Rite-Hite Holding Corporation

Alan Mushynski

Matthew Sveum

Leonard Kikstra

Robert J Harter

Bradley J Stone

Jason Senfleben

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.

Apparatus and methods for sensing vehicle positioning and vehicle restraint movement

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.

Pedestrian-vehicle safety systems for loading docks

Wheel chock

Various example vehicle restraints for use at a loading dock for blocking and later releasing a vehicle's rear impact guard. In some examples, the vehicle restraint includes a hook-shaped barrier that rotates between a lowered position and a raised position. The barrier rotates up to block the rear impact guard and rotates down to release it. The barrier also translates or shifts forward and back between a retracted position and an extended position. The barrier shifts forward to relieve forward pressure that the vehicle might exert against the barrier just prior to releasing the rear impact guard.

Vehicle restraints with a barrier having rotational and translational motion

An example system includes pedestrian sensors to monitor a first pedestrian zone and a second pedestrian zone in front of a dock face of a loading dock. A first vehicle detector is to attempt to detect a vehicle near the first pedestrian zone and a second vehicle detector is to attempt to detect the vehicle near the second pedestrian zone. A sensor manager is to disable the first pedestrian zone when the first vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the first pedestrian zone and the at least one pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the first pedestrian zone. The sensor manager is to disable the second pedestrian zone when the second vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the second pedestrian zone and at least one of the at least pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the second pedestrian zone.

Example vehicle restraints with a barrier having rotational and translational motion are described. An example vehicle restraint includes a carriage frame movable vertically relative to the dock. A drive shaft is supported by the carriage frame. A drive unit is to rotate the drive shaft about a shaft axis and relative to the carriage frame. A hub is connected to rotate with the drive shaft about the shaft axis, the hub having an outer diameter surface that is radially off center relative to the shaft axis. A barrier defines a bore that encircles the outer diameter surface of the hub. The barrier is movable selectively to an extended position and a retracted position. The barrier being connected to move selectively to the extended position and the retracted position in response to relative rotation between the outer diameter surface of the hub and the bore of the barrier.

An example system includes pedestrian sensors to monitor a first pedestrian zone and a second pedestrian zone in front of a dock face of a loading dock. A first vehicle detector is to detect a vehicle near the first pedestrian zone and a second vehicle detector is to detect the vehicle near the second pedestrian zone. A sensor manager is to disable the first pedestrian zone when the first vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the first pedestrian zone and the at least one pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the first pedestrian zone. The sensor manager is to disable the second pedestrian zone when the second vehicle detector detects the vehicle approaching the second pedestrian zone and at least one of the at least pedestrian sensors does not detect the pedestrian in the second pedestrian zone.

Growing community of inventors

Brookfield, WI, United States of America

Alan Mushynski