Abstract: The present invention is a mobile storage system that includes a number of mobile storage units movably disposed with respect to one another and including a logic system. A signal from a motion control actuator on a mobile storage unit which is to move where an aisle is desired directs a run signal to at least one unit to cause one or multiple units to be driven successively away from a desired aisle. If multiple units are moved together, a motion control actuator on the unit adjacent the closing aisle is operated to move the actuated unit and the other units. The logic system remembers and maintains each new open aisle width and closed aisle width after the termination of a particular movement.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for operating dock levelers, vehicle restraints, and other types of loading dock equipment includes one or more features that prolong the life of the hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic reservoir with a desiccant filled breather cap or a hermetically sealed pliable reservoir minimizes the hydraulic fluid's exposure to condensation and atmospheric moisture. The system can be used for prolonging the life of both biodegradable and- non-biodegradable hydraulic fluids. In some embodiments, the system includes an acceptably biodegradable fluid having a combination of properties that makes the fluid particularly suitable for loading dock equipment.

Abstract: A mobile storage system includes a number of storage units supported by a supporting surface, including first and second storage units that are movable toward and away from each other to create an aisle. A sensing system detects the presence of persons or objects in the aisle and the direction of movement of persons or objects into or out of the aisle. The sensing system includes exit zone sensors located adjacent an end area of the storage units that defines the end area of the aisle, and inner sensors located along an inner area of the storage units inwardly of the end area. The exit zone and inner sensors are located at generally the same elevation above the supporting surface. Each of the storage units includes a carriage that is movable relative to the supporting surface, and the sensors are mounted to the carriage via a sensor housing interconnected with the carriage.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.

Abstract: adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A support for the lower ends of elongated articles stored in an upright position, such as the lower ends of firearms contained within a storage cabinet. The support includes a base, and one or more support members are releasably engageable with the base. Each support member receives and secures the lower end of a firearm relative to the base. Each support member is releasably engaged with the base via one or more releasable fasteners that extend through openings in the base and the support member. The base may include a series of slots, within which the fasteners are movable to adjust the position of the support members on the base. The one or more support members may be a single support member that supports the lower end of each firearm, and a series of support members are mounted along the length of the base to support the lower end of a series of articles.

Abstract: A mobile storage system includes movable storage units that can be positioned to selectively form an aisle between adjacent storage units. The storage units define a maximum aisle space that forms a single aisle between an adjacent pair of storage units, or a number of aisles between several adjacent pairs of storage units by distributing the maximum aisle space between at least two aisles. A control arrangement controls the position of the storage units, in response to user commands, so as to form the aisles. The control arrangement may be configured such that, when a pair of aisles are present between two pairs of storage units, one of the aisles is closed based on certain criteria when a command to open a different aisle is initiated. The criteria may be user defined, or may be a characteristic such as the frequency of use of the aisles such that the more frequently used aisle remains open and the less frequently used aisle is closed.

Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A closed loop reciprocating fluid circuit apparatus for mechanically powered and electromechanically powered dock levelers, which may be mounted at a forward edge of a dock leveler to selectively engage the dock leveler during pivotal downward movement of a deck, is provided. The apparatus may include a header extending from a fluid chamber (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder), where the header may selectively engage the deck, within the range of dock leveler heights, including below dock level and above dock level operating positions. The hydraulic cylinder may be vertically oriented and coupled to a fluid accumulation chamber, such that vertical movement of the header in response to the deck's downward movement causes fluid displacement into the accumulation chamber. That displacement may be in a horizontally oriented fluid chamber having a piston that reacts to the fluid transfer.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for operating dock levelers, vehicle restraints, and other types of loading dock equipment includes one or more features that prolong the life of the hydraulic fluid. A hydraulic reservoir with a desiccant filled breather cap or a hermetically sealed pliable reservoir minimizes the hydraulic fluid's exposure to condensation and atmospheric moisture. The system can be used for prolonging the life of both biodegradable and- non-biodegradable hydraulic fluids. In some embodiments, the system includes an acceptably biodegradable fluid having a combination of properties that makes the fluid particularly suitable for loading dock equipment.

