Loading dock light system

• US 20030151912A1
• Filed: 02/09/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Ancel
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Ancel
• Inventors: Ancel, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,101,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/145
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/116 Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards F21V21/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames

Abstract

The present invention is a device, which illuminates light inside of a tractor trailer truck van and other loading vehicles at a loading dock during loading and unloading procedures. As professionals working with such vehicles understand, natural lighting is simply not enough to prevent serious loading and unloading accidents, primarily at the deep end of the truck trailer van body. The loading dock spot light of the present invention with its short body design helps prevent fork trucks from hitting and destroying it. The overall short body of the light structure is designed to stay out of the primary main path of the fork truck traffic, allowing the light emitted from the light bulb to just peek beyond the loading dock door seal edge. The present invention is a simple mechanical device, which reduces loading dock operator confusion during loading and unloading operation, maintenance, and repair.

Claims

1. :

A loading dock light system comprising one or more of the following;

pipe mount mount design assembly;

door jam mount design assembly;

short body structure design assembly;

adjustable hinge swing tension design assembly;

horizontal axis design assembly;

cool to the touch body design assembly;

adjustable fixed bulb design assembly; and

Par 30 light bulb application design.

3. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said mounting of the pipe bollard light fixture allows the light to swing in front of the bollard in the working position.

4. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said mounting of the pipe bollard light fixture allows the light to swing in behind of the bollard out of the working position.

5. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said mounting of the door jamb light fixture allows the light to swing in behind of the door seal and up against the door jamb out of the working position and traffic zone.

6. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said mounting of the door jamb light fixture allows the light to swing away from the door jamb and in working position.

7. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said adjusting the hinge swing adjustment of the pipe bollard light fixture allows the light to swing out and behind of the bollard out of traffic with a predetermined amount of swing pressure.

8. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said adjusting the hinge swing adjustment of the pipe bollard light fixture allows the light to swing in front of the bollard in working position with a predetermined amount of swing pressure.

9. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said adjusting the hinge swing adjustment of the door jamb light fixture allows the light to swing out and away from the door jamb in working position with a predetermined amount of swing pressure.

10. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said adjusting the hinge swing adjustment of the door jamb light fixture allows the light to swing in and to door jamb out of traffic with a predetermined amount of swing pressure.

11. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said mounting of the pipe bollard light fixture allows the light to swing in front of the bollard and behind the bollard without extension arms or tubes.

12. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein said mounting of the door jamb light fixture allows the light to swing in behind the door seal up to the door jamb and away from the door jamb working position without extension arms or tubs.

13. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein the head mounts to the hinge assembly structure without the requirements of arms or tubes.

14. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein the head design of bulb location, frame design, and cooling holes provides a cool surface to the touch.

15. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1 wherein the light bulb is mounted in a adjustable fixed head design.

16. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1, wherein said hinge design of the light fixture includes a horizontal axis swing design allowing the light fixture to swing in and out on a fixed horizontal plane without sagging.

17. :

A loading dock light according to claim 1, wherein said design of the light fixture includes a standard par 30 light bulb.

2. :

A loading dock light wherein the mounting design works with a pipe bollard or a door jamb installation.

18. A loading dock spot light comprising:

a light body,

a light source,

mounting means,

means to prevent burns to loading dock personnel,

means to convert from left to right hand mounting; and

means for connecting to an electrical source.

19. A loading dock spot light according to claim 18 having a light body comprising a housing, a frame, and means to mount a light source.

20. A loading dock spot light according to claim 19 wherein said housing provides protection to all internal elements.

21. A loading dock spot light according to claim 19 wherein said frame provides means to mount said light body to a permanent structure, and provides means to mount all components of said light body.

22. A loading dock spot light according to claim 19 wherein said means to mount a light source comprises an internal fixture.

23. A loading dock spot light according to claim 22 wherein said internal fixture has a predetermined vertical and horizontal mounting angle which aims the light for optimum coverage inside a semi tractor trailer van.

24. A loading dock spot light according to claim 18 having a light source which is preferred to be a standard small diameter par 30 halogen light bulb.

25. A loading dock spot light according to claim 18 having mounting means comprising a mounting plate, hinges, and fasteners.

26. A loading dock spot light according to claim 25 wherein said mounting plate comprises a is either curved to fit on a pipe bollard in the case of the pipe mounted light.

27. A loading dock spot light according to claim 25 wherein said hinges permit free angular rotational motion of said spot light while providing means for it to remain firmly in one position if desired.

28. A loading dock spot light according to claim 25 wherein said fasteners comprise elements selected from bolts, nuts, and washers.

29. A loading dock spot light according to claim 28 wherein said washers includes at least one which is made from a rubber or other elastometric material which material will provide resistance to motion when said nut and bolt are tightened.

30. A loading dock spot light according to claim 18 including safe handling means comprising vent holes and internal free air space.

31. A loading dock spot light according to claim 30 wherein said vent holes are located in the housing and frame area so as to allow hot air to escape from said housing.

32. A loading dock spot light according to claim 30 wherein said internal free air space is sufficient to allow diffusion of radiant and convective heat from said halogen light bulb prior to being transferred to said housing and frame.

33. A loading dock spot light according to claim 18 wherein the means to convert said spot light from left hand to right hand mounting without additional parts.

34. A loading dock spot light according to claim 33 wherein said means to convert comprises a plurality of internal mounting studs which allows said light fixture to be mounted in one of two positions to maintain said horizontal and vertical mounting angles.

35. A loading dock spot light according to claim 18 having means to connect said spot light to a source of electrical power comprising a length of electrical cable passing through said housing.

36. A loading dock spot light according to claim 25 wherein said mounting plate comprises a flat portion to fit a door jamb in the case of the door jamb mounted light.