Constant radius dock leveler hinge
AssigneeRite-Hite Holding Corporation
InventorsTimothy Muhl, Brian Bender, Mike Jehn, Pamela Pietrangelo, Michael Mitchell, Matthew Tourdot
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.
Claims33
A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit formed in a loading dock surface, the dock leveling system comprising:
- a deck rotatable about an axis of rotation between at least a lowered position, in which the deck is declined relative to horizontal, and an inclined position, in which the deck is inclined relative to horizontal, wherein the deck includes:
- a unitary plate member;
- and
- a unitary header member disposed adjacent the plate such that the header member extends across substantially the entire width of the deck, and the header member having a curved portion to provide a smooth transition between the dock leveling system and the loading dock surface when the deck rotates between the inclined and lowered positions.
A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit in a loading dock floor, the dock leveling system comprising:
- a pivotally-mounted deck having a curved portion, substantially tangential to a plane coplanar to the loading dock floor and remaining substantially tangential to the plane as the deck pivots between a lowered position and an inclined position;
- and
- a plurality of lugs coupled to at least a portion of the curved portion of the deck to enable the pivotal mounting of the deck.
A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit formed in a loading dock floor, the dock leveling system comprising:
- a deck rotatable between at least a lowered position, in which the deck is declined relative to the loading dock floor, and a raised position, in which the deck is inclined relative to the loading dock floor;
- wherein the deck includes a plate having an upper surface and a header disposed adjacent the plate, wherein the header has a portion that is coplanar with the plate, and the header forming an extension of the upper plate surface and at least partially providing structural support for the deck.
A rear header for a dock leveler, the dock leveler including a deck with a plate, the deck being rotatable about an axis of rotation, the rear header comprising:
- a structural member adapted to be coupled to the deck adjacent the plate to form an extension thereof, wherein the structural member includes a curved portion to provide a smooth transition between a loading dock surface and the dock leveler.
A dock leveler adapted to be disposed in a pit formed in a loading dock surface, the dock leveler comprising:
- a deck rotatable about an axis of rotation, the deck including a plate and a header disposed adjacent the plate, the header having a curved portion to provide a smooth transition between the loading dock surface and the deck;
- and
- an extension lip pivotally coupled to the deck.
A dock leveler to be disposed in a pit formed in a loading dock surface, the dock leveler comprising:
- a deck rotatable about an axis of rotation and movable between a stored position, an inclined position, and a declined position, the deck including a plate and a header disposed adjacent the plate, the header having a curved portion substantially tangential to the plate to minimize any projection of the dock leveler above the loading dock surface when the dock leveler moves between a lowered position and an inclined position;
- and
- a first portion adjacent the curved portion substantially parallel with the plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.