ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 7 -- United States Patent no. 12,595,141, issued on April 7, was assigned to Niagara Bottling LLC (Diamond Bar, Calif.).
"Dock door automation system and method" was invented by Robert Paul Avalos (Ontario, Calif.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "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 ...