Support leg system and method for supporting a dock leveler

A support system for a dock leveler having a ramp, comprising:

• a support leg attached to the ramp;
• a camming surface;
• and,
• a first cam aligned to engage said camming surface and movably attached to said support leg such that said first cam is configured to move substantially linearly from a first position to a second position when the ramp descends at least as fast as a predetermined rate and said first cam engages said camming surface, wherein said first cam is biased to said first position and is configured to maintain said first position when the ramp descends slower than the predetermined rate.

A support system for a dock leveler having a ramp, comprising:

• means for supporting the ramp attached to the ramp;
• means for camming;
• and,
• engaging means aligned to engage said camming means and movably attached to said supporting means such that said engaging means is configured to move substantially linearly from a first position to a second position when the ramp descends at least as fast as a predetermined rate and said engaging means engages said camming means, wherein said engaging means is biased to said first position and is configured to maintain said first position when the ramp descends slower than the predetermined rate.

A method of operating a dock leveler ramp comprising the steps of:

• providing a dock leveler with a support leg biased to a supporting position;
• configuring the support leg to retract when the dock leveler ramp descends slower than a predetermined speed by moving a cam along a camming surface;
• and
• configuring the cam to not move substantially further along the camming surface when the dock leveler ramp descends faster than a predetermined speed by moving an axle supporting the cam along a longitudinal axis of the support leg.