Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the supply of electric power to a power consuming appliance (e.g. an electric soldering iron) in dependence on a parameter (e.g. the temperature of the soldering iron) comprises electric circuit means including a thyristor connected in series with the appliance across an AC supply, a first voltage divider including a variable resistor for defining a set point for said parameter, a second voltage divider including a sensor for said parameter and adapted to provide an analogue electrical parameter, and a first and a second transistor having their bases connected respectively to tappings of said voltage dividers defined respectively by a terminal of said variable resistor and said sensor, the emitter of said second transistor being connected to the gate of said thyristor.

Abstract: A foldable stand for a soldering iron comprises a holder having a rear end articulated to a base in the form of a wire bracket with two lateral arms which converge in a forward direction away from its junction with the holder, the arms passing through two pairs of openings in a slider linked with a front end of the holder whereby a rearward shift of the slider folds the holder against the bracket. The openings are so spaced that this rearward shift causes an overlapping of the free ends of the arms which have nooks registering with each other in that overlapping position to form a cradle about which the electric cord of the iron can be wound.

Abstract: A manually operable gripping apparatus comprising a portable tool having first and second lever devices pivotally interconnected intermediate therein so as to provide a pair of opposed jaws moveable relative to each other to grip a work piece and a pair of opposed handles moveable relatively to each other to actuate the jaws, a stand for the tool, and coupling means detachably connected to the first lever device of the portable tool to the stand so that the tool forms with the stand, a stationary apparatus operable by movement of the handle of the second lever device of the tool.

Abstract: A tool with a variable force transmission ratio between the handles, which receive the driving force, and the working jaws adapted to perform the desired work, comprising a first stationary working jaw and a second movable working jaw journalled in a first pivot point to the first jaw, having an elongated cam profile arranged beyond said first pivot point and with the exception of eventual adjustments fixedly connected with and extending essentially in the same direction as the first jaw, the second jaw being prolonged beyond said first pivot point by an extension to which an operative means for receiving the driving force is journalled in a second pivot point spaced from the first pivot point, which operative means is rigidly connected to contact means arranged in such a manner that when the operative means are actuated by a driving force the contact means is pressed against the cam profile and made to follow it.