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.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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.

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.

Abstract: An overhead door, which is adapted to have its primary tracking members temporarily disengaged from their primary track when impacted by a substantial force when in the closed or partially closed position, is adapted to smoothly transition from its vertical, closed position to a non-vertical, open position by the use of second tracking members and track which come into use as the door panels transition from a vertical orientation to a non-vertical orientation. The impact caused disengagement feature is therefore effective without interference from the second tracking members, but progressively gives way to the second tracking members and track as the door is raised toward an open position.