Loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system

• US 20050028723A1
• Filed: 08/16/2004
• Published: 02/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Ancel
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Ancel
• Inventors: Ancel, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US10/918,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20050028723A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/202
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 69/2882 operated by detectors or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2454 Checking of authorisation of a person accessing tagged items in an EAS system

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.

Claims

1. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system comprising:

a truck control notification automation system;

sensing means;

at least one traffic signal dock light;

at least one loading dock spot light;

at least one loading dock fan;

at least one dock leveler; and

an electrical control panel to be electrically fed by at least one power source.

2. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein the power source is selected from 480 Volt, 3 phase;

208 Volt, 3 Phase; and

120 V, 1 phase electricity.

3. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises sensing means selected from a limit switch, photo eye, magnetic switch, and a laser.

4. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 3 including selector switches which are energized or de-energized with full automation by the movement of said overhead door.

5. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said electrical control panel enclosure is mounted on the interior wall of the building next to the loading dock door.

6. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 5 wherein said electrical control panel enclosure 5 includes electrical means for servicing one or two loading dock doors.

7. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 6 wherein said electrical control panel enclosure includes nomenclature on a face panel on the outside front for easy operating instructions.

8. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 7 wherein said electrical control panel enclosure includes at least one a terminal strip for easy wire hookup.

9. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 4 wherein said selector 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.

10. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 3 wherein said sensing means are triggered and activated by loading dock door motion and energizing the selector switches located in said loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system enclosure for the dock leveler, loading dock fan and loading dock spot light.

11. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 which includes traffic signal dock lights mounted inside and outside the loading dock doors.

12. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 11 wherein said inside traffic signal dock lights automatically change from red to green and said outside traffic signal dock lights automatically change from green to red as the loading door is raised.

13. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 12 wherein 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 door is lowered.

14. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 13 wherein said inside traffic signal dock light colors are always opposite from the outside traffic signal dock lights.

15. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 3 wherein all selector switches in the control panel are energized and operable only when the loading dock door is raised.

16. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 10 wherein said dock leveler and loading dock fan selector switch operates with one selector switch.

17. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 16 wherein said dock leveler operates by turning the selector switch as a momentary contact to the left as on and is spring center off, said loading dock fan operates as lock on to the right and center off.

18. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 17 wherein said loading dock spot light selector switch operates lock on to the right and lock off to the left.

19. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 15 wherein as the loading dock door is lowered with said selector switches are selected with the on energized position, the dock leveler and loading dock fan selector switch, the loading dock spot light selector switch all become de-energized and inoperable.

20. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 19 wherein the dock leveler, loading dock fan and loading dock spot light all turn off.

21. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means senses a truck has entered a sensing zone in front of the loading dock and electrically responds inside and outside the building.

22. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein a computer database network and dock attendants inside the building are notified when a truck has backed up to the dock.

23. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said computer database network includes movement of any truck in front of a specific dock.

24. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 including means for barcode reading the truck for traffic control management, delivery time management, inventory control and loss prevention.

25. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means activates (RFID) radio frequency identification.

26. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means activates (SAW) surface acoustic wave technology.

27. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means activates an alarm if a truck prematurely pulls away from the dock before loading or unloading is complete and dock door is not closed.

28. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means will signal and alert the truck driver with one or more of the following devices:

a warning beacon strobe located in the cab of the truck;

a warning beacon strobe located on the truck;

the truck horn is activated;

the transmission of the truck is locked;

the brakes of the truck are locked;

an independent signal warning device in front of the truck is activated;

the truck driver is notified on his truck radio, the truck driver is notified on his phone, pager, radio or other communication devices; and

/or an audio alarm inside the cab of the truck is activated.

29. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 including sensing means which notifies a dock attendant inside the truck trailer of unauthorized truck movement by means of a safety alarm light inside the truck trailer, and/or an audio alarm inside the truck trailer.

30. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means notifies a forklift driver of unauthorized truck movement by means of a beacon alarm;

a strobe on a forklift;

an audio alarm on the forklift; and

/or the phone, pager, radio or other communication devices.

31. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein as the loading dock door is lowered, the truck control notification automation system automates a reverse signal and all alarm warning notices to the truck, truck driver, loading dock worker and forklift driver are reversed.

32. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein a traffic signal dock light step down transformer is installed inside the loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel.

33. A loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel system according to claim 1 wherein the traffic signal dock light flasher is installed inside the loading dock traffic automation and inventory control panel, thus eliminating the inside traffic signal dock light.