resorbable device of the invention is in the shape of a tapered wedge or cone, which further desirably incorporates structural features such as serrations or threads better to anchor the device in the adjoining vertebrae. The preferred device further comprises a plurality of peripheral voids and more desirably a central void space therein, which may desirably be filled with a grafting material for facilitating bony development and/or spinal fusion, such as an autologous grafting material.

Abstract: A method for making insulated pre-formed wall panels for attachment to like insulated pre-formed wall panels for building a wall. The method includes providing a mold for casting a concrete body having a generally planar portion with a plurality of rib portions extending therefrom, nesting at least one insulation strip within a respective spring member, covering the end portions of the respective spring member with a thermally insulating material to limit thermal conductivity from each respective rib portion of the concrete body to each respective spring member, inserting each respective spring member with the at least one nested insulation strip in the mold, and casting the concrete body in the mold with each respective spring member with the at least one insulation strip being unitarily attached to an edge portion of each respective rib portion with the end portion of each respective spring member being anchored in each respective rib portion of the concrete body to make the insulated pre-formed wall panel.

Abstract: A method of forming a prefabricated insulated wall panel for installation with like wall panels for easily and inexpensively building a wall.

Abstract: A prefabricated insulated wall panel for building a wall. The wall panel includes one or more outer planar portions, a plurality of rib portions integral therewith and normal thereto and between which insulation is received, a strip of insulation attached to the inner edge of each rib portion for reducing thermal conductivity from the respective rib portion to wallboard attached to the wall panel, and a wallboard nailer strip which extends about the sides of the strip of insulation and has edge portions which are anchored in the respective rib portion. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the nailer edge portions are insulated from the respective rib portion to limit thermal conductivity from the respective rib portion to the nailer. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pair of planar portions extend at an angle relative to each other so that the panel serves as a corner wall panel.

Abstract: A prefabricated insulated wall panel for installation with like wall panels for easily and inexpensively building a wall. The wall panel is a unitary combination of (1) a member having a planar portion and a plurality of spaced rib portions integral therewith and extending therefrom for receiving insulation therebetween, (2) insulating material attached to edges of the rib portions for reducing thermal conductivity from the rib portions to wallboard attached to the wall panel, and (3) a nailer for attachment of wallboard.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite acoustic panel (26). The method begins by arranging a perforated sheet (54) on a convex lay-up mandrel (70), arranging a core material (62, 74) on the perforated sheet (54), and curing the perforated sheet (54) and the core material (62, 74) to form a composite acoustic core (60) having a lay-up mandrel side and an opposite upper side. Composite sheets (96, 98) are then arranged on a concave lay-up mandrel. The composite acoustic core (60) is arranged on the composite sheets (96, 98) with the opposite upper side of the acoustic core (60) against the composite sheets (96, 98). The composite acoustic core (60) and the composite sheets (96, 98) are then cured so as to form the acoustic panel (26). A sacrificial sheet (76) can be added to upper side of the core material (62, 74) prior to curing the perforated sheet (54) and the core material (62, 74). The sacrificial sheet (76) preferably has a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A mold bed for fabricating pre-stressed concrete elements has a mold frame (8) that extends between the ends of the bed. Tensioning heads are mounted at the bed ends for tensioning reinforcement ropes or lines (10) extending in the mold cavity. The mold frame (8) includes longitudinally extending beam elements (4) that take up pressure forces which constitute counter-pressure forces that are generated by the tension forces that are taken up by the tensioning heads when tensioning the ropes. These beam elements have the form of long bars (4), e.g., bars of rectangular profiles, that are surrounded by continuously or discontinuously extending sleeve elements (5). The bars (4) are therewith prevented from buckling or breaking sideways as a result of the pressure forces generated by the tension in the ropes (10). The sleeve elements (5) are stiffened by means of anchoring devices (14) that engage in the underlying surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a shoe, which includes the steps of:arranging an upper-insole assembly about a last;coupling an intermediate member comprising a toe portion and a heel portion to a lower region of the upper-insole assembly arranged about the last; andarranging the intermediate member in a mold and introducing plastic material into the mold so as to form an injected plastic material member which surrounds the intermediate member and which is integrally connected with both the intermediate member and the upper-insole assembly.

Abstract: An improved post tensioning system for prefabricated building panels in which a concentric uniform radial compression is maintained in the slab. A post tensioning cable is placed in the concrete slab to form a perimeter loop starting from one corner of the slab to a point where the cable entered the slab and at a point turning 90.degree. to follow that portion of the cable in the periphery to a point midway up the Y axis and then turning 90.degree. across the X axis to bisect the slab and cross the opposite parallel portion of the cable to exit out the adjacent side of the slab. This creates a cable pattern with no less than 2.5 parallel cables in any direction.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening system. The mechanical fastening system is attachable to a complementary receiving surface. The method comprises the steps of providing an elastically extensible substrate and stretching the substrate. Prongs are applied to the substrate while the substrate is stretched. The prongs are joined to the substrate at a base and extend outwardly from the substrate along a shank to an engaging means. The substrate is released, whereby it is allowed to contract.

Abstract: A precast, prestressed concrete joist having web openings through which mechanical and electrical equipment may pass. In an exemplary embodiment, the joist comprises generally horizontal opposite top and bottom concrete members with a concrete web interposed between them. This web may have openings through which mechanical and electrical equipment may pass. Prestress steel strands may extend lengthwise through both the top and bottom members to provide prestress in the concrete joist. The concrete joist may further comprise strand restraining devices for deflecting the prestress steel strands. The precast, prestressed concrete joist having a web opening may be constructed using a reusable casting apparatus. This casting apparatus comprises a prestressing bed onto which a frame may be mounted. The frame provides a means of applying tension to the prestress steel strands and of supporting prestress strand restraining devices.

Abstract: A method and assembly (20) to form a cast concrete panel (21). The assembly (20) has end beams between which tendons (23) can pass. The beams need to be able to support tensioning of the tendons. Transversely extending form members (25) cooperate with form members (27) to enclose a space to receive concrete to form the panel (21). The tendons (23) pass through the space.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing thin panels or monoliths of aerogels, xergels, zeolites and other low density material with prestressed fibers in two of three dimensions (30, 32, 34). The utilization of internal molding and gas flow through channels (10) within the Aerogel monolith to achieve catalytic selectivity of the desired gas phase heterogeneous reaction. A method of internal molding (52) and decreased supercritical fluid drying times (72) for Aerogels by means of using gas porous molding features (60) that are compatable with the prestressed fiber reinforcing system (42).