A head pad assembly includes a plurality of head pad subassemblies pivotably joined along their lateral edge so as to allow vertical rotation of one subassembly relative to an adjoining subassembly when the head pad is actuated. At least one head pad subassembly includes a stiff upper backing portion and a lower compressible pad. The head pad assembly further includes one or more flexible hinges coupling the plurality of head pad subassemblies along their lateral edges to effect the vertical rotation. The head pad assembly further includes an actuator assembly configured to raise and lower the plurality of head pad subassemblies between an upper position and a lower, sealing position.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed herein. One example dock leveler system for use at a doorway of a loading dock, where a body is sometimes present at the loading dock, includes a deck movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The example dock leveler system also includes a sensor having a field of view extending over the deck when the deck is in the lowered position. The sensor is in a normal state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is off the deck, the sensor is in a triggered state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is on the deck interrupting the field of view, and the sensor is in the triggered state when the deck is in the raised position with the deck interrupting the field of view regardless of whether the body is on or off the deck.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to monitor and manage loading docks and facility operations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes processor circuitry to: identify a first occurrence of a safety event based on outputs of sensors associated with at least one of doors or docks, the event associated with a first event type of a plurality of event types; determine a time of day different instances of the event occurred within a given period of time; determine a number of at least one of different doors or different docks associated with the different instances of the event; select a particular corrective action based on the time of day of the different instances of the event and based on the number of the at least one of the different doors or the different docks; and cause an output device to output an indication of the particular corrective action.

A vehicle leveler which includes a first portion with a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge is disposed further from the driveway than the leading edge. The leveler also includes a second portion with a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of the second portion is disposed further from the driveway than the trailing edge of the second portion. The vehicle leveler has a door interlock system with at least one pair of photoelectric sensors with a sensor path. When a vehicle is being loaded or unloaded on the vehicle leveler, and at least one of the vehicle doors is opened, the door blocks the sensor path of the photoelectric sensors and prevents the vehicle leveler from lowering or raising.

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 pairs 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.

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.

The load dock leveler prop is configured for use with a loading dock. The loading dock is further defined with a dock plate. The load dock leveler prop is a prop used to prop the dock plate when the dock plate is bridging a gap between the loading dock and a trailer. The load dock leveler prop is a vertically adjustable jack structure. The load dock leveler prop comprises a dock head, a stanchion and a pedestal. The dock head mechanically supports the inferior side of the dock plate by forming a load path between the dock plate and the stanchion. The stanchion is a supporting shaft that forms a load path between the dock head and the pedestal. The cant between the dock head and the stanchion is adjustable. The pedestal is a foundational structure that forms a load path between the stanchion and a supporting surface.

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.

Examples provide a system for a temperature-controlled receiving tunnel. A main body includes an interior compartment and a set of adjustable bulkheads configured to create a set of temperature-controlled zones within the interior compartment. A set of cooling devices are configured to adjust an internal temperature of the set of temperature-controlled zones within the interior compartment. A control device analyzes dynamic truck delivery data and ambient temperature data to generate a predicted cooling time and a cooling initiation time. The predicted cooling time comprises an estimated quantity of time after the cooling initiation time to reach a target temperature within a selected zone in the set of temperature-controlled zones.

Unloading conveyor systems are provided. Some embodiments have a transport configuration and an operating configuration.