Abstract:
A method of making a resilient composite structure having an exposed reinforcing fabric layer free of structural foam and curable resin and for manufacturing a composite article utilizing the resilient composite structure. The method for manufacturing a composite article includes the steps of positioning at an attachment point within the first plastic shell a resilient foam core composite structure having an exposed reinforcing fabric layer attached to a non-woven fabric layer on one side thereof, the resilient foam core substantially filling interstices of the non-woven fabric layer, without substantially penetrating the reinforcing fabric layer; saturating said reinforcing fabric layer with a curable plastic resin; positioning said second plastic shell on said first plastic shell so that said resilient composite structure contacts an attachment point of said second plastic shell and is compressed between the plastic shells; and allowing said plastic resin to cure.
Abstract:
In a water sports board structure (3), a composite material shell (20) encloses a core (10) including a shaped body (11) made of a foam material obtained by a mixture of polylactic acid, preferably between 60% and 80% by weight, and of a polymer selected between an aliphatic polyester and an aliphatic/aromatic co-polyester. For the foam material, a biodegradable Ecovio EA material is preferably used, in particular Ecovio® EA200 or ECOVIO® 80EA2394EXP. In an exemplary embodiment, the shaped body (11) incorporates at least one, or preferably two cork longitudinal stringers (13) spaced apart from each other by about half the cross width of the core (10). The shell (20) can comprise a fibre layer (21,24), preferably of basalt fibres, impregnating with a resin, which can optionally form a resin layer (23,26) outside the fibre layers (21,24). A further resin-impregnated fabric layer (22) can be present between the core (10) and the fibre layer (21) of the shell (20). The above foam materials allow manufacturing boards that are at least 20% lighter than the conventional boards including polystyrene foam cores, and that have suitable elasticity while having excellent impact strength and/or resistance to abrasion, such a combination leading to high-performance water sports boards. Moreover, polylactic acid as well as the above aliphatic polyesters or aliphatic/aromatic co-polyesters are fully biodegradable, which allows environment-friendly disposal of the water sport boards of the invention, for instance, by composting, without forming any special waste.
Abstract:
A system and method for lighting a surface, for example a deck of a boat, spa, swim spa, pool, watercraft or vehicle, using backlighting such that decorative or other desired patterns of light may be created by forming cuts, outlines, thin sections, or voids in an overlay that is applied to the lighted surface, allowing light to pass through or around portions of the overlay material. In an exemplary use of the system and method of the invention, the surface may be the surface of a boat or spa. The surface may comprise transparent or translucent materials, allowing light from a first side of the decking, or light that is generated within the decking, to pass through the decking and to emanate from a second decking side, where the light may be blocked, partially blocked, or allowed to pass through the overlay material in any desired pattern or shape.
Abstract:
A system and method for lighting a surface, for example a deck of a boat, spa, swim spa, pool, watercraft or vehicle, using backlighting such that decorative or other desired patterns of light may be created by forming cuts, outlines, thin sections, or voids in an overlay that is applied to the lighted surface, allowing light to pass through or around portions of the overlay material. In an exemplary use of the system and method of the invention, the surface may be the surface of a boat or spa. The surface may comprise transparent or translucent materials, allowing light from a first side of the decking, or light that is generated within the decking, to pass through the decking and to emanate from a second decking side, where the light may be blocked, partially blocked, or allowed to pass through the overlay material in any desired pattern or shape.
Abstract:
An eco-friendly buoy includes a foam including a cylindrical accommodation space in the interior of the foam, and coupling grooves at predetermined intervals at an outer surface circumference of the foam in order to fasten the foam to fixing members through wire; and a protective layer formed on an entire outer surface of the foam and protecting the foam from damage by waves or wind. The eco-friendly buoy is manufactured from eco-friendly expanded polypropylene and expanded styrene and has a protective layer on an outer surface thereof, thereby being protected from damage by waves or wind. In addition, the eco-friendly buoy may be used for a long time, thus reducing maintenance costs.
Abstract:
A collar assembly for a watercraft includes an elongate tubular casing with a lengthwise sealable opening. A foam core is removably positioned in the tubular casing, and includes a body portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced foam springs that extend outwardly to engage the tubular casing, to bias the foam core towards a center position in the tubular casing. In some embodiments a body portion of the foam core has a circular cross section, and the foam springs are co-formed with the body portion. In some embodiments the foam core comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections that are enclosed in a membrane having an inflation valve that extends through the tubular casing.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an underwater floating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: an insert (4) comprising a thermoplastic material and a hollow tube (7), a foam (5) of a thermoplastic material, at least partly covering the insert (4), an outer skin (6) comprising a thermoplastic material formed by injection molding over the foam and configured for being in contact with water during use.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an underwater floating device (1) characterized in that it comprises: an insert (4) comprising a thermoplastic material and a hollow tube (7), a foam (5) of a thermoplastic material, at least partly covering the insert (4), an outer skin (6) comprising a thermoplastic material formed by injection molding over the foam and configured for being in contact with water during use.