A vehicle tailgate assembly includes a tailgate and a switch assembly operably connected to the tailgate. The switch assembly includes a switch structured to be actuatable by application of a load exceeding a predetermined threshold to the tailgate. The switch assembly is operably connected to a tailgate automatic opening/closing mechanism such that actuation of the switch controls operation of the mechanism to prevent execution of a command to automatically open the tailgate when the tailgate is in a fully closed condition.

A method for measuring an axial-force of a bolt fastened to a component to be fastened, includes temporarily fastening the bolt to the component to be fastened with a temporarily-tightening torque, the temporarily-tightening torque being a torque which is determined in advance and by which a depression is formed on a head of the bolt, measuring a first axial force of the temporarily-fastened bolt, regularly fastening the bolt to the component to be fastened with a regularly-tightening torque, the regularly-tightening torque being torque which is determined in advance and larger than the temporarily-tightening torque, measuring a second axial force of the regularly-fastened bolt, and measuring an estimated axial force of the regularly-fastened bolt by using the torque with which the bolt is temporarily fastened, the torque with which the bolt is regularly fastened, and a difference between the first and second axial forces.

A tension sensor for an electrified fence which includes two contacts and a spring arrangement which, in response to a tension level in a taut wire in the electrified fence keeps the contacts electrically connected to each other when the tension level is below a predetermined value and which breaks such electrical connectivity when the tension level exceeds the predetermined value.

An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.

Disclosed is a battery pack configured such that a plurality of battery modules is connected to each other in series in a state in which the modules are in contact with each other or stacked adjacent to each other, the pack being fixed such that a stacked state of the modules is maintained even when volume of the modules is changed during charge and discharge, the pack including a cut-off portion connected in series to an electrical connection circuit between modules, a fixing member to fix a circuit breaker to at least one outer surface of the pack, and the breaker configured to be electrically conducted when an outer surface of at least one module expands by a reference volume value or more, the breaker being connected in series to the electrical connection circuit to short-circuit the cut-off portion when electric conduction is performed due to swelling of the modules.

A tension sensor for an electrified fence which includes two contacts and a spring arrangement which, in response to a tension level in a taut wire in the electrified fence keeps the contacts electrically connected to each other when the tension level is below a predetermined value and which breaks such electrical connectivity when the tension level exceeds the predetermined value.

An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.

The present invention concerns a household appliance (1), such as a washing machine and the like, comprising a chassis (11), a drum (12), for containing clothes (P), said drum (12) being contained in said chassis (11) and accessible through an opening (13), and a door (2), hinged to said chassis (11), for closing said opening (13), characterized in that it comprises a safety device (3) arranged to interact with said door (2) and configured to interrupt the operation of said household appliance (1) in case of said clothes (P) contained in said drum (12) exert a stress on said door (2) exceeding a safety threshold. The present invention also relates to a safety device (3) to prevent the exit of clothes (P) from a household appliance (1).

An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.

An automatic hold switch is disclosed. The automatic hold switch provides a means for automatically switching a hold feature on and off. When the hold feature is on, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are disabled or prevented from providing input signals. When the hold feature is off, one or more input devices of a portable electronic device are enabled or allowed to provide input signals. Because the user no longer has to manually control the hold feature, the number of actions that need to be taken by the user is reduced. In one example, the automatic hold switch is embodied with light sensors that detect when the device is in a dark environment and when the device is in a light environment. A dark environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes not to input and therefore the hold feature is turned on. A lighted environment indicates to the portable electronic device that the user wishes to input and therefore the hold feature is turned off.