Runoff guard and dock leveler locking apparatus
US5343583A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G69/2841
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Dock leveler operable as a runoff guard includes a center plate pivotally connected to a base plate, a lip plate pivotally connected to the forward edge of the center plate, and a locking bar hingedly connected to the bottom surface of the center plate. The second end of the locking bar is adapted to swing into abutting engagement with a stop member mounted on the base plate when the center plate is pivoted into its upright rearward position to brace the center plate against pivotal movement in the forward direction. The dock leveler also includes a mechanical linkage extending between the base plate and the center plate for pivoting the center plate, and a removable lever arm for actuating the mechanical linkage. A first pivotal paddle is engageably-aligned with the mechanical linkage, and a second pivotal paddle, which is operatively connected to the first paddle, is engageably-aligned with the locking bar. Movement of the mechanical linkage, by the lever arm, pivots the paddles to automatically release the locking bar and permit subsequent pivotal movement of the center plate in the forward direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.