Abstract: An apparatus for connecting two sections (8, 9) of at least one elongate object in an adjustable and detachable manner has a receiving housing (1), has two blocking parts (10, 11) which are mounted in the receiving housing (1) so as to be moveable relative to one another and are arranged such that, in an engagement position, they engage so as to clamp in each case one section, and has guide ducts (3, 4) for defined guidance of the sections (8, 9) in the receiving housing (1). The guide ducts (3, 4) are arranged such that they are aligned with one another axially, while the blocking parts (10, 11) are arranged on the same side of the guide ducts (3, 4). This results in a design which, while providing a high degree of locking action, is very simple and is therefore cost-effective to produce.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hovercraft, comprising at least one fan for producing an air cushion, and at least one thrust unit, which acts on the top surface (4) of the craft and which is used to propel it and/or to control its direction. Both the fan and the thrust unit have at least one airscrew that is driven by means of a motor (5, 6, 21) and generates an air current. The motor takes the form of an electromotor (5, 6, 21) located directly on the airscrew. At least one central energy generator (7), which supplies the electromotor (E1, E2, A) with driving energy via an energy line (5a, 6a, 21a), is provided in order to generate the electrical driving energy required by said electromotor (E1, E2, A).

Abstract: The invention relates to a ground-effect vehicle for the rapid transport of people and/or freight, with at least one body, a drive train and ground-effect bearing surfaces, a guidance system for directional control and a drive system on the body and/or bearing surface in the form of propeller or fan drives. The aim of the invention is to provide a ground-effect vehicle which is inexpensive to build, avoids the prior art drawbacks in particular and is especially economical to operate. According to the invention, the ground-effect vehicle consists of at least one aircraft fuselage (1), the ground-effect bearing surfaces (2) are secured directly at least to parts of the existing bearing surfaces (6) of the aircraft or at least on the existing spars (12) surrounding them or secured thereto beneath the existing bearing surfaces (6) and that the drive system (4; 15; 16) has means which increase the power and/or reduce friction in the take-off and landing phases.

Abstract: A process for the stabilization of perchloroethylene which contains known epoxides as stabilizing agents which is characterized by addition of an effective amount of 1,2-epoxycyclooctane and/or 1,2-5,6-diepoxycyclooctane. As a result of this addition the cleaning effect of the perchloroethylene on metals is maintained for longer periods, corrosion phenomena are avoided and formation of greasy deposits on the goods to be cleaned will no longer take place.

Abstract: The invention relates to supported catalysts based on a palladium(II) salt and activated carbon, there being used, as the support material, activated carbon having an analytical SiO.sub.2 content of from 0.5 to 8% by weight. The catalysts according to the invention are used for reacting carboxylic acids with alkenyl esters of lower carboxylic acids.