Vehicle proximity sensor for positioning a vehicle at a loading dock
AssigneeFedex Corporate Services, Inc.
InventorBrandon B. L. Parsons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A loading dock having a sensing device to determine proximity of a vehicle to the loading dock is disclosed. The loading dock includes a loading bay. The loading dock also includes a driving platform that receives a vehicle approaching the loading dock. The driving platform is positioned beneath the loading bay. The loading dock include a loading platform extending from the loading bay. The loading dock is equipped with a sensing device attached to the loading platform. The sensing device determines and monitors a distance between the vehicle and the loading platform. The loading dock also includes an indicating device that generates a signal when the distance between the vehicle and the loading platform is less than a threshold distance.
Claims34
A loading dock, comprising:
- a loading bay;
- a driving platform configured to receive a vehicle approaching the loading bay, wherein the driving platform is beneath the loading bay;
- a receiving platform configured to contact the vehicle, wherein the receiving platform is beneath the loading bay;
- a sensor attached to the loading bay, wherein the sensor is configured to determine if a distance between the vehicle and the loading bay is less than a threshold distance by detecting a change of position of the receiving platform;
- and
- an audible alert configured to sound or a light configured to turn on when the distance between the vehicle and the loading bay is less than the threshold distance.
A sensor, comprising:
- a base configured to be connected to a loading dock;
- a receiving platform configured to contact the vehicle, wherein the receiving platform is beneath the loading dock;
- a sensor attached to the base, wherein the sensor is configured to determine if a vehicle is at a distance less than a threshold distance from the loading dock by detecting a change of position of the receiving platform;
- and
- an audible alert configured to sound or a light configured to turn on when the vehicle is at the distance less than the threshold distance from the loading dock.
A method of sensing a proximity of a vehicle to a loading dock, the method comprising:
- moving the vehicle towards the loading dock on a driving platform associated with the loading dock;
- a receiving platform configured to contact the vehicle, wherein the receiving platform is beneath the loading dock;
- determining, using a sensor connectedly attached to the loading dock, a distance between the vehicle and the loading dock by detecting a change of position of the receiving platform;
- determining whether the distance is less than a threshold distance;
- and
- generating, using an audio or visual indicator, an indication if the distance is less than the threshold distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.