A ramp assembly for loading and unloading a snowmobile to and from a pickup truck bed is mounted to the hitch receiver of the truck and extends rearwardly behind the open tailgate. The ramp assembly includes a pair of spaced apart ski ramps pivotally mounted for movement between a lowered used position and a raised transport position. A center ramp between the ski ramps supports the drive belt of the snowmobile during loading and unloading. A pedestal on the ramp assembly supports the rear end of the snowmobile beyond the truck tailgate when the snowmobile is fully loaded into the truck bed. The center ramp of the assembly is removable for storage and transport and while the truck is being driven.

Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed. An example system includes a first sensor system to determine a position of a vehicle relative to a pedestrian zone adjacent a dock wall of a loading dock and a second sensor system to monitor the pedestrian zone. The second sensor system to attempt to detect a pedestrian in the pedestrian zone, the second sensor system responsive to signals from the first sensor system to enable the second sensor system to dynamically change a sensing area of the pedestrian zone to maintain a delta threshold between the vehicle and the pedestrian zone in response to the vehicle moving toward a dock wall of the loading dock.

There are provided systems and methods for determining the status of loading docks and resources at product distribution centers. In one form, the system includes: a product distribution center including loading docks for receiving trailers transporting shipments of merchandise, beacons disposed at predetermined locations in the product distribution center, and a mobile device for communication with the beacons to determine the position of the mobile device in the product distribution center relative to the loading docks. In the system, a control circuit receives tracking information from the mobile device to determine the position of the mobile device, determines the use and availability of the loading dock closest to the mobile device; determines the arrival times of trailers, determines the status of resources at or near the closest loading dock, and causes the display of this loading dock and resource information on the mobile device.

There are provided systems and methods for determining the status of loading docks and resources at product distribution centers. In one form, the system includes: a product distribution center including loading docks for receiving trailers transporting shipments of merchandise, beacons disposed at predetermined locations in the product distribution center, and a mobile device for communication with the beacons to determine the position of the mobile device in the product distribution center relative to the loading docks. In the system, a control circuit receives tracking information from the mobile device to determine the position of the mobile device, determines the use and availability of the loading dock closest to the mobile device; determines the arrival times of trailers, determines the status of resources at or near the closest loading dock, and causes the display of this loading dock and resource information on the mobile device.

A headrest assembly is provided herein. A headrest is coupled to a seatback. The seatback includes a housing. The headrest is movable between a first position wherein the headrest is exposed above the seatback, and a second position wherein the headrest is concealed within the housing. A top of the headrest is flush with a top of the seatback while in the second position.

A loading dock safety detection system and method is provided. The detection system includes a plurality of components that are coupled to the material handling vehicle. The system includes one or more sensors, and a feedback device. The sensor is coupled to the mast and positioned to sense the environment in front of the material handling vehicle and to view the status of the loading dock. The detection system includes a processing device that is coupled to the body and determines, based on data from the sensors, the status of the loading dock and the corresponding loading dock components. The processing device determines if the status is in an acceptable or unacceptable condition and notifies the operator via a feedback device accordingly.

Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are described herein. In some embodiments, the system and associated methods can be used to control operation of loading dock equipment (e.g., a vehicle restraint, a dock door, a dock leveler, etc.) according to a sequence of operations. The sequence of operations can include different sub-sequences based on loading dock conditions. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of control elements that enable operation of the loading dock equipment. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment. Some functionality of the control panel can be enabled or disabled based on a current level of authorization.

A modular loading dock with a mobile base which includes two, opposing, adjustable leg members and top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening, the dock leveler includes a lower end and an upper end, the upper end abuts a preexisting structure and the lower end includes a lower edge having a lip, the lip is able to be activated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and a retracted/disengaged position. The mobile base also includes a housing with a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections include a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall has a vehicle-receiving opening to receive a back end of a vehicle.

A modular loading dock with a mobile base which includes two, opposing, adjustable leg members and top and bottom surfaces, the top surface having an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening, the dock leveler includes a lower end and an upper end, the upper end abuts a preexisting structure and the lower end includes a lower edge having a lip, the lip is able to be activated between an extended/engaged position to contact a truck bed and a retracted/disengaged position. The mobile base also includes a housing with a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections and can receive a back end of a vehicle. The modular frame has a tensioned vinyl covering. The modular loading dock can also include an extension portion with a covering.

An accident prevention system for a doorway of a loading dock is provided. The system includes a first sensor configured to detect an object in a first predetermined location and having a height that is greater than a predetermined height. A second sensor is configured to activate responsive to detection by the first sensor of an object having a height that is greater than the predetermined height. The second sensor is also configured to detect an object in a second predetermined location after activation of the second sensor. An alert system is configured to generate a humanly-perceivable alert responsive to detection of the object in the second predetermined location after the activation of the second sensor.