Rite-hite Holding Corporation

Moore Fans LLC

Paul J Maly

Ronald P Snyder

Jason D Miller

Donald P Grant

Mark G Petri

Daniel M Anderson

Mike Gallenberger

Jason Dondlinger

Matthew C McNeill

Aaron J Wiegel

Bradley J Stone

Jason Senfleben

Joseph Manone

Tim Muhl

Mark R Swessel

Ronald W Bennett

Norbert Hahn

Joe Korman

James Hibbert Oates

Charles S Waugaman

Eric Bublitz

Paul D Rowlett

Daniel Quarles

James Oates

Matthew C Mcneill

Kyle E Nelson

Timothy J Schmidt

John D Moore

Don Grant

Ronald P Synder

Linda Kasper

Joseph A Manone

John Moore

Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example method includes moving a barrier via a vehicle restraint drive unit relative to a main body proximate the dock between a fully extended position to block the vehicle, a fully retracted position to release the vehicle, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position; monitoring a status of the barrier as the barrier moves through the plurality of intermediate positions; comparing the status to a reference value; determining that an event has occurred based on the comparison of the status and the reference value; and providing an output in response to determining that the event has occurred.

Monitoring vehicle restraints over a continuous range of positions

Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example vehicle restraint apparatus includes a barrier movable between a fully extended position to restrain a vehicle at a loading dock, a fully retracted position to release the vehicle, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully extended position and the fully retracted position. A sensor is mounted to the vehicle restraint apparatus, where the sensor is to monitor at least one of a barrier or a vehicle. The sensor includes a camera to capture an image of the at least one of the barrier or the vehicle. A controller is to receive the captured image from the camera, the controller to determine at least one of a characteristic of the at least one of the barrier or the vehicle.

Example vehicle restraint apparatus and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. An example vehicle restraint includes a main body proximate a dock, a vehicle restraint drive unit, and a barrier coupled to the vehicle restraint drive unit and the main body. The barrier is movable relative to the main body between an extended position, a retracted position, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the extended position and the retracted position. A sensor provides a plurality of position feedback signals corresponding to a plurality of sensed positions of the barrier when the barrier moves along the plurality of intermediate positions. A controller receives the plurality of position feedback signals, performs a plurality of comparisons of the plurality of position feedback signals with a stored reference, and generates an output signal based on the compared value.

Light fixture

Example light fixtures include one or more light transmitting illuminated rods that emit a series or array of discrete spots of light. Some example light fixtures disclosed herein include optical features that provide an intriguing, attention-getting affect that can be useful particularly in alerting personnel of certain conditions at a doorway of a truck loading dock. In some examples, the light transmitting rods are mechanically coupled to a housing that contains an LED light source. The mechanical coupling allows the illuminated rods to be readily replaced without disrupting with the operation or wiring of the light source. Some example light fixtures illuminate the cargo bay of a vehicle at the loading dock.

Light fixtures for doorways and other areas

A safety system for a truck loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a hazard at the loading dock such as a forklift operating inside the truck or a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some embodiments, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.

Alarm system for a loading dock

A retractable barrier system includes an example gear assembly that can be manipulated for rapidly deploying a flexible barrier, exerting high torque for the initial tightening of the barrier, maintaining high static tension in barrier when in use, and/or rapidly retracting barrier for storage. In some examples, the gear assembly is a worm drive with a worm that can be selectively disengaged from a worm gear. Other optional features of the barrier system include selective right-hand/left-hand configurations, an electric switch that can be added to indicate whether the barrier system is in use, an intermediate coupling that joins the distal ends of two barriers for creating an extra long barrier system, and removable vehicle-mounted posts for certain loading dock applications.

Retractable safety barriers and methods of operating same

A vertically moving door of a truck loading dock includes a disconnectable horizontal joint that provides the door with a barrier position, wherein an upper section of the door can be separated from a lower section to create a ventilation area between the two. The ventilation area allows fresh outside air to enter the building, while the lower section remains at its lowermost position for safety and security. More specifically, the lower section serves as a barrier that helps prevent someone or something from accidentally falling through the doorway when a truck is not present at the dock. A lightweight, resilient strap can be attached to the lower section of the door to help protect that section from an otherwise damaging impact. A lattice of straps or a mesh can be installed across the ventilation area to help secure the building against theft.

Vertically movable door with safety barrier

A bumper for use at a loading dock has two ranges of front-to-back movement: one range for sealing the gap that might otherwise exist between the rear edge of a truck and the front face of the bumper and a second range for absorbing the impact of the truck backing into the dock. In some cases, a spring provides a relatively light sealing force between the bumper and the truck, and a compressible core provides a much greater impact-absorbing force that helps stop the rearward movement of the truck. In some embodiments, the bumper pivots by gravity when operating in the sealing range.

Loading dock bumper with two-phase resistance

A large industrial ceiling fan includes exceptionally long fan blades with blade tips that can be tilted upward to more broadly distribute the air. Such broad distribution might be particularly beneficial in cases where the fan is installed relatively low to avoid obstacles such as hanging lights, sprinkler heads and rafters. A low mounting position is possible, because the fan is suspended from a hanger of adjustable length. The fan includes several joints that are redundantly bolted and welded for safety. A continuous retaining ring provides additional safety. A resilient bushing enhances the flexibility of the fan blades and reduces strain where the fan blades connect to a central mounting hub. To more broadly distribute the airflow underneath the fan, each fan blade has a twisted geometry to provide an angle of attack that decreases from the root to the tip of the blade.

Industrial ceiling fan

A safety system for a truck doorway such as a loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some embodiments, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.

A retractable barrier includes a rollup or otherwise retractable panel that can extend between two spaced apart support members. When not in use, the panel can retract onto one of the support members to permit passage. The barrier provides substantial impact resistance by having the reactive force of the impact transfer directly between the barrier's retractable panel and its support members without having to rely on the strength of the panel's take-up roller or the strength of the roller's anti-rotation mechanism. This can be accomplished by having a slot-engaging stop member mounted directly to the panel itself. The stop member is preferably a pipe, rod, bar or some other vertically elongate member that can broadly distribute an impact reactive force over the height of the panel. In some embodiments, the barrier can be set for various doorway widths by simply repositioning the stop member's location on the retractable panel.

Retractable safety barrier

Growing community of inventors

Mequon, WI, United States of America

Paul J Maly