A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

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.

Monitoring and alerting systems for detecting hazardous conditions at loading docks are disclosed. An example monitoring and alerting system includes a first sensor system to monitor a location of a first brace of a first dock station of the loading dock. The first brace being positionable in a first stored position, a first operative position, and a first transition position, where the first transition position is between the first stored position and the first operative position. A second sensor system is to monitor a location of a second brace of a second dock station of the loading dock adjacent the first dock station. The second brace is positionable in a second stored position, a second operative position, and a second transition position, where the second transition position is between the second stored position and the second operative position. A first signaling device at the first dock station is responsive to outputs of the first sensor system and the second sensor system. A second signaling device at the second dock station is responsive to outputs of the first sensor system and the second sensor system.

A wheel chock system includes a chock, a sensor disposed within the chock to sense the proximity to the tire, an outside light box, and an inside control panel. Lamps on the outside light box provide a visual indication as to when the chock is in close proximity to the wheel. Lights on the inside control panel provide a visual indication of the loading dock safety status. The wheel chock system further includes a controller coupled to the inside control panel, programmed to change visual indications of both the outside light signal box and the inside control panel, based at least on the sensor and a loading dock door sensor. The wheel chock system further includes a camera positioned to view the tire and the chock and convey an image of the tire and the chock to a display on or near the inside control panel.

The present invention relates to a blocking device for blocking a vehicle and/or entrance to a loading-unloading station, a dock and/or distribution center provided therewith and method therefor. The blocking device includes: a guide track with guide track supports disposed along a driveway; a carriage attached to the guide track with a blocking element, with the carriage being capable of moving along the driveway; a blocking element extension mechanism configured to extend the blocking element between a retracted position and an extended blocking position; and a guide track drive configured for lifting and/or lowering the guide track. The guide track drive is further configured such that the guide track performs a horizontal movement when being lifted or lowered, and the vertical and horizontal movements are being performed simultaneously or successively.

A truck leveler for use with a driveway includes a planar ramp member having opposed sidewalls, a lower end terminating in a lower edge and an upper end with an upper edge. The embodiment further includes the sidewalls having a light-mounting channel therealong with at least one light integrated into the light-mounting channel. The automated or manual light(s) act to help guide a vehicle when backing in or pulling away from the truck leveler.

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.

This invention provides a system and method for reliably interconnecting a native gladhand on a trailer with an AV truck, in which the gladhand can vary in placement and type on the trailer front. A visually guided robot manipulator arm accesses the trailer front. The arm includes an end effector assembly that is arranged to visually navigate to the gladhand and engage the gladhand by latching onto a gladhand using a connection tool that includes a hinged gladhand/wedge capture assembly and a pressurized clamping connection plate that selectively engages the trailer gladhand seal. The capture assembly is arranged to accommodate different gladhand geometries in latching thereonto. The connection tool includes a hinge that is spring-loaded in both a locked and unlocked bistable state, and sensors monitor the state. The system can include passive or active compliance elements that accommodate moderate misalignment between the engaged gladhand and the robotic arm/connection tool.

A system for preventing semitrailer collisions with a loading ramp (10) comprising: a sensor unit (100) comprising a sensor and configured for sensing when the rear end of a semitrailer (12) is approaching a loading ramp (10); a guide block (200) adapted to be positioned on the ground, laterally and/or medially to the opening of a loading ramp; the guide block comprises a first wheel blocking means configured as a sled (210) adapted for supporting the tread of a rear tire of the semitrailer, and moves from a forwarded position relative to said loading ramp to a retracted position relative to the ramp when being pushed by the rear tire as the semitrailer is reversing towards the ramp; the sensor unit is configured to send a blocking signal to said guide block (200) when the distance between said rear end of said semitrailer (12) and said loading ramp (10) is below a preset threshold, wherein said wheel blocking means locks its position in response to said blocking signal, thereby blocking the movement of said sled; a rain flap (14) isolation device adapted for preventing said rear tire and its rain flap from touching each other while said rear tire is positioned within said sled during its movement from a forwarded position relative to said loading ramp to a retracted position relative to said loading ramp when being pushed by said rear tire as said semitrailer is reversing towards said loading ramp.

A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.