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 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 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 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 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 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 support and attachment mechanism for a dock leveler lift bag. The dock leveler includes a supporting structure which is mounted in a pit in a loading dock and the rear end of a ramp is pivoted to the supporting structure so that the ramp is movable between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. A bag support member is pivoted to the supporting structure and is located in the pit beneath the ramp. An inflatable bag assembly is located adjacent the rear end of the ramp and is positioned between the underside of the ramp and the bag support member. By inflating the bag assembly, the ramp can be pivoted from the horizontal to the upwardly inclined position. The bag assembly includes a rearwardly extending tether which is secured to the supporting structure and prevents the bag assembly from squeezing forwardly as the bag assembly is inflated.