Abstract: An example system includes pedestrian sensors to monitor a first pedestrian zone and a second pedestrian zone in front of a dock face of a loading dock. A first vehicle detector is to attempt to detect a vehicle near the first pedestrian zone and a second vehicle detector is to attempt to detect the vehicle near the second pedestrian zone. A sensor manager is to disable the first pedestrian zone when the first vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the first pedestrian zone and the at least one pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the first pedestrian zone. The sensor manager is to disable the second pedestrian zone when the second vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the second pedestrian zone and at least one of the at least pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the second pedestrian zone.

Abstract: An example system includes pedestrian sensors to monitor a first pedestrian zone and a second pedestrian zone in front of a dock face of a loading dock. A first vehicle detector is to detect a vehicle near the first pedestrian zone and a second vehicle detector is to detect the vehicle near the second pedestrian zone. A sensor manager is to disable the first pedestrian zone when the first vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the first pedestrian zone and the at least one pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the first pedestrian zone. The sensor manager is to disable the second pedestrian zone when the second vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the second pedestrian zone and at least one of the at least pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the second pedestrian zone.

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: Example dock leveler safety systems for vertically storing dock levelers are disclosed herein. An example dock leveler safety system disclosed herein may be used at a dock platform in a pit having a pit floor, where the pit floor is at a lower elevation than the dock platform and the dock platform and the pit floor define the pit. The dock leveler safety system comprises a deck to pivot relative to the dock platform between an upright position and a lowered position such that the deck extends farther over the pit floor when the deck is in the lowered position than when the deck is in the stored upright position. A sensor monitors a sensed region within the pit when the deck is in the upright position and the sensor provides a reaction signal in response to a body being detected within the sensed region. The deck enters a state of restricted movement in response to the reaction signal.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed. An example system includes pedestrian sensors to monitor a first pedestrian zone and a second pedestrian zone in front of a dock face of a loading dock. The at least one pedestrian sensors to attempt to detect a pedestrian in at least one of the first pedestrian zone or the second pedestrian zone. The first pedestrian zone is different than the second pedestrian zone. A first vehicle detector is to attempt to detect a vehicle near the first pedestrian zone and a second vehicle detector is to attempt to detect the vehicle near the second pedestrian zone. A sensor manager is to disable the first pedestrian zone when the first vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the first pedestrian zone and the at least one pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the first pedestrian zone.

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 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 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 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 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: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed. An example method for monitoring a loading dock includes determining if a door at a doorway of a loading dock is in an open position; determining if a vehicle is present at the doorway; determining if a body is present in a first area of the loading dock, the first area including a deck positioned adjacent the doorway; and determining if a body is present in a second area of the loading dock adjacent the doorway, the second area including only a portion of a deck adjacent the doorway.

Abstract: An example dock leveler with safety supports including a deck having a deck plate, a plurality of support beams, a first side plate and a second side plate. The deck plate has an outer perimeter defined by a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A first deck obstruction extends underneath the deck plate and is selectively configurable to at least one of a blocking position or a stored position. The first deck obstruction is elongate in a lateral direction and the first deck obstruction has a protruding end. The first side plate is closer to the protruding end when the first deck obstruction is in the stored position than when the first deck obstruction is in the blocking position. The first deck obstruction extends laterally beyond the deck width when the deck obstruction is in the blocking position. The first deck obstruction includes a pulling enhancement at the protruding end.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed. An example method for monitoring a loading dock includes determining if a door at a doorway of a loading dock is in an open position; determining if a vehicle is present at the doorway; determining if a body is present in a first area of the loading dock, the first area including a deck positioned adjacent the doorway; and determining if a body is present in a second area of the loading dock adjacent the doorway, the second area including only a portion of a deck adjacent the doorway.

Abstract: Dock leveler safety supports are disclosed herein. An example dock leveler disclosed herein includes a deck movable relative to a platform between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration. The deck to be inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration. A first deck obstruction is movable relative to the deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position. The first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration. The first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration. The first deck obstruction in the secured position to block movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position and the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position to permit movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position.

Abstract: Dock leveler safety supports are disclosed herein. An example dock leveler disclosed herein includes a deck movable relative to a platform between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration. The deck to be inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration. A first deck obstruction is movable relative to the deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position. The first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration. The first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration. The first deck obstruction in the secured position to block movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position and the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position to permit movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position.

Abstract: Dock leveler safety supports and related methods are disclosed. An example method includes raising a front end of a deck above a platform, where the front end is elongate in a lateral direction and the front end extends laterally between a first side and a second side of the deck. The method includes manually pulling a first deck obstruction in the lateral direction out from the first side so that the first deck obstruction extends out over a perimeter of the platform. The method further includes lowering the front edge of the deck until the first deck obstruction descends upon and engages the platform.