Including Interlaminar Mechanical Fastener Patents (Class 428/223)
  • Patent number: 6792621
    Abstract: An article of clothing includes a waterproof inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer. An outer opening is defined in the outer fabric layer and is selectively opened and closed by a standard zipper. A portion of the inner fabric layer extends between the edges of the outer opening and defines an inner opening. The inner opening is selectively opened and closed by a water-resistant zipper. Venting material extends between the edges of the inner opening and allows air to flow through the inner opening when both the inner and outer openings are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David Braun
  • Publication number: 20040175553
    Abstract: A porous fiber structure is consolidated by forming within a deposit of a refractory material by partially densifying the fiber structure in such a manner as to bond together the fibers of the fiber structure so as to enable the fiber structure to be handled without being deformed, while leaving empty the major fraction of the initial pore volume of the fiber structure, and rigid pins are implanted through the consolidated porous structure. A blank is obtained by reinforcing a fiber structure by implanting pins or by bonding together consolidated fiber structures, the bonding being performed by implanting pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Bouillon, Dominique Coupe, Remi Bouvier, Eric Philippe
  • Patent number: 6780487
    Abstract: An elastic pad is formed of a protective covering, and an elastic member which is encased by the protective covering and is formed of three elastic bodies capable of expanding and springing back to their original shapes. One of the three elastic bodies is sandwiched between other two of the three elastic bodes, so as to provide the elastic pad with a good quality of elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventors: Lee Pao-Hsi, Yaw Jyh-Liang
  • Patent number: 6770349
    Abstract: A sandwich structure does not permit the permeation of water and a sandwich structure repairing method is capable of easily repairing the sandwich structure. A sandwich structure (1) includes a core (4) formed of a closed-cell foam plastic material, and surface plates (2, 3) formed of a fiber-reinforced composite material containing hydrophobic inorganic fibers as reinforcing fibers and bonded to the opposite surfaces of the core (4). Water is unable to permeate the sandwich structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Itoh, Shunichi Bandoh
  • Publication number: 20040091673
    Abstract: A web-shaped structure includes a first plastic member provided with a plurality of combination strips, and a second plastic member provided with a plurality of combination strips each combined with each of the combination strips of the first plastic member in a corrugated and intersecting manner, so that the first plastic member and the second plastic member intersect each other and are combined integrally, thereby forming the web-shaped structure which may be used to make a product, such as the cellular phone bag, the hand bag, the basket or the like, so that the product has a corrugated and web-shaped spatial effect, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Teng-Jen Yang
  • Patent number: 6713190
    Abstract: A method is described for making a reinforcing wire frame for embedding in a moulded polymer support frame over which woven wire cloth is to be stretched and secured to form a sifting screen. The method involves locating lengths of cut wire substantially equally spaced apart in a jig to form a first array. A second array of lengths of cut wire is located over the first array with the lengths of wire in the second array being substantially at right angles to those of the first array. The lengths of wire in the first and second arrays are resistance welded at points of mutual intersection so as to form a first substantially rectilinear matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: United Wire Limited
    Inventors: Gordon James Cook, Andrew Hughes, Arthur Robert Bailey, George Charles Hartnup, Dugald Stewart
  • Patent number: 6706132
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating laminations to form structural elements of predetermined shapes (120, 220, 420, 520, 620) are provided. Laminations include parts (22, 24) fabricated from the tread portion (42) of discarded rubber tires. The parts are typically arranged in layers with various relationships therebetween. The parts are pressed to remove all voids therebetween causing dynamic tension which creates rigidity and then bonded with methods including vulcanization, chemical vulcanization, epoxy and adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Tire Recycling Development Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph H. Coffin
  • Publication number: 20040005435
    Abstract: A fabric architecture (100) made of a plurality of composite fabric layers having a top surface, a first dimension, a second dimension, and a third dimension, wherein the third dimension is the thickness of the fabric architecture, and a plurality of vertical stitches or staple through the fabric layers along the third dimension. The vertical stitching (108), or staples, in the third dimension increases the stiffness and strength of the fabric architecture as well as prevents premature cracking and breaking of a composite component made from the vertical stitching (108) or staples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hota V.S. GangaRao, Vimala Shekar, Hemanth K. Thippeswamy
