US 7,546,655 B2 · Formed front header for a dock leveler

Abstract

A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A dock leveler, comprising:

a deck that includes a deck plate supported by a plurality of support members the deck plate has a deck width, a front edge, and a plate material thickness, and the deck is movable between a raised position and a cross-traffic position;
a lip being pivotally coupled to the deck adjacent to the front edge such that the lip is pivotal between an extended position and a pendant position;
a hinge pin that pivotally couples the lip to the deck such that the lip can pivot relative to the deck about a longitudinal centerline of the hinge pin;
and
a flange lying adjacent to the front edge, running along most of the deck width, and extending downward from an undersurface of the deck plate to a lower edge of the flange, wherein the lower edge of the flange is higher than a lower extremity of the hinge pin when the deck is at the cross-traffic position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Formed front header for a dock leveler

Life of this patent

Formed front header for a dock leveler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5