Abstract: The invention relates to a method for braking a rail vehicle which has at least two individually actuable brake systems, in particular at least one electric brake system and at least one mechanical brake system, wherein the brake systems are actuated depending on their availability. There is provision for the mass of the rail vehicle which is to be braked and for each brake system to determine the instantaneously available brake forces (actual forces). The instantaneously required braking force (setpoint force) is also determined. The setpoint force is then distributed between the brake systems—taking into account the mass to be braked and the actual forces by means of a management function—in that the management function actuates the brake systems individually or in a combined fashion.

Abstract: A protective device for portable apparatus supplied from a high-voltage line is disclosed, which includes a connecting line from an electrical supply. The device also includes a protective switch with contact sets located in the supply lines and pre-stressed contact springs which are maintained in a closed position by a hoop-like fusible wire. An electronic firing circuit is disposed on a flat plate, together with the protective switch and the connections to the supply line and to the apparatus. The two-pole outlet of the firing circuit terminates in contact lugs with which the ends of the fusible wire can be connected mechanically and electrically. The circuit plate is, preferably, seated in the housing of a right angle plug, the contact pins of which are cast or pressed into the bottom of the housing and support the circuit plate while, at the same time, their heads constitute the opposite contact for the contact springs of the protective switch.

Abstract: In an electrically powered apparatus, particularly a portable apparatus, having a flexible shielded main connection line (50) and an electronic protective device, said protective device is housed in the main connection plug (60) or in an adapter (61) to which the main connection line (50) can be coupled, wherewith said protective device serves as a safety device in the event of leakage of fluid into the apparatus or of current to ground or to protect the user.

Abstract: A children's clock including a dial face area containing exchangeable pictorial or design elements. The dial face area of the children's clock is configured as a changeable puzzle picture. The puzzle picture motif can be correlated with the age of the child; in effect, can in a so-called manner grow along with the child, as a consequence of which there is achieved that the child, during every stage of development, will gladly playingly occupy himself with this puzzle clock and thereby, during the course of completing the picture motif, is occupied with the time display and at least with the hour-hand, and in constant repetition with the concept of time or recognition of the time cycle. Hereby, there can be provided different time display arrangements for the different learning stages, which in the shape of exchangeable time displays can, in addition to the puzzle parts, be detachably fastened in the plane of the dial face area.

Abstract: To protect the operator of an electrically powered apparatus in a damp room or in the presence of water or other electrically conductive fluid against an electric shock, there is provided a protective device comprised of a probe in the form of a double conductor which the user cannot contact when handling or operating the apparatus. In the presence of a conductive fluid the impedance of the probe changes. The probe is connected to the input of a trigger switch circuit which includes a semiconductor switch. The trigger circuit triggers the semiconductor switch when the impedance of the probe changes. The current which flows as a result of the closing of the semiconductor switch releases an automatically opening switch, the contacts of which lie in the incoming power supply wires of the apparatus, which contacts are normally held closed by means of a material which is fusible upon direct or indirect heating by means of said current.