Abstract: A valve circuit, including a first and second circuit portion, for hydraulically controlling a loading dock vehicle restraint. The first circuit portion permits raising and lowering of the vehicle restraint. The second circuit portion permits extension and retraction of the vehicle restraint. Preferably, the first and second circuit portion are separate and are configured on the same valve block.

Abstract: A valve circuit, including a first and second circuit portion, for hydraulically controlling a loading dock vehicle restraint. The first circuit portion permits raising and lowering of the vehicle restraint. The second circuit portion permits extension and retraction of the vehicle restraint. Preferably, the first and second circuit portion are separate and are configured on the same valve block.

Abstract: A dock leveler and installation thereof having a bumper assembly to protect the deck and the lip of the leveler. In one embodiment the dock leveler comprises a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the deck and moveable with the deck. The bumper is selectively moveable to protrude beyond the end of the deck to protect the dock leveler from impact. In another embodiment a dock leveler installation comprises a loading dock having a front face. A dock leveler is mounted at the loading dock and has a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the front face beneath the dock leveler and projecting in front of the lip when the lip is in a pendent position.

Abstract: A unified docking apparatus is provided. It includes a single set of controls to operate a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a barrier device, a dock seal, and a loading light. Some optional embodiments include selector switch to select which apparatus the single set of controls will control. Other optional embodiments automatically select the apparatus to be controlled by the single set of controls. A method of operating a docking apparatus using a single set of controls is also provided.

Abstract: A unified docking apparatus is provided. It includes a single set of controls to operate a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a barrier device, a dock seal, and a loading light. Some optional embodiments include selector switch to select which apparatus the single set of controls will control. Other optional embodiments automatically select the apparatus to be controlled by the single set of controls. A method of operating a docking apparatus using a single set of controls is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a vehicle restraint device, particularly suited for a loading dock to prevent a transport vehicle from inadvertently moving away from the dock, use air activation.

Abstract: A dock leveler that is mounted in a recessed pit and having a deck as wide as necessary to provide access to the transport vehicle. A lip is mounted to the front of the deck of the leveler and pivoted in a conventional manner. At each side of the lip are narrower lip segments. The bumpers are supported with vertical plates so that the plates may fit in the gap between the lip and the lip segments. Thus the lip segments may be stored behind the bumpers and the effective width of the lip may be greater than the space between the bumpers. The lip segment has a back edge that abuts the front of the deck when extended, or may be of the “barrier lip” configuration where the rear of the lip is extended above the top of the deck to provide a run-off guard when the lip is pendent. The lip may also extend linearly. Each lip segment has a hydraulic cylinder and a control valve or may be manually selected. There is a control circuit which can selectively activate any of the lips.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a frame and a deck pivotably mounted at one end thereof to the frame. A lip is pivotably mounted to the deck at another end thereof. A lip latch and lip extension mechanism are mounted to the leveler and comprises a lip latch pivotably connected to the deck by a crank mechanism and a latch bar pivotably connected to the crank mechanism. The latch bar has one end selectively engaging a latch bracket mounted to the deck. A bar is connected at one end to the crank mechanism and another end is operably connected to the lip. A first spring is operably connected to the crank mechanism and the frame. A second spring is operably connected to the bar and the frame. A third spring operably couples another end of the latch bar to the second spring.

Abstract: A dock leveler that is mounted in a recessed pit and having a deck as wide as necessary to provide access to the transport vehicle. A lip is mounted to the front of the deck of the leveler and pivoted in a conventional manner. At each side of the lip are narrower lip segments. The bumpers are supported with vertical plates so that the plates may fit in the gap between the lip and the lip segments. Thus the lip segments may be stored behind the bumpers and the effective width of the lip may be greater than the space between the bumpers. The lip segment has a back edge that abuts the front of the deck when extended, or may be of the “barrier lip” configuration where the rear of the lip is extended above the top of the deck to provide a run-off guard when the lip is pendent. The lip may also extend linearly. Each lip segment has a hydraulic cylinder and a control valve or may be manually selected.

Abstract: A dock leveler and installation thereof having a bumper assembly to protect the deck and the lip of the leveler. In one embodiment the dock leveler comprises a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the deck and moveable with the deck. The bumper is selectively moveable to protrude beyond the end of the deck to protect the dock leveler from impact. In another embodiment a dock leveler installation comprises a loading dock having a front face. A dock leveler is mounted at the loading dock and has a pivotable deck and a lip attached to the deck at one end thereof. A bumper is operably connected to the front face beneath the dock leveler and projecting in front of the lip when the lip is in a pendent position.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a frame and a deck pivotably mounted at one end thereof to the frame. A lip is pivotably mounted to the deck at another end thereof. A lip latch and lip extension mechanism are mounted to the leveler and comprises a lip latch pivotably connected to the deck by a crank mechanism and a latch bar pivotably connected to the crank mechanism. The latch bar has one end selectively engaging a latch bracket mounted to the deck. A bar is connected at one end to the crank mechanism and another end is operably connected to the lip. A first spring is operably connected to the crank mechanism and the frame. A second spring is operably connected to the bar and the frame. A third spring operably couples another end of the latch bar to the second spring.

