Abstract: An apparatus for breaking glass panels comprises a table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. A glass-breaking device comprises a frame mounted to the table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. An impacting tool is operatively connected to the frame, the impacting tool being displaceable between a retracted position in which a tip of the impacting tool is below a plane of the support surface, and an impacting position in which the tip projects above the plane of the support surface to impact a glass panel on the support surface of the table. An actuator is actuatable to cause a displacement of the impacting tool from the retracted position to the impacting position.

Abstract: An electric drum brake comprises a back plate. Shoes are operatively mounted to the backplate and displaceable to a deployed condition against a wheel drum from a retracted condition. An electrically powered actuation mechanism is adapted to convert electric power to a movement of the shoes to the deployed condition. A safety actuation mechanism comprises a lever having a first end adapted to receive a mechanical force. A joint configuration connects the lever to at least one of the shoes to convert movements of the lever to movements of at least one of the shoes between the deployed condition and the retracted condition without said electric power. A biasing member produces a biasing action against at least one of the lever and the joint configuration to maintain the shoes in the deployed condition, the mechanical force being against the biasing action to maintain the shoes in the retracted condition.

Abstract: A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake unit to brake the trailer. An actuation unit comprises a mount secured to a front end of the trailer. A brake interface is operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer. The brake interface is displaceable toward a deactivation state in which the brake interface releases the brake unit from braking the trailer. A probe is operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer, the probe being displaceable between a hitching state in which the probe is adapted to contact the hitch of a vehicle, and a blocking state in which the probe blocks a hitch coupler of the trailer to prevent hitching of the trailer to a vehicle A biasing unit biases the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the blocking state.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking glass panels comprises a table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. A glass-breaking device comprises a frame mounted to the table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. An impacting tool is operatively connected to the frame, the impacting tool being displaceable between a retracted position in which a tip of the impacting tool is below a plane of the support surface, and an impacting position in which the tip projects above the plane of the support surface to impact a glass panel on the support surface of the table. An actuator is actuatable to cause a displacement of the impacting tool from the retracted position to the impacting position.

Abstract: A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake end having a brake unit adapted to be secured to a trailer and positioned to block movement of the trailer when actuated and an actuation end adapted to be secured to a front end of the trailer. The actuation end comprises a hitch ball coupler having a hand portion defining a concavity adapted to receive a hitch ball of a vehicle. It also comprises a mechanism operatively connected to the hitch coupler and displaceable with respect thereto. The mechanism comprises a probe plunger and a hitched position. The mechanism is connected to the brake unit for actuation of said brake unit. The safety brake system also comprises a biasing unit. A trailer assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake end, an actuation end and a biasing unit. The brake end comprises a brake unit adapted to be secured to a trailer and positioned to block at least one wheel of the trailer when actuated. The actuation end comprises a mount adapted to be secured to a front end of the trailer and a probe operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer. The probe is operatively connected to the brake unit for actuating same. The probe is displaceable between a hitching state in which the probe is adapted to contact the hitch of a vehicle, and a braking state in which the probe actuates the brake unit. The biasing unit biases the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the braking state, such that the brake unit is actuated when the hitch is separated from the trailer.

Abstract: An electric drum brake comprises a back plate. Shoes are operatively mounted to the backplate and displaceable to a deployed condition against a wheel drum from a retracted condition. An electrically powered actuation mechanism is adapted to convert electric power to a movement of the shoes to the deployed condition. A safety actuation mechanism comprises a lever having a first end adapted to receive a mechanical force. A joint configuration connects the lever to at least one of the shoes to convert movements of the lever to movements of at least one of the shoes between the deployed condition and the retracted condition without said electric power. A biasing member produces a biasing action against at least one of the lever and the joint configuration to maintain the shoes in the deployed condition, the mechanical force being against the biasing action to maintain the shoes in the retracted condition.

Abstract: In a gaseous-fuelled stoichiometric compression ignition internal combustion engine, a pilot fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber to help initiate a multi-point ignition. The engine provides performance improvements approaching those of high pressure direct injection engines but with less complexity because the gaseous fuel is introduced into the intake air subsystem at relatively low pressure and as a result of the stoichiometric combustion, the low oxygen content in the combustion products exiting the combustion chamber allows the use of a three-way catalyst instead of other after treatment arrangements normally associated with conventional compression ignition engines that require the addition of a reductant.

Abstract: A shipping container for detachably supporting fragile panels therein, said shipping container comprising a floor and an upright panel extending upwardly in relation to said floor. Panel restraining means in adjacent surfaces of said floor and said upright panel support said fragile panels in spaced-apart generally parallel planes. A clamp panel is detachably connected to the shipping container and upright and spaced apart from the upright panel with the fragile panels between the upright panel and the clamp panel. Removable rigid panel connecting bars of substantially identical lengths removably are connected to a top edge of said fragile panels and held between the upright panel and the clamp panel. Resilient means restrain said connecting bars from displacement by a compression force exerted on opposed ends of said panel connecting bars.

