Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example loading dock includes a dock leveler movable between a standard loading position, a cross-traffic position and a below-deck loading position. The dock leveler has deck and lip movably coupled to the deck. A seal assembly is coupled to the loading dock adjacent a forward edge of the dock leveler. The seal assembly sealingly engages a front surface of a lip of the dock leveler and a rear surface of the lip when the dock leveler is positioned in a cross-traffic position or a below-dock position.

A loading ramp assembly for utility vans can include a main deck with side rails fastened to the longitudinal sides of the main deck. A raised loading floor of the utility van is disposed atop a pair of guide rails. Guide wheels on the side rails move through guide rails secured to the van's original floor as the ramp is retracted and deployed. The ramp can be fully retracted and stored inside of the van such that the rear doors of the van can be closed normally without the need to remove the loading ramp assembly from the van.

A loading ramp assembly for utility vans can include a main deck with side rails fastened to the longitudinal sides of the main deck. A raised loading floor of the utility van is disposed atop a pair of guide rails. Guide wheels on the side rails move through guide rails secured to the van's original floor as the ramp is retracted and deployed. The ramp can be fully retracted and stored inside of the van such that the rear doors of the van can be closed normally without the need to remove the loading ramp assembly from the van.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

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.

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.

A system and method for remotely controlling loading dock components is disclosed that includes a distribution center having at least one dock station for exchanging materials and a dock component configured to in at least two operational states. An actuator is included that is configured to change the operational state of the dock component in response to an activation signal. A mobile remote control is configured to generate the activation signal to cause the actuator to change the operational state of the dock component and at least one predefined non-activation zone is included such that changing of operational state of the dock component is inhibited when the mobile remote control is located within the at least one predefined non-activation zone.

A system for allowing a chassis for an intermodal shipping container having fittings and a floor to be secured to a loading dock is provided. The system is capable of being stowed away into the chassis when not in use, and moveable to a locking position for interfacing with the dock's restraining system when the chassis is to be secured to the loading dock.

A height adjustable loading ramp installed at a tail of a car, for loading or unloading goods, includes: a slope plane and a supporter. The two ends of the slope plane are respectively supported on the ground and the supporter. The supporter includes: two supporting legs adjustable in length, a beam horizontally provided between lower portions of the two supporting legs, wheels for making the loading ramp move conveniently, and a scissor jack for adjusting the height. The scissor jack includes: four scissor jack arms equal in length, and an adjusting-locking device for adjusting and locking the height of the height adjustable loading ramp. In addition, the supporting leg comprises an auxiliary fixing unit for fixing the relative position between the upper and the lower supporting legs and providing an extra security protection, in such a manner that the height of the height adjustable loading ramp is locked.

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.