A truck leveler for use with a driveway includes a planar ramp member having opposed sidewalls, a lower end terminating in a lower edge and an upper end with an upper edge. The embodiment further includes the sidewalls having a light-mounting channel therealong with at least one light integrated into the light-mounting channel. The automated or manual light(s) act to help guide a vehicle when backing in or pulling away from the truck leveler.

Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for engaging, lifting, and moving objects such as wheeled cargo trailers are provided. In one embodiment, a mobile apparatus includes a transport mechanism, a frame, and one or more lift assemblies. The lift assemblies may be adjusted using one or more attached actuators that position the lift assemblies and/or components thereof for engaging and lifting an object. The transport mechanism may be autonomously operated. A vision system may be used to locate and identify objects and/or guide the mobile apparatus into position to engage and lift the objects. An adapter for a pneumatic braking system of a wheeled cargo trailer is also provided. The adapter provides a pneumatic attachment for a pressurized air source that is separate from a glad hands connector attached to the braking system.

A method of leveling a parked freight trailer at a loading dock, the method comprising: (a) positioning a portable stabilizing device at least partially underneath a forward portion of the parked freight trailer; (b) positioning a lift associated with the portable stabilizing device to bear weight of the forward portion of the parked freight trailer; (c) reorienting the parked freight trailer so a floor of the parked freight trailer goes from a substantially non-parallel orientation to an approximately parallel orientation with respect to a floor of the loading dock by repositioning at least one of the jack and a landing gear of the parked freight trailer; and, (e) maintaining the lift in a weight bearing position while goods are at least one of unloaded from or loaded onto the parked freight trailer.

An apparatus and related method for a dock housing for a pre-existing loading dock. The dock housing includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and front, back and opposed sidewalls. The front wall has integral fork pockets for interaction with forks on a fork truck for movement of the base into a desired location and the top surface has an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening. Also included is a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections including a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall having a trailer-receiving opening to receive a trailer, the frame-sidewalls including a slotted-base attachment for securement of the base and sidewalls together. The dock housing is formed by securing the frame-sidewalls to a wall of a pre-existing building as well as securing the base, the frame-front wall and the frame-top wall together.

The present invention relates to a surface-mountable retractable trailer stand assembly for supporting a trailer parked at a loading dock. In an embodiment, the assembly comprises a base for mounting to a surface, one or more moveable support members attached to the base. The one or more moveable support members are moveable between a first lowered stored position wherein the one or more moveable support members are retracted towards the surface, and a second raised operable position wherein the one or more moveable support members are extended away from the surface and are capable of supporting a trailer.

Various example vehicle restraints for use at a loading dock for blocking and later releasing a vehicle's rear impact guard. In some examples, the vehicle restraint includes a hook-shaped barrier that rotates between a lowered position and a raised position. The barrier rotates up to block the rear impact guard and rotates down to release it. The barrier also translates or shifts forward and back between a retracted position and an extended position. The barrier shifts forward to relieve forward pressure that the vehicle might exert against the barrier just prior to releasing the rear impact guard.

A method of leveling a parked freight trailer at a loading dock, the method comprising: (a) positioning a portable stabilizing device at least partially underneath a forward portion of the parked freight trailer; (b) positioning a lift associated with the portable stabilizing device to bear weight of the forward portion of the parked freight trailer; (c) reorienting the parked freight trailer so a floor of the parked freight trailer goes from a substantially non-parallel orientation to an approximately parallel orientation with respect to a floor of the loading dock by repositioning at least one of the jack and a landing gear of the parked freight trailer; and, (e) maintaining the lift in a weight bearing position while goods are at least one of unloaded from or loaded onto the parked freight trailer.

The present invention provides for a genetically modified host cell capable of producing isopentenol and/or 3-methyl-3-butenol, comprising (a) an increased expression of phosphomevalonate decarboxylase (PMD) (b) an increased expression of a phosphatase capable of converting isopentenol into 3-methyl-3-butenol, (c) optionally the genetically modified host cell does not express, or has a decreased expression of one or more of NudB, phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK), and/or PMD, and (d) optionally one or more further enzymes capable of converting isopentenol and/or 3-methyl-3-butenol into a third compound, such as isoprene.

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.