Abstract: A winch-winding assembly for use with a flatbed winch, for example. The winch-winding assembly can be used for winding tie-down straps. The winch-winding assembly can include a gear system, a drive shaft connected to the gear system in order to cause rotation of the gear system and an engagement arm being configured to engage with and rotate part of the flatbed winch. A drill-support mechanism can be further provided to guide or support a body of a hand-held drill during engagement and rotation of the drive shaft. The engagement arm can comprise a stem and a finger mounted to the stem and being displaceable between a retracted position disengaging the flatbed winch, and an extended position engaging the flatbed winch, to rotate the winch drum in response to rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A winch-winding assembly for use with a flatbed winch, for example. The winch-winding assembly can be used for winding tie-down straps. The winch-winding assembly can include a gear system, a drive shaft connected to the gear system in order to cause rotation of the gear system and an engagement arm being configured to engage with and rotate part of the flatbed winch. A drill-support mechanism can be further provided to guide or support a body of a hand-held drill during engagement and rotation of the drive shaft. The engagement arm can comprise a stem and a finger mounted to the stem and being displaceable between a retracted position disengaging the flatbed winch, and an extended position engaging the flatbed winch, to rotate the winch drum in response to rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A winch-winding assembly for use with a flatbed winch, for example. The winch-winding assembly can be used for winding tie-down straps. The winch-winding assembly can include a gear system, a drive shaft connected to the gear system in order to cause rotation of the gear system and an engagement arm being configured to engage with and rotate part of the flatbed winch. A drill-support mechanism can be further provided to guide or support a body of a hand-held drill during engagement and rotation of the drive shaft. The engagement arm can comprise a stem and a finger mounted to the stem and being displaceable between a retracted position disengaging the flatbed winch, and an extended position engaging the flatbed winch, to rotate the winch drum in response to rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A winch-winding assembly for use with a flatbed winch, for example. The winch-winding assembly can be used for winding tie-down straps. The winch-winding assembly can include a gear system, a drive shaft connected to the gear system in order to cause rotation of the gear system and an engagement arm being configured to engage with and rotate part of the flatbed winch. A drill-support mechanism can be further provided to guide or support a body of a hand-held drill during engagement and rotation of the drive shaft. The engagement arm can comprise a stem and a finger mounted to the stem and being displaceable between a retracted position disengaging the flatbed winch, and an extended position engaging the flatbed winch, to rotate the winch drum in response to rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A winch-winding assembly for use with a flatbed winch, for example. The winch-winding assembly can be used for winding tie-down straps. The winch-winding assembly can include a gear system, a drive shaft connected to the gear system in order to cause rotation of the gear system and an engagement arm being configured to engage with and rotate part of the flatbed winch. A drill-support mechanism can be further provided to guide or support a body of a hand-held drill during engagement and rotation of the drive shaft. The engagement arm can comprise a stem and a finger mounted to the stem and being displaceable between a retracted position disengaging the flatbed winch, and an extended position engaging the flatbed winch, to rotate the winch drum in response to rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A lightweight self-reclining chair for outdoor having a skid-like to stand over any ground. The chair variable geometry frame comprising an articulated arched-shaped seat panel with an hinged back-rest panel and an hinged leg-rest panel clamped over upper ends of front-leg and rear-leg of a U-shaped chair support base; lower end of rear-leg U-shaped form chair support base being fitted with spring-hinge to pull back the seat in a reclined motion. The chair is equipped with hand-operable tension mechanism having integrated stopper to provide incremental adjustment on chair reclined a seat back angle with auto-pivoting of a leg-rest panel.

Abstract: A process for shutting down an operating electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium is described. The process includes: lowering anodes until a lower portion of the anodes is immersed in an aluminium layer; allowing the aluminium layer and an electrolyte bath to cool down with the lower portion of the anodes immersed in the aluminium layer; determining if the electrolyte bath is solidified, and if the electrolyte bath is solidified, raising the anodes before solidification of the aluminium layer to create a space between the solidified electrolyte bath and the anodes and the aluminium layer.

Abstract: A process for shutting down an operating electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium is described. The process includes: lowering anodes until a lower portion of the anodes is immersed in an aluminium layer; allowing the aluminium layer and an electrolyte bath to cool down with the lower portion of the anodes immersed in the aluminium layer; determining if the electrolyte bath is solidified, and if the electrolyte bath is solidified, raising the anodes before solidification of the aluminium layer to create a space between the solidified electrolyte bath and the anodes and the aluminium layer.

