Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting up thick layers of fibrous material, the apparatus comprising a base to which a blade is fixed. The end of the blade carries a nozzle which emits an ultrafast fine water jet when fed with water under pressure via a duct. On each cutting pass, an additional thickness (H) of the layer is cut while the flanks of the cut that has already been made are held apart from each other by the blade, thereby ensuring that the jet is not disturbed by the flanks and retains its full cutting power.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring dowel (11) for joining two bodies (7, 8). The dowel is composed of two contacting half-dowels (11a, 11b) whose opposing faces (13a, 13b ) are helical surfaces twisting in opposite directions. The projecting ends of the half-dowels are thus mutually spread apart with respect to contact zones (19a, 19b), which are compressed by the joined bodies (7, 8) so ensuring the anchoring of the dowel.

Abstract: A process relating to the manufacture of a composite component comprising a web and a reinforcement structure. The process includes providing a profiled section constituting a fibrous structure that is rigidified by impregnation with a thermoformable binder. The profiled section provided has a cross-section corresponding to the dimensions of a non-compacted blank of the component to be formed in a single unit with the web and the reinforcement structure. A blank of the component to be produced is machined from a length of the profiled section. The blank is press formed to obtain a preform having a shape and dimensions approximating those of the component to be produced and the preform is densified by chemical vapor infiltration of a material constituting a matrix within the fibrous structure, after elimination of the thermoformable binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retention pin for fixing a support plate or other prosthesis on bone tissue. The pin is made of a material which is bio-compatible with human tissue and comprises two half-pins each having a half-head for bearing against the prosthesis and a retention shank projecting therefrom, with the outline of each shank being semi-cylindrical and with the two half-pins being generally symmetrical to each other about a radial separation plane passing at least partially along the axis of the pin and extending at least as far as the inside faces of the half-heads from which the respective retention shanks project.

Abstract: The structure is formed by superposed layers of fibrous reinforcing material, which layers are bound together by threads implanted through the layers by being pushed by a pressurized fluid into a tubular needle which is actuated with back and forth movements during which it penetrates through the superposed layers and is pulled out therefrom, leaving in a portion of binding thread, the next portion of binding thread being positioned after a relative displacement of the needle with respect to the structure along the surface thereof.

Abstract: The disc consists of a core (1), being a hub (3) surrounded by spokes (2), and friction pads in the form of annular sectors (8) having recesses (15, 16) in their inside backs (10) to cooperate with the spokes (2) in providing radial guidance and angular locking. Elastic means are provided for removably axially mounting the sectors on the core (1), which elastic means (19, 6) also serve to removably radially mount the sectors on the core.