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, 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 conditioned air blower system for ventilating a trailer interior includes a centrifugal blower and a heat exchange unit. The centrifugal blower includes a blower housing, an inlet portion configured to direct air into the blower housing, and a discharge portion configured to direct air from the blower housing into the trailer interior. The heat exchange unit includes an air inlet portion, heat exchange elements, and a conditioned air exit portion coupled to the inlet portion of the centrifugal blower. The heat exchange unit conditions ambient air introduced at the air inlet portion from a first temperature to a second temperature by heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange elements. The conditioned air blower system may include a controller operatively associated with the centrifugal blower. The controller monitors a condition related to the centrifugal blower, and regulates the supply of temperature-conditioned air in response to the condition.

Abstract: An air moving device includes an outer casing comprising an outer diameter, an inner portion defining a flow path, an inlet portion defining an inlet cross-sectional area, and an opposing outlet portion defining an outlet cross-sectional area. A motor assembly is disposed within the outer casing, and a hub and blade assembly is secured to a shaft on the motor assembly. The air moving device further includes a de-swirl vane package. The package includes a plurality of de-swirl vanes disposed in the flow path. The blades are characterized by one or more resonant frequencies, and a potential excitation source of the blade resonant frequencies is a flow path obstruction comprising a plurality of objects substantially equally spaced about the circumference of the flow path. The flow path obstruction is characterized by a periodic frequency. The periodic frequency differs from the blade resonant frequencies by a safety margin of at least 20%.

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 wheel chock system includes a chock, a sensor disposed within the chock to sense the proximity to the tire, an outside light box, and an inside control panel. Lamps on the outside light box provide a visual indication as to when the chock is in close proximity to the wheel. Lights on the inside control panel provide a visual indication of the loading dock safety status. The wheel chock system further includes a controller coupled to the inside control panel, programmed to change visual indications of both the outside light signal box and the inside control panel, based at least on the sensor and a loading dock door sensor. The wheel chock system further includes a camera positioned to view the tire and the chock and convey an image of the tire and the chock to a display on or near the inside control panel.

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: Disclosed is a dock light assembly for illuminating a trailer interior. The dock light assembly may include a cylindrical housing having an illumination source therein, and an optical lens secured to an end of the housing. The optical lens may be configured to provide focused illumination to the trailer interior. A rotationally self-correcting screen device may be positioned between the illumination source and the optical lens. The screen device may be configured to absorb a portion of the focused illumination such that illumination to an upper portion of the trailer interior is reduced. The rotationally self-correcting screen device remains in a horizontal orientation even if the housing is rotated. One benefit of the disclosed dock light assembly is that forklift operators working in the trailer interior are shielded from high intensity light, even though the lower portion of the trailer interior remains brightly lit.

Abstract: A sealing device for use in sealing a gap formed by the interface between the floor, the dock leveler assembly, and a parked vehicle cargo frame includes a base portion having a bottom surface, an inner vertical surface, and a rear vertical surface. The bottom surface is adapted for sealing engagement with a loading dock floor. The sealing device further includes a first brush portion secured to the rear vertical surface of the base portion. The first brush portion includes a plurality of bristles and is adapted for sealing engagement with a vehicle cargo frame. The sealing device further includes a second brush portion secured to the inner vertical surface of the base portion. The second brush portion includes a plurality of bristles and is adapted for sealing engagement with an underside of the lip of a dock leveler assembly when the lip is in an extended position.

Abstract: A wheel chock system includes a chock, a sensor disposed within the chock to sense the proximity to the tire, an outside light box, and an inside control panel. Lamps on the outside light box provide a visual indication as to when the chock is in close proximity to the wheel. Lights on the inside control panel provide a visual indication of the loading dock safety status. The wheel chock system further includes a controller coupled to the inside control panel, programmed to change visual indications of both the outside light signal box and the inside control panel, based at least on the sensor and a loading dock door sensor. The wheel chock system further includes a camera positioned to view the tire and the chock and convey an image of the tire and the chock to a display on or near the inside control panel.

Abstract: An impact resistant sectional door includes a plurality of interlockingly coupled extruded thermoplastic polymer elongated panels. An elongated panel edge includes a channel and an adjacent edge of an adjacent panel includes a protrusion. The protrusion nests in the channel. Each end cap is rotatingly coupled to an adjacent end cap by a door hinge. The roller is adapted to ride in a door track and to pivot about a rolling plane of the roller. An impact load applied to one or more elongated panels causes one or more of the elongated panels to elastically deform at a spring rate in response to the impact and one or more of the protrusions to slide away from one or more of the channels. The impact resistant sectional door remains substantially undamaged. A method for protecting a sectional door from an impacting force is also described.

