Abstract: A chair for particular use in clinical or hospital environments has a frame to which a support material is secured. The support material may form a chair back and/or a seat for the chair to provide support to the chair occupant. The support material may be made from a textile of interwoven strands wherein some of the interwoven strands include copper containing particles, such as copper iodide or copper oxide within the textile fibers.

Abstract: Devices are provided for guiding the growth of scaffold branches, and in particular, devices for training scaffold branches to form wide crotch angles with main trunk of a tree.

Abstract: A device for fabricating a composite material part by injecting resin into a fiber structure. The device includes: a first die presenting two adjacent support surfaces defining a reentrant angle between them; at least one chock with a wedge-shaped portion configured to press the fiber structure into the angle; and a second die movable relative to the first die, the first and second dies being configured to clamp on the fiber structure and the chock. The chock is connected to the second die by at least one link, the link being hinged relative to the second die and relative to the chock to guide the wedge-shaped portion towards the angle to press the fiber structure into the angle when the second die approaches the first die.

Abstract: A system and method of constructing a substantially decorative article without the need for fasteners. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the decorative article is a woven basket. One or more retainers are provided to retain the material used to construct the outer surface of the decorative article. Each retainer is provided with a channel for receiving one end of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article. The channels are able to retain the ends of the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article without the need for fasteners. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is sufficiently rigid, the decorative article will be self-supporting. If the material used to construct the surface of the decorative article is not sufficiently self-supporting, supports may be located between the retainers.

Abstract: A basket weaving kit and method for producing a container to be decorated and used for carrying objects. The basket weaving kit and method includes a plastic cylinder. A plurality of spoke members are for coupling to the plastic cylinder. Each of the spoke members is positionable in substantially parallel spaced relationship to an adjacently positioned spoke member such that the spoke members are positioned around the plastic cylinder. A plurality of reed members are for weaving through the spoke members.

Abstract: A method of constructing an interwoven basket using a collapsible basket form apparatus is disclosed. The present invention permits the construction of an interwoven basket including a solid bottom surface and upwardly converging woven side walls that define a top opening which is relatively smaller than the largest diameter of the basket. The present collapsible basket form apparatus permits construction of a basket from which a unitary basket form of the same shape could not otherwise be removed upon completion of the basket. The present basket form apparatus is adaptable to construction of baskets of many different sizes and shapes by the use of interchangeable rib components which function to define the basket contours.

Abstract: A form for making a stepped-bottom basket including a three-dimensional L-shaped frame vertically partitioned into two segments that are releasably fastenable to one another. The first segment includes top, front, rear and side walls that define the shape of the interior of the deep portion of the stepped bottom basket and the second segment includes top, front, rear and side walls that define the shape of the interior of the shallow portion of the stepped bottom basket. The second segment may include an integral splint guide capable of receiving inner reinforcement splints for the bottom of the shallow upper basket portion. Adjacent walls of the segments may be adapted for securely fitting and fastening the segments together.

Abstract: A working surface 14 is provided with a plurality of splint locators 15-18 and a bottom locating area 27 suitable for arranging basket splints 11A-C, 12A-C into a predetermined number and configuration of angularly related sets 11, 12. A slot 44, 45 and a linearly aligned set of sockets 48A-C, 49A-C are formed in the working surface 14 outwardly from two of the perimeter edge portions 21, 22 of the bottom locating area 27. An alignment rim 29, 30 is provided for positioning one end of each of the basket splints in one of the angularly related sets 11, 12. A bolt 50, 51 is slidably mounted in each of the slots 44, 45 and extends upwardly through each of the alignment rims 29, 30. A wing nut 56, 57 is threadedly mounted on each of the bolts 50, 51 for releasably tightening the alignment rims 29, 30 at selected sites on the working surface 14. A ring-headed pin 58, 59 extends downwardly through each of the alignment rims 29, 30 for releasably engaging a selected one of the sockets 48A-C, 49A-C.

Abstract: Each of two end sections and one middle section of the present basket form is formed with a centrally and axially disposed passageway and with a pair of diametrically opposing passageways spaced radially outwardly from the central passageway. All of the passageways in one of the sections are simultaneously alignable with corresponding passageways in the other sections. The central passageways are adapted to receive a mounting member. Each of the radially outwardly disposed passageways are adapted to receive a bolt, and a wing nut is tightened onto an outwardly projecting threaded end of each bolt to hold the separable sections of the form in alignment with one another. The middle section of the form may be removed and the two end sections held in alignment with one another to accommodate a shallower basket.

Abstract: A spring-actuated basket form including a platform, a spacer housed within a cavity recessed below the platform surface, and a pair of reinforcement guides. The reinforcement guides form a space therebetween capable of removably receiving a reinforcement splint during basket assembly. The spacer's perimeter wall communicates with the inner wall of the cavity. A spring is coupled to the spacer to facilitate tensioned movement of the spacer within the cavity. The spring urges the spacer and its associated movable reinforcement guide toward the other guide to retain a reinforcement splint within the space. An adjustable alignment rim may be provided on the platform surface at a distance from the reinforcement guides.

Abstract: A basket weaving form and method for use in conjunction with the contouring and weaving of a domed basket base. The invention includes a spider support having a contoured surface shaped similar to that of the under side of a desired basket base configuration. The spider support is adapted to receive a pin or nail previously pierced through the overlapping mid-point of a plurality of uniformally arranged, radially extending weaving spokes. Once thus temporarily afixed atop the basket weaving form, the spokes then forming a basket spider may be securely shaped over the spider receiving surface as lengths of weavers are woven back and forth around the weaving spokes to form the basket base.

Abstract: A support for a basket during weaving is disclosed. The support has a frame made up of a first column and a second column. A basket mold is supported on the first column and a foam rubber pad is rotatably supported on the second column. A hydraulic cylinder has a piston rod attached to the foam pad. The pad holds a basket bottom, having warp and weave members nailed to the basket bottom, to the basket mold. The basket can than be woven, the top handle installed and the completed basket removed from the mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new type of goods container which allows for economical transportation of bulk solids, especially low grade particulate matter. The container has a casing formed from woven metallic strips and is sealed from the inside. It is very strong and rigid providing it has been correctly filled and compacted. Novel apparatus for constructing the container is also provided as one method of filling and compacting the material to be transported. The container can be easily and quickly constructed at the filling site and scrapped at the end of its journey.

Abstract: A system for making woven articles and kits from which woven articles may be manufactured using the woven construction system are disclosed. The woven construction system includes the use of at least two spaced shaping bands which are interconnected by a plurality of vertical struts which are received within aligned holes in each of the shaping bands. The skeletal structure thus produced by the shaping bands and vertical struts can then be woven by an elongated weaving strip to produce a finished tubular woven construction. Several kits are disclosed which may be assembled into finished woven articles by persons not generally skilled in making woven objects without the use of additional jigs or fixtures.

Abstract: A method of making a basket-like or other decorative article from pine needles comprising the steps of twisting and arranging pine needles, stitching the pine needles with a sewing needle and thread, so as to form a surface or wall, forming a basket-like object, the outer and inner surfaces of which are sealed with a protective coating, such as varnish.