A turntable assembly for a cargo bay floor including: three omni-directional wheel assemblies oriented in a triangular orientation forming a triangle with one of the three omni-directional wheel assemblies at each corner of the triangle, wherein each of the three omni-directional wheel assemblies include: an omni wheel; and a motor operably connected to the omni wheel, the motor being configured to rotate the omni wheel.

Various example embodiments described herein relate to an item conveying apparatus. The item conveying apparatus can include a lift device suspended from a ceiling. Further, the item conveying apparatus can include a conveyor. The conveyor can be at least partially engaged with the lift device. The lift device can cause manipulation of a position of the conveyor. Further, the conveyor can include a conveyor frame and multiple conveyor segments. The multiple conveyor segments can define a conveying surface for conveying an item. In this aspect, in an example, at least one conveyor segment can be adapted to (a) extend outwards from the conveyor frame to move the conveyor into an operational position and (b) retract, inwards within the conveyor frame to move the conveyor into a parking position.

Parcel loaders and methods. A parcel loader includes a control system and a conveyor under the control of the control system that is configured to receive a plurality of parcels to be loaded into a container. The parcel loader includes a vertically-adjustable positioning conveyor under the control of the control system and configured to receive the plurality of parcels from the conveyor. The parcel loader includes a plurality of finger conveyors under the control of the control system and configured to place the plurality of parcels in a parcel stack in the container. The finger conveyors can independently extend and retract from the positioning conveyor. The parcel loader can also include upper or lower stack constraints.

Parcel loaders and methods. A parcel loader includes a control system and a conveyor under the control of the control system that is configured to receive a plurality of parcels to be loaded into a container. The parcel loader includes a vertically-adjustable positioning conveyor under the control of the control system and configured to receive the plurality of parcels from the conveyor. The parcel loader includes a plurality of finger conveyors under the control of the control system and configured to place the plurality of parcels in a parcel stack in the container. The finger conveyors can independently extend and retract from the positioning conveyor. The parcel loader can also include upper or lower stack constraints.

A vehicle restraining mechanism for a loading dock system includes a restraint assembly having a barricade member that is rotationally operable between a stored position, a blocking position and a verification position. The barricade member in the blocking position selectively secures a vehicle relative to a wall of a loading dock. A linear actuator laterally operates the barricade member along a linear path of travel that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the barricade member. A sensor is in communication with at least one of the linear actuator and the barricade member. The sensor and the linear actuator cooperate to position the barricade member relative to a rear impact guard of a vehicle that is parked at the loading dock.

A vehicle restraining mechanism for a loading dock system includes a restraint assembly having a barricade member that is rotationally operable between a stored position, a blocking position and a verification position. The barricade member in the blocking position selectively secures a vehicle relative to a wall of a loading dock. A linear actuator laterally operates the barricade member along a linear path of travel that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the barricade member. A sensor is in communication with at least one of the linear actuator and the barricade member. The sensor and the linear actuator cooperate to position the barricade member relative to a rear impact guard of a vehicle that is parked at the loading dock.

The present invention provides an automatic loading apparatus including a loading platform and a transfer plate. The transfer plate includes a rolling portion and a ramp portion. The rolling portion includes plural roller modules. Each of the roller modules includes a metal frame and plural upper rollers and lower rollers disposed in the metal frame. An upper surface of the transfer plate is made up of the upper rollers, and a lower surface of the transfer plate is made up of the lower rollers. The ramp portion is connected to the rolling portion and arranged on one end of the transfer plate.

The present invention provides an automatic loading apparatus including a loading platform and a transfer plate. The transfer plate includes a rolling portion and a ramp portion. The rolling portion includes plural roller modules. Each of the roller modules includes a metal frame and plural upper rollers and lower rollers disposed in the metal frame. An upper surface of the transfer plate is made up of the upper rollers, and a lower surface of the transfer plate is made up of the lower rollers. The ramp portion is connected to the rolling portion and arranged on one end of the transfer plate.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for sensing RIG positioning and vehicle restraint movement. An example method includes determining a presence of a RIG and enabling a barrier to move to an operational position when the RIG is present.