Vertically-storing dock leveler apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A dock leveler comprising:
- a frame configured to be mounted to a loading dock;
a deck assembly having a top surface, the deck assembly pivotally mounted to the frame;
a counter balancing spring mounted at one end to the deck assembly and mounted to the frame at the other end, the counter balancing spring having a line of action located substantially above a pivot axis of the deck assembly; and
a curb attached to the deck assembly, the curb adjacent to the deck assembly along at least one side of the deck assembly, wherein the curb comprises a housing for the counter balancing spring and the counter balancing spring is housed, at least in part, by the curb.
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Abstract
A dock leveler for bridging the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. The dock leveler is configured for installation on the top of the dock and is designed to rotate from a vertically-stored raised position to at least one lowered, operative position. In some embodiments, the dock leveler can be lowered either for normal operation so that the deck assembly rests on the bed of the vehicle or it can be lowered to accommodate an end-loading condition.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A dock leveler comprising:
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a frame configured to be mounted to a loading dock; a deck assembly having a top surface, the deck assembly pivotally mounted to the frame; a counter balancing spring mounted at one end to the deck assembly and mounted to the frame at the other end, the counter balancing spring having a line of action located substantially above a pivot axis of the deck assembly; and a curb attached to the deck assembly, the curb adjacent to the deck assembly along at least one side of the deck assembly, wherein the curb comprises a housing for the counter balancing spring and the counter balancing spring is housed, at least in part, by the curb. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A dock leveler comprising:
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a frame configured to be mounted to a loading dock; a deck assembly having a top surface, the deck assembly pivotally mounted to the frame; a counter balancing spring mounted at one end to the deck assembly and mounted to the frame at the other end, the counter balancing spring having a line of action located substantially above a pivot axis of the deck assembly; a curb attached to the deck assembly, the curb adjacent to the deck assembly along at least one side of the deck assembly, wherein an end of the curb and the frame define a gap that varies in length with respect to the position of the deck assembly as it pivots on the frame; and
a cover configured to cover the gap. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification