Abstract: The tool has a folded position and an unfolded position. It will generally include a head assembly and an articulated handle. The handle can also be used alone. The handle, or the tool with such handle, occupies only a very compact space once in a fully folded position. It may thus be easily carried and stored when not in use. It can be folded and unfolded with only a minimal manipulative effort and level of difficulty. The main constituent parts cannot become detached and this unitary design alleviates the risks of parts being misplaced or lost.

Abstract: An attachment device attaches adjacent first and second concrete pieces to one another along corresponding first and second interfacing side surfaces thereof, thereby forming a concrete piece attachment arrangement. The device includes an elongate base member having opposed first and second portions, and first and second lateral members securing to and respectively extending substantially perpendicularly from first and second ends of the base member. The first and second portions of the base member extend within first and second recesses respectively formed into the concrete pieces, in a direction generally perpendicular to the first and second interfacing side surfaces. The first and second lateral member respectively extend through bore holes extending through the first and second concrete pieces and connecting with the respective first and second recesses. A method for attaching the concrete pieces to one another with an attachment piece is also described.

Abstract: An attachment device attaches adjacent first and second concrete pieces to one another along corresponding first and second interfacing side surfaces thereof, thereby forming a concrete piece attachment arrangement. The device includes an elongate base member having opposed first and second portions, and first and second lateral members securing to and respectively extending substantially perpendicularly from first and second ends of the base member. The first and second portions of the base member extend within first and second recesses respectively formed into the concrete pieces, in a direction generally perpendicular to the first and second interfacing side surfaces. The first and second lateral member respectively extend through bore holes extending through the first and second concrete pieces and connecting with the respective first and second recesses. A method for attaching the concrete pieces to one another with an attachment piece is also described.

Abstract: An attachment device attaches adjacent first and second concrete pieces to one another along corresponding first and second interfacing side surfaces thereof, thereby forming a concrete piece attachment arrangement. The device includes an elongate base member having opposed first and second portions, and first and second lateral members securing to and respectively extending substantially perpendicularly from first and second ends of the base member. The first and second portions of the base member extend within first and second recesses respectively formed into the concrete pieces, in a direction generally perpendicular to the first and second interfacing side surfaces. The first and second lateral member respectively extend through bore holes extending through the first and second concrete pieces and connecting with the respective first and second recesses. A method for attaching the concrete pieces to one another with an attachment piece is also described.

Abstract: A ratchet system for winding a rolling door assembly. The ratchet system includes a support bracket, a cam, and a biasing device. The support bracket is preferably mounted onto a fixed structure of the rolling door assembly. The cam is pivotally mounted about the support bracket and positioned adjacent to a portion of an overhead shaft of the assembly. The cam is shaped and sized to cooperate with this portion of the overhead shaft between a first position, where the cam allows rotation of the overhead shaft along a first direction, and a second position, where the cam has a surface engaged with the overhead shaft and where further rotation of the overhead shaft along a second direction, opposite to the first direction, is blocked by the cam. The biasing device is used for urging the surface of the cam onto the overhead shaft. The ratchet system is particularly useful for adjustably controlling the rotation of the overhead shaft of the rolling door assembly during the winding thereof.

Abstract: A system for forming a cementitious structure of cementitious material on a ground surface is provided. The system consists of at least one pair of moulds, each mould having at least one pathway disposed thereon, and at least one brace having two spikes connected to one another by a connecting member. The spikes are inserted into the pathways to space the moulds apart, via the connecting member, in fixed spatial relationship and then into the ground surface to anchor the moulds thereto. The cementitious material is then poured between the moulds to form the cementitious structure. Optionally, the spikes may be connected to the connecting member by inserting of spikes into tubes connected to the connecting member, the tubes being insertable into pathways and the spikes subsequently inserted therethrough to insert the spikes through the pathway and into the ground surface.

Abstract: A drum which receives a cable of a counterbalancing system of a cable-operated door, the cable having an extremity provided with a stopper. The drum includes a substantially cylindrical body, a cable entry groove and a securing slot. The drum further includes an embossment configured about the drum and its components in order to prevent that the cable from coming off its normal position in the drum when there is a “slack” condition in the cable.

Abstract: A mounting for a side wing plough includes a mounting having two relatively movable sectorially formed elements, one of which being fixed to the plough and the other being connected to a lifting means for the leading end of the plough. The two elements register with one another and are guided thereby, the interengagement of the elements constituting the connection enabling movement of the plough and also permitting limited compensatory shifting of the plough upon encountering an immovable obstacle. The mounting could further include a tilt mechanism of limited stroke affording the capability of the plough to tilt toward the vehicle to accommodate unpredictable movement of the plough upon impacting an immovable obstacle.

Abstract: A garage door cable drum is disclosed for a sectional overhead door of a type having a substantially non-linear lift-weight to lift-height characteristic. The drum includes a generally spiral cable groove having a variable minor radius. The groove minor radius at any intermediate point along the groove is sized to provide a lift-cable moment arm that yields a corresponding cable lift force that is slightly less than an instantaneous lift weight of the garage door at any intermediate door elevation.

Abstract: A mounting for a side wing plough includes a primary mounting means having two relatively movable sectorially formed elements, one of which being fixed to the plough and the other being connected to a lifting means for the leading end of the plough. The two elements register with one another and are guided thereby, the interengagement of the elements constituting the connection enabling movement of the plough and also permitting limited compensatory shifting of the plough upon encountering an immovable obstacle. The mounting could further include a secondary mounting means involving a tilt mechanism of limited stroke affording the capability of the plough to tilt toward the vehicle to accommodate unpredictable movement of the plough upon impacting an immovable obstacle.