  • Publication number: 20030224155
    Abstract: A textile with dynamic, visual displays and a method for manufacturing such a textile are described. The textile is manufactured by weaving, embroidering, or otherwise integrating a series of conductive, resistive, and non-conductive fibers into the textile and printing a thermoresponsive colorant on or near the resistive fiber. The pattern and physical configuration of the materials composing the textile determine the visual properties of the textile. Electrical power is supplied to the resistive fiber(s) to change the visual properties of the textile. As the resistive fiber warms, the thermoresponsive colorant is warmed beyond a thermal threshold necessary to effect a color change in the thermoresponsive colorant, thereby creating an electronically controllable, visually dynamic textile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: International Fashion Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Orth, Joanna M. Berzowska
  • Publication number: 20030211304
    Abstract: A molded finished part includes a finish insert (172) with a finish disposed upon a front insert side and a body portion of the molded part. The insert (172) has a substantially rigid yet resilient layer of moldable material. The layer has opposing front and back insert sides. The part body portion has a body surface that corresponds to the back insert side. The body portion is also formed of moldable material. Further, the body surface and the back insert side are melded together in a substantially indistinguishable interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth Assink, Dennis J. Beard, Thomas L. Boerema, Russell L. Clark, Teresa M. Donnay Heger, Curt A. Herrington, Alan L. Kindig
  • Publication number: 20030194531
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening, having a first layer with alternating relatively opaque stripes and relatively translucent stripes, and a second layer with alternating relatively opaque stripes and relatively translucent stripes. The first and second layers are positioned one behind the other, with the stripes substantially parallel. The first and second layers are movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stripes. The covering also includes a series of parallel binder threads for attaching the first layer to the second layer. The binder threads run substantially perpendicular to the stripes, and thereby, one of the layers can be slid along the binder threads when moved relative to the other. The blind is preferred to be woven as a double-layer fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Anton Petrus Theodorus Hubertus Fransen
  • Publication number: 20030190455
    Abstract: A three dimensional textile joint reinforcement joins and reinforces a composite panel and a support structure. The composite panel includes lamina of textile fibers in the plane of the panel. The joint reinforcement is attached to the composite panel by staples. The support structure, which is typically perpendicular to the plane of the composite panel, is also attached to the joint reinforcement. Out of plane forces act upon the assembled structure and the joint reinforcement transfers out of plane loads between the support structure and the composite panel. The staples provide transfer of load to the plane of the textile fibers in the composite panel, where the composite panel is strongest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roger A. Burgess, James D. Mundloch, Steven P. Wanthal
  • Patent number: 6630223
    Abstract: A fabric for the forming, press and dryer sections of a paper machine, for use as a reinforcing base for a polymeric-resin-coated paper-processing belt or as a corrugator belt, or in other industrial settings where a material is being dewatered, is formed from a monofilament yarn, which is spirally wound in the form of a closed helix, adjacent turns thereof being abutted against and joined securely to one another. The monofilament yarn has a first side and a second side which are oppositely and correspondingly shaped, so that, when spirally wound in a plurality of turns, the first side fits closely into or against the second side of an adjacent and abutting turn, and adjacent spiral turns are secured to one another at the abutting first and second sides to form the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20030175479
    Abstract: A core board forming apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for sensing and dispensing tubular cores at predetermined dispensing positions. A compression apparatus receives and detects the tubular cores and flattens and secure at least two flattened tubular cores together. A controller unit controls the operation of the feeding apparatus and the compression apparatus. The presence of first tubular core is detected after the step of dispensing. In response to detecting the first tubular core is substantially flattened. A core board product includes at least two substantially flattened paper cores fastened together by integral fastening members having two fastening portions extending directly through the flattened cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis William Downey, Robert Lewis Wood, James Barton Ragan