Abstract: A data communication interface connectable between a vehicle function-specific electronic device and a control module of a vehicle. The data communication interface includes a first programmable hardware for receiving signals from the control module of the vehicle and recognizing an identity of the vehicle based on the received signals. The data communication interface also includes a second programmable hardware for establishing a bi-directional connection between the vehicle function-specific electronic device and the control module of the vehicle when the identity of the vehicle is recognized.

Abstract: An interface for remotely starting a vehicle equipped with an electronic starting system employing an advanced key system, such as an electronic barrel and key combination or a pushbutton. In order to recreate the vehicle's starting sequence, upon actuation of a remote control device, the interface emulates electronic signals typically transmitted to the vehicle by the electronic starting system in order to start the vehicle.

Abstract: A securing device for chains used on flatbed trucks comprises an electric pneumatic system with a piston set partially inside a slit and which pushes the chain out. Instead of attaching the chain to a lever arm, the chain is passed through a loop attached to a small piece of chain, which in fact replaces where the lever arm would normally be. Once the chain is passed through the loop, it continues its course over to a slit at which point the user pulls on the chain and introduces the chain links into a slit in order to secure it tightly. In order to remove the links of the chain from the slit, a piston pushes the chain from the slit. The piston which is pneumatic hydraulic or electric is remotely actuated by an electric switch which can be situated in the truck's cabin so as to insure that no one is near the chain when it is released. The slit and piston arrangement are designed to fit into a single compact package.

Abstract: A data communication interface connectable between a vehicle function-specific electronic device and a control module of a vehicle. The data communication interface includes a first programmable hardware for receiving signals from the control module of the vehicle and recognizing an identity of the vehicle based on the received signals. The data communication interface also includes a second programmable hardware for establishing a bi-directional connection between the vehicle function-specific electronic device and the control module of the vehicle when the identity of the vehicle is recognized.

Abstract: A winch for cargo tie-down straps to tie down straps comprising a winch frame having a frame securing segment and a pair of integrally extending flanges; a winch drum rotatably mounted between said flanges; a pawl and ratchet mechanism attached at a longitudinal end of the winch frame; a fixed gear extending from an opposed longitudinal end of the winch drum; a free gear extending axially from the fixed gear; a worm gear mounted within a worm gear frame for driving a driving disc, the driving disc being adapted to selectively engage said fixed and free gears, depending on the positioning of the worm gear frame relative to a worm gear frame mounting assembly extending from the winch frame.

Abstract: A winch for cargo tie-down straps to tie down straps comprising a winch frame having

Abstract: New apparatus for peeling potato is disclosed. This hand-operated device includes a cylindrical container in which slides a spherical basket. The container is fitted, on inside wall, with spring mounted cutters forming together a self-adjustable peripheral peeling tool. The basket is formed by concentric ribs which are located to slide between each cutter when both the basket and the container are nested together. For peeling, the potato is introduced into the basket which, in turn, is inserted inside the container; using a long handle, the basket is subjected to alternating up and down motion. The enclosed potato rotates freely inside the basket to different positions, before passing through the aperture formed by a set of peripheral cutters. The wastes are collected inside the container, which could be opened at bottom for cleaning. The basket is equipped with a retractable handle to house completely inside the container for storage.

Abstract: The integrated tug-barge vessel consists of a separable barge and tug; the stern of the barge is formed of a pair of rearwardly extending projections defining a notch therebetween; the inside wall of each stern projection displays a buttress that engages into a longitudinal guideway, defined by a pair of rails on each sidewall of the tug, when the tug approaches the stern notch of the barge; the engagement of this buttress into a constricted portion of the guideway controls the vertical and torsional movements of the tug as it engages the stern of the barge; the disclosure herein is also concerned with describing a coupling device for snugly linking the tug to the barge; it includes a housing located at the stern of the barge and a linkage assembly mounted at the bow of the tug consisting of an hydraulic cylinder that actuates an arm and lever arrangement for the engagement and the disengagement of the tug to and from the barge.

Abstract: A dynamic audio-video interconnection system for connecting together at least one television receiver and a plurality of peripheral units in home audio-visual installations. By means of a remote-control keyboard, the user transmits interconnection orders which are processed by a microprocessor in order to actuate electronic switches which effect the desired interconnection.