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 method and conversion kit for converting a non-inflatable dock leveler having a lifting mechanism to an inflatable bag dock leveler. The method includes removing the lifting mechanism from the non-inflatable dock leveler and coupling an inflatable lifting assembly to the non-inflatable dock leveler. Removing the lifting mechanism preferably includes removing the spring of a mechanical dock leveler or removing the hydraulic cylinder of a hydraulic dock leveler. The method preferably also includes connecting first and second support members to the non-inflatable dock leveler to support the inflatable lifting assembly. The conversion kit includes an inflatable lifting assembly and a first support member for supporting a first portion of the inflatable lifting assembly. Further preferably, the conversion kit includes a second support member for supporting a second portion of the inflatable lifting assembly.

Abstract: A wheel-chocking device including a base member and a collapsible chock movable between lowered and raised positions. The chock includes a chocking member movable relative to the base member, and support members pivotably attached to the chocking member and defining therewith pivot axes, the pivot axes and the chocking member being movable between a substantially horizontal orientation and an inclined orientation. The chocking member and the support members are substantially coplanar when the chock is in the lowered position. The chocking member and the support members are inclined and the chocking member is substantially perpendicular to the support members when the chock is in the raised position. The base member has a longitudinal axis defining a vertical plane, and the pivot axes are substantially parallel to the vertical plane.

Abstract: A dockleveler comprising a support structure adapted to be mounted to a loading dock, a ramp connected to the support structure and movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a upward biasing mechanism connected to the ramp, and a holdown mechanism connected between the ramp and the support structure. The holdown mechanism includes a spring assembly having an extension spring that increases in length as the ramp moves toward the raised position. The holdown mechanism further includes an adapter member interconnecting the holdown mechanism with at least one of the ramp and the support structure. The adapter member is separable from the holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to the holdown mechanism without cutting or welding. The extension spring is housed within a first hollow member and a second hollow member positioned at least partially within the first hollow member and movable relative to the first hollow member.

Abstract: A dockleveler comprising a support structure, a ramp connected to the support structure and movable between raised and lowered positions, a upward biasing mechanism connected to the ramp, and a holdown mechanism connected between the ramp and the support structure. The holdown mechanism includes a spring assembly having an extension spring that increases in length as the ramp moves toward the raised position. The holdown mechanism further includes an adapter member interconnecting the holdown mechanism with at least one of the ramp and the support structure. The adapter member is separable from the holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to the holdown mechanism without cutting or welding. The extension spring is housed within a first hollow member and a second hollow member positioned at least partially within the first hollow member and movable relative to the first hollow member.

Abstract: A wheel chocking device including a longitudinally-extending base frame positioned on the driveway, a chock positioned on the base frame and movable longitudinally relative to the base frame, and a drive mechanism drivingly connected to the chock. The drive mechanism comprises a power mechanism (e.g., an electric motor) positioned outside of an outer edge of the chock path, and both the base frame and the drive mechanism are spaced from the dock face. The drive mechanism can further include a low profile transmission interconnecting the power mechanism with the chock. Preferably, the low profile transmission comprises an endless loop member (e.g., a chain). If a portion of the transmission is within the chock path, then the portion can have a height lower than a height of the chock in the lowered position.

Abstract: A scissor lift that achieves enhanced vertical travel of the deck for a given amount of horizontal travel of the legs. The enhanced vertical travel is achieved by overlapping the deck pivot point (i.e., the point at which a leg is pivotally connected to the deck) with the frame pivot point (i.e., the point at which a leg is pivotally connected to the frame) when the deck is in the fully lowered position. That is, the deck pivot point is lower than the frame pivot point when the deck is fully lowered. The pivot points can occur on the same leg or on different legs. The deck and frame pivot points can provide purely pivotal movement or a combination of pivotal and some other type of movement (e.g., translational movement). The above-described scissor lifts can be utilized to perform corresponding methods of lowering a scissor lift. In the method, the deck pivot is positioned lower than the frame pivot when the deck is in the fully lowered position.

Abstract: A method of securing a vehicle at a desired location using a wheel chocking device (30) having a chock (38) movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The method comprises the steps of positioning the vehicle at the desired location with the chock (38) in the lowered position, raising the chock to the raised position, moving the raised chock toward a wheel of the vehicle, sensing the presence of an obstruction on the vehicle, lowering the raised chock to an intermediate position to allow the chock to pass under the obstruction, and contacting the chock with the wheel. The wheel chocking device (30) includes a drive mechanism (40) that is positioned underneath the chock so that the vehicle actually drives over the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is simplified with the use of a drive screw (152) and a partial drive nut (148, 154) that facilitates the use of support members (156) for supporting the drive screw at spaced locations along the length of the drive screw.

Abstract: An edge-of-dock leveler includes a deck plate hingedly interconnected to a dock, a lip plate hingedly interconnected to the deck plate, an air pan mounted on the face of the dock to allow the air pan to rotate with respect to the dock, and a blower mounted on the air pan. The blower inflates an air bag that causes the air pan to rotate away from the dock face. A deck plate bearing is provided between the air pan and the deck plate, and causes the deck plate to rotate with the air pan. A locking arm hangs pendant from the lip plate until the deck plate has raised to a fully raised position, at which time the locking arm engages a bearing. The blower is turned off, allowing the air to escape the air bag, and the lip plate to extend as the air bag deflates.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a ramp, a support leg for supporting the ramp, and an extension lip that is movably connected to the ramp. The support leg is capable of movement relative to the ramp from a supporting position to a retracted position, and the lip is movable to an extended position. Movement of the lip toward the extended position results in movement of the support leg from the retracted position to the supporting position. The dock leveler is operated by raising the ramp above a resting position, retracting the support leg from a supporting position to a retracted position, contacting the lip with a vehicle, extending the lip to an extended position, and moving the support leg from the retracted position to the supporting position during the extending step.