  • Publication number: 20030162008
    Abstract: A foam pad comprising a surface to which a trim cover can be secured, the surface comprising a channel having a width of up to about 15 mm. Disposed in the channel is one of a male portion or a female portion of a releasably engageable male-female trim cover attachment system. A trim cover having the other of the male or female portion attached thereto may be readily attached to the foam pad. A process and a mold for producing the foam pad are also described. The foam pad is particularly useful as a component of a vehicular seat system (e.g., seat bottom, seat back and the like).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
    Inventors: Debra Marie Cappucci, Randall Joseph Lansue
  • Patent number: 6586071
    Abstract: A protection system for preventing floor surfaces from becoming damaged due to the movement of furniture. The inventive device includes a piece of loop material, an adhesive strip attached to the loop material for attaching to the lower end of a leg of furniture, a piece of hook material for removably engaging the loop material, a piece of protective backing secured to the hook material, and a piece of wool attached to the protective backing in opposition to the hook material. The loop material, the hook material and the protective backing may be trimmed with a conventional cutting device to conform to the shape and size of the lower end of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas Hanes
  • Patent number: 6582794
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening, having a first layer with alternating relatively opaque stripes and relatively translucent stripes, and a second layer with alternation relatively opaque stripes and relatively translucent stripes. The first and second layers are positioned one behind the other, with the stripes substantially parallel. The first and second layers are movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stripes. The covering also includes a series of parallel binder threads for attaching the first layer to the second layer. The binder threads run substantially perpendicular to the stripes, and thereby, one of the layers can be slid along the binder threads when moved relative to the other. The blind is preferred to be woven as a double-layer fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries B.V.
    Inventor: Anton Petrus Theodorus Hubertus Fransen
  • Patent number: 6565943
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface fastener wherein necessary engaging strength is maintained for a long term, the surface fastener is flexible and has a favorable touch without prickly feeling even when male engaging elements formed of fibers are employed, and strange peeling noise is not generated. The surface fastener includes at least a large number of male engaging elements planted on a foundation cloth which is a woven or knitted fabric or a non-woven fabric and is formed of fibers, the surface fastener being engaged with and disengaged from a mating surface fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Kondo, Masashi Doi, Mitsutoshi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6544619
    Abstract: Described herein is a differentiated sandwich laminate (comprising an outer layer, an intermediate layer or “center”, and an inner layer), in which the resin used for making the outer layer is different from, and incompatible with, the resin used for making the inner layer. The inner layer and outer layer of sandwich laminate of the adjacent layers of two different sandwich laminates, made according to the invention, are made to adhere in a watertight manner to each other using mechanical-assembly means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: FB Design S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fabio Buzzi
  • Patent number: 6534143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a prefabricated laminated wood member (1) having at least three interconnected layers (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) which are made of different kinds of wood (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) arranged in the form of immediately adjacent boards or mounts, wherein the different kinds of wood (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f) in at least two adjacent layers (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) have different directions. In order to provide a uniform wood structure, the assembly of individual layers (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) is achieved by using plugs (4) that extend through the layers (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f) of wood (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Erwin Thoma
  • Patent number: 6521331
