Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for weighing a moving cart in a modular grow tower assembly. Such a method comprises moving a plurality of carts containing crops along a path; isolating a single cart from adjacent carts using a separator wheel with prongs that engage ribs on a bottom surface of the cart; positioning the isolated cart onto a load cell; measuring a pressure exerted by the isolated cart using the load cell while the isolated cart is in motion; recording the measured pressure as pressure data with a controller; and generating, by the controller, a histogram from the pressure data to determine a weight of the isolated cart.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for lowering a cart in a modular grow tower assembly. One such system comprise a plurality of body frames, each having multiple subframe supports arranged in parallel in a vertical direction, and a plurality of lift frames positioned at opposite ends of the body frames. The system further includes a plurality of carts, each cart comprising at least a plurality of wheels for traversing the subframe supports; a tray to support growing of crop material; or an engagement mechanism such that the carts remain in contact with adjacent carts as they traverse the subframe supports and become disengaged when the cart is moved vertically by a lowering lift mechanism. The system also includes a plurality of lowering lift mechanisms confined within the lift frames that are configured to pull, lower, and push one of the carts.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for providing drainage in an modular grow tower. One such method comprises supporting a quantity of crops on a plurality of carts, where each cart comprises a tray with perforations and fins sloped to direct water and/or nutrients towards the perforations; traversing the carts in a moving path from a top end to a bottom end of the grow tower; providing water and/or nutrients to the crops via a sustenance system comprising a watering component and a nutrient dosing component; collecting the water and/or nutrients draining through the plurality of perforations in the carts using a drainage system comprising a plurality of drainage troughs; and/or transporting the collected water and/or nutrients from the drainage troughs to a drainage pipe configured to carry the water and/or nutrients away from the grow tower.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for raising a cart in a modular grow tower assembly. One such system comprises a modular grow tower assembly including a plurality of body frames and a plurality of lift frames. The body frames are configured to support a plurality of carts moving along a path from a top end to a bottom end of the modular grow tower assembly. A harvest frame is positioned adjacent to one of the lift frames. A raising lift mechanism is configured to pull a cart from the modular grow tower assembly into the harvest frame. The raising lift mechanism comprises fork members that are configured to engage wheels of the cart. The raising lift mechanism is further configured to move vertically within the harvest frame to position the cart for subsequent harvesting and reinsertion into the modular grow tower assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents modular growing systems and related methods for growing crops. One such system comprises a plurality of body frames; a plurality of lift frames positioned at each end of the modular system; wherein the body frames and lift frames are arranged in a plurality of vertically stacked rows, each row comprising at least one body frame and two lift frames, the body frames being positioned between the lift frames in each row; a plurality of subframe supports within each body frame, each subframe support configured to hold at least one cart containing seeds or crops; a lowering lift mechanism within each lift frame, configured to move the carts vertically between the rows of body frames; and/or a controller communicatively coupled to the lowering lift mechanisms and translating mechanisms, configured to operate the movement of the carts through the modular system based on predetermined parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for distributing seed. One such system comprises a drum seeder assembly including a dispenser with an open top end for receiving seed, and an open bottom end for dispensing seed; a drum rotatably mounted beneath the dispenser, configured to receive seed through the open bottom end and distribute the seed as the drum rotates; and/or a transfer apparatus for delivering seed to the drum seeder assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for coupling a plurality of carts in a modular grow tower. One such system comprises a plurality of body frames positioned vertically, such that each body frame include tracks; carts configured to traverse the tracks, where each cart has a first end with at least one male engagement mechanism and a second end with at least one female engagement mechanism. Accordingly, the male engagement mechanism of a first cart is configured to engage the female engagement mechanism of a second cart in a removable manner. The system further includes lift frames located at opposite ends of the body frames, where each lift frame comprises a plurality of lift mechanisms configured to move the carts in a vertical direction between the tracks of the body frames; and/or a modular grow tower computing device configured to control an operation of the modular grow tower.

