Abstract: The invention relates to a safety tile, including a tile body of rigid material, such as concrete, and a cover plate provided with an enclosing edge and being of an elastically flexible material, such as rubber. The cover plate has ribs integrally formed therewith uniformly distributed at its bottom side directed towards the tile body, of which the bottom ends hang down and rest on the upper surface of the tile body. The ribs extend diagonally across the bottom side of the plate with main diagonals extending between two opposite corners of the cover plate. Near each of the two opposite corners, each main diagonal rib has a widened bearing face which forms the basis of a locking part connected therewith, which locking parts have been locked in the tile body.

Abstract: A structural element comprising opposed first and second, laterally and longitudinally extended, generally planar surface structures each having a closed figure pattern of ribbing projecting therefrom toward the opposite surface structure, the ribbing being of respective heights to bridge the space between the surface structures, the opposed ribbing being interlocked in registered, mating relation.

Abstract: A method of making a thin, lightweight and flexible RF waffleline includes the production of a negative silicone casting from a relatively thick and rigid metal positive tooling plate having the identical matrix of the desired waffleline and product. The waffleline is formed by casting an epoxy resin on the silicone casting or nickel electroforming, following by metallization. The waffleline end products is either a very thin and flexible epoxy composite structure or a nickel electroform metallized with gold. Accordingly, a negative WMA image can now be cast, as opposed to expensive machining or forming, with relatively simple and inexpensive techniques in fabricating the process tooling.

Abstract: This invention is an fluid absorbing means wherein an integral grid of inverted, semi-conical projections or fingers with rounded upper ends is provided. This grid can be walked on while preventing oil or other liquids which are dripped, spilled or otherwise deposited thereon from coming into contact with the soles of the user's shoes. Openings are provided at the juncture of the inverted, semi-conical fingers so that the contaminating fluid can pass therethrough onto an absorbing mat disposed thereto. This absorbing mat can be formed from cotton fiber, polymer material, polyethylene sponge, cellulose fiber or other suitable material or a combination thereof. A housing means completely surrounds the grid and its underlying absorbing material and includes an integral bottom to contain the contaminating fluids should the absorbing material become saturated.

Abstract: A sandwich panel has a core formed of a plastic sheet having columns of equally spaced points displaced from one side, and other columns of similarly spaced points displaced from the other side, the columns on the two sides being interleaved and the points in adjacent columns on the same side being staggered, with the points in the other-side columns being disposed in rows with the oncoming one side column. The displaced points on a side form somehat cone-like structures which intersect the cone-like structures formed by displaced points on the other side to form structures constituting tetrahedrons and octahedrons when assembled and cemented between the layers of a panel. An apparatus and method for forming the core from a heated plastic sheet, involve passing the sheet between two rollers having projections which displace the points to each side. Another apparatus and method involve forming core shapes over stationary projections. Complex and compound structures may be created.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive tape, a pressure-sensitive tape-fixing structure comprising a member made of a material having a rough surface, having fixed thereto the pressure-sensitive tape, and a roll of the pressure-sensitive tape are disclosed, the pressure-sensitive tape comprising a pressure-sensitive tape comprising a tape substrate, a first pressure-sensitive adhesive area provided on one side of the tape substrate in a tape substrate part which is close to one end of the tape substrate, and a second pressure-sensitive adhesive area provided on one side of the tape substrate in a tape substrate part which is close to the other end of the tape substrate, wherein either or both of said first pressure-sensitive adhesive area and said second pressure-sensitive adhesive area have a strongly adhesive area at an end part thereof to which an external peeling force is to be applied first, and said strongly adhesive area has a peel strength higher than that of the other part of the pressure-sensitive adhesive area.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved rollable subterranean drainage core device which has T-shaped finned projections to which may be adhered a water-penetrable soil filtration fabric. The fin structure provides impact resistance and high compressive strength while providing high water channel flow-through capabilities. An exemplary method for fabricating the drainage device involves extruding a unitary finned polymeric core sheet having T-shaped projection members on at least one major side thereof, and then removing a portion of the fins in a cross direction at periodic intervals along the machine direction, so that individual T-shaped projection members are spaced in rows and columns on the rollable core sheet. The drainage core member is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with waterproofing membranes.

