Abstract: Transport of ladders and other pieces of equipment, such as those used by fire fighters, is added by a motor-powered rack comprising a ramp assembly that moves between a loading position adjacent to and at an angle of between 20 and 70 degrees to the ground and a stowed position above a vehicle used for transport and generally parallel to the ground.

Abstract: An energy efficient ship is achieved by powering the ship using at least one propulsion level, each propulsion level having large grids at the forward and stern ends of the ship and side channels incorporating turbines that move water through the ship, rather than around the ship, thereby substantially eliminating energy wasting wakes and cavitation.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes a cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid and a piston affixed to a piston rod that extends out from one end of the cylinder through an end cap seal and that divides the cylinder into two chambers. The piston includes a port extending longitudinally through it where the port defines a valve seat. Inserted in the port is a spring-loaded valve member having a central bore extending longitudinally through it of a selected diameter that sets the rate of extension and return of the piston rod during use.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, first and second motorized endless belt conveyor assemblies are provided, one for placement in a package distribution center and the other for placement in the box of a delivery truck or van. Personnel at the distribution center load the conveyor of the first conveyor assembly with packages in a predetermined order corresponding to stops on a route. Subsequently, a delivery driver will back his vehicle up to the first conveyor assembly and activate the motorized conveyors of the two conveyor assemblies such that products on the first conveyor assembly will be transferred onto the conveyor assembly located in the vehicle in the stated predetermined order.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper includes a cylinder containing a hydraulic fluid and a piston affixed to a piston rod that extends out from one end of the cylinder through an end cap seal and that divides the cylinder into two chambers. The piston includes a port extending longitudinally through it where the port defines a valve seat. Inserted in the port is a spring-loaded valve member having a central bore extending longitudinally through it of a selected diameter that sets the rate of extension and return of the piston rod during use.

Abstract: A retractable strap load tie-down device includes a housing containing a tubular spool with a flat helical spring in its interior and a flexible tie-down strap wrapped on its exterior. The housing also includes a frame journaling a tensioning shaft for rotation where the tensioning shaft includes a slot through which the strap passes. Keyed to the end portions of the shaft are ratchet wheels and associate with the ratchet wheels are pawls that engage and disengage from the teeth of the ratchet wheels by action of a handle mounted, squeezable release bar that selectively displaces slide rods leading to the pawls. The handle will selectively rotate the tensioning shaft depending on the engagement of the pawls with the ratchet wheels. Swinging of the handle through an arc will tension the strap when the free end of the strap is anchored.

Abstract: Vehicle safety is enhanced by providing a video system incorporating multiple cameras providing separate video feeds that are stitched together by a controller to provide a composite video viewable by the operator that changes in real time along with changes to the speed and direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ladder rack assembly for a work vehicle has a stationary bed for attachment to the roof thereof. A pair of parallel, spaced apart rails has guides thereon that extend from the rails' first ends toward, but short their second ends. Rollers on side edges of a load support member ride on the bed rails. When the rollers are constrained by the guides, only translation of the load support member takes place. Upon exit of the rollers from the rear ends of the guides, both translation and rotation of the load support member can occur. A control arm is pivotally joined at one end to the stationary bed. Its free end has cam actuated latch pin assemblies attached to it that co-act with cams on the stationary bed during rearward displacement of the load support member to latch the load support member to the control arm whereby further rearward movement of the load support member causes it to tilt to a somewhat vertical position.

Abstract: Housing has first and second parallel tubular chambers. The first chamber contains a gas spring whose output shaft connects to a first piston of area A1. The second chamber contains a second piston of area A2<A1. Piston A2 connects to the device's output shaft. The housing has a valve block with an internal port in fluid communication with the two chambers between the first and second pistons. The valve block contains an incompressible fluid. A poppet valve is in the internal port. The poppet includes a flow restricting bore therethrough. A force on the output shaft causes the fluid to force open the poppet and displace the piston, A1, storing energy in the gas spring. Upon removal of the force on the device's output shaft, the gas spring pushes the fluid to close the poppet. Hence, only a low volume flow through the bore in the poppet is permitted.

Abstract: A ladder latching device for a tilting ladder rack includes an inner extrusion for clamping to the load supporting member of the ladder rack. An outer extrusion is slidably mounted on the inner extrusion. The outer extrusion carries a treadle and ladder rung engaging stop. Between the two extrusions are a toothed rack and a gas spring. The outer extrusion carries a pivotable, spring-biased lever having a tooth for selectively engaging the toothed rack for releasably locking the stop at a desired location relative to a rung of a ladder being unloaded as the outer extrusion is made to slide by applying foot pressure on the treadle. Thus, a ladder may be lowered along the load supporting member until the ladder's feet engage the ground as the stop disengages from its place on a ladder rung.

Abstract: A ladder rack assembly for a work vehicle has a stationary bed for attachment to the roof thereof. A pair of parallel, spaced apart rails has guides thereon that extend from the rails' first ends toward, but short their second ends. Rollers on side edges of a load support member ride on the bed rails. When the rollers are constrained by the guides, only translation of the load support member takes place. Upon exit of the rollers from the rear ends of the guides, both translation and rotation of the load support member can occur. A control arm is pivotally joined at one end to the stationary bed. Its free end has cam actuated latch pin assemblies attached to it that co-act with cams on the stationary bed during rearward displacement of the load support member to latch the load support member to the control arm whereby further rearward movement of the load support member causes it to tilt to a somewhat vertical position.

