Abstract: A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions and does so at multiple deck elevations. In the blocking positions, the lip provides a safety barrier that helps prevent material and material handling equipment from accidentally falling off the front edge of the deck when a truck is not present at the dock. The lip can serve as the safety barrier when the deck is at its stored, cross-traffic position or when the deck is at a below-dock position for end loading operations. If required, the lip can be lowered below the top surface of the deck so as not to provide an obstacle during some below-dock end loading operations.

Abstract: A dock leveler includes a pivotally extendable lip coupled to a pivotal deck by way of a front hinge, wherein the structure in the area of the front hinge optimizes the torsional flexibility of the deck; provides a well supported, durable crown (apex angle between an extended lip and the deck); and reduces the part count of the dock leveler. The front hinge includes a deck-hinge member that extends approximately the full width of the deck and is preferably formed from a single sheet of material. A particularly narrow front header or flange disposed along the front edge of the deck reinforces the relatively thin deck plate so that the plate's rigidity more closely matches that of the thicker lip, yet the flange is sufficiently small to allow the deck to twist so that the deck can place the tip of the lip squarely upon a sideways inclined truck bed.