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:
Feb. 03, 2015
Filed:
May. 24, 2012
Charles J. Digmann, Dubuque, IA (US);
Jack T. Droullard, Epworth, IA (US);
Timothy J. Schmidt, Dubuque, IA (US);
Charles J. Digmann, Dubuque, IA (US);
Jack T. Droullard, Epworth, IA (US);
Timothy J. Schmidt, Dubuque, IA (US);
Rite-Hite Holding Corporation, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
A dock leveler comprising a vehicle-engaging lip pivotally coupled to the vertically adjustable front edge of a deck includes a seal or series of seal segments that close one or more air gaps that exist in the area where the lip is hinged to the deck. Such gaps are particularly large when the lip hinge comprises a hinge pin that couples a series of lugs extending from underneath the deck to a series of lugs extending from the lip, wherein the lugs are spaced apart along the length of the hinge pin. The seal or seal segments could be above the deck, below the deck, or interposed between the adjoining edges of the deck and the lip. In some cases, the seal is provided by an air curtain or by a tube that is inflatable or hermetically sealed.