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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions and does so at multiple deck elevations. In the blocking positions, the lip provides a safety barrier that helps prevent material and material handling equipment from accidentally falling off the front edge of the deck when a truck is not present at the dock. The lip can serve as the safety barrier when the deck is at its stored, cross-traffic position or when the deck is at a below-dock position for end loading operations. If required, the lip can be lowered below the top surface of the deck so as not to provide an obstacle during some below-dock end loading operations.

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.

Abstract: A dock leveler system includes a pivotal deck whose movement provides the impetus for moving a bumper between an operative position and a retracted position. The bumper is movable relative to the deck, so that after a truck bumps up against the bumper, the bumper can move below the deck to avoid creating an obstacle to a forklift or the like traveling on the deck. The moveable bumper can be disposed within the width of a dock leveler deck that encompasses the full-width of a truck bed. Of the various embodiments, some bumpers pivot underneath the deck, and others move straight up and down. In the operative position, some bumpers are flush with the top of the deck, and others protrude above the deck.

Abstract: A dock leveler system includes a pivotal deck whose movement provides the impetus for moving a bumper between an operative position and a retracted position. The bumper is movable relative to the deck, so that after a truck bumps up against the bumper, the bumper can move below the deck to avoid creating an obstacle to a forklift or the like traveling on the deck. The moveable bumper can be disposed within the width of a dock leveler deck that encompasses the full-width of a truck bed. Of the various embodiments, some bumpers pivot underneath the deck, and others move straight up and down. In the operative position, some bumpers are flush with the top of the deck, and others protrude above the deck.

Abstract: A dock leveler system includes a pivotal deck whose movement provides the impetus for moving a bumper between an operative position and a retracted position. The bumper is movable relative to the deck, so that after a truck bumps up against the bumper, the bumper can move below the deck to avoid creating an obstacle to a forklift or the like traveling on the deck. The moveable bumper can be disposed within the width of a dock leveler deck that encompasses the full-width of a truck bed. Of the various embodiments, some bumpers pivot underneath the deck, and others move straight up and down. In the operative position, some bumpers are flush with the top of the deck, and others protrude above the deck.

Abstract: A recycling control system for a dock leveler including a pivotally mounted deck. There is a powered lifting mechanism for raising the deck and a lip pivotally mounted to the deck for movement between pendant and extended positions. The control assembly includes a lip-position member couplable to the lip for movement therewith such that the position of the lip-position member is indicative of lip position. There is a switch couplable to the lifter and operable to a first condition wherein power is provided to the lifter and operable to a second condition wherein power is not provided to the lifter. There is an actuator disposed on the lip-position member for movement relative thereto between at least a first position where the actuator operates the switch to the first condition, and a second position where the switch can be operated to the second condition. The actuator is disposed to move between the first and second positions as the lip moves toward the pendant position.

Abstract: A dock leveler system includes a pivotal deck whose movement provides the impetus for moving a bumper between an operative position and a retracted position. The bumper is movable relative to the deck, so that after a truck bumps up against the bumper, the bumper can move below the deck to avoid creating an obstacle to a forklift or the like traveling on the deck. The moveable bumper can be disposed within the width of a dock leveler deck that encompasses the full-width of a truck bed. Of the various embodiments, some bumpers pivot underneath the deck, and others move straight up and down. In the operative position, some bumpers are flush with the top of the deck, and others protrude above the deck.

