Abstract: A loading dock shelter seal to the space between the sides of a truck and the door opening. The dock seal includes a pair of elongated flexible tapered foam members that protrude into the opening and contact with the rear of the truck. As the truck backs into the loading dock, the foam members deflect inward without deformation. This seals the sides because the foam members are vertically mounted on the sides of the door opening from the loading dock surface to a header curtain. The foam members are covered with a protecting fabric and have a retention strap system to prevent the fabric from billowing as the foam members deflect.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint for securing a truck to a loading dock. The restraint is actuated by a vehicle ICC bar which moves an arm of the restraint. By use of a cam follower and spring system a restraint member is raised using the motion of the arm to transfer energy to raise the restraint. In the upright position, the restraint captures and prevents a truck from backing away from the dock. The system is held and biased into the engaging position and is released by a mechanical trapping mechanism.

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

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.

Abstract: In a vertically storing dock leveler, more efficient, faster storage is enabled by providing a circuit which causes the lip of the leveler to maintain its position while the leveler platform is being raised. This position retention is in contrast to prior systems, in which raising the platform automatically caused pressure in the hydraulic cylinder controlling lip movement to drop, causing the lip to retract. By maintaining the lip position, lip extension can take less time.

Abstract: In a vertically storing dock leveler having a platform which is stored in an upright position, a control circuit which enables retention of the platform in position in response to power failure, and which compensates for possible operator error or inattentiveness during power failure. A normally closed main solenoid valve can be opened only by pressing a lower switch to lower the platform. During normal operation, the valve will remain open to enable the platform to float, but when the platform is to be raised, or electrical power is removed, the valve is closed. As a result, after the platform is raised, the pressure in the main lift cylinder is maintained, and the platform stays at its upright position. Also, during an electrical power interruption, the deck is prevented from falling.

Abstract: A hold-down device for a mechanical dock leveler which is spring loaded so that when the hold-down device is released the deck will rise and the lip will extend. When the deck is walked down, the hold-down device maintains the deck in contact with the truck bed. This is accomplished by means of the interaction and geometry between a brake actuating arm and a brake release arm and the associated pins. As the dock leveler is lowered, the perpendicular distance from an anchor pin to the center line of a slot in the brake actuating arm increases. This causes the brake actuating arm to move upward increasing tension on the brake band. The brake release arm moves and increases the braking force. As the dock leveler is raised the braking force is reduced. The leveler includes a two-stage safety leg with a guide bar attached to the safety leg stop. The guide bar limits free travel of the safety leg.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for a vertically storing dock leveler mounted on a carriage for lateral movement on rails relative to a dock surface. The brake is automatically actuated by means of an arm that bears against the leveler. When the leveler is lowered the arm rotates to urge a brake member into engagement with a rail thus preventing lateral movement of the carriage and leveler.

Abstract: A dockleveler employs a lip counterbalance mechanism to increase the force of the lip counterbalance spring as the deck is raised. A linkage is coupled at one end to the dockboard lip and at the other end to a level assembly. The lever in turn is adjustably coupled to the lip spring. As the dockboard is raised, a chain coupled to the frame and the linkage exerts a force causing initial raising of the lip while pivoting the linkage downward. This in turn causes the lever to rotate such that the force on the lever pushes the linkage further raising the lip.

Abstract: A dock leveler having a rigid flat deck and a rigid hinge pin coupling the leveler to a loading dock or leveler frame element. The deck is supported by a series of spaced box beams, each one split longitudinally to provide the necessary torsional flexibility to allow a rigid hinge pin. The use of a box beam geometry still serves to provide the required load support for the deck.

Abstract: A hold-down device for a mechanical dock leveler which is spring loaded so that when the hold-down device is released the deck will rise and the lip will extend. When the deck is walked down, the hold-down device maintains the deck in contact with the truck bed. This is accomplished by means of the interaction and geometry between a brake actuating arm and a brake release arm and the associated pins. As the dock leveler is lowered, the perpendicular distance from an anchor pin to the centerline of a slot in the brake actuating arm increases. This causes the brake actuating arm to move upward increasing tension on the brake band. The brake release arm moves and increases the braking force. As the dock leveler is raised the braking force is reduced.

Abstract: A manual lock for a vertically storing lock leveler. The leveler has a locking bar on the side thereof which rides on a cam surface of the lock. The lock has a spring biased latch member with the cam surface and a locking recess. When the leveler is in the vertical stored position, the latch overtravels to have the lockbar engaged in the recess so that positive locking occurs. The lock is released by a manual foot or hand release.