Abstract: A removable downspout system for use with conventional gutter systems includes a spout mated with a gutter of the gutter system, a box mated with a downspout for the gutter system, and components for removably mating the downspout fitted with the box to the gutter fitted with the spout. The spout and the box mate with one another, as nested structures, to prevent leakage at the junction between the spout and the box. A base is provided for attaching the downspout to the receiving structure, and a clip cooperates with the base for removably retaining the downspout to the base. As an alternative, a support structure is provided for mating the downspout with an underground system of pipe, and is fitted over the entrance to the underground system of pipe. A clamp is also provided for attaching the downspout to the receiving structure, in cooperation with a clip for removably retaining the downspout to the clamp.

Abstract: A dental handpiece (1) includes mechanical components, in particular, a tool-holder assembly for the attachment and for the rotational driving of a dental instrument about a drive axis (6) and an assembly for the transmission of such movement. The mechanical components are mounted in the interior of a body (2) having a head (4) and a handle (3). The mechanical components of the handle and the head of the handpiece are electrically connected by an elastic and electrically conducting connecting device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer (14) is mated with a thread-forming fastener (12) to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener (10) that can be used for precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener (10) during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener (10) after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.

Abstract: A system is provided for both reading an optical identification mark, such as a bar code, on a fastener and for making ultrasonic load measurements in the fastener using a single probe for use during fastener installation with assembly tools and for the inspection of load in preinstalled fasteners. The probe includes both a fiber optic imaging cable and at least one electrical conductor. The fiber optic imaging cable is optically coupled to an imaging device such as a bar code reader allowing the bar code reader to be located remote from the fastener. The electrical conductor provides an electrical connection from the ultrasonic transducer on the fastener to load measurement instrumentation. The probe is further capable of providing illumination of the bar code to facilitate reading of the bar code.

Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.

Abstract: An ultrasonic load measurement transducer is mated with a thread-forming fastener to provide a load indicating thread-forming fastener that can be used for the precise and reliable assembly of critical bolted joints, such as those in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others. Steps can then be taken to accurately measure and control the load in the thread-forming fastener during tightening, and to inspect the load in the thread-forming fastener after assembly. A similar result can be achieved for a thread-locking fastener by mating an ultrasonic transducer with the thread-locking fastener assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical part useful in various fields of application including plastic and metal processing is produced using a computer-aided design process including a preliminary break-down of the body of the part into elementary strata, followed by manufacture of the elementary strata, and reconstruction of the part. During break-down of the part, at least one fluid transport circuit, which is designed and modeled beforehand, is broken down into elementary chambers (20) in accordance with the break-down of the part. The elementary chambers are produced in the elementary strata (7i) forming the part during manufacture of the strata, and the fluid transport circuit is reconstructed during superposition and assembly of the strata.

Abstract: Pneumatic tightening tools can be used for high speed assembly of critical bolts to precise loads by dynamically controlling the output power of the pneumatic tool during a tightening cycle using an electronically controlled air pressure regulator to reduce the tightening rate, or the load increase per impact for impact or impulse tools, to enable the tool to be stopped precisely at a specified stopping load or torque. For prevailing torque fasteners, the output power of the pneumatic tool is dynamically controlled to minimize the speed of rotation during rundown, to minimize the heating effects associated with such torque fasteners, and to then increase the power from the tool, as required, to provide the torque to reach the specified stopping load or torque. The maximum air pressure supplied to the pneumatic tool can be limited, depending on the expected torque required to tighten the fastener to the specified load or torque.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a condiment grinder or a foodstuff breaking unit includes a cassette having an adjusting ring (3), a dish-supporting slide (2) and a fixing washer (1).

Abstract: A blank for use in producing an endodontic instrument using a grinding technique includes a cylindrical portion, and a generally conical portion which is to be machined by the grinding technique to form the active part of the endodontic instrument. The generally conical portion of the blank approximates, and is slightly larger than the envelope of the final shape given to the active part of the endodontic instrument after machining. A method is also provided for producing an endodontic instrument having at least one helical cutting edge using the blank.

Abstract: A dental power instrument, in particular, an endodontic instrument, has an operative part (2) at one end and a handle (3) at the opposite end. The handle (3) of the dental instrument is provided with a rotary drive (4) which, when mounted in the head (5) of a handpiece, can directly engage with a rotary drive (4?) upstream of the head. The rotary drive (4) can be inserted and withdrawn independently of the rotary drive (4?) associated with the head of the handpiece, and rotates in the same direction as the rotary drive (4?) associated with the handpiece. Also provided is a handpiece head (5) and a dispenser (30) for such dental power instruments.

Abstract: A sequence of canal instruments for performing an endodontic operating protocol uses a sequence of several instruments, for example, three such instruments with three cutting blades. The instruments have a progressive conicity, for example, 6%, 4% and 2%, and each instrument has an identical progressive pitch. The pitch further increases progressively from instrument to instrument as a function of the conicity of each instrument.

Abstract: In a method for optimizing the joints between layers along portions of the layers which are flush with the surface of a part obtained by computer-aided modeling or prototyping involving layer decomposition, the connecting profile of two successive layers is mathematically and numerically defined using an algorithm in which the surface of the joint at the end zone adjacent to the flush portions is always substantially normal to the plane tangential to the surface of the part along the flush portions.

Abstract: A mill for grinding seasonings, particularly moist salts such as Guérande salt, includes a body and a cap covering the body. A drive shaft is received within the body and has a device for breaking up the seasoning.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the grinding of a condiment in a mill includes a drive element having a thimble 6, a thimble support 4, a wheel 9 and a fixing ring 11 for attachment to the mill. Rotational movement of an adjustment ring 3 fitted with an adjustment stop 5 independent of the device results in translational movement of the thimble support 4.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing hot beverages, in particular soups, includes a frame (1) containing a heating system (2) for heating water drawn from a water main or, alternatively, from a tank, and for converting the water into pressurized steam. The steam is delivered to a heating chamber (3) having a discharge duct (4) that passes through the heating chamber. A beverage to be prepared is stored in an aseptic pack (61) placed in a removable receptacle (7) housed in the frame (1). The liquid beverage is delivered from the aseptic pack (61) to the discharge duct (4) by a sequential dispenser (6), and is then discharged to a container (5).

Abstract: A load indicating member is provided with an identifying element which can be accessed and used to determine ultrasonic measurement parameters specific to the load indicating member to provide more precise and more reliable load measurements by compensating for differences resulting from manufacturing variations in individual load indicating members. The parameters specific to the load indicating member can be stored in coding applied to the load indicating member or in a database that can be accessed remotely, for example, using the Internet.