Abstract: A door system includes an antenna-based proximity sensor with a releasable electrical connector that enables the sensor to function with a breakaway feature of the door. The sensor includes a signal generator and a door-mounted antenna for sensing a body or an obstruction near the door. The signal generator (or oscillator) can be installed at various locations between a power source and the antenna. In some cases, the wiring between the antenna and the power source includes a rotatable feature to accommodate the rotation of a drum that carries a wrap-up, pliable door panel. The rotatable feature may be a rotatable electrical connector, or it may be a wire having sufficient length and flexibility to twist about itself within the hollow interior of the drum.

Abstract: A shield system for shielding the area underneath a dock leveler allows a gap to be created either above or below the shield when the deck rises, whereby a shield of a given height dimension can used on dock levelers of various lift heights. In some embodiments, the shield is a pliable curtain that a tensioner holds taut during some operations of the dock leveler, yet the curtain can collapse for below-dock operation. The shield system can be used on horizontally storing dock levelers or vertically storing ones. In some cases, the system includes a pliable web that extends between a front face of the deck and a lip extending from the deck. The web can help seal the area adjacent to a pair of dock bumpers.

Abstract: A closed loop reciprocating fluid circuit apparatus for mechanically powered and electromechanically powered dock levelers, which may be mounted at a forward edge of a dock leveler to selectively engage the dock leveler during pivotal downward movement of a deck, is provided. The apparatus may include a header extending from a fluid chamber (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder), where the header may selectively engage the deck, within the range of dock leveler heights, including below dock level and above dock level operating positions. The hydraulic cylinder may be vertically oriented and coupled to a fluid accumulation chamber, such that vertical movement of the header in response to the deck's downward movement causes fluid displacement into the accumulation chamber. That displacement may be in a horizontally oriented fluid chamber having a piston that reacts to the fluid transfer.

Abstract: A door-latching system for a sectional door with multiple door panels helps hold the door at its fully open position in case the door's counterweight torsion spring fails to do so. The door-latching system includes a latch assembly that moves between a maintained release position and a door-blocking position. In the door-blocking position, the latch assembly helps hold the door open by providing an obstruction to the door panels. In the maintained release position, the latch assembly allows the door to move freely between open and closed positions without the door-latching system clacking as the door panels or their guide rollers travel past the latch assembly. Movement of the door panels automatically shifts the latch assembly from its release position to its door-blocking position, and manual actuation returns the latch assembly back to its release position. The latch assembly is especially suited for mounting to a track that guides the movement of the door panels.

Abstract: A quick-action rolling shutter door and modules thereof used for closing openings in the walls of warehouses or factory buildings in order to restrict the loss of energy from heated or cooled rooms, and to protect the environment by keeping escaping noise, odors and dust emissions to a minimum. A flexible quick-action rolling shutter door hanging (12) can be wound up onto a roller, is guided on at least one side by a guiding device, and has at least one thick-walled insulating layer (36, 38) consisting of plastic foam material.

Abstract: A safety system for a truck doorway such as a loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some embodiments, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.

Abstract: A dock leveler for a truck loading dock includes a pivotal deck that is actuated by an inflatable column assembly. The inflatable column assembly includes a pliable tube that when inflated has a generally vertical cylindrical shape that can provide a heavy deck with substantial columnar support. The shape and orientation of the column assembly is such that the lengths of the pliable tube's seams are minimized. A pliable fabric sheet held in tension against the underside of the deck provides a generally flat, broad surface against which the pliable tube can push as the inflatable column assembly pushes the deck upward. A footed pallet underneath the pliable tube can be banded to the deck during shipment. After installation, the pallet can be readily lifted for cleaning the pit floor underneath the pallet.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions and does so at multiple deck elevations. In the blocking positions, the lip provides a safety barrier that helps prevent material and material handling equipment from accidentally falling off the front edge of the deck when a truck is not present at the dock. The lip can serve as the safety barrier when the deck is at its stored, cross-traffic position or when the deck is at a below-dock position for end loading operations. If required, the lip can be lowered below the top surface of the deck so as not to provide an obstacle during some below-dock end loading operations.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting a body near a doorway includes two detectors having one or more activation lines that overlap each other. With certain mounting arrangements, the detectors cover areas within and on both sides of the doorway. The detectors are meant to help prevent an already open door from accidentally closing on the body. The door is powered by a drive unit that ignores the detectors when the door is closed.

Abstract: A door system includes an antenna-based proximity sensor with a releasable electrical connector that enables the sensor to function with a breakaway feature of the door. The sensor includes a signal generator and a door-mounted antenna for sensing a body or an obstruction near the door. The signal generator (or oscillator) can be installed at various locations between a power source and the antenna. In some cases, the wiring between the antenna and the power source includes a rotatable feature to accommodate the rotation of a drum that carries a wrap-up, pliable door panel. The rotatable feature may be a rotatable electrical connector, or it may be a wire having sufficient length and flexibility to twist about itself within the hollow interior of the drum.

