Abstract: A method of manufacturing a layer of material adapted for use as carpet underlay (though not restricted thereto), from a sheet having two opposed surfaces with one surface being intended to contact the carpet when used for that purpose. The method involves partly perforating the sheet by inserting, through one said surface, an array of needles, thus providing passageways for the escape of air from the cells when the layer is compressively loaded, and for the return of air to the cells when the load is removed.

Abstract: A decorative magnet has a plastic body with at least one magnet heat staked to the back of the body. The body has at least one opening extending through the body from the front face to the back and a stake extending from the back of the body. An insert has a first portion within the at least one opening and a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion rests against the back of the body and prevents the insert from completely passing through the opening. A portion of the magnet covers at least a portion of the insert thereby retaining the insert within the opening or openings in the body.

Abstract: An actively cooled TBC bond coat wherein active convection cooling is provided through micro channels inside or adjacent to a bond coat layer applied to a substrate. The micro channels communicate directly with at least one cooling fluid supply contained within a turbine engine component, thereby providing direct and efficient cooling for the bond coat layer. Because the substrate is covered with an actively cooled bond coat layer, it will reduce the cooling requirement for the substrate, thus allowing the engine to run at higher operating temperature without the need for additional cooling air, achieving a better engine performance. In one form, the component includes a substrate having at least one substrate channel with a first and second end. At least one micro channel is in fluid communication with a plenum which in turn is in fluid communication with at least one substrate channel through an exit orifice in the substrate channel which is at a first end of the substrate channel.

Abstract: A wing of composite material has an upper skin, a lower skin and a plurality of intermediate spars arranged between the upper and the lower skin. The intermediate spars extend from roots to tips of the upper and the lower skins. The intermediate spars are integrally formed with the upper and the lower skins or are adhesively bonded to the upper and the lower skins. The wing has a small number of parts, needs greatly reduced time for fabrication and can be fabricated at a low cost.

Abstract: A laminated composite (multi-ply) radius filler includes a plurality of woven fabric reinforced plies cut to fill a radius gap (including, if appropriate, intentional overfill) to increase absolute strength, to increase specific strength, or to reduce cost by reducing cracking and distortion in the radius of a composite assembly. The present invention also describes the method of manufacture and method of use for such laminated composite radius filler.

Abstract: A 2-cyanoacrylate composition useful as an adhesive contains a Lewis acid metal salt which comprises a specific metal such as aluminum, gallium, indium or thallium, and the conjugate base of an acid having oxygen such as a monohalo-, dihalo or trihaloacetate, wherein the metal is bonded to the conjugate base through an oxygen atom, and a compound having clathrating ability such as a crown ether.

Abstract: An upholstery tack strip includes a thermoplastic sleeve and a metal ribbon embedded within the sleeve. The sleeve itself includes a plurality of removed material sections forming opposed pairs of sleeve windows, while the metal ribbon integrally includes nail sections which protrude outwardly from the tack strip through respective ones of the sleeve windows. Most preferably, the sleeve is extrusion-coated onto the metal ribbon stock using a cross-head die. The thus-coated metal strip preform may then be transferred to downstream fabrication operations whereby the sleeve windows and nail portions are formed. Since the nail portions protrude outwardly from the tack strip through the sleeve windows, relative lengthwise slippage between the metal ribbon stock and the sleeve is prevented.

Abstract: A support structure includes a first sheet with perforations having a front surface and a back surface and a second sheet with perforation having a front surface and a back surface. Each perforation in the first sheet and the second sheet has a portion adjacent to the front surface of the sheet that is wider than a portion of the perforation that is adjacent to the back surface of the sheet. A core made of a first material is formed between the back surface of the first sheet and the back surface of the second sheet and within the perforations to anchor the first sheet and the second sheet to the core. Molded features may be disposed on the front surfaces of the sheets and integrally formed with the core through perforations in the sheets. The support structure may be used in a horizontal base or an end-of-arm tool.

Abstract: A topsheet for a disposable absorbent article that includes a first plastic film layer, a second plastic film layer and a fibrous assembly layer disposed between these two layers. The first plastic film layer includes a plurality of first plane regions spaced apart from one another that extend parallel to one another in one direction and the second plastic film layer includes a plurality of second plane regions spaced apart from one another that extend parallel to one another in the one direction. Of the first and second plane regions, at least the first plane regions are formed with bridge-like regions and first rising regions.

