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 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. The convex wheel chock may further include a concave extension surface joined to an upper end of the convex surface.

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 facility-based conditioned air blower system for ventilating a trailer interior includes a fan and a split air conditioner system. The fan includes an inlet portion, a fan housing, and a discharge portion. The discharge portion includes a pivoting elbow conduit configured to rotate into and away from the trailer interior. The split air conditioner system includes an evaporator unit coupled to the inlet portion of the fan, and further coupled to a condenser unit by way of a closed-loop refrigerant line.

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: A lock assembly for an overhead door includes a lock bar and a spring clip receiver. The lock bar is configured to mount on and travel with the overhead door, and includes a track cover portion configured to encircle an overhead door guide track. The lock bar further includes a latch portion extending from the track cover portion. The spring clip receiver includes a spring clip configured to receive the latch portion of the lock bar, and a lock receiver having a pass-through hole for a lock shackle so that, when the overhead door is in a closed position, the lock shackle captures both the lock bar and the spring clip receiver to immobilize the overhead door. The lock assembly may further include an alignment bracket coupled to the lock bar defining an aperture configured to align with the pass-through hole in the lock receiver when the overhead door is in a closed position.

Abstract: A head pad assembly for a loading dock includes a frame structure secured to a loading dock wall and a head pad portion coupled to the frame structure. The head pad portion is positioned above and extends across an opening to the loading dock, and is moveable between an upper position and a lower position. The head pad portion includes a compressible pad. The upper position of the head pad is not configured to provide a sealing function against a truck or trailer, and the lower position is configured to engage and seal the compressible pad against a roof surface of the truck or trailer.

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 lock assembly for an overhead door includes a lock bar and a spring clip receiver. The lock bar is configured to mount on and travel with the overhead door, and includes a track cover portion configured to encircle an overhead door guide track. The lock bar further includes a latch portion extending from the track cover portion. The spring clip receiver includes a spring clip configured to receive the latch portion of the lock bar, and a lock receiver having a pass-through hole for a lock shackle so that, when the overhead door is in a closed position, the lock shackle captures both the lock bar and the spring clip receiver to immobilize the overhead door. The lock assembly may further include an alignment bracket coupled to the lock bar defining an aperture configured to align with the pass-through hole in the lock receiver when the overhead door is in a closed position.

Abstract: A screen door assembly for an opening of loading dock includes a frame having first and second vertical members joined together by first and second horizontal members. The screen door assembly further includes at least one stay element extending along a lateral axis and secured at each end to the respective vertical member. The screen door assembly further includes a screen material, at least one of a top edge or bottom edge of the screen material being secured to the stay element. The screen door assembly is configured for use in the longitudinal clearance gap of a main door guide track, between the main door guide track and an inside wall of the loading dock. The screen door operates independent of the main door, such that both doors can be closed at the same time.

Abstract: A lock assembly for an overhead door includes a lock bar and a spring clip receiver. The lock bar is configured to mount on and travel with the overhead door, and includes a track cover portion configured to encircle an overhead door guide track. The lock bar further includes a latch portion extending from the track cover portion. The spring clip receiver includes a spring clip configured to receive the latch portion of the lock bar, and a lock receiver having a pass-through hole for a lock shackle so that, when the overhead door is in a closed position, the lock shackle captures both the lock bar and the spring clip receiver to immobilize the overhead door. The lock assembly may further include an alignment bracket coupled to the lock bar defining an aperture configured to align with the pass-through hole in the lock receiver when the overhead door is in a closed position.

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 dumpster noise mitigation apparatus includes a lifting fork having a base end configured to attach to a waste collection vehicle, a tip end configured to engage a fork pocket on a dumpster, an upper surface, and a bottom surface. The dumpster noise mitigation apparatus further includes a sound-dampening element secured to one of the upper surface and the lower surface. The sound-dampening element is secured without material removal from the surface of the fork.

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 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: A wheel chock includes a convex load surface configured to be engaged by a vehicle tire. The resultant force exerted by the vehicle tire on the wheel chock can be expressed as a vector normal to the convex surface, at a contact angle ?. As dynamic loading forces push the vehicle into the wheel chock, the tire rides up the convex surface of the chock, thereby increasing the contact angle ?. For contact angles greater than 45°, the vertical component of the resultant force will increase, and the horizontal component will decrease. The net effect is that, under dynamic loading, the chock will tend to anchor itself downwards rather than slide backwards or tip over. Also disclosed is a chock extractor secured to the wheel chock. Rotating the extractor handle in turn rotates an extractor foot, which pivots and lifts the wheel chock off the ground to disengage the chock.

Abstract: An elevation apparatus can be used to raise and retain a connection line connected between a piece of moveable equipment and a stationary structure. The connection line has a first end configured to couple with the piece of moveable equipment, and an opposing second end configured to couple with a supply fitting. The elevation apparatus includes a resilient band having a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the resilient band can be affixed to a mid-span portion of the connection line, and the second end can be stretched and affixed to an object at a height sufficient to impart a first tensioned length to the resilient band, such that the mid-span portion of the band elevates to a first vertical distance. The elevation apparatus further includes a hook configured to be attached to the object and secure the second end of the resilient band.