Abstract: Systems and methods for the modification of loading dock environments are provided that allow trailers and shipping containers on chassis' to park at a loading dock with closed doors and have these doors opened into the loading dock environment and resealed while the trailer remains at the loading dock. A resilient, semi-rigid protective panel can also be removably attached to cover part of the inside face of an opened trailer door, so as to protect it from impact by equipment or goods as they pass into and out of the trailer.

Abstract: The invention is a versatile walking stick that can be used in a wide variety of environments, including (but not limited to) swamps and wetlands. The walking stick includes a first end, an opposed second end, and a body that spans the distance between the two ends. The second end of the walking stick includes two or more feet that extend outwards from a central support. Advantageously, the spring actuated feet are configured to fold under tension when pulled in an upward direction (e.g., out of mud or any other tacky material). Once freed from the mud, the feet spring upwards and provide a wide surface area that allows a user to easily move through the terrain.

Abstract: This provides a system and method for handling the interchange of trailers between an over the road (OTR) truck and an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck in a facility yard includes an interchange zone (IZ) that is bounded by a predetermined boundary structure, having an OTR entry gate and an OTR exit gate on a first side and an AV entry gate and an AV exit gate on a second side. The system and method further includes a management process that selectively opens and closes each of the OTR entry gate, the OTR exit gate, the AV entry gate and the AV exit gate according to a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: This provides a system and method for handling the interchange of trailers between an over the road (OTR) truck and an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck in a facility yard includes an interchange zone (IZ) that is bounded by a predetermined boundary structure, having an OTR entry gate and an OTR exit gate on a first side and an AV entry gate and an AV exit gate on a second side. The system and method further includes a management process that selectively opens and closes each of the OTR entry gate, the OTR exit gate, the AV entry gate and the AV exit gate according to a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A plate for a heat exchanger has a longitudinal centerline, a reference plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline, and multiple corrugations provided in the plate that define flow channels through which fluid flows. The corrugations extend at an angle to the reference plane and at least some of the corrugations are intersected by the reference plane, wherein over at least a portion of a surface area of the plate the corrugations are arranged in sub-regions that have a longitudinal length and the corrugations of each sub region are at the same angle relative to the longitudinal centerline, and the corrugations of adjacent sub-regions are at different angles from each other, and wherein the corrugations in adjacent sub-regions meet at junctions and the junctions are not longitudinally aligned.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a plate for a heat exchanger defines at least in part a flow channel for a working fluid of the heat exchanger, the plate defines an aperture adjacent the flow channel, and the aperture has a sensor assembly disposed therein. The sensor assembly includes a body mounted to the aperture and at least in one of a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor secured within the body, and the body forming in part the flow channel for the working fluid.

Abstract: This provides a system and method for handling the interchange of trailers between an over the road (OTR) truck and an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck in a facility yard includes an interchange zone (IZ) that is bounded by a predetermined boundary structure, having an OTR entry gate and an OTR exit gate on a first side and an AV entry gate and an AV exit gate on a second side. The system and method further includes a management process that selectively opens and closes each of the OTR entry gate, the OTR exit gate, the AV entry gate and the AV exit gate according to a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A plate for a heat exchanger has a longitudinal centerline, a reference plane parallel to the longitudinal centerline, and multiple corrugations provided in the plate that define flow channels through which fluid flows. The corrugations extend at an angle to the reference plane and at least some of the corrugations are intersected by the reference plane, wherein over at least a portion of a surface area of the plate the corrugations are arranged in sub-regions that have a longitudinal length and the corrugations of each sub region are at the same angle relative to the longitudinal centerline, and the corrugations of adjacent sub-regions are at different angles from each other, and wherein the corrugations in adjacent sub-regions meet at junctions and the junctions are not longitudinally aligned.