Abstract: A loading dock bumper assembly for securement to a loading dock wall includes a dock bumper and a mounting provision coupled to the bumper. The dock bumper includes a mounting portion, an impact-absorbing portion opposing the mounting portion, and a deformable spanning portion joining the mounting portion and the impact-absorbing portion. The mounting portion is adapted for coplanar alignment with the loading dock wall, the impact-absorbing portion is adapted for direct contact with a rear frame of a vehicle, and the bumper defines an internal cavity that is filled with a fluid. A mounting provision is coupled to the bumper. The mounting provision is adapted for installation to the loading dock wall. The loading dock bumper assembly further includes a hard stop adapted to retard further deformation of the spanning portion. The hard stop includes a two-piece outer shell to capture and retain a resilient, deformable inner member.

Abstract: A wheel chock system includes a chock, a sensor disposed within the chock to sense the proximity to the tire, an outside light box, and an inside control panel. Lamps on the outside light box provide a visual indication as to when the chock is in close proximity to the wheel. Lights on the inside control panel provide a visual indication of the loading dock safety status. The wheel chock system further includes a controller coupled to the inside control panel, programmed to change visual indications of both the outside light signal box and the inside control panel, based at least on the sensor and a loading dock door sensor. The wheel chock system further includes a camera positioned to view the tire and the chock and convey an image of the tire and the chock to a display on or near the inside control panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sealing a vehicle cargo area to a loading dock. The method includes a step of providing a sealing element. The sealing element includes a mounting surface adapted to sealingly mate against a loading dock, an inner sealing surface at a transverse angle relative to the mounting surface, an outer sealing surface opposing the inner sealing surface and at a transverse angle relative to the mounting surface, and an impact-absorbing surface approximately parallel to the mounting surface. The method further includes the steps of contacting the impact-absorbing surface with a rear face of the vehicle cargo area, deforming the inner sealing surface away from the loading dock, and sealing the inner sealing surface against an inside wall of the vehicle cargo area.

Abstract: A sealing device for use in sealing a gap formed by the interface between the floor, the dock leveler assembly, and a parked vehicle cargo frame includes a base portion having a bottom surface, an inner vertical surface, and a rear vertical surface. The bottom surface is adapted for sealing engagement with a loading dock floor. The sealing device further includes a first brush portion secured to the rear vertical surface of the base portion. The first brush portion includes a plurality of bristles and is adapted for sealing engagement with a vehicle cargo frame. The sealing device further includes a second brush portion secured to the inner vertical surface of the base portion. The second brush portion includes a plurality of bristles and is adapted for sealing engagement with an underside of the lip of a dock leveler assembly when the lip is in an extended position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sealing a vehicle cargo area to a loading dock. The method includes a step of providing a sealing element. The sealing element includes a mounting surface adapted to sealingly mate against a loading dock, an inner sealing surface at a transverse angle relative to the mounting surface, an outer sealing surface opposing the inner sealing surface and at a transverse angle relative to the mounting surface, and an impact-absorbing surface approximately parallel to the mounting surface. The method further includes the steps of contacting the impact-absorbing surface with a rear face of the vehicle cargo area, deforming the inner sealing surface away from the loading dock, and sealing the inner sealing surface against an inside wall of the vehicle cargo area.

Abstract: A loading dock bumper assembly for securement to a loading dock wall includes a dock bumper and a mounting provision coupled to the bumper. The dock bumper includes a mounting portion, an impact-absorbing portion opposing the mounting portion, and a deformable spanning portion joining the mounting portion and the impact-absorbing portion. The mounting portion is adapted for coplanar alignment with the loading dock wall, the impact-absorbing portion is adapted for direct contact with a rear frame of a vehicle, and the bumper defines an internal cavity that is filled with a fluid.

Abstract: A loading dock bumper assembly for securement to a loading dock wall includes a dock bumper and a mounting provision coupled to the bumper. The dock bumper includes a mounting portion, an impact-absorbing portion opposing the mounting portion, and a deformable spanning portion joining the mounting portion and the impact-absorbing portion. The mounting portion is adapted for coplanar alignment with the loading dock wall, the impact-absorbing portion is adapted for direct contact with a rear frame of a vehicle, and the bumper defines an internal cavity that is filled with a fluid. A mounting provision is coupled to the bumper. The mounting provision is adapted for installation to the loading dock wall. The loading dock bumper assembly further includes a hard stop adapted to retard further deformation of the spanning portion. The hard stop includes a two-piece outer shell to capture and retain a resilient, deformable inner member.

Abstract: An insulative blanket is sized and shaped to cover a dock leveler deck and the gaps between the deck and a surrounding dock platform to prevent the transfer of heat through the deck or across the gaps. A batten structure is combined with the blanket such that the combination forms a relatively rigid structure which can be easily placed and maintained in its desired position. The combination is raised and lowered by an attached line and a suspended overhead container is provided to further collapse the combination as it is raised and stored within the container.