Glass, Ceramic, Or Metal Sections (e.g., Floor Or Wall Tile, Etc.) Patents (Class 428/49)
  • Patent number: 5062913
    Abstract: A method for producing a laminated tile product is disclosed which comprises provided a sheet of natural stone having opposed first and second major surfaces and providing a plurality of ceramic substrates, each of the plurality of ceramic substrates having opposed first and second major surfaces. An adhesive material is provided on at least one of the first 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 such that the first surface of each of the plurality of ceramic substrates faces the first major surface of the sheet of natural stone with the adhesive material therebetween. Preferably, the second major surface of the ceramic substrate is polished and then the second major surface of the sheet of natural stone is polished. The resulting laminated assembly may be cut into a plurality of tiles. The laminated tiles produced by the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Charles R. Owens
    Inventors: Charles R. Owens, Luigi Guazzoni
  • Patent number: 5045371
    Abstract: An armor system which utilizes glass. A plurality of constraint cells are mounted on a surface of a substrate, which is metal armor plate or a similar tough material, such that the cells almost completely cover the surface of the substrate. Each constraint cell has a projectile-receiving wall parallel to the substrate surface and has sides which are perpendicular to and surround the perimeter of the receiving wall. The cells are mounted such that, in one embodiment, the substrate surface serves as a sixth side or closure for each cell. Each cell has inside of it a plate, termed the front plate, which is parallel to and in contact with substantially all of the inside surface of the receiving wall. The balance of each cell is completely filled with a projectile-abrading material consisting of glass and a ceramic material and, in certain embodiments, a polymeric material. The glass may be in monolithic form or particles of ceramic may be dispersed in a glass matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Noel C. Calkins
  • Patent number: 5030490
    Abstract: A composite structure of elastic and viscoelastic components in which dynamic loads are effectively damped by transmission through the viscoelastic components. The structure includes a continuous sandwich comprised either of a single elastic layer enclosed by two viscoelastic layers or of a single viscoelastic layer enclosed by two elastic layers such that the sandwich has little stiffness in any intended direction of loading, and two segmented elastic layers having stiffness in a desired loading direction. The segmented layers have alternating segments and gaps and are disposed one on each side of the viscoelastic layer in such a manner that the gaps of one segmented layer overlap the segments of the other segmented layer. Dynamic loads in the loading direction are transmitted back and forth from one segmented layer to the other, through the continuous sandwich layer containing the viscoelastic material, which thereby provides a high degree of damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: TEW Inc.
    Inventors: Allen J. Bronowicki, Abner Kaplan
  • Patent number: 4992256
    Abstract: Dental plaque-disclosing compositions comprising FD&C Red No. 40 which selectively stain plaque formed on tooth surfaces, making plaque easily observable to the naked eye at visible light wave-lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: J. Michael Skaggs, Robert E. Dickson, James H. Bowers, Edward A. Tavss
  • Patent number: 4975307
    Abstract: A translucent laminated article comprised of an acrylic sheet spacedly located between a front and a rear protective sheet, the latter two being made of transparent window glass. The article further includes intermediate laminations of glass pieces bonded on the inner surface of each of the front and rear protective sheets, respectively. The acrylic sheet is frosted and/or grooved. An effect of perspective is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventor: Nicolas Sollogoub
  • Patent number: 4937992
    Abstract: A scored will panel provides shallow grooves to simulate installed wall tile or the like. The shallow grooves are provided with an inner concave wall having a radius of curvature substantially exceeding the thickness of the panel and corners tangentially intersecting the inner wall having a radius of curvature substantially less than the thickness of the panel. The panel thickness varies from one location to another and the grooves are formed so that the variations in thickness of the panel do not cause variations in the width of the grooves. Further, the grooves are sufficiently shallow so that the material of the panel extending past the groove maintains necessary panel strength. The edges of the radiused corners remote from the inner surface of the grooves extend substantially perpendicular to the faces of the panel and are spaced from the rearward face of the panel by a distance substantially equal to the minimum thickness of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Commercial and Architectural Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Dawson, David L. Bridges
  • Patent number: 4939010
    Abstract: Ceramic, non-glazed flooring tile consisting of a comparatively thick ground layer and a comparatively thin upper layer, wherein the upper layer with a pattern layer having a colour and/or grain size different from the top layer in the top layer or on at least part of the top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Johannes F. H. Goossens
  • Patent number: 4931331
