Abstract: The universal joint (200) is provided at the free end (154) of the arm assembly (152) in a wheel chock handling unit (150) for securing a wheel chock (100). The joint (200) includes a main plate (220), a first pivot coupling (208) defining a yaw axis (210), and an elongated link (260) attached to the first pivot coupling (208) and being pivotable about the yaw axis (210). The joint (200) also includes means for limiting axial pivot movements of the link (260) within a range of angular positions having a first angular end position and a second angular end position. The joint (200) can be configured and arranged so that the wheel chock (100) can self-align using only its own weight, thus the force of gravity, along the entire range of positions along a base plate (110), or a portion thereof.

Abstract: The wheel chock handling unit includes a base, an articulated cantilever arm assembly, a main spring assembly and a force-compensation mechanism. The arm assembly has a first end pivotally mounted to the base for angular displacement of the arm assembly in a substantially vertical plane between a storage position and an extended position. It also has a second end receiving a wheel chock. The main spring assembly extends between the arm assembly and the base. The force-compensation mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted to the base for angular displacement in a plane that is substantially parallel to that of the arm assembly.

Abstract: A climbing apparatus for safely climbing on a roof of a trailer, the climbing apparatus comprising a ladder portion, a upper pivot portion for pivoting an upper portion of the ladder portion, the upper pivot portion being secured to the trailer to allow movements of the ladder portion between a work configuration and a stored configuration next to a wall of the trailer and a movable support adapted to maintain the ladder portion in the work configuration by providing increased angle between the ladder portion and the wall of the trailer.

Abstract: A monitoring system for driver's braking habits comprising a sensor connected to brakes of a vehicle provided to sense and evaluate the following levels of pressure being applied to the brakes by a driver: normal pressure, above normal pressure and an excessive pressure level. The sensor is adapted to activate a warning signal element connected to the sensor and is provided to warn the driver when the pressure level exceeds the above normal pressure level and the excessive pressure level which facilitates correction of bad driving habits of the driver and development of preventive driving techniques. The sensor comprises a first sensor adapted to sense and evaluate the above normal pressure level, and a second sensor adapted to sense and evaluate the excessive pressure level.

Abstract: A scraping device for removing material from an elevated surface such as snow on the roof of a vehicle, the device comprising a blade member, a first connecting member having a distal end and a proximal end, a support member having one pivotably connected adjacent the proximal end of the connecting member with a linking element being connected to the proximal end thereof, the linking end extending downwardly with respect to the first connecting member and a control member pivotably connected to the connecting member intermediate of the distal and proximal ends thereof. The device has the blade placed on the vehicle roof and subsequently the control member is operated to position the blade and pull the blade towards the side of the vehicle thus removing snow therefrom.

Abstract: A mechanism for improving the use of winches adapted for securing cargo load on flat bed trailers pulled by road tractors provides the additional capability to continuously wind a belt thereon and to remove the wound belt from the mechanism for storage. The mechanism can be part of the winch or simply temporarily fasten to the winch and is activated with the winch. The mechanism further includes a device for rapidly and continuously rotating the winch.

Abstract: A braking monitoring system comprising a sensor means connected to brakes of a vehicle. The sensor means are provided to sense and evaluate the following levels of pressure being applied to the brakes by a driver: normal pressure, above normal pressure and an excessive pressure level. The sensor means are adapted to activate a warning signal means connected to the sensor means; the warning signal means are provided to warn the driver when the pressure level exceeds the above normal pressure level and the excessive pressure level. This facilitates correction of bad driving habits of the driver and development of preventive driving techniques. The sensor means comprise a first sensor means, being adapted to sense and evaluate the above normal pressure level, and a second sensor means, being adapted to sense and evaluate the excessive pressure level.