The present invention can provide a fiber-reinforced expanded particle molded article having a reinforcing material fused and integrated with the surface of an expanded molded article, wherein the reinforcing material is a fabric or a braided product produced by weaving a linear composite material produced by melting and integrating a thermoplastic fiber comprising a low-melting component fiber and a high-melting component fiber, as two or more threads selected from the group consisting of a warp, a weft and a slant thread, the fiber-reinforced expanded particle molded article exhibiting an excellent reinforcing effect; and a method for economically producing the molded article by in-mold molding with a small number of steps.

A method of producing a component for an article of footwear or apparel or a sporting goods accessory. The method of producing a component includes forming at least a first layer by braiding a first braided tube. Braiding may be performed with an empty braiding center. The method further includes arranging the first layer on a form.

A method of producing a component for an article of footwear or apparel or a sporting goods accessory. The method of producing a component includes forming at least a first layer by braiding a first braided tube. Braiding may be performed with an empty braiding center. The method further includes arranging the first layer on a form.

A protective textile sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a seamless, tubular braided wall having a plurality of yarns braided with one another. A plurality of the yarns are high temperature, non-heat-shrinkable yarns and a plurality of the yarns are heat-shrinkable yarns, wherein the heat-shrinkable yarns are shrinkable at a temperature that does not cause the high temperature, non-heat-shrinkable yarns to shrink. The sleeve has a first length and first thickness upon being braided, and a second length that less than the first length and a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness upon being exposed to a single heat-treat process.

A protective textile sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a seamless, tubular braided wall having a plurality of yarns braided with one another. A plurality of the yarns are high temperature, non-heat-shrinkable yarns and a plurality of the yarns are heat-shrinkable yarns, wherein the heat-shrinkable yarns are shrinkable at a temperature that does not cause the high temperature, non-heat-shrinkable yarns to shrink. The sleeve has a first length and first thickness upon being braided, and a second length that less than the first length and a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness upon being exposed to a single heat-treat process.

An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end and an intermediate region disposed therebetween. The elongated tubular member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The elongated tubular member may comprise at least one twisted filament, such as a knitted filament having a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending between adjacent twisted knit stitches, or a plurality of helical filaments twisted with a plurality of longitudinal filaments.

A tie down ratchet and strap includes, a ratchet shaft rotatably mounted in a ratchet body having a slot for receiving a wind-up strap therethough, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the ratchet shaft, a ratchet handle with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheels to rotate the ratchet shaft, a locking bar securing the ratchet wheels and ratchet shaft in position when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheels, an anchor strap with a connector for securing the ratchet assembly to a first anchor point, and a wind-up strap including a non-metallic fabric strap with a braided metal outer cover extending continuously over the length of the non-metallic fabric strap.

A tie down ratchet and strap includes, a ratchet shaft rotatably mounted in a ratchet body having a slot for receiving a wind-up strap therethough, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the ratchet shaft, a ratchet handle with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheels to rotate the ratchet shaft, a locking bar securing the ratchet wheels and ratchet shaft in position when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheels, an anchor strap with a connector for securing the ratchet assembly to a first anchor point, and a wind-up strap including a non-metallic fabric strap with a braided metal outer cover extending continuously over the length of the non-metallic fabric strap.

A method for making an improved nuclear fuel cladding tube includes reinforcing a Zr alloy tube by first winding or braiding ceramic yarn directly around the tube to form a ceramic covering, then physically bonding the ceramic covering to the tube by applying a first coating selected from the group consisting of Nb, Nb alloy, Nb oxide, Cr, Cr oxide, Cr alloy, or combinations thereof, by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process to provide structural support member for the Zr tube, and optionally applying a second coating and optionally applying a third coating by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process. If the tube softens at 800° C.-1000° C., the structural support tube will reinforce the Zr alloy tube against ballooning and bursting, thereby preventing the release of fission products to the reactor coolant.

A method for making an improved nuclear fuel cladding tube includes reinforcing a Zr alloy tube by first winding or braiding ceramic yarn directly around the tube to form a ceramic covering, then physically bonding the ceramic covering to the tube by applying a first coating selected from the group consisting of Nb, Nb alloy, Nb oxide, Cr, Cr oxide, Cr alloy, or combinations thereof, by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process to provide structural support member for the Zr tube, and optionally applying a second coating and optionally applying a third coating by one of a thermal deposition process or a physical deposition process. If the tube softens at 800° C.-1000° C., the structural support tube will reinforce the Zr alloy tube against ballooning and bursting, thereby preventing the release of fission products to the reactor coolant.