Vertically-storing dock leveler apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dock leveler, comprising:
- a base assembly mountable to a surface of a dock floor;
a deck assembly configured to rotate between a generally vertical stored position to one or more lowered operating positions, wherein the deck assembly is pivotally coupled to said base assembly;
a spring counterbalance assembly operatively connected to the deck assembly and base assembly, wherein the spring counter balance assembly causes the deck assembly to be downwardly biased throughout the generally horizontal working range, and the deck assembly to be upwardly biased at positions above the working range;
a lever mechanism configured to raise the deck assembly toward a generally vertical stored position; and
a foot actuator operatively connected to the lever mechanism wherein an operator may raise the lever mechanism to an operative position by placing a foot on the foot actuator.
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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.
40 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dock leveler, comprising:
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a base assembly mountable to a surface of a dock floor; a deck assembly configured to rotate between a generally vertical stored position to one or more lowered operating positions, wherein the deck assembly is pivotally coupled to said base assembly; a spring counterbalance assembly operatively connected to the deck assembly and base assembly, wherein the spring counter balance assembly causes the deck assembly to be downwardly biased throughout the generally horizontal working range, and the deck assembly to be upwardly biased at positions above the working range; a lever mechanism configured to raise the deck assembly toward a generally vertical stored position; and a foot actuator operatively connected to the lever mechanism wherein an operator may raise the lever mechanism to an operative position by placing a foot on the foot actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A dock leveler, comprising:
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a base assembly mountable to a surface of a dock floor; a deck assembly configured to rotate between a generally vertical stored position to one or more lowered operating positions, wherein the deck assembly is pivotally coupled to said base assembly; a spring counterbalance assembly operatively connected to the deck assembly and base assembly, wherein the spring counter balance assembly causes the deck assembly to be downwardly biased throughout the generally horizontal working range, and the deck assembly to be upwardly biased at positions above the working range; a lever mechanism configured to raise the deck assembly toward a generally vertical stored position; and a ratchet mechanism configured to engage the lever mechanism and the deck assembly at more than one angle relative to one another, wherein the ratchet mechanism is configured to disengage the lever assembly from the deck assembly when the deck assembly is in the generally horizontal working range, and wherein the ratchet mechanism is configured to engage the lever mechanism with the deck assembly when the deck assembly is rotated above the working range. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification