Abstract: A facility-based dual-purpose conditioned air blower system includes a heat exchange unit, a diverter apparatus, and a centrifugal blower. The heat exchange unit includes an ambient air inlet, heat exchange elements, and a conditioned air outlet. The diverter apparatus includes a diverter inlet fluidly coupled to the conditioned air outlet of the heat exchange unit, a first diverter outlet to the facility, and a second diverter outlet. The diverter apparatus is moveable between a first position wherein the first diverter outlet is closed and the second diverter outlet is open, and a second position wherein the first diverter outlet is open and the second diverter outlet is closed. The centrifugal blower includes a blower inlet fluidly coupled to the second diverter outlet of the diverter apparatus, and a blower outlet positioned to ventilate a trailer interior with conditioned air from the conditioned air outlet of the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A facility-based dual-purpose conditioned air blower system includes a heat exchange unit, a diverter apparatus, and a centrifugal blower. The heat exchange unit includes an ambient air inlet, heat exchange elements, and a conditioned air outlet. The diverter apparatus includes a diverter inlet fluidly coupled to the conditioned air outlet of the heat exchange unit, a first diverter outlet to the facility, and a second diverter outlet. The diverter apparatus is moveable between a first position wherein the first diverter outlet is closed and the second diverter outlet is open, and a second position wherein the first diverter outlet is open and the second diverter outlet is closed. The centrifugal blower includes a blower inlet fluidly coupled to the second diverter outlet of the diverter apparatus, and a blower outlet positioned to ventilate a trailer interior with conditioned air from the conditioned air outlet of the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A convex wheel chock includes a contact surface generally facing a vehicle tire, a support element connected to the contact surface to transfer a tire load from the contact surface, and a base portion coupled to the support element to provide structural support to the wheel chock and transfer the tire load to a ground surface. The contact surface includes a convex surface to be engaged by the tire, extending generally upwards from the base portion to the support element. The convex wheel chock may further include a concave extension surface joined to an upper end of the convex surface.

Abstract: A convex wheel chock includes a contact surface generally facing a vehicle tire, a support element connected to the contact surface to transfer a tire load from the contact surface, and a base portion coupled to the support element to provide structural support to the wheel chock and transfer the tire load to a ground surface. The contact surface includes a convex surface to be engaged by the tire, extending generally upwards from the base portion to the support element, and a concave extension surface joined to an upper end of the convex surface.

Abstract: A head pad assembly includes a plurality of head pad subassemblies pivotably joined along their lateral edge so as to allow vertical rotation of one subassembly relative to an adjoining subassembly when the head pad is actuated. At least one head pad subassembly includes a stiff upper backing portion and a lower compressible pad. The head pad assembly further includes one or more flexible hinges coupling the plurality of head pad subassemblies along their lateral edges to effect the vertical rotation. The head pad assembly further includes an actuator assembly configured to raise and lower the plurality of head pad subassemblies between an upper position and a lower, sealing position.

Abstract: A sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight affixed to an upper surface at a front end of the firearm, and a rear sight affixed to the upper surface at an opposing rear end of the firearm. The rear sight includes a main body and an indexing element positioned thereon. The indexing element has its terminus aligned with the top surface of the rear sight body. The front sight is positioned higher than the rear sight, such that aiming the firearm involves pointing the front sight at the target, then aligning the bottom of the front site with the upper terminus of the indexing element on the rear sight. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear sight has a low-profile that enables the user to regain significant field of view that was blocked by prior art rear sights.

Abstract: A facility-based conditioned air blower system for ventilating a trailer interior includes a fan and a split air conditioner system. The fan includes an inlet portion, a fan housing, and a discharge portion. The discharge portion includes a pivoting elbow conduit configured to rotate into and away from the trailer interior. The split air conditioner system includes an evaporator unit coupled to the inlet portion of the fan, and further coupled to a condenser unit by way of a closed-loop refrigerant line.

Abstract: A sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight affixed to an upper surface at a front end of the firearm, and a rear sight affixed to the upper surface at an opposing rear end of the firearm. The rear sight includes a main body and an indexing element positioned thereon. The indexing element has its terminus aligned with the top surface of the rear sight body. The front sight is positioned higher than the rear sight, such that aiming the firearm involves pointing the front sight at the target, then aligning the bottom of the front site with the upper terminus of the indexing element on the rear sight. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear sight has a low-profile that enables the user to regain significant field of view that was blocked by prior art rear sights.

Abstract: A firearm having reduced muzzle rise is disclosed. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end, an opposing muzzle end, and a bore defining a barrel centerline which, when extended in a longitudinal direction, defines a barrel axis. The firearm further includes a magazine tube disposed above the barrel, a receiver defining a lower opening to receive the barrel, and an upper opening to receive the magazine tube. The firearm further includes a stock defining a body support surface where the stock braces against a user's body. The barrel axis passes through the body support surface of the stock.

Abstract: A firearm having reduced muzzle rise is disclosed. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end, an opposing muzzle end, and a bore defining a barrel centerline which, when extended in a longitudinal direction, defines a barrel axis. The firearm further includes a magazine tube disposed above the barrel, a receiver defining a lower opening to receive the barrel, and an upper opening to receive the magazine tube. The firearm further includes a stock defining a body support surface where the stock braces against a user's body. The barrel axis passes through the body support surface of the stock.

