Abstract: A computing system and method. The inventive system comprises a user interface for providing user input and output and a RASP controller operationally coupled to the user interface. The RASP controller includes a central processing unit implemented with a microprocessor adapted to program instructions stored in a tangible medium and at least one RASP registers configured to store encoded data. A RASP formatter is operationally coupled to the RASP controller and a RASP memory operationally coupled to the RASP controller and the RASP formatter. A boot memory provides program instructions for execution by the central processing unit whereby computing system effects data storage and retrieval using a primal file structure. In a more specific implementation, an input buffer is included and adapted to store electrical signals representing an arbitrary finite data sequence. The RASP formatter is operationally coupled to the input buffer and includes a converter adapted to convert the sequence into a natural number.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally mounted ramp and a lip member pivotally mounted to the distal end of the ramp and moveable between an extended position and a depending position for forming a path between a loading dock and a loadbed of a vehicle. A motor operated linear power screw type actuator is connected to the ramp for moving the ramp to an elevated position and includes an extensible tube member which is engageable with a second tube in telescoped relationship in such a way that the actuator tube may be controlled to be retracted after positioning the ramp to engage the loadbed of a vehicle so that the actuator is not subject to forces exerted by the ramp during oscillatory movement while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded. In one alternate embodiment the actuator is connected to an intermediate link to allow the pivotal movement of the ramp without exerting damaging forces on the actuator.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally mounted ramp and a lip member pivotally mounted to the distal end of the ramp and moveable between an extended position and a depending position for forming a path between a loading dock and a loadbed of a vehicle. A motor operated linear power screw type actuator is connected to the ramp for moving the ramp to an elevated position and includes an extensible tube member which is engageable with a second tube in telescoped relationship in such a way that the actuator tube may be controlled to be retracted after positioning the ramp to engage the loadbed of a vehicle so that the actuator is not subject to forces exerted by the ramp during oscillatory movement while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded. In one alternate embodiment the actuator is connected to an intermediate link to allow the pivotal movement of the ramp without exerting damaging forces on the actuator.