Abstract: An automatic return to dock mechanism for a dockboard having a frame, a deck pivotally mounted to the frame and a lip pivotally mounted to an outboard end of said deck. The lip has an arm mounted to a lower surface. A crank mechanism comprises a pivoting arm member mounted to the frame and a pushrod extending under the deck having one end thereof coupled to said pivoting arm member and a slot member attached to the other end of the push rod. The slot member engages a portion of said arm mounted to the lip. A spring biases the slot member to urge engagement with the arm mounted to the lip. Aa hold down mechanism that permits the deck to raise and lower includes a linkage to the pivoting arm member. As the lip moves from an extended position to a pendant position, the pushrod is moved in one direction by action of the arm engaged in the slot member causing the pivoting arm member to disengage the hold down allowing said deck to raise.

Abstract: A dock leveler has a frame mounted at a dock, a deck pivoted at one end to said frame and a lip pivotally attached to said deck at the other end thereof. The deck is movable between a first operable position where the deck is substantially horizontal and the lip extended, a second operative position where the lip hangs pendant and the deck is declined and an inoperative position where the deck is substantially horizontal and the lip hangs pendant. A barrier is mounted to have a raised operative position protruding above the deck and an inoperative position flush with the deck. A mechanical linkage automatically raises the barrier when the deck is in the inoperative position and permits the barrier to be lowered to its inoperative position when the deck is in either operative position. The linkage is responsive to both movement of the deck and the position of the lip.

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 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: Apparatus used in a loading dock comprising a dock leveler mounted at the loading dock with a pit positioned below said dock leveler. A frame is mounted in the pit to support a vehicle restraint. The restraint has an arm assembly mounted to said frame for pivoting motion and a hook assembly having multiple hook elements mounted on the arm assembly and outward from the frame. A first actuator is mounted to the frame and engaging the arm assembly to drive both the arm assembly and the hook assembly to a lower inoperative position. A second actuator is mounted to the first actuator and the arm assembly to provide a constant upward bias tending to pivot the arm assembly and the hook assembly upward to an operative position.

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 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.