    Abstract: A tile product is disclosed which comprises a ceramic substrate having opposed major surfaces, a layer of natural stone and an adhesive bonding the layer of natural stone to one of the major surfaces of the ceramic substrate. The layer of natural stone preferably comprises a plurality of strips made of fossilstone and the substrate is preferably made of an unglazed ceramic bisque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Charles R. Owens
  • Patent number: 4906497
    Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive comprising at least one component which under the action of microwaves on the dry hot-melt adhesive leads to an increased heating-up rate compared with a corresponding dry hot-melt adhesive without said component contains with a view to universal application with highest possible activatability and constant property characteristic as microwave-activatable component electrically conductive substances with an electrical conductivity higher than that of the dry hot-melt adhesive without said component. Provided as electrically conductive substances are in particular carbon fibres, carbon black, graphite, antistatic agents and metal particles, either on their own or in mixtures adapted to the use. Hot-melt adhesive coatings or self-supporting hot-melt adhesive films having these additives have a heating-up rate by microwaves which is greater by a factor of up to 400 than that of conventional microwave-activatable adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Uzin-Werk Georg Utz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst D. Hellmann, Roland Krieger
  • Patent number: 4904513
    Abstract: A component for window-frames has a plurality of flat glass elements bonded to a flat transparent backing pane. The flat glass elements have chamfered edges placed side by side in order to achieve the appearance of "leaded lights".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Elide De Nicolo
  • Patent number: 4889572
    Abstract: Artistic tile designs are mass produced with precut tile pieces from commercially available square tile units. An initial tile design is created with the tile pieces to serve as a pattern. Thereafter the tile designs are reproduced by placing a transparent, semi-transparent or translucent sheet-type substrate or backing over the initial design, and by securing matching tile pieces to the substrate, as viewed through the substrate. The substrate is of the type that is sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain its shape while handled. The tile design can be repeated on the reverse side of the substrate using the design on the front side as the pattern to provide a double-sided design. If the opaque substrate is to be used, the front faces of the tile pieces are temporarily secured to a readily removable substrate, and the adhesive is thereafter applied to the back of the tile pieces to be permanently mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventors: Richard Danico, Kathleen Danico
  • Patent number: 4885659
    Abstract: A static dissipative surface covering material which comprises a thermoplastic polymer layer and an electrically conductive, metallized, such as vacuum aluminum-coated, glass fiber tissue material disposed in or to the thermoplastic layer to provide a static dissipative surface covering material. A method of preparing a static dissipative surface covering material, which method comprises embedding within or securing to a thermoplastic polymer layer a layer of electrically-conductive, metallized, coated, open fibrous material, such as an aluminized glass fiber tissue, to provide a static dissipative surface covering material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Pandel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilbert S. Nowell, Frederick D. Tenzer
  • Patent number: 4874654
    Abstract: A vehicle window glass composed of a transparent part and a colored part formed on the periphery of the transparent part by the multi-color molding method.A method for producing a vehicle window glass by forming a colored part on the periphery of the transparent part by the multi-color molding method, characterized in that at least one cycle of injection molding for the multi-color molding is accomplished by injection-compression molding.A vehicle window glass composed of a transparent part and a peripheral colored part, characterized in that transparent part gradually thins out toward the periphery at the boundary between the transparent part and the colored part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Funaki, Koki Kunihiro, Yutaka Ichinomiya
  • Patent number: 4832995
    Abstract: A laminated panel for use as a wall or floor covering is disclosed which comprises a pre-grouted layer of ceramic tiles bonded to a fiber-reinforced, water-impervious backing layer. A removable facing layer is adhered to the front face of the panel to complete the laminate. The facing layer imparts increased strength and rigidity to the panel during shipping, handling, and installation and permits the panels to be cut using ordinary carpentry tools without damaging the ceramic tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Dennis A. McLauchlin
  • Patent number: 4824707
    Abstract: An air freshener unit having an impermeable backing sheet that is adherable to a substrate, and a facing sheet laminated to the backing sheet. Trapped between the sheets is a rupturable capsule containing a supply of a volatile fragrance. The facing sheet is formed of microporous, opaque material having good wicking properties. Printed on the rear surface of the facing sheet or on the front surface of the backing sheet is artwork that is normally blocked from view; but when the unit is activated by rupturing the capsule, the released fragrance is absorbed and exuded by the facing sheet which is made wet thereby and rendered translucent. As a result, the artwork becomes visible to a viewer. But when the exuded fragrance approaches exhaustion, the facing sheet, as it dries, reverts to its normal opacity, thereby causing the artwork to fade from view to signal to a user the need for a fresh unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 4761067
