Abstract: An apparatus for treating a slurry substance comprising: a support structure; a dryer system including drums rotatably mounted to the structure, the drums arranged on the structure to form a throat therebetween; a drive system to rotate the drums; a heating system for heating an outer cylindrical surface of the drums; and a collecting system under the throat configured to collect the substance. The apparatus further comprises at least one feed conveyor wherein the at least one feed conveyor includes a feed plate directing a substance to the throat; and wherein the heating system includes at least one heating element in the hollow cavity configured to heat a heating fluid received within the drums.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing combustion gases includes a container defining an inner cavity configured for holding a liquid, and an exhaust end for exhausting gas. An inlet is in fluid communication with a lower portion of the inner cavity, and adapted to receive an injection of combustion gases. One or more fragmentation members are located in the inner cavity downstream of the inlet and upstream of the exhaust end, the fragmentation member configured to be immersed in the liquid of the container, to induce a fragmentation of the combustion gases passing therethough for capture of the combustion gases by the liquid. A method for capturing combustion gases in a liquid is provided.

Abstract: An impactor apparatus for use with a rotorcraft, comprises a reeling apparatus adapted to be transported by the rotorcraft, reeling apparatus including at least a spool, an actuation system for rotating a spool in a winding direction, and a brake system for braking a rotation of the drum. A cable is wound onto the spool. An impactor mass is attached to a free end of the cable. A release of the brake system causes a drop of the impactor mass by gravity, from a loaded condition, the actuating system subsequently rotating the spool to wind the cable onto the spool to put the impactor mass in a loaded condition.

Abstract: A dock installation system to facilitate installation of dock platforms comprises one or more inflatable supports configured to be positioning under a dock platform. The inflatable support is sized and shaped to floatingly support the dock platform when suitable inflated. An attachment device for the inflatable support, the attachment device is configured to releasably secure the inflatable support to the dock platform when positioned under same. A method for installing a dock system comprises positioning the inflatable support(s) under a dock platform. The inflatable support is inflated to support the dock platform. The inflated support with the dock platform thereon is displaced to a desired position onto a body of water onto which the dock platform is to be installed, the inflated support floatingly supporting the dock platform. The dock platform is fixed at the desired position. The inflated support is removed.

Abstract: A trailer-hitch system comprises a hitch frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle and having a receiver for accommodating a foremost end of a mount unit. The mount unit has a member portion in mating engagement with the receiver of the hitch frame. A connector for connection with a trailer is provided at a rearmost end. The trailer-hitch system also comprises a mechanism actuated to press a portion of the member portion against the receiver for locking the mount unit into the mating engagement with the receiver. A method for locking a mount unit in a receiver of a hitch frame is also provided.

Abstract: A connection system for a vehicle tool such as a plow, comprising: a vehicle structure unit adapted to be secured to an underside of a vehicle. A tool connector unit is adapted to be secured to a vehicle tool. A male and female connector system is between the vehicle structure unit and the tool connector unit for the mating engagement therebetween. A latch unit latches at least one male connector of the connector system into a corresponding female connector for releasable engagement, the latch unit comprising at least one biasing element to bias the latch unit into the releasable engagement. An interface connected to the latch unit for operating the latch unit in disengaging the male and female connector system.

Abstract: An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.

Abstract: A trailer-hitch system comprises a hitch frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle and having a receiver for accommodating a foremost end of a mount unit. The mount unit has a member portion in mating engagement with the receiver of the hitch frame. A connector for connection with a trailer is provided at a rearmost end. The trailer-hitch system also comprises a mechanism actuated to press a portion of the member portion against the receiver for locking the mount unit into the mating engagement with the receiver. A method for locking a mount unit in a receiver of a hitch frame is also provided.

Abstract: A track extension in combination with a track system comprises a track system having a track frame, wheels mounted to the frame and adapted to allow cyclic movement of a track about the frame, drive means in the frame adapted to transmit a drive of a vehicle to the track to drive the track in a cyclic movement. An extension frame is releasably secured to an end of the track frame. An idler wheelset is mounted to an end of the extension frame. A track is mounted about the track frame and the extension frame such that a footprint of the track is delimited at an end by the engagement of the track with the idler wheelset. A method is provided to increase a footprint of a track system.