Abstract: To permit below-dock level end-loading operations and to limit accidental freefalling of a dock leveler's deck, a dock leveler includes a unique support mechanism that employs one or more safety legs with an integral or operatively connected lip deflector. The support mechanism can be selectively moved to a deck-supporting position for freefall protection or moved to a lip-deflecting position for below dock level end-loading operations. In the deck-supporting position, the safety leg prevents the deck from falling an unsafe distance. In the lip-deflecting position, the lip deflector guides the descending motion of the dock leveler's lip extension plate so that the lip, while hanging pendant, can bypass and descend below a set of lip keepers.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.

Abstract: To permit below-dock level end-loading operations and to limit accidental freefalling of a dock leveler's deck, a dock leveler includes a unique support mechanism that employs one or more safety legs with an integral or operatively connected lip deflector. The support mechanism can be selectively moved to a deck-supporting position for freefall protection or moved to a lip-deflecting position for below dock level end-loading operations. In the deck-supporting position, the safety leg prevents the deck from falling an unsafe distance. In the lip-deflecting position, the lip deflector guides the descending motion of the dock leveler's lip extension plate so that the lip, while hanging pendant, can bypass and descend below a set of lip keepers.

Abstract: To help hold a trailer bed of a truck steady at a loading dock as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo, a yieldable vehicle brace exerts a substantial, but limited, reactive force upward against the trailer's rear impact guard to resist the trailer's downward movement. In some embodiments, the brace holds the trailer bed stationary up to a certain load limit and provides the trailer bed with a controlled or dampened descent when the load exceeds that limit. In some cases, the reactive upward force exerted by the brace increases with the downward velocity of the trailer bed. The reactive force can be created by one or more pressure relief valves, hydraulic fluid passing through a flow restriction, a brake, a spring, or various combinations thereof. Some embodiments of the brace include provisions for accommodating horizontal movement of the rear impact guard.

Abstract: To help hold a (trailer) bed of a truck or trailer steady at a loading dock as the truck is being loaded or unloaded of its cargo, a yieldable vehicle brace exerts a substantial, but limited, reactive force upward against the trailer's rear impact guard to resist the trailer's downward movement. In some embodiments, the brace holds the trailer bed stationary up to a certain load limit and provides the trailer bed with a controlled or dampened descent when the load exceeds that limit. In some cases, the reactive upward force exerted by the brace increases with the downward velocity of the trailer bed. The reactive force can be created by one or more pressure relief valves, hydraulic fluid passing through a flow restriction, a brake, a spring, or various combination thereof. Some embodiments of the brace include provisions for accommodating horizontal movement of the rear impact guard.

Abstract: A closed loop reciprocating fluid circuit apparatus for mechanically powered and electromechanically powered dock levelers, which may be mounted at a forward edge of a dock leveler to selectively engage the dock leveler during pivotal downward movement of a deck, is provided. The apparatus may include a header extending from a fluid chamber (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder), where the header may selectively engage the deck, within the range of dock leveler heights, including below dock level and above dock level operating positions. The hydraulic cylinder may be vertically oriented and coupled to a fluid accumulation chamber, such that vertical movement of the header in response to the deck's downward movement causes fluid displacement into the accumulation chamber. That displacement may be in a horizontally oriented fluid chamber having a piston that reacts to the fluid transfer.

Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A double backer for curing the web bonding adhesive and drying the corrugated paperboard web utilizes a web holddown apparatus for maintaining the web in intimate drying contact with the lower heating units which does not require the use of a driven holddown belt. The web is pulled through the double backer by a downstream vacuum conveyor section comprising a single full width belt to the upper surfaces of which a vacuum is applied. The vacuum drive belt has low friction strips on the underside by which the belt is supported on vacuum plenum support surfaces and a unique pattern of vacuum distribution channels on the other side of the belt which together reduce friction and drive power requirements.

Abstract: A double backer for curing the web bonding adhesive and drying the corrugated paperboard web utilizes a web holddown apparatus for maintaining the web in intimate drying contact with the lower heating units which does not require the use of a driven holddown belt. The web is pulled through the double backer by a downstream vacuum conveyor section comprising a single belt or a series of transport belt sections to the upper surfaces of which a vacuum is applied. The vacuum drive belt may have portions which are unsupported between laterally spaced vacuum slots, supported on a reduced friction support surface, or supported by air bearings to reduce friction and drive power requirements.