Abstract: A paddle button, operable by a user, includes first and second paddles mechanically attached to each other only via a separable zone so as to allow only simultaneous movement of the first and second paddles as long as no blocking of one of the paddles relative to the other occurs. The separable zone is capable of yielding as soon as the difference between the pressing forces exerted, on the first and second paddles respectively, exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is adjusted so as to be crossed if the user presses on one of the paddles while the movement of the other of the paddles is blocked.

Abstract: A human-machine interface comprises a return mechanism for returning a utensil to its neutral position. The return mechanism comprises a rocker suspended on first and second springs. This rocker is rotatable about a second axis and comprises first and second side-wings that are each situated on a respective side of a median plane containing a first axis about which the utensil rotates. These first and second side-wings comprise first and second regions for accommodating one end of the first and second springs, respectively, the orthogonal projection of the second accommodating region, in a plane containing the first and second axes being situated entirely between the first and second axes.

Abstract: A human-machine interface comprising: —a magnetic rocker rotatably movable between a rest position wherein an implement is maintained in a neutral position and a tilted position wherein the implement is in a reclined position, —a magnetic assembly, attached to a frame, capable of cooperating with the magnetic rocker to generate a magnetic return force that constantly urges the magnetic rocker towards its rest position, —a sliding connection comprising a flange and a slide, and —the implement comprises one of the slides, and the flange and the magnetic rocker comprise the other of the slide and the flange such that the sliding connection transforms the movement of the implement towards the reclined position by moving the magnetic rocker towards its tilted position and vice versa.

Abstract: Control device comprising a manual control member connected to control means designed to send control orders and comprising first means for indexing the position of said manual control member. The first means for indexing comprise at least one magnetized magnetic element comprising at least one of the magnetic poles having a circumference cut such as to form a first notched profile, and comprises a ferromagnetic indexing support comprising at least one second notched profile. Said respective notched profiles of the magnetized magnetic element and of the indexing support are designed to be placed facing one another so that a magnetic flux flowing between said magnetized magnetic element and said indexing support varies in the course of movement of the manual control means.

Abstract: An automatic payment machine is provided for electronically checking the validity of instruments of payment with deliverance of a voucher. It includes means for maintaining the voucher in a waiting position in the path of the instrument of payment so that this latter takes it along with it when it passes, for restoring the instrument and the voucher simultaneously.

Abstract: A digital timer with constant resolution comprising a clock and a chain of binary down-counters, each of which corresponds to a timing range which is a mutiple of that of the preceding down-counter. The binary outputs of the down-counters are fed in parallel to display points of a first set of display points, enabling means being provided so that only the output of the most significant down-counter not at zero actuates the display points. A display point of a second set of display points is associated with each down-counter so that only the display point corresponding to the most significant down-counter not at zero is actuated.

Abstract: A permanent connection public telephone appliance is provided for connection to the switched network by a connection unit. It is permanently fed with power romotely by a source of the connection unit connected in parallel across the line of the appliance. The switched network is isolated from the source by capacitors. Line connection to the appliance is provided by a relay of the connection unit.

Abstract: A universal electronic payment terminal base comprising an application and transaction microprocessor (4), with its power supply source (8) and being capable of receiving information identifying memory card holders, and a reader (6) of these cards controlled by the microprocessor (4). The source (8) also serves for programming the cards and delivers a voltage at most equal to the smallest of the programming voltages required. Between the low weight source (8) and the reader (6) a voltage booster (51) is provided for boosting the voltage to a constant level higher than the largest of the programming voltages, and a step by step voltage dropper (53) controlled by a variable cyclic ratio pulse generator (36).

Abstract: A method and device are provided for measuring the propagation time of a wave, wherein a wave is transmitted modulated in amplitude by a modulation signal. The wave reflected by an obstacle is received after a propagation time and the amplitude thereof is detected. The average value of the product of the detected signal and a reference signal is calculated and the delay with respect to the modulation signal is controlled so as to cancel out the average value. The modulation signal and the reference signal comprise a succession of elementary signals chosen so as to allow, in a single measurement, a long propagation time to be determined without ambiguity and with high accuracy.

Abstract: An accelerometer is provided comprising an inertial mass connected to a support by means of a hinge and a vibrating element whose ends are respectively fixed to the inertial mass and to the support. The hinge is disposed in the median plane of the vibrating element and the centers of gravity of the vibrating element and of the inertial mass are merged. The effects of internal thermal stresses, which vitiate the results, are considerably reduced.

