Abstract: A movable storage assembly includes a pair of upright frame pieces joined together by a lateral rail. The rail's opposite ends each include a T-shaped upper tab having upward and downward extending portions, and a lower tab with downwardly extending portion. The upper and lower tabs are simultaneously insertable into upper and lower openings along the uprights, and then lowerable so that the downward portions of the upper and lower tabs secure the rail to the uprights. Upward movement of the rail causes the upward portions of the upper tabs of engage the uprights above the upper openings, preventing removal of the upper tabs from the uprights. Optionally, part of a platform is supportable at the rail and cooperates with the upper tabs to prevent removal of the lateral rail from the uprights, even if the downwardly extending portions of the tabs are disengaged from the uprights.

Abstract: A caster wheel brake and anti-swivel system for carts and other wheeled articles is operable to secure free-castering wheels against swiveling rotation about their swivel axes, and against rolling rotation along their horizontal rotation axes. The system includes a swiveling caster wheel assembly and an actuation link, with an anti-swivel actuator and a brake actuator coupled thereto. Linear movement of the actuation link causes the anti-swivel actuator to engage the anti-swivel member that rotates with the caster wheel about the swivel axis, to selectively prevent the anti-swivel member and wheel from swiveling. The actuation link's movement also urges a brake actuator to move a wheel brake and drives a braking surface into engagement with the wheel, thereby preventing the wheel from rolling at the same time it is prevented from swiveling by the pawl. Optionally, a foot-operated torque shaft and a rack-and-pinion arrangement are used to operate the actuation link.

Abstract: A configurable scaffolding system is configured to facilitate simplified, reconfigurable access to a plurality of horticulture racks. With use of the configurable scaffolding system, operator convenience and safety are improved, and increased plant density in horticultural applications can be achieved.

Abstract: Vertical growing uses a plurality of shelves to support plants. The system provides nitrogen and light to help grow the plants placed on the shelves. The system also circulates air that is filtered and mixed with the nitrogen before being distributed to the plants. The filters can remove odors from the circulating air.

Abstract: Vertical growing uses a plurality of shelves to support plants. The system has an air filtration and ultraviolet (UV) air purification system. The purified and filtered air is mixed with nitrogen, which is directed towards plants. The system can include lights to help grow the plants placed on the shelves. The filters can remove odors from the circulating air.

Abstract: A movable storage assembly has first and second mobile storage units that are selectively movable towards and away from one another and are equipped with a deployable and retractable (or installable and removable) platform to facilitate access to upper regions of the storage units. The platform is movably coupled to one of the mobile storage units and can be repositioned between a deployed or installed position in which the platform interlocks the first storage unit to the second storage forming an elevated walking or standing surface therebetween, and a retracted or removed position in which the platform is partially disconnected to allow the first mobile storage unit to move independently and into close proximity with the second mobile storage unit.

Abstract: A shelving system for plant cultivation includes a frame, at least two vertically-spaced support racks, a plant support tray positioned atop each of said support racks, an optional forced-air ventilations system, and an optional lighting system. A pair of upright frame portions have support racks extending between the upright frame portions. The plant support trays each have a pot-supporting surface and a series of grooves or channels extending below the pot-supporting surface. Optionally, the plant support trays have integral water runoff troughs that receive runoff water from the grooves, channels, or openings. Optionally, a drive mechanism is coupled to the frame and is operable to cause the frame to translate along a floor surface.

Abstract: A product sorting apparatus is operable to sort products by inducing an oscillating or rocking motion to a plurality of sorting trays in a vertically stacked arrangement. A subset of the products in a top-most tray selectively pass to successive sorting trays. Each of the sorting trays is configured to receive and selectively transmit the selected products according to a separator or sorting panel that is disposed between an input and an output of a given tray. Each of the separator panels defines apertures that facilitate sorting of the products according to size and/or shape. The rocking or oscillating motion has an amplitude and a period according to an input from a drive mechanism, which may include a motor and drive link with a controller and/or a power switch. Optionally, a safety cage and one or more cutoff switches are provided for protecting the sorter and personnel.

Abstract: A protective bumper attaches to a caster wheel assembly and substantially surrounds the assembly to act as a point of contact with other objects or articles, in order to limit or prevent damage to struck objects, and/or to the caster wheel assembly, and/or to a movable object or article supported on the caster wheel assembly. The protective bumper includes an outer bumper portion and an inner frame portion that attaches to a frame of the caster wheel assembly. The bumper may be attached to the caster wheel assembly via an axle that rotatably couples a wheel to the frame of the wheel assembly. Optionally, the outer bumper portion may be fitted with a relatively soft annular outer member or surface.

Abstract: A protective bumper attaches to a caster wheel assembly and substantially surrounds the assembly to act as a point of contact with other objects or articles, in order to limit or prevent damage to struck objects, and/or to the caster wheel assembly, and/or to a movable object or article supported on the caster wheel assembly. The protective bumper includes an outer bumper portion and an inner frame portion that attaches to a frame of the caster wheel assembly. The bumper may be attached to the caster wheel assembly via an axle that rotatably couples a wheel to the frame of the wheel assembly. Optionally, the outer bumper portion may be fitted with a relatively soft annular outer member or surface.

Abstract: A garment hanger management device provides convenient, secure, and organized storage for garment hangers, including garment hangers having various sizes of hook portions, such as for use in a retail clothing environment. The device includes locking mechanisms with movable pins or mounting members that support a retainer element in spaced arrangement relative to a hanger support rod on which the garment hangers are hung. The pins and retainer element are positionable between a fully open configuration and a fully closed configuration, or substantially any position in between the fully opened or closed configurations, and are lockable or fixable in a desired configuration by a locking tab that is capable of engaging the pins substantially anywhere within a region along the length of the pins.

Abstract: A garment hanger management device provides convenient, secure, and organized storage for garment hangers, including garment hangers having various sizes of hook portions, such as for use in a retail clothing environment. The device includes locking mechanisms with movable pins or mounting members that support a retainer element in spaced arrangement relative to a hanger support rod on which the garment hangers are hung. The pins and retainer element are positionable between a fully open configuration and a fully closed configuration, or substantially any position in between the fully opened or closed configurations, and are lockable or fixable in a desired configuration by a locking tab that is capable of engaging the pins substantially anywhere within a region along the length of the pins.