Abstract: A recycling control system for a dock leveler including a pivotally mounted deck, a powered lifting mechanism for raising the deck, and a lip pivotally mounted to the deck for movement between pendant and extended positions, in which the control assembly includes a lip-position member couplable to the lip for movement therewith such that the position of the lip-position member is indicative of lip position, a switch couplable to the lifting means and operable to a first condition wherein power is provided to the lifting means, and operable to a second condition wherein power is not provided to the lifting means, and an actuator disposed on the lip-position member for movement relative thereto between at least a first position where the actuator operates the switch to the first condition, and a second position where the switch can be operated to the second condition, the actuator being disposed to move between the first and second positions as the lip moves toward the pendant position.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for a dock leveler which includes a deck pivotable between stored and raised positions and a lip pivoted to the deck for movement between pendant and extended positions is disclosed. The hydraulic control circuit, includes a deck cylinder couplable to the deck for controlling motion of the deck, a lip cylinder couplable to the lip for controlling motion of the lip, a pump for providing a source of pressurized fluid to the deck and lip cylinders, and an operator-actuated switch for selectively directing the pressurized hydraulic fluid to one of the deck cylinders and the lip cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint is provided for releasably securing a parked vehicle to an adjacent structure. The vehicle restraint includes a carriage assembly which is adjustably vertically mounted to the adjacent structure and a restraining member which is pivotably attached to the carriage assembly for rotational movement between a stored (or vehicle-release) position, wherein the restraining member is enclosed within the carriage assembly, and an operative (or vehicle-locking) position, wherein a portion of the restraining member projects outwardly and upwardly from the carriage assembly. The vehicle restraint also includes a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the restraining member into the stored position when an external force or torque, in a direction toward the stored position, is exerted on the distal end of the restraining member.

Abstract: A vehicle-activated support assembly control system is provided which comprises a sensor assembly which senses the position of the vehicle relative to the dock leveler and an actuation assembly which is operatively connected to the support assembly so as to actuate or maintain the support assembly in a retracted position in response to the position of the vehicle. The actuation assembly is adapted to automatically position the support assembly between (1) a retracted or non-supporting position when the vehicle is in close proximity to the loading dock and (2) an active supporting position when the vehicle is greater than a predetermined distance from the loading dock. The control assembly is adapted to activate the support assembly and move the support assembly to the active supporting position as the vehicle pulls away from the dock leveler but before the lip loses contact with the vehicle.

Abstract: A safety barrier assembly is disclosed to provide a movable barrier for an access passageway or doorway. The assembly includes a pair of upright support members and vertically travelling barrier means with at least two horizontally disposed elongate segments being selectively moveable between an operative passage blocking mode and inoperative non-blocking mode. Drive means are provided for moving the segments and lost motion means allow for positioning the segments a predetermined first distance apart when in the operative mode while positioning the segments close together when in the inoperative mode. Stop means may be provided for engaging one of the elongate members when in the operative mode.

Abstract: A dock leveler assembly is provided having an automatic barrier actuated in response to movement of the lip for preventing accidental runoff of material handling vehicles from the loading dock. The assembly includes a ramp for pivotal movement between a stored first position wherein an exposed surface thereof is coplanar with the loading dock platform surface, an upwardly inclined second position, and a declining third position. The lip is operatively connected to a front edge portion of the ramp for movement from a depending position to an outwardly extended cantilevered position. The assembly also includes a barrier unit movable between operative and inoperative modes. When in the operative mode, a segment of the barrier unit automatically projects above the ramp exposed surface and forms a vehicle safety barrier of optimum height.

Abstract: A system for use in a loading dock facility includes a control unit which checks the condition of input terminals connected to control switch, locking device, overhead door and/or leveler condition sensors and which develops signals on output terminals connected to signal lights, a vehicle locking device, an overhead door mechanism and/or a leveler device. The control unit is programmable to be versatile and to obtain various safe and reliable modes of operation and is also operable to perform various diagnostic operations.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is provided for a loading dock installation wherein the latter has a plurality of independently operable dock levelers arranged in spaced relation along the loading dock. Each leveler includes a hingedly mounted deck member or ramp and a power unit for actuating the deck member to a predetermined upwardly inclined position from a horizontal cross-traffic position. The hydraulic system is provided with a common source of pressurized hydraulic fluid which is remotely disposed relative to the dock levelers. A primary line extends from the common source to each leveler. An adjustable control valve is provided for each leveler and includes a first port which is adapted to communicate with the primary line; a second port which is adapted to communicate with the power unit, and a third port which is adapted to communicate with a drain line.