    Abstract: A modular mirror having any shape for walls or the like includes tiles having a clay support covered by a specular layer having a slightly greater perimeter to allow the perimetrical distribution of a silicon or wax gasket thereabout to protect the side edges of the tile from oxidation. The resulting mirror is installed in the same plane as that of conventional tiles on the wall since the specular tiles have the same perimeter and caliber as conventional tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Vicenzo R. Di Modica
  • Patent number: 4720409
    Abstract: A replaceable air freshener primarily for use on the tiled wall of a bathroom or kitchen. The air freshener is formed by a transparent plastic face film laminated to a transparent plastic backing film to create a laminate whose dimensions match those of a standard tile. The rear surface of the backing film has a low tack, clear adhesive thereon whereby the laminate may be adhered to a selected tile on the wall or readily removed therefrom. The face film is constituted by a polymeric matrix having myriad cells dispersed therein impregnated with a volatile fragrance which is slowly released from the face film into the atmosphere of the room. Screened on the front surface of the backing film is an artwork which is visible through the face film and has a background field imparted thereto by the color of the tile onto which the laminate is adhered so that the artwork is then in harmony with the tiled wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 4699834
    Abstract: A intermediate floor which shields a cementitious or tile top floor from the cracking of the original floor and comprises an asphaltic layer having on its upper surface finely divided stone and an open mesh layer on the stone layer. Where the original floor is concrete, the mesh layer is flexible plastic. Where the original floor is wood, the mesh layer is galvanized metal, staples being provided to hold the asphalt and mesh layers on the original floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Inventor: Henry Schiffer
  • Patent number: 4698249
    Abstract: An array of gravity-held-in-place-load-bearing-horizontal-modular-accessible-tiles with flexible joints between adjacent modular-accessible-tiles in which the flexible joints are cuttable and reassembleable to provide accessibility to flat conductor cable disposed above or below one or more horizontal-disassociation-cushioning-layers which require flexible joints between adjacent modular-accessible-tiles to be dynamic-interactive-fluidtight-flexible-joints to assemble the modular-accessible-tiles by gravity, friction, and accumulated-interactive-assemblage into a floating finished floor array without adherence to the horizontal-base-surface, wherein the horizontal-disassociation-cushioning-layer provides accommodation to the thickness variations cause by termination and crossing over of layers of flat conductor cables and the horizontal-disassociation-cushioning-layer also provides improved impact sound isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: John G. Brown
  • Patent number: 4696844
    Abstract: A replaceable air freshener primarily for use on the tiled wall of a bathroom or kitchen. The air freshener is formed by a transparent plastic film of polymeric material whose dimensions match those of a standard tile, the rear face of the film having a low tack, clear adhesive thereon whereby the film may be laminated to a selected tile on the wall or readily removed therefrom. The film is constituted by a polymeric matrix having myriad cells dispersed therein impregnated with a volatile fragrance which is slowly released from the film into the atmosphere of the room. Screened on the front face of the film is an artwork having a background field imparted thereto by the color of the tile onto which the film is laminated so that the artwork is then in harmony with the tiled wall. The emitted fragrance is thematically related to the artwork so that should the artwork be an Xmas tree, the fragrance will be that of pine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 4681786
    Abstract: A gravity-held-in-place-load-bearing-horizontal-tile-array over a horizontal-base-surface, typically a floor, which comprises an array of rigid tiles set on a horizontal-base-surface. The rigid tiles have edges positioned adjacent to the edges of adjoining tiles in the array, with the array of rigid tiles being separated from the horizontal-base-surface by at least a 1/8 inch thickness of horizontal-disassociation-cushing-layer. The tiles are adhesively joined at their edges to adjacent edges of adjoining tiles with an elastomeric sealant with adhesive properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: John G. Brown
  • Patent number: 4670338
    Abstract: A mirror substrate, in particular for use in astronomical optics, comprises two symmetrical preformed plates of glass (10, 12) glued by their respective inside faces (26, 28) on either side of an intermediate structure (14), the outside face (38) of one of the plates (10) being suitable for subsequently receiving a reflecting coating. The intermediate structure (14) is a composite structure made of glass foam which is substantially uniform in nature, and in the preferred embodiments it comprises a central core (16) of glass foam together with two sets (18 and 20) of blocks of glass foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventor: Alain Clemino
  • Patent number: 4640850
