Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle comprising a body roof having an opening capable of being closed and a folding top consisting of several rigid parts (3), (4), (5) and a modular roof assembly (1) mounted directly in one single piece on the vehicle structure, said assembly comprising the folding top, with its mobile parts (3), (4), (5), a frame (10) supporting the folding top, adapted to be positioned opposite marking elements (75) of the vehicle structure and connected thereto, the parts of the roof being mobile between an extended position, resulting from a forward displacement, and a folded position wherein said parts are substantially vertically retracted behind the seats (7), side by side, a mechanism (40, 50) for displacing the roof parts, borne by the support frame, being also provided, after the modular roof assembly has been positioned inside the vehicle, for displacing said roof parts relative to the roof opening between their extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A construction element of reinforced-concrete panel (1) in which is embedded a reinforcement framework includes at least one main framework layer extending along a tensioned outer face (11) of the element (1) and to which an inner framework (3) is attached for securing to the concrete, extending to the thickness of the element (1), the latter being produced, after the placement of the reinforcement framework, by pouring concrete onto a thin continuous wall (2) forming a sacrificial formwork. The thin wall (2) forming the sacrificial formwork extends along the tensioned face (11) of the element (1) and at the same time forms the main framework layer of the element (1), the nature and thickness of the thin wall (2) being determined so as to withstand the tensile stresses generated by the forces applied to the element (1) without the risk of separation from the concrete.

Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission for private cars or commercial vehicles includes input and output shafts, two power paths, a double planetary gear train, first and second brakes. The first power path has a first speed ratio and includes first and second clutches. The second power path has a second speed ratio, which is greater than the first speed ratio and in the same direction, with third and fourth clutches. The transmission has eight forward and two reverse speeds and is highly flexible. In one embodiment, the transmission is reduced to six forward and one reverse speed without the second clutch. In another embodiment, the input and output shafts are aligned and the ratios are supplied respectively by a planetary gear train and a direct drive. In another embodiment, the input and output shafts are parallel and the ratios are supplied respectively by two parallel gear trains including constant mesh gears.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tensioning the retractable top of a motor vehicle (1). Said top comprises a front element (2) and a rear element (3) which are displaceable between the closed and opened positions thereof. The displacement of said elements is controlled by two articulated arms (6, 7). The inventive device is provided with arresting means (9) carried by the first arm (7) in such a way that is abuts against the second arm (6) when two elements (2, 3) of the top are relatively near to the closed position thereof. The arresting means (9) are provided with elastic means able to resist to the relative motion of the arms (6, 7) when the elements of the top (2, 3) are displaced from the relative position thereof, which is near to the closed position, and move towards said closed position.

Abstract: A roof for a vehicle comprising several roof elements that can be displaced between a first position above the passenger compartment and a second position in which they are stowed inside the boot, the roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively front and rear parts of the body structure of the vehicle via securing elements controlled by rigid rods driven by an electric motor. These rods are constantly connected to each other in pairs from one of the roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of these elements, by a cable transmitting the movement generated by the electric motor between the rods and allowing to secure the roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in their first as in their second positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing patterned textile labels during which a production machine, which is controlled by a pattern device (22), provides labels (E.sub.1 to E.sub.N)with a pattern (M), which is the same for all labels, and with pattern sections (T.sub. 1 to T.sub.N) that are different from one another. In order to improve production, a virtual label (V) is created from N individual labels E.sub.1 to E.sub.N)which are distributed over the width (B) and the length (L) of the virtual label (V) and which have N individual pattern sections (T.sub.1 to T.sub.N) that are different from one another, and then virtual label (V) is then divided into individual labels (E.sub.1 to E.sub.N).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gel for separating and/or purifying a gas mixture comprising a metal cation, a porous support, a gelling agent and a solvent. Associated devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device designed to control opening and closing of a trunk hood comprises a jack whereof the cylinder is pivotably linked to the vehicle body and the free end of the piston rod sliding in the cylinder is linked to the hood in articulation. The device further has a control member arranged between the hood and the free end of the piston rod and designed to detect a force in the direction closing the hood and to control actuation of the jack in the direction for closing the hood.

Abstract: The lid for a rear trunk of a vehicle having a roof foldable into the trunk is connected to the bodywork by device disposed at the front edge and at the rear edge of the lid and whose function is either to lock or to hinge the lid in a manner such that said lid can open either from the front backwards or from the rear forwards, and control device cause the lid to open in either of its opening directions or to be closed. According to the invention, the control device comprise at least one articulated arm and an actuator which is connected to the articulated arm and to the bodywork, and which is adapted to move the articulated arm and the lid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stowing an open top (1, 3, 5, 9) in a vehicle storage space (53). The top being initially closed, it consists in displacing the roof parts up to the inside of the storage space, some at least up to a first substantially vertically stowed position, then in displacing again said roof part(s) towards a substantially horizontal position located either in the upper part or in the lower part of the storage space (53), to clear horizontally an additional storage depth.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sliding roof system for a vehicle, comprising at least one front roof panel (40) and one rear roof panel (48), mobile relative to each other between a flush position and an offset position in height. One of the roof panels comprises assemblies of front and rear levers articulated to tilt between a low position and a high position wherein the panel involved is offset in height relative to its flush level. One of the panels comprises driving means for driving the lever assemblies either from the front rearwards, to raise the panel, or inversely, to shift it from its offset position towards its flush position. The lever assemblies engage guides (41, 44) adapted, upon controlled displacement from the front rearwards of the lever assemblies, to guide their tilting movement upwards and, upon reverse displacement, to guide their tilting movement downwards.

