The invention relates to a delivery system having a delivery goods vehicle for delivering inward goods, and having at least one automated transfer assembly which for transferring the goods in an automated manner from the delivery goods vehicle to a goods store comprises an object detection device. The delivery system moreover has a safety installation for securing a movement range of the transfer assembly when unloading the goods.

A safety system for a loading dock indicates to a driver of an associated trailer whether it is safe to move the trailer and that the trailer door is closed and that dock crew and equipment are out of the trailer. The safety system utilizes a dock plate handle and/or a visual safety chain to engage an indicator. The indicator automatically indicates a stop or unsafe state when the dock plate handle and/or the visual safety chain are not engaged. The indicator automatically indicates a go or safe state when the dock plate handle and/or the visual safety chain engage the indicator.

A ramp is configured to allow a vehicular machine to move from a ground surface to an elevated surface of a transport vehicle. The ramp has a length along a longitudinal direction and includes a first portion, a first web, and a second portion. The first portion includes a first rail and a second rail, each of the first and second rails being oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. The first web is positioned on the first portion and includes a first array of raised members arranged so that a first plurality of longitudinal travel paths are defined on the first web between at least some of the raised members of the first array. The second portion is connected to the second rail at a first hinge. The second portion includes a third rail and a fourth rail.

A ramp is configured to allow a vehicular machine to move from a ground surface to an elevated surface of a transport vehicle. The ramp has a length along a longitudinal direction and includes a first portion, a first web, and a second portion. The first portion includes a first rail and a second rail, each of the first and second rails being oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. The first web is positioned on the first portion and includes a first array of raised members arranged so that a first plurality of longitudinal travel paths are defined on the first web between at least some of the raised members of the first array. The second portion is connected to the second rail at a first hinge. The second portion includes a third rail and a fourth rail.

The wheel chock includes a locking mechanism that can be held in a locked state when properly positioned on a base plate. The locking mechanism includes a positioning unit having at least one tooth provided to engage a side of a corresponding one of the blocking elements in a latched engagement when the positioning unit is in the fully locked position. The locking mechanism also includes first means for moving the positioning unit from the unlocked position towards the fully locked position, and second means for selectively holding the positioning unit in the fully locked position.

A novel method of repairing and modifying a heavy-duty industrial rack includes: a) providing an enclosed trailer having: 1) a forklift compartment; 2) a ramp for the loading and unloading a forklift and its payload to and from the trailer; 3) a forklift for moving a rack to and from the trailer; 4) a rack repair compartment; 5) rack repair raw materials; 6) at least one rack component bonding apparatus for bonding components of the rack; 7) at least one rack component bending apparatus; 8) at least one rack machining apparatus; and 9) a hitch for coupling the trailer to a truck for moving the trailer to a new location when desired; and b) moving the trailer to an onsite location having a rack targeted for repair or modification. The method also at least includes: c) unloading the forklift from the trailer via the ramp; d) driving to the forklift to the targeted rack; e) lifting the targeted rack and transporting it to the trailer; f) loading the targeted rack onto the trailer via the ramp; g) locating the targeted industrial rack in the rack repair compartment; h) performing repairs or modifications on the rack; i) after repairs or modifications, lifting and removing the rack from the trailer via the forklift and the ramp; j) driving the repaired or modified rack to an onsite location; and k) unloading the repaired or modified rack from the forklift. A novel trailer apparatus is separately disclosed.

A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

Systems and methods for processing earthen slurries such as slurries of earth cuttings and, in particular, systems and methods that involve two separation units for dewatering the slurry or that involve additive mixing units are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a conveyor such as a drag-slat conveyor that removes slurry from a holding tank at which the material is dumped and toward the separation units to allow the material to be continuously processed and dumped into the holding tank.

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 loading ramp assembly comprises a ramp body, a pivot bar, a first clamp and a second clamp. The ramp body includes a detent. The pivot bar includes a bore that receives the detent. The first clamp is disposed on the first side of the pivot bar and the second clamp is disposed on the second side of the pivot bar. The proximal end of the ramp body is rotatably connected to the pivot bar at a position on the pivot bar between the first clamp and the second clamp. The ramp body is rotatable on the pivot bar from a loading position to a stowed position and is also inwardly and outwardly slidable on the pivot bar. The first clamp and second clamp can assume a loosened configuration and a clamped configuration. In the loosened configuration the pivot bar is rotatably positionable such that the bore can assume a selected angular orientation. In the clamped configuration, the first clamp and second clamp apply a clamping force to the pivot bar that holds the pivot bar in a clamped position and maintains the bore in the selected angular orientation. One or more fasteners removably fasten the clamps to the floor. When the ramp body is rotated about the pivot bar and the detent is aligned with the bore, the detent engages the bore in the bore's selected angular orientation and holds the ramp body in the stowed position.