Abstract: The invention is directed to an adapter plug in combination with a rechargeable electric appliance for personal use, such as a dry shaving apparatus, the adapter plug equipped with flat contact pins, having a plug case with contact pins for connecting to a socket-outlet and a case wall provided with accommodating holes suitable for receiving flat contact pins of the electric appliance in order to close a circuit, said accommodating holes being associated with a safety wall projecting from the case wall, in such fashion that during the process of inserting the flat contact pins in the accommodating holes the relative distance of the accommodating holes or of the flat contact pins of the electric appliance to the safety wall is at least equal to or greater than the safety clearance to be maintained to prevent voltage flashover. The safety wall has at least one recess for accommodating a housing of the electric appliance.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric appliance for personal use such as a dry shaving apparatus, a hair cutting machine or epilator, having a housing to accommodate an electric motor, a storage cell charging circuitry, at least one rechargeable storage cell designed to be connected to the electric motor, and a connector compartment in which a connector equipped with connector pins is pivotally mounted, wherein the connector pins are movably carried in a connector housing surrounding the connector pins, wherein the connector housing with the connector pins therein is arranged for pivotal movement out of and into the connector compartment, and wherein, with the connector in a position in which it is pivoted out of one of the broad sides of the housing, provision is made for the connector pins arranged side by side parallel to said broad side to be movable out of and into the connector housing by means of an actuating element movably disposed in the interior of the connector housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a circuit arrangement for determining the quantity of the material cut by an electrically powered cutting tool. According to the present invention, the fluctuations of the current consumed by a drive motor are detected, filtered and evaluated. By a comparison with a reference value, it is possible to determine the soiling of the cutting tool with cut residues. The invention is particularly suitable for use in shaving apparatus.

Abstract: A method of determining and displaying the charge status of a storage battery of a battery-operated appliance, such as a razor. A time-based charge status is calculated, based at least in part on the cumulative operating time of the appliance since recharging. The battery terminal voltage is also monitored. The time-based charge status is displayed until the battery voltage indicates a low voltage condition, at which point a low-charge alert indicator is displayed only if the time-based charge status is below a predetermined level (i.e., if the cumulative operating time is above a predetermined level). Methods of detecting battery aging, and for accounting for periods of excessive current flow, are included.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of conditioning accumulators in an apparatus operating in the line and the accumulator modes, in which an accumulator discharge/charge cycle is effected at cyclic intervals in which the accumulator is at least nearly completely discharged, wherein a count is made of the number of times the apparatus is used, wherein upon attainment of a predetermined frequency of use a cycle is started when the apparatus is connected to the line, in which cycle the accumulator is first completely discharged through a load and subsequently recharged, and wherein following this discharge/charge cycle a fresh count is made of the number of times the apparatus is used.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical appliance comprising a housing for accommodating at least one functional component and at least one rechargeable storage cell adapted to be connected to the functional component, a storage cell charging circuitry, and an appliance plug provided on the electrical appliance and connected to the storage cell charging circuitry, the appliance plug having a receiving aperture for positive engagement with a mating connector for supplying a line voltage, the appliance further comprising latching elements provided on the appliance plug as well as on the detachable housing or housing portion.

Abstract: Device for converting the rotary motion of an eccentric driven by a motor shaft into an oscillating motion of a working tool in electrically powered appliances, consisting of a double-armed rocker arm and a connecting rod connecting the rocker arm with the eccentric, as well as a single articulation at whose articulation midpoint all the motion axes of the connecting rod and rocker arm meet directly or indirectly.