    Abstract: A composite laminate or layer structure includes a substrate (2) and a cover layer (4) bonded thereon. The substrate is made up of at least one layer (3) of fiber-reinforced synthetic material. The cover layer includes at least one layer (5) of metal fibers and/or threads (6), and a metal sheet (7) forming the outer surface skin (8) of the layer structure. The metal sheet is bonded by soldering or sintering onto the metal fibers and/or threads (6), while the layer of metal fibers and/or threads in turn is bonded to the underlying fiber-reinforced synthetic material (3) by being mutually and integrally permeated by a synthetic resin matrix and bonding material. Also, the metal fibers and/or threads (6) may be intermeshed with the fibers of the synthetic material (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Sikorski, Reinhold Schoenacher, Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 6481170
    Abstract: A system for attaching architectural molding or insulation sheets to buildings or other structures which uses headed fasteners that bear against strips of substantially rigid material embedded in the molding or sheets that include a foam plastic core optionally covered with a hard base coat of cementitious material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Stucco Molding, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Savenok, Vitaliy Savenok, Vladimir Savenok, Peter Klyachenko
  • Patent number: 6436507
    Abstract: Prefabricated composite detail parts use precured strips that include Z-pin reinforcement along the bond line. Each strip has Z-pin stubble protruding from opposed faces so that the pins are embedded into the detail parts when the joint forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Shawn D. Pannell
  • Patent number: 6410114
    Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material (10) having a first set of folds, the sheet material further comprising a rotatable disc (8) attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: George Wallace McDonald
  • Patent number: 6395372
    Abstract: A cell confinement structure for confinement of material having a plurality of elongated plastic strips in a side by side relationship bonded together in spaced-apart, limited areas where the plurality of strips are capable of being stretched in width to form a unitary web of cells. The strips forming walls of the cells with at least one of the cell walls having a plurality of apertures in which each diameter is between about 3 mm and 17 mm. Preferably, each of the cell walls has a plurality of apertures with the total area of the apertures in the cell walls being between 19% and 28% of cell wall area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary M. Bach
  • Patent number: 6395380
    Abstract: A method for attaching fabric to a structural part. The structural part is at least partially surrounded by fabric at least on one side. The structural part, which is provided with holes, is surrounded by the fabric at least in the region of the holes on both hole-opening sides. Fabric pieces on one side are inserted through the holes and are connected to the fabric of the other side in the region of the hole openings by bonding or welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Micro Compact Car Smart GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Overberg
  • Patent number: 6355337
    Abstract: In a structural element of high unidirectional rigidity, in which unidirectional fiber strands are completely embedded in sheaths and said sheaths are connected to a shell skin and wherein part of the shell skin is in the form of stringers, there is provided an inner division of the cross-section of the shell skin thereby providing the strength of the fibers and the stiffness of the fibers in a direction perpendicular to the skin plane for every direction of loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft-und Raumfahrt E.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Piening, Arno Pabsch, Christof Sigle
  • Patent number: 6355339
    Abstract: An article such as an airfoil that is of light weight and high bending strength, includes a primarily foam core part (20), fibrous strengthening layers (22, 24) at the top and bottom of the core part with the strengthening layers held by threads (64, 72) sewn through the combination, and with resin (32) forced into spaces between the fibers of the strengthening layers and forming smooth surfaces at the top and bottom of the article. The core part includes a thick body (40) of light weight foam (42) and top and bottom reinforcing layers (44, 46) lying against the top and bottom of the body, with the reinforcing layers each having spaces or pores that are filled with foam that is integral with the foam of the body. The moderate strength near the surfaces of the core part, enable the core part to resist crushing of the light weight foam during sewing of the threads and can resist pullout of fasteners that project only partially into the core part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Foam Matrix, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20010045253
    Abstract: A fabric gripper for securing a fabric or covering to a surface comprises an elongate body and a plurality of upwardly protruding barbs on the upper surface of the body. The gripper is formed as one piece and can either be manufactured from a single thermoplastic material or else the body and barbs can be manufactured of first and second thermoplastic materials, respectively, where the second material is harder than the first material. Where the gripper is to be made of first and second materials, a method of manufacture is provided where the second material is injection moulded into channels in the body to form the barbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Charles Billson
