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: 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: 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.