US 2008/0184503 A1 · SMOOTH TRANSITION DOCK LEVELER LIP

Abstract

A dock leveler includes a vehicle-engaging pivotal lip extending from the front end of a pivotal deck, wherein the lip has one or more unique features that provide a smooth transition for forklifts traveling between the lip and a trailer bed upon which the lip is resting. The smooth transition minimizes jolting and vibration of the forklift and its driver as the forklift wheels pass over the leading edge of the lip. The special features of the lip may include one or more of the following: a curved traffic-bearing surface terminating at a sharp or blunt leading edge, a traffic-bearing surface that includes both flat and curved sections, a multifaceted traffic-bearing surface that approximates a curved surface, a rubber or plastic shock absorbing element, an articulated nose piece at the lip's leading edge, and a main lip plate that is coplanar with the deck's traffic surface (i.e., zero crown angle).

Claims30

Dependent claims

A dock leveler, comprising:

a deck that includes a front edge and a rear edge, the deck is pivotal about the rear edge to selectively raise and lower the front edge;
and
a lip that includes a leading edge, a hinged edge and a traffic-bearing surface extending therebetween, the hinged edge is pivotally coupled to the front edge of the deck such that the leading edge can selectively rise and descend relative to the front edge of the deck, the traffic-bearing surface includes a first approach surface, a second approach surface and a final approach surface such that:
a) the first approach surface is adjacent to the leading edge of the lip;
b) the first approach surface is between the leading edge of the lip and the second approach surface;
and
c) the final approach surface is adjacent to the hinged edge of the lip, and the final approach surface is between the second approach surface and the hinged edge, wherein each of the first approach surface, the second approach surface and the final approach surface are at an incline relative to each other.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Smooth transition dock leveler lip

Life of this patent

Smooth transition dock leveler lip

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30