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This is a record of a document published elsewhere, first published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as US-12595141-B2, on 7 April 2026. OpenTechnical did not first disclose it. The identifier, hashes and timestamps below record what this library served and when, not when the material became public. View the original.

OT-2026-000001127

Dock door automation system and method

Published
Permanent URL
Classification
Material Handling › Conveying Systems
Inventors
AVALOS ROBERT PAUL
Assignee
NIAGARA BOTTLING LLC
Original source
US-12595141-B2, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, 7 April 2026
Document SHA-256
c8c7256e622ccd70ee8a606dc98c9611d01d67e11e976661e79022f73f2b665f

Abstract

A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

Publication information

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Citation

OpenTechnical Publication OT-2026-000001127, “Dock door automation system and method,” published September 15, 2026 at 19:03:54 UTC, https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000001127.

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This record reproduces a document published elsewhere and is provided for reference and study. Rights in the original remain with its owner. See the publication policy.