A method for constructing a dock housing for a pre-existing loading dock. The dock housing includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and front, back and opposed sidewalls. The front wall has integral fork pockets for interaction with forks on a fork truck for movement of the base into a desired location and the top surface has an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening. Also included is a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections including a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall having a trailer-receiving opening to receive a trailer, the frame-sidewalls including a slotted-base attachment for securement of the base and sidewalls together. The dock housing is formed by securing the frame-sidewalls to a wall of a pre-existing building as well as securing the base, the frame-front wall and the frame-top wall together.

An apparatus and related method for a dock housing for a pre-existing loading dock. The dock housing includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and front, back and opposed sidewalls. The front wall has integral fork pockets for interaction with forks on a fork truck for movement of the base into a desired location and the top surface has an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening. Also included is a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections including a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall having a trailer-receiving opening to receive a trailer, the frame-sidewalls including a slotted-base attachment for securement of the base and sidewalls together. The dock housing is formed by securing the frame-sidewalls to a wall of a pre-existing building as well as securing the base, the frame-front wall and the frame-top wall together.

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.

The present disclosure relates to a ramp kerb for supporting a transverse edge of a ramp surface and a ramp lip extension having an attachment portion. The ramp kerb comprises a first longitudinally extending channel open at an inner transverse edge of the ramp kerb for receiving a transverse edge of the ramp surface and a second longitudinally extending channel open at the inner transverse edge of the ramp kerb for receiving an attachment portion of the ramp lip extension. The first and second longitudinally extending channels are vertically spaced.

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.

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.

Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.

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.

Examples of an alignment assembly for loading a shipping container are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, the alignment assembly includes a base rotatably disposed on a pole and an alignment bracket moveably connected to the base. The alignment bracket may include a main support member connected to an alignment member. The alignment bracket is configured to permit the alignment member to be disposed substantially co-planer with a sidewall of the shipping container.

Railcar ramp systems and related methods are disclosed. An example railcar ramp system includes a carriage slidably coupled to a platform via a track guide. A ramp mover assembly is pivotally coupled to the carriage. The ramp mover assembly positionable between a stored position and an active position. In the active position, the ramp mover to enable movement of the carriage in a lateral direction along the track guide.