Abstract: A wing of composite material has an upper skin, a lower skin and a plurality of intermediate spars arranged between the upper and the lower skin. The intermediate spars extend from roots to tips of the upper and the lower skins. The intermediate spars are integrally formed with the upper and the lower skins or are adhesively bonded to the upper and the lower skins. The wing has a small number of parts, needs greatly reduced time for fabrication and can be fabricated at a low cost.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling of the flow path surface region of an engine component used in a gas turbine engine and a method for making a system for cooling of the flow path surface region of an engine component used in a gas turbine engine. The method comprises the steps of channeling apertures in a substrate to a diameter of about 0.0005″ to about 0.02″ to allow passage of cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source; applying a bond coat of about 0.0005″ to about 0.005″ in thickness to the substrate such that the bond coat partially fills the channels; applying a porous inner TBC layer of at least about 0.01″ in thickness to the bond coat, such that the TBC fills the channels; applying an intermediate ceramic layer that is more dense than the inner TBC layer on top of the porous TBC; applying an outer TBC layer over the intermediate layer; and, passing cooling fluid from a cooling fluid source through the channel into the porous TBC.

Abstract: A topsheet for a disposable absorbent article that includes a first hydrophobic plastic film layer, a second hydrophobic plastic film layer and hydrophobic thermoplastic synthetic fibrous layer disposed between the two layers. The first hydrophobic plastic film layer includes a plurality of first plane regions spaced apart from one another that extend parallel to one another in one direction and the second hydrophobic plastic first layer includes a plurality of second plane regions spaced apart from one another that extend parallel to one another in the one direction. Of the first and second plane regions, at least the first plane regions are formed with bridge regions and first rising regions.

Abstract: A bonding structure for synthetic resin parts that can improve bonding strength at the bonding through heat, and is not influenced by the change in ambient temperature after bonding. The bonding structure for synthetic resin parts according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical projection formed on at least one part of two synthetic resin parts that are to be bonded with each other, the cylindrical projection to be bonded to the other part such that a closed space is formed between the cylindrical projection and the other part; and at least one opening communicating inside and outside of the closed space with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article of manufacture comprising a partial or complete tubular primary part defining a tube axis and having an at least partially curved circumferential wall at least partially encircling the axis; said wall comprising a joint edge, defining a) a joint line along said edge on said wall, b) a joint plane drawn to contain said joint line, c) a joining direction having at least a direction component perpendicular to said joint line and said joint plane, d) a locking plane at least partially at the surface or within a section through said wall in which both said joint line and said joining direction lies and e) a normal direction being perpendicular to said joint plane; and at least one locking structure, the improvement comprising that the locking structure includes at least one positive or negative hook structure in said locking plane, extending in the joining direction away from the joint line and having an undercut in the locking plane and that the hook structure is exposed from a

Abstract: A base plate for press fitting into a boss hole of a predetermined nominal diameter. The base plate has a flange and a hub extending from a region at which the hub meets the flange to an outer end of the hub. The hub has a number of vertical slots cut through the hub extending from the outer end of the hub part way or all the way to the region at which the hub meets the flange a space between slots determining boundaries of a prong. The hub has an outer diameter which is greater than the predetermined nominal diameter or alternatively the hub has an outer diameter at the region at which the hub meets the flange which is not greater than the predetermined nominal diameter, in which case each the prong extends outward to a prong outer diameter which is greater than the predetermined nominal diameter. Also the base plate may have a corner relief that circumscribes the region at which the hub meets the flange.

Abstract: A base plate for press fitting into an actuator arm boss hole of a predetermined nominal diameter. The base plate has a flange and a hub extending from a region at which the hub meets the flange to an outer end of the hub. The hub has a number of vertical teeth protruding from the hub extending from the outer end of the hub to the region at which the hub meets the flange. The hub has an outer diameter which is greater than the predetermined nominal diameter of the actuator arm boss hole. A corner relief is provided that circumscribes the region at which the hub meets the flange.

