Master control panel for loading dock equipment

#The present invention relates generally to control panels for loading dock equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a simplified and unified control panel for operating loading dock equipment.

#This invention is a master control panel which simplifies the operation of loading dock equipment. In addition to having a dock leveler and overhead door, a loading dock may also have a vehicle restraint, loading light, barrier gate and inflatable shelter. If the various devices are power operated rather than manually operated, the wall beside the doorway may be cluttered with various control panels. Not only is the space between doors often very restricted, but the cost of the electrical installation can be significant. This situation can be improved with the installation of a combination control panel which includes all of the controls in a single enclosure. The combination panel not only saves space but may also reduce the cost of electrical installation. One criticism of existing combination panels has been that the operator may be confused by the various number of switches and push buttons, and the proper sequence of operation.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a loading dock with a driveway 1, dock wall 2, dock floor 3. A pit 4 is recessed in the floor 3. A dock leveler assembly 10 has a deck assembly 11, and a frame assembly 12 which is mounted in the pit 4. Lip keepers 14 are mounted to the front of the frame. The rear of a deck assembly 11 pivots on the frame assembly 12 and has a lip hinge 13 at the front. A lip assembly 15 is supported at one end by the lip hinge 13 and has the other end resting on the lip keepers 14.

#FIG. 1 a perspective view of a loading dock with dock leveler, door, vehicle restraint, barrier gate, loading light and inflatable shelter;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of a typical dock wall with multiple control panels;

#FIG. 3 is a front view of combination control panel having multiple controls for different pieces of equipment;

#In accordance with a first optional embodiment of the invention, FIG. 4 shows a control panel 70a which operates a hydraulic dock leveler 10, FIG. 1, vehicle restraint 20 and power operated door 18. The panel has a selector switch 71 with three positions, Restraint, Door, Dock Leveler, push buttons 72, 73 and 74, (which may be referred to as operation controls, in other embodiments the operation controls may include other types of operation controls than push buttons such as levers, switches, turn key operators or other common input devices) and three indicator lights 75, 76, 77. An array of 6 operating symbols 81 through 86 indicate the operational functions of each button. Three lights 65, 66 and 67 (which may be referred to as operator signal lights) which are red, amber and green respectively, indicate to the dock operator the status of the vehicle restraint. A selector switch 78 provides an bypass for the vehicle restraint 20 similar to the Lights Only position of the selector switch 51 on the conventional vehicle restraint control panel 50.

#The normal operating sequence of the dock equipment is in the same order as described above, but there are fewer control buttons and the operation sequence is presented in a more logical sequence. The interior lights 65, 66 and 67, and the exterior lights 24 and 25 have the same functions for all of the control panels in this application and will not be described again.

#The operator turns the selector switch 71 to Restraint. The indicator light 75 is illuminated to indicate that the symbols for the vehicle restraint, 81 and 82 in the first column, are in effect.