Abstract: A split rear backrest is arranged between two side panels of a motor vehicle and has two backrests, which are provided with respective lower portions arranged side by side along a horizontal axis and are rotatable independently of each other about said horizontal axis; moreover, the backrest has a shaft, whose ends define respective fastening elements for being coupled to the side panels; the shaft has a segment axially protruding from one of the backrests and rotationally engaging a seat axially formed in the other backrest.

Abstract: A magnetic device for gripping and clamping workpieces, in particular sheet-steel elements (L), comprises a supporting casing (2), slidably mounted within which is a magnet-holder member (4) carrying a main permanent magnet (M). The magnet-holder member (4) can be displaced between an advanced, operative, position, in which the main magnet (M) is designed to grip and clamp a workpiece (L), and a retracted, inoperative, position. The movement of the magnet-holder member (M) is controlled by shape-memory actuator means (A1, A2, B, E).

Abstract: A split rear backrest is arranged between two side panels of a motor vehicle and has two backrests, which are provided with respective lower portions arranged side by side along a horizontal axis and are rotatable independently of each other about said horizontal axis; moreover, the backrest has a shaft, whose ends define respective fastening elements for being coupled to the side panels; the shaft has a segment axially protruding from one of the backrests and rotationally engaging a seat axially formed in the other backrest.

Abstract: An electric household appliance having a casing (2); a compartment (3) housed inside the casing (2) and facing an opening (4); a door (5) fitted to the casing (2) and movable between an open position and a closed position; and a locking device (6); the locking device (6) having a box body (7) fixed to the casing (2), alongside the door (5); latch means (8, 13) fitted to the box body (7) to move between a lock position locking the door (5), and a release position releasing the door (5); and an actuating device (11) for selectively moving the latch means (8, 13) between the lock position and the release position, and which has at least an electrically conducting resistance wire (16) made of a shape-memory alloy and designed to vary in length alongside a variation in temperature, and electric power devices (18) for powering the resistance wire (16) and producing a controlled Joule-effect variation in temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic device for gripping and clamping workpieces, in particular sheet-steel elements (L), comprises a supporting casing (2), slidably mounted within which is a magnet-holder member (4) carrying a main permanent magnet (M). The magnet-holder member (4) can be displaced between an advanced, operative, position, in which the main magnet (M) is designed to grip and clamp a workpiece (L), and a retracted, inoperative, position. The movement of the magnet-holder member (M) is controlled by shape-memory actuator means (A1, A2, B, E).

Abstract: A grip member is equipped with a plurality of modules for generating haptic feed-back distributed along the grip member and activatable according to a pre-set sequence.

Abstract: A chair or a seat, in particular a seat for motor vehicles, includes an ergonomic device for supporting the body of the occupant, comprising a supporting panel having supporting laths, set at a distance from one another, which can be arched towards the body of the occupant, each independently of the others, by a respective actuator, which includes an actuator element constituted by a shape-memory material, which undergoes a reduction in length following upon heating above a predetermined transition temperature, higher than ambient temperature. Associated to the panel are electrical-supply means for supply of the shape-memory actuators and electronic control means for activating the laths independently and/or in succession according to any predetermined logic, in particular according to successive waves of activation, for example from above downwards, or from below upwards, or alternately from above and from below, so as to obtain a massaging effect.

Abstract: A chair or a seat, in particular a seat for motor vehicles, includes an ergonomic device for supporting the body of the occupant, comprising a supporting panel having supporting laths, set at a distance from one another, which can be arched towards the body of the occupant, each independently of the others, by a respective actuator, which includes an actuator element constituted by a shape-memory material, which undergoes a reduction in length following upon heating above a predetermined transition temperature, higher than ambient temperature. Associated to the panel are electrical-supply means for supply of the shape-memory actuators and electronic control means for activating the laths independently and/or in succession according to any predetermined logic, in particular according to successive waves of activation, for example from above downwards, or from below upwards, or alternately from above and from below, so as to obtain a massaging effect.

Abstract: A grip member is equipped with a plurality of modules for generating haptic feed-back distributed along the grip member and activatable according to a pre-set sequence.