  • Patent number: 6316069
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing structures from worn out tires and a structural member made by that process. Sidewalls are cut from the tire leaving a circular strip, which is cut transversely to produce an elongated approximately rectangular strip. Spaced slits are cut into the long edges of the strips to form slats suitable for use in manufacturing structures. Two slats are bonded together in a face-to-face arrangement to form a unitary pair of bonded slats. Additional pairs of slats are then bonded to the first pair of slats. All slats are bonded with similar sides in contact; that is, tread side to tread side or inside to inside. The resulting beam can have adjacent corners removed to provide a parking stop configuration. Preferably, the slats are bonded with an elastomer or mechanical fasteners such as ring nails or staples. A thick elastomer, having a thickness of at least about ⅛ inch may be coated over the beam. Beams may be combined to form guard rails, walls, panels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventors: Rick L. Bove, Dallas Halfacre
  • Publication number: 20010036786
    Abstract: A method of producing basic starting material for the manufacture of fastener tabs (31) intended for joining the side portions of the front and rear parts of an absorbent article that includes a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part, so as to give the article a pants-like configuration According to the invention the method comprises the steps of
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Anna Heden, Robert Kling, Urban Nilsson, Jose-Maria Mansisidor
  • Patent number: 6296924
    Abstract: A cell confinement structure for confinement of material having a plurality of elongated plastic strips in a side by side relationship bonded together in spaced-apart, limited areas where the plurality of strips are capable of being stretched in width to form a unitary web of cells. The strips forming walls of the cells with at least one of the cell walls having a plurality of apertures in which each diameter is between about 3 mm and 17 mm. Preferably, each of the cell walls has a plurality of apertures with the total area of the apertures in the cell walls being between 19% and 28% of cell wall area. The sell structure may include tendons passing through the walls of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary M. Bach
  • Patent number: 6268035
    Abstract: A tire block is made of a plurality of elongated tire tread strips arranged end-to-end and wound in a spiral wrap of overlying convolutions. Fasteners secure the tire tread strips together. The tire tread strips are made from motor vehicle tires by removing the side walls and transversely splitting the tread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: The Detroit Edison Company
    Inventor: Robert K Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6268037
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Acoust-A-Fiber Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Butler, Hiten T. Shah
  • Patent number: 6268049
    Abstract: A method of heating or cooling an element which comprises providing a fluid circulation circuit within a Z-pin reinforced sandwich panel, the panel having fiber-reinforced resin composite face sheets separated in selected locations with a core so as to form a channel, said Z-pin being present both in the core and the channel; and transporting a heat exchange fluid through the channel forming said circulation circuit to provide heating or cooling for the element. The method can be employed in the leading edge for an airfoil for deicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: James J. Childress
  • Patent number: 6235367
    Abstract: A molded construction product, having one or more walls and an inner core section, including a composition matrix having a resin system, a catalytic agent, and filler compounds for forming the walls; a foam core system for forming the inner core section, a curing agent and a drying agent. The resin system is for providing mechanical and physical characteristics of hardness and rigidity to the exterior walls of the molded product. The catalytic agent is for activating the reaction for the polymerization of the resin system. The filler compounds for reinforcing the walls. The foam core system is for producing the inner core section having three-dimensional cross-linking and a core density of 3.5 pounds per cubic foot. The curing agent is for cross-linking of polymers within the resin system for forming the exterior walls to be hard, rigid, and infusible. The drying agent is for drying and binding of excessive moisture within the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: Robert D. Holmes, Valerie L. Holmes, Frank J. McManus
  • Patent number: 6183838
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Paul Kannankeril
  • Patent number: 6177171