Abstract: A plug for operatively connecting an extremity of a torsion spring to another corresponding component of a counterbalancing assembly. The plug includes a collar and at least one connecting flange. The collar defines a longitudinal axis, and includes first and second opposite ends, the collar being shaped and sized for removably mounting onto the extremity of the torsion spring. Each connecting flange is provided on the first end of the collar for connecting the plug onto the corresponding component of the counterbalancing assembly.

Abstract: A ratchet system for winding a rolling door assembly. The ratchet system includes a support bracket, a cam, and a biasing device. The support bracket is preferably mounted onto a fixed structure of the rolling door assembly. The cam is pivotally mounted about the support bracket and positioned adjacent to a portion of an overhead shaft of the assembly. The cam is shaped and sized to cooperate with this portion of the overhead shaft between a first position, where the cam allows rotation of the overhead shaft along a first direction, and a second position, where the cam has a surface engaged with the overhead shaft and where further rotation of the overhead shaft along a second direction, opposite to the first direction, is blocked by the cam. The biasing device is used for urging the surface of the cam onto the overhead shaft. The ratchet system is particularly useful for adjustably controlling the rotation of the overhead shaft of the rolling door assembly during the winding thereof.

Abstract: A frontward blade mounting bracket, for connecting the front end of a side blade to a vehicle side adjacent a road surface, includes a spacer and an elongate guide member. The spacer has opposed first and second spacer ends. The first spacer end is pivotally connected to the vehicle side about a substantially vertical pivot axis, and the second spacer end is spaced apart from the first spacer end in a direction leading outwardly away from the vehicle side. The guide member has first and second guide parts connected to the second spacer end and the second guide part respectively. The first and second guide parts longitudinally move relative to one another about a substantially vertical guide axis.

Abstract: A device for selectively positioning a side wing relative to the side of a motor vehicle it is mounted on and to the adjacent road surface is disclosed. The device includes first and second longitudinal end members pivotally connected to the vehicle side and to a rearward end of the side wing about vertical axes; the front end of the wing is usually connected adjacent the front end of the vehicle. First and second elongate rams that are angularly positioned relative to one another are connected to the first and second end members. The first and second rams operate in parallel relative to each other for selective operation of the side wing from a position adjacent the vehicle side and away from the ground surface to a position in operative engagement with the road surface at an adjustable angle relative to the vehicle side.

Abstract: A plug for operatively connecting a torsion spring onto a corresponding component of a counterbalancing mechanism of a door assembly. The plug includes a connecting portion for removably connecting the plug onto the corresponding component, a substantially cylindrical collar insertable into an end portion of the torsion spring, an anchoring portion disposed on a bottom section of the collar for cooperating with a coil of the end portion of the torsion spring so as to pivotally anchor the collar onto the end portion of the torsion spring, and a clip projecting from a top section of the collar, and being disposed at a location on the collar substantially diametrically opposite from where the anchoring portion is disposed on the bottom section of the collar.

Abstract: A frontward blade mounting bracket, for connecting the front end of a side blade to a vehicle side adjacent a road surface, includes a spacer and an elongate guide member. The spacer has opposed first and second spacer ends. The first spacer end is pivotally connected to the vehicle side about a substantially vertical pivot axis, and the second spacer end is spaced apart from the first spacer end in a direction leading outwardly away from the vehicle side. The guide member has first and second guide parts connected to the second spacer end and the second guide part respectively. The first and second guide parts longitudinally move relative to one another about a substantially vertical guide axis.

Abstract: A device for selectively positioning a side wing relative to the side of a motor vehicle it Is mounted on and to the adjacent road surface is disclosed. The device Includes first and second longitudinal end members pivotally connected to the vehicle side and to a rearward end of the side wing about vertical axes; the front end of the wing is usually connected adjacent the front end of the vehicle. First and second elongate rams that are angularly positioned relative to one another are connected to the first and second end members. The first and second rams operate in parallel relative to each other for selective operation of the side wing from a position adjacent the vehicle side and away from the ground surface to a position in operative engagement with the road surface at an adjustable angle relative to the vehicle side.

Abstract: A winding system for winding a rolling door assembly. The winding system includes a support bracket, first and second gears. The support bracket is preferably rigidly connectable to a fixed structure of the rolling door assembly, and has a receiving device and a supporting device. The first gear is pivotally mounted about the receiving device of the support bracket and rotatable thereabout along opposite first and second directions of rotation. The second gear is pivotally mounted about the supporting device of the support bracket and rotatable thereabout along opposite first and second directions of rotation. The first gear is operatively connected to a corresponding end of the counterbalancing spring of the rolling door assembly.

Abstract: A window framework for mounting a glass pane in an aperture of a panel. The window framework includes an exterior frame having a peripheral wall shaped for fitting with and extending into the aperture. The peripheral wall extends between exterior and interior sides of the panel, and is provided along the periphery thereof with an abutment member adjacent to the exterior side. The wall is also provided with stop means adjacent to the interior side. The window framework also includes removable locking means having a flexible element lockable with the stop means when the locking means is in a locking position. The locking means is also provided with an element for holding the glass pane in position with the aid of the abutment member when the locking means is in the locking position. The window framework further includes a securing means for securing the exterior frame to the panel in the aperture. A method for mounting a glass pane in an aperture of a panel is also provided.

Abstract: A ratchet-like assembly for winding a counterbalancing mechanism of a door. The ratchet-like assembly includes at least one plate, at least one ridge, an actuator, and at least one pawling element. Each plate is operatively mounted onto a fixed structure and includes an orifice through which extends a shaft of the counterbalancing mechanism and about which the shaft is rotatable along opposite first and second directions of rotation. Each ridge is provided about an outer edge of the corresponding orifice. The actuator is operatively connected to each plate and is operable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. Each pawling element is mounted onto the actuator and is positioned within a corresponding ridge, adjacent to the shaft.