Dock Leveler Deck Hinge Bracket With Threaded Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dock leveler designs face challenges such as complex and time-consuming installation processes due to the need for shimming multiple parts, lack of optimal stability, and limited adjustability to accommodate variations in pit or dock leveler specifications, leading to increased maintenance and costs over time.
Innovation Solution
The dock leveler design incorporates a bridge assembly with a pivotally movable lip, an adjustable leg bracket assembly featuring a threaded adjustment shaft, and a lip keeper system that allows for adjustment relative to the beam, enhancing stability and simplifying installation by reducing the number of parts and eliminating the need for shimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If shimming is used to level and stabilize the dock leveler, then installation precision is improved, but installation time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the shimming process entirely from the installation procedure. The dock leveler is designed with self-leveling features and pre-configured adjustment mechanisms that eliminate the need for separate shimming operations, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock leveler components are pre-adjusted and pre-configured during manufacturing to achieve proper leveling and alignment. This preliminary action ensures that installation requires minimal adjustment, eliminating the time-consuming shimming process while maintaining installation precision.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple parts are used in the dock leveler assembly, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components into integrated assemblies. For example, the leg bracket assembly integrates the leg, bracket, and adjustment mechanisms into a single unified structure, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining structural stability through cohesive design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dock leveler is designed with universal components that perform multiple functions. The leg bracket assembly, for instance, provides structural support, enables adjustment, and ensures stability simultaneously, reducing the need for separate dedicated parts for each function.
3Manufacturing precision
If the dock leveler is designed with fixed specifications, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to varying pit or dock specifications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dock leveler incorporates adjustable components such as the leg bracket assembly with threaded adjustment shafts and the lip keeper assembly with movable positioning. These dynamic features allow the fixed-manufacturing components to be field-adjusted to accommodate varying pit and dock specifications while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter adjustments in the field through mechanisms like threaded shafts for height adjustment and movable lip keepers for position adjustment. This allows the same manufactured component to adapt to different specifications by changing its dimensional parameters without requiring custom manufacturing.
4Manufacturing precision
If shimming and complex adjustment are required, then installation precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the shimming operation from the installation process entirely. The self-leveling design and integrated adjustment mechanisms allow installers to achieve precise alignment without the complex, time-consuming shimming procedure, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are pre-configured with adjustment mechanisms that simplify the installation process. The threaded adjustment shafts and movable assemblies are designed to be easily adjusted by installers without requiring complex shimming procedures, making precision installation more straightforward and easier to perform.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design improves installation efficiency, increases stability, and reduces maintenance costs by allowing for easier adjustments to accommodate varying dock and pit specifications, resulting in a more reliable and cost-effective dock leveler system.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded adjustment shaft may extend through the threaded hole of the horizontal plate and may be configured to adjust a height of the leg bracket assembly by rotation of the adjustment shaft relative to the horizontal plate
Implementation Method 2
a bridge assembly including a deck and a lip extendable from the deck, where the lip is pivotally movable between a stowed position and an extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A dock leveler for a loading dock. In some embodiments, the dock leveler may include a leg, a deck hinge bracket coupled to a top portion of the leg, a first stock plate coupled to the deck hinge bracket, and a deck hinge shaft coupled to the first stock plate. The first stock plate may extend upward from the deck hinge bracket and may extend along at least a portion of the length of the deck hinge bracket