Abstract: The present invention is for a freezeless ground hydrant having a nozzle above ground and having a main valve adapted to be connected to an underground source of water pressure at a point located below the frost line in the soil. Also underground is a drain water storage system including a storage cylinder. When the hydrant is turned off, the residual water in the nozzle drains into the cylinder and is retained there until the hydrant is turned on again. When the hydrant is turned on, a mechanical linkage connected to the hydrant handle causes the cylinder to expel the drain water therein through a drain line which extends upwardly above the ground.

Abstract: The ground hydrant of the present invention includes an outlet nozzle above ground and a drain water collection cylinder located below the frost line of the ground. When the hydrant is shut off, the residual water in the nozzle drains into the ground water cylinder and is stored there below the frost line. The next time that the hydrant is turned on, the piston within the cylinder forces the stored water in the cylinder outwardly through a drain line where it is expelled above the ground. The force for moving the piston within the cylinder is provided by water pressure which is diverted from the water source to move the piston and force the stored drain water out of the cylinder and onto the ground. When the hydrant is turned off a second time, the residual water within the hydrant drains again into the cylinder where it is stored until the next time the hydrant is turned on.

Abstract: An auxiliary loading dock ramp is provided which can be securely locked to a conventional ramp so as to increase the overall length of the ramp surfaces thereby lessening the degree of incline of the ramps between a loading dock and a truck or railroad car. The auxiliary loading dock ramp includes legs on the forward end thereof and support means on the rearward end thereof to maintain the ramp in an elevated position above the surface of the loading dock, and channel members on the underside of the deck of the ramp to receive the forks of a pallet jack employed in moving the auxiliary ramp into position. A pair of ears on each side of the auxiliary ramp adjacent the rearward end thereof are received in slots in the forward end of a conventional ramp such that the forward end of the conventional ramp overlappingly engages the rearward end of the auxiliary ramp to provide an elongated deck surface over which loads may be transported between the loading dock and the truck or railroad car.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an outer housing and an inner housing having a pressure relief chamber defined therebetween. The inner housing receives fluid and directs it through a pressure outlet opening into the pressure relief chamber. The outer housing includes an outlet opening and a pressure relief opening. A flexible cylindrical seal surrounds the pressure outlet opening of the inner housing and is yieldably movable radially outwardly to a pressure flow position wherein it closes the pressure relief opening of the outer housing and opens the pressure outlet opening of the inner housing.

Abstract: A loading dock seal with an adjustable top seal for providing a weather-tight seal between a loading access opening of a loading dock and vehicles of various heights which includes a compressible pad means surrounding at least the vertical sides of the opening and made of a durable yet resilient material to provide a weather-tight seal on opposite vertical sides between the pad and the vehicle being unloaded. A curtain means, attached at its upper edge above the loading access opening and at its lower edge to a tubular top seal, is of sufficient width to cover the opening. The top seal is vertically adjustable from a storage position above the opening to a sealing position upon the roof of the vehicle thereby combining with the curtain to provide a weather-tight seal between the building and the vehicle.

Abstract: A wall hydrant is described herein comprising a hollow tube having an inlet end and outlet end. The inlet end is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and has a valve means adjacent its inlet end. The inlet valve means comprises a cylindrical body portion having an inward end terminating in an arcuate nose portion. A plurality of spaced apart tab elements extend outwardly from the body portion and bear against the inward surface of the hollow tube. A longitudinally extending groove is located on the outer surface of the body portion. A valve seat portion is provided in the inlet end of the tube. A valve control rod is connected to the valve means and extends through the opposite end of the hollow tube to permit remote control of the valve means and to selectively permit the valve means to slide inwardly to a closed position on said tabs, and outwardly to an open position. A drain valve is positioned on the rod and bears on a second valve seat portion when the valve means is open.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus includes a guide block which is supported on a base frame with freedom of movement in two dimensions. An article gripping attachment is mounted on the guide block which is further provided with a cam slot for defining the intended path of movement for the gripping attachment. A drive shaft, rotatably supported at a fixed position on the base frame, has a cam follower engaged within the cam slot and coacting drive means are provided for moving the guide block relative to the cam follower. A coacting rack and pinion gear on the guide block and drive shaft respectively, are operative for moving the guide block along the path defined by the cam slot. The drive shaft may be rotated by a combination slider crank mechanism and rack and pinion arrangement for producing a harmonic motion of the gripping attachment.

Abstract: A loading dock canopy comprising a frame having a top, opposite sides, an inner face, an outer face, and a center access opening adapted to be aligned with the loading access opening of the loading dock. The frame is of resilient construction to permit deflection thereof, and an elastic material covers at least the top of the frame, with suitable covering material extending over the sides thereof. Inner and outer vertical members comprise the sides of said frame. Spring means extend therebetween to hold said vertical members apart. Cables limit the relative movement of said vertical members. Hinge means at the top of the frame facilitate the deflective capabilities of said frame.

Abstract: A wall hydrant is described herein comprising a hollow tube having an inlet end and outlet end. The inlet end is adapted to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure and has a valve means adjacent its inlet end. The valve means comprises a cylindrical body portion having an inward end terminating in an arcuate nose portion. A plurality of spaced apart tab elements extend outwardly from the body portion and bear against the inward surface of the hollow tube. A valve seat portion is provided in the inlet end of the tube. A valve control rod is connected to the valve means and extends through the opposite end of the hollow tube to permit remote control of the valve means and to selectively permit the valve means to slide inwardly to a closed position on said tabs, and outwardly to an open position.

Abstract: A sill cock assembly is disclosed comprising a fluid outlet for location on the exterior of a wall, a fluid flow inlet adapted for location adjacent the interior of the wall, a conduit connecting the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a selectively operable valve located adjacent the fluid flow inlet for alternatively opening and closing the fluid flow inlet, and a pressure release means located adjacent the valve to allow fluid communication in an inwardly direction from the conduit through the valve to the fluid inlet when the fluid pressure within the conduit due to freezing is greater than the fluid pressure of the inlet. A portion of the wall of the conduit is corrugated adjacent the valve to allow expansion of the conduit during freezing.

Abstract: A self-draining sill cock assembly is disclosed comprising a fluid outlet for location on an exterior wall, a fluid flow inlet adapted for location adjacent an interior wall and remote from the fluid outlet, a first conduit connecting the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet with the conduit inclined downwardly from the outlet to the inlet, a selectively operable valve located adjacent the fluid flow inlet for alternatively opening and closing the fluid flow inlet, a second conduit operatively connected to said valve adjacent the fluid flow inlet and connected to a drain discharge adapted for location on the exterior wall with the valve alternatively opening and closing the second conduit, the second conduit being inclined downwardly from the valve to the drain discharge, and a manually operated valve control means adapted for location on the exterior wall and extending through the second conduit to the valve.

Abstract: A portable dock plate comprising a ramp with opposite sides and forward and rearward ends, a wheel assembly pivotally secured to the ramp and pivotal between portable and nonportable positions, a handle means secured to the wheel assembly at one side of said ramp and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the wheel assembly to terminate in a horizontal handle portion centrally positioned rearwardly of the ramp when the wheel assembly is in its portable position, and a dampener means on one side of said ramp interconnecting the ramp and the wheel assembly to retard the movement of the wheel assembly from a portable to a nonportable position.