A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer, the trailer stabilizing device comprising a frame separate from the support frame of the parked freight trailer, the stabilizing device frame having mounted thereto wheels and a hitch, the stabilizing device including a repositionable jack.

A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer comprising a frame having mounted thereto at least a right side wheel and a left side wheel, the frame also including a hitch, a fifth wheel, and at least one of a repositionable wheel chock and a repositionable hook, the trailer stabilizing device further including a repositioning device in order to reposition at least one of the repositionable wheel chock and the repositionable hook. The present disclosure also includes a method of stabilizing a parked trailer at a loading dock, the method comprising: (a) positioning a wheeled trailer stabilizer underneath a parked freight trailer at a loading dock while landing gear of the parked freight trailer are deployed and a kingpin of the parked trailer is accessible; (b) securing the kingpin of the parked freight trailer to a fifth wheel of the wheeled trailer stabilizer; and, (c) deploying a repositionable hook operatively coupled to the frame of the wheeled trailer stabilizer so the repositionable hook couples to a cleat mounted to the ground, where deployment of the hook is operative to exert a pulling force on the kingpin.

Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example vehicle restraint apparatus includes a barrier movable between a fully extended position to restrain a vehicle at a loading dock, a fully retracted position to release the vehicle, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position. A sensor is mounted to the vehicle restraint apparatus, where the sensor is to monitor at least one of a barrier or a vehicle. The sensor includes a camera to capture an image of the at least one of the barrier or the vehicle. A controller is to receive the captured image from the camera, the controller to determine at least one of a characteristic of the at least one of the barrier or the vehicle.

A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer comprising a frame having mounted thereto at least a right side wheel and a left side wheel, the frame also including a hitch, a fifth wheel, and at least one of a repositionable wheel chock and a repositionable hook, the trailer stabilizing device further including a repositioning device in order to reposition at least one of the repositionable wheel chock and the repositionable hook. The present disclosure also includes a method of stabilizing a parked trailer at a loading dock, the method comprising: (a) positioning a wheeled trailer stabilizer underneath a parked freight trailer at a loading dock while landing gear of the parked freight trailer are deployed and a kingpin of the parked trailer is accessible; (b) securing the kingpin of the parked freight trailer to a fifth wheel of the wheeled trailer stabilizer; and, (c) deploying a repositionable hook operatively coupled to the frame of the wheeled trailer stabilizer so the repositionable hook couples to a cleat mounted to the ground, where deployment of the hook is operative to exert a pulling force on the kingpin.

Systems and methods for automatically controlling loading dock equipment, such as in response to a trailer approaching and docking at a docking station, are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide scanning devices and scanning operations which assist with, for example, properly aligning a trailer at a docking station and/or checking an interior area in front of the dock door for obstructions. The systems and methods can also transmit messages between components of the system and/or to users of the system regarding the status of components of the systems and/or the status of the overall docking process.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

Systems and methods for monitoring components of a loading dock station that implement a remote monitoring and authorization system are disclosed. The systems and methods can provide information regarding the status of various components of the loading dock station to a remote monitoring and authorization control unit, where a supervisor or the like is capable of reviewing real time information regarding the status of the components and progress through and adherence to a workflow protocol. The systems and methods can also provide for authorization requests to be sent to the remote monitoring and authorization control unit, such as requests to override certain components of the docking station. The user at the remote monitoring and authorization control unit can then grant or deny requests based on status information and other data provided at the remote monitoring and authorization control unit.

A vehicle restraint system that includes a carriage and a hook that is moveable relative to the carriage. The hook is moveable between an engaged or extended position wherein the hook interferes with translation of vehicle relative to the vehicle restraint system and a disengaged or retracted position wherein the vehicle can be associated with or removed from interaction with the vehicle restraint system. The hook is secured to the carriage via an eccentric pivot assembly such that translation of the hook relative to the carriage includes an least partially lateral translation of the hook relative to the carriage thereby improving the repeatability associated with operation of the restraint system to securely engage and disengage respective vehicles from the restraint system without independent manipulation of the position of the vehicle relative to the restraint system.

A trailer restraining device comprising a portable frame having mounted thereto a tail hook and a king pin receiver that includes at least one of a receiver hydraulic cylinder, a receiver pneumatic cylinder, a receiver electric actuator, and a receiver winch.

A system for allowing a vehicle or trailer to be secured to a loading dock is provided. The system is capable of being stowed away into the vehicle or trailer when not in use, and moveable to a locking position for interfacing with the dock's restraining system when the vehicle or trailer is to be secured to the loading dock.