Dockboard assembly

An adjustable dockboard for a loading dock having a grooved mounting structure,

• a ramp member having front and rear edges,
• means on the rear edge of said ramp member for engaging the grooved mounting structure so that the ramp member may swing about a horizontal axis,
• means operatively positioned between the ramp member and the loading dock to bias the ramp member to an elevated position, and
• a tread plate assembly mounted in said ramp member for movement between a storage position within said ramp member to an operative position forming an extension of said ramp member, said tread plate assembly includes
• a tread plate, a first roller assembly connected to said tread plate for supporting said tread plate for movement into and out of said ramp member, said first roller assembly including
• a number of rollers mounted on a common axis, said tread plate assembly being pivotable about said axis of said first rollers to allow the rear edge of said tread plate to engage the front edge of said ramp member whereby said tread plate forms a continuation of the upper surface of said ramp member, and
• a second roller assembly connected to said tread plate to limit the pivotal movement of said tread plate assembly whereby the force acting on the rear edge of said tread plate is transferred to the second roller assembly.

An adjustable dockboard for bridging the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a carrier,

• the dockboard including a ramp member having an upper plate and a number of beams mounted in a parallel spaced relation under said upper plate,
• a tread plate assembly mounted for movement on said beams from a first position beneath said upper plate to a second position forming an extension of said upper plate,
• said tread plate assembly including a tread plate and a carrier supporting said tread plate on said beams for movement from the first position to the second position wherein said tread plate forms an extension from the end of said upper plate, said carrier including
• a first set of rollers for supporting said tread plate assembly for movement on said beams,
• said carrier being pivotable about the axis of said first set of rollers to allow the tread plate to move into engagement with the edge of said upper plate,
• and a second set of rollers mounted on said carrier for engaging said beams on pivotal movement of said carrier to transfer the force acting on the edge of said tread plate to the beams when the tread plate rests on the bed of the truck.