Abstract: Rotary-wing aircraft rotor comprising a rigid hub coupled to the root of each blade in which a trailing return brace comprises a stack of metal plates alternating with plates of visco-elastic material the ends of which being coupled via a ball joint respectively to the root of one blade and to a place of the hub such that the brace is always slightly inclined.

Abstract: A machine for drying and butt-jointing unwound or sectioned wood veneer by continuous contact engagement comprises an effective drying and jointing zone, which includes an input conveyor and an output conveyor driven independently, each including an upper set and a lower set forming pairs of endless chains with pallets. The chains each have an active run and a return run; sprockets and roller means running on supporting guiderails drive said chains simultaneously. Pairs of said active runs face each other and compress the veneer therebetween and convey it in the longitudinal direction of the machine. The return runs are heated. First pressure means are positioned at the input of the effective zone, directly over the pairs of chains of the input conveyor; second pressure means are positioned at the output of the effective zone, directly over the pairs of chains of the output conveyor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a centrifugal brake for the line spool in a fishing reel, the characterizing feature of the invention being that the line spool carries at least two brake weights pivotally mounted on the spool, the brake weights being pivotal in axial planes which are parallel to the shaft of the line spool, and that the frame of the reel carries an axially adjustable but otherwise stationary brake surface for braking cooperation with the brake weights.

Abstract: A bendable and twistable element having a high level of tensile strength, while remaining flexible and bendable in respect of twisting is produced by individually forming in a mould unitary layers of resin impregnated cut lengths of a continuous member, with their ends located between resin impregnated layers of fabric, polymerizing the resin, locating a plurality of the unitary layers in a further mould with the interposition, between the superposed pairs of layers of fabric, of layers of glue, setting the glue by heating and compression to form rigid end members, injecting a viscous elastomer into the middle portion of the bundle of cut lengths of the several unitary layers and curing the elastomer. The elements have particular use for connecting helicopter rotor blades to a hub member.

Abstract: The proximity switch has a capacitive sensor which comprises a metallic support mounted on a printed circuit board and supporting, on a surface parallel to said board but facing away from it, a layer made of electrically conductive foam material. The latter nestles against a cover plate made of glass which provides the dielectric of a capacitive sensor actuatable by the stray field of the mains. When this alternating stray field is concentrated by a part of a human body brought into the vicinity of the sensor, the latter will actuate an electronic switch connected to it.

Abstract: Acrobatic performing figures with two strings passed through either the arms or the legs have the double string passing through hollow posts at double string ends to a rotatable roller and to the same roller at intermediate hollow posts between pairs of figures. The tension at the pivotal points of attachment of the arms and legs to the body of the figures is adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved system for propulsion of boats by winds and streams and for recovery of disposable energy from floating stations neither moored nor anchored, the improved system comprising:at least one aerial feathered propeller with its shaft, the propeller being mounted orientable in any azimuth direction contained in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to function as an aerogenerator as well as a propulsive screw;a superstructure supporting device on the floating unit adapted to permit orientation as desired of the aerial propeller in the direction of the wind;at least one nautic propeller screw with its shaft, mounted under the bottom of the floating unit and adapted to be capable of functioning as energy collecting turbine as well as propeller;a transmission system connecting the aerial propeller shaft to the nautic propeller shaft, the transmission being reversible and capable of including a torque conversion device to select during operations the direction of transmission

Abstract: The present invention concerns a snap switch comprising:a snap spring, which is fastened on a spring mount and carries at least one switching contact spaced therefrom,at least one contact stationary with respect to the spring mount, on which the switching contact lies in one switching position of the snap spring,a guide rod, which is pivotally mounted near the spring mount and is connected with said snap spring at a distance from its mounting as well as from the stationary contact and exhibits a point of application for an actuating force.a prestress spring, which acts on the guide rod and strives to keep this in a stop position with prestress,and an adjusting member for adjusting the prestress of said prestress spring.

Abstract: A correction method for transverse defocussing of paraboloid oriented relative to the source initially aligned with the focus consists of securing said paraboloid to first platform, articulating said first platform through hinge means jointed to second platform, itself articulated through further hinge means jointed to a stationary part, and then orienting said hinge means to said focus, while providing moving means for said platforms, said moving means being servocontrolled responsive to pointing error detector thereby to hold permanently said focus close to the source.Provision is also made of a parabolic antenna comprising means for carrying out said method. The system is applied to radio and TV broadcast apparatus aboard satellites.