Abstract: A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake end having a brake unit adapted to be secured to a trailer and positioned to block movement of the trailer when actuated and an actuation end adapted to be secured to a front end of the trailer. The actuation end comprises a hitch ball coupler having a hand portion defining a concavity adapted to receive a hitch ball of a vehicle. It also comprises a mechanism operatively connected to the hitch coupler and displaceable with respect thereto. The mechanism comprises a probe plunger and a hitched position. The mechanism is connected to the brake unit for actuation of said brake unit. The safety brake system also comprises a biasing unit. A trailer assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake end, an actuation end and a biasing unit. The brake end comprises a brake unit adapted to be secured to a trailer and positioned to block at least one wheel of the trailer when actuated. The actuation end comprises a mount adapted to be secured to a front end of the trailer and a probe operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer. The probe is operatively connected to the brake unit for actuating same. The probe is displaceable between a hitching state in which the probe is adapted to contact the hitch of a vehicle, and a braking state in which the probe actuates the brake unit. The biasing unit biases the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the braking state, such that the brake unit is actuated when the hitch is separated from the trailer.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table with an intermediary conveyor extending between them. A storage rack and a laterally-movable conveyor are positioned at either ends of the storage system. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots. The storage slots store the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring panels from a stack of generally upstanding panels to a lying position on a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pulling device having a tool end adapted to be releasably connected to a surface of a panel of the stack in a contacting position. The pulling device is actuatable to displace the tool end to the contacting position. An actuator member operatively supports the pulling device so as to displace the pulling device away from the panel, to pull the panel away from the stack by actuation of the actuator member to create a gap between the panel and the stack. A pushing device has a portion adapted to be inserted in the gap in a pushing position. The pushing device is operatively supported by the actuator member, whereby the pushing device in the pushing position pushes the panel away from the stack.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table with an intermediary conveyor extending between them. A storage rack and a laterally-movable conveyor are positioned at either ends of the storage system. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots. The storage slots store the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table. A storage rack is positioned between the first and the second tilt table. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots extending longitudinally within the main frame of the storage rack. The storage slots storing the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. In use, the first tilt table receives horizontally-disposed glass offcuts from the breakout table and sends it to the storage rack. The second tilt table receives previously-stored glass offcuts from the storage rack to be directed to the loading table. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring panels from a stack of generally upstanding panels to a lying position on a receiving surface. The apparatus comprises a pulling device having a tool end adapted to be releasably connected to a surface of a panel of the stack in a contacting position. The pulling device is actuatable to displace the tool end to the contacting position. An actuator member operatively supports the pulling device so as to displace the pulling device away from the panel, to pull the panel away from the stack by actuation of the actuator member to -create a gap between the panel and the stack. A pushing device has a portion adapted to be inserted in the gap in a pushing position. The pushing device is operatively supported by the actuator member, whereby the pushing device in the pushing position pushes the panel away from the stack.

Abstract: A rack for storing at least one panel, comprising a base having a top surface, a rear structure vertically extending from the base, at least one support in at least one of the top surface of the base and the rear structure for supporting the panel in a vertical position, and at least one arm including a connecting member connecting the arm to the rear structure, a retaining member engaging a top edge of the panel to retain the panel in the vertical position, and a flexible portion between the connecting member and the retaining member. A method using the rack defined hereinbefore. Said improved rack and method allow easy access to a desired panel.

Abstract: The present invention includes a rack for storing panels, comprising a base having a top surface, a rear structure vertically extending from the base, a plurality of supports in at least one of the top surface of the base and the rear structure for supporting the panels in a vertical position, and a plurality of arms extending from the rear structure for engaging top edges of the panels to retain the panels in the vertical position. The present invention therefore allows for easy and selective access to a desired panel, or small group of panels, regardless of the number and disposition of the other panels within the rack. A method for storing panels within a rack is also presented.

Abstract: The storage system is for use next to a glass processing line having a loading table, a glass cutting table and a breakout table. The storage system comprises a first tilt table and a second tilt table. A storage rack is positioned between the first and the second tilt table. The storage rack comprises a plurality of parallel storage slots extending longitudinally within the main frame of the storage rack. The storage slots storing the glass offcuts at a substantially vertical position of less than 90 degrees with reference to the horizontal. In use, the first tilt table receives horizontally-disposed glass offcuts from the breakout table and sends it to the storage rack. The second tilt table receives previously-stored glass offcuts from the storage rack to be directed to the loading table. A method of storing a glass offcut and a method of recycling glass offcuts are also disclosed. The storage system and methods allow to easily store and retrieve glass offcuts.

Abstract: An improved clamp for use on a glass rack to hold sheets of glass. The clamp has a clamping bar pivotally mounted at one end to one side of the rack. The other end of the bar is cushioned. The bar is movable about its pivot between an upright inoperative position and a sloping operative position where its cushioned end abuts glass sheets on the rack holding them against the other side of the rack.