Abstract: A boom assembly comprising: a base anchored to a structure/ground. A boom is rotatably mounted to the base at a connected end so as to be rotatable about a generally vertical axis, the boom having a device to support loads at a free end. An orientation clutch is provided between the base and the boom. The orientation clutch has a mechanism for locking a rotation of the boom with respect to the generally vertical axis so as to selectively adjust an orientation of the boom. The orientation clutch has a release configuration to allow the boom to self-adjust its orientation to align with a load pulled by the device.

Abstract: An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.

Abstract: An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.

Abstract: A boom assembly comprising: a base anchored to a structure/ground. A boom is rotatably mounted to the base at a connected end so as to be rotatable about a generally vertical axis, the boom having a device to support loads at a free end. An orientation clutch is provided between the base and the boom. The orientation clutch has a mechanism for locking a rotation of the boom with respect to the generally vertical axis so as to selectively adjust an orientation of the boom. The orientation clutch has a release configuration to allow the boom to self-adjust its orientation to align with a load pulled by the device.

Abstract: A track extension in combination with a track system comprises a track system having a track frame, wheels mounted to the frame and adapted to allow cyclic movement of a track about the frame, drive means in the frame adapted to transmit a drive of a vehicle to the track to drive the track in a cyclic movement. An extension frame is releasably secured to an end of the track frame. An idler wheelset is mounted to an end of the extension frame. A track is mounted about the track frame and the extension frame such that a footprint of the track is delimited at an end by the engagement of the track with the idler wheelset. A method is provided to increase a footprint of a track system.

Abstract: A post support assembly for an adjustable safety rail barricade is comprised of a universal flat attachment base plate to which a post is secured. The post support has a post connector pivotally connected to a guide bracket. The post connector has an open top end to receive a post therein in a detachably securable fashion. The flat attachment base plate has a pair of opposed side connecting arms disposed on opposed sides of a central connecting arm. At least two spaced-apart incline slots are provided in the side and central connecting arms and are all inclined in a common direction and at a common angle and have a lower open end. The inclined slots in the side connecting arms are spaced apart at predetermined distance. Preferably, but not exclusively, the post support is for a safety rail barricade to be used by roofers.

Abstract: An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.

Abstract: A wheel unit mountable on a ski of a ski-mounted vehicle includes an actuating plate defining a wheel attachment section and a piston attachment section The actuating plate is pivotally attached to the ski intermediate the wheel and piston attachment sections for pivotal movement about a plate pivotal axis. A wheel attachment assembly is provided for rotatably attaching the wheel to the wheel attachment section. An actuator is operatively coupled to the actuating plate for selectively pivoting the actuating plate about the plate pivotal axis between a plate deployed configuration and a plate retracted configuration wherein in the plate deployed configuration the position of the actuating plate is such that the wheel protrudes at least partially below the ski gliding surface for engaging the ground surface and in the plate retracted configuration the position of the actuating plate is such that the wheel is retracted above the ski gliding surface for preventing the wheel from engaging the ground surface.

Abstract: A wheel unit mountable on a ski of a ski-mounted vehicle includes an actuating plate defining a wheel attachment section and a piston attachment section The actuating plate is pivotally attached to the ski intermediate the wheel and piston attachment sections for pivotal movement about a plate pivotal axis. A wheel attachment assembly is provided for rotatably attaching the wheel to the wheel attachment section. An actuator is operatively coupled to the actuating plate for selectively pivoting the actuating plate about the plate pivotal axis between a plate deployed configuration and a plate retracted configuration wherein in the plate deployed configuration the position of the actuating plate is such that the wheel protrudes at least partially below the ski gliding surface for engaging the ground surface and in the plate retracted configuration the position of the actuating plate is such that the wheel is retracted above the ski gliding surface for preventing the wheel from engaging the ground surface.