MXPA02000899A - Self-unlatching dock leveler lip with dampened descent - Google Patents

Abstract

A dock leveler ramp (24) with a lip (22) that can be latched in an extended position to ensure that the lip (22) comes to rest upon the back end of a vehicle (32) as the ramp (24) descends includes a novel unlatching mechanism (56). The mechanism (56) positively unlatches the lip (22) by direct force created by the lip (22) engaging the vehicle (32) or created by the ramp (24) descending upon an internal abutment (68) in the event that a vehicle (32) is not present. Also, the descent of an unlatched lip (22) is dampened to prevent the lip (22) from slamming back down to its pendant position.

Description

IREBOI DIl MSV !: iJyD ©] R DI? Í3 Ol > ? i? CSO? FROM PX._ T .EOKM_Ü ECtX .U € ORTieU B © X-dial The subject matter of the invention relates generally to load-bearing levelers, and more specifically, to load-bearing levelers having a flange extension.

SSS issates d © l X¡ppf @ raih © levelers loading platforms are often used to compensate for a difference in height can exiptir between a loading platform and the bed of a truck parked on the pallet. A loading platform leveler normally includes a ramp that is hinged at its trailing edge to raise or lower its front edge to generally coincide with the height of the truck bed. Frequently, an extension plate or flange is pivotally coupled to the ramp to bridge the gap between the front edge of the ramp and the trailing edge of the truck bed. The rairpa and flange provide a path for the forklifts to travel from the loading platform and into the bed of the truck, thus facilitating the loading or unloading of the same. For some levelers loading platform, the sequence of operation on includes pivoting up the ramp to a height that allows the lip to pivot toward was ra so that it can extend at the rear edge of the truck bed without hitting him. The extended position of the flange can be secured to the ramp to allow the ramp to descend for a sufficient time and thus place the extended flange on the bed of the truck. A contact force can be used between the bed of the truck and the bottom of the edge to free it, so that when the truck leaves, the freed shoulder is free to swing down. An example of a bolt-on loading platform leveler can be found in US Patent No. 3.99 > 7,932. It looks like a ramp pivots up to its peak height while the rim remains hanging down in its suspended position. Subsequently, as the ramp pivots down again, a bar 23 pushes the links 14 and 17 to begin raising the flange. As the raijnpa continues downward, the rreebboorrddee ccoonnttiinnúúaa ppiic? Oteando outward and However, it would be better to completely avoid the collision.

It appears that neither the loading platform levelers of the '315 Patent and the' 941 Patent address the problems associated with the flange having the ability to fall in free form. A pie plate leveler with lock bolt described in US Patent No. 4,091,488 addresses the problem d < free fall, although when doing it introduces yet another problem. An additional link (item 54) is added to close the flange To release the rim, the link 54 need swing downwards starting out 58. It seems that the only force impuls the link 54 to turn downward, its own weight, and this may be insufficient, if the EC 54 was inthe covered with some dirt, cor cosión or otherwise would link where the ENL ace 54 pivots on the bracket 55, possibly in dondle the link 54 matches heading 58. Such a link could create all the problems normally associated with left shoulder in its position with extended bolt once the truck leaves. Similarly, US Pat. No. 3,995,342 also includes a separate additional link (item 32) to attach the flange in a state closed. 32 po ria link appear to be susceptible to problems before me? Amateurs link 54 of the apparatus of Patent '488. In addition, the loading dock leveler 1 to Patent' 342 also seems to fall freely leave its rim without a decline checked . Although some of the loading platform levelers s mentioned before have flanges latch which are released by the engagement of the flange in the vehicle, and flange encaj / vehicle movement only active release oppositely to force. Therefore, additional mechanisms, such as springs or weights, are needed to provide the releasing force.

In order to provide a loading platform leveler with a positive release mechanism for an extended closed flange, the mechanism is released medi. nte direct force created by the flange that fits the vehicle or created by the descent of the leveler < and loading platform in an internal support in the case that a vehicle is not present.

In some embodiments, the slope of a freed flange is cushioned to provide a smooth and safe operation. In some embodiments, the release mechanism includes an element that not only exerts a force that holds the flange in a closed condition, but also exerts on alternatively another lower force that allows the flange to tilt at a controlled speed. A positive release mechanism, such as that provided by a preferred embodiment, must be more reliable than the terer than depending on the force of the spring to impel relatively small links to its position or depend only on its weight to free the flange s »bifflj < Figure 1 is a sectional side view of an example embodiment of a loading platform leveler in its standby position. Figure 2 shows the ramp of a loading dock leveler that begins to rise, Figure 3 shows a mooring cable of the loading dock leveler, just as it is tightened.

