Abstract: A support leg system for a dock leveler includes a support leg with a striker surface configured to engage a slider bar. When the striker engages the slider bar at a slow speed, the striker will slide down the slider bar and retract the support legs. However, when the striker engages the slider bar at a high rate of speed, the slider bar will deflect and cause the support legs to remain in a supporting position.

Abstract: A dock leveler for use in a loading dock. The dock leveler includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a support structure. The ramp pivots between a generally horizontal lowered position and an upwardly-inclined raised position. The inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp and adapted to generate a force. The support structure is positioned between the inflatable assembly and the ramp and adapted to transfer the force of the inflatable assembly to the bottom of the ramp to move the ramp from the lowered position to the raised position. A conduit fluidly connects to the inflatable assembly through the support structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a dock leveler in a manner to reduce the effects of free fall and stump-out. The apparatus includes the use of a retractable support leg. The method includes maintaining the support leg in a support position and retracting the support leg under certain conditions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dock leveler includes a support leg system configured to remain in a support position when the dock leveler descends rapidly and retract when the dock leveler descends slowly. In another embodiment, a dock leveler includes a multi-tiered lip keeper support system for supporting the ramp at more than one position. In another embodiment, a method of supporting a dock leveler ramp includes attaching a first and second lip engaging apparatus under the ramp.

Abstract: A loading dock including a dock surface and a supporting structure positioned within a pit in the dock surface. The loading dock also includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a support. The ramp is pivotally coupled to the supporting structure, and the inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp and adapted to move the ramp between a lowered position and a raised position. The support is positioned under and supports the inflatable assembly. The support is supported by a pit floor and is unsecured to the pit floor.

Abstract: A support leg system and method for supporting a dock leveler. The support leg system includes a support leg, cam, engaging surface, and counterbalancing apparatus. The method includes moving a support leg to a non-supporting position when the dock leveler ramp is engaged with a vehicle, and moving the support to a supporting position if the dock leveler ramp descends too quickly.

Abstract: A dock leveler for use in a loading dock. The dock leveler includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a gas moving device. The ramp includes an undersurface and is pivotal between a generally horizontal lowered position and an upwardly-inclined, raised position. The inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp. The gas-moving device is mounted adjacent to the undersurface and fluidly connected to the inflatable assembly. A conduit fluidly connects the top of the inflatable assembly and the gas-moving device to provide gas to the top of the inflatable assembly. A support is positioned under and supports the inflatable assembly. The support is supported by a pit floor and is unsecured to the pit floor. The support can be manually lifted completely out of engagement with the pit floor when the ramp is in the raised position.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint including a hook member adapted to be coupled to the loading dock. The hook member is mounted for movement toward and away from the dock face and further is mounted for movement up and down relative to the dock face. The hook member is arranged such that it will secure three sides of an ICC bar of a vehicle parked at the loading dock. In one embodiment, the hook member includes a longitudinal portion, a restraining portion, and a tab. The longitudinal portion is adapted to engage a lower portion of the ICC bar, the restraining portion is adapted to engage a front portion of the ICC bar, and the tab is adapted to engage an upper portion of the ICC bar. The above-described restraint can be utilized to perform a method of securing a vehicle having an ICC bar to a loading dock having a dock face. The method comprises positioning the vehicle at the loading dock, moving the hook member upward into alignment with the ICC bar (e.g.

Abstract: A dock leveler including a ramp having a rear edge movably interconnected with a loading dock, an intermediate member movable relative to the ramp, and an inflatable assembly positioned to cause relative movement between the ramp and the intermediate member upon inflation of the inflatable assembly, thereby resulting in movement of the ramp. The intermediate member is movably mounted to a pit floor, a support structure, or the ramp. A roller member is mounted to an end of the intermediate member. The inflatable assembly can be operatively associated with a vacuum device to allow for selective removal of gas from the inflatable assembly. Alternatively, a hydraulic assembly and a support frame may replace the inflatable assembly and intermediate member. The dock leveler includes hook-type bracket members and mounting bores to accommodate either powering arrangement.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a frame, a ramp, a lip, and a linkage. The ramp is rotatably coupled to the frame for rotation between a substantially horizontal first position and an inclined second position. The lip is coupled to the ramp for rotation between a pendent position and an extended position. The linkage is coupled to the lip and includes a pivot point and a centerline. The linkage supports the lip in the extended position when the pivot point is on a first side of the centerline and allows the lip to fall pendent under the force of gravity when the pivot point is on a second side of the centerline. The pivot point is moved from the first side of the centerline to the second side of the centerline when the lip is contacted by a vehicle that creates a downward moment on the lip.

Abstract: A loading dock including a dock surface and a supporting structure positioned within a pit in the dock surface. The loading dock also includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a support. The ramp is pivotally coupled to the supporting structure, and the inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp and adapted to move the ramp between a lowered position and a raised position. The support is positioned under and supports the inflatable assembly. The support is supported by a pit floor and is unsecured to the pit floor.

