A dock apparatus includes a plurality of loading dock components. An identification system is coupled with the plurality of loading dock components. A control panel is in signal communication with the plurality of loading dock components via the identification system. The identification system automatically cooperates with the control panel to define an operating sequence of the plurality of loading dock components. A power module is in signal communication with the control panel and an installed component of the plurality of loading dock components. The control panel provides instructions to the power module according to the operating sequence and the power module delivers a predetermined electrical current to the installed components of the plurality of loading dock components in a sequential pattern defined by the operating sequence.

Bumpers for use at loading docks are disclosed. An example bumper includes a housing defining a lip-engaging surface to engage a lip of a deck when the lip is in a retracted position, and a RIG-engaging surface positioned adjacent the lip-engaging surface. The RIG-engaging is movable relative to the lip-engaging surface. The RIG-engaging surface is to move relative to the lip-engaging surface when a RIG of a vehicle imparts a force to the RIG-engaging surface when the vehicle is at a loading dock.

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.

Systems and associated methods for controlling operation of loading dock equipment are disclosed 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 preset sequence of operations. The system can include a display screen that sequentially presents a series of graphical control elements (e.g., touch-sensitive buttons) that enable operation of the loading dock equipment in an appropriate sequence. Additionally, the visual appearance and/or sequence of presentation of the graphical control elements indicate the proper sequence of selection to the user, thereby reducing user confusion and simplifying the operation of the loading dock equipment.

The present invention relates to a dock shelter module that is disposed at a side of a warehouse and connects the inside and outside of the warehouse, dock shelter module comprising: a top frame; a pair of side frames coupled to both sides of the top frame, longitudinally extending, and forming a loading-unloading space in cooperation with the top frame; a bottom frame coupled to the lower ends of the side frames and having a dock leveler seated thereon; a first gate coupled to the top frame, disposed at the front of the loading-unloading space, and opening and closing the outside of the warehouse and the loading-unloading space; a second gate coupled to the top frame, disposed at the rear of the loading-unloading space, and opening and closing the inside of the warehouse and the loading-unloading space; and an air curtain generator installed on the bottom of the top frame between the first gate and the second gate, and forming an air curtain in the loading-unloading space in accordance with whether the first gate and the second gate are opened and closed.

The device includes a first portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the trailing edge is disposed further from the driveway than the leading edge. The embodiment also includes a second portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of the second portion is removably attached to the trailing edge of the first portion and the leading edge of the second portion is disposed further from the driveway than the trailing edge of the second portion. The device also includes an extension portion and opposing side portions, the opposing side portions extend the length of and contact the second portion and extension portion. The opposing side portions include at least one light which is controlled by a sensor adjacent to a door.

An autonomous cargo handling system having a sensor self-calibration system may comprise a sensing agent configured to monitor a sensing zone, and a system controller in electronic communication with the first sensing agent. The system controller may be configured to receive structural cargo deck data from the first sensing agent, generate a real-time cargo deck model, identify a cargo deck component in the real-time cargo deck model, and determine a position of the sensing agent relative to the cargo deck component.

Tracking and digitization method and system for warehouse inventory management is provided to greatly increase the visibility of the events at a warehouse, provide a comprehensive cataloging of every single event, compare that event against the expected event, and report any discrepancies immediately so that they can be fixed prior to causing costly mistakes. Further, it reduces the need for costly quality control personnel in the warehouse. Embodiments of this invention greatly enhance the accuracy of inventory, at a vastly reduced cost. In an indoor environment, GPS cannot be used to track the location of the forklifts or vehicles in the warehouse because most warehouses have metal constructions and present a “GPS denied” environment. Hence one must resort to vision, lidar, or inertial, or a combination of such sensors to accurately track location.

Aspects of unbinding apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed. One aspect disclosed herein is an apparatus for unbinding a stacked load of logs. For example, the apparatus may comprise: a plurality of support arms movable toward a plurality of side surfaces of the stacked load, each support arm of the plurality of support arms comprising a guide surface and being: adjustable to abut against one or more side surfaces of the plurality of side surfaces; and independently movable relative to the plurality of support arms in one or more directions responsive to a physical shape of the one or more side surfaces to establish a formfitting abutment between the plurality of support arms and the plurality of side surfaces. In this example, once the formfitting abutment is established, the guide surfaces of the plurality of support arms may be positioned and operative to guide a log released from the stacked load along an escape path over and away from an unbinding area adjacent the stacked load. Aspects of related methods and systems also are disclosed herein.

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.