Abstract: A high strength panel-like structure having a high strength to weight ratio. The structure comprises two integrally formed panel sections, each panel section comprising an outer sheet portion and inwardly extending ribs that are formed integrally with the related sheet portions, and having inner bonding surfaces spaced from their respective sheet portions. The two panel sections are formed into a unitary structure by bonding the two sections at the bonding surfaces of the ribs. Thus, the bonding area of the panel structure is at the neutral axis of the structure. Desirably inner bonding surfaces of the ribs have a width dimension greater than a width dimension of the ribs.

Abstract: A landfill liner is provided for protecting soil from contaminated waste. The landfill liner includes a unitarily extruded sheet having a flexible central support defining opposed substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of soil gripping protrusions project unitarily from the bottom surface of the central support. The soil gripping protrusions are pointed to grippingly engage the soil being protected, and are disposed in a staggered array to prevent furrowing of the soil to which the liner is applied. A plurality of supporting protrusions project unitarily from the top surface of the central support. The supporting protrusions include substantially blunted or planar top surfaces for supporting a top liner thereon. The supporting protrusions are configured to optimize the transmissivity of waste material flowing therebetween. Edge regions of the central support are substantially free of protrusions to enable face-to-face overlapping of edge regions of the central support on adjacent liners.

Abstract: A louvered plastic film has louvers including central regions with a relatively high coefficients of extinction and outer regions with relatively low coefficients of extinction. Such a film provides a dramatic reduction in ghost images.

Abstract: A floor mat for a motor vehicle includes a perforated upper mat; a reservoir having a first chamber to underlie the feet of an operator and a second chamber to underlie the pedals of the motor vehicle, the first chamber having a floor and a perimeter ridge with a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall, the second chamber having a floor, two side walls and a front wall, a rear portion of the floor of the second chamber being joined along the top of the front wall of the first chamber to flex upwardly and forwardly of the first chamber and to drain into the first chamber. A plurality of first pedestals are spaced apart on the floor of the first chamber and a plurality of second pedestals are spaced apart on the floor of the second chamber to support the upper mat above the first and second chambers of the reservoir.

Abstract: A void fill material (10) can be formed from ordinary scrap cardboard into an interlocking packaging material. Each piece of the material (10) has a primary section (20) defining a primary plane. The void fill has at least two limbs extending from the primary section. The void fill can be in any geometric shape, such as a block Y (10), a block H (62), an angled Y (80), an X (100), and a cross (120). Scoring can be applied to the void material at any location, thereby facilitating the deformation of the void fill.

Abstract: A resilient, supportive material provides low friction contact with moving parts, and includes a plurality of small diameter, resilient bristles disposed on at least one surface of a substrate. The plurality of bristles include at least a first and second group of bristles, where the first bristles of the first group have a first spring constant and a first bristle height for low friction contact with a moving part, and the second bristles in the second group have a second spring constant and a lower, second bristle height for low friction contact with a moving part. The second bristles in the second group are positioned to inhibit damage to the first group of bristles due to contact with a moving part which deviates from an intended path. As well, the first and second bristles provide two levels of resilient support to a part which is subjected to lateral forces.

Abstract: A slip control sheeting comprising a backing having first and second major surfaces with an array of protrusions on the first major surface and at least one of (1) a layer of adhesive on the second major surface and (2) a reinforcing web at least partially embedded in the backing. The protrusions are pyramids with triangular bases having a height between about 3 and 21 mils and the array is defined in part by a pattern of three intersecting sets of parallel grooves formed in the first major surface, the grooves defining three major axes of the sheeting.

Abstract: Resilient tiles having substantially uniform impact attenuation over the entire surface thereof are disclosed. The tiles of the invention have a plurality of spaced, elongated peripheral ridges and a plurality of truncated, conical legs inboard of the peripheral ridges which combine to provide the substantially uniform impact attenuation of the tiles.

Abstract: A structural element for initial, substantially flat attachment to the surfaces of high impact sheet materials, and adapted for attachment to curved surfaces, includes: a first resilient, semi-flexible, sheet material having a given length and width; a second, flexible sheet material of substantially the same width as the first sheet material; a plurality of parallely-spaced, independent preformed rib members sandwiched between the first and second sheet material and each rib member extending substantially across the width of the first and second sheet material and fixedly attached to both the first and second sheet material by an adhesive with the first and second sheet material being flat, the width and height of the preformed rib members and the distance between adjacent rib members determining the limit of bending of the first or second sheet material; and at least one of the first and second sheet material being shearable, thereby enabling areas and the degree of bending within the areas of the first and

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition of matter having a fibre structure incorporating a major proportion of heat shrinkable fibres, the structure includes within it discreet fibre groupings which serve to provide structural elements within the composition. The composition of the invention is capable of being formed to provide shaped products. A particular aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising flame retardant fibres typically polyimide fibres which enables the production of flame retardent compositions. The density of the structures can be controlled as can the rigidity thereof.

