US 12,145,814 B2
Dock door automation system and method
Robert Paul Avalos, Ontario, CA (US)
Assigned to Niagara Bottling, LLC, Diamond Bar, CA (US)
Filed by NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC, Diamond Bar, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/059,296.
Application 18/059,296 is a continuation of application No. 16/883,324, filed on May 26, 2020, granted, now 11,511,952.
Application 16/883,324 is a continuation of application No. 16/138,442, filed on Sep. 21, 2018, granted, now 10,696,499, issued on Jun. 30, 2020.
Application 16/138,442 is a continuation of application No. 14/855,175, filed on Sep. 15, 2015, granted, now 10,106,342, issued on Oct. 23, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/051,632, filed on Sep. 17, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0166926 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65G 69/00 (2006.01); B60P 1/00 (2006.01); B60Q 9/00 (2006.01); B65G 69/28 (2006.01); E06B 3/44 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 69/003 (2013.01) [B60P 1/00 (2013.01); B60Q 9/00 (2013.01); B65G 69/006 (2013.01); B65G 69/2882 (2013.01); E06B 3/44 (2013.01); B65G 2207/40 (2013.01); G05B 2219/10 (2013.01); G05B 2219/2638 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for servicing a truck trailer at a docking bay, comprising:
a programmable logic controller (PLC) system configured to operate the docking bay to accept, secure, and release the truck trailer;
at least a first sensor and a second sensor to detect an angle between a centerline of the docking bay and the truck trailer during backing into the docking bay;
at least a third and fourth sensors to detect a distance between a wall of the docking bay and a rearmost portion of the truck trailer;
an outside lighting system in communication with the PLC system and configured to provide feedback to a truck driver after backing the truck trailer into the docking bay, the outside lighting system configured to operate in response to release signals from the PLC system;
a vehicle restraint system in communication with the PLC system and configured to disengage the truck trailer within the docking bay;
an overhead door in communication with the PLC system and configured to close once the truck trailer is disengaged by the vehicle restraint system;
a dock leveler in communication with the PLC system and configured to retract after the overhead door closes; and
an inside dock light in communication with the PLC system and configured to indicate a status of the truck trailer to dock personnel.