The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 08, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1996
Douglas H Massey, New Berlin, WI (US);
Bruce Winter, Muskego, WI (US);
Kelley Company, Inc., Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A dock leveler comprising a ramp movable between a lowered position and a raised position, an inflatable member positioned to move the ramp to its raised position upon inflation of the inflatable member, and an inflating device operatively connected with the internal cavity. The inflatable member includes upper and lower portions at least partially defining an internal cavity. An insert member is positioned in the internal cavity for maintaining a volume of gas between the upper and lower portions. Preferably, the insert member functions to maintain the inflatable member in engagement with a downwardly facing surface of the ramp, thereby inhibiting the presence of debris between the inflatable member and the ramp, and further expediting inflation of the inflatable member.