Abstract: A fluid-permeable assembly for uniformly contacting a fluid with a bulk material has two mirror-symmetrically interfitting mats each having a generally planar fluid-permeable carrier web, another fluid-permeable web defining an array of protrusions uniformly distributed over the respective planar web and each forming a respective pocket and respective masses of a fluid-permeable mobile bulk material filling the pockets of the mats. Each of the protrusions is flanked in a longitudinal direction of the respective mat and in a transverse direction thereof by recesses complementary to the protrusions and the protrusions and the recesses of each mat are arrayed thereon in criss-cross patterns. The mats are oriented with the protrusions of one of the mats fitting snugly into and filling the recesses of the other of the mats and the carrier webs are uniformly spaced apart over the assembly to define a body of uniform fluid permeability.

Abstract: An improved structural panel made from the rinds of sugarcane and other similar grasses. The panel is formed of a pile of rind fiber-bundle strands randomly oriented in substantially parallel planes. The strands are substantially straight and of length such that most have a stalk node thereon. Each strand has a multiplicity of contact points with other strands of the pile, and a binder coats the strands and interconnects them at the contact points to form a substantially rigid structure, the coated strands defining voids within the pile.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile is disclosed which comprises providing a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first and second major surface of the sheet of natural stone and the first major surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates. The plurality of ceramic substrates and the sheet of natural stone are assembled to form a laminated assembly such that the first surface of each of a portion of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween, and the remainder of the ceramic substrates face the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone with adhesive material therebetween.

Abstract: A plastic film has a series of grooves the interiors of which are rendered light absorbing to form a light-collimating film.

Abstract: A filament wound composite structure, its tooling and method of manufacture. The isogrid filament wound composite structure is formed having at least one or more pseudo-isotropic laminate zones in its joint regions. This structure is realized through the use of specialized tooling. The ribs of the isogrid filament wound composite structure are discontinued by tapering them out into a thin skin. This is accomplished by gradually widening the grooves in the mandrel while simultaneously decreasing the depth of the grooves. This gradual change in the tooling redistributes the material in the ribs into a thin skin. The fibers that are redistributed into this thin layer, coupled with the skin wound over the top of the ribs, provide the necessary reinforcement in the joints.

Abstract: A board stiffener (50) of rigid construction of high heat resistance material having recesses (62) to be secured to a large circuit board (10) over a plurality of electrical articles having contacts (24) soldered to the board, such as electrical connectors (20). The board stiffener (50) is mounted firmly to the board at locations near each recess (62) in abutment with top surfaces (34) of connectors (20) and provides resistance against warping by the board (10) during high temperature soldering operations. The board stiffener (50) can have channels (68,70) along the bottom surface (52) and the recess surfaces (72,74) to enable flow of solvent during flux cleaning following soldering operations.

Abstract: An extruded slat defined by a series of longitudinal cavities disposed in a side-by-side relationship. Typically, the longitudinal cavities total in odd numbers so that fastening can be achieved through a single cavity. The slat is fabricated from plastic resin, is light in weight, is readily cut and can be arranged into a variety of configurations. Assembly between the ends of abutting slats is usually accomplished by an interconnecting pin(s) between communicating cavities. Each longitudinal cavity is also adapted to receive a rod, a cable, or the like, serving for example, reinforcing, communication and/or communication purposes, or other uses involving concealment and/or security.

Abstract: A fabric having the desired dimensional stability without the presence of a latex backing which is normally present thereon. The fabric includes a woven first layer formed of yarns having thermoplastic fibers and a nonwoven fibrous second layer contacting the woven first layer in underlying relation. A plurality of thermoplastic fibers are displaced from the woven first layer and extend into and through the nonwoven second layer. The displaced fibers are flattened and fusibly bonded to the nonwoven second layer to interconnect to the woven first layer and nonwoven second layer to each other. A method and apparatus for producing the fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: The manufacture of lightweight components having high strength properties can be improved in that a bowl-shaped shell (1) has reinforcing ribs (3) made from injected-on plastic in its interior (2) which are connected to the shell (1) at discrete connecting points (11) via perforations (12) in the shell (1), through which the plastic passes, extending beyond the surfaces of the perforations (12).

