Modular dock bumper
AssigneeWaltco Truck Equipment Co.
InventorKenneth Rock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dock bumper for minimizing damage to a back of a vehicle upon contacting a low-lying object may include a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member to be secured adjacent to a back portion of the vehicle. The shock-absorbing member may include a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the vehicle to contact a surface of a loading dock as the vehicle is operated in reverse, and a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back portion of the vehicle. A modular step may be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.
Claims13
A trailer, having a longitudinal axis, for use in receiving cargo from a loading dock and transporting the cargo to a destination, the trailer comprising:
- a frame comprising a plurality of structural members for supporting the cargo;
- a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member secured adjacent to a back portion of the trailer, the shock-absorbing member comprising:
- (a) a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the trailer and oriented to contact a surface of the loading dock as the trailer is backed into the loading dock;
- and,
- (b) a proximate surface positioned to contact at least one of the plurality of structural members at the back portion of the trailer;
- and,
- a modular step rigidly coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock absorbing member, the modular step comprising:
- (a) a tread portion upon which a person can stand;
- (b) a longitudinal axis;
- (c) wherein the longitudinal axis of the modular step is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trailer;
- and
- (d) wherein the modular step is fabricated from a generally-rigid and deformable material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.