Abstract: Hole forming and selftapping screw of up to approximately 6 mm thread diameter for tapping into sheet metal of a thickness of up to approximately 1 mm comprising a head including a formation for receiving a tool, a thread shank and a cylinder member following thereon having a diameter less than the thread-pitch diameter of the thread shank, merging into a tapered hole forming member. The thread shank merges with the cylinder member via a taper extending over approximately four threads, a distance corresponding approximately to the four-fold sheet metal thickness. The hole forming member terminates in a convexly curved friction surface corresponding to a radius (R) of approximately 0,5 mm. The entire screw is formed in one piece of tempered steel having a tensile strength of up to approximately 1400 N/mm.sup.2, mechanically hardened steel respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a network of electronic stations each suitable for generating at least one function, in particular for use on a motor vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: i) generating an activation signal in at least some of the stations when a previously inactive function is requested; ii) generating a deactivation signal when an associated previously active function is to be deactivated; iii) detecting the generated activation and deactivation signals; iv) incrementing at least one counter by one step each time an associated activation signal is detected; v) decrementing the same counter by one step each time an associated deactivation signal is detected; and vi) generating a "go to sleep" signal when a counter reaches a zero count after being decremented.

Abstract: An obstacle detector system interposed between a frame and an associated moving member, the system being of the type comprising an obstacle detector device including at least two electrically conductive tracks which are held apart at rest by spaces. The system comprises a connection assembly including a support core made of electrically insulating material, at least two separate electrically conductive elements carried by the support core and intended to make contact with respective ones of the tracks when the core is inserted inbetween, and an envelope suitable for engaging the outside surface of the obstacle detector device in order to clamp it against the support core and the electrically conductive elements in order to maintain electrical contact between the tracks and the elements and also to ensure that the detector device is sealed.

Abstract: A sleeping bag having a zip fastener of the zipper or slide fastener type extending from the foot end up to the head end thereof. More specifically, the sleeping bags may be of practically any kind of design; however, especially down-filled sleeping bags which are of conventional rectangular shape as well as of the so-called mummy configuration. The zip fastener extends continually from the foot end to the head end of the sleeping bag runs between the foot end and the head end of the sleeping bag in a generally S-shaped or curvilinear path. Preferably, the zip fastener extends along the side of the bag in the region of the foot end, and in the region of the head end is formed as a central zip fastener located on the chest side of a user.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a ratio meter, the circuit having an input stage for generating a digital signal representative of a parameter to be displayed, memory to enable the digital signal to be encoded on the basis of a pre-defined sine, cosine, or tangent function, with the memory being addressed by intermediate significant bits in the digital signal, and an interpolator for correcting the signal from the memory on the basis of the least significant bits of the digital signal.

Abstract: A static sealing system between two flat-faced casings is disclosed, in which a semi-plastic synthetic material seal (3) is housed in a groove (4) formed in the flat face of one of the casings and passing in the vicinity of the points (5) at which the casings (1, 2) are fixed together. The groove (4) and the seal (3) have respective variable cross-sections which vary as functions of their position with respect to fixing means (5) used to fix the casings together.

Abstract: A device for measuring the level of fuel in a motor vehicle tank, the device being of the type comprising: a base for fixing to a wall of the tank; a support hinged about a horizontal axis to the portion of the base inside the tank; a shoe carried at the bottom end of the support so that the shoe rests against the bottom of the tank; a resistor element carried by the support; a float carried by an arm which is hinged about a non-vertical axis to the support to track the level of fuel; and a cursor carried by the arm and engaging the resistor element to define a resistance which varies as a function of the level of liquid contained in the tank, wherein the shape of the shoe is such that regardless of the position of the bottom of the tank, due to possible deformation of the tank, whenever the level of fuel corresponds to the same minimum measurable depth, the arm of the float always occupies the same position relative to the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the measurement of the level or volume of a liquid contained in a reservoir of the type comprising a casing that houses an element defining two generally vertical, separate, electrical tracks, at least one of which is electrically resistant, and a float that is capable of following the level of the liquid and bears a slider capable of connecting the two tracks, said device comprising at least one spacer that connects the housing and the element defining the tracks, at least two floats placed on either side of the spacer and means ensuring that at least the slider of the upper float is separated from at least one of the tracks when it reaches the lower final stage of its movement adjacent to the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for measuring the level and/or the volume of liquid contained in the tank. The apparatus being of the type comprising a capacitive probe including at least two generally vertical parallel separate main plates for immersing in the liquid, and capacitance-measuring means having a detection input and a ground, the detection input being connected to a first one of the main plates and the ground being connected to the second main plate, wherein the first plate is surrounded by a guard ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature measuring device including an alarm contact, in particular for motor vehicles, the device comprising a housing (10) which receives a bimetallic strip (20) and a thermoresistive element (150). According to the invention, a support (100) of electrically insulating material is provided to carry a contact stud (160), a contact blade (170), the thermoresistive element (150) interposed between the contact stud (160) and the contact blade (170), and a spring element (180), all in the form of a unitary module.

Abstract: A touch sensor comprises a liquid crystal cell (10) and detector means (40, 50A, 50B) responsive to a change in the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal. The detector means comprise an HF electrical signal generator (40) together with integration means (50A, 50B) suitable for integrating the charge created by any change in the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal (14).

Abstract: A physical traction machine has two U-shaped brackets connected in parallel with a telescopic rod vertically attached thereto at the middle for carrying a traction device to pull a patient's neck or waist for relieving pressure from cervical vertebrae or lumbar vertebrae. An adjusting device is attached to the first U-shaped bracket for adjusting its width. Another adjusting device is attached to the second U-shaped bracket for adjusting its height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control lever, in particular for a motor vehicle, the control lever comprising a fixed body (100), a first control ring (200) mounted to rotate on the body (100) and provided with a first circuit board (260) extending generally perpendicularly to its axis of rotation (102), a second control ring (300) coaxial with the first, mounted to rotate on the body (100), and provided with a second circuit board (350) extending generally perpendicularly to its axis of rotation, and at least one electrical conductor (450) extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation (102) of the rings and prevented from rotating relative to the body (100), with respective ends thereof resting in rubbing contact against each of the two circuit boards (260, 350).

Abstract: A tachometer device having a sensor generating an electrical signal at a frequency which is proportional to a speed to be detected, an operating drive member, and electrical link means connecting the sensor to the operating drive member. A device for limiting frequency variations in the pulses applied to the operating drive member is interposed between the sensor and said operating drive member.

Abstract: A fastener clip adapted to be mounted onto a substantially plate-shaped carrier and by means of a fastening element is used for fastening of a structural part to the carrier. In order to be able to withstand sufficiently high screwing-in forces by the fastening element and in order to be able to connect the fastening element in a secure manner with the fastener clip, the fastener clip has on its leg a hollow-sleeve portion preferably with a central hole which extends over a length adjusted to the length of the fastening element.