Abstract: An improved inertia switch having a variable threshold and operating time comprises a flywheel, a driving member, electrical contact elements carried respectively by the driving member and the flywheel and return means coupled between the driving member and the flywheel. The contact element carried by the flywheel comprises on the one hand a contact terminal integral with a support coupled by friction to the flywheel, the contact terminal co-operating with a part of the contact carried by the driving member, and on the other hand, a contact surface integral with the flywheel co-operating with a second contact part carried by the driving member. The switch is particularly applicable for detecting imminent locking of a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A device for regulating the operation of the transmission of a motor vehicle having a variator including a distributor which is influenced by a centrifugal regulator and/or resilient means which may be additionally controlled by an accelerator, for supplying pressure fluid from a source to a cylinder chamber or for connecting the chamber to a reservoir, a piston movable in said cylinder chamber being connected to a step-down control element of the variator. As a safety device to prevent imbalance in the event of a failure of the centrifugal regulator, a two-piston electrically operated valve is incorporated between said source and said chamber, the valve being controlled by an electrical circuit arranged to close the valve and prevent the flow of pressure fluid from the source to the chamber if the speed of the engine exceeds a predetermined value. If desired, the valve may serve to control flow of pressure fluid to and from a hydraulic brake for the input shaft of the variator.

Abstract: A device for regulating the transmission of a vehicle incorporating a speed variator and a reverse gear has a hydraulic regulating member and an electrically operated valve disposed in a discharge conduit of the member. Two parallel normally open arms of the energizing circuit of the valve may be closed by two switches respectively operated by a member connected to the accelerator of the vehicle and by a member connected to the reversing gear, energization of the electrically operated valve leading to an interruption of the discharge conduit of the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transmission mechanism for automobile vehicle, which comprises a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a coupling device, a reversing device, means for actuating a brake of the driven shaft and means for selecting the positions of engagement of the reversing device, the actuating means being constituted by a hydraulic circuit in which is disposed an electrovalve whose excitation circuit comprises a switch which is normally open and a switch which is normally closed, means for closing said first switch and means for opening said second switch being provided respectively between them and the selection means. The invention finds advantageous application in the field of the automobile.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder having a horizontal axis, one end of the cylinder being formed as a combustion chamber and the other end opening into a crankcase receiving a lubricating atmosphere. A piston slidable in the cylinder has a space therein communicating with the crankcase. The piston is formed with grooves of rectangular cross-section with a base and a pair of transverse surfaces. A scraper groove furthest from the combustion chamber receives a scraper ring and has orifices in its base communicating with the piston space, the other sealing grooves receiving piston rings, annular gaps between the piston and cylinder being left on each side of the piston and scraper rings. The annular gaps are placed in continuous communication with the groove bases by at least one recess on each transverse surface of a sealing groove and by at least one recess on that transverse surface of the scraper groove which is nearest the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a heat generator comprises means for spraying fuel into an air inlet tube, which means are branched off a fuel supply line supplied by a pump having a fuel delivery greater than the fuel comsumption rate of the generator. The fuel line extends to a constant-level chamber by way of a variable-opening throttle element controlled in dependence upon the air flow through the inlet tube, the pump intake being connected to the constant-level chamber. A bypass circuit is adapted to connect the fuel pump output to a fuel reservoir and is closed by a calibrated valve which opens in response to a predetermined fuel pump delivery rate so that the fuel in the constant-level chamber is renewed when the rate of generator fuel comsumption is low.

Abstract: Hydraulic height-adjustment vehicle suspension system includes an arrangment for blocking up the suspension and adapted to prevent the collapsing thereof when the vehicle is kept stationary for a prolonged time period. The blocking arrangement includes a buffer member retractable and engageable in the fashion of a chock or the like, between a movable member of the suspension system and a fixed portion of the body or chassis of the vehicle. Preferably, a control for each buffer member includes a hydraulic receiver operating against the force of a return spring urging the buffer member to its retracted position, and a hydraulic chamber is provided which communicates with the receivers and is urged to its hydraulic fluid delivering condition by the actuation of the hand brake control of the vehicle to its brake applying position.

Abstract: A transmission device for a vehicle comprises a common linearly movable selector rod for selecting the drive mode of the transmission and for actuating a parking brake. The driving mode is determined by a rack formed on the rod and engageable with a pinion, and the parking brake is actuated by means of a lever controlled by a cam carried by the rod.

Abstract: A servo-steering control for a vehicle comprising a jack adapted to operate the steering mechanism including a source of fluid under pressure to supply the jack which fluid is under the control of a slide valve which in turn is controlled by means responsive to the angular separation between a drive shaft and a shaft connected to the steering mechanism; the shafts being connected for limited relative rotation.

Abstract: An anthropomorphological dummy for studying the behavior of the human body, for example as the occupant of an automobile involved in an accident, comprises a thoracic cage housing an air inflatable pocket containing bodies simulating the lungs and the heart. A liquid-filled pocket located within an abdominal cavity contains bodies simulating the liver, the spleen, and the pancreas. An air-inflatable ring simulating the intestines is located within the liquid-filled pocket and is attached thereto at one point.

