Modular Loading Dock with Adjustable Feet for Grade Conformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dock levelers lack modularity, adjustability, and impact resistance, making them difficult to assemble, disassemble, and relocate, and they do not integrate well with conventional loading dock systems for safe and efficient cargo handling.
Innovation Solution
A modular loading dock with adjustable leg members and securement structures that allow independent adjustment of feet to conform to varying grades, combined with a modular frame that can be easily assembled, disassembled, and relocated, and integrated with conventional dock levelers for enhanced safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dock levelers are used, then the structure provides basic height adjustment, but the device lacks modularity and is difficult to assemble, disassemble, and relocate
Solution Approach 1:
The dock leveler is divided into modular components including a frame assembly, platform assembly, and leveler mechanism that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The frame includes separate leg members with adjustable feet that can be configured independently, allowing the system to be segmented for easier manufacturing, assembly, and relocation while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dock levelers are used, then the structure provides basic functionality, but the device lacks adjustability to conform to varying grades
Solution Approach 1:
The leg members incorporate adjustable feet with locking mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of the dock leveler's height and angle to conform to varying ground grades. The adjustment structures enable the feet to be positioned at different heights and locked in place, providing adaptability to different terrain conditions while using straightforward mechanical components rather than complex systems.
3Reliability
If conventional dock levelers are used, then the structure provides basic support, but the device lacks impact resistance for safe cargo handling
Solution Approach 1:
The frame assembly is constructed as a composite structure with interconnected leg members, cross bracing, and support beams that distribute impact forces throughout the entire framework. This composite structural approach enhances impact resistance and overall structural strength, allowing the dock leveler to safely handle cargo while maintaining reliability under load and impact conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and related method for a dock housing for a pre-existing loading dock. The dock housing includes a base with top and bottom surfaces and front, back and opposed sidewalls. The front wall has integral fork pockets for interaction with forks on a fork truck for movement of the base into a desired location and the top surface has an opening to receive a dock leveler into such opening. Also included is a modular frame mounted onto the base in sections, the sections including a frame-front wall, opposed frame-sidewalls and a frame-top wall, the frame-front wall having a trailer-receiving opening to receive a trailer, the frame-sidewalls including a slotted-base attachment for securement of the base and sidewalls together. The dock housing is formed by securing the frame-sidewalls to a wall of a pre-existing building as well as securing the base, the frame-front wall and the frame-top wall together.