Abstract: A base plate for swage fitting into a boss hole of a predetermined nominal diameter. The base plate has a flange and a hub extending from a region at which the hub meets the flange to an outer end of the hub. The hub has a number of arcuate indentations in the hub extending from the outer end of the hub part way or all the way to the region at which the hub meets the flange. During a swaging operation the indentations amplify the expansion forces from the swage tool to engage the boss hole and can achieve snap-through shape change for permanent locking. For a press-in fit the diameter of the hub is greater than the nominal diameter. During a press-in operation a tool is inserted between the actuator arms and in alignment with the base plates. The tool is then activated a reach sufficient to urge each base plate hub into a corresponding boss hole for a press fit.

Abstract: A curable masking material for protecting a passage hole in a metal-based substrate is formed of an extrudable resin composition. The resin composition is thermally stable at elevated temperatures, and does not serve as an adhesion site for any coatings which are applied over the masking material. In addition, the resin composition has non-Newtonian flow characteristics and is adapted to form a protrusion extending from the passage hole upon extrusion to fill the passage hole.

Abstract: A clutch plate, for use with a one-way clutch having a torque-load-transmitting member or “strut” includes a plurality of stacked laminas. At least two of the laminas cooperate to define a load-bearing surface. The load-bearing surface is cooperable with the torque-load-transmitting member to effect one-way torque-load transfer between the strut and the plate. Furthermore, the laminas are secured together to prevent relative movement of any one of the laminas with respect to another of the laminas when the torque-load is transmitted between the strut and the plate.

Abstract: An automotive interior trim panel has an outer flexible skin that overlies a rigid backing panel formed with a foam entry hole through which foam precursors are poured into a space between the skin and panel and they react and expand to generate a foam layer within the space. Tab projections are carried by the panel and extend into the foam space to at least partially cover the opening and provide rigid backing support for foam expanding in the region of the entry hole to control the density of the foam in this entry hole region such that it conforms more closely with the density of the immediate surrounding foam.

Abstract: A tethered fortune and charm assembly to permit easy retrieval from a cake, candle, package, game, balloon, pinata, table setting, Christmas decoration, party favor, card, flower arrangement, wedding garter or wedding bells and alert party guest or the receipient to the presents of an object at the end of the tether. An assembly consisting of a tether, to any of combination of a fortune and charm. The tether is attached to a combination of a fortune and charm or a fortune or charm with a fortune printed into or on plastic, metal, cardboard, paper, fibrous or non-fibrous tether, charm or any other medium, The charm can be plastic, metal, candy, or a printed engraved or embossed representation of a symbol or charm. The charm and fortune assembly can be sealed in a semi-hermetic or hermetically sealed package or lamination. With or without a self adhesive patch on the reverse side of the most exterior surface of the most significant portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a shielded automobile component and the shielded automobile component itself. The component includes a composite formed of a metal sheet which includes protrusions which extend from a surface of the metal sheet and a blow-molded thermoplastic layer formed around the protrusions which fixes the blow-molded layer to the metal sheet during the molding process. The protrusions on the metal sheet define plain polygonal areas which are free of protrusions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a product which exhibits (a) a low level of emissivity and (b) a high level of moisture vapor permeability, and which enables trapped excess moisture to be transported from the product to the surrounding atmosphere while maintaining its effective radiant barrier properties. The product is an underlying substrate, having a pair of outer major surfaces and a radiant barrier material adhered to at least one of the pair of outer major surfaces of the underlying substrate with an adhesive material to form a radiant barrier material covered substrate. A plurality of apertures are formed in the radiant barrier material covered substrate. These apertures extend substantially completely through both the radiant barrier material and the adhesive material thereby forming substantially completely open moisture vapor flow channels which create a high level of moisture vapor permeability through the radiant barrier material and the adhesive material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for perforating a web of material intended to form an outer casing sheet of absorbent articles. As the web is advanced, the web is first provided with a large number of mutually separated cuts in the nip defined between raised plateaus on a matrix cylinder and circumferentially extending knife-edges of a cutting cylinder. The web is then deformed transversely to its plane at parts which border on each cut. The invention also relates to a perforated outer casing sheet which includes recesses in the form of mutually adjacent elongated channel-like grooves.

Abstract: An ornamental device for attachment to a surface comprises at least one sheet of ornamental material having an aperture therethrough and an attachment device. The attachment device includes a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the post extends through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material. The attachment device also includes a base member connected to the proximal end of the post. The attachment device further includes a securement device positioned on the distal end of the post to grippingly engage the post and to resist removal of the securement device from the post. The invention further includes a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to a surface.

