Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed herein. One example dock leveler system for use at a doorway of a loading dock, where a body is sometimes present at the loading dock, includes a deck movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The example dock leveler system also includes a sensor having a field of view extending over the deck when the deck is in the lowered position. The sensor is in a normal state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is off the deck, the sensor is in a triggered state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is on the deck interrupting the field of view, and the sensor is in the triggered state when the deck is in the raised position with the deck interrupting the field of view regardless of whether the body is on or off the deck.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example safety system includes a first sensor to monitor a first area adjacent a dock, a bi-directional sensor to signal both incoming movement and outgoing movement of a vehicle relative to the dock, and an incoming sensor to signal only incoming movement of the vehicle relative to the dock. A signaling device is responsive to outputs of at least one of the first sensor, the bi-directional sensor, and the incoming sensor.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.

Abstract: An example vehicle alignment system includes a camera to detect the vehicle approaching a doorway of a loading dock. The camera to generate an image signal indicative of at least one of an angular orientation of the vehicle or a lateral position of the vehicle relative to a reference. A controller is to detect a deviation in the at least one of the angular orientation of the vehicle or the lateral position of the vehicle relative to the reference based on the image signal. A display is to generate an indication representative of the at least one of the angular orientation of the vehicle or the lateral position of the vehicle relative to the reference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed herein. One example dock leveler system for use at a doorway of a loading dock, where a body is sometimes present at the loading dock, includes a deck movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The example dock leveler system also includes a sensor having a field of view extending over the deck when the deck is in the lowered position. The sensor is in a normal state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is off the deck, the sensor is in a triggered state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is on the deck interrupting the field of view, and the sensor is in the triggered state when the deck is in the raised position with the deck interrupting the field of view regardless of whether the body is on or off the deck.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed herein. One example dock leveler system for use at a doorway of a loading dock, where a body is sometimes present at the loading dock, includes a deck movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The example dock leveler system also includes a sensor having a field of view extending over the deck when the deck is in the lowered position. The sensor is in a normal state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is off the deck, the sensor is in a triggered state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is on the deck interrupting the field of view, and the sensor is in the triggered state when the deck is in the raised position with the deck interrupting the field of view regardless of whether the body is on or off the deck.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example safety system includes a first sensor to monitor a first area adjacent a dock, a bi-directional sensor to signal both incoming movement and outgoing movement of a vehicle relative to the dock, and an incoming sensor to signal only incoming movement of the vehicle relative to the dock. A signaling device is responsive to outputs of at least one of the first sensor, the bi-directional sensor, and the incoming sensor.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes sensing whether a person is within a certain area adjacent a dock face of a loading dock, emitting a first signal in response to sensing the person being present within the certain area, sensing rearward movement of a vehicle toward the dock face, emitting a second signal in response to sensing rearward movement of the vehicle while the person is not present in the certain area, and emitting a third signal in response to sensing both the rearward movement of the vehicle and the person being present within the certain area.

Abstract: Example vehicle alignment systems for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example vehicle alignment system includes a camera to detect the vehicle approaching a doorway of a loading dock. The camera to generate an image signal indicative of at least one of an angular orientation of the vehicle or a lateral position of the vehicle relative to a reference. A controller is to detect a deviation in the at least one of the angular orientation of the vehicle or the lateral position of the vehicle relative to the reference based on the image signal. A display is to generate an indication representative of the at least one of the angular orientation of the vehicle or the lateral position of the vehicle relative to the reference.

Abstract: Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes moving a barrier via a vehicle restraint drive unit relative to a main body proximate the dock between a fully extended position to block the vehicle, a fully retracted position to release the vehicle, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position; monitoring a status of the barrier as the barrier moves through the plurality of intermediate positions; comparing the status to a reference value; determining that an event has occurred based on the comparison of the status and the reference value; and providing an output in response to determining that the event has occurred.

Abstract: Example vehicle alignment systems for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example vehicle alignment system includes an outer sensor pair to detect a surface of the vehicle. The outer sensor pair is to obtain a first feedback signal representative of an orientation of the detected surface relative to a reference as the vehicle approaches a doorway of the loading dock. An inner sensor pair is to detect the surface of the vehicle. The inner sensor pair is to obtain a second feedback signal representative of the orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference as the vehicle approaches the doorway of the loading dock. A controller is to detect a threshold deviation in the orientation of the detected surface of the vehicle relative to the reference based on at least one of the first feedback signal or the second feedback signal. A display is to vary an output signal in response to the detected threshold deviation in the orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference.

Abstract: Example vehicle alignment systems for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example vehicle alignment system includes a first switch positioned on a first lateral edge of a doorway of the loading dock. The first switch is to be engageable by a first side surface of the vehicle. A second switch is positioned on a second lateral edge of the doorway opposite the first lateral edge. The second switch to be engageable by a second side surface of the vehicle opposite the first side surface. A controller is to receive a first feedback signal from the first switch and a second feedback signal from the second switch. The controller is to compare the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal to detect a lateral deviation of the vehicle relative to a reference.

Abstract: Example vehicle alignment systems for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example vehicle alignment system includes a first arm extending a first distance from a wall of the loading dock, where the first arm is positioned adjacent a first lateral edge of a doorway of the loading dock. A first sensor is coupled to the first arm, where the first sensor is directed substantially perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the first arm. The first sensor is to detect a first lateral distance between the first sensor and a first side surface of the vehicle. The first sensor to provide a first feedback signal representative of the first lateral distance. A second arm extends a second distance from the wall of the loading dock, where the second arm is positioned adjacent a second lateral edge of the doorway of the loading dock opposite the first lateral edge.

Abstract: Example vehicle alignment systems for use at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example vehicle alignment system includes a sensor system to detect a surface of a vehicle, where the sensor system obtains a feedback signal representative of a spatial orientation of the detected surface relative to a reference as the vehicle approaches a doorway of the loading dock. A controller detects a threshold deviation in the spatial orientation of the detected surface of the vehicle relative to the reference based on the feedback signal. A display varies an output signal in response to the detected deviation in the spatial orientation of the detected surface relative to the reference.

Abstract: Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example vehicle restraint apparatus includes a barrier movable between a fully extended position to restrain a vehicle at a loading dock, a fully retracted position to release the vehicle, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position. A sensor is mounted to the vehicle restraint apparatus, where the sensor is to monitor at least one of a barrier or a vehicle. The sensor includes a camera to capture an image of the at least one of the barrier or the vehicle. A controller is to receive the captured image from the camera, the controller to determine at least one of a characteristic of the at least one of the barrier or the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes sending an interrogation signal generated by a vehicle within a first area, detecting the interrogation signal from the first area, in response to detection of the interrogation signal from the first area, receiving a first responsive signal from a first transponder in the first area, and determining a directional resolution of the first responsive signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example method includes determining threat levels for hazards in a plurality of different zones within a building, classifying the threat levels into at least one of a first threat level and a second threat level, designating a first zone of the plurality of different zones having the first threat level with a first detectable indicator, and designating a second zone having the second threat level with a second detectable indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and warn proximate entities of interest are described herein. An example hazard warning system for a forktruck includes a controllable light source to project light onto a floor adjacent the forktruck. A hazard discriminator determines when the forktruck poses a hazard to an entity of interest in a vicinity of the forktruck, and responsively generates a hazard output. A controller receives the hazard output and controls the light source such that the light source is in a first state when the hazard output is not received and a second state when the hazard output is received, where the first state is different than the second state.