Abstract: Fans having fan blade mounting structures are disclosed herein. A fan configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a fan having a central hub coupled to a plurality of fan blades by a plurality of blade mounting structures. Each blade mounting structure can include first and lower support members that each extend toward an inboard end portion of an individual fan blade. Each of the upper and lower support members can include a first end portion coupled to the inboard end portion of the fan blade. Each of the upper and lower support members can also include a second end portion coupled to opposite sides of the central hub.

Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.

Abstract: Systems, devices and components for the sealing of doors, including overhead doors at loading docks, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A door sealing system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a seal extension having a body with a first edge and a second edge. The seal extension can include a bulb seal portion extending from the first edge to form a first seal between the door and a first surface extending adjacent to a side edge of the door. The seal extension can also include a blade seal portion extending from the second edge to form a second seal between the door and a second surface extending adjacent to an upper edge of the door.

Abstract: Fans having fan blade mounting structures are disclosed herein. A fan configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a fan having a central hub coupled to a plurality of fan blades by a plurality of blade mounting structures. Each blade mounting structure can include first and lower support members that each extend toward an inboard end portion of an individual fan blade. Each of the upper and lower support members can include a first end portion coupled to the inboard end portion of the fan blade. Each of the upper and lower support members can also include a second end portion coupled to opposite sides of the central hub.

Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a dock leveler sealing system can include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.

Abstract: Overhead door decelerator assemblies and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a door assembly includes a door, an elongated door track, and a brush proximate the door track. The door includes a guide member extending outwardly from a side edge portion of the door. The brush is positioned such that moving the door between open and closed positions causes the guide member to deflect a resilient portion (e.g., a plurality of bristles, a plurality of flaps, or a blade) of the brush at regions of the resilient portion consecutively positioned along the length of the brush. The brush can be positioned away from the door when the door is in the closed position and in contact with a portion of the door when the door is in the open position.

Abstract: Wheel chocks for use with loading docks are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a manual wheel chock configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a restraint arm pivotally coupled to a carriage that is rollably mounted to a longitudinal guide rail. The restraint arm is rotatable in a first direction to move a wheel stop in front of a wheel of a vehicle parked adjacent the guide rail. The restraint arm is also rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction to move the wheel stop away from the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a system of fans in a facility from a central system controller are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system of fans can be configured to shut down automatically during an emergency condition or event. For example, a fan system controller can be connected to the system of fans and provide a signal to each of the fans. While each of the fans receives the signal, power is connected to a motor on each of the fans. Upon detection of an emergency condition, the fan system controller disconnects the signal to the fans, thereby automatically simultaneously shutting down the entire system of fans.

Abstract: Technology generally directed to operation of loading dock equipment such as vehicle restraints, dock levelers, overhead doors/openers, barrier gates, lights, and linked or unlinked control systems is disclosed herein. The disclosed technology may be employed to power electrical loading dock systems from batteries and/or alternative power sources, including “green” power sources. For example, the technology may be employed at new, temporary, and/or mobile facilities having any number of loading docks where reliable commercial power may not be readily available. Further, the technology may also be employed at warehouses in remote and/or developing areas where electrical infrastructure is not available and/or reasonably priced. The technology may be embodied as methods, apparatuses, manufactures (e.g., computer- and/or processor-readable storage and/or other mediums), and/or the like.

Abstract: Door leveling apparatuses are disclosed herein. A door leveling apparatus configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a bracket mounted to a door, such as a vertically-opening sectional door. The apparatus further includes a cable assembly having a first end portion coupled to the bracket and a second end portion coupled to a door lifting system, such as a counterbalance assembly. The first end portion includes an adjuster that enables an operator to adjust the operational length of the cable assembly extending between the lifting system and the bracket, thereby enabling the operator to individually adjust the lengths of two such cable assemblies on opposite sides of the door to align the door with a corresponding opening.

