Abstract: A recycling control system for a dock leveler including a pivotally mounted deck, a powered lifting mechanism for raising the deck, and a lip pivotally mounted to the deck for movement between pendant and extended positions, in which the control assembly includes a lip-position member couplable to the lip for movement therewith such that the position of the lip-position member is indicative of lip position, a switch couplable to the lifting means and operable to a first condition wherein power is provided to the lifting means, and operable to a second condition wherein power is not provided to the lifting means, and an actuator disposed on the lip-position member for movement relative thereto between at least a first position where the actuator operates the switch to the first condition, and a second position where the switch can be operated to the second condition, the actuator being disposed to move between the first and second positions as the lip moves toward the pendant position.

Abstract: A repositionable brace helps support the legs of a swap body freight container parked at a truck loading dock. The brace can move from a retracted position to an engaged position. In the engaged position, one end of the brace is at least partially fixed relative to the dock with an opposite end engaging at least one of the container's four legs. In the retracted position, the brace is positioned to where it is more out of the way when not in use, or positioned to align the brace to legs at other various locations. In some cases, the brace pivots between the locked and retracted positions manually, hydraulically, electro-mechanically or pneumatically. Also, a firm landing pad can be associated with the brace to provide a more consistent, level height at which the swap body is parked.

Abstract: A device for restraining a truck from movement during the loading and unloading thereof while the truck is parked in a driveway in a loading dock. The truck restraining device has a lock assembly comprising a base and a locking arm pivotally mounted to the base for rotating between retracted and extended positions. In the retracted position, the locking arm is substantially horizontal for permitting the truck to drive over the restraining means whereas, in the extended position, the locking arm extends upwardly for engaging the truck wheels for restraining movement of the truck. The locking arm has a front end adapted to pivotally mount to the base and a rear end adapted to engage the wheel in the extended position. Means is provided for rotating the locking arm between the retracted and the extended positions.

Abstract: A device for restraining a truck from movement during the loading and unloading thereof while the truck is parked in a driveway in a loading dock. The truck restraining device has a lock assembly comprising a base and a locking arm pivotally mounted to the base for rotating between retracted and extended positions. In the retracted position, the locking arm is substantially horizontal for permitting the truck to drive over the restraining device whereas, in the extended position, the locking arm extends upwardly for engaging the truck wheels for restraining movement of the truck.

Abstract: Improved vehicle restraints, restraint components and specific improvements to certain existing restraints, including: 1) improvements to the design of the barrier portion or head of the restraining member intended to prevent or eliminate downward forces exerted on the restraining member by a departing ICC bar; and 2) providing a locking member for locking the restraining member of a restraint into a given vertical position for a pull away by the parked vehicle, the lock not impeding normal operation of the restraint, but only being activated during a pull away.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a slope extension are disclosed herein for use with a vehicle restraint. In each embodiment, the vehicle restraint is adapted to releasably secure a parked trailer or other vehicle to an adjacent structure, such as a loading dock, and includes a carriage assembly which is adjustably mounted in proximity to the adjacent structure for movement relative to a roadway, and a restraining member which is operatively attached to the carriage assembly. In operation, each embodiment of the inventive slope extension interacts with the carriage assembly to avoid a "dead lock" condition wherein the carriage assembly is obstructed from moving downwardly toward the roadway.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for a truck loading dock includes an actuator that rides up with a carriage to sense that a truck's ICC bar is within a predetermined region before fully extending a restraining member to engage the bar. The carriage and restraining member are raised and lowered by a drive unit, such as a cable extending from a winch. The winch may be attached directly to the carriage, or optionally remotely mounted to the dock. One end of the cable connects to a spring that compensates for incidental vertical movement of the ICC bar caused by the truck being loaded or unloaded. Large downward movement of the ICC bar is accommodated by a clutch associated with the winch. For large upward movement, the winch automatically restarts to pull the carriage up to meet the new height of the bar. An optional ICC bar deflector mounted at the base of the dock, along side the carriage, wedges underneath an exceptionally low ICC bar as the truck backs into the dock.

Abstract: Manually positioned wheel chocking apparatus are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the chocking apparatus includes a track secured adjacent a parking area; a movable chock; and fixing apparatus for temporarily fixing the chock to the track to substantially prevent the chock from moving. The movable chock has a surface which can be selectively positioned within the parking space at a location for engaging a tire of a vehicle. It also includes an extension for operatively engaging the track. The fixing apparatus may optionally comprise a pin sized to mate with a bore in a track or a frictional lock, preferably constructed as an over-center toggle.

Abstract: Improved vehicle restraints, restraint components and specific improvements to certain existing restraints, including: 1) improvements to the design of the barrier portion or head of the restraining member intended to prevent or eliminate downward forces exerted on the restraining member by a departing ICC bar; and 2) providing a locking member for locking the restraining member of a restraint into a given vertical position for a pull away by the parked vehicle, the lock not impeding normal operation of the restraint, but only being activated during a pull away.

Abstract: A dock leveler mountable in a pit including a rear wall, the leveler including a deck with a front end and that is capable of pivotal movement relative to the rear wall; a lip capable of movement to a substantially coplanar position relative to the deck; and a bumper mounted adjacent the deck front end beyond the lateral width of the lip.

Abstract: Improved vehicle restraints, restraint components and specific improvements to certain existing restraints, including: 1) improvements to the design of the barrier portion or head of the restraining member intended to prevent or eliminate downward forces exerted on the restraining member by a departing ICC bar; and 2) providing a locking member for locking the restraining member of a restraint into a given vertical position for a pull away by the parked vehicle, the lock not impeding normal operation of the restraint, but only being activated during a pull away.