Abstract: A void fill material (10) can be formed from ordinary scrap cardboard into an interlocking packaging material. Each piece of the material (10) has a primary section (20) defining a primary plane. In a preferred embodiment, a first, second and third finger (22, 24, 26) extend from the primary section (20). The primary section (20) and each finger (22, 24, 26) have a length to width ratio between 3:1 and 1:1. The first finger (22) extends from one side of primary section (20) while the second and third fingers (24, 26) extend from its other side. The intersection (30, 32, 34) between each finger (22, 24, 26) and the primary section (20) is scored, thus allowing the fingers to be bent away from the primary plane. The cushioning benefit of the void fill material (10) is improved by the ability of the deformed fingers (22, 24, 26) to interlock with the fingers of the other void fill material pieces.

Abstract: The weighing device has a bending beam (20,31,41) from which bending moment transmission means (35,36,42,43) extend laterally. Relatively rigid members (24,27,30,32) are coupled to the bending moment transmission means (35,36,42,43) by force transmission elements (13,37,38). Loads applied to the rigid members (24,27,30,32) are measured by a strain gauge (33) mounted on the bending beam (20,31,41). Each force transmission element (13,37,38) comprises a rectangular prismatic body of elastomeric material, such as natural rubber, which may have concave sides (15) to reduce shear forces in the body. Fixing studs (17) may be attached to plates (16) bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the body. The material of the body is chosen to exhibit creep, hystersis and linearity characteristics approximating those of an ideal spring.

Abstract: A very lightweight sandwich panel is constructed using as the core layer a very thin plastic sheet that has been preformed with projections having broad bonding areas on their free ends for chemically cementing to one outer layer of the panel and with areas between the projections for bonding to the other outer layer. The projections may be made of different cross-sectional shapes, heights, spacings, tilts, profiles, etc., to produce different characteristics in the panel. Differences may even be made in a given sheet to produce a panel having different characteristics in various portions, including shape and function. These characteristics can be predetermined, and the panels may therefore be computer designed. Special panel applications such as airplane wings and thermal boards are comtemplated.

Abstract: A strip of fastener material adapted for securing to the surface of a foam bun during molding, carries on a first surface an area of outwardly extending fastening elements constituting one half of a touch fastening system. The first surface is arranged to be positioned so that it faces into a trough in a mold wall and this first surface is provided with a pair of elongated flexible sealing lips adjacent the edges of the are. Magnetizable means are also carried by the strip and the fastener strip has portions extending laterally beyond the sealing lips and beyond the edges of the trough in the mold wall. A strip of removable pressure sensitive tape covers the surface of the fastening elements and extends completely between the lips.

Abstract: A thermal protection device for protecting walls of structures exposed to ablative flow at high temperatures in the presence of vibrations comprises, embedded in a thermally insulative matrix, a refractory armature formed by a fringed mat comprising a meshed part exposed to the ablative flow and fringes intended to be directed towards the wall of the structure to be protected. The device further comprises an open-weave refractory woven material parallel to the meshed part of the armature and through which the fringes pass.

Abstract: A sheet-like ceramic substrate for tip parts is provided which can effectively prevent occurrence of a crack thereof. The ceramic substrate comprises a ceramic sheet 7 having first and second primary dividing grooves 2a and 2b and first and second secondary dividing grooves 3a and 3b formed at mutually corresponding locations of the opposite faces thereof. The depth of the dividing grooves 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b is comparatively small, and while the opposite ends of the first primary dividing grooves 2a and on one face of the ceramic sheet 7 extend to a pair of opposing sides 7b of the ceramic sheet 7, the opposite ends of the second primary dividing grooves 2b on the other face of the ceramic sheet 7 are spaced from the opposing sides 7b, and the opposite ends of the first and second secondary dividing grooves 3a and 3b are spaced from the other pair of opposing sides 7a of the ceramic sheet 7.

