Abstract: A ball retriever and caddy device for pickleballs or tennis balls includes a base and a push handle connected to the base. Wheels movably support the base on an associated court surface. A resilient ball engaging cylinder is rotatably supported relative to the base and rotatably driven by the wheels and adapted to engage balls on the court surface. A ramp is located adjacent to the resilient ball engaging cylinder and is spaced from the ball engaging cylinder by a distance that is less than a diameter of the balls. A basket is connected to the base and configured to collect balls that are ejected from the ramp by the resilient ball engaging cylinder. The base can comprise wings to funnel balls to the ball engaging cylinder. The basket is movable relative to the base between a lowered position located adjacent the base and raised position spaced above the base.

Abstract: A scoop collector for court balls includes a container with an open front into which balls can roll through the open front. A push handle is operably connected to the container. A ball retaining device allows the balls to roll into the container and prevents the balls from rolling out of the container. The ball retaining device can include a plurality of flappers, an elastic cord, and/or a roller that extend(s) across the open front of the container. The container can be translucent and can be removably supported on a frame. The push handle can be secured in a fixed position by a hook. Wings can be provided adjacent the open front of the container to funnel balls into the container.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo loading or unloading system for a delivery vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a storage compartment having at least a two high by two wide array of compartment portions that store associated cargo received from or delivered through an opening to the storage compartment. A conveyor is located in each compartment portion and the conveyor configured to assist in the delivery or receipt of the associated cargo from or into the compartment portion. A lift assembly is movably mounted to the storage compartment and configured to receive associated cargo from a compartment portion, the lift assembly including a lift assembly conveyor that receives associated cargo from or delivers associated cargo to a compartment portion. The platform can move vertically up and down, and side to side relative to the storage compartment.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo loading or unloading system for a delivery vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a storage compartment having at least a two high by two wide array of compartment portions that store associated cargo received from or delivered through an opening to the storage compartment. A conveyor is located in each compartment portion and the conveyor configured to assist in the delivery or receipt of the associated cargo from or into the compartment portion. A lift assembly is movably mounted to the storage compartment and configured to receive associated cargo from a compartment portion, the lift assembly including a lift assembly conveyor that receives associated cargo from or delivers associated cargo to a compartment portion. The platform can move vertically up and down, and side to side relative to the storage compartment.

Abstract: A regulator is adapted to connect to a gas cylinder, particularly at a location upstream of a cylinder valve, and the regulator may include at least one of a filling slide component, oscillation damper, charge port, and a reset assembly. The regulator includes a body enclosing a cavity, and an inlet passage configured to attach to an associated gas cylinder and an outlet passage configured to attach to an associated cylinder valve, the inlet and outlet passages in selective fluid communication with one another. A flexible diaphragm/bellows is interposed between the inlet and outlet passages. A poppet assembly is located between the inlet and outlet passages that selectively seals with a poppet seat to regulate fluid flow between the inlet and outlet passages.

Abstract: A loading/unloading system for an associated truck bed includes first and second laterally spaced rails configured for re) receipt in the associated truck bed. First and second support leg assemblies are operatively associated with the first and second rails, respectively. First and second motors are received on the first and second leg assemblies, respectively, and are configured to selectively raise and lower the first and second rails. A sensor assembly is mounted on the rails to monitor the position of the first rail relative to the second rail. The sensor assembly is interconnected to the first and second motors for maintaining the rails at the same height relative to one another.

Abstract: An autonomous cargo loading or unloading system for a delivery vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a storage compartment having at least a two high by two wide array of compartment portions that store associated cargo received from or delivered through an opening to the storage compartment. A conveyor is located in each compartment portion and the conveyor configured to assist in the delivery or receipt of the associated cargo from or into the compartment portion. A lift assembly is movably mounted to the storage compartment and configured to receive associated cargo from a compartment portion, the lift assembly including a lift assembly conveyor that receives associated cargo from or delivers associated cargo to a compartment portion. The platform can move vertically up and down, and side to side relative to the storage compartment.

Abstract: A loading/unloading system for an associated truck bed includes first and second laterally spaced rails configured for re) receipt in the associated truck bed. First and second support leg assemblies are operatively associated with the first and second rails, respectively. First and second motors are received on the first and second leg assemblies, respectively, and are configured to selectively raise and lower the first and second rails. A sensor assembly is mounted on the rails to monitor the position of the first rail relative to the second rail. The sensor assembly is interconnected to the first and second motors for maintaining the rails at the same height relative to one another.