    Abstract: A composite facing slab comprises a sheet of natural stone, such as marble, and a protective layer constituted by a sheet of transparent glass. The latter is fixed to the face of the stone sheet intended to remain visible with the interpositioning of an interlayer of transparent thermoplastics material which can adhere to both the sheets and fills the surface defects (pores, cavities, cracks and the like) of the stone sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignees: Technomarmi Maiera S.p.A., Seifag S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Marocco
  • Patent number: 4624815
    Abstract: A process of making slabs for use as table tops, or other decorative purposes, comprising an array of individual stones arranged in mosaic patterns. A base of hard, essentially nonwarping wood is cut to the desired outline of the final slab and supported on a spacer member in a horizontal position above the level of a work surface. Border stones are placed upon the work surface to extend upwardly therefrom a predetermined, uniform distance essentially even with the surface of the base about the periphery thereof, and mosaic stones are arranged in a desired pattern within the border stones. A flexible constraining member is placed about the border stones and a layer of polyester resin in liquid state is poured over the mosaic and border stones to fill the interstices and to bond the stones to the wood base. After the resin hardens the exposed surfaces of the stones are polished and excess resin removed by buffing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: Michael N. Moufarrege
  • Patent number: 4621001
    Abstract: A tile-shaped composite element is described in which a ceramic tile serving as the visible tile is glued to a further ceramic tile serving as the base tile. In order to add considerable strength to the two single tiles, thereby substantially improving the sturdiness of the composite element, it is proposed that each tile be provided on the back with a nesting structure and glued together with this nesting structure back-to-back. Since the wall thickness of such a composite element may correspond to the usual wall thickness of shingles or conventional ceramic tiles, extremely thin tiles may be used as the base tile and the visible tile placed thereupon. Because there is a nesting structure on the backside, the tiles may be connected and glued together in such a way that the nesting structures, which generally involve continuous straight grooves and ridges, positively engage to lock into each other, thereby considerably strengthening the firm cohesion of the tiles and, thus of the composite element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Buchtal Gesellschaft mit berschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Martin Bard
  • Patent number: 4599254
    Abstract: A decorative surface arrangement for an article of furniture includes a plurality of tiles, at least some of which carry decorative matter on their exposed surfaces. The edges of each tile have retaining means cooperable with retaining means on the edges of other tiles to maintain the tiles in engagement with one another while permitting relative sliding movement between the tiles in the plane of the decorative surface. The tiles move within a frame fixed to the furniture and engage retaining means carried by the frame. There is space available within the frame for accommodating one tile more than the number of tiles within the frame. The retaining means may include tongue means projecting laterally from part of the circumference of each tile and groove means in the remaining part of the tile circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: J & G Importing Inc.
    Inventor: Angelo Cuttica
  • Patent number: 4582742
    Abstract: A modular, block-shaped insulating unit for use in an insulating system for the interior of a high-temperature furnace or the like. The module comprises a plurality of short, ropelike lengths formed of braided strands, assembled in side-by-side relation to form a bundle. The strands are formed of twisted, generally parallel ceramic fibers spun into cords and assembled or braided into a rope, which is then cut into generally equal lengths. The lengths are retained in a tightly compacted condition whereby the ends of the fibers define a front planar face of the module, with the fibers being aligned in a generally perpendicular orientation relative to the front planar face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Jack S. Gilhart
  • Patent number: 4568586
    Abstract: A ceramic/metal element, in which a metal layer (1) is firmly bonded to a ceramic substrate (2) after cooling and consequent solidification of a previously liquid eutectic interlayer (3), wherein the metal layer (1) has at least approximately the same or a greater thickness (D) than the ceramic substrate (2) and is composed in the manner of a mosaic from individual, predominantly loosely adjoining metal elements (1). By using the composite structure of the present ceramic/metal element, fracture of the ceramic substrate and curvature of the composite ceramic/metal element is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: BBC Brown, Boveri & Company Limited
    Inventor: Jens Gobrecht
  • Patent number: 4567704
    Abstract: A composite floor covering comprising a rubbery backing strip or layer in intimate contact with the floor, ceramic tiles placed over the backing layer and flexible grouting between the tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Tile Council of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank E. Bernett, David R. Burley
  • Patent number: 4554195
