Abstract: An ergonomic handle for a kitchen article is provided permitting three distinct holding positions. For that, on its lower face, it has a first transverse groove and a second transverse groove spaced apart from each other and, on its upper face, an upper housing. The handle is formed of two successive non aligned sections.

Abstract: The long levers (3a and 3b) are capable of pivoting at one of their ends on a knife (2a and 2d), and two short levers (4a and 4b) are also capable of pivoting at one of their ends on a knife (2b and 2c). At their other end, the short levers (4a and 4b) are coupled by means of a coupling system (9 and 9a) to the long levers (3a and 3b). The other ends of the long levers (3a and 3b) are engaged at a very short distance one from the other with a force transmitting system (29) which is suspended on the free end of a flat spring (18, 21) provided with gauges (20) for measuring the bending of the spring. The gauges are connected to a read-out system through an electric circuit. The force exerted by the long levers (3a and 3b) is applied on a force transmitting system at a very short distance from the plane of symetry of the flat spring (18, 21).

Abstract: The device includes: a set of four strain-gauges mounted on a cantilevered beam, which gauges are electrically connected among themselves in the form of a bridge (9), in a manner such that said bridge produces an output voltage (.DELTA.V) which is a function of the magnitude of the force applied to the beam, when the bridge (9) is supplied with current; a source of voltage (10), designed to supply the bridge (9); an analog-to-digital converter (16), connected to the output of the amplifier (14), with which there is associated a microprocessor (24); and a display unit (13), connected to an output of the microprocessor (24), which is designed to allow the display of a signal that is representative of the magnitude of the force applied to the beam.

Abstract: An appliance for removing creases is disclosed having a handle (1) and a body (2) comprising a tank (3) partially filled with water (4) heated by an electrical heating and vaporized element (5) connected to contact prongs (7). The vapor so produced flows through a duct (9) to orifices (11) in a plate (10) adapted to be slid over the surface from which creases are to be removed. The tank (3) is filled through opening (16) which is partially closed by an inwardly extending retainer flange (18) which is located between a stopper (20) for the filling opening (16) and a retaining finger (19). At its other end, the handle (1) has an opening (22) therein in alignment with a socket (8) which receives a removable plug (30) of a supply cord. When the plug (30) is in place (FIG. 1), it is impossible to turn the handle. Upon removal of the plug (30), the handle (1) may be pivoted about the axis of the opening (16) (FIG.

Abstract: A spring balance comprises an object-receiving plate cooperating with a weighing spring and with a movable rack meshing with the pinion of a rotatable graduated disc cooperating with a fixed index. Zero-setting and calibration of the balance are provided independently. Firstly, the rack is set to a zero position, then the disc is independently set to indicate zero. A reference weight is placed on the plate, and the balance calibrated to indicate the exact weight by varying the transmission ratio of a transmission lever between the weighing spring and the rack. This transmission lever has an arm of adjustable length which, when the rack is in the zero position, is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the rack.

Abstract: A weighing balance comprises an anti-shock device arranged in the mechanical linkage between an object receiving plate and a rack and pinion driving an indicating member, to protect the teeth of the rack and pinion when the receiving plate is abruptly loaded or unloaded. The anti-shock device consists of a transmission lever articulated on the rack and held by a spring to transmit translational movement of the receiving plate in normal use, said spring giving way to allow pivoting of the transmission lever in the case of an abnormal shock on the receiving plate.

Abstract: A weighing scales has a base and a platform supported by the base and adapted to support an individual. A transmission mechanism within the base is responsive to movement of the platform for causing pivotal translation of a graduated transparency. A beam of light from a light source is projected along an optical path through the transparency and reflected to a projection screen carried by the platform for read-out of weight. The light source is carried on a support plate which is mounted to the base by means disposed at two points on a line at least substantially parallel to the optical axis and coincident with the optical axis substantially at a fixed axis of the graduated transparency. The transparency is pivotally mounted on the support plate and presents a convex face toward the light source.