Kelley Company, Inc.

Kelly Company, Inc.

Charles Harwood Hodges

Martin P Hageman

Robert J Warner

Thomas J Palus

Jack L Sherard

Douglas H Massey

Donald A Wagner

Monroe Mulder

A dock leveler for use in a loading dock. The dock leveler includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a support structure. The ramp pivots between a generally horizontal lowered position and an upwardly-inclined raised position. The inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp and adapted to generate a force. The support structure is positioned between the inflatable assembly and the ramp and adapted to transfer the force of the inflatable assembly to the bottom of the ramp to move the ramp from the lowered position to the raised position. A conduit fluidly connects to the inflatable assembly through the support structure.

Dock leveler having an inflatable member

A loading dock including a dock surface and a supporting structure positioned within a pit in the dock surface. The loading dock also includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a support. The ramp is pivotally coupled to the supporting structure, and the inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp and adapted to move the ramp between a lowered position and a raised position. The support is positioned under and supports the inflatable assembly. The support is supported by a pit floor and is unsecured to the pit floor.

A dock leveler for use in a loading dock. The dock leveler includes a ramp, an inflatable assembly, and a gas moving device. The ramp includes an undersurface and is pivotal between a generally horizontal lowered position and an upwardly-inclined, raised position. The inflatable assembly is positioned under the ramp. The gas-moving device is mounted adjacent to the undersurface and fluidly connected to the inflatable assembly. A conduit fluidly connects the top of the inflatable assembly and the gas-moving device to provide gas to the top of the inflatable assembly. A support is positioned under and supports the inflatable assembly. The support is supported by a pit floor and is unsecured to the pit floor. The support can be manually lifted completely out of engagement with the pit floor when the ramp is in the raised position.

A wheel chocking device ( ) having a wheel chock ( ) that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock ( ) is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck ( ) to be driven over the wheel chock ( ). In the raised position, the wheel chock ( ) can be engaged with the wheel ( ) of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. In one embodiment, movement of the chock ( ) is provided by pneumatic cylinders ( ) that drive cables ( ) or chains associated with pneumatic pistons ( ) positioned within the cylinders ( ). As the chock ( ) is moved from the distal position, the chock ( ) can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position ( ). The chock ( ) is then moved toward the vehicle wheel ( ). Upon contact with the wheel ( ), the chock ( ) will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock ( ) can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel ( ).

Wheel chocking device and method for using the same

A wheel chocking device having a wheel chock that can be raised from a retracted position to a raised position. In the retracted position, the wheel chock is substantially flat, thereby allowing a truck to be driven over the wheel chock. In the raised position, the wheel chock can be engaged with the wheel of a truck to prevent the truck from driving away from a loading dock. As the chock is moved from the distal position, the chock can raise from a lowered position to an intermediate position. The chock is then moved toward the vehicle wheel. Upon contact with the wheel, the chock will raise from the intermediate position to the fully raised position. In another embodiment, the chock can be inserted laterally from the side of the wheel.

A dock leveler including a ramp having a rear edge movably interconnected with a loading dock and an inflatable assembly positioned to cause movement of the ramp inflation of the inflatable assembly. There is a support positioned under the inflatable assembly. The support is movably coupled to the ramp.

A method of securing a vehicle at a desired location using a wheel chocking device (,) having a chock (,) movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The method comprises the steps of positioning the vehicle at the desired location with the chock (,) in the lowered position, raising the chock to the raised position, moving the raised chock toward a wheel of the vehicle, sensing the presence of an obstruction on the vehicle, lowering the raised chock to an intermediate position to allow the chock to pass under the obstruction, and contacting the chock with the wheel. The wheel chocking device (,) includes a drive mechanism (,) that is positioned underneath the chock so that the vehicle actually drives over the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is simplified with the use of a drive screw (,) and a partial drive nut (,) that facilitates the use of support members (,) for supporting the drive screw at spaced locations along the length of the drive screw. A multi-link chock facilitates use of the device on wheels of varying sizes.