Abstract: A composite material and method of forming such composite material is provided in which first and second layers of plastic film are laminated together and define a multiplicity of spaced apart, gas filled cavities therebetween, and a third layer of a fibrous or other suitable material is mechanically bonded to one of the first and second layers of plastic film.

Abstract: An optimized low profile swage mount or press-in fitted base plate for attachment of a suspension assembly to an actuator arm in a hard disk drive. The base plate has a base plate thickness, TBP, overall height, HH, hub inner diameter, DID, hub outer diameter, DOD, hub inner surface depth, HIS, hub radial width, WH, which is one half the hub outer diameter minus the hub inner diameter (DOD-DID)/2, and a counter bore depth Hcb.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elongate stack of interlocked laminae in a die assembly. The method includes the steps of stamping a first lamina having generally opposed first and second edges in the strip stock material, stamping at least one first interlock means for engaging another lamina in the first lamina, separating the first lamina from the strip stock material, placing the first lamina into the choke passageway, the first and second edges of the first lamina frictionally engaging the choke passageway, stamping a second lamina having first and second elongate edges in the strip stock material, stamping at least one second interlock means for engaging another lamina in the second lamina, at least partially engaging the first and second interlocking means, separating the second lamina from the strip stock material, placing the second lamina into the choke passageway, and frictionally engaging the choke passageway along the first and second elongate edges of only one of the first and second laminae.

Abstract: A tailored structural member that is designed to generate a yield-type response, with applicability to the arrest of a moving body. The structural member comprises a primary load path connected in parallel to a longer secondary load path at a pair of common nodes. The primary load path is designed to fail at a lower load than that required to fail the secondary load path when subjected to a tensile force. As a result of the load redistribution achieved through the use of the redundant paths provided by the primary and secondary load paths, the structural member dissipates more kinetic energy from the moving body within a given set of displacement and deceleration force constraints than is possible using a conventional, uniform cross-section member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonded assembly characterized in that a board having a convexed portion on a jointing surface thereof and a board having, on a jointing surface thereof, a concaved portion or a through hole to be engaged with the convexed portion are jointed with adhesives. Also, the present invention relates to a bonded assembly characterized in that an adhesive is coated on the portion other than the convexed portion of the board so that the coating thickness is smaller than the height of the convexed portion, and then the board is jointed to another board having a concaved portion or a through hole, after making alignment of the boards. Further, the present invention relates to a rivet having means for fitting to and temporarily fixing to an inserting through hole, and a method of jointing boards which comprises a step for inserting, fitting and temporarily fixing the rivet having the means for temporarily fixing to the inserting through hole on the board.

Abstract: A preform element includes a facing table of superhard material, such as polycrystalline diamond, having a front face, a peripheral surface, and a rear surface bonded to the front surface of a substrate which is less hard than the superhard material. The front surface of the substrate is formed around its periphery with an annular rebate having an inner edge, a number of spaced recesses adjacent the inner edge of the rebate, and projections of superhard material integrally formed on the rear surface of the facing table extend into the rebate and recesses.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, converting method and dunnage product characterized by a novel connecting assembly which provides a unique interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material forming a dunnage product to prevent "unzippering" of the product. The connecting assembly includes a pair of loosely meshed stitching wheels, a first one of the stitching wheels having a plurality of radial projections protruding from a radially outer circumferential surface thereof, and a second one of the stitching wheels including a plurality of recesses for receiving the radial projections in meshed relationship upon rotation of the stitching wheels.

Abstract: A panel having one or more dimple layers connected together by one or more reinforcing layers engaging ends of dimples on the dimple layer to create a cavity between the layers. The connection of the dimple layer and reinforcing layers creates an integral structural panel that can be planar by having identical heights of the dimples on the dimple layer to create a planar panel (flat) or nonplanar (curved) by varying the heights of the dimples on the dimple layer or through planar spacing adjustment. The panel can be modified in various ways such as by choice of materials and/or geometries of the various layers and/or incorporation of additional structural features.

Abstract: A paneling system includes a first upper or outer plate having a plurality of outwardly extending tabs unitarily and integrally formed therewith and a second, lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate to present a void therebetween. The tabs span the void and join with the second plate to fixedly secure the plates together to form the panel construction. The free ends of the tabs may be welded within slots formed in the second plate to secure the plates together. Alternatively, the tabs may be L-shaped to present a flange in parallel relation to the plates. The flanges are welded to the second plate to secure the plates together. The tabs may present anchor holes in the first plate for securing a load in place. The first plate may include a raised portion at the periphery of the anchor holes to help prevent skidding.

