Abstract: A towbar head for a towbar-guided industrial truck includes control elements located on the towbar head. The control elements control various functions of the industrial truck such as the propulsion and/or the controls for a lifting device. The control elements are effectively connected to signal generators (4, 5) to generate electrical control signals. The invention teaches that there are at least two signal generators (4, 5) which are preferably in the form of membrane switches located on a common circuit board (3). In one embodiment, at least-one membrane switch has a plurality of contact areas 4b, 5b) located on the common circuit board (3). The common circuit board (3) has at least one contact membrane (13) that can be electrically connected with a contact surface (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) or a resistance track by a pressure force exerted on the contact membrane (13). Preferably, all the signal generators located on the common circuit board (3) are in the form of membrane switches.

Abstract: An industrial truck has a tiller that can pivot around a horizontal axis and a traction drive motor that can be controlled by an operator by a traction drive switch. The maximum speed of travel of the industrial truck can be set by an electrical control unit as a function of the pivot angle of the tiller. The maximum speed of the industrial truck is a function of the pivot angle of the tiller. At least one segment of the pivoting range of the tiller is provided with variable maximum speed, in which the maximum speed of travel varies continuously with the pivoting angle. The division of the pivoting range of the tiller into the segment with variable maximum speed and at least one additional segment is made by the control unit as a function of the signal of a continuous or incremental sensor.

Abstract: A control device is provided for an industrial truck, in particular the towbar of a towbar-guided industrial truck, having a circuit element to generate a multi-stage electrical control signal. The invention teaches that the switching element has at least one contact membrane (6) which can be electrically connected by a pressure force exerted on the contact membrane (6) with at least one of a plurality of contact points (2) that correspond to the contact membrane (6). The contact points (2) are connected by electrical resistors (R1-8). The electrical resistors (R1-8) are preferably connected in series, whereby the connecting line between each two resistors is connected to a contact point (2). There are two sliders (8a, b), each of which exerts a pressure force on the contact membrane (6), as a result of which a contact point (2) can be connected to a contact area (3).

Abstract: A method of dispersing a substance in a thin flexible substrate of open-celled foam structure comprising continuously moving a sheet of the substrate, applying the substance to the substrate in a melted condition at an elevated temperature, compressing the substrate, subsequently allowing the substrate to expand to its normal size and thereby draw the melted substance into the open-celled structure to impregnate the substrate and cooling the substrate to solidify the impregnated substance. The method is preferably carried out using apparatus incorporating means for controlling the quantity of substance applied to the substrate by an applicator roller and arranged to permit the substrate to expand while still in contact with the applicator roller.

Abstract: Device for automatically bringing the pivoting wheels of a manual truck back to a predetermined direction, each pivoting wheel (1) being mounted in a fork (2) pivoting about a vertical axis with respect to a fixed support (4) integral with the base (5) of the truck, comprising at least one mobile shoe (10) carried by the fork (2) and bearing resiliently on an appropriately shaped cam (12) integral with the fixed support (4) of said fork (2), under the action of a spring (11) working under compression.

Abstract: A disposable personal cleaning product comprises a thin substrate, preferably open celled polyurethane foam, from 1-5 mm thick having dispersed throughout its cross-section a detergent composition comprising a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate and a fatty acid soap, preferably 90-10% by weight of the former and 10-90% by weight of the latter, the ratio of detergent composition to substrate being between 2:1 and 10:1 by weight. The substrate may be provided with slits or similar openings which may be engaged by a user's fingers to enable the product to be maintained in an open or spread condition during use.

Abstract: An assembly for providing automatic operation of hand carts of the type particularly adapted for hospital usage, featuring an electric automotive device being controlled by buried cables and capable of sliding beneath the base of said hand cart, a vertically movable platform on said automotive device for lifting said hand cart when said device is disposed therebeneath, a plurality of realignment knobs on said lifting platform for cooperating with a corresponding plurality of cone-shaped cups on the lower side of said hand cart base, and spaced apart magnetic detectors on said automotive device cooperable with at least one magnet on the lower side of said hand cart base for controlling the slowing down and stopping of the device under said cart when it is positioned therebeneath by moving along said buried cables.