System and method for automated opening of trailer doors

Abstract

This invention provides a station for opening trailer swing doors that uses a sled with a manipulator arm and associated end effector/tool to perform the unlocking of the trailer lock rod, swinging open of the door, holding the door in the opened position and applying an resilient/flexible/springy retention clip thereto. The sled moves into and out of a confronting position relative to the trailer rear/doors to allow that trailer to drive into or out of the station at the beginning or end of the task. Closing of doors can also be performed at the station in the reverse order of steps. The door retention clip can be adapted with features that allow it to perform the various opening and closing tasks herein. The station can include tracks for guiding the sled between a non-interfering and interfering position with respect to the path of travel of the truck/trailer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.