Abstract: An adjustable bumper system for use at a loading dock which has a dock leveler having a deck pivotally mounted to a portion of the dock. The dock leveler has a lip pivotally attached to one end of said deck. The bumper system has a pair of bumpers each mounted to the end of the deck. The bumpers move with the deck to engage the rear of a vehicle that has backed into position for dock operations. Alternatively, the dock bumpers are mounted to a support member and are positionable between two different vertical positions. The dock bumpers project outward from the dock beyond the pendent lip and are adjustable to engage the rear of vehicles having different heights.

Abstract: A dock leveler that is mounted in a recessed pit and having a deck as wide as necessary to provide access to the transport vehicle. A lip is mounted to the front of the deck of the leveler and pivoted in a conventional manner. At each side of the lip are narrower lip segments. The bumpers are supported with vertical plates so that the plates may fit in the gap between the lip and the lip segments. Thus the lip segments may be stored behind the bumpers and the effective width of the lip may be greater than the space between the bumpers. The lip segment has a back edge that abuts the front of the deck when extended, or may be of the “barrier lip” configuration where the rear of the lip is extended above the top of the deck to provide a run-off guard when the lip is pendent. The lip may also extend linearly. Each lip segment has a hydraulic cylinder and a control valve or may be manually selected.

Abstract: A lip assembly for a dock leveler comprises a substantially flat plate forming a lip, and an integral hinge extending for substantially the width of the lip. The integral hinge in a first embodiment is formed by shaping a plate into an arcuate configuration. The integral hinge has a series of slots to engage the hinge lugs and the hinge is welded to said lip along two edges thereof. In a second preferred embodiment the lip assembly for a dock leveler comprises a substantially flat plate forming a lip, a series of hinge lugs attached to on surface of the plate in a spaced arrangement, and an integral gusset extends for substantially the width of the lip. The integral gusset is coupled to each hinge lug and is welded to the lip along a continuous edge thereof.

Abstract: A pit type dock leveler having a frame adapted to be fixedly mounted at a dock with a deck, pivotedly mounted to the frame at one end thereof, and having a pivotable lip at the other end. A spring is mounted to the deck and the frame to support and raise the deck the deck. A hydraulic actuator is coupled to the deck and to a pivotable linkage member that is mounted to the frame. In a powered mode, the hydraulic unit acts as a power assist for the springs to move the deck from a generally horizontal stored position into an operative position. A control circuit is employed for controlling operation of the hydraulic actuator. In a manual mode, the linkage and the hydraulic unit act a pivoting follower to deck movement without any extension of the hydraulic unit.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint having a frame mounted to a dock face and a hook movable relative to the fixed member for engaging a portion of a vehicle and restraining movement of the vehicle away from the dock. The vehicle restraint has a linkage comprising a first arm pivotally connected to the frame, a second arm pivotally connected to the first arm and having a first end not fixed and movable with respect to the frame and a second end pivotally coupled to the hook, and a third arm coupling the first arm to the hook to maintain the hook in a generally vertical orientation. A sensor may be employed to determine engagement of the hook with a portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the high speed detection of flaws in a disk drive. In one embodiment, a preamplifier simultaneously receives and processes read signals provided by multiple heads reading a test pattern from multiple disk surfaces to detect flaws in the multiple disk surfaces. In another embodiment, a preamplifier simultaneously provides a write signal to multiple heads that simultaneously write a test pattern to multiple disk surfaces. A further embodiment reduces the time needed to detect flaws by writing a test pattern during servo track writing.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly biased to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for tuning parameter values in a recording channel of a data storage device. The parameter values are tuned using a genetic process based on the principles of simulated evolution. An initial population of individuals is generated wherein each individual includes a value for each of a plurality of channel parameters. Fitness values are then calculated for each of the individuals. Individuals are then chosen for mating from the initial population based on the calculated fitness values. The chosen individuals are manipulated using genetic operators to produce a new population of parameter strings. Fitness values are then calculated for the new population and the cycle is repeated. The process is continued until a desired fitness is achieved or a predetermined number of generations have been produced. After the process has ended, an individual is chosen based on fitness values and the channel parameters of the data storage system are set accordingly.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for preventing movement of a vehicle from a parked position has a frame mountable at a loading dock to position a vehicle restraint mechanism operably coupled to the frame. The vehicle restraint mechanism has a restraining member with at least one hook movable between a lower inoperative position where said restraining member is out of contact with a vehicle to be restrained and an upper operative position where the restraining member contacts said vehicle and prevents movement from a parked position. A source of power, such as an actuator moves the restraining member upward to the operative position by having linkage coupling the source of power to the restraining member. A resilient member is coupled to the linkage and biases the restraining member into engagement with the vehicle.