Abstract: A picture hanger has a metal base from which is stamped a tongue for receiving a wire of a picture frame hung on a wall. The tongue has a convex shape with respect to a front face of the base and a ledge thereof on which the wire rests bears against a protrusion extending from the base front face. The tongue has bends with progressively increasing angles as it extends away from the base.

Abstract: A probe assembly for monitoring the water level in boilers with an electric immersion resistor heater, of the type that comprises at least one sensor element to be arranged inside a hollow body which is in turn associated and partially inserted in the boiler. The hollow body has, on the portion arranged outside the boiler, a plug which axially supports the sensor element; the end of the sensor element arranged at the plug is connected, when the plug is installed, by way of at least one electrical contact, to an electrical power supply cable, whose contact end is arranged at the portion of hollow body that is arranged outside the boiler.

Abstract: The charging voltage U.sub.L of the battery being charged is sensed and amplified by an amplification factor. The amplification factor is determined by the sensed charging voltage. This provides automatic scaling of the charging voltage. The amplification factor K can be repetitively or continuously adjusted during battery charging. The time behavior of the input signal is monitored. The monitoring unit determines whether the time behavior of the input signal fulfills predetermined or given criteria. When a criterion is met, a check-result signal is generated, which controls charging, for example, by stopping charging when the time behavior indicates charging is completed. Time behavior is monitored by monitoring a second order time derivative of the input signal. The monitoring unit performs optimally within a certain magnitude range. Therefore, the amplification factor is adjusted to set the input signal at a magnitude within that range.

Abstract: A combined corkscrew and stopper comprises a central body 10 with two handles 12 and 13 pivotably mounted to the body. When the handles are closed together, the handles surround a corkscrew and remote ends 16 and 17 form a bottle stopper.

Abstract: An improved machine for household cleaning which has, in a box-like body, a vacuum-cleaner section composed of a fan that is coupled to an electric motor, the intake of the fan being connected to a dirt suction duct. In the vacuum-cleaner section, upstream of the fan, the discharge of the fan generates a secondary air stream, separate from a main stream that contains dirt, in at least one Venturi duct that draws water from a water container and ends in a region where the main air stream passes, so as to wet and remove the dirt contained in the main stream.

Abstract: The control device for steam-generating appliances has at least one component having a variable internal volume that is accommodated in the handle of a fixture of the steam-generating appliance, and is filled with a nonconducting fluid. The component has a variable internal volume which can be directly or indirectly compressed by a user, and is connected, through an actuation tube, to a pressure transducer. The transducer is accommodated inside the body of the steam-generating appliance, and in turn actuates a respective steam delivery control valve.

Abstract: Boxes with compartments for individual articles that can be assembled in a flexible manner include a pair of box parts each having at least one hinge portion in which hinge knuckles alternate with open sections or recesses. A knuckle is located at one end of the hinge portion and, at the other end, an open section without a knuckle is provided.

Abstract: The extension coupling for fluid distribution equipment has a first external tubular body, a second internal tubular body for the passage of said fluids, and a coupling for its connection, in series, to other similar elements and/or handle connected to the distribution equipment and/or accessories. The first body and the second body are monolithic, and are obtained from one single molding process of plastic material.

Abstract: A roller carriage has a carriage bottom below which a plurality of wheels is mounted, at least one of the wheels being mounted swingably about a substantially vertical axis of swing. The roller carriage moreover has retention device to retain the swingable wheel or wheels on an overlying roller carriage, the wheel retention device being constructed as a substantially horizontal guide track which extends along at least part of a circle. The guide track forms two engagement areas which restrict the movement of the swingable wheel or wheels of an overlying roller carriage.