Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for riveting materials by means of a blind rivet and corresponding blind rivets. The process of the invention in particular carries out the step of stretching the body of the sleeve (31) before blocking it from one part to another of an assemblage (13, 14) between an abutment head (50) and a blocking head (51). The extending of the body of the sleeve is especially permitted by the cooperation of a stop means (44) with a shoulder (36a) of the shank of the mandrel (32), and by the pulling exerted on the mandrel. The present invention also relates to blind rivets adapted to be set by the process of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for accommodating and handling excess deliveries of combined sewage overflows to a sewage treatment plant supported and contained within an offshore moored vessel or platform, by diverting the excess deliveries to ballast tanks for temporary displacement of clean ballast water and to be returned to the treatment system when excess deliveries of combined sewage overflow are relieved. Fluids contained within the ballast tanks are utilized to provide buoyant support for process tankage. Baffles within the ballast tanks minimize undesirable mixing of the combined sewage overflows with the resident clean ballast water.

Abstract: A device for replacing all or part of the posterior vertebral articular process (3, 13), engaging a support (7) and members for anchoring same to the vertebra, wherein each complete (5) or partial (1, 11), upper (1, 5) and/or lower (11) prosthesis mimics the anatomical shape of the posterior vertebral articular process and comprises artificial sliding surfaces (2, 12) facing one another between at least two adjacent vertebrae while adapting to the physiological orientation thereof, and the anchoring members comprise a support (7) with a convex surface matching and engaging at least one portion of the concave surface of the posterior arch of the vertebra on at least one side of the spinous process (9), and rigidly connect at least one separate portion of the support (7), to a corresponding separate portion of the vertebra.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system comprising a core memory (RAM), processing units (CPU.sub.1 -CPU.sub.j), each being provided with a cache memory (MCj), a directory (RG.sub.j) and a management processor (PG.sub.j); the core memory (RAM) is connected to an assembly of shift registers (RDM.sub.1 -RDM.sub.j) in such a way as to permit, in one cycle of the memory, a parallel transfer by reading or writing of data blocks; each cache memory (MC.sub.j) is connected to a shift register (RDP.sub.j)in such a way as to permit a parallel transfer by reading or writing of data blocks. An assembly of series connections, (LS.sub.1 -LS.sub.n) is provided between the assembly of memory shift registers and the assembly of processor shift registers to permit the transfer of data blocks between each pair of associated registers (RDM.sub.j -RDP.sub.j); the addresses of the data blocks can be transmitted between processor (CPU.sub.j) and the core memory (RAM) either by the series connections or by a common address bus (BUS A).

Abstract: An automobile frame machine includes a platform, one or more pull towers pivotally connected about a vertical axis fixed to the platform, and a step assembly which provides simple access to the platform of the frame machine at a strategic location near one of the pull towers. The step assembly may be hingedly or rigidly secured to a side face of the pull tower arm portion, or alternatively, may be secured as an overlay atop the top and side faces of the pull tower arm portion.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling the pressure of inert purge gas flowing in two pipes to be welded at a joint comprising a sleeve for encircling the pipes during their coaxial alignment in end to end abutment, and an associated element with the sleeve forming a sealed chamber surrounding the joint and receiving gas that leaks out from the joint at the same pressure as the gas in the pipes, and a connection for connecting the chamber for measuring the pressure of the gas therein as an indication of the pressure of the gas flowing in the pipes; the method includes clamping the device around the pipes or sliding the pipes into the device.

Abstract: A backpressure controlling device for welding purge gas comprising a vertically oriented cylindrical housing, a water outlet at the bottom of the housing and a water outlet in the wall of the housing and spaced up from the bottom of the housing, the water outlets defining a water volume space in the housing, a gas inlet tube and a concentric gas outlet tube surrounding the gas inlet tube, the gas inlet tube being adjustably positioned in the housing and having a length such that one end thereof extends below the water inlet and the other end thereof extending out of the housing for connection to a pipeline carrying purge gas, the gas outlet tube being secured to a spacer wall spaced from the upper end of the housing and extending to a point above the water outlet and communicating with the exterior of the housing through openings in the wall of the housing above the spacer wall, the housing being of a size such that the volume of the space above the water inlet is at least about one and one-half times as grea

Abstract: A thrust reverser comprising a pair of symmetrical thrust reverser doors pivotally mounted on an axis which is substantially diametrically positioned with respect to the exhaust nozzle of an engine, hinge fittings secured to the doors, pivot brackets secured to a fixed part of the engine, pivot bolts securing the hinge fittings of the thrust reverser doors to the pivot brackets and forming the pivot axis for the doors, the pivot brackets having elongated openings formed therein for receiving the pivot bolts, the pivot bolts having elongated shoulders for engaging one of the elongated openings and positioning the pivot bolts therein, and a washer having an elongated boss for engaging another of the elongated openings and thereby positioning the pivot bolt in the elongated openings. A method for carrying out the trimming of the throat area is also disclosed and comprises changing the pivot bolts in order to shift the pivot axis from its original position to a new, offset position.

Abstract: A liquid distribution device for connection to a sewage disposal system comprising a manifold pipe having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet being oriented for connection to a source of liquid sewage effluent, and the outlets each being oriented for connection to a lead or header line in a drainfield of the system, the outlets being substantially coplanar with each other and with the manifold pipe, and an orifice in each of the outlets for controlling the flow of liquid through the outlets to the absorption lines.

Abstract: A utility tray for use with a stepladder having a flat top step, the tray comprising a generally rectangular flat central portion, rectangular side tray compartments on opposite sides of the central portion and depending therefrom, a rectangular rear tray compartment on and depending from a third side of the central portion, and a flange depending from the fourth side of the central portion, each of the tray compartments being defined by vertical sides and a bottom orthogonal to the vertical sides; one side of each of said tray compartments forming with the flange a top step-receiving compartment, and a strap for releasably securing the utility tray to a stepladder.

Abstract: A cereal selector and dispenser comprising a cylindrical receptacle having a cover, a divider for separating the receptacle into three substantially equally sized compartments for containing cereals to be dispensed, and a mounting base for elevating the receptacle above a support surface, each of the compartments having a dispensing opening and a chute located at the bottom of each compartment, and spring biased, hinged flaps for obturating each respective dispensing opening, whereby a receiving bowl may be placed under one of the chutes and a desired quantity of a selected product may be dispensed into the receiving bowl by actuation of the one of the flaps positioned above the receiving bowl.

Abstract: A domestic air conditioning and/or heating method, particularly for apartment buildings, using an outside unit (2) and an inside unit (1) connected to one another via fluid and electrical lines (3). The outside unit (2) includes a compressor, a ventilation system and an exchanger while the inside unit (1) includes a ventilation system and an exchanger. A low pressure inside unit (1) supplies pressurized air at a pressure no higher than 8 mm and the air is bulk-fed into a false ceiling (6) forming a decompression chamber and comprises supply grills (15-17) for blowing air into each of the rooms to be served.

Abstract: Biological processes for treating wastewater include the conventional activated sludge process, which has continuous flow in and out of each treatment cell, and the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process, which operates on a batch fill and draw basis. The first process operates at a constant level and requires the use of dedicated, relatively expensive external clarifiers to settle mixed liquor suspended solids and recycle activated sludge. The second process does not use separate clarifiers because treatment and settling of mixed liquor suspended solids is accomplished in a single basin, but has a variable level operation and resulting inefficient use of the treatment volume. This substantially constant level biological wastewater treatment process and system enables efficient treatment of wastewater, combining the advantages and eliminating the disadvantages of both SBR and activated sludge processes.