Abstract: A plastic molding has a core and a skin-provided foam provided on an outer surface of the core. The core is provided with side walls, a foaming material receiving portion defined by the side walls, and through holes provided in the bottom surface of the foaming material receiving portion to extend through the core to connect the foaming material receiving portion to the outside of the core. The skin-provided foam includes a foam which is received in the foaming material receiving portion of the core to be adhered to the bottom surface thereof and enters the through holes of the core to constitute engaging portions with the core, and a skin member which covers the outer surface and side surfaces of the foam and is held at the end portions thereof between the foam and the side walls of the core. The disclosure is also directed to a method for producing such a plastic molding.

Abstract: A preform element includes a polycrystalline facing table having a front face, a peripheral surface, and a rear surface bonded to the front surface of a tungsten carbide substrate. The front surface of the substrate has a flat central region and an outer peripheral region which is inclined away from the front face of the facing table as it extends outwardly. The outer peripheral region is formed with a number of spaced semi-circular recesses into which extend projections of diamond material formed on the rear surface of the facing table. The outer edge of each recess lies on the periphery of the substrate and the curved inner edge is tangential to the central region of the substrate. Smaller recesses are formed in the bottom surfaces of the semi-circular recesses and at other locations over the front surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A seal for movable structural components, such as piston rods or shafts, includes a carrier body made of plastics and a sealing member made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material and bonded to the carrier body. A plastic material may be mixed with the PTFE and fused to the plastic carrier body during injection molding.

Abstract: The method is disclosed for producing a tamper respondent enclosure (10). A flexible tamper respondent laminate (32) is folded to define an inner enclosure (26) which is then potted within an outer enclosure in the form of a molding (28).

Abstract: A heat shield particularly suited for automotive use is manufactured by placing a metallic foil having a plurality of depressed channels provided about its outer periphery in a compression mold. Each channel, in turn, has a through opening. Thermoset material is then placed into the mold so that, upon mold compression, the thermoset material liquefies and covers one side of the foil and also so that a portion of the material flows through the foil openings so that the channels are embedded in the material to thus mechanically lock the foil and plastic together upon curing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dismountable vehicle panelling, and in particular a system for connecting vehicle body parts and panelling sections which are used as panelling for load-bearing supporting structures of vehicles.

Abstract: A pad including thermal insulation and heat sink areas. The pad includes a plurality of layers of metal foil forming a stack with the layers arranged one above the other, the stack including at least one heat sink area and at least one insulating area adjacent to the heat sink area, the layers providing better heat conduction in the vertical direction at the heat sink area than at the insulating area. At least one of the layers includes a plurality of embossments therein separating the one layer from an adjacent one of the layers in the insulating area. The pad can include a single insulating area surrounded by a heat sink area and a black coating can be provided on selected portions of the layers to improve heat radiating characteristics of the pad. For instance, the heat sink area can be coated with the black coating to radiate heat away from the pad at a desired location.

Abstract: An article, for example a pipe, has a first covering such as a polymer layer, and a second covering, such as a repair patch or a repair deposit of melt-on adhesive or a wrap or a sleeve protecting a welded joint between two lengths of such pipe. The second covering may have a functional coating on an underside which is applied on and is at least partially superimposed over the first covering. A cured deposit of thermoset resin is applied at least over the edges of the second covering, for example in the form of a fibrous tape impregnated with a curable resin composition, and bonds to the first and second coverings. The resin deposit provides the second covering with increased stability against displacement laterally of said first covering, for example as a result of soil stress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonded assembly characterized in that a board having a convexed portion on a jointing surface thereof and a board having, on a jointing surface thereof, a concaved portion or a through hole to be engaged with the convexed portion are jointed with adhesives. Also, the present invention relates to a bonded assembly characterized in that an adhesive is coated on the portion other than the convexed portion of the board so that the coating thickness is smaller than the height of the convexed portion, and then the board is jointed to another board having a concaved portion or a through hole, after making alignment of the boards. Further, the present invention relates to a rivet having means for fitting to and temporarily fixing to an inserting through hole, and a method of jointing boards which comprises a step for inserting, fitting and temporarily fixing the rivet having the means for temporarily fixing to the inserting through hole on the board.

