Loading dock leveler with lip extension mechanism

US8132280B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Nordock, Inc. · CA

Inventors

• Denis Gleason · Bowmanville, CA
• Andrew Barrett · Ajax, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 13, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 27, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G69/2841
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A dock leveler with a deck and an extendable lip that hangs pendant when the deck is in a stored position. A lip extension mechanism engages when the deck is raised to a raised or cocked position. As the deck is lowered to an intermediate transition position, the extension mechanism extends the lip to a fully extended position. At the transition position, the lip extension mechanism automatically disengages and a lip locking mechanism automatically and simultaneously locks and holds the lip in its fully extended position. When the deck is further lowered so that the lip comes to rest on a truck trailer, the locking mechanism automatically released or unlocked. The lip returns to its pendant position when the deck is raised from the truck bed. After the truck pulls away from the dock, the deck is lowered to its stored position.