Abstract: A device is provided for the temperature measurement and thermal protection of an object and more particularly of an electronic "solid state" circuit, using an analog network representative of a thermal model of the circuit to be protected. It comprises, on the one hand, an initialization device for, at the time of switching on, positioning the state of the thermal model at an operating point representative of the real temperature of the object to be protected and, on the other hand, elements isolating the analog network thus allowing it to be representative of the real thermal state of the circuit to be protected, whatever the state of the circuits internal to said device. The device is appropriate for thermal protection of an electronic power controller.

Abstract: A light panel for the electrical mounting of components of airborne equipment is disclosed and comprises a first rigid plate having a plurality of holes for allowing component operating knobs to pass therethrough, a plurality of rings for individually guiding the knobs as well as holding components associated with the knobs in a fixed position, a printed circuit board having holes corresponding to like holes in the rigid plate and including conducting tracks for supplying electric power to microlamps which illuminate the knobs, and an insulating support plate for supporting component housings and electrically connecting the components to electrical conductors.

Abstract: The invention provides a string resonator vibrating under flexion whose oscillation is maintained by piezoelectric, electrostatic or magnetic exitation means.Decoupling is obtained by inertia masses which oscillate in the vibration plane of the string, between the string and fixing supports, with a movement of rotation about an axis orthogonal to the vibration plane of the string and at the level of flexible elements. The resonator is easy to manufacture, inexpensive and hase a good coefficient of quality. It may be used for force, pressure sensors or gyroscopes.

Abstract: A microswitch comprises a compression spring abutting onto an insulating base which supports conducting terminals, the spring exerting indirectly a permanent tension force on flexible lateral arms of a blade pivotably mounted on one of the terminals with its free end being movable between the other terminals. The tension force is exerted via a pivoting point on an oscillating lever guiding an applied control force and sliding on the insulating base by one of its ends which is opposite another of its ends which pivotably mounts the lateral arms of the blade and which applies the tension force of the compression spring thereto.

Abstract: The device according to the invention is intended for controlling the electrical continuity of the equipotential branchings of multi-layer printed circuits. It comprises selectors of a model of printed circuit to be controlled in order to effect, by superposition with the latter, the selection from the assembly E of the conductor elements accessible on at least one of the outer faces of the circuit, of two distinct sub-assemblies Ei and Ec, such that E=Ei+Ec; means for scanning said selectors in order to effect, by displacements in contact with the latter, detection of the defects in continuity; and indicators for translating the state of the electrical continuity in the branchings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reader-encoder of an magnetic card, which comprises means for maintaining the support in a fixed and well determined position in contact with read-write means disposed on a carriage moving in a uniform rectilinear movement. It comprises means for orienting the read-write means with respect to the magnetic track of the support and drive means associated with two transmission belts, one elastic, the other rigid. The reader-encoder is employed for magnetic cards used in banks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for the quality control of the electrical insulation of printed circuits made in particular in multiple layers superposed on insulating supports of laminar structure by means of conventional or hybrid technologies. To this end, the testing device according to the invention essentially comprises: a specific sensor circuit constituted by a supple insulating screen comprising a plurality of conducting studs with one and only one stud for each conductive printed circuit path; a scanning circuit associated with said sensor circuit comprising a metallized insulating layer having at least two coplanar conducting zones insulated by at least one transverse electrical discontinuity; a measuring apparatus indicative of the galvanic insulation existing between two contiguous conducting zones of said scanning circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disconnectable electromagnetic eccentric actuator for controlling a mobile member for automatically adjusting a machine. The eccentric actuator comprises a ferromagnetic drive force transmitting screw and nut (of larger diameter than the screw) to convert into axial movement the cycloidal rolling movement of the screw relatively to the wall of the fixed nut, the latter itself forming an integral part of means for converting an electromotive force into a displaceable magnetomotive force whose resultant generated flux causes mutual adhesion, as well as said cycloidal relative movement of the screw and the nut. The screw disconnects when supply current is cut off. The invention is applicable to the automatic control of a flap for regulating the temperature of the intake air in heat engines.

Abstract: A differential pressure gauge comprises a balance beam (3) acting upon a vibrating blade (6). The beam (3) and the blade (6) are disposed in a rigid chamber 4 under vacuum. The beam (3) is acted upon by a force, resulting from the deformation of a flexible or expansible chamber (7) subjected to a pressure P.sub.T and disposed in a second rigid chamber (5) subjected to a pressure P.sub.S. A flexible or expansible seal element (9) isolates the chambers but transmits the forces without disturbing them. This gauge has a high precision and delivers information in digital form, particularly useful in aeronautics.

Abstract: Assembly of a small electric motor is facilitated by pre-assembling each coil with a support bearing and a corresponding pole piece, as well as with the cylindrical magnetic coil housing. Each support bearing includes a pair of radially-extending hooks which engage corresponding edges on the inner bore of each coil to properly align the components. The thusly pre-assembled stator sub-assembly may be inverted to receive the rotor assembly.