Safety gate for loading docks
AssigneeThe Serco Corporation
InventorJames C. Alexander
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A barrier for a loading dock having an opening in a wall having a dock leveler positioned in a floor of the loading dock adjacent said opening. The dock leveler has a horizontal position where traffic may cross to adjacent areas of the loading dock. A support is located along a side of the dock leveler. A deformable barrier arm is pivotedly connected to the support by a mounting for movement between a horizontal blocking position and a raised vertical position exposing the opening. The mounting has a pivotal connection to the support to permit the deformable barrier arm to move in a vertical arc for raising and lowering the arm and a loose connection to the barrier arm to permit relative motion between the barrier arm and the mounting upon the application of a horizontal load to the barrier arm.
Claims24
A barrier for a loading dock having an opening in a wall comprising:
- a support placed on a side of said opening,
- a deformable barrier arm pivotedly connected to said support by a mounting for movement between a horizontal blocking position and a raised vertical position exposing said opening,
- said mounting having a pivotal connection to said support to permit said deformable barrier arm to move in a vertical arc for raising and lowering said arm and a translational connection to said barrier arm to permit relative motion between said barrier arm and said mounting upon the application of a horizontal load to said barrier arm without separating said mounting from said arm, and a second support placed on another side of said opening, and a bracket positioned on said second support to support said barrier arm.
A barrier for a loading dock having an opening in a wall comprising:
- a dock leveler positioned in a floor of said loading dock adjacent said opening, said dock leveler having a horizontal position where traffic may cross to adjacent areas,
- a support placed on a side of said opening along side said dock leveler,
- a deformable barrier arm pivotedly connected to said support by a mounting for movement between a horizontal blocking position and a raised vertical position exposing said opening,
- said mounting having a pivotal connection to said support to permit said deformable barrier arm to move in a vertical arc for raising and lowering said arm and a translational connection to said barrier arm to permit relative shifting motion between said barrier arm and said mounting upon the application of a horizontal load to said barrier arm without separation from said mounting.
A barrier for a loading dock having an opening in a wall comprising:
- a support placed on a side of said opening,
- a deformable barrier arm pivotedly connected to said support by a mounting for movement between a horizontal blocking position and a raised vertical position exposing said opening,
- said mounting having a pivotal connection to said support to permit said deformable barrier arm to move in a vertical arc for raising and lowering said arm and a translational connection to said barrier arm to permit relative motion between said barrier arm and said mounting upon the application of a horizontal load to said barrier arm without separating said mounting from said arm, wherein said mounting comprises first and second vertically spaced plates with said barrier arm therebetween, said pivotal connection coupled to one of said plates, said plates having thru-holes of a first diameter to accommodate compatible mounting pins, and said deformable barrier arm having thru-holes of a larger diameter to permit relative motion between said mounting and said deformable arm as said arm bends in response to an applied load.
A barrier for a loading dock having an opening in a wall comprising:
- a support placed on a side of said opening,
- a deformable barrier arm pivotedly connected to said support by a mounting for movement between a horizontal blocking position and a raised vertical position exposing said opening,
- said mounting having a pivotal connection to said support to permit said deformable barrier arm to move in a vertical arc for raising and lowering said arm and a translational connection to said barrier arm to permit relative motion between said barrier arm and said mounting upon the application of a horizontal load to said barrier arm without separating said mounting from said arm, and a secondary bar coupled to said deformable arm for vertical movement therewith.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.