Dock leveler lip providing multi-position barrier
AssigneeRite-Hite Holding Corporation
InventorMichael Swessel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions and does so at multiple deck elevations. In the blocking positions, the lip provides a safety barrier that helps prevent material and material handling equipment from accidentally falling off the front edge of the deck when a truck is not present at the dock. The lip can serve as the safety barrier when the deck is at its stored, cross-traffic position or when the deck is at a below-dock position for end loading operations. If required, the lip can be lowered below the top surface of the deck so as not to provide an obstacle during some below-dock end loading operations.
Claims20
A dock leveler, comprising:
- a deck being movable to vertically move a front edge of the deck, wherein the deck is selectively movable to a cross-traffic position, a first below-dock position, and a second below-dock position, wherein the first below-dock position is between the cross-traffic position and the second below-dock position;
- and
- a lip coupled to the front edge of the deck, wherein the lip includes a back edge that protrudes farther above the front edge when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position than when the deck is resting at the second below-dock position.
A dock leveler, comprising:
- a deck being pivotal to linearly move a front edge of the deck, wherein the deck is selectively movable to a cross-traffic position, a first below-dock position, and a second below-dock position, wherein the first below-dock position is between the cross-traffic position and the second below-dock position;
- and
- a lip coupled to the front edge of the deck such that the lip can both pivot and linearly translate relative thereto, wherein the lip includes a back edge that:
- i. protrudes above the front edge when the deck is resting at the cross-traffic position,
- ii. protrudes above the front edge when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position, and
- iii. protrudes farther above the front edge when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position than when the deck is resting at the second below-dock position.
A method of moving a dock leveler that includes a lip coupled to a deck, wherein the deck is movable above and below a cross-traffic position, the method comprising:
- lowering the deck below the cross-traffic position;
- and
- lowering the deck relative to the lip so that the lip protrudes above the deck when the deck is at a first below-dock position that is below the cross-traffic position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.