Dock leveler in which the ramp is raised and lowered using an inflatable member and method of use

Year	Description
1995	Invention patented by Charles H. Hodges, Martin P. Hageman, and Monroe Mulder on January 30th, 1995. Abstract: 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.
Source: selected by the editor from original sources.

Invention: Dock leveler in which the ramp is raised and lowered using an inflatable member and method of use