Abstract: The invention relates to a system for identifying the position of a machine for three-dimensional measuring or machining in a fixed frame of reference. In accordance with the invention, the system comprises: a first base for resting at an identified point on a support wall associated with the machine stand, said base being provided on its top with a bearing platform; a second base identical to the first base, for resting at an identified point on a support surface associated with the fixed frame of reference; and a multi-axis assembly having two hinged arms that are coupled together, and having two endpieces coupled to said arms, each endpiece having a main axis that coincides with the central axis of the corresponding base when said endpiece is in place, said multi-axis assembly also being fitted with integrated angle encoders measuring the respective angles of rotation about each of its axes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining a horizontal profile line defined by walls that are essentially vertical, by using a pointer having two calibrated reference points, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) placing the pointer horizontally in contact with a point on the profile line to be determined; b) from an origin point, measuring in succession the lengths of segments joining the origin point to each reference point, and also the angle between the two segments; c) deducing by calculation the coordinates of the contact point in the associated horizontal plane, and storing said coordinates; and reiterating steps a), b), c) for a plurality of points on the profile line to be determined, including at least the angle points situated at the intersections between said essentially vertical walls. The invention also provides apparatus for implementing the above method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for machining mechanical parts by means of a hollow cylindrical tool presenting a distal end with a free edge that is shaped to perform machining when said tool is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: An automated coordinate measuring system comprising a measuring arm used for acquisition of geometry data that incorporates an exoskeletal structure resilient to physical perturbations including thermal changes and vibrations which may affect coordinate data acquisition. The system may be adapted to a portable platform allowing for convenient positioning and alignment of the measuring arm in a wide variety of environments.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion, and a seating surface for a child occupant, the seating surface. A rigid link is attached to the child seat structure solely by a coupling mechanism that permits angular movement of the child seat structure relative to the rigid links about an axis located above the base support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. The child safety seat may be either forward facing or rearward facing.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat body having a seat portion (12), a backrest (14) with an outwardly facing rear surface, and a support mechanism comprising an abutment member (24) and a link (32) having one end connected to the abutment member (24) and another end pivotally connected to the outwardly facing rear surface. The abutment member (24) is movable through a predetermined angle of greater than 90° between a stowed position in which the link (32) and the abutment member (24) are parallel to and in close proximity to the outwardly facing rear surface and a deployed position in which at least one edge of the abutment member (24) is held by the link (32) in a position spaced apart from the outwardly facing rear surface. A limit device prevents angular movement of the link (32) beyond the deployed position.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion, and a seating surface for a child occupant, the seating surface. A rigid link is attached to the child seat structure solely by a coupling mechanism that permits angular movement of the child seat structure relative to the rigid links about an axis located above the base support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. The child safety seat may be either forward facing or rearward facing.

Abstract: A child safety seat comprises a child seat structure having a base support surface for resting on a vehicle seat cushion and a back support surface for abutting against the seat back of the vehicle seat. A rigid link is pivotally attached to the child seat structure so as to project from the child seat structure between the base support surface and the back support surface. A releasable connector is mounted on the rigid link for engagement with a standard anchorage unit associated with the vehicle seat. In the event of sudden deceleration, both the front and rear edges of the base support surface are pressed downwards into the vehicle seat cushion simultaneously. This results in a reduction of the extend of forward excursion of the child's head.

Abstract: The seat portion of a rearward facing child safety seat has static rear part and a movable front part which is movable between a deployed position in which its upper surface is contiguous with that of the rear part and a stowed position leaving an opening in front of the rear part for receiving the legs of an older child occupying the child seat with his knees bent and his feet positioned below the level of the static rear part.

Abstract: A child safety seat 10 is adapted to rest on a vehicle seat and to be secured thereon by a vehicle seat belt 32 which extends through an opening 16 in the child seat 10 so that the vehicle seat belt 32 passes between a seated occupant of the child seat 10 and the vehicle seat. A traveller 20 can be coupled to a tongue 30 of a vehicle seat belt 32 and then moved from one side of the child seat 10, 40 through the opening 16 to the other side of the child seat 10 so as to pull the seat belt 32 through the opening 16.