Abstract: Vehicle restraint including a support mounted adjacent a loading structure. A carriage is supported from the support and has a generally horizontal portion extending over the roadway, the horizontal portion being operatively engageable with the vehicle bar over a vertical range. A vertically elongate barrier is supported from the carriage and is disposed remotely from the upright loading structure, the barrier being mounted for generally vertical movement with respect to the carriage between an inoperative vehicle-released position wherein the barrier is disclosed below the horizontal portion, and an inoperative vehicle restraining position, wherein the barrier extends vertically a fixed distance above the horizontal portion to define a vehicle bar capture distance along the horizontal portion.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint is provided for releasably securing a parked vehicle to an adjacent structure. The vehicle restraint includes a carriage assembly which is adjustably vertically mounted to the adjacent structure and a restraining member which is pivotably attached to the carriage assembly for rotational movement between a stored (or vehicle-release) position, wherein the restraining member is enclosed within the carriage assembly, and an operative (or vehicle-locking) position, wherein a portion of the restraining member projects outwardly and upwardly from the carriage assembly. The vehicle restraint also includes a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the restraining member into the stored position when an external force or torque, in a direction toward the stored position, is exerted on the distal end of the restraining member.

Abstract: A wheel-activated vehicle restraint system including a support structure disposed beside the path of the vehicle approaching the dock, and including a guide member extending away from the dock face, and an elevated supporting member. A trigger assembly is operatively connected to the guide member, and initially engages the wheel of the vehicle as it rolls toward the dock. A locking arm operatively engages the supporting member to move from a stored position to a chocking position on the wheel as the wheel engages the trigger and moves it toward the dock. A trolley assembly operatively connects the trigger assembly and the locking arm, the trolley assembly and the locking arm being connected at a connection point.

Abstract: Vehicle restraint including a support mounted adjacent a loading structure. A carriage is supported from the support and has a generally horizontal portion extending over the roadway, the horizontal portion being operatively engageable with the vehicle bar over a vertical range. A vertically elongate barrier is supported from the carriage and is disposed remotely from the upright loading structure, the barrier being mounted for generally vertical movement with respect to the carriage between an inoperative vehicle-released position wherein the barrier is disclosed below the horizontal portion, and an inoperative vehicle restraining position, wherein the barrier extends vertically a fixed distance above the horizontal portion to define a vehicle bar capture distance along the horizontal portion.

Abstract: A wheel-actuated vehicle restraint device is provided for restraining at least one wheel of a vehicle during loading and unloading thereof. The vehicle restraint comprises a lock assembly comprising an actuation assembly for initially engaging the wheel of the incoming vehicle and a lock assembly for chocking the wheel in response to engagement between the wheel and the actuation assembly. The lock assembly is operatively connected to the actuation assembly at a connection point such that the connection point is selectively positionable in response to the dimensions and location of the wheel for insuring that the lock assembly engages a bottom portion of the wheel and moves along the peripheral surface of the wheel to a chock position. In one embodiment, the actuation assembly comprises a trigger assembly disposed to engage the wheel and a trolley assembly operatively connecting the lock assembly and trigger assembly.

Abstract: A maintenance strut assembly for supporting a dock leveler in a maintenance position, the leveler being disposed above a dock platform surface and including a receiving opening, the strut assembly comprising a strut member adapted to be oriented in a supporting orientation between the leveler and a base member, and receivable within the receiving opening, the strut member including a lower portion and an upper portion extending above the top surface of the leveler in the maintenance position, a base member fixed beneath the leveler, the base member maintaining the strut member in a supporting orientation; and a supporting member fixed to the strut member and positioned along the strut member to engage the bottom surface of the leveler in the maintenance position to prevent downward movement of the leveler.

Abstract: A signal and control system is provided in which signal lights are provided on the inside and outside of a dock facility to give dock personnel and truck drivers clearly visible indications of when it is safe or unsafe to load or unload a truck or to park to remove a truck, dependent upon the condition of switches on the inside which are accessible to dock personnel and to the condition of a locking device on the outside which is engageable with the safety bar of a truck. A slip clutch and a position sensor cooperate to control and avoid adverse effects of slippage in the locking device, a horn is energized to provide a loud audible warning of dangerous conditions, a key pad is used to enter a security code and other features are provide for increased safety and reliability.

Abstract: A seal assembly is provided for use in a dock leveler used to span a gap between a loading dock and a bed of a vehicle in loading or unloading position in front of the dock. The loading dock has a pit defined by opposing pit walls, a rear wall and a floor. The dock leveler has a frame mounted in the pit, a deck having front and rear portions, with the rear portion pivotally connected to the frame so that the deck can pivot up and down about a horizontal axis between a horizontal position wherein the deck is substantially co-planar with a surface of the dock, a raised, upwardly inclined position, and a lowered, downwardly inclined position. The dock leveler also has opposing deck sides which are adjacent to and move vertically relative to the pit walls.

Abstract: A vehicle-activated support assembly control system is provided which comprises a sensor assembly which senses the position of the vehicle relative to the dock leveler and an actuation assembly which is operatively connected to the support assembly so as to actuate or maintain the support assembly in a retracted position in response to the position of the vehicle. The actuation assembly is adapted to automatically position the support assembly between (1) a retracted or non-supporting position when the vehicle is in close proximity to the loading dock and (2) an active supporting position when the vehicle is greater than a predetermined distance from the loading dock. The control assembly is adapted to activate the support assembly and move the support assembly to the active supporting position as the vehicle pulls away from the dock leveler but before the lip loses contact with the vehicle.