Abstract: A sighting apparatus for a firearm includes a front sight affixed to an upper surface at a front end of the firearm, and a rear sight affixed to the upper surface at an opposing rear end of the firearm. The rear sight includes a main body and an indexing element positioned thereon. The indexing element has its terminus aligned with the top surface of the rear sight body. The front sight is positioned higher than the rear sight, such that aiming the firearm involves pointing the front sight at the target, then aligning the bottom of the front site with the upper terminus of the indexing element on the rear sight. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear sight has a low-profile that enables the user to regain significant field of view that was blocked by prior art rear sights.

Abstract: A head pad assembly for a loading dock includes a frame structure secured to a loading dock wall and a head pad portion coupled to the frame structure. The head pad portion is positioned above and extends across an opening to the loading dock, and is moveable between an upper position and a lower position. The head pad portion includes a compressible pad. The upper position of the head pad is not configured to provide a sealing function against a truck or trailer, and the lower position is configured to engage and seal the compressible pad against a roof surface of the truck or trailer.

Abstract: A wheel chock system includes a wheel chock comprising a tire contact surface, one or more support elements, and a base portion, and a sensor located proximate the wheel chock for use in detecting a chocked vehicle tire. The sensor includes an axis, a lever arm pivoting about the axis, the lever arm comprising a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward leg portion protruding through an aperture in the tire contact surface of the chock, the lever arm having a range of motion defined by a first position wherein the forward leg protrudes through the aperture a first distance, an intermediate position wherein the forward leg protrudes through the aperture a second distance greater than zero and less than the first distance, and a third position wherein the forward leg is flush with or below the tire contact surface. A wireless module coupled to the trigger arm, the wireless module comprising a transmitter and an electrodynamic energy generator for inducing a voltage to power the transmitter.

Abstract: A firearm having reduced muzzle rise is disclosed. The firearm includes a barrel having a breech end, an opposing muzzle end, and a bore defining a barrel centerline which, when extended in a longitudinal direction, defines a barrel axis. The firearm further includes a magazine tube disposed above the barrel, a receiver defining a lower opening to receive the barrel, and an upper opening to receive the magazine tube. The firearm further includes a stock defining a body support surface where the stock braces against a user's body. The barrel axis passes through the body support surface of the stock.

Abstract: A screen door assembly for an opening of loading dock includes a frame having first and second vertical members joined together by first and second horizontal members. The screen door assembly further includes at least one stay element extending along a lateral axis and secured at each end to the respective vertical member. The screen door assembly further includes a screen material, at least one of a top edge or bottom edge of the screen material being secured to the stay element. The screen door assembly is configured for use in the longitudinal clearance gap of a main door guide track, between the main door guide track and an inside wall of the loading dock. The screen door operates independent of the main door, such that both doors can be closed at the same time.

Abstract: A foregrip for a firearm barrel includes a forward portion configured to face toward an open end of the barrel, a rear portion opposing the forward portion, and a curvilinear contact portion extending from the forward portion to the rear portion. The curvilinear contact portion includes a convex portion relative to the barrel and a concave portion relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A head pad assembly includes a plurality of head pad subassemblies pivotably joined along their lateral edge so as to allow vertical rotation of one subassembly relative to an adjoining subassembly when the head pad is actuated. At least one head pad subassembly includes a stiff upper backing portion and a lower compressible pad. The head pad assembly further includes one or more flexible hinges coupling the plurality of head pad subassemblies along their lateral edges to effect the vertical rotation. The head pad assembly further includes an actuator assembly configured to raise and lower the plurality of head pad subassemblies between an upper position and a lower, sealing position.

Abstract: A convex wheel chock includes a contact surface generally facing a vehicle tire, a support element connected to the contact surface to transfer a tire load from the contact surface, and a base portion coupled to the support element to provide structural support to the wheel chock and transfer the tire load to a ground surface. The contact surface includes a convex surface to be engaged by the tire, extending generally upwards from the base portion to the support element, and a concave extension surface joined to an upper end of the convex surface.

Abstract: A dock bumper for a loading dock includes a rear mounting plate for use in securing the dock bumper to a loading dock wall, a front contact surface configured to engage a vehicle backing into the loading dock, and an elastomer spring block positioned between the rear mounting plate and the front contact surface. The elastomer spring block includes an elastomeric material defining a pattern of geometric cavities. The geometric cavities are configured to provide a progressive spring rate in a longitudinal direction relative to the loading dock.

Abstract: A wheel chock includes a convex load surface configured to be engaged by a vehicle tire. The resultant force exerted by the vehicle tire on the wheel chock can be expressed as a vector normal to the convex surface, at a contact angle ?. As dynamic loading forces push the vehicle into the wheel chock, the tire rides up the convex surface of the chock, thereby increasing the contact angle ?. For contact angles greater than 45°, the vertical component of the resultant force will increase, and the horizontal component will decrease. The net effect is that, under dynamic loading, the chock will tend to anchor itself downwards rather than slide backwards or tip over. Also disclosed is a chock extractor secured to the wheel chock. Rotating the extractor handle in turn rotates an extractor foot, which pivots and lifts the wheel chock off the ground to disengage the chock.