Dock leveler with a movable ramp and an inflatable member

Year	Description
1996	Invention patented by Douglas H. Massey and Bruce Winter on June 2nd, 1996. 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.
Source: selected by the editor from original sources.

Invention: Dock leveler with a movable ramp and an inflatable member