    Abstract: A shear force modulation system comprising an upper pad to which an upper slide is attached, and a lower pad to which a lower slide is attached, the top surface of the upper pad being adapted for contact with the skin surface and the bottom surface of the lower pad being adapted for contact with a skin abrasive surface. The upper slide is in slidable contact with the lower slide, and the upper and lower pads may be attached by coating, adhesives, and elastic, viscoelastic, or non-elastic connectors. The system may be adapted for use as an insole, bed pad, or other device which is used to modulate shear forces applied to a skin surface and thus reduce abrasion and ulceration. Time varying response to shear may also be provided by retaining a viscoelastic fluid between the upper and lower pads, or slides. Variable compliance to modulate shear forces may be provided by the application of connectors in various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Salix Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: George P. Constantinides
  • Patent number: 6177180
    Abstract: A composite board that can be fastened by fastening means which goes through the board from one face to the op site face, said composite board providing a retraction resistance of at least 15 pounds. The board comprises a polymer sheet having two opposed faces wherein each face has a lightweight sheet material attached to it, wherein the polymer sheet can be punctured and penetrated by fastening means and the polymer sheet is deflected snugly around the fastening means where the sheet is punctured so that the sheet provides resistance to removing the fastening means. The polymer sheet may comprise polyamide, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, or acrylic, and has a preselected thickness in the range of 30 to 50 mils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, William C. Dorsey
  • Patent number: 6159590
    Abstract: A puncture and cut resistant fabric comprised of identical platelets and rivets arranged into an array whereby the tops of adjacent platelets are reversed so that tabs on each platelet slidably engage with tabs of each adjacent platelet and are held in engagement by hooks depending from each tab and the rivets placed through apertures formed by the edges of the tabs. The fabric is twistable, bendable, and stretchable. It is constructed of material that will withstand cutting and piercing forces encountered in medical or other environments and is of thin walled construction to allow ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Higher Dimension Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Young Hwa Kim
  • Patent number: 6156410
    Abstract: The specification relates to an article of manufacture for a hooded towel covering being comprised of a towel and a hood located in the middle of one of the towel's edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Patricia Rosann Bassler
  • Patent number: 6143422
    Abstract: A material which can be improved in its resistance to corrosion caused by alcohol-containing fuels after formation without detriment to weldability and without any substantial cost increase is developed.ConstitutionA chromate film is applied to a Zn--X alloy electroplating layer, in which X is one or more of Ni: 3-18 wt %, Co: 0.02-3 wt %, Mn: 25-45 wt %, or Cr: 8-20 wt %. The Zn--Ni alloy plating layer underlying the chromate film has cracks with a density of 1000-150000 in terms of the number of plated regions surrounded by cracks in a 1 mm.times.1 mm visual field, with cracks having a maximum width of 0.5 .mu.m or less comprising 90% or more of the total number of the cracks, and with cracks having a depth of 80% or more of the thickness of the plating layer comprising 80% or more of the total number of the cracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nagai, Yoshihiro Kawanishi, Eiji Kajiyama, Hiroyuki Kashiwagi, Shinichi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6124015
    Abstract: A substantially planar jointed multi-layer industrial fabric, assembled from at least one segment comprising at least one woven or nonwoven ply, in which the joints utilize jointing yarns or formed structures. The jointing yarns or formed structures are placed at selected locations, such as the lateral edges, of at least one planar surface of a ply of the at least one, or first, fabric segment, and interlock in mating engagement with corresponding jointing yarns or formed structures either in at least one surface of a ply of a second segment, or in another location on the first fabric segment, to provide an integral joint. The joints are comprised of shaped yarns and formed structures which in any combination form mating engagements substantially within the plane of the fabric, such as in hook-and-loop or slot-and-rib type joints, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: JWI Ltd.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Baker, Eugene Fekete, Rajat K. Chakravarty
  • Patent number: 6103337
    Abstract: Reinforcement preforms and methods for making same for use in fiber-reinforced composite materials structures are disclosed, in which the reinforcement preforms comprise first and second reinforcement preform elements which include strength reinforcement fibers that are in desired directional orientation. The first element has a cross-fiber surface which extends transverse of its constituent strength reinforcement fibers and is in contacting juxtaposition to a selected surface region of the second element, forming an abutment therebetween. Abutment strength reinforcing fibers, which may optionally be introduced in situ by a continuum of fibers, such as a yarn or thread, extend through at least a portion of said second element and its said selected surface region, the abutment, said cross-fiber edge surface, and into the first element substantially in the direction of orientation to its constituent strength fibers to which its cross-fiber surface is transverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Albany International Techniweave, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith E. Burgess
