Abstract: Example fan and light units and associated mounting arrangements for use at a loading dock are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame including a bar to be pivotally coupled to a support system via a point of attachment on the bar. The apparatus includes a fan and a controller to be coupled to the frame with the bar extending in a first direction away from the controller and toward the point of attachment, the controller to control operation of the fan. The apparatus includes a handle to be connected to a portion of the frame extending away from the controller in a second direction opposite the first direction, the handle spaced apart from a housing of the fan, the handle to be lower than the controller and lower than at least a midpoint of the fan when the apparatus is supported by the support system.

Abstract: Impact resistant retractable safety barriers are disclosed. An apparatus includes a support member, a flexible elongate member to extend and retract through an opening in the support member, and a stop member including a region to interface with the flexible elongate member. The stop member engages with structure of the support member surrounding the opening to limit a distance with which the flexible elongate member extends through the opening. The stop member cooperates with the structure of the support member to maintain a gap between a surface of the region of the stop member and the structure of the support member. A width of the gap is equal to or greater than a thickness of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: Example fan and light units and associated mounting arrangements for use at a loading dock are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame including a bar to be pivotally coupled to a support system via a point of attachment on the bar. The apparatus includes a fan and a controller to be coupled to the frame with the bar extending in a first direction away from the controller and toward the point of attachment, the controller to control operation of the fan. The apparatus includes a handle to be connected to a portion of the frame extending away from the controller in a second direction opposite the first direction, the handle spaced apart from a housing of the fan, the handle to be lower than the controller and lower than at least a midpoint of the fan when the apparatus is supported by the support system.

Abstract: Impact resistant retractable safety barriers are disclosed. An apparatus includes a support member, a flexible elongate member to extend and retract through an opening in the support member, and a stop member including a region to interface with the flexible elongate member. The stop member engages with structure of the support member surrounding the opening to limit a distance with which the flexible elongate member extends through the opening. The stop member cooperates with the structure of the support member to maintain a gap between a surface of the region of the stop member and the structure of the support member. A width of the gap is equal to or greater than a thickness of the flexible elongate member.

Abstract: Maneuverable ergonomic trailer stands are disclosed. An example portable trailer stand includes: a frame having an upper ledge, a post, and a lower subframe, the lower subframe connected to the upper ledge via the post; an extendible leg coupled to the post independent of the lower subframe, the upper ledge being vertically movable based on movement of the extendible leg relative to the upper ledge, the post, and the lower subframe of the frame; and a wheel connected to the frame via the lower subframe such that the wheel is to move with the upper ledge as the upper ledge is vertically moved.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture for barrier systems with impact resistant rails supported from floor mounted post bases are disclosed. An apparatus includes an outer body of a post to extend upward from a ground, the post to be anchored to the ground; a rail to extend through an opening in a wall of the outer body; and a rod to extend upward from the ground within the outer body, the rod to extend through a hole in the rail.

Abstract: Barrier systems with impact resistant rails that extend along the floor are disclosed. A barrier system includes a base to be anchored to a floor. The base includes sidewalls defining a channel along a length of the base. The barrier system further includes a tube extending along the channel. A bottom edge of the tube to be below top edges of the sidewalls.

Abstract: Maneuverable ergonomic trailer stands are disclosed. An example portable trailer stand includes a frame having an upper ledge; an extendible leg coupled to the frame, the upper ledge being vertically movable to selectively engage and disengage an underside of a trailer parked on a driveway based on movement of the extendible leg relative to the frame; a wheel connected to the frame, the wheel to remain at a substantially fixed distance from the upper ledge as the upper ledge is vertically moved.

Abstract: Example fan and light units and associated mounting arrangements for use at a loading dock are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a frame including a bar to be pivotally coupled to a support system via a point of attachment on the bar. The apparatus includes a fan and a controller to be coupled to the frame with the bar extending in a first direction away from the controller and toward the point of attachment, the controller to control operation of the fan. The apparatus includes a handle to be connected to a portion of the frame extending away from the controller in a second direction opposite the first direction, the handle spaced apart from a housing of the fan, the handle to be lower than the controller and lower than at least a midpoint of the fan when the apparatus is supported by the support system.

Abstract: Dynamically configurable traffic controllers and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to monitor traffic in a first area. The example apparatus further includes a second sensor to monitor traffic in a second area. The example apparatus also includes a projector to project light toward a floor when traffic is detected in both the first and second areas, the light to be visible from the first and second areas.

Abstract: Traffic alert devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. A traffic alert device includes a housing having a first surface to face in a first direction toward a first area, and a directional motion sensor carried by the housing. The sensor monitors motion in a second area different than the first area, the second area being in a second direction angled relative to the first direction. The traffic alert device further includes a light emitter carried by the housing, the light emitter positioned to emit light that emanates from the first surface. The light emitter generates a visual signal in response to the sensor detecting an object in the second area approaching the sensor.

Abstract: A barrier system includes a handrail, and a connector to couple the handrail to a post extension that extends upward from a floor. The handrail has and end with a width measured in a direction transverse to an elongate length of the handrail. The connector includes a socket to hold the end of the handrail. The socket is defined by an elongate channel that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the post extension when the connector is attached to the post extension. The channel has a length that is greater than the width of the end of the handrail.

Abstract: Example fan and light units and associated mounting arrangements for use at a loading dock are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a proximal arm to be pivotally coupled to a building structure adjacent a vehicle loading dock. The apparatus further includes a distal arm to be pivotally coupled to the proximal arm. The apparatus also includes an illuminating fan assembly pivotally coupled to the distal arm. The illuminating fan to pivot about both a first axis and a second axis relative to the distal arm. The first axis and the second axis being substantially perpendicular. The illuminating fan assembly including a fan, a light, and a frame. The frame is to support the fan and the light.

Abstract: A bollard system includes a post extension to extend upward from a floor, a first collar to encircle the post extension, a first connector to encircle the post extension adjacent to the first collar, and a first handrail to be connected to the first connector. The bollard system includes a second connector to encircle the post extension adjacent to the first connector, a second handrail to be connected to the second connector, and a second collar to encircle the post extension adjacent to the second connector. The first collar is invertible selectively to a first lock position and a first release position, the first connector having greater freedom to rotate relative to the first collar when the first collar is in the first release position than when the first collar is in the first lock position.

Abstract: Example portable trailer stands for supporting parked trailers are disclosed herein. Some example portable trailer stands disclosed herein comprise two telescopic posts supporting a generally horizontal beam. Some examples include spring-loaded retractable wheels for selectively installing and removing the trailer stand from underneath a trailer left parked on a driveway. After being positioned under the trailer, the posts extend to lift the beam solidly up against the underside of the trailer. To accommodate conditions where the driveway is not parallel to the trailer's underside, some example posts can be lengthened independently and have angular play that allows the beam to tilt. In some examples, the horizontal axle of the trailer stand wheels is perpendicular to the beam so that the trailer stand can be readily installed from either the front or side of the trailer. Some examples have a kingpin-receiving groove in the beam or have some other kingpin-receiving feature.

Abstract: Impact resistant retractable safety barriers are disclosed. An apparatus includes a support member, a flexible elongate member to extend and retract through an opening in the support member, and a stop member including a region to interface with the flexible elongate member. The stop member engages with structure of the support member surrounding the opening to limit a distance with which the flexible elongate member extends through the opening. The stop member cooperates with the structure of the support member to maintain a gap between a surface of the region of the stop member and the structure of the support member. A width of the gap is equal to or greater than a thickness of the flexible elongate member.