Abstract: A shelving unit adapted for attachment to a vertical surface has a plurality of square cross-section tubes that are to be attached vertically the surface. The tubes have slots arranged in horizontal pairs in vertically spaced relation along the length of the tubes. Fitted into the slots are L-shaped steel plates having first and second legs. The first legs are pivotally mounted within the tubes to swing through the slots. A stop is provided causing the second leg to extend perpendicularly to a front side of the square tubes. Sandwiched between the second legs of each adjacent pair of plates are shelf supports for rectangular shelves. The pivotal mount of the plate pairs allows a shelf to be shifted from a horizontal and vertical disposition. Spring latches attached to the tubes serve to releasably secure the shelves in their vertical disposition.

Abstract: Vehicle safety is enhanced by providing a video system incorporating multiple cameras providing separate video feeds that are stitched together by a controller to provide a composite video viewable by the operator that changes in real time along with changes to the speed and direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: Housing has first and second parallel tubular chambers. The first chamber contains a gas spring whose output shaft connects to a first piston of area A1. The second chamber contains a second piston of area A2<A1. Piston A2 connects to the device's output shaft. The housing has a valve block at one end with an internal port in fluid communication with the volumes of the two chambers that are between the first and second pistons and the valve block containing an incompressible fluid. A spring-biased poppet valve is contained in the internal port. The poppet includes a flow restricting bore therethrough. A force on the output shaft causes the fluid to force open the poppet and displace the piston, A1, to store energy in the gas spring. Upon removal of the force on the device's output shaft, the gas spring pushes the fluid to close the poppet. Hence, only a low volume flow through the bore in the poppet is permitted to dampen output shaft movement.

Abstract: A ladder rack assembly for a work vehicle has a stationary bed for attachment to the roof thereof. A pair of parallel, spaced apart rails has guides thereon that extend from the rails' first ends toward, but short their second ends. Rollers on side edges of a load support member ride on the bed rails. When the rollers are constrained by the guides, only translation of the load support member takes place. Upon exit of the rollers from the rear ends of the guides, both translation and rotation of the load support member can occur. A control arm is pivotally joined at one end to the stationary bed. Its free end has cam actuated latch pin assemblies attached to it that co-act with cams on the stationary bed during rearward displacement of the load support member to latch the load support member to the control arm whereby further rearward movement of the load support member causes it to tilt to a somewhat vertical position.

Abstract: A ladder rack assembly for a work vehicle has a stationary bed for attachment to the roof thereof. A pair of parallel, spaced apart rails has guides thereon that extend from the rails' first ends toward, but short their second ends. Rollers on side edges of a load support member ride on the bed rails. When the rollers are constrained by the guides, only translation of the load support member takes place. Upon exit of the rollers from the rear ends of the guides, both translation and rotation of the load support member can occur. A control arm is pivotally joined at one end to the stationary bed. Its free end has cam actuated latch pin assemblies attached to it that co-act with cams on the stationary bed during rearward displacement of the load support member to latch the load support member to the control arm whereby further rearward movement of the load support member causes it to tilt to a somewhat vertical position.

Abstract: A security device for a cargo van comprises a sheet metal grill stamped or laser cut to exhibit a plurality of regularly spaced apertures therethrough and surrounded by a solid border having a plurality of notches formed inward of the border into which are fitted clamp members for securing the grill in place against a window of the cargo van to inhibit break-ins and theft of articles carried by the van. The clamp members include U-shaped sockets adapted to cooperate with the notches formed in the border and base members for secure attachment of the clamp members to a frame of the window using self-tapping screws.

Abstract: A ladder specially designed for attachment to a rear door of a cargo van to facilitate the ability of a person to climb onto the vehicle's roof. The ladder has two parallel rails joined by a plurality of transversely extending rungs. Affixed to the upper and lower ends of the ladder rungs are length adjustable brackets supporting door engaging clips designed to fit about the upper and lower edges of a van door without interfering with the ability of the door to open and close. The ladder rails are preferably bent to conform to the contour of the van door.

Abstract: A safety railing for attachment to a vehicle roof mounted rack to reduce the likelihood of fall injuries to workers who have mounted to roof of the vehicle has a pair of side railings joined by a front railing and supported by balusters that pivotally attach to the roof rack. A crank operated mechanism is provided for shifting the balusters between an erect, vertical orientation and a collapsed orientation where the safety railing lies flat against the roof rack.

Abstract: An ergonomically improved vehicle ladder rack has the top of its side rail(s) flush with the top surface of the rear cross-bar so that a foot portion of a ladder being transported may be made to slide off from the rack without a need for lifting it. To prevent lateral shifting of the ladder during transport on the vehicle, an abutment finger is added to the rotatable rung clamping assembly. The abutment finger blocks lateral shifting of a ladder when the rung hook is engaging a ladder rung and is non-blocking when the rung is disengaged.