Abstract: A dock seal for sealing the interface between a vehicle and a loading dock, including a resilient member and a flexible material embedded in the resilient member. The dock seal can be made by applying a liquid material over the resilient member and curing the liquid material to form a flexible coating. The liquid material can be applied by spraying, pouring, dipping or brushing. A puncture-resistant material can be positioned adjacent the resilient member before curing the liquid material. In one embodiment, the resilient member is attached to a dock seal frame and mounted to the loading dock.

Abstract: A vehicle shelter comprising a head frame, a head curtain attached to the head frame, a side frame, and a side curtain attached to the side frame. The head frame includes a head subframe having a first raked channel adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall, a plurality of cross channels attached (e.g., clinched) to and extending outward from said first raked channel, and a second raked channel attached (e.g., clinched) to said cross channels. The head frame further includes a head panel attached to an upper surface of said head subframe to form a barrier to the elements, and a head curtain mounted to the head frame. The side frame includes a side subframe having a first long channel adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall, a plurality of cross channels attached (e.g., clinched) to and extending outward from said first long channel, and a second long channel attached (e.g., clinched) to said cross channels.

Abstract: A loading dock and vehicle restraint assembly for securing a vehicle during loading operations. The vehicle restraint comprises a latching member (e.g., a hook) movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and an electromechanical brake coupled to the latching member and movable between a restraining position, where the latching member is restrained from movement, and an unrestraining position, where the latching member can be moved. Preferably, the brake is mechanically biased toward the restraining position (e.g., by a spring), and is moved to the unrestrained position by an electromagnet. The assembly can be used to perform a method of restraining a vehicle at a desired location using a vehicle restraint having a latching member and a brake coupled to the latching member.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint adapted to be used at a loading dock to restrain a vehicle during loading and unloading operations. The restraint includes a carriage adapted to be mounted to the loading dock, and a restraining member (e.g., a hook) connected to the carriage. The carriage is movable relative to the loading dock between an inoperative position and an operative position that is typically higher than the inoperative position, and is biased towards the operative position when in the operative position. The restraining member is movable relative to the carriage between a restraining position and a nonrestraining position. The restraining member is capable of restraining an ICC bar when in the restraining position, and is biased toward the restraining position independent of the bias of the carriage.

Abstract: An edge-of-dock leveler includes a deck plate hingedly interconnected to a dock, a lip plate hingedly interconnected to the deck plate, an air pan mounted on the face of the dock to allow the air pan to rotate with respect to the dock, and a blower mounted on the air pan. The blower inflates an air bag that causes the air pan to rotate away from the dock face. A deck plate bearing is provided between the air pan and the deck plate, and causes the deck plate to rotate with the air pan. A locking arm hangs pendant from the lip plate until the deck plate has raised to a fully raised position, at which time the locking arm engages a bearing. The blower is turned off, allowing the air to escape the air bag, and the lip plate to extend as the air bag deflates.

Abstract: A portable dock seal including a bottom portion adapted to be positioned on a surface, two side walls extending upward from opposing sides of the bottom portion at an angle of at least 20.degree. and less than 90.degree. relative to the bottom portion, and end walls interconnecting the bottom portion with the side walls. Preferably, the bottom portion, side walls, and end walls form an outer shell made from a flexible material (e.g., vinyl-coated polyester fabric), and the outer shell encloses a flexible core material. The flexible core material includes both a resilient material (e.g., open cell polyurethane foam) and a flexible material (e.g., strips of the same type of material as the outer shell). The outer shell includes vent openings to allow air to exit and enter the seal when the seal is compressed and released. The seal can also include a handle secured to the outer shell and adapted to be engaged by a user to facilitate lifting of the body member. A flexible tether can be secured to the seal (e.g.

Abstract: An overhead door including a door panel vertically movable between a lowered position when the door is closed and a raised position when the door is open, and a motor drivingly connected to a lower end of the door panel to selectively drive the lower end of the door panel downwardly. The motor is drivingly connected to the lower end of the door panel to drive the door panel downwardly in response to actuation of the motor. Preferably, the connection includes a flexible drive element (e.g., an endless belt) driven by the motor and connected to the lower end of the door panel. A pivot member releasably connects the door panel to the guide member, and is pivotable relative to at least one of the door panel or the guide member in response to a force on the door panel. The pivot member includes a first pivot segment pivotally connected to the door panel and a second pivot segment pivotally connected to the guide member, the first and second pivot segments releasably engaging each other.

Abstract: A dock seal for sealing the interface between a vehicle and a loading dock, including a resilient member and a flexible material embedded in the resilient member. The dock seal can be made by applying a liquid material over the resilient member and curing the liquid material to form a flexible coating. The liquid material can be applied by spraying, pouring, dipping or brushing. A puncture-resistant material can be positioned adjacent the resilient member before curing the liquid material. In one embodiment, the resilient member is attached to a dock seal frame and mounted to the loading dock.

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 inflatable assembly is operatively associated with a vacuum device to allow for selective removal of gas from the inflatable assembly.

Abstract: A loading dock having a dock face, a driveway positioned adjacent to the dock face, a wheel chock positioned above the driveway for movement relative to the driveway, and a power mechanism interconnected with the chock to provide power to the chock. The power mechanism is at least partially recessed within the driveway. Preferably, the power mechanism is spaced from the dock face so that vehicles having lift gates can be serviced under a variety of conditions. The power mechanism can be positioned within a housing that is also spaced from the dock face. The housing can include a ramped portion facing the dock face so that contact with the housing by a lift gate will be deflected.