US 11,892,818 B2
Dock door automation systems and methods
Luis Ramos, Ontario, CA (US); Alex Sigala, Ontario, CA (US); Ken Cooper, Irvine, CA (US); Sergio Falcon, Irvine, CA (US); and Ken Cooper, IV, Irvine, CA (US)
Assigned to Niagara Bottling, LLC, Diamond Bar, CA (US)
Filed by Niagara Bottling, LLC, Ontario, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/656,509.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/782,243, filed on Dec. 19, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/747,063, filed on Oct. 17, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0125074 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
Int. Cl. G05B 19/41 (2006.01); G05B 19/4155 (2006.01); E05F 15/73 (2015.01); B65G 69/28 (2006.01)
CPC G05B 19/4155 (2013.01) [B65G 69/287 (2013.01); E05F 15/73 (2015.01); E05F 2015/763 (2015.01); E05F 2015/765 (2015.01); E05Y 2900/132 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/516 (2013.01); G05B 2219/40062 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated docking bay for servicing a truck trailer, the docking bay comprising:
a programmable logic controller system configured to operate the docking bay;
a plurality of sensors configured to detect an orientation of the truck trailer with respect to the docking bay;
an outside lighting system configured to provide feedback to a truck driver during backing the truck trailer into the docking bay;
a vehicle restraint system configured to fixate the truck trailer within the docking bay;
an overhead door configured to open once the truck trailer is fixated by the vehicle restraint system;
a dock leveler configured to deploy after the overhead door opens; and
a human machine interface system in communication with the programmable logic controller system and the plurality of sensors.