Abstract:
The tool has a folded position and an unfolded position. It will generally include a head assembly and an articulated handle. The handle can also be used alone. The handle, or the tool with such handle, occupies only a very compact space once in a fully folded position. It may thus be easily carried and stored when not in use. It can be folded and unfolded with only a minimal manipulative effort and level of difficulty. The main constituent parts cannot become detached and this unitary design alleviates the risks of parts being misplaced or lost.
Abstract:
A drum which receives a cable of a counterbalancing system of a cable-operated door, the cable having an extremity provided with a stopper. The drum includes a substantially cylindrical body, a cable entry groove and a securing slot. The drum further includes an embossment configured about the drum and its components in order to prevent that the cable from coming off its normal position in the drum when there is a “slack” condition in the cable.
Abstract:
A plug for operatively connecting a torsion spring onto a corresponding component of a counterbalancing mechanism of a door assembly. The plug includes a connecting portion for removably connecting the plug onto the corresponding component, a substantially cylindrical collar insertable into an end portion of the torsion spring, an anchoring portion disposed on a bottom section of the collar for cooperating with a coil of the end portion of the torsion spring so as to pivotally anchor the collar onto the end portion of the torsion spring, and a clip projecting from a top section of the collar, and being disposed at a location on the collar substantially diametrically opposite from where the anchoring portion is disposed on the bottom section of the collar. The clip is shaped and sized for clasping past an end coil of the torsion spring and operatively engaging with the same so as to securely mount the plug onto the end portion of the torsion spring in a clip-like manner, thereby enabling the plug to be mounted onto the torsion spring quickly and easily.
Abstract:
A device for selectively positioning a side wing relative to the side of a motor vehicle it Is mounted on and to the adjacent road surface is disclosed. The device Includes first and second longitudinal end members pivotally connected to the vehicle side and to a rearward end of the side wing about vertical axes; the front end of the wing is usually connected adjacent the front end of the vehicle. First and second elongate rams that are angularly positioned relative to one another are connected to the first and second end members. The first and second rams operate in parallel relative to each other for selective operation of the side wing from a position adjacent the vehicle side and away from the ground surface to a position in operative engagement with the road surface at an adjustable angle relative to the vehicle side.
Abstract:
A winding system for winding a rolling door assembly. The winding system includes a support bracket, first and second gears. The support bracket is preferably rigidly connectable to a fixed structure of the rolling door assembly, and has a receiving device and a supporting device. The first gear is pivotally mounted about the receiving device of the support bracket and rotatable thereabout along opposite first and second directions of rotation. The second gear is pivotally mounted about the supporting device of the support bracket and rotatable thereabout along opposite first and second directions of rotation. The first gear is operatively connected to a corresponding end of the counterbalancing spring of the rolling door assembly. The second gear is threadably engaged with the first gear such that, a rotation of the second gear along one of its first and second directions of rotation causes the first gear to rotate along a corresponding one of its first and second directions of rotation, thereby resulting in a corresponding winding of the counterbalancing spring of the rolling door assembly.
Abstract:
A ratchet-like assembly for winding a counterbalancing mechanism of a door. The ratchet-like assembly includes at least one plate, at least one ridge, an actuator, and at least one pawling element. Each plate is operatively mounted onto a fixed structure and includes an orifice through which extends a shaft of the counterbalancing mechanism and about which the shaft is rotatable along opposite first and second directions of rotation. Each ridge is provided about an outer edge of the corresponding orifice. The actuator is operatively connected to each plate and is operable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. Each pawling element is mounted onto the actuator and is positioned within a corresponding ridge, adjacent to the shaft. Each ridge and each corresponding pawling element are shaped and sized so that when the actuator is operated in the locked configuration, each pawling element is operatively pressed against the shaft and its corresponding ridge for preventing the shaft from rotating along the first direction of rotation, and when the actuator is operated in the unlocked configuration, each pawling element is operatively urged away from the shaft and its corresponding ridge for allowing the shaft to rotate along both the first and second directions of rotation. The present ratchet-like assembly enables to easily install and calibrate counterbalancing mechanisms of various types of door assemblies where a torque must be applied and maintained onto a given shaft of the door assembly.
Abstract:
A plug for use in a counterbalancing mechanism of a cable-operated door. The plug is mounted about an overhead shaft and used for operatively connecting the overhead shaft to a torsion spring coaxially mounted thereon. The plug includes a cylindrical collar and a cylindrical flange. The cylindrical collar has opposite first and second portions. The collar is provided with a hooking slot for hooking a free end of the torsion spring therein and the torsion spring has a segment coaxially mounted about the first portion of the collar. The cylindrical flange is rigidly affixed to the second portion of the collar. The flange is used for transferring a torque between the torsion spring and the overhead shaft when the flange is securely fixed about the overhead shaft. The plug further includes a shouldering floor of a given length faced against the hooking slot and extending inside the collar, from the second portion towards the first portion thereof, between the collar and the overhead shaft.
Abstract:
A retractable side wing assembly, adapted to be mounted on a side of a road vehicle for clearing snow off the same, includes a scraper having a frontward end pivotally secured to the side of the vehicle and a rearwardly and outwardly extending free end, a retracting member having a first end rotatably secured to a carriage of a shock absorbing device and a second end rotatably secured to the side of the vehicle rearwardly of the scraper, and a fixed part of the shock absorbing device rigidly secured to the scraper in proximity of the frontward end. The shock absorbing device that could also be retrofitted as a kit on an existing side wing assembly includes an absorber member rigidly secured to both the fixed part and the carriage sliding therealong, and allowing for automatic rearward deflection of the scraper pivoting around the frontward end from its standard position to a deflected position when hitting an obstacle. The assembly may also include a hydraulic ram pushing the carriage toward the fixed part whenever activated by an operator, and a resilient roller member freely rotatably mounted on a generally vertical shaft rigidly supported by brackets secured to the free end of the scraper and slightly extending out of the same to take lateral hit instead of the free end from lateral vertical obstacles.
Abstract:
An attachment device attaches adjacent first and second concrete pieces to one another along corresponding first and second interfacing side surfaces thereof, thereby forming a concrete piece attachment arrangement. The device includes an elongate base member having opposed first and second portions, and first and second lateral members securing to and respectively extending substantially perpendicularly from first and second ends of the base member. The first and second portions of the base member extend within first and second recesses respectively formed into the concrete pieces, in a direction generally perpendicular to the first and second interfacing side surfaces. The first and second lateral member respectively extend through bore holes extending through the first and second concrete pieces and connecting with the respective first and second recesses. A method for attaching the concrete pieces to one another with an attachment piece is also described.
Abstract:
An attachment device attaches adjacent first and second concrete pieces to one another along corresponding first and second interfacing side surfaces thereof, thereby forming a concrete piece attachment arrangement. The device includes an elongate base member having opposed first and second portions, and first and second lateral members securing to and respectively extending substantially perpendicularly from first and second ends of the base member. The first and second portions of the base member extend within first and second recesses respectively formed into the concrete pieces, in a direction generally perpendicular to the first and second interfacing side surfaces. The first and second lateral member respectively extend through bore holes extending through the first and second concrete pieces and connecting with the respective first and second recesses. A method for attaching the concrete pieces to one another with an attachment piece is also described.