Abstract: A landing platform control system and methods used for refuel or recharge purposes by a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) performing aerial surveys are disclosed. The system can include a plurality of landing platforms positioned at predetermined locations within the area of interest, each landing platform comprising a mount connecting the landing platform to a surface, a mount component for coupling a floor, a floor to support a UAV while docked at the landing platform, a cover enclosing the floor; a battery charger; and a communications interface. The floor can be rotated to clear any accumulated debris. The cover can be coupled to the floor. The cover can alternate between open and closed position via rotating along the same axis as the floor.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle has a joint between the vehicle parts. The joint includes two joint segments that are rotatable relative to each other. The joint includes a damping device configured in such a manner that in any angular position of the joint segments, the damping torque acting on the joint is substantially the same in a positive as well as in a negative direction of rotation at the moment of a reversal of the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A tilt-up door for a building having a relatively wide door opening having a door frame including top and bottom horizontal members and vertical side members connected to the top and bottom horizontal members. The vertical side members can have a horizontally extending pivot shaft tube positioned between the top and bottom horizontal members, and outwardly extending cam followers adjacent to the top horizontal member. U-shaped channels can extend vertically along opposite sides of the door opening with the U-shaped channels facing each other and the door opening. The U-shaped channels can have generally horizontal track members extending from the top edge of the door opening and the horizontal tracks can have a curved cam surface. Carriages each including a horizontal pivot shaft journal can be positioned in the U-shaped channels for vertical movement in the U-shaped channels.

Abstract: An overhead door assembly in which the door assembly has a vertical closed position and a horizontal opened position, the door assembly including a frame having a horizontal support member and first and second vertical members fixedly mounted to either end of the horizontal member, the vertical members are fixedly mounted to the ground. A one piece door member includes top and bottom horizontal ends and first and second vertical sides and is pivotally mounted to the horizontal member of the frame with the door member being movable from a closed position to an opened position about a pivot point. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted on a portion of either of the first or second vertical members and the second end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally mounted to the door member. The hydraulic cylinder includes a ram movably disposed within the cylinder and transmits an opening and closing force to the door member.

Abstract: A staging area for an elevated mezzanine or platform includes side railings and elevated center stanchions providing a pivot for a gate assembly alternately closing the ends of the side railings enclosing at all time at least three sides of the staging area. The two gates of the assembly extend at right angles to each other and when one is vertical and down, the other is horizontal and up. The main side frames of the gate assembly are M-shape with splayed legs, and the assembly is pivoted to the tops of the stanchions at the vertex of the center V of the M.

Abstract: A pivotable safety gate having a pair of spaced apart parallel support frames which each have a distal end and a proximal end. The frames each have a support stanchion which is disposed adjacent the proximal end of the frame. The stanchions support a pivotable pair of gates. When one gate is down, the other gate is up. This gate assembly is utilizable at mezzanine floors where security and safety at edges of those floors are important. The gates prevent accidents and improper entry into areas which should be off limits to passage.

Abstract: A new and improved overhead door apparatus is provided for a structure, such as an enclosed trailer or enclosed truck body, and includes a pair of guide channel assemblies connected to a pair of sidewalls of the structure a predetermined distance from the floor of the structure. A pair of central pivot assemblies are connected to the pair of sidewalls. The central pivot assemblies are located on the pair of sidewalls at locations between the pair of guide channel assemblies and the floor. A rigid unitary door panel assembly which contains an interior X-frame assembly includes a pair of top corners, a pair of bottom corners, and a pair of sides separating the pair of top corners from the pair of bottom corners. The pair of top corners of the door panel assembly includes a pair of roller assemblies adapted to roll along the pair of guide channel assemblies.

Abstract: In conjunction with a conventional frame-enclosed overhead door system, a safety device for preventing the door from falling in the event that the upper rollers of the door break away from the door or become disengaged from their tracks, the invention comprises a pair of supports each having a first and second end. The first end of each support is pivotally secured to opposite side edges of the door substantially at the midpoint between the rollers on each side edge of the door. The second end of each support is pivotally secured, opposite each other, to an area of the garage adjacent to the intersection where the vertical and horizontal tracks meet. The supports are substantially equal in length and parallel to each other. In the event that the upper rollers of the door break away from the door, the supports will prevent further significant movement of the door.

Abstract: A railway car for carrying autos includes a loading end having lower folding and an upper swinging door which is actuated from the lower platform of the car. The upper and lower doors are opened and closed independently to provide a complete closure for loading end.

Abstract: Garage door assemblies having a frame for receiving a door mounted for over head swinging movement and a spring element as an energy storing member which compensates for at least a part of the weight of the door. For the transfer of the force of the spring element to the door, there is provided a lever system including a lever capable of pivoting between a first position in which the spring force has a low leverage and a second position in which the spring force has an increased leverage sufficient to provide a turning moment capable of swinging the door. The lever is retained in its first position by a releasable locking device.