Abstract: An electronic memory card reader (10) for reading a card comprising a card body (11) and electrical contact areas (12). The reader includes a read head (100) having connection elements (112) designed to cooperate with the contact areas (12), an insertion slot (200), an abutment (300) for the card body, defining a processing position in which the areas (12) are in contact with the connection elements (112), and a moving part (400) that is rotatable, and that is capable, firstly, in a closed position, of establishing electrical contact between the elements (112) and the areas (12) in the processing position and, secondly, of moving away from the closed position under the action of a force developed by the card (10) moving in translation. The part (400) is returned to the closed position by resilient return means (600).

Abstract: A method for controlling the power supplied to a load (1) which is powered by an AC voltage source U with a period T via a generalised phase adjustment system, includes the steps of periodically delivering a sequence of p elements to the load (1), in accordance with a predetermined set power, wherein p is an integer and each element comprises n.sub.i periods T, where n.sub.i is an integer, during which the voltage U is divided symmetrically at an angle .alpha..sub.i, the consecutive phase angles .alpha..sub.i and .alpha..sub.i+1 being different, and the combination of angles .alpha..sub.1 . . . .alpha..sub.i , . . . .alpha..sub.p being selected in such a way that they limit current harmonics, and limit a flicker effect. The method is particularly suitable for power control in electric motors.

Abstract: A galvanized steel sheet has a coating layer of protective material applied to its surface where the steel sheet has been roughened prior to application of the protective material. The improvement is characterized by the roughened steel surface having a pattern which ensures desired consistent quantity of coating during application of the protective material. The pattern provided on the sheet surface has a multitude of depressions defined by a plurality of ridges. The upper surfaces of the ridges defining a plane for each side of the steel sheet, where the ridges have a surface area less than 1/4 the nominal surface area of the sheet side. Each depression has a depth defined by a continuous side wall extending into the plane of the sheet side. The side wall slopes downwardly of the plane at an angle greater than 45.degree..

Abstract: A mechanical connection for concrete reinforcing rods has a connecting sleeve and a reinforcing rods having protuberances (e.g., ribs or fins) on their outer surfaces. Each of the reinforcing rods has a threaded end for connection with the connecting sleeve, which has tapped portions for receiving the reinforcing rods. In one embodiment, a first end of a first reinforcing rod is passed completely through the sleeve, and the sleeve is then rotated about the end while simultaneously being screwed onto a second end of a second reinforcing rod. Upon tightening the connecting sleeve, the ends of the first and second reinforcing rods are placed in substantially coaxial, end-to-end arrangement, and are rotationally immobile. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting sleeve comprises a sheath having a conical bore, together with a conical socket in the form of two shell halves, which, when place together, provide two internal tapped portions having opposing threads.

Abstract: Transmitting device of sequences of acoustic signals. The device comprises a transducer, a generator, a micrologic unit, a memory, a battery and a control means. The device transmits sequences that differ from one transmission to the next. The device has application to an electronic payment method by telephone.

Abstract: The device includes an acoustic transmitter (10), a tone generator (12), a memory (14) containing an identification code (N) and a service key (C), and an electronic circuit (16). A digital message transmitted depends on N and C and changes with each use. The time limitation moment of the device is determined. The device appears in the form of a token.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing mechanical joints of concrete-reinforcing rods, to a reinforcing rod allowing the application of the method as well as to a mechanical joint for reinforcing rods thus produced. It has its applications especially in the construction of concrete elements, buildings or structures.According to the invention, the method for producing the mechanical joints for the reinforcing rods which allow the joining of reinforcing rods, the extremities of which are threaded by screwed connecting sleeves, is characterized in that prior to the threading, the extremity of the rods to be joined is subjected to a cold upsetting procedure.

Abstract: A telephone service payment system having portable electronic devices (J) for transmitting a coded sequence (SQ), also involves specialized vocal host computers (SDS) and at least one affiliated computer (OA), along with a management computer (OGC). Such a telephone service payment system is used in conjunction with the placing of bets by telephone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for raising an object from a sea, river or basin bottom. A lifting platform is arranged adjacent the object to be raised, from the platform supporting tubes are arranged at an angle relative to the bottom from 10.degree. to 90.degree. to lay a connection between the lifting platform and the bottom, and boring rods are inserted through the supporting tubes, whereby use is made for boring of a boring device which does not require rotating the boring rods proper, the boring device being bent at such an angle that the boring rods connected thereto are moved along a curve underneath the object to be raised, the boring is then continued until the boring device, having the boring rods connected thereto, projects far enough out of the bottom, and finally use is made of the obtained bore to lead a cable from one to the other side of the object to be raised.

Abstract: Measuring instruments, such as ultra-sensitive accelerometers, are attached to a support inlcuding three pairs of electrodynamic or piezoelectric actuators. Each actuator pair is associated with one respective common axis of a reference trirectangular system. An electronic speed and phase slaver chains the actuators to induce translational and rotational accelerations in the support. Electrical signals delivered from the instruments to be calibrated are analyzed by synchronous demodulations and processed to determine sensitivity, orientation and position of the instruments in relation to the reference axes. The instrument support can be carried on-board a satellite.

Abstract: An acceleromter having a test weight movable in relation to a frame includes three pairs of mutually electrically orthogonal conducting parallel faces (1-6). Electrodes connected to the frame form capacitors with faces of the test weight. The six faces form two sets of three faces (1-3) and (4-6). The faces of a set form a first conductor insulated from the faces of the second set which form a second conductor. Position sensing voltages are applied to first and second conductors through very flexible leads (7 and 8). Position control voltages derived from the position sensing voltages are applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A charging process for selling information via a telephone network. A data bank can be connected via said network with calling subscribers. This data bank has a telephone number and a device for supplying a spoken message. The data bank supplies its message to any calling subscriber as of the time at which a call from said subscriber is received, and the duration of the message supplied by the data bank is fixed. A number is allocated which, for the telephone network, is considered to correspond to a time-based charge based on a certain charge band, this number also implying a routing of the call via time-based charging means.

Abstract: Two facing walls have portions 1 and 2 connected together by a tie rod comprising a central section 4 and two end sections 5 and 6 joined to the central section by two bars 3 each with a ball head 7 at its opposite ends. The ball head in section 5 or 6 is disposed in a respective socket 8 or 33 attached to the wall portion 1 or 2. Central section 4 is essentially a turnbuckel comprising an outer tube with internal threads engaging sockets 25 for the ball heads in the central section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric cell assembly with an alkaline electrolyte and its current output wires (2, 3) electrically connected to the positive terminal and negative terminal of the electric cell assembly.The metal wire (3) which corresponds to the negative terminal (1) is surrounded, near said terminal and entirely outside the electric cell, with a glass bead (4) which is practically unalterable by the electrolyte.