Abstract: Overhead door decelerator assemblies and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a door assembly includes a door, an elongated door track, and a brush proximate the door track. The door includes a guide member extending outwardly from a side edge portion of the door. The brush is positioned such that moving the door between open and closed positions causes the guide member to deflect a resilient portion (e.g., a plurality of bristles, a plurality of flaps, or a blade) of the brush at regions of the resilient portion consecutively positioned along the length of the brush. The brush can be positioned away from the door when the door is in the closed position and in contact with a portion of the door when the door is in the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a system of fans in a facility from a central system controller are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system of fans can be configured to shut down automatically during an emergency condition or event. For example, a fan system controller can be connected to the system of fans and provide a signal to each of the fans. While each of the fans receives the signal, power is connected to a motor on each of the fans. Upon detection of an emergency condition, the fan system controller disconnects the signal to the fans, thereby automatically simultaneously shutting down the entire system of fans.

Abstract: Dock leveler sealing systems are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a dock leveler sealing system can include a bottom seal configured to be attached to an underside of a dock leveler deck and extend transversely thereto, and two side seals configured to be attached to opposite end portions of the bottom seal and extend forwardly therefrom. The side seals can be shaped and sized to effectively seal openings and/or gaps that may exist between the bottom seal, the deck lip, a shipping vehicle, a dock bumper, and/or the building floor.

Abstract: Insulated tracks for use with loading dock doors are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an insulated door track configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first insulator, such as a plastic material, applied to a surface of the door track that extends adjacent to the loading dock door in the closed position. A second insulator, such as a radiant barrier comprised of a thin film of a reflective material, such as aluminum, can be applied to an opposing surface of the first insulator to prevent or at least reduce radiant energy losses through the track. A gap between the first insulator and the door jamb can be sealed with a third insulator, such as a suitable strip of foam.

Abstract: Dock levelers, such as mechanical dock levelers, are described herein. In one embodiment, a mechanical dock leveler includes a ramp having a lip pivotally attached to a forward edge. A ramp lifting system is configured to assist upward rotation of the ramp as it is manually raised. In this embodiment, a lip lifting system is operably coupled to the ramp lifting system so that the ramp is initially “downward biased” prior to being raised, and then becomes at least partially supported in a raised position by the lip lifting mechanism, once the lip lifting mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: Overhead door assemblies having both interlocking and releasable guide assemblies, and guide track assemblies for use with same are disclosed herein. An overhead door track configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first side portion spaced apart from a second side portion to define a channel or gap region therebetween. The first side portion has a first guide surface and a first retention surface. Similarly, the second side portion has a second guide surface and a second retention surface. In this embodiment, the first and second guide surfaces diverge outwardly from the gap region in a first direction, and the first and second retention surfaces diverge inwardly from the gap region in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Door leveling apparatuses are disclosed herein. A door leveling apparatus configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a bracket mounted to a door, such as a vertically-opening sectional door. The apparatus further includes a cable assembly having a first end portion coupled to the bracket and a second end portion coupled to a door lifting system, such as a counterbalance assembly. The first end portion includes an adjuster that enables an operator to adjust the operational length of the cable assembly extending between the lifting system and the bracket, thereby enabling the operator to individually adjust the lengths of two such cable assemblies on opposite sides of the door to align the door with a corresponding opening.

Abstract: Insulated tracks for use with loading dock doors are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an insulated door track configured in accordance with the present disclosure includes a first insulator, such as a plastic material, applied to a surface of the door track that extends adjacent to the loading dock door in the closed position. A second insulator, such as a radiant barrier comprised of a thin film of a reflective material, such as aluminum, can be applied to an opposing surface of the first insulator to prevent or at least reduce radiant energy losses through the track. A gap between the first insulator and the door jamb can be sealed with a third insulator, such as a suitable strip of foam.

Abstract: Fans having blade tips with downwardly extending airfoil surfaces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a high volume low speed ceiling fan includes a plurality of blades, each having an anhedral or downward sloping tip portion. The blade tips can also include an aft swept portion that extends between the main airfoil portion of the fan blade and the anhedral tip portion.