Abstract: A table edging system for application to the edge of a foldable banquet table. The edging system includes extruded edging pieces applied to the table edge along each of the four sides of the table, and four molded corner pieces, one for application to each of the four corners. Each extruded edging piece is formed of a first flat portion, designed to contact the underside of the table. A second portion connects with the first portion at a point spaced apart from either side edge thereof and is positioned substantially normal to the first plane. A third portion also connects with the first portion at one of the side edges thereof. The third portion is positioned in a plane substantially parallel to but offset from the first portion. The length of the third portion is substantially the same as the thickness of the table edge. At the upper edge of the third portion is a tapered flange to overly the top surface of the table.

Abstract: An automotive floor mat and process of forming the same is provided. The floor mat comprises an uppermost face layer, a base layer of thermoplastic material and a lowermost polyurethane foam layer. The base layer includes a main body and a plurality of elongate nib elements connected to and projecting downwardly therefrom, and in contact with and projecting through the polyurethane foam layer.Formation of the nib elements, projection of them throughout polyurethane layer, and joining together of the base and polyurethane layers are accomplished substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of making a finished product, a semi-finished product for making the finished product, as well as the products made thereby. The semi-finished product includes at least one surface having a plurality of recesses, or alveoli, therein, in which the method includes determining a depth of material to be removed from the surface during a finishing process, and forming each of the plurality of recesses in the surface to have a substantially cylindrical section which extends for a predetermined depth within the surface which is greater than or equal to the predetermined depth of material. The substantially cylindrical section of each of the plurality of recesses extends along an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the product. During an abrasion step, material is removed from the surface of the semi-finished product to a depth less than or equal to the predetermined depth.

Abstract: The scratch resistance of plastic surfaces can be improved by providing the surfaces with a novel grain structure.

Abstract: A glazing panel and hollow glazing panel, the hollow glazing panel including a first pane, a second pane held in spaced-apart, face-to-face relationship with the first pane, and a plurality of localized damping members positioned between the first and second panes, adherent thereto, and distributed therebetween over the area of the opposing faces thereof, wherein the first pane comprises a pair of vitreous sheets and an intervening layer of polymeric material separating the sheets of the pair and to which the sheets adhere, wherein the first pane has a shape, an area, and a total mass of vitreous material, and may be compared to a notional monolithic vitreous sheets having a coincidence frequency (.phi..sub.m) and a critical frequency of coincidence, wherein the first pane has a coincidence frequency (.phi..sub.

Abstract: A double-shot molded resin article comprises a primary molding part and a secondary molding part. The secondary molding part is molded from a thermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than the melting point of the primary molding thermoplastic resin. The primary molding part has a plurality of raised portions formed upon its surface so as to be fusion bonded to the secondary molding part. These raised portions are fused by means of the secondary molten resin at the time of the secondary molding process, whereby the primary and secondary molding parts are fusion-bonded to each other.

Abstract: A hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web is disclosed. This nonwoven pulp fiber web has a mean flow pore size ranging from about 18 to about 100 microns, and a Frazier porosity of at least about 100 cfm/ft.sup.2. The web may also be characterized by a specific volume ranging from about 8 to about 15 cm.sup.3 /g. The nonwoven pulp fiber web may contain a significant proportion of low-average fiber length pulp and still have a total absorptive capacity greater than about 500 percent and a wicking rate greater than about 2 centimeters per 15 seconds. The hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web may be used as a hand towel, wipe, or as a fluid distribution material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web.

Abstract: A woven core structure (2) includes a first and second face sheets (4, 6) with inner surfaces (16, 18) facing one another. First and second sets of corrugated ribbons (8, 10) are positioned between the face sheets. The ribbons have nodes (12, 14) which are secured to the inner surfaces of the face sheets. The first set of ribbons extend transversely to, and preferably perpendicular to the second set of ribbons. The first and second sets of ribbons are woven such that the nodes of the first set of ribbons are spaced apart from and generally opposite the nodes of the second set of ribbons. This arrangement permits an increase in the node contact area (26) between the nodes and the face sheets to enhance the bond strength between the ribbons and the face sheets and to increase the skin deformation strength of the structure. The angle between the ribbons and the face sheets can be adjusted to optimize shear strength versus tension/compression strength.