Abstract: The invention concerns a retractable roof consisting of at least two elements (1, 2) for a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment (7) and a rear deck (6), said roof including a front element (2) and a rear element (1) mobile between a first position wherein they cover the passenger compartment (7) and a second position wherein they are superimposed horizontally in the rear deck (6), the displacement of the rear element (1) towards the rear deck (6) being driven by at least an arm articulated (5) at one first of its ends to the chassis, and the front element (2) being linked to the rear element (1) via two levers (13, 14) articulated each at one first (15, 16) of its ends to said front element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable car roof, comprising several rigid roof elements that can be moved between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored in the vehicle's rear luggage compartment. This roof comprises the following: at least one rear central roof element (5) and one front central roof element (6); rear (7) and front (8) lateral roof elements; the rear central roof element articulated to the chassis of the vehicle around a first transverse axle (9) and the front central roof element articulated to the rear central roof element around a second transverse axle (10); the rear lateral elements articulated to the chassis and the front lateral elements articulated to the rear lateral roof elements.

Abstract: A separation container (110) is provided that includes a first container (111) for storing a first substance, a second container (112) for storing a second substance, and a frame (102) structurally located at a periphery of the first cavity and the second cavity that supports an elastic membrane (101) inter disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity to provide a tension seal. The elastic membrane can be completely retracted to allow the first substance to combine with the second substance responsive to a force applied to the separation container.

Abstract: Close to its front inner corner, each side plate is provided with an extension extending transversely inwards under the central plate and carrying a pivot member adapted to co-operate with a coaxial complementary pivot member fixed under the central plate, and in that each side plate is mounted to pivot about an axis that is common to the two pivot members, which axis is substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the central plate and arranged such that, in the pivoted position, each side plate is stowed substantially under the central plate. The system further advantageously comprising a device for causing each side plate to pivot relative to the central plate while the central plate is pivoting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle with a removable top, comprising a stowable rigid roof that is provided with a forward roof element (15) and a rear roof element (17), a stowing space for the roof, which is located between the seats and the rear hood of the vehicle, first displacement means (35) for moving the roof elements side by side when the roof is opened, and second pivoting means (37, 43, 47) for displacing the roof elements by pivoting said roof elements between the closed state of the roof in which the elements are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction and the open state of the roof in which the elements are disposed in an essentially vertical direction within the stowing space.

Abstract: A device used to facilitate the insertion of objects under a folded roof in the boot of a motor vehicle. The roof includes a rear element which is equipped with a finger bar that is designed to slide along a rail comprising a storage section, which is intended to guide the roof between a deployed position and a folded, stored position, and a raised section, which is intended to guide said roof between a folded, stored position and a folded, raised position. The device comprises a raising member which moves the above-mentioned finger along the length of the raised section. Moreover, a locking member is mounted to the raising member between an unlocked position and a locked position in which it blocks the auxiliary roof element in relation to the rear element when the roof is moved toward the folded, raised position thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable roof for a vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element (5) and a rigid rear roof element (4). It comprises a rear roof element at the rear roof thereof, guided by a first sliding rail (8) which is connected to the structure (1) of the vehicle and the front part thereof which is coupled to a second sliding rail (13) cooperating with a manoevring arm (10) which is coupled to the structure of the vehicle and which is actuated by drive means (9); a rigid element (18) connects the rear part of the rear roof element; the rear part of the front roof element is guided by a third sliding rail and the front part is coupled to the arm; means (21-23) are provided to cause the front roof element to slide on the third sliding rail.

Abstract: A multi-speed automatic transmission for private cars or commercial vehicles includes input and output shafts, two power paths, a double planetary gear train, first and second brakes. The first power path has a first speed ratio and includes first and second clutches. The second power path has a second speed ratio, which is greater than the first speed ratio and in the same direction, with third and fourth clutches. The transmission has eight forward and two reverse speeds and is highly flexible. In one embodiment, the transmission is reduced to six forward and one reverse speed without the second clutch. In another embodiment, the input and output shafts are aligned and the ratios are supplied respectively by a planetary gear train and a direct drive. In another embodiment, the input and output shafts are parallel and the ratios are supplied respectively by two parallel gear trains including constant mesh gears.