    Abstract: A ceramic coated abrasion resistant member and method of making are described in which a plurality of thin plates of polycrystalline ceramic material are bonded to a thicker substrate base member with an adhesive bonding material. The bonding material includes a thermosetting organic plastic adhesive and a coupling agent which forms covalent chemical bonds with the ceramic plates, base member and plastic adhesive. An organosilane, such as .gamma.-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane, may be used as the coupling agent. The ceramic material may be selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and spinel ceramic materials. The substrate member is preferably metal, such as steel and the plastic adhesive may be an epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Wilbanks International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ormiston, Dean A. Rulis
  • Patent number: 4546025
    Abstract: A unit is described for use in a multi-unit decorative or structural arrangement. Each unit has, on at least one surface, an asymmetrical design which may be two dimensional or three dimensional. These asymmetrical designs are arranged to permit a number of identical units to be arranged together to form a large variety of overall designs whose final form depends upon the relative positions of the individual units within the arrangement. For example, a number of identical square tiles are provided, each having the same design and with the design created so that a tile wall can be formed from the identical tiles with hundreds of different overall designs. The same large number of overall designs may be formed from units other than square units including three dimensional building blocks and similar basic decorative or construction units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Inventor: Jakov Vaisman
  • Patent number: 4529633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal camouflage material comprising a supporting layer (4), e.g. a woven material, on which a polyethylene film layer (1), metallized on one side, has been laminated with the aid of fusion adhesive (3). The exposed surface of the plastic film is embossed to make it matte. Polyethylene is highly transparent to infrared radiation and has low emissivity, self radiation. By means of the metal layer (2) there is also obtained radiation insulation so that the outer layer (1) is in a thermal equilibrium which is hardly affected, e.g. by a warm object which is covered with the material, and the outer layer has a low emission ability of about 0.4-0.95, depending on thickness and pigmentation. By applying further patchy layers (5) patchy images will be obtained in image-forming by infrared sensitive instruments in the wavelength ranges 3-5 .mu.m and 8-14 .mu.m. The camouflage material may also include a layer of plastic foam insulating material arranged inwardly of the supporting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Diab-Barracuda AB
    Inventor: Lars G. Karlsson
  • Patent number: 4529637
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed broadly to a thin metal sheet containing a multitude of small openings therethrough. Typically, the sheet will contain at least 400 openings per square inch with the openings having an average cross-sectional area of from about 0.0005 to about 0.005 square inch. The sheets are used to overlay a series of perpendicularly aligned walls which define air chamber(s) behind the sheet. Sound waves pass through the porous sheet and are absorbed in the air chamber(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Keith M. Hankel
  • Patent number: 4528227
    Abstract: A pearlized plastics mosaic article having a ceramic glaze thereover is made in a mold having a deep etched pattern of engravings to provide a relief casting having a pattern of grooves simulating the look of mosaic tiles. An ornamental mosaic finish is obtained by casting mosaic and background layers of thermoset materials. For contrast and definition of the mosaic ornamentation, the thermoset layers are cast of materials having different color pigmentations and material textures. In the molding process, the first thermoset layer is cast to a depth which is less than the height of mold engravings. After curing the first layer to a gel consistency, the second background layer of thermoset material is cast in overlying relation to the first thermoset layer and mold engravings. The thermoset materials are then cured and demolded to provide an integral mosaic casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventor: Jean Frechtmann
  • Patent number: 4522855
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for tiling bath enclosures, shower stalls, and the like, comprises providing a sheet of imperforate, substantially waterproof material with a dry, solvent-based film adhesive formed on the exterior side of the sheet. The interior side of the sheet is adhered to those substrate walls to be tiled, and the tile adhesive is applied over the film adhesive on the exterior side of the sheet. The tile adhesive includes a solvent which partially dissolves the film adhesive, and a cross-linking agent which securely bonds the adhesives to each other and the waterproof sheet. Ceramic tiles are pressed into the wet adhesive, and are fixedly anchored in place as the adhesive cures, such that the waterproof sheet forms a barrier between the tiles and the substrate walls which is substantially impervious to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Noble Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James R. Bethea
  • Patent number: 4517236