Abstract: A drum angularly entrained via a magnetic coupling by a shaft of a vehicular transmission, against a spring force, is linked via another magnetic coupling with a coaxial follower member carrying a printed circuit whose conductors are engageable by respective contact brushes normally spaced therefrom, the brushes acting as brakes upon being moved into contact with the conductors so as to arrest the follower member. An alarm device, which may emit a warning sound and/or carry out a control function, responds to a photoelectric sensor including a light emitter and a light receiver on the follower member coacting with a shutter on the drum, the sensor actuating the alarm device upon a relative displacement of the follower member and the drum beyond a selected relative angular position. A pushbutton, serving to bring the brushes into contact with the printed-circuit conductors, simultaneously connects the alarm device to its power supply.

Abstract: The rotating shaft manipulating member comprises at least one body having a boss provided with elements for driving the shaft, for fixing the body onto the shaft, and a turning knob. The boss comprises a bush slotted parallel to its axis and the above-mentioned body has two spaced parts joined at one of their ends to the bush on either side of the slot and carrying at their other end a half-journal whose axis is parallel to that of the bush, while the turning knob comprises a ring which grips the two half-journals and maintains them in a close together position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for a vehicle comprises a two-armed, V-shaped support having its apex disposed at the rear of the vehicle. The support is attached at its forward end to a chassis of the vehicle and carries at its apex a hitching ball. The chassis has a rear end terminating forwardly of a rear central part of the body of the vehicle and the chassis and body are interconnected by resilient means allowing relative longitudinal displacement of the body and chassis. The support and the body are connected together at the rearward end of the support by a flexible strip which is rigidly attached to each arm of the support and is rigidly or pivotally attached to the body, the strip permitting the said relative longitudinal displacement of the chassis and body. The flexible strip is preferably pivotally mounted on a link attached to the body by means of a mounting sleeve on a shoe attached to the strip, a damping sleeve to damp noise and vibration being received on the link within the mounting sleeve.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises an external cup-like element, and a part spherical head located in the element. Three balls are interposed between opposing surfaces of the head and the element and are engaged in pairs of grooves in the head and in the element. The balls are retained in slots in a cage. An auxiliary groove is formed in the external element adjacent one of the ball-receiving grooves and is spaced therefrom by a surface having a width less than that of the slots in the cage whereby this surface can be located in one of the slots during assembly of the joint to permit insertion of the cage into the external element.

Abstract: A process for producing electric current by the electrochemical oxidation of an active anodic metal dispersed in an alkaline electrolyte.The electrolyte is circulated into contact with a second metal which is more electronegative than the active metal. A displacement reaction precipitates the active metal from its soluble oxidation products. There is obtained as a result a repeated recovery for reuse of the active metal (zinc) with the aid of the more electronegative metal (aluminium) which then supplies the energy for the production of current and is oxidized to form soluble products.The process is exemplified by zinc as the active metal and aluminium and magnesium as the strongly electronegative metals.

Abstract: In apparatus for measuring the electrical resistance of a liquid employing two parallel channels for the liquid, a single induction coil is located at one of the points of connection of the channels and a single measuring coil at the other of said points of connection. In this way, parasitic electric circuits in the liquid and mutual interaction between the coils are avoided. The coils are preferably arranged coaxially above respective circular passages connecting the parallel channels.

Abstract: A safety brake pedal for power-assisted brake systems of motor vehicles of the type having a source of fluid under pressure includes a member adapted to transmit the brake control effort and associated with and normally locked to the brake pedal by an assembly responsive to the fluid from the source. The interlocking action is removed in case of accidental drop or failure in the fluid pressure, the extra free stroke of the brake pedal thus permitted being utilized for actuating a safety brake.

Abstract: A ground-protecting screen for an exhaust duct of a motor vehicle comprises a metallic grid carrying a metallic fabric. Preferably the fabric faces towards the duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible vertebral column with variable tension guying for an anthropomorphous dummy.According to the invention the vertebral column comprises vertebrae which laterally and dorsally carry radial processes and four lugs alternating with the said processes. The lugs as well as the center of each vertebra are provided with openings for the passage of cords which are secured to the base of the skull and to the top of the pelvis which carry anchor plates. The tension of one cord which passes through the center of the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs is regulatable by a nut and ensures that the desired stiffness of the column is maintained. Other, slightly elastic cords which pass into the lugs simulate the paravertebral muscles. Further slightly elastic cords guided in the shoulder blade area simulate in regulatable manner the dorsal muscles by means of tighteners.A particular application of the present invention is in the research and control of automobile equipment.

Abstract: An inertia switch for detecting impending locking of a rotaty member, such as a vehicle wheel, and having a variable deceleration detection threshold has a flywheel rotatable on a shaft adapted to be driven by the rotary member, a flywheel drive element on the shaft and biased by a spring into engagement with a stop on the flywheel, the flywheel and drive element carrying respective contacts of a pair of closable contacts which are open when the drive element is engaged with the stop, and a weighted lever pivoted on the flywheel eccentrically of the shaft, and co-operable with the drive element to apply a force dependent upon the rotational speed of the flywheel to oppose closing of the contacts. A rigid link on the spring may connect a free end of the lever with the drive element, and the lever may be a bell crank having one weighted limb and a second limb which abuts against the drive element and to which the spring can be attached.