Abstract: A luggage rack for securing an item of luggage to a motorcycle or a scooter includes an adapter plate on which the item of luggage may be fastened. The adapter plate includes at least one positioning element configured to position the adapter plate relative to the motorcycle or motor scooter, and a displacement device having a lever and an engagement element which cooperate to secure or release the adapter plate from the motorcycle or motor scooter when the lever is moved between an open position and a closed position to cause the engagement element to slide into and out of engagement with a fixing point on the motorcycle or motor scooter.

Abstract: A luggage rack for securing an item of luggage to a motorcycle or a scooter includes an adapter plate on which the item of luggage may be fastened. The adapter plate includes at least one positioning element configured to position the adapter plate relative to the motorcycle or motor scooter, and a displacement device having a lever and an engagement element which cooperate to secure or release the adapter plate from the motorcycle or motor scooter when the lever is moved between an open position and a closed position to cause the engagement element to slide into and out of engagement with a fixing point on the motorcycle or motor scooter.

Abstract: A process for the production of 3-hydroxypropionitrile is provided. This process includes (a) reacting acrylonitrile with water at a defined molar ratio in the presence of a weak base under specific temperature and pressure conditions until a conversion in the range of about 40% to about 80% has been achieved; (b) after cooling the mixture obtained in (a), separating off its aqueous phase; (c) distilling off the acrylonitrile from the organic phase remaining after (b); (d) subjecting the mixture obtained in (c) to pyrolysis at specific temperature and pressure conditions in the presence of a basic catalyst to obtain a mixture consisting mainly of 3-hydroxypropionitrile and acrylonitrile; and (e) isolating the desired 3-hydroxypropionitrile by fractional distillation from the mixture obtained in (d). Such a process in which the basic aqueous phase and the acrylonitrile that has been distilled off are recycled represents a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device in an armoured vehicle. The lifting device comprises a holder, which can be engaged with a body to be raised, particularly a shell. A driven lifting element is also provided, by means of which the holder can be raised and lowered. In order to be able to take up and transfer in simple, flexible manner the shells, the lifting element is a cable drivable by means of a winch, which is guided on a pivotable, multicomponent articulated arm and carries the holder at its lower end. Preferably the cable passes through the articulated arm and its free end extends substantially vertically downwards, the articulated arm being pivotable substantially in a horizontal plane.