In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling access to a facility including a movable barrier and a plurality of loading docks. The method includes receiving, from a user device associated with a vehicle, a check-in communication that includes a check-in identifier. The method includes receiving a verification communication that verifies a presence of the vehicle relative to a sensor associated with the movable barrier. The method further includes causing a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier to move the movable barrier between closed and open positions in response to the check-in identifier indicating authorization to access the facility and in response to receiving the verification communication. Further, the method includes selecting a particular loading dock from the plurality of loading docks and communicating a loading dock identification representative of the particular loading dock to the user device to direct the vehicle to the particular loading dock.

Systems and methods for the modification of loading dock environments are provided that allow trailers and shipping containers on chassis' to park at a loading dock with closed doors and have these doors opened into the loading dock environment and resealed while the trailer remains at the loading dock. A resilient, semi-rigid protective panel can also be removably attached to cover part of the inside face of an opened trailer door, so as to protect it from impact by equipment or goods as they pass into and out of the trailer.

In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling access to a facility including a movable barrier and a plurality of loading docks. The method includes receiving, from a user device associated with a vehicle, a check-in communication that includes a check-in identifier. The method includes receiving a verification communication that verifies a presence of the vehicle relative to a sensor associated with the movable barrier. The method further includes causing a movable barrier operator associated with the movable barrier to move the movable barrier between closed and open positions in response to the check-in identifier indicating authorization to access the facility and in response to receiving the verification communication. Further, the method includes selecting a particular loading dock from the plurality of loading docks and communicating a loading dock identification representative of the particular loading dock to the user device to direct the vehicle to the particular loading dock.

A dockboard featuring a hinged dock plate with a simplified design resembling a draw bridge, with one portion being a stationary dock plate bolted flat on a dock top in an unobstructing disposition, and a second portion being a movable dock plate, fixably connected to the first portion with hinges, which may be raised or lowered to extend or retract a continuous load-supporting floor plane enabling horizontal access from the dock top to the receiving or discharging vehicle. When in an inoperative, retracted position, the second, movable dock plate is circumferentially rotated by means of the hinge connection to rest at a resting position angle of between 60 and 80 degrees from the first, stationary dock plate. When in an operative, extended position, the movable dock plate is circumferentially rotated by means of the hinge connection to rest at a resting position of 180 degrees from the stationary dock plate, forming a continuous plane with stationaly dock plate. The movable dock plate is sloped outward from its connection to the stationary plate, at the hinge, approximately ten degrees over its span, in order to create an easily traversable slope for users. The lip of the movable plate is tapered, in order that it also slope outward at approximately ten degrees over its span, to create an easily traversable slope to the receiving or discharging vehicle.

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.

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.

Provided is a loading ramp having two or more ramp portions having progressively decreasing widths and each defining a recessed spaced. The loading ramp has an extended position where the two or more ramp portions are parallel to one another or angled relative to one another, and a folded position where one or more ramp portions are nested within another of the ramp portions such that the one or more ramp portions are disposed in the recessed spaced of the another ramp portion.

The vehicle leveler 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 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 has opposing side portions and a walkway. The opposing side portions include at least one or more lights which illuminate the leveler and the walkway.

Seal apparatus for dock levelers are disclosed. An example seal apparatus includes a compressible core defining a cavity, a cover to engage at portion of an outer surface of the compressible core, and a mounting bracket, the compressible core and the cover to couple to the mounting bracket.

A dock leveler with a lip hinge. The dock leveler may include a lip that may be disposed at a front portion of a deck. The deck and the lip may be connected via a joint to allow the lip to pivot relative to the deck. The joint may comprise a C-shaped shaft coupled to one of the lip and the deck. The C-shaped shaft may have a hollow interior and a radial opening to the hollow interior, the opening being less than 180 degrees. The joint may further comprise a pivot bar coupled to either the deck or the lip. The pivot bar may be pivotably disposed in the hollow interior of the C-shaped shaft in a manner allowing the lip to pivot relative to the deck between a down position and an up position.