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Loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system

a technology for inventory control and loading docks, applied in the direction of individual entry/exit registers, lighting and heating apparatus, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of prone to failure of limit switches, high installation and maintenance costs, and high capital equipment costs of truck restraints, so as to achieve the effect of without the expense of a truck restrain

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-02-10
ANCEL THOMAS A
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system of the present invention automates the loading dock area by controlling a truck control notification automation system, traffic signal dock lights, loading dock spot light, loading dock fan and dock leveler. The manually operated control panel is energized or de-energized with full automation by the movement of the overhead dock door. The device includes a control panel enclosure mounted on the interior wall of the building next to the loading dock door. One control panel enclosure can service one or two loading dock doors. The selector switches for the dock leveler, loading dock fan and loading dock spot light are inoperable when the loading dock door is in the down and closed position. As the loading dock door is raised, a sensing means is triggered and activated, therefore energizing the selector switches located in the control panel enclosure for the dock leveler, loading dock fan and loading dock spot light. As the loading dock door is raised the inside traffic signal dock lights automatically change from red to green and the outside traffic signal dock lights automatically change from green to red. As the loading dock door is raised the truck control notification automation system automatically updates the computer traffic database, bar code scans the truck, activates (RFID) radio frequency identification, activates (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology while changing to alert and alarm not to depart. All selector switches are operable when the loading dock door is raised. If the loading dock door is lowered when the switches are in the on energized position, all selector switches become inoperable again and all components turn off that are associated with each specific selector switch, thus saving energy. As the loading dock door is lowered the inside traffic signal dock lights automatically change from green to red and the outside traffic signal dock lights automatically change from red to green. As the loading dock door is lowered the truck control notification automation system updates the computer traffic database, bar code scans the truck, activates (RFID) radio frequency identification, activates (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology while automatically changing to free to depart alert and alarm signal.

Problems solved by technology

Truck restraints are expensive capital equipment.
They are expensive to install and maintain (with parts and labor).
It relies on a plurality of electro-mechanical relays and limit switches which may be prone to failure.
Such a device is expensive to install and maintain.
Such a device is expensive to install and maintain.
Such a device is expensive to install and maintain.

Method used

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  • Loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system
  • Loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system
  • Loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0031]FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate the 480 Volt, 3 Phase, 60 Hz embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0032] The standard loading dock control panel for electrical dock levelers are usually one single control box system supplied with each individual specific piece of dock leveler equipment. Traditionally, control boxes are made to manually operate one specific piece of equipment. Loading dock fans and loading dock lights usually are supplied with a cord and plug for an electrical outlet.

[0033] An advantage of the present invention is to operate loading dock equipment, track shipments and track inventory simultaneously through an automation state with or without a manual process. As a safety feature and energy saver, the manual process must be energized to function by way of the automation process.

[0034] The automation dock door equipment process is controlled by a sensing means such as a limit switch, photo eye, motion detector, magnetic switch, or laser. These device...

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PUM

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Abstract

The loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system of the present invention automates the loading dock area by controlling a truck control notification automation system, traffic signal dock lights, loading dock spot light, loading dock fan and dock leveler. The manually operated control panel is energized or de-energized with full automation by the movement of the overhead dock door. The device includes a control panel enclosure mounted on the interior wall of the building next to the loading dock door. One control panel enclosure can service one or two loading dock doors.

Description

I FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to apparatus for automating loading and dock traffic control. II BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Truck restraints are expensive capital equipment. They are expensive to install and maintain (with parts and labor). Traffic signal dock lights have been an economical alternative. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,571 discloses an automatic loading dock. This concept comprises an automatic dock leveler and dock light, but has no provisions for a ventilation fan, traffic control lights, or an inventory control system. It relies on a plurality of electro-mechanical relays and limit switches which may be prone to failure. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,755 discloses a loading dock signal and control system. This concept includes traffic control lights as the sole means of communicating to personnel the status of a truck being loaded or unloaded. In addition, this concept comprises a releaseable locking device for preventing a truck from leavin...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B65G69/28G06Q10/00
CPCB65G69/2882G06Q10/08G08B13/2454G07C9/00007G07C1/10G07C9/20
Inventor ANCEL, THOMAS A.
Owner ANCEL THOMAS A
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