Abstract: A vacuum insulating unit has a pair of glass sheets spaced from one another by a plurality of plastic supports. The supports have one end secured to one of the sheets and a low friction material on the other end. A flexible metal edge retainer is secured to sheets to provide a sealed compartment between the sheets. Air in the compartment is removed to put the compartment under negative pressure. A getter is provided in the compartment to adsorb any gas therein during sealing or using the unit. One of the sheets may have an environmental coating.Methods are disclosed for fabricating the unit and the supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite structure including a plurality of fabric layers of interlaced flexible stretch-resistant strand material impregnated with a rigid resinous material and positioned in spaced generally parallel relationship to each other. A plurality of elongated partitions are disposed between adjacent layers and divide the space between adjacent layers into a plurality of elongated generally parallel channels. The partitions each comprise a plurality of stretch-resistant strand material interlaced with adjacent layers in a plane generally perpendicular to the adjacent fabric layers and are also impregnated with a rigid resinous material. In one embodiment, a rigid foamed material can be disposed in the channels for particular applications. A preferred method of making the rigid composite structure is also presented.

Abstract: A hook and loop type fastener element is provided with a foam backing which seals against a mold wall surrounding a trough which protects the element fastening surface from contact with the foam. A metal strip is positioned behind the foam and is preferably held by an open-mesh scrim secured to the foam and metal strip by hot melt adhesive strips.

Abstract: A spray paint shield for manually protectively covering a portion of a wall or ceiling when the adjoining ceiling or wall portion, respectively, is being sprayed painted. The spray shield includes a generally flat, elongated sheet of thin, flexible material such as stainless steel or aluminum, having a straight distal or working edge and an elongated handle pivotally connected to, and extending from, the flat sheet at a mid point of the edge of the flat sheet opposite its distal edge. The handle is lockably positionable within the plane defined by the flat sheet at any convenient acute angle to the distal edge. A drip guard flange for collecting paint running on the working surface of the flat sheet and several embodiments of the locking mechanism are also provided.

Abstract: A surface covering product is disclosed which includes a layer of fused embossed PVC material on a substrate and a layer of transparent or translucent plastic material substantially covering the fused PVC layer and filling the embossed area of depression in the PVC layer. The surface covering product is made by applying the plastic material to the embossed surface of the PVC material and wiping off at least a portion of the plastic material. In one embodiment, a film of plastic material of substantial or minimal thickness remains on the fused PVC material. In another embodiment, the plastic material is completely wiped off the undepressed area of the fused granular material. The PVC material is preferably a granular material such as a stencil vinyl fine material. In one embodiment, the plastic material is a layer of minimal thickness substantially covering the stencil vinyl fine material.

Abstract: A lightweight hybrid structural energy-absorbing panel having a plurality of layers of soft energy-absorbing material, such as Kevlar, disposed between facesheets with a plurality of rigid rod members extending between the facesheets through the layers of energy-absorbing material to structurally connect the facesheets, such panel to absorb the energy of ballistic projectiles.

Abstract: The subject pad comprises resilient layers attached to each other and spaced apart by compression members distributed with spaces between them. The compression members on one side of each layer are opposite the spaces between the compression members on the other side so that the layer portions between compression members of one layer function as beams loaded near or at their centers by compression members on the adjacent layers. The pad may be an integral part or the layers may be separate, in which case the compression members comprise mating projections from the surfaces of adjacent layers. The compression members may be ridges or columns. The projections may be shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, utilizing the resilence of the material and/or adhesive may be used to secure the attachment. In a prefered embodiment a percentage of the projections are shaped to mechanically interlock when mated, the remaining projections being simple ribs or stubs.

Abstract: Wear resistant floor coverings have a plurality of stud-like inserts which are flush with the underside of the floor covering to prevent against wear and slippage.

Abstract: A method of shaping elongated composite structures of a resin matrix reinforced with randomly broken fibers oriented in transverse and non-transverse directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the structure is implemented by a computer aided apparatus for forming the structure. The apparatus is provided with a heated fixed forming tool, a means for stretching the structure from each end and means associated with the forming tool for separately holding each formed component length of the structure in place against the forming tool. The formed structure is characterized by the particular orientation of the fibers in the transverse and non-transverse direction after the structure is formed.

Abstract: A structure based on velour fabric, having at least a first layer and a second layer and intermediate ribs connecting these layers provides a production-efficient, stable and nevertheless light-weight product. The velour fabric is made of a commercial yarn such as aramid fiber, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber or in particular glass fiber. The velour fabric is resin-hardened, wherein the intermediate ribs .[.for.]. .Iadd.form .Iaddend.rigid spacing elements between the first layer and the second layer.