Vertically-storing dock leveler apparatus and method

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to, and is a continuation-in-part, of U.S. patent applications entitled, “Vertically-Storing Dock Leveler Apparatus and Method” and “Spring Counterbalance Method and Apparatus for Variably Biasing a Dock Leveler”, filed May 27, 2003, and Sep. 22, 2003, respectively, having a Ser. Nos. 10 / 444,971 and 10 / 664,971 respectively, (both still pending) the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to dock levelers. More particularly the present invention relates to vertically-storing dock levelers. The present invention also relates to dock levelers that do not require a pit for installation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Dock levelers are used at loading docks to bridge the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a vehicle parked at the loading dock to facilitate the loading or unloading of the vehicle...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an apparatus and method for bridging the gap between a dock and a vehicle backed into a dock. The apparatus includes a vertically-storing deck assembly pivotally connected to a base assembly, with a moveable pivot axis that can shift to change the length of the bridge formed by the deck assembly. The apparatus also includes a lip assembly pivotally attached to the deck assembly, which can be moved from a position above the dock to a position below the dock to vary the length of the bridge. The method includes operating the vertically-storing deck assembly between its vertical stored position and its lowered operating positions. The apparatus and method provide a cost-effective solution for bridging the gap between a dock and a vehicle, with greater range and steeper grades than other solutions."

Problems solved by technology

Pit-style dock levelers can be expensive to install due to the expense of the pit.

Pit-style dock levelers, particularly horizontally-storing pit-style dock levelers, can also have the drawback of being more difficult to ensure security and environmental control.

A drawback of edge-of-dock levelers is that they can have limited range above and below dock and steeper grades due to their relatively short lengths for fork trucks traveling over them.

The spring counterbalance tends to urge the dock leveler into the stored, vertical position.

A drawback of the above-described dock levelers is that the spring counterbalance upwardly biases the dock leveler throughout the rotation of the dock leveler.

Accordingly, rotation of the dock leveler downward is made more difficult because the motion is against the force of the spring.

Another drawback of the above-described dock levelers is that they require additional components such as the arm and cam roller.

There is a risk that the dock leveler may unexpectedly raise if used with a transport vehicle that has a bed higher than a given working range of a particular dock leveler.

As a result some dock levelers may inadvertently raise to an upwardly biased position and raise above the bed of the transport vehicle.

This elevated position of the dock leveler would be undesirable for loading freight on and off a vehicle.

Another limitation of some dock levelers is that because the dock leveler is downwardly biased throughout the generally horizontal working range, it therefore requires great effort to lift it from the horizontal position.

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