Patent ID: 6975226

Claim:
An automatic loading dock controller, comprising: (a) a control panel for providing a common area for operator controls and signals; (b) operator signal lights located on the control panel and operatively connected to the loading dock apparatus for signaling an operator that an automatic loading dock is at least one of ready for loading, not ready for loading, and operator be cautioned; (c) a first operation control attached to the control panel, wherein the first operation control, when activated, engages a vehicle restraint, opens a dock door, raises a dock leveler and lowers the dock leveler to an operative or stored position, and extend and retract a lip portion of the dock leveler; (d) a second operation control attached to the control panel, wherein the second operation control, when activated, closes a dock door, and disengages a vehicle restraint; (e) a programmable controller configured to selectively cause the first operation control to control the vehicle restraint, the dock door and the dock leveler according to a preprogrammed program, and selectively cause the second operation control to control a lip portion of a dock leveler, close the dock door and disengage a vehicle restraint according to a preprogrammed program; (f) a third operation control attached to the control panel, wherein the third operation control is an emergency stop control configured to stop operation of the loading dock apparatus; and (g) a vehicle restraint bypass switch located on the control panel, wherein the vehicle restraint bypass switch is configured to selectively bypass the dock loading apparatus causing the controller to not engage and disengage the vehicle restraint to a vehicle, but activate the operator control signal light to indicate at least one of loading dock ready for loading, operator be cautioned; and loading dock not ready for loading, and proceed with a next operation in a sequence of operations.