Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly biased to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dock leveler comprising having a deck pivotally mounted for movement between a stored generally horizontal position and an operative position. A lip assembly is pivotally attached to one end of the deck and has a lip movable between an extended operative position and a stored pendant position. The deck is movable by hydraulic cylinder. A switch is mounted to the underside of the deck and to produce an output to control movement of the deck. A sensor arm is operably coupled to the lip assembly for limited movement relative to lip assembly movement. The sensor arm has one end positioned relative to the switch to cause the switch to produce a signal that starts operation of the hydraulic cylinder to move the deck thereby raising the deck and allowing said lip to fall. As the lip falls the one end of said sensor arm moves away from the switch such that the output thereof terminates operation of the hydraulic cylinder thus allowing the lip to fully retract prior to lowering of the deck.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a deck assembly, a first hydraulic cylinder to power said deck assembly to a raised position, lip mounted to said deck assembly, and a second hydraulic cylinder for powering said lip into an extended position. An hydraulic power circuit is coupled to the first and second hydraulic cylinders to control movement of said deck and lip. The hydraulic power circuit includes a pump to deliver fluid under pressure, a first valve operatively coupled to the pump to control fluid flow to the first hydraulic cylinder. A second valve is operatively coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder. An adjustable relief valve is coupled to the second valve to prevent a reduction of fluid pressure to the second hydraulic cylinder after the pump has supplied fluid under pressure through the second valve to extend the lip.

Abstract: A barrier for a loading dock having an opening in a wall having a dock leveler positioned in a floor of the loading dock adjacent said opening. The dock leveler has a horizontal position where traffic may cross to adjacent areas of the loading dock. A support is located along a side of the dock leveler. A deformable barrier arm is pivotedly connected to the support by a mounting for movement between a horizontal blocking position and a raised vertical position exposing the opening. The mounting has a pivotal connection to the support to permit the deformable barrier arm to move in a vertical arc for raising and lowering the arm and a loose connection to the barrier arm to permit relative motion between the barrier arm and the mounting upon the application of a horizontal load to the barrier arm.

Abstract: A dock leveler scissors lift system mounted in a pit having back and side walls. The scissors lift mechanism comprises first and second scissors arms mounted on a base frame, one of the arms pinned to the base for pivotal movement and the other of the arms is free to move relative to said base. Hydraulics are employed to raise scissors lift. The scissors lift mechanism further comprises an upper frame having a generally horizontal deck portion. Retractable pins are used to couple said scissors lift mechanism to the pit in the fully raised position. The a dock leveler deck assembly is pivotally mounted to the generally horizontal deck portion of the scissor lift mechanism, and hydraulics coupled to the scissors lift mechanism raises the deck assembly. The scissors lift mechanism includes lip keepers that in one position retain the leveler lip in the pendent position and in a second position support the outboard end of the leveler deck.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly based to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seal for a vertically storing dock leveler employs a foam pad connected to the underside of the deck. As the leveler is lowered, the pad contacts the shelf on to which the leveler is mounted and deflects inward and compresses to seal the space between the underside of the leveler and the shelf. The pad is a tapered foam with a fabric covering.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly biased to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly biased to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The actuating mechanism employs a movable sector arm with engaging lugs to co-act with the 4-bar linkage limit the degree of float of the system and form the drive transfer to initially elevate the linkage or retract it against the upward bias. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seal for a vertically storing dock leveler employs a foam pad connected to the underside of the deck. As the leveler is lowered, the pad contacts the shelf on to which the leveler is mounted and deflects inward and compresses to seal the space between the underside of the leveler and the shelf. The pad is a tapered foam with a fabric covering.

Abstract: A hold down device for a dock leveler employs a pair of telescoping members sliding with respect to each other. One member is coupled to the deck and the other to the leveler frame. A resilient member biases the telescoping members toward each other but provides for a degree of float in the system. A brake shoe has a ramp surface and is biased against one of the members as they separate. A release lever moves the brake shoe for disengagement as the leveler is lowered. Thereafter the brake shoe engages and movement is via the resilient member. If the leveler moves down such that the resilient member is compressed, as the telescoping members compress they cause the release member to move thereby slipping the brake. This in turn allows the telescoping members to reset and re-engage the brake.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly biased to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dock leveler has a barrier actuated by movement of the lip. The barrier is mounted for pivotable movement to be flush with the deck when the lip is extended. As the lip is lowered an arm contacts a guide plate mounted on said carrier to rotate said barrier upward. As said lip raises the guide plate lowers by gravity.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint employs a 4 bar linkage to lift a restraining member to a position that engages a vehicle thus restraining it at a loading dock. The linkage is upwardly based to hold the unit in an engaging position and may be retracted by using any of a number of mechanical techniques such as hydraulic electric or pneumatic power. The 4 bar linkage transfers all loading on the unit from the ICC to the frame thus isolating any driven members from overloads. A secondary hook mounted to the 4 bar linkage is pivotally spring loaded to limit vehicle travel away from the dock and to extend the capture range of the device in the case of ICC's bars that are damaged or mounted at non-standard positions at the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift bridge/leveler that is raised by an hydraulic cylinder and lowered primarily by gravity. A toggle mechanism is used to lock the bridge in a near vertical position. An auxiliary cylinder moves a lock-out arm assembly to release the toggle mechanism and power the bridge downward to a point where the weight moment through the pivot point is significantly large that the bridge will lower itself by gravity. The main cylinder employs a cushion mechanism that decelerates the bridge by slowly increasing hydraulic pressure in the cylinder. This allows the bridge to be raised at an initially high rate of speed and then slowed down near the end of travel at a near vertical position.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a rigid flat deck and a hinge pin coupling the leveler to a loading dock. The deck is supported by a series of spaced box beams forming a trapezoidal cross-section with the underside of the deck.

Abstract: Operator intervention in parking a truck and positioning a dock leveler for performing a loading or unloading operation is simplified by a vehicle restraint actuator which is responsive to movement of the dock leveler or other vehicle loading mechanism to cause a vehicle restraint to engage an ICC bar of a vehicle. The vehicle restraint is held in place by a latch mechanism, which is released when the vehicle loading mechanism is moved to perform loading or unloading.

Abstract: A dock leveler having an operative lever arm assembly to assist in raising the lip by spring action. The assembly comprises a latch arm which selectively engages a series of spaced stop positions on the underside of the deck to support the lip in an outward postion should it not fully extend during the raising of the deck. A hydraulic shock absorber is adapted to be coupled to the lever assembly at a variety of spaced mounting points on the lever assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint mountable against a dock face uses a linearly extensible actuator member to move a flat plate restraining device into a vehicle release or restraint position. The plate carries a bracket having a cam profile which via a connection or latch arm converts the linear movement of the drive member into rotational movement of the restraining plate. In the vehicle restraining position all loading on the restraining device is transmitted to the frame without any force component on the actuator.