  • Patent number: 6093478
    Abstract: A composite member has a diecast part and a hub part that consists of a harder material than the diecast part. The diecast part is attached to the hub part by diecasting within a diecast mold. The hub part has at least one end face. The at least one end face has an annular sealing projection that, during diecasting of the diecast part, rests at a surface of the diecast mold and is deformed by the diecast mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignees: Firma Ford-Werke AG, Firma Druckgusswerk Mossner GmbH
    Inventors: Arthur Jasinetzky, Hans-Peter Wirtz
  • Patent number: 6086984
    Abstract: A dry laid nonwoven needlepunched fabric held together by elastic weld joints and a method for making the same. The fabric is made with binder fibers that have been modified to include an elastomeric component. Binder staple fibers and higher melt staple fibers are mixed, dry laid, layered and needlepunched to form a flat web. The web may be put through a structuring loom to produce a fabric with a textured outer surface formed by loops or raised strands of the higher melt fiber. The fabric is thermal bonded so as to form the weld joints that hold the higher melt fibers into the base of the fabric. The elasticity of the weld joints results in an elastic fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Delaware Valley Corporation
    Inventors: D. Paul DiMaggio, Jr., Nash Abu Saaduh, Timothy J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6083334
    Abstract: Described is a process for producing heat-insulated panels for the large-scale panel method of construction, which can be used for the production of load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls and supporting walls. The process is characterised in that firstly a hard foam panel (5) is put on to or extruded on to at least one flat table (1), thereafter place-reserving devices in the form of frames or the like for for production of door, window and other openings (8, 14, 16, 18) and inner hollow chambers are put in accurately positioned relationship on to the hard foam panel, then the remaining free surfaces of the hard foam panel (5) are provided with connecting members (12) and preferably fixed by bonding agent and/or preferably undercut grooves are provided in the region of the free surfaces. A concrete layer (11) is then cast and compacted on to the hard foam panel (5) which is provided with an outer boundary means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ipa-Isorast International S.A.
    Inventor: Edmond D Krecke
  • Patent number: 6037031
    Abstract: A platform, breakwater, or endless track includes an array of molded cells nterconnected by a system of elongate flexible members, such as wire ropes or lines. The molded cells are cast in molds located at overlapping portions of the cables. The molds may be flexible nylon bags having openings for receiving the cables through them and a fill port to receive material. The molds may be retained on cast cells or removed and reused. A buoyant material, such as expanding self-hardening foam is pumped from foam mixing and pumping equipment into the molds to cast the cells for floating on water, although negatively buoyant cells could be cast for some applications. The cells may be cast on site or elsewhere and then transported to the work site. The cables either can be secured or free running in the molded cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William Steven Jones, James Edwin Rumbough
  • Patent number: 6007903
    Abstract: The base material can be obtained by means of the realisation, on a support made out of material or nonmaterial, of a system of two crossed orders, uniformly distributed, of rectilinear stitching carried out with a yarn having a metallic core inside. In this way, an incorporated shielding metallic screen made of metallic cores is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Spengold Limited
    Inventor: Adriano Vignudelli
  • Patent number: 6004659
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade having a head (1) for fastening in the wiper holder bracket, a tilting rib (2), and a lip (3). It is characterized in that the head (1) comprises a stiff polymer, hardened by halogenation, with a Shore A hardness of 60 to 85; the tilting rib (2) comprises a comparatively soft, elastic polymer that is not hardenable or not substantially hardenable by halogenation, with a Shore A hardness of 50 to 75; and the lip (3) comprises a polymer hardenable by halogenation having a Shore A hardness of 60 to 85. The Shore A hardness of the polymer comprising the tilting rib (2) is less expediently by at least two units than the Shore A hardness of the polymer or polymers that form the head (1) and the lip (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Leutsch, Steven Desmet, Hubert Verelst, Dirk De Coninck, Paul Wynen