Abstract: In a device (1) for generating control signals that can be evaluated electrically, which are generated by the manual actuation of a joystick (4) inserted in a housing (3) of the device (1) and which can be deflected in various movement directions, it is intended to ensure that exclusively intended control movements of the joystick are transferred without imposing any physical strain on the user when the user operates the joystick. Furthermore, the operating safety of the device or the electrical circuit should be capable of being checked and guaranteed throughout the entire service life. This task is accomplished in that one or more sensor switches (11) are integrated in the outer jacket surface of the joystick (4), each of these can trigger a check signal (13) and the device (1) can be activated by the check signal (13) or check signals (13).

Abstract: According to an illustrative example of the invention, a gas spring comprises a cylinder and a piston rod. The piston rod is axially movable with respect to the cylinder and has a fastening eye mounted on the outer end of the piston rod. A tubular protection member surrounds an end portion of the cylinder adjacent to the end of the cylinder which is passed by the piston rod. The other end of the protection tube surrounds a holding disk fixed to the piston rod adjacent to the fastening eye. The protection tube and the piston rod define an air space therebetween. The air space is substantially tight against a liquid treating agent, such as a lacquer. On the other hand, the air space is in air flow connection with the surrounding atmosphere so that in response to axial movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder, excesssive pressure within the air space is prevented.

Abstract: A two-wheeled foldable golf trolley is foldable and unfoldable so as to define a transportation and storage condition in the folded status and a use condition in the unfolded status. A gas spring is provided between relatively pivotable parts of the trolley for biasing the trolley towards one of said folded and unfolded position.

Abstract: A transverse shear for severing successive sections of heavy metal plate from a length thereof comprises, in addition to the stationary lower blade, a holddown clamp upstream of the blade for pressing the length of plate thereagainst, a movable upper blade which tends to displace the plate to the side toward which the cut progresses, and lateral support elements along the longitudinal edge of the plate at this side, at least one pair of tongs which grip the downstream plate section to be severed along this edge and hold it in position against the tendency of the cut to form a wedge-shaped gap converging toward the aforementioned side. Preferably two such pairs of tongs are provided, both spaced from the cutting location and in spaced relationship to each other.