Abstract: A safety seat for enabling a child to use an adult vehicle seat belt has a seat portion and respective guides on each side of the seat portion for locating the lap portion of the adult seat belt. A backrest is movable between a deployed position in which it projects upwardly from a rear edge of the seat portion and a stowed position within the seat portion.

Abstract: An infant safety seat for use in a motor vehicle, having a rigid seat back (12), is adapted to be mounted in a vehicle so that a seated occupant faces rearwardly. The side of the seat back (12) facing away from the occupant has a guide (30) for receiving a shoulder portion (24) of an adult seat belt and a clamp (28, 32) for inhibiting movement of the shoulder portion (24) of the adult seat belt relative to the seat back (12). A cover (40) is arranged, when in a closed position, to enclose the guide (30, 32) and to cause engagement of the clamp (26 28).

Abstract: A sampling mill for grinding discrete materials to obtain a representative sample is provided by this invention. The mill is particularly useful for grinding various foodstuffs such as corn, peanuts, animal foods and the like. The material to be sampled is fed to a rotary worm gear of substantial length connected to a burr plate to feed the material between a second plate. By varying the worm gear with comminuting means, the placement of burrs on the burr plate and the distance between the burr plates, the size of the ground sample can be varied and different types of foodstuffs can be ground and sampled as compared to a grinder with limited adjustability. The ground sample is distributed to a main discharge chute and a sampling chute with an adjustable valve to provide a selected small percentage of the total ground foodstuff.

Abstract: The contact sensor of the hinged arm of a measurement machine for taking measurements in three dimensions is replaced by a light sensor secured at the same position. A first position-marking axis defined by a light beam emitted by an emitter disposed in a first position is used to determine a first vector by two measured points. The emitter is moved in a plane so as to take up a second position, and a second position-marking axis defined by the light beam of said emitter is used by measuring a point on the second axis. The projection [O.sub.1 ] of the second axis point onto the first position-marking axis is then used to enable a frame of reference [O.sub.1 X, O.sub.1 Y, O.sub.1 Z] to be established.

Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle comprises a seat body having a seat portion and a backrest portion. In order to connect the seat body to a motor vehicle, a pair of attachment buckles are mounted by rigid links on opposite sides of the seat body for movement between first and second positions. In the first position, the buckles project rearwardly so as to be engageable with two anchorage units which are rigidly fixed to the vehicle body so as to be accessible between the seat portion and the backrest portion of the vehicle seat. In the second position, the buckles provide support for guides for an adult seat belt.

Abstract: A safety device for enabling a child to use an adult vehicle seat belt, comprises a cushion including a base having an upper surface for seating engagement by an occupant. The cushion also has two side parts each of which includes a respective side wall. The two parts are slidable relative to one another so as to enable the distance between the side walls to be varied.

Abstract: A shock absorber for a vehicle seat belt comprises a flexible crushable pad adapted to be positioned between the shoulder strap of a seat belt and the shoulder of a user. Separable attachment means secures the crushable pad in a predetermined position in relation to a seat back. The attachment means permits movement of the pad further from said seat back on application of a predetermined force, e.g. in an accident.

Abstract: The measurement apparatus comprises a stand supporting a series of measurement segments hinged to one another and having angular position sensors for sensing the angular positions of the measurement segments, a series of hinged support segments adjacent to the measurement segments, link members fixed to the support segments and engaged at least partially around the measurement segments to support them in a direction opposing the force of gravity, and assistance members acting on the support members to counter the force of gravity.

Abstract: A car bed for an infant comprises a cot body having a generally rigid rim providing support for rigid end portions, side portions and a bottom portion. A U-shaped handle has the ends of its limbs pivotally attached to the end portions of the cot body for angular movement about an axis extending longitudinally above the center of gravity of the cot body, between a position in which said limbs are perpendicular to said bottom portion and a position in which the handle is located to one side of said opening. In use, a seat belt is received in guide formations on the handle. Since the handle is located above the center of gravity of the car bed as a whole, the cot body will rotate as a unit deceleration, so that the bottom portion of the cost body is displaced forwardly in an arcuate path to a forwardly and upwardly inclined position.

Abstract: A child safety harness has a pair of lap straps and a pair of shoulder straps interconnected by an impact pad which comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. Coupling means connects the upper portion to the lower portion in a plurality of alternative mutually overlapping positions so as to vary the distance between the upper edge of the upper portion and the lower edge of the lower portion.