Abstract: Rotary bodies possessing, in common, radially passive and axially active magnetic centering devices, eddy current dampers, emergency support systems, a drive motor and a motor switching sensor, and an axial velocity sensor to send correction signals to the axially active magnetic centering device with all of these members positioned at the maximum permitted axial limits, either inside or outside the rotor wall, whether the rotor is of an internal or external configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary-wing aircraft rotor.The rotor comprises a hub 1 connected to each blade 7a by a rigid yoke 8-9 gripping the root of blade 7a and a spherical abutment 17 secured at its center C to radial arms 5a, 6a of hub 1 and bearing on its convex side against the inner end of yoke 8-9. According to the invention, an annular visco-elastic shock-absorber 20, constituting a frequency-matching device, is disposed between the yoke 8-9 associated with each blade 7a and the corresponding pitch control device 24-29.The invention is of use inter alia in the manufacture of fast helicopter rotors having a hub which is very compact and can therefore be easily streamlined.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a latest modern fan device and, more particularly, to a fan device with novel simple construction which may be hung under ceiling for being used as fan and lamp.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the direct chill casting of non-ferrous metals comprising varying the chill depth of the mould independently of the level or quantity of liquid metal in the mould by relatively moving the mould and a "hot-top" which may be a sleeve of refractory material during casting. The invention also provides for semi-automatic and automatic casting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the orientation of antennae on a satellite possessing at least one antenna comprising a horn rigidly connected to the body of the satellite, a movable reflector mounted on an orientable platform and at least one radio-frequency sensor in the horn using said antenna to control the orientation of said reflector. The invention consists of: using a signal characterizing the pivoting of the orientable platform with respect to the body of the satellite to orient said satellite correctly with respect to the reflector in order to limit the pivoting of said platform; using the signals from at least one earth sensor in the same way as the signals from the radio-frequency sensor to control said reflector, so as to orient the beam towards the point sighted on the earth. The invention is particularly useful for the control of the orientation of antennae, particularly on a satellite.

Abstract: A marine bollard having a base supporting a column neck which carries a head with overlying portions projecting laterally outwardly above the neck, wherein the outer surface of the marine bollard is formed of thermosetting plastics resin, the column neck having walls defining a column cavity therein, said walls being formed of glass reinforcement impregnated with thermosetting plastics resin, the head being filled with a cured combination of thermosetting plastics resin and glass reinforcement, the base being formed by a cured combination of glass reinforcement and thermosetting plastics resin, together with a base filler material of high compressive strength. Metal inserts defining bolt holes are included in the bollard of a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A multiple pressure switch comprising a first and a second snap switch, which under spring pre-stress each assume a starting position and have a first and second point of application respectively for an actuating member, which is supported on a total of three application points lying on the corners of a conceived triangle, and with gradual increase of an external force acting on the actuating member within the triangle causes first the first and then the second snap switch to snap over into a final position. Relative to a base plane normal to the direction of application of the external force the first point of application in its starting position lies higher and in its end position lies deeper then the second point of application in its original position, and the second point of application in its starting position lies higher and in its end position lies lower than the third point of application.

Abstract: A temporary locking device for a rotor of an inertia wheel, sustained, with respect to a stator, by magnetic means and associated with two emergency bearings having a conical bearing surface for each said emergency bearing. A complementary conical bearing surface is provided for each of said conical bearing surfaces, one of the two conical bearing surfaces being able to come into mechanical contact with said complementary bearing surface, and one of said complementary bearing surfaces being rendered axially movable. Thus the rotor can be immobilized against three degrees of freedom, two radially and one axially, after placing said bearing surfaces in mechanical contact, said rotor remaining free to rotate. The device is particularly useful for satellites.

Abstract: A rotary device acting as a lock between two parts and affording a supplementary function of hinging the two parts after the parts have been primarily locked. Each of the two semi-circular bolts which are not attached to one another becomes a flap carrying a hinge portion disposed in such a way that the hinge portions of the flaps are aligned with one another when the diameters of the flaps are placed side by side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fishing reel having a hand crank, a transmission connected to the hand crank for retrieval of the fishing line, and a sliding clutch adjustable by means of a control mechanism for a line spool which is rotatable by means of the line at a pull in the line sufficient to overcome the brake force of the sliding clutch. The invention is characterized by a power transmission mechanism between a transmission element and the sliding clutch, which power transmission mechanism is operable by a torque from the hand crank on line retrieval and adapted, when operated by such torque, to transmit a force corresponding to said torque to the sliding clutch as an addition to the brake force set by means of the control mechanism.

Abstract: A retractable mechanism for a writing element especially the expendable refill of a ball-point writing pen, is disclosed. A manually depressible plunger (4) advances a latch member (7) biased to retract the plunger (4). The latch member (7) has a pair of latch arms (11,12) one of which in an advanced or retracted position thereof engage a latch means (5,6). Depression of the plunger (4) releases the engaged latch arm (11 or 12) from its latch means (5,6). The resultant of the force on the plunger (4) and bias on the writing element (1) then laterally aligns the other latch arm (12 or 11) with its latch means (6 or 5). On release of the plunger (4), the bias on the writing element (1) brings a co-operating notch (16) and pivot edge (15) of the aligned latch arm (11,12) and latch means (5,6) into register for pivot action therebetween.