Dock leveler assembly with adjustable automatic release
US6973693B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G69/2876
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A dock leveler assembly includes a base and a ramp that is pivotably movable under the influence of a biasing arrangement to a raised position. The ramp is lowered into engagement with a truck bed, preferably via a lip connected to the outer end of the ramp, and a holddown assembly maintains the ramp in a lowered position during loading and unloading of the truck bed against the force of a biasing arrangement that urges the ramp toward a raised position. The holddown assembly includes an extendible and retractable mechanism which is selectively fixed in position to maintain the ramp in a desired position. A “float” apparatus using a compression spring accommodates a certain amount of vertical movement of the ramp as the truck bed moves up and down during loading and unloading. A release arrangement enables the holddown assembly to be extended and retracted, and includes an automatic actuating arrangement that allows the mechanism to be extended upon application of a selected upward force to the ramp when the ramp is in a lowered position. The automatic actuating arrangement includes a flexible member such as a chain, and an adjustment arrangement for adjusting the inoperative posit…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.