Abstract: Bumpers for use at loading docks include a housing defining a lip-engaging surface to engage a lip of a deck when the lip is in a retracted position, and a RIG-engaging surface positioned adjacent the lip-engaging surface. The RIG-engaging surface is movable relative to the lip-engaging surface. The RIG-engaging surface is to move relative to the lip-engaging surface when a RIG of a vehicle imparts a force to the RIG-engaging surface when the vehicle is at a loading dock.

Abstract: Bumpers for use at loading docks are disclosed. An example bumper includes a housing defining a lip-engaging surface to engage a lip of a deck when the lip is in a retracted position, and a RIG-engaging surface positioned adjacent the lip-engaging surface. The RIG-engaging is movable relative to the lip-engaging surface. The RIG-engaging surface is to move relative to the lip-engaging surface when a RIG of a vehicle imparts a force to the RIG-engaging surface when the vehicle is at a loading dock.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: Vehicle restraint systems are disclosed herein. An example vehicle restraint system includes a base to be positioned adjacent a loading dock and a wheel chock to be positioned on the base. An actuator is coupled to the base and moves the base relative to a wall of the loading dock in a linear direction between a release position and a holding position when the wheel chock is coupled to the base. In the release position, the wheel chock disengages from a wheel of a vehicle positioned at the loading dock. In the holding position, the wheel chock frictionally engages the wheel of the vehicle to restrict movement of the wheel away from the loading dock.

Abstract: A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes various features such as, a wheel chock supported by a spring loaded articulated arm with a spring that can be selectively tightened or released, a sensor that detects whether the chock is solidly against a base plate or floor, a bi-directional pivotal joint between the articulated arm and the wheel chock to ensure that the chock can sit squarely on a mating base plate, a wheel chock that meshes with a hydraulically actuated base plate, pivotal or otherwise movable backstops that prevent a wheel chock from sliding out of position, and a base plate cleaning system. The cleaning system might include a vehicle-actuated brush, fluid spray nozzles, electric heater and removable cover plates.

Abstract: A manipulation device includes a body portion, a plurality of articulatable legs, and at least one lock member. The legs extend from the body portion. Each of the legs is configured to engage a surgical instrument at a distal end thereof. Each of the legs is transitionable between an unlocked condition, wherein the leg is free to articulate, and a locked condition, wherein the leg is fixed in position. The at least one lock member is operably disposed within the body portion and is coupled to at least one of the articulatable legs. The lock member is rotatable relative to the body portion between an unlocked position and a locked position for transitioning the at least one articulatable leg coupled thereto between the unlocked condition and the locked condition.

Abstract: A system and method for providing notification on remote devices are provided. In architecture, the system includes a computer device for performing the operation. The computer device includes a message send module that sends a message to the remote device using an IP link and a determination module that determines that the message sent by the IP link was not received by the remote device. Moreover, the computer device further includes a resend module that resends the message automatically using a SMS transmission process. A method for providing notification on remote devices is also provided. The method operates by (1) sending a message to the remote device using a IP link; (2) determining that the message sent by the IP link was not received by the remote device; and (3) resending the message automatically using a SMS transmission process.

Abstract: A wheel restraint for restraining a vehicle at a loading dock includes various features such as, a wheel chock supported by a spring loaded articulated arm with a spring that can be selectively tightened or released, a sensor that detects whether the chock is solidly against a base plate or floor, a bi-directional pivotal joint between the articulated arm and the wheel chock to ensure that the chock can sit squarely on a mating base plate, a wheel chock that meshes with a hydraulically actuated base plate, pivotal or otherwise movable backstops that prevent a wheel chock from sliding out of position, and a base plate cleaning system. The cleaning system might include a vehicle-actuated brush, fluid spray nozzles, electric heater and removable cover plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing notification on remote devices. In architecture, the system includes a computer device for performing the operation. The computer device comprises a message send module that sends a message to the remote device using an IP transmission means and a determination module that determines that the message sent by the IP transmission means was not received by the remote device. Moreover, the computer device further comprises a resend module that resends the message automatically using a SMS transmission means. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing notification on remote devices. The method operates by (1) sending a message to the remote device using a IP transmission means; (2) determining that the message sent by the IP transmission means was not received by the remote device; and (3) resending the message automatically using a SMS transmission means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint includes a restraining member that rises to an operative position and lowers to a stored position to respectively engage and release an ICC bar of a truck parked at a loading dock. In moving to the lowered stored position, the restraining member also rotates off to its side, so as not to obstruct snow removal equipment or incoming vehicles having an especially low ICC bar or low ground clearance. In some embodiments, rotation of the restraining member is achieved by various actuators that apply a generally uniform torque. A resilient member, moves the restraining member upward to engage the ICC bar, and allows for vertical movement of the truck as it is being loaded or unloaded. Opposing the upward urging of the resilient member, a drive unit forcibly moves the restraining member downward when the truck is ready to be released.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint includes a restraining member that rises to an operative position and lowers to a stored position to respectively engage and release an ICC bar of a truck parked at a loading dock. In moving to the lowered stored position, the restraining member also rotates off to its side, so as not to obstruct snow removal equipment or incoming vehicles having an especially low ICC bar or low ground clearance. In some embodiments, rotation of the restraining member is achieved by various actuators that apply a generally uniform torque. A resilient member, moves the restraining member upward to engage the ICC bar, and allows for vertical movement of the truck as it is being loaded or unloaded. Opposing the upward urging of the resilient member, a drive unit forcibly moves the restraining member downward when the truck is ready to be released.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint at a loading dock includes a vertically moving barrier that engages a truck's rear ICC bar to help prevent the truck from accidentally moving too far away from the face of the dock. The restraint includes an inclined barrier actuator with minimal linkage that provides a low-profile stored position. The barrier actuator powers the barrier up to engage the ICC bar and powers the barrier down to a stored position. A compliant coupling provides the barrier with vertical float to allow for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar, as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo. The restraint also includes a novel switch actuator that senses whether the ICC bar is properly positioned relative to the barrier.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint at a loading dock includes a vertically moving barrier that engages a truck's rear ICC bar to help prevent the truck from accidentally moving too far away from the face of the dock. The restraint includes an inclined barrier actuator with minimal linkage that provides a low-profile stored position. The barrier actuator powers the barrier up to engage the ICC bar and powers the barrier down to a stored position. A compliant coupling provides the barrier with vertical float to allow for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar, as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo. The restraint also includes a novel switch actuator that senses whether the ICC bar is properly positioned relative to the barrier.