Abstract: A tool such as a knife or other hand tool has only two pieces, a handle and a blade or other implement. The blade is movable from a fully retracted position to an extended position and the blade may be locked in both the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A tool such as a knife or other hand tool has only two pieces, a handle and a blade or other implement. The blade is movable from a fully retracted position to an extended position and the blade may be locked in both the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a base portion for movement along the surface and a handle pivotally connected to the base portion. The handle includes a lower portion and an upper portion pivotally connected to the lower portion and pivoted between an upper position for use and a lower position for storage. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle. A recovery tank removably mounted to one of the base portion and the handle and is in fluid communication with a suction nozzle secured to said base portion.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface in which cleaning solution is dispensed to the surface and substantially simultaneously extracted along with the dirt on the surface in a continuous operation is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a recovery tank removably mounted to the housing. A solution tank for supplying a flow of cleaning solution to the surface is removably mounted to the housing. A suction nozzle is secured to the housing and is in fluid communication with the recovery tank. A suction source is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle for generating suction to draw dirt and liquid through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. A first latch is operatively connected to the solution tank to releasably latch the solution tank to the housing and a second latch is operatively connected to the recovery tank to releasably latch the recovery tank to said housing, wherein the second latch is in close proximity to the first latch.

Abstract: First and second C-shaped clamping members are provided to engage a ladder and a roof rack. One of the clamping members is mounted on an actuator rod, the other on an actuator housing. A pistol grip handle and trigger mechanism enable the two clamping members to be ratcheted into secure clamping engagement with the two items. A quick release plate allows the clamp to be easily opened for disengagement. In a second embodiment, a compression spring draws the two clamping members together when the quick release plate is engaged.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism is defined by a lever arm that is integrally connected to resilient spring members. The lever arm is movable between first and second positions and is normally biased into the first position in which the actuator may engage an adjacent member, for example to provide a fluid-tight sealing relationship of to lock the adjacent member in a stationary position relative to the lever arm. Movement of the lever arm into the second position releases the engagement with the adjacent member. In one embodiment the actuator is defined by a pair of overlapping, oppositely oriented slots cut into a monolithic member to define both the lever arm and the spring members. The lever arm rocks in a teeter-toter fashion when actuated and both ends of the lever arm can be utilized to perform work.

Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool and the like has a resilient lever arm formed in a body portion. A blade pivotally connected to the body is movable between closed and open positions. A blade locking pin is carried on the lever arm, and in the normal resting position the blade locking pin engages the blade. When the blade is in the open position the lever arm biases the locking pin into locking engagement with a notch formed in the blade tang, thereby locking the blade in the open position. Actuating the lever arm disengages the locking pin from the blade, allowing the blade to be moved into the closed position. The blade may have a second notch or hole formed in the tang for engagement of the blade locking pin when the blade is closed, thereby locking the blade into the closed position.

Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed posiiton in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 208) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism is defined by a lever arm that is integrally connected to resilient spring members. The lever arm is movable between first and second positions and is normally biased into the first position in which the actuator may engage an adjacent member, for example to provide a fluid-tight sealing relationship of to lock the adjacent member in a stationary position relative to the lever arm. Movement of the lever arm into the second position releases the engagement with the adjacent member. In one embodiment the actuator is defined by a pair of overlapping, oppositely oriented slots cut into a monolithic member to define both the lever arm and the spring members. The lever arm rocks in a teeter-toter fashion when actuated and both ends of the lever arm can be utilized to perform work.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism is defined by a lever arm that is integrally connected to resilient spring members. The lever arm is movable between first and second positions and is normally biased into the first position in which the actuator may engage an adjacent member, for example to provide a fluid-tight sealing relationship of to lock the adjacent member in a stationary position relative to the lever arm. Movement of the lever arm into the second position releases the engagement with the adjacent member. In one embodiment the actuator is defined by a pair of overlapping, oppositely oriented slots cut into a monolithic member to define both the lever arm and the spring members. The lever arm rocks in a teeter-toter fashion when actuated and both ends of the lever arm can be utilized to perform work.

Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool and the like has a resilient lever arm formed in a body portion. A blade pivotally connected to the body is movable between closed and open positions. A blade locking pin is carried on the lever arm, and in the normal resting position the blade locking pin engages the blade. When the blade is in the open position the lever arm biases the locking pin into locking engagement with a notch formed in the blade tang, thereby locking the blade in the open position. Actuating the lever arm disengages the locking pin from the blade, allowing the blade to be moved into the closed position. The blade may have a second notch or hole formed in the tang for engagement of the blade locking pin when the blade is closed, thereby locking the blade into the closed position.

Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed position in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 208) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang.