A modular utility vehicle construct that is light weight yet robust is provided. The construct is formed with a composite open area core sandwich structure capable of withstanding typical wear and tear and environmental elements experienced by utility vehicle compartments. The use of the composite sandwich structure allows for replacement of traditional materials such as steel or aluminum, without a loss of strength, in a vehicle's containment construct while also reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and increasing the ability to customize the vehicle's utility features to suit the specific needs of the purchaser.

An insulated spa cover (10) contains a thermal insulating core (30), a top cover (150) with an average permeance of at least 57.2 nanograms/Pascal*seconds*square meters, and a hydrostatic head test value of at least 5,000 Pascals, a vapor barrier (130) and optionally a bottom sheet (140) apart from the vapor barrier. Venting pathways are defined around the thermally insulating core to facilitate escape of water vapor.

A cellular structure may include a plurality of cells each having a twelve-cornered cross section. The twelve-cornered cross section may include twelve sides and twelve corners creating nine internal angles and three external angles. Each cell may include a plurality of longitudinal walls extending between a top and a bottom of the cell, the longitudinal walls intersecting to create corners of the cell. A structural component may include at least one wall surrounding a component interior space with a cellular structure having at least two cells positioned within the interior space. A sandwich structure may include first and second planar structures, and a cellular structure positioned between the first and second substantially planar structures.

Anti-slip coverings for underlying surfaces are shown and described. The anti-slip coverings include a layer made of a semi-flexible material that is configured to receive contact from an object and has slits at least partially extended through the layer. The layer includes a cut-out pattern comprised of a plurality of cut outs cooperatively aligned with the slits to enable the slits to at least partially open when one or more of a downward force and a horizontal force is applied by the object onto the anti-slip covering. In some examples, the anti-slip covering includes a second layer disposed between the first layer and the underlying surface to allow compression of the first layer when a downward force is applied on the anti-slip covering.

The compressible sealing element (1) comprises at least one piece made of a resilient foam (17). This foam has an open-cell content of at least 50% and has such a hardness that it requires a force of less than 2000 N to compress the sealing element (1) per meter length thereof to such an extent that the volume of a rectangular cuboid circumscribing the sealing element is reduced by 40%. The sealing element comprises a water-impermeable cover layer (18) which extends at least over its top surface. The sealing element is intended for filling at least partially the gaps between the stock rails (13) and the switch rails (12) in a railway switch to prevent the switch from being blocked in particular by snow. Advantages of the new sealing element is that it can easier be inserted in these gaps and that it has a smaller effect on the force required to close the switch so that it can also be applied closer to the free extremity of the switch rail (12).

A method of making a light weight housing for an internal component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a first metallic foam core into a desired configuration; forming a second metallic foam core into a desired configuration; inserting an internal component into the first metallic foam core; placing the second metallic foam core adjacent to the first metallic core in order to secure the internal component between the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core; and securing an inlet fitting and an outlet fitting to the housing, wherein a thermal management fluid path for the internal component into and out of the housing is provided by the inlet fitting and the outlet fitting.

A method of making a light weight housing for an internal component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a first metallic foam core into a desired configuration; forming a second metallic foam core into a desired configuration; inserting an internal component into the first metallic foam core; placing the second metallic foam adjacent to the first metallic core in order to secure the internal component between the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core; and applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core.

Protective sleeves for portable electronic devices or thermally sensitive pharmaceuticals are provided. More particularly, embodiments relate to a protective sleeve that is capable of protecting a portable electronic device or a thermally sensitive pharmaceutical enclosed within from multiple environmental effects, including heat, cold, water, impact forces from being dropped, and germs and bacteria. In embodiments, provided is a protective sleeve comprising: an outer layer of material with a reflective surface; and an inner layer of material with a protective surface that can include an antimicrobial agent; wherein the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material are layered together and configured to receive a portable electronic device or thermally sensitive pharmaceutical. A thermal masking material and products thereof which can be used in a variety of applications where reduced visibility and heat detection is desired such as military, law enforcement, and hunting are also described.

A method of making a light weight component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a metallic foam core into a desired configuration; applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the metallic foam core after it has been formed into the desired configuration; and attenuating the component to a desired frequency by forming a plurality of openings in the external metallic shell.

A vessel includes a vessel wall and an insulation assembly coupled to the vessel wall. The insulation assembly includes a stochastic foam material and a microtruss structure encased within the foam material. The microtruss structure includes a plurality of truss members interconnected at a plurality of nodes. Each truss member is in contact with the foam material such that the microtruss structure provides a structural core for the foam material.