Communications: electrical – Vehicle detectors
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-01
2001-12-11
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Vehicle detectors
C340S686100, C340S687000, C414S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329931
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to loading bay dock control.
It is common practice to provide warehouse loading bays with docks for receiving vehicles (particularly road vehicles) being loaded or unloaded. Typically, a road vehicle is reversed into the dock to allow it to be loaded or unloaded. The dock may incorporate various features to provide for ease of loading and unloading, for safety, and for insulation, particularly with refrigerated vehicles or buildings. Proper operation of the dock, to ensure safety of personnel, and to avoid damage to the vehicles or the goods, can require some care and concentration from an operator.
The present invention provides loading bay dock control apparatus comprising a plurality of activator means operable to activate respective functions of a loading bay dock with which the apparatus is in use, and coordinator means operable upon manual command to instruct operation of activator means in accordance with a pre-arranged sequence, therebeing inhibitor means associated with the coordinator means and pre-settable to selectively inhibit operation of activator means, the coordinator means being operable to interrogate the inhibitor means prior to instructing operation of any activator means, and to refrain from instructing operation of that activator means in the event that the inhibitor means so indicates.
Preferably the apparatus comprises manual primary control means operable to instruct the coordinator means to commence executing the sequence. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of manual activator control means corresponding with respective activator means and operable to instruct selective operation of individual activator means. The activator control means are preferably covered to prevent manual access except by removal of the cover. The cover may provide a control panel on which the primary control means is provided, whereby the primary control means is more easily accessed than the activator control means.
Preferably the inhibitor means comprises a plurality of inhibitor elements which may be individually interrogated by the control means, each inhibitor element corresponding with a respective activator means and having first and second states indicating respectively that the activator means is and is not available for operation within the sequence. The inhibitor elements may comprise switch arrangements. The switch arrangements may comprise electrical switches, removable elements, or data in a storage means.
Preferably activator means are provided for operation of at least one of (a) a truck latch or vehicle restraint device for retaining a vehicle; within the dock, (b) an inflatable airseal for sealing the dock around the vehicle; (c) a door of the dock: (d) a leveller device for bridging between the dock and the vehicle; (e) one or more sound or light indicators indicating the status of dock functions or of the sequence.
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Goins Davetta W.
Lefkowitz Edward
Smith-Hill and Bedell
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