Retractable Loading Dock Leveler Cover

Abstract

The present invention provides a system to quickly and easily employ a thermal/wind barrier over the surface of a mechanical dock leveler. Dock levelers used in structures with loading docks allow air transfer and thermal conductivity into the loading dock area from the outside environment through joints and openings in and around the dock leveler, when the leveler is not in use, causing economic loss of climate controlled air. The present invention provides a system to employ a thermal/wind barrier over the surface of a dock leveler when it is not being used, so as to prevent this loss. The barrier is deployed and retracted by use of a detent clutch operated spooling mechanism. The spooling mechanism is enclosed in a housing which is mounted to the inside, bottom surface of a loading dock door. An alternative embodiment uses an electric motor to deploy and retract the barrier.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.