Abstract: An example retractable bollard system for installation in a support surface that includes pavement is disclosed. The example bollard system includes a shell that when installed in the support surface extends below an upper surface of the pavement. The example bollard system includes a post to be telescopically coupled to the shell. The post is axially movable relative to the shell selectively to an upper area and a lower area. The post extends farther above the shell when the post is in the upper area than when the post is in the lower area. The example bollard system further includes a shock absorber to encircle the shell. The shock absorber is made of a polymeric material.

Abstract: Dynamically configurable traffic controllers and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first display facing a first direction; a second display facing a second direction; a third display facing a third direction; and a processor, in response to a first input being received indicative of traffic approaching the first display and no traffic approaching the second display and the third display, the processor to cause the second display and the third display to display a first signal and for the first display not to display the first signal or a second signal, the first signal providing a first warning level, the second signal providing a second warning level greater than the first warning level, the first signal illuminatable on the second display, the second signal illuminatable on the second display, the first signal, when illuminated, disposed within a perimeter of the second signal, when illuminated.

Abstract: Motion sensing dock lighting systems are disclosed. An example lighting system for use at a loading dock where a material handling device is used to load or unload a vehicle parked at the loading dock includes a motion sensing system to be spaced apart from the material handling device. The motion sensing system is to provide an operation signal in response to the material handling device undergoing a change in travel direction within the vehicle. The example lighting system also includes a lamp to be operatively connected in signal communication with the motion sensing system so as to receive the operation signal from the motion sensing system. The lamp is to have a first illuminating mode and a second illuminating mode, and the lamp is to switch between the first illuminating mode and the second illuminating mode in response to the operation signal.

Abstract: Example safety barrier systems for vehicle loading docks comprise a retractable flexible barrier with a special powered latching mechanism that locks the barrier in place and prevents it from being retracted under certain hazardous dock conditions. In some examples, the barrier cannot be retracted when there is no vehicle at the dock while the dock's door is open. In some examples, an alarm is energized when concurrently the door is open, the barrier is retracted and there is no vehicle at the dock.

Abstract: Motion sensing dock lighting systems are disclosed. An example lighting system for use at a loading dock where a material handling device is used to load or unload a vehicle parked at the loading dock includes a motion sensing system to be spaced apart from the material handling device. The motion sensing system is to provide an operation signal in response to the material handling device undergoing a change in travel direction within the vehicle. The example lighting system also includes a lamp to be operatively connected in signal communication with the motion sensing system so as to receive the operation signal from the motion sensing system. The lamp is to have a first illuminating mode and a second illuminating mode, and the lamp is to switch between the first illuminating mode and the second illuminating mode in response to the operation signal.

Abstract: Example portable trailer stands for supporting parked trailers are disclosed herein. Some example portable trailer stands disclosed herein comprise two telescopic posts supporting a generally horizontal beam. Some examples include spring-loaded retractable wheels for selectively installing and removing the trailer stand from underneath a trailer left parked on a driveway. After being positioned under the trailer, the posts extend to lift the beam solidly up against the underside of the trailer. To accommodate conditions where the driveway is not parallel to the trailer's underside, some example posts can be lengthened independently and have angular play that allows the beam to tilt. In some examples, the horizontal axle of the trailer stand wheels is perpendicular to the beam so that the trailer stand can be readily installed from either the front or side of the trailer. Some examples have a kingpin-receiving groove in the beam or have some other kingpin-receiving feature.

Abstract: In the event of a fire, in some examples, a ceiling fan stops its fan blades at a predetermined position so as to avoid obstructing the spray from an overhead sprinkler head. The fan can be stopped by various apparatus including, but not limited to, a spring loaded roller engaging a lobed member to urge the fan to a chosen stop position, an electromechanical brake that grips a rotating member at certain locations, a stationary magnet attracted to one or more iron pads that rotate to certain locations, and a motor controller responsive to a rotational position sensor.

Abstract: Example safety barrier systems for vehicle loading docks comprise a retractable flexible barrier with a special powered latching mechanism that locks the barrier in place and prevents it from being retracted under certain hazardous dock conditions. In some examples, the barrier cannot be retracted when there is no vehicle at the dock while the dock's door is open. In some examples, an alarm is energized when concurrently the door is open, the barrier is retracted and there is no vehicle at the dock.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A bumper for use at a loading dock has two ranges of front-to-back movement: one range for sealing the gap that might otherwise exist between the rear edge of a truck and the front face of the bumper and a second range for absorbing the impact of the truck backing into the dock. In some cases, a spring provides a relatively light sealing force between the bumper and the truck, and a compressible core provides a much greater impact-absorbing force that helps stop the rearward movement of the truck. In some embodiments, the bumper pivots by gravity when operating in the sealing range.

Abstract: An overhead fan system of a building comprises a ceiling fan underneath a nearby fire sprinkler head. The ceiling fan has particularly low fan solidity to minimize the fan obstructing the spray of water from the sprinkler head. To further reduce the obstruction, some example fans include fan blades that automatically retract in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Abstract: A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.