Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler
US10947069B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G69/287
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for monitoring a dock leveler are disclosed herein. One example dock leveler system for use at a doorway of a loading dock, where a body is sometimes present at the loading dock, includes a deck movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The example dock leveler system also includes a sensor having a field of view extending over the deck when the deck is in the lowered position. The sensor is in a normal state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is off the deck, the sensor is in a triggered state when the deck is in the lowered position while the body is on the deck interrupting the field of view, and the sensor is in the triggered state when the deck is in the raised position with the deck interrupting the field of view regardless of whether the body is on or off the deck.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.