Abstract:
A wheel chock system for preventing movement of one or more wheels. The system may include a pair of chocks for clamping onto one or more wheels. The chocks may be connected through a linkage mechanism that can be rotated to draw the chocks together or move the chocks further apart. A handle may be attached to the linkage mechanism for moving the chock system from a blocking position to a released position. The handle may be configured to stand upright such that the chock system can be installed and removed by a user in a standing position without the need to bend or crouch. One embodiment of the chock system may be attachable to two different wheels in a tandem wheel arrangement, whereas another embodiment of the chock system may be configured to clamp onto a single wheel.
Abstract:
A flexible system for winter traction products that allows for component repairability, interchangeability, customization and resizing, all without requiring tools. The key to this system is the provision of connectors which provide interconnection of multiple components whereby at least three points of connection on three components can be interconnected by the connectors. The interconnection of the points of connection by the connectors enable components to be interchanged within the assembly for establishing a desired style and fit of the tire chain to a variety of tire sizes and tire chain types.
Abstract:
An intelligent power management system that includes a circuit breaker containing a PLC module that spans open contacts of the circuit breaker to provide a communication path for PLC messages between communication paths on each of the line and load sides of the circuit when the contacts are open. The contacts are motorized to permit remote operation through PLC messaging. Coupled to the PLC module is a controller, which controls the opening and closing of the motorized contacts under user control or via an adaptive load management algorithm that reduces peak power consumption and adapts a set of loads to changed power supply conditions. The controller can also dynamically alter operational current and fault threshold levels on a real-time basis based upon circuit requirements or environmental conditions. The algorithm runs a state machine and also manages loads in a limited power source environment such as when loads are powered by a generator.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a tire chain designed to retain the strength characteristics of a prior tire chain but reducing the dimension of the tire chain components to be located at the inner wall of the tire so as to reduce the likelihood of interfering engagement with components that are closely positioned relative to the tire.
Abstract:
A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having left and right hand threads at opposed ends and sides and threaded shafts mated to the threads whereby turning of the tube relative to the shafts produces common insertion or extension of the shafts relative to the tube. A gear secured to the tube and a pivotal housing with handle surrounding the gear. A pawl carried by the housing and moveable into and out of engagement with the gear in either rotative direction whereby handle movement either contracts or extends the shafts simultaneously from the tube. A centered position of the pawl and a detent in said pawl engaged by a spring biased pinion that retains the pawl as desired out of engagement with the gear for free turning of the tube. The handle may be pivoted to a parallel position with the tube for convenient storage and safety, and a lock may be applied to lock the pawl in a position for contracting the shafts to prevent inadvertent release from the load binding condition.
Abstract:
A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having a pawl disposed in a housing adapted to engage a gear that may be coupled to a tube, wherein rotation of the gear can cause extension and contraction of shafts with respect to the tube. The pawl having more than one operation configuration, such as a load tightening, load loosening and a free spin position. An indicator coupled to the pawl and adapted to move relative to the housing to indicate the operational configuration by pointing to corresponding markings disposed on the housing.
Abstract:
A saw chain sprocket has wear indicating grooves disposed in the saw chain contacting surface, each groove being located at a predetermined distance from the tip of the saw chain driving tooth such that when the sprocket surface is worn to the depth of one of the grooves, sprocket replacement is indicated as necessary.
Abstract:
A circuit breaker is disclosed that has a bi-stable display that maintains an indication of a fault condition after power is interrupted to the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has a microcontroller that receives power derived from a line current that passes through the circuit breaker or the line voltage when the circuit breaker is in an on state. The bi-stable display is electrically coupled to and controlled by the microcontroller. A tripping mechanism trips the circuit breaker in response to detection of a fault condition. The tripping mechanism trips the circuit breaker in response to receiving a trip signal from the microcontroller. The microcontroller is programmed to modify the bi-stable display when sending the trip signal to the electronic switching device. The bi-stable display shows an indication of one of the several fault types that would have caused the circuit breaker to trip. The bi-stable display continues to display the fault-type indication after the circuit breaker has tripped and power is interrupted to the microcontroller.
Abstract:
A method of tripping a circuit breaker including sampling an AC line voltage at regular intervals during a first time period to generate a plurality of AC line voltage samples. Each sample of the set of AC line voltage samples is summed to generate a voltage area value. A controller determines whether the voltage area value exceeds a threshold. In response to the voltage area value exceeding the threshold, an amount determined as a function of the voltage area value is added to a count value. The circuit breaker is caused to trip in response to the count value equaling or exceeding a maximum count value.An improper line-to-neutral voltage can be detected by monitoring the line-to-neutral voltage and comparing it to a function such as a trip curve. Thus, components downstream from a circuit breaker, as well as the circuit breaker itself, can be protected from prolonged exposure to improper voltages, which can lead to component failure.
Abstract:
A tool for binding and securing the binding of a load, said binding including a tube having left and right hand threads at opposed ends and sides and threaded shafts mated to the threads whereby turning of the tube relative to the shafts produces common insertion or extension of the shafts relative to the tube. A gear secured to the tube and a pivotal housing with handle surrounding the gear. A pawl carried by the housing and moveable into and out of engagement with the gear in either rotative direction whereby handle movement either contracts or extends the shafts simultaneously from the tube. A centered position of the pawl and a detent in said pawl engaged by a spring biased pinion that retains the pawl as desired out of engagement with the gear for free turning of the tube. The handle may be pivoted to a parallel position with the tube for convenient storage and safety, and a lock may be applied to lock the pawl in a position for contracting the shafts to prevent inadvertent release from the load binding condition.