Abstract: A dock leveler includes an inflatable bellows to which pressurized air is selectively coupled. The inflatable bellows is arranged to raise and lower a distal portion of a hinged ramp in response to the degree to which the inflatable bellows is inflated with compressed air. A relief valve is coupled to the inflatable bellows, where the relief valve is arranged to selectively release compressed air from the inflatable bellows in response to an operator action that is (for example) intended to lower the ramp. An exhaust manifold is arranged to receive the selectively released air from the relief valve and to directionally exhaust a focused stream of compressed air underneath the hinged ramp so that the compressed air is directed to move debris towards the distal portion of the hinged ramp to facilitate cleaning of the loading dock pit that lies underneath the hinged ramp.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes an inflatable bellows to which pressurized air is selectively coupled. The inflatable bellows is arranged to raise and lower a distal portion of a loading dock ramp in response to the degree to which the inflatable bellows is inflated with compressed air. A control valve is coupled to the inflatable bellows, where the control valve is arranged to selectively release compressed air from the inflatable bellows in response to an operator action that is (for example) intended to lower the ramp. An exhaust manifold is arranged to receive the selectively released air from the control valve and to directionally exhaust a focused stream of compressed air underneath the ramp so that the compressed air is directed to move debris towards the distal portion of the ramp to facilitate cleaning of the loading dock pit that lies underneath the ramp. A solar power subsystem stores solar energy to power a compressor that provides the compressed air.

Abstract: A central pressurized air supply selectively couples pressurized air to one or more dock levelers to pivot a hinged ramp of a dock leveler. Each dock leveler includes an inflatable member to which the pressurized air is selectively coupled, and the inflatable member is arranged to pivot about the hinged ramp of a respective dock leveler. A control system allows continued operation of the system during adverse conditions.