Abstract: An in-line flow control component includes a body having an inlet and an outlet that are substantially coaxial with a tube extending through the body. The tube forms a flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and one end of the tube sealingly engages a valve seat for controlling fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. First and second diaphragms each have an opening sealingly secured about an outer periphery of the tube and an outer peripheral portion sealed to the body. The diaphragms selectively move the tube between open and closed positions in response to force acting on the diaphragms. The force is provided by either a mechanical mechanism (toggle, wedge member, threaded adjustment knob, etc.) or fluid pressure introduced between the diaphragms. The diaphragms may be similarly or differently dimensioned. Plural flow control components may be assembled in end-to-end sealed relationship.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for an associated cargo carrier includes a rail configured for sliding movement between a first position received within a footprint of the carrier and a second position extended outwardly from the carrier footprint. A leg assembly is configured for extending movement between a first position received in the rail and a second position extending outwardly from the rail. When the rail and leg assembly are in the respective first positions, the leg assembly is stored along the carrier, and when the rail and leg are in the respective second positions, the leg assembly supports the cargo carrier. A drive arrangement selectively raises and lowers the leg assembly between the first and second positions to raise and lower the cargo carrier relative to the vehicle bed.

Abstract: A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for an associated cargo carrier includes a rail configured for sliding movement between a first position received within a footprint of the carrier and a second position extended outwardly from the carrier footprint. A leg assembly is configured for extending movement between a first position received in the rail and a second position extending outwardly from the rail. When the rail and leg assembly are in the respective first positions, the leg assembly is stored along the carrier, and when the rail and leg are in the respective second positions, the leg assembly supports the cargo carrier. A drive arrangement selectively raises and lowers the leg assembly between the first and second positions to raise and lower the cargo carrier relative to the vehicle bed.

Abstract: A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate.

Abstract: An in-line flow control component includes a body having an inlet and an outlet that are substantially coaxial with a tube extending through the body. The tube forms a flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and one end of the tube sealingly engages a valve seat for controlling fluid flow between the inlet and outlet. First and second diaphragms each have an opening sealingly secured about an outer periphery of the tube and an outer peripheral portion sealed to the body. The diaphragms selectively move the tube between open and closed positions in response to force acting on the diaphragms. The force is provided by either a mechanical mechanism (toggle, wedge member, threaded adjustment knob, etc.) or fluid pressure introduced between the diaphragms. The diaphragms may be similarly or differently dimensioned. Plural flow control components may be assembled in end-to-end sealed relationship.

Abstract: A modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components of a fluid system in a reduced area. The system is comprised of a one or more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may additionally comprise two or more ports, which one of said ports may be in fluid communication with a manifold on another substrate level. The bridge fittings may be mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support or in channel blocks of varying sizes. An optional locator plate may be utilized which is mounted over the ends of the bridge fittings in order to align the inlet and outlet ports of the fluid components with the inlet and outlet ends of the bridge fittings. The bridge fittings may also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming multiple flow paths.

Abstract: A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate.

Abstract: A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit a truck bed or SUV cargo space. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed or cargo space, selectively pivots for dumping the load contents of the bin from the rear of the vehicle, or is selectively removed from the vehicle to leave at a job site, and/or allow the vehicle to be used without the removable bin. A pivot arm assembly advantageously mounted to a conventional trailer hitch receiver installed on vehicles of this type. The pivot arm assembly includes a support bar received within the trailer hitch receiver. A generally U-shaped support structure includes a transverse arm and first and second upright arms extending therefrom having first, lower ends secured to the transverse arm. Rollers are rotatably secured adjacent outer terminal ends of the first and second upright arms, respectively. The rollers cooperate with first and second guide rails secured to an underside of the bin.

Abstract: A modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components of a fluid system in a reduced area The system is comprised of a one or more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may be mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support. An optional locator plate may be utilized which is mounted over the ends of the bridge fittings in order to align the inlet and outlet ports of the fluid components with the inlet and outlet ends of the bridge fittings. The bridge fittings may also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming multiple flow paths. Additionally, the bridge fittings may be stacked to form multiple layers where bridge fittings of one layer may be in fluid communication with bridge fittings of another layer.

Abstract: A modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components of a fluid system in a reduced area. The system is comprised of a one or more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may additionally comprise two or more ports, which one of said ports may be in fluid communication with a manifold on another substrate level. The bridge fittings may be mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support or in channel blocks of varying sizes. The bridge fittings may also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming multiple flow paths. The bridge fittings may be stacked to form multiple layers.

Abstract: A modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components of a fluid system in a reduced area. The system is comprised of a one or more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may additionally comprise two or more ports, which one of said ports may be in fluid communication with a manifold on another substrate level. The bridge fittings may be mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support or in channel blocks of varying sizes. The bridge fittings may also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming multiple flow paths. The bridge fittings may be stacked to form multiple layers.