Abstract: A wheel chocking device (13) having a wheel chock (34) that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock (34) is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck (36) to be driven over the wheel chock (34). In the raised position, the wheel chock (34) can be engaged with the wheel (36) of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. In one embodiment, movement of the chock (34) is provided by pneumatic cylinders (120) that drive cables (124) or chains associated with pneumatic pistons (122) positioned within the cylinders (120). As the chock (34) is moved from the distal position, the chock (34) can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position (3). The chock (34) is then moved toward the vehicle wheel (36). Upon contact with the wheel (36), the chock (34) will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position.

Abstract: The dock leveler of the present invention includes a frame, a ramp, a lip, and a linkage. The ramp is rotatably coupled to the frame for rotation between a substantially horizontal first position and an inclined second position. The lip is coupled to the ramp for rotation between a pendent position and an extended position. The linkage is coupled to the lip and includes a pivot point and a centerline. The linkage supports the lip in the extended position when the pivot point is on a first side of the centerline and allows the lip to fall pendent under the force of gravity when the pivot point is on a second side of the centerline. The pivot point is moved from the first side of the centerline to the second side of the centerline when the lip is contacted by a vehicle that creates a downward moment on the lip.

Abstract: A dock leveler for use in a loading dock. The dock leveler includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a gas moving device. The ramp includes an undersurface and is pivotal between a generally horizontal lowered position and an upwardly-inclined, raised position. The inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp. The gas-moving device is mounted adjacent to the undersurface and fluidly connected to the inflatable assembly. A conduit fluidly connects the top of the inflatable assembly and the gas-moving device to provide gas to the top of the inflatable assembly. A support is positioned under and supports the inflatable assembly. The support is supported by a pit floor and is unsecured to the pit floor. The support can be manually lifted completely out of engagement with the pit floor when the ramp is in the raised position.

Abstract: A wheel chocking device having a wheel chock that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck to be driven over the wheel chock. In the raised position, the wheel chock can be engaged with the wheel of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. As the chock is moved from the distal position, the chock can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position. The chock is then moved toward the vehicle wheel. Upon contact with the wheel, the chock will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel.

Abstract: A dock leveler including a ramp having a rear edge movably interconnected with a loading dock and an inflatable assembly positioned to cause movement of the ramp inflation of the inflatable assembly. There is a support positioned under the inflatable assembly. The support is movably coupled to the ramp.

Abstract: The dock leveler is adapted to be mounted to a loading dock and includes a ramp, a guard, and a biasing member. The ramp is rotatably coupled to the loading dock and the guard is rotatably coupled to the ramp. The guard is rotated between a raised position that forms a barrier and a lowered position that permits loading equipment to freely pass. The biasing member is coupled to the guard and biases the guard toward the raised position when the guard is in the raised position and biases the guard toward the lowered position when the guard is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A curtain for a dock shelter that is easily assembled alone and as part of a dock shelter. The curtain includes a sheet that has a pocket mounted thereon. The pocket is adapted to receive a flexible stay and include a slit that inhibits movement of the stay within the pocket. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of making a curtain. The method includes the steps of securing a pocket to a sheet; forming a slit in the pocket (e.g., by cutting the pocket); inserting a flexible stay into the pocket; and positioning the stay adjacent to the slit. The invention also relates to a method of making a vehicle shelter and mounting the shelter to a loading dock. The method includes the steps of mounting a frame to the loading dock; securing a pocket to a curtain; forming slits in the pocket; inserting a stay in the pocket adjacent to the slit; and placing the curtain against the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible frame for a loading dock shelter. The flexible frame utilizes open channels that are clinched together to serve as supports. The supports are used in side frames that form part of the flexible frame. Each side frame includes a back support, a front support, and in a preferred form, one or more lateral supports that are pivotally connected to both the front and back supports. At least one of said supports is formed from open channels which are secured together, preferably by clinching. The back supports of the flexible frame are mounted to a loading dock wall. The pivotal connection between the lateral support and the front and back supports allows the front support to move relative to the back support when a vehicle comes into contact with the side frame as the vehicle enters the loading dock shelter. The present invention also provides an improved method of making a flexible frame for a vehicle shelter and mounting the flexible frame to a loading dock.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint comprising a base member (e.g., a track), a carriage movably mounted to the base member, and a restraining member (e.g., a pivotable hook) mounted to the carriage and movable between and engaged position and a disengaged position. The restraining member is biased toward the engaged position. The restraining member is biased by a biasing member in the form of a gas spring operatively positioned between the restraining member and the carriage. The restraining member is pivotable, and the restraint further includes a lever interconnected with the restraining member. In this embodiment, the biasing member is interconnected with the lever to bias the restraining member toward an engaged position. The biasing member can be positioned to bias the restraining member toward the disengaged position when the restraining member is in the disengaged position and to bias the restraining member toward the engaged position when the restraining member is in the engaged position.