A dock leveler including a ramp having a rear edge movably interconnected with a loading dock, an intermediate member movable relative to the ramp, and an inflatable assembly positioned to cause relative movement between the ramp and the intermediate member upon inflation of the inflatable assembly, thereby resulting in movement of the ramp. The intermediate member is movably mounted to either a pit floor, a support structure or the ramp. A roller member is mounted to an end of the intermediate member. The inflatable assembly can be operatively associated with a vacuum device to allow for selective removal of gas from the inflatable assembly.

A support and attachment mechanism for a dock leveler lift bag. The dock leveler includes a supporting structure which is mounted in a pit in a loading dock and the rear end of a ramp is pivoted to the supporting structure so that the ramp is movable between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. A bag support member is pivoted to the supporting structure and is located in the pit beneath the ramp. An inflatable bag assembly is located adjacent the rear end of the ramp and is positioned between the underside of the ramp and the bag support member. By inflating the bag assembly, the ramp can be pivoted from the horizontal to the upwardly inclined position. The bag assembly includes a rearwardly extending tether which is secured to the supporting structure and prevents the bag assembly from squeezing forwardly as the bag assembly is inflated. The deflated bag assembly can be drawn upwardly against the underside of the ramp by pivotal movement of the bag support member to provide access to the pit.

Support mechanism for a dockleveler lift bag

A dock leveler including a ramp movable between a raised position and a lowered position is moved to its raised position by inflation of an inflatable member, such as an airbag supported beneath the ramp by a support assembly. The support assembly is removably mounted below the ramp at its rearward end, and its forward end is provided with wheels which engage the floor of the pit within which the dockleveler is mounted. A fan is mounted to the support adjacent its rearward end, and includes an outlet communicating through the support with the interior of the airbag. The airbag, support and fan are assembled into a subassembly which is removable as a unit from below the ramp. A lifting tool is employed to raise the forward end of the support assembly, either for cleaning or for use in mounting a pair of auxiliary wheel assemblies to the support assembly. The auxiliary wheel assemblies are employed to disengage the airbag, support and fan subassembly from the dock leveler and to facilitate withdrawal of the subassembly for servicing or the like.

Dock leveler in which the ramp is raised and lowered using an inflatable

A dock leveler comprising a ramp hinged at its rear end to a supporting structure and movable between a generally horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. A lip is hinged to the forward edge of the ramp and can be pivoted between a downwardly hanging pendant position and an extended position. Interposed between the ramp and the supporting structure is an inflatable bag, while a second inflatable bag interconnects the ramp and the lip. Blowers mounted beneath the ramp supplies low pressure air to both bags, and inflation of the first bag will move the ramp upwardly to the inclined position, while inflation of the second bag will move the lip from the pendant to the extended position.

Dock leveler incorporating an inflatable bag

An improved support and attachment mechanism for a dockleveler lift bag. The dock leveler includes a supporting structure or frame which is mounted in a pit in a loading dock and the pit has a forwardly sloping floor. The rear end of the ramp is pivoted to the supporting structure, so that the ramp can be pivoted between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. A bag support member is located in the pit beneath the ramp and is pivoted to the rear end of the ramp. An inflatable bag assembly is located adjacent the rear end of the ramp and is positioned between the underside of the ramp and the bag support member. By inflating the bag assembly, the ramp can be pivoted from the horizontal position to the upwardly inclined position. Guide members, such as rollers, are mounted on the forward end of the bag support member and ride on the floor of the pit as the bag assembly is inflated and the ramp is pivoted upwardly.

Support and attachment mechanism for a dockleveler lift bag

An inflatable bag assembly for a dock leveler including a stack of superimposed bags which are joined together along contiguous surfaces. The interiors of the bags are connected to a suitable source of low pressure gas such as air. The stack of superimposed bags is positioned between a supporting surface on a loading dock and a ramp which is hinged to the dock and is movable between a horizontal position and an upwardly inclined position. By supplying air to the bag assembly, the bag assembly is inflated thereby moving the ramp from the horizontal to the upwardly inclined position.

Growing community of inventors

Ruxton, MD, United States of America

Charles Harwood Hodges