Abstract: The present disclosure presents modular grow tower systems and related methods. One such system comprises a modular grow tower assembly having a plurality of body frames, a plurality of lift frames, and a plurality of rows extending in a longitudinal direction and stacked in a vertical direction; a plurality of carts for supporting crop material, one or more lowering lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts between rows; one or more raising lift mechanisms for vertically translating the carts; a sustenance system for providing water and nutrients to the crop material; a lighting system including lighting elements mounted within the body frames; a drainage system comprising drainage troughs and drainage pipes for collecting and transporting excess water and nutrients; and/or a master controller for managing and controlling operations of the modular grow tower system.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including embodiments of a hinge that may be used in a combination ladder. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The first and second hinge assemblies are coupled together for relative rotation about a defined axis. An adjustment mechanism enables the two hinge assemblies to be selectively locked or unlocked to prohibit or permit relative rotation, respectively. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a lock plate displaceable along a first axis and a retainer displaceable along a second axis. The retainer is configured to hold the lock plate in a disengaged state until a release structure displaces the retainer away from the lock plate. The release structure may be configured to be actuated and displace the retainer upon relative rotation of the hinge assemblies to (or through) a predetermined angular configuration.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including embodiments of a hinge that may be used in a combination ladder. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The first and second hinge assemblies are coupled together for relative rotation about a defined axis. An adjustment mechanism enables the two hinge assemblies to be selectively locked or unlocked to prohibit or permit relative rotation, respectively. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a lock plate displaceable along a first axis and a retainer displaceable along a second axis. The retainer is configured to hold the lock plate in a disengaged state until a release structure displaces the retainer away from the lock plate. The release structure may be configured to be actuated and displace the retainer upon relative rotation of the hinge assemblies to (or through) a predetermined angular configuration.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided including embodiments of a hinge that may be used in a combination ladder. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The first and second hinge assemblies are coupled together for relative rotation about a defined axis. An adjustment mechanism enables the two hinge assemblies to be selectively locked or unlocked to prohibit or permit relative rotation, respectively. In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism includes a lock plate displaceable along a first axis and a retainer displaceable along a second axis. The retainer is configured to hold the lock plate in a disengaged state until a release structure displaces the retainer away from the lock plate. The release structure may be configured to be actuated and displace the retainer upon relative rotation of the hinge assemblies to (or through) a predetermined angular configuration.

Abstract: A ladder is provided comprising a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. A pair of hooks are located such that each hook is positioned adjacent and upper end of an associated rail. A securing apparatus is coupled adjacent the upper end of the first pair of spaced apart rails. The securing apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart engaging members and may include a cross-member coupled therebetween. Each of the engagement members is pivotal with respect to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails. In one embodiment, the securing apparatus lacks any biasing members (e.g., springs or actuators) or locking members. The engagement members and hooks cooperatively encircle and overhead, generally horizontal support member to support and secure the ladder in a desired position.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, various configurations of ladders including straight and extension ladders, as well as to methods relating to the use and manufacture of such ladders. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ladder is provided that includes a first pair of spaced apart rails and a plurality of rungs extending between and coupled to the first pair of spaced apart rails. The ladder also includes a pair of lateral support members, wherein each support member is selectively displaceable in a lateral direction relative to an associated rail. Additionally, the ladder includes a pair of adjustable legs, each leg having a first end slidably coupled to an associated rail of the first pair of spaced apart rails and being slidably coupled to an associated lateral support member.

Abstract: A step ladder includes a first assembly having a first pair of spaced apart rails, a second assembly having at least one rail, and a top cap coupled with the first assembly and the second assembly. At least one of the first and second assemblies may be pivotally coupled with the top cap. The first assembly includes a plurality of rungs coupled with the rails and may exhibit a vertical spacing of a first distance between adjacent rungs, a vertical spacing equal to the first distance between the lowermost rung and a supporting surface (e.g., the ground), and a vertical spacing between the uppermost rung and the top cap that is greater than the first distance. In one particular embodiment, the vertical spacing between the uppermost rung and the top cap is twice the distance of the first distance.