US 12,234,111 B2
Systems and methods for automated loading and unloading at a dock station
Richard K. Hoofard, Dallas, TX (US); Daryl Day, Frisco, TX (US); and L. Blake Whitley, Arlington, TX (US)
Assigned to ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems AB, Landskrona (SE)
Filed by ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems AB, Landskrona (SE)
Filed on Sep. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/475,039.
Application 17/475,039 is a continuation of application No. 16/259,713, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, granted, now 11,142,413.
Prior Publication US 2022/0144564 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. B65G 67/04 (2006.01); B65G 67/24 (2006.01); B65G 69/24 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 67/04 (2013.01) [B65G 67/24 (2013.01); B65G 69/24 (2013.01); G05D 1/0225 (2013.01); G05D 1/0229 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A charging system for an automated material lift truck (AMT) at a loading dock station, the charging system comprising:
a charging connection mounted to the AMT and electrically connected to an onboard power supply of the AMT, wherein the charging connection comprises a connection plate and a guide plate positioned in opposing relation to the connection plate, the connection plate and the guide plate defining a space therebetween, and wherein the connection plate is resiliently movable relative to the guide plate;
a dock leveler configured to operably extend into a trailer positioned at the loading dock station, the dock leveler including—
a deck portion; and
at least one AMT charging rail extending from the deck portion and configured to contact the connection plate to electrically connect the power supply of the AMT to the AMT charging rail,
wherein the AMT is configured to automatically connect the charging connection to the AMT charging rail when the AMT moves across the dock leveler.