Modular dock bumper
AssigneeWaltco Truck Equipment Co.
InventorKenneth Rock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dock bumper for minimizing damage to a back of a vehicle upon contacting a low-lying object may include a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member to be secured adjacent to a back portion of the vehicle. The shock-absorbing member may include a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the vehicle to contact a surface of a loading dock as the vehicle is operated in reverse, and a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back portion of the vehicle. A modular step may be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.
Claims20
A dock bumper for minimizing damage to a back of a vehicle upon contacting a low-lying object, the dock bumper comprising:
- a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member to be secured adjacent to a back portion of the vehicle, the shock-absorbing member comprising:
- (a) a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the vehicle to contact a surface of a loading dock as the vehicle is operated in a reverse gear;
- and,
- (b) a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back portion of the vehicle, wherein the proximate surface is dimensioned to minimize a length of an overhanging portion of the dock bumper extending below a lowermost surface of the structural member at the back portion of the vehicle;
- and,
- a modular step to be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.
A trailer for receiving cargo from a loading dock and transporting the cargo to a destination, the trailer comprising:
- a frame comprising a plurality of structural members for supporting the cargo;
- a wheel carriage for suspending a set of wheels from an underside of the frame;
- a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member secured adjacent to a back of the trailer, the shock-absorbing member comprising:
- (a) a distal surface extended away from the back of the trailer and oriented to contact a surface of a loading dock as the trailer is backed into the loading dock;
- and,
- (b) a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back of the trailer, wherein the proximate surface is dimensioned to minimize a length of an overhanging portion of the shock-absorbing member extending below a lowermost surface of the structural member at the back of the trailer;
- and,
- a modular step to be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.