Fan-powered edge-of-dock leveler
First Claim
1. A dock leveler for use on a loading dock, the dock leveler comprising:
- a deck plate movable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein said deck plate is beyond a vertical position when in said raised position;
at least one biasing member for biasing said deck plate toward said lowered position when said deck plate is in said raised position; and
an air bag positioned under said deck plate and inflatable to move said deck plate from said lowered position to said raised position against said biasing member.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An edge-of-dock leveler includes a deck plate hingedly interconnected to a dock, a lip plate hingedly interconnected to the deck plate, an air pan mounted on the face of the dock to allow the air pan to rotate with respect to the dock, and a blower mounted on the air pan. The blower inflates an air bag that causes the air pan to rotate away from the dock face. A deck plate bearing is provided between the air pan and the deck plate, and causes the deck plate to rotate with the air pan. A locking arm hangs pendant from the lip plate until the deck plate has raised to a fully raised position, at which time the locking arm engages a bearing. The blower is turned off, allowing the air to escape the air bag, and the lip plate to extend as the air bag deflates.
53 Citations
5 Claims
-
1. A dock leveler for use on a loading dock, the dock leveler comprising:
-
a deck plate movable between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein said deck plate is beyond a vertical position when in said raised position;
at least one biasing member for biasing said deck plate toward said lowered position when said deck plate is in said raised position; and
an air bag positioned under said deck plate and inflatable to move said deck plate from said lowered position to said raised position against said biasing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification