Dock leveler with wheel barrier

Year	Description
1993	Invention patented by Kurt K. Larsen on January 18th, 1993. Abstract: Apparatus for use in a loading dock area to prevent any wheeled apparatus from accidentally falling off the loading dock. The leveler includes a ramp for supporting a load between a truck and a platform and also used to actuate a barrier, the barrier is operatively connected to the ramp through a plurality of links. The invention operates through the position of the ramp in relation to the platform top surface. When the dock leveler is in the stored position the ramp is at a 90.degree. angle to the dock leveler top surface. In this position the linkage has rotated the stop such that it protrudes above the surface of the deck. Thus forming the barrier so that no wheeled vehicles could accidentally roll off the end of the dock. When the dock leveler is below a level position, the linkage no longer acts to supports the barrier, so that the barrier falls back to the surface of the dock leveler, no longer forming a barrier. When the ramp is extended to a somewhat parallel position with the dock leveler top surface the linkage again no longer supports the barrier allowing it to fall back to the surface of the dock leveler.
Source: selected by the editor from original sources.

Invention: Dock leveler with wheel barrier