    Abstract: A fibrous product is disclosed having a first layer of high density substantially rigid fibrous material. The first layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first layer defines an edge around the outer periphery of the first and second surfaces. A second layer of fibrous material is positioned adjacent the second surface of the first layer. The second layer is at least twice as thick as the first layer and the second layer has less than one-half the density and rigidity of the first layer. The second layer defines an edge around the outer periphery of the second layer. The edge of the second layer is substantially in alignment with the edge of the first layer. A covering of decorative fabric material is positioned at least on the first surface of the first layer and along the edges of the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Fiber-Lite Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Meeker, John W. Ferguson, Henry G. Werner
  • Patent number: 4513040
    Abstract: A heavy duty, wear, crack and spall-resistant concrete composite floor tile comprising: a concrete substrate layer containing 4 to 16 volume percent of dispersed, fine metal fibers and, a wear-resistant concrete surface layer containing about 30 to 60 volume percent of wear-resistant, metallic or inorganic aggregate, or 4 to 16 volume percent fine metal fibers, said tile being further characterized in that the layers are bonded to each other by a plurality of metal fibers having one end embedded in and bonded to the substrate layer and the other end embedded in and bonded to the surface layer, and when said surface layer contains said metal fibers, said fibers are present therein in an amount greater than the amount of said fibers in said substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Ribbon Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Lankard
  • Patent number: 4422893
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mirror which comprises the steps of selecting a former of shape complementary to the shape of the desired mirror surface, applying to such former a plurality of mirror elements each constituted by a glass element having a reflective coating on one face thereof, and applying and adhesively bonding directly to such mirror elements a preformed, substantially rigid, unitary structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: B F G Glassgroup
    Inventors: Jacques Duchateau, Maurice Nicolas
  • Patent number: 4391664
    Abstract: A process for fixing wear-resistant armoring tiles to cement mortar. In accordance with the process, the back sides of the tiles are coated with a mixture of polyester epoxy resin composition including sand and quartz or sand powder, with a curing agent. A material having an affinity for the cement mortar (like quartz sand or lavalite) is dusted and rolled into the coated back side of the tiles, so as to thoroughly be mixed up with the resin mixture coating. After the hardening of the coating including the material having affinity to cement mortar, the tiles are embedded in the cement mortar. Accordingly, this process substantially eliminates the well known poor adhesive properties of such tiles with respect to cement mortar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Schmelzbasaltwerk Kalenborn, Dr. Ing. Mauritz KG
    Inventor: Wilhelm Kramer
  • Patent number: 4389030
    Abstract: A heat resisting canopy which utilizes a mosaic overlay of quartz or heat resisting glass elements adhesively bonded to a transparent organic shell. A transparent adhesive bonds each mosaic element to the organic canopy shell. A plurality of metallic ribbons, egg-crated together to form a lattice, stabilizes the mosaic structure, and individual elements are retained by a metallic wire mesh which covers the mosaic layer and which is attached to the canopy shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Anthony San Miguel
  • Patent number: 4348441
    Abstract: Fibrous insulating material consisting of a rectangular or semi-cylindrical block obtained by stacking ceramic fiber blankets or felt in the thickness direction thereof and bonding contact surfaces of adjacent blankets or felt to each other with an adhesive. Such insulating fire material is bonded to the furnace surface such that the bonded surfaces are perpendicular to the wall surface. By using the fibrous insulating material which is ready to handle, it is possible to facilitate and reduce time required for construction of the insulating wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Isolite Babcock Refractories Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeo Kato
  • Patent number: 4338368
    Abstract: An improved method for markedly increasing the bond strength between a rigid, porous refractory material and a non-rigid substrate by densifying the face of the rigid material opposing the substrate. Densification is accomplished by wetting the refractory material and then impregnating it with a composite slurry having a particle size to fill voids of the porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Inventors: Alan M. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Lovelace, Robert L. Dotts, Jack W. Holt
  • Patent number: 4324605
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for tiling bath enclosures, shower stalls, and the like, comprises providing a sheet of imperforate, substantially waterproof material with a dry, solvent-based film adhesive formed on the exterior side of the sheet. The interior side of the sheet is adhered to those substrate walls to be tiled, and tile adhesive is applied over the film adhesive on the exterior side of the sheet. The tile adhesive includes a solvent which partially dissolves the film adhesive, and a crosslinking agent which securely bonds the adhesives to each other and the waterproof sheet. Ceramic tiles are pressed into the wet adhesive, and are fixedly anchored in place as the adhesive cures, such that the waterproof sheet forms a barrier between the tiles and the substrate walls which is substantially impervious to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Noble Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: James R. Bethea