Figure 4 shows the flange of the loading platform leveler in a closed mode. Figure 5 shows the ramp near the rest of the closed flange in a truck bed. Figure 6 shows an adjustment mechanism in the center that releases the flange. Figure 7 shows the ramp and a freed flange that descends as the truck exits. Figure 8 shows a closed rim that is not in the truck. Figure 9, showing the loading platform leveler by itself forcing the adjustment mechanism to release the flange. Figure 10 shows a flange released with the ramp pivoted under the loading platform. .tallada d @ Ija ifisspit © In Figure 1, s < shows an example of a loading platform leveler which forcibly releases its ex-split flange by the force generated at a distal end of the flange at the time it fits into the article. In this figure there is shown a loading platform leveler 20 in standby with its pivoting rim 22 stored and its pivoting ramp 24 generally level with a top level of a loading platform 26. When a vehicle 2, such as a truck, reaches the loading platform 26, the ramp 24 pivots up to an articulation 28 connected to a structure 30. This starts to raise a front edge 34 of the ramp 24, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, a lifting apparatus 36 is employed to assist the pivotal upward movement of the ramp 24. Examples of lifting apparatus 36 include, but are not limited to a, a hydraulic cylinder, a rheumatic cylinder, an airbag or a spring (gas or mechanical) The ramp 24 continues to rise, which stretches an elongated tie-down element 38 as shown in Figure 3. In this For example, the mooring element 38 connects a primary link 40 to the structure 30 and can be any of a variety of elongated elements.Some examples of the mooring element 38 could include, but are not limited to, a cable A chain, a tie rod or even a rod or slide link with a string When the tie element 38 is taut, the ramp 24 continues to move upwards which causes mooring 38 pull the link 40 principal in address. contrary to the clock, as shown in the Figure, the main link 40 rotates about an axis 42 whose position is fixed relative to the ramp 24 by means of a conventional bracket. Such a meter is well known to those skilled in the art, and is only schematically incorporated in the illustration of the shaft 42 to more clearly show the operation of the loading platform leveler 20. The rotation movement ddeell eennllaaccee pprriinncciippaall 4400 operates a flange link 44 by means of a bolt 46 that engages the end of a slot 48 of the flange link 44. A second bolt 50 engages the link; slot 44 to a rib flange 52 extending rigidly from the flange 22. Therefore, the flange 22 pivots (relative to the ramp 24) around a joint 54 in response to the rotaltion of the main link 40 In an exemplary embodiment, the main link 40, together with the link of the flange 44, provide an adjustment mechanism at the center 56 which closes the rim 22 in an extended position before of descending the ramp 24. In Figure 3, the mechanism 56 is first shown in a configuration released with the bolt 46 generally above a line 58 that is defined by the shaft 42 and the bolt 50 Subsequently, as the main link 40 rotates to the position shown in Figure 4, the bolt 46 moves generally down the line 58 to place the mechanism 56 in a closed configuration with adjustment. To prevent the release from being very difficult, a t Dpe 60 is fixed relative to the ramp 24 to prevent the mechanism 56 from being traversed in its closed configuration Once closed, position with adjustment of the main link 40 and the The flange link 44 maintains the flange 22 in a closed mode, wherein the flange 22 remains substantially fixed relative to the ramp 24 regardless of any tension in the tie-down element 2. This ensures that the flange 22 remains extended. at the rear edge of the vehicle, as the ramp 24 is pivoted downward, as shown in Figure 5. Conformation ramp 22 descends further, as shown in Figure 6, The bottom portion of the flange 22 engages with the vehicle D 32. For example, the rim 22 can rest on the rear end of a truck's trailer bed. The vehicle 32 which rests against the rim 22 can, in effect, rotate the rim 22 slightly upwards relative to the ramp 24. The movement Relative rotation could cause a release link 62 (eg, a slide bar or an elongated folding element Le, such as a chain or a cable) to pull the mechanism 56 to its released configuration. In other shovels! The force created in the rim 22 engaging the vehicle 32 is used to positively release the flange 22. This basic concept can be carried out by a variety of very numerous structures to be mentioned. However, as an example, the release link 62 that connects the flange of the flange 52 to the main link 40, as the flange 22 pivots up relative to the ramp 24, the resulting rotation of the fin 52 pulls the link 62. to force the main link 40 to rotate in the direction of the hands of the DJ around the pin 42, thereby moving the main link 40 and the link of the flange 44 to a position under adjustment. In this example, the action is facilitated by the free sliding of the bolt 46 within the groove 48. With the loading platform leveler 20 in the position shown in Figure 6, the vehicle 32 can now be loaded or unloaded, if desired. When the vehicle 32 comes out, as shown in Figure 1, the flange 22 falls slightly, as allowed by the eccentricity of the bolt 46 within the slot 48. This renews the tension in the release link 62 and allows the flange 22 to descend while in a released mode. Now the flange 22 and the ramp 24, both are free to pivot down to the