Abstract: Example portable trailer stands for supporting parked trailers are disclosed herein. Some example portable trailer stands disclosed herein comprise two telescopic posts supporting a generally horizontal beam. Some examples include spring-loaded retractable wheels for selectively installing and removing the trailer stand from underneath a trailer left parked on a driveway. After being positioned under the trailer, the posts extend to lift the beam solidly up against the underside of the trailer. To accommodate conditions where the driveway is not parallel to the trailer's underside, some example posts can be lengthened independently and have angular play that allows the beam to tilt. In some examples, the horizontal axle of the trailer stand wheels is perpendicular to the beam so that the trailer stand can be readily installed from either the front or side of the trailer. Some examples have a kingpin-receiving groove in the beam or have some other kingpin-receiving feature.

Abstract: Example safety barrier systems for vehicle loading docks comprise a retractable flexible barrier with a special powered latching mechanism that locks the barrier in place and prevents it from being retracted under certain hazardous dock conditions. In some examples, the barrier cannot be retracted when there is no vehicle at the dock while the dock's door is open. In some examples, an alarm is energized when concurrently the door is open, the barrier is retracted and there is no vehicle at the dock.

Abstract: Example portable trailer stands for supporting parked trailers are disclosed herein. Some example portable trailer stands disclosed herein comprise two telescopic posts supporting a generally horizontal beam. Some examples include spring-loaded retractable wheels for selectively installing and removing the trailer stand from underneath a trailer left parked on a driveway. After being positioned under the trailer, the posts extend to lift the beam solidly up against the underside of the trailer. To accommodate conditions where the driveway is not parallel to the trailer's underside, some example posts can be lengthened independently and have angular play that allows the beam to tilt. In some examples, the horizontal axle of the trailer stand wheels is perpendicular to the beam so that the trailer stand can be readily installed from either the front or side of the trailer. Some examples have a kingpin-receiving groove in the beam or have some other kingpin-receiving feature.

Abstract: In the event of a fire, in some examples, a ceiling fan stops its fan blades at a predetermined position so as to avoid obstructing the spray from an overhead sprinkler head. The fan can be stopped by various apparatus including, but not limited to, a spring loaded roller engaging a lobed member to urge the fan to a chosen stop position, an electromechanical brake that grips a rotating member at certain locations, a stationary magnet attracted to one or more iron pads that rotate to certain locations, and a motor controller responsive to a rotational position sensor.

Abstract: Example safety barrier systems for vehicle loading docks comprise a retractable flexible barrier with a special powered latching mechanism that locks the barrier in place and prevents it from being retracted under certain hazardous dock conditions. In some examples, the barrier cannot be retracted when there is no vehicle at the dock while the dock's door is open. In some examples, an alarm is energized when concurrently the door is open, the barrier is retracted and there is no vehicle at the dock.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: An overhead fan system of a building comprises a ceiling fan underneath a nearby fire sprinkler head. The ceiling fan has particularly low fan solidity to minimize the fan obstructing the spray of water from the sprinkler head. To further reduce the obstruction, some example fans include fan blades that automatically retract in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A large industrial ceiling fan includes exceptionally long fan blades with blade tips that can be tilted upward to more broadly distribute the air. Such broad distribution might be particularly beneficial in cases where the fan is installed relatively low to avoid obstacles such as hanging lights, sprinkler heads and rafters. A low mounting position is possible, because the fan is suspended from a hanger of adjustable length. The fan includes several joints that are redundantly bolted and welded for safety. A continuous retaining ring provides additional safety. A resilient bushing enhances the flexibility of the fan blades and reduces strain where the fan blades connect to a central mounting hub. To more broadly distribute the airflow underneath the fan, each fan blade has a twisted geometry to provide an angle of attack that decreases from the root to the tip of the blade.

Abstract: In the event of a fire, in some examples, a ceiling fan stops its fan blades at a predetermined position so as to avoid obstructing the spray from an overhead sprinkler head. The fan can be stopped by various means including, but not limited to, a spring loaded roller engaging a lobed member to urge the fan to a chosen stop position, an electromechanical brake that grips a rotating member at certain locations, a stationary magnet attracted to one or more iron pads that rotate to certain locations, and a motor controller responsive to a rotational position sensor.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A large industrial ceiling fan includes exceptionally long fan blades with blade tips that can be tilted upward to more broadly distribute the air. Such broad distribution might be particularly beneficial in cases where the fan is installed relatively low to avoid obstacles such as hanging lights, sprinkler heads and rafters. A low mounting position is possible, because the fan is suspended from a hanger of adjustable length. The fan includes several joints that are redundantly bolted and welded for safety. A continuous retaining ring provides additional safety. A resilient bushing enhances the flexibility of the fan blades and reduces strain where the fan blades connect to a central mounting hub. To more broadly distribute the airflow underneath the fan, each fan blade has a twisted geometry to provide an angle of attack that decreases from the root to the tip of the blade.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Abstract: A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.