Abstract: A metal reinforced plastic article is provided and comprises a first plastic member and a second plastic member bonded together through a plurality of apertures in a metal reinforcing member. Preferably, the metal reinforcing member has a plurality of angled protrusions on a first and second side. The protrusions on the first side are pressed into the first plastic member and the first plastic member is bonded to the protrusions, and the protrusions on the second side are pressed into the second plastic member and the second plastic member is bonded to the protrusions.A method of forming a metal reinforced plastic article is provided and comprises providing a first plastic member and a second plastic member. A metal reinforcing member having a plurality of apertures therein, and having a plurality of angled protrusions on a first and second side is provided.

Abstract: A reclosable bag is formed of a first wall and a second wall of a polymeric sheet material joined to form an enclosure with a mouth defined by the wall edges. The bag has a closure for selectively opening and sealing the mouth. The closure includes a first and a second mutually interlocking profile, each of which extends along and is bonded to the internal surface of its respective first and second wall. The first and second mutually interlocking profiles are extruded from a first polymeric resin material, and have a web portion which is bonded to the wall. Coextruded onto the web portions, or applied to the web portions following the extrusion of the strips, is at least one rib of a second polymeric resin material which includes an ultraviolet-light-excitable tracer material. The second polymeric resin material has a lower melting point than the first polymeric resin material, and is used to bond the profiles to the sheet material of the walls.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus and method which provides a better embossed appearance and eliminates undesired roughness on the backside of the web material. Two plies are multilevel embossed between rigid engraved rolls and backup rolls, which may be either engraved or smooth. One rigid roll has embossing elements of varying heights and perforation elements, which run in a side-by-side relationship with the corresponding perforation elements on the opposing rigid roll in a nip region of the apparatus. The multiple plies are perforation bonded between the perforation elements, which are preferably the two highest elements, thus reinforcing the other multi-level embossed pattern formed in between the perforation bonds. The embossed patterns impart a quilt-like contoured appearance to the finished product.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need to effectively heat seal various polymeric materials to each other. The invention is particularly useful in solving the problems associated with sealing dissimilar materials together. A bonded polymer structure and method for preparing the structure are provided. The bonded polymer structure comprises a first polymeric panel, a second polymeric panel, and a one layer adhesive or two layer adhesive structure which binds them together. The two layer adhesive structure comprises a tie layer and a sealant layer disposed between the first polymeric panel and the second polymeric panel, the tie layer contacting the first polymeric panel and the sealant layer, and the sealant layer contacting the layer and the inner side of the second polymeric panel. A closure arrangement may be integrally formed with the first polymeric panel.

Abstract: An expanded resilient product and methods for making the same are disclosed. The product is characterized as a geometric solid of resilient material that has a plurality of slits formed therein. Each slit is defined by a first surface having a protruding portion and second surface having a recess portion corresponding to the protruding portion of the first surface which together form an interlocking fit between the two. Forces are applied to the product sufficient to dislodge a protruding portion of the first surface from the complementary recess portion of the second surface, thereby forming a plurality of gaps. The product is then permitted to relax, whereupon the protruding portions compressively contact the complementary recess portions of the second surface. But because of the interlocking fit, the protruding portions are prevented from re-engaging the recess portions and thereby maintain the expanded nature of the product.

Abstract: A protective covering for a swim platform located on a boat is provided. The protective covering may be detachably attached over the top of a swim platform, such as those platforms which are located about the rear of boats or other marine craft. Use of the protective covering will prevent waterfowl or other animals from defecating, loitering or nesting on the swim platform. The covering includes a generally rectangular portion located intermediate a right wing portion and a left wing portion. A plurality of apertures designed to secure the covering to the swim platform are provided on the rectangular portion, right wing portion and left wing portion. Both the right wing and the left wing fold forming a right sidewall and a left sidewall. The sidewalls and rectangular portion form a hollow, generally triangular structure which is placed atop and resides in the area immediately atop the swim platform. The covering is securely attached to the swim platform by any of a variety of attachment means.

Abstract: A panel which comprises a substrate of transparent or translucent material having applied to one or both sides a design superimposed on, or forming part of, an opaque pattern so that the design on one side of the panel cannot be seen from the other side. This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 4,673,609, dated Jul. 25, 1995, Request No. 90/003,201, Sep. 21, 1993.