  • Patent number: 4308309
    Abstract: A flexible, adjustable refractory filler (1) is disclosed for filling gaps between ceramic tiles (10, 11) forming the heat shield of a space shuttle vehicle, to protect its aluminum skin (20) during atmospheric re-entry. The easily installed and replaced filler (1) consists essentially of a strip of ceramic cloth (3) coated, at least along both its longitudinal edges (4, 5), with a room temperature vulcanizable silicone rubber compound with a high emittance colored pigment. The filler may have one or more layers (2, 3), as the gap width requires. Preferred materials are basket-weave aluminoborosilicate cloth, and a rubber compounded with silicon tetraboride as the emittance agent and finely divided borosilicate glass containing about 7.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 as high temperature binder. The filler cloth strip or tape is cut to proper width and length, inserted into the gap, and fastened with previously applied drops of silicone rubber adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Daniel B. Leiser, David A. Stewart, Marnell Smith, Carlos A. Estrella, Howard E. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4307140
    Abstract: A laminated article comprising a plurality of abrasive resistant ceramic tiles secured to an elastomeric polyurethane cushioning support by means of a multitude of short thin fibers having major portions thereof embedded within an epoxy resin bonded to the tiles is fabricated by applying a thin layer of the resin in an uncured liquid phase to the tiles, applying a coating of the fibers to the liquid resin such that minor portions of the fibers in contact with the resin are wet thereby and the remaining major portions of the fibers extend from the resin layer, curing the resin to secure the fibers therein and to bond the resin to the tiles, applying a layer of a thermosetting polyurethane in an unpolymerized liquid phase to the fiber impregnated resin layer, and thereafter curing the polyurethane layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas E. Davis
  • Patent number: 4299071
    Abstract: Bricks which include a V-shaped depression in the top surface of the brick, extending lengthwise along the brick. The brick may be formed with vertically extending ridge-like projections in one end face thereof and a plurality of vertical grooves in the opposite end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1981
    Inventor: Khoo Tian
  • Patent number: 4255474
    Abstract: A continuous layer of transparent material is formed on a base. A desired pattern of transparent electrically conductive material is included in the layer. The regions of the layer not included in the conductor pattern are insulative. The insulative material is preferably an indium oxide. Tin is preferably used as a dopant in the indium oxide to made it electrically conductive according to the desired pattern. The electrically conductive pattern is first formed in metallic tin. The tin pattern is diffused into a layer of metallic indium. The layer is then thermally oxidized to form the electrically conductive pattern as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) in indium sesquioxide, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, an insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Elroy C. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4242389
    Abstract: A flexible carpet web having a plurality of spaced apart pressure sensitive adhesive segments disposed in a patterned relationship on the backing thereof, and in which the same are preferably patterned according to certain given parameters involving the relation of the total area of the adhesive segments to the weight and/or the area of the carpet web, the spacing between adhesive segment centers as related to the area of the adhesive segments, and/or the spacing apart of the adhesive segments in relation to the configuration thereof; and a method of manufacture of a carpet web having adhesive segments applied to the backing thereof for facile installation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: World Carpets, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles I. Howell
  • Patent number: 4232070
    Abstract: A non-arcing modular dielectric array having an electrically conductive substrate mounting a multiplicity of spaced dielectric elements, such as second surface mirrors or solar cells, with outer dielctric surfaces spaced and electrically isolated from the substrate which tend to accumulate electrical charges in a plasma environment creating between the substrate and element surfaces large potential differences which induce arc discharges between the surfaces and substrate. The gaps between adjacent dielectric elements are filled with a resilient filler which provides about the individual elements conductive frames grounded to the substrate for bleeding charges from the element surfaces to the substrate to suppress arc discharges therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: George T. Inouye, Nathaniel L. Sanders, Winston C. Moss
  • Patent number: 4232069
    Abstract: An impact resistant composite structure is constructed of a facing portion designed to blunt and fragment an armor piercing-type bullet and absorbs some of the bullet's impact force, and a base layer designed to absorb and contain the remaining impact force of the bullet fragments. The facing layer includes a plurality of closely spaced ceramic tiles embedded in an adhesive elastic resin having a suspended mixture of polymeric microspheres, which isolate each of the ceramic tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventor: Leo J. Windecker