Abstract: To permit below-dock level end-loading operations and to limit accidental freefalling of a dock leveler's deck, a dock leveler includes a unique support mechanism that employs one or more safety legs with an integral or operatively connected lip deflector. The support mechanism can be selectively moved to a deck-supporting position for freefall protection or moved to a lip-deflecting position for below dock level end-loading operations. In the deck-supporting position, the safety leg prevents the deck from falling an unsafe distance. In the lip-deflecting position, the lip deflector guides the descending motion of the dock leveler's lip extension plate so that the lip, while hanging pendant, can bypass and descend below a set of lip keepers.

Abstract: An impact sensing system for a powered roll-up door combines an electrical switch and a breakaway coupling. To avoid damage or injury resulting from the door's roll-up curtain accidentally closing upon an obstacle or something striking the curtain, the breakaway coupling responds to such a collision by breaking away, which releases a lower portion of the curtain from between its two vertical guide tracks. Each breakaway coupling includes a set of electrical contacts that make or break in response to the coupling breaking away. When the curtain's lower portion becomes effectively derailed from its guide track, the electrical contacts disable continued operation of the door to prevent the door's drive motor from jamming the curtain. In some embodiments, the breakaway coupling is releasably held together by way of magnetic attraction between two coupling segments, with one electrical contact on each segment to comprise one set of functional contacts.

Abstract: A fabric air duct of an HVAC system includes a discharge air register with an air deflector that extends along the length of the duct. Rotating or twisting the deflector adjusts the volume and/or direction of the air being discharged from the register. Even though the deflector is disposed inside the duct, the deflector can be twisted or rotated by manipulating the exterior fabric wall of the duct.

Abstract: A fabric flow restriction and method for conveying a volume of air through a fabric duct prevents the violet popping that may occur with a fabric duct upon start-up. The fabric ducts are air permeable and/or include discharge openings that evenly disperse supply air from within the duct to a room being heated, cooled, ventilated, or otherwise conditioned by the air. The ducts are typically in a collapsed positioned prior to blower start-up. With the initial airflow, the ducts quickly fill with air and may make a popping sound at their distal ends as the airflow fills the entire fabric duct. The flow restrictions disclosed may be formed of a flexible fabric that has an airflow resistance that varies with radius across the flexible fabric. The flow restrictions may have a first region and a second region each with different resistances, for example. Varying the resistance across the fabric flow restriction reduces or eliminates the popping condition.

Abstract: At a truck loading dock, a flexible draft shield helps seal a lower inner corner of a dock shelter. Instead of a foam core, the draft shield includes a resiliently flexible frame that supports a pliable cover. In some embodiments, the frame includes a spring steel loop that is able to flex upon being squeezed between two members of the dock shelter. In some cases, the draft shield is hollow and open at the bottom.

Abstract: In order to provide a durable loading dock shelter with an effective seal, the dock shelter is provided with a face panel that is relatively lightweight and firm, yet moveable for sealing against vehicles of various size and position. The face panel can be used as a side curtain or a head curtain. To provide the face panel with durability while minimizing its weight, the face panel is thermoformed of twin sheets of plastic to provide a durable outer shell with a hollow interior. In some embodiments, the face panel is moveable by virtue of an integral living hinge that connects the face panel to a generally stationary support panel.

Abstract: An improved coupling mechanism for adjacent panels of a sectional door, the panels including facing, adjacent edges; the coupling mechanism including at least one recess formed in or disposed adjacent to the facing edge of each panel, and also including at least one pliable hinge member having a body portion, and expanded regions at each end of the body portion, which are received within and movable within the facing recesses to provide for the relative movement between the facing edges of the panels as the door moves between blocking and unblocking positions.

Abstract: A cable tensioner for an industrial door helps keep a cable neatly wrapped on its take-up drum. In some embodiments, the tensioner functions in a first mode during normal door operation, and operates in a second mode when the tension in the cable decreases to a predetermined low level. When operating in the second mode, the tensioner is able to take up slack in a cable that supports a door member, such as a door panel or a deadweight that counteracts the door panel's weight. The tensioner includes a shock absorber that resists a reaction force pulling on the tensioner when the tensioner is in the second mode. The tensioner may be adapted for use on various doors including, but not limited to, sectional doors, roll-up doors, high-lift doors, horizontally storing doors, vertically storing doors, and various combinations thereof.

Abstract: A multi-panel sliding door includes a main drive to directly move a leading door panel and includes an auxiliary drive to smoothly accelerate a lagging door panel. In some embodiments, the auxiliary drive includes a hanging weight that urges the lagging panel to its open position. In another embodiment, the auxiliary drive includes a belt and sheave arrangement attached to the lagging panel. The leading panel is coupled to move the belt around two sheaves as the leading panel moves relative to the lagging one. The belt's movement is limited by a bumper that is attached to one point on the belt and is constrained to travel between one of the sheaves and a fixed stop attached to a wall or the track. As the main drive starts moving the leading panel to its open position, the relative movement between the two panels causes the belt to move the bumper up against the fixed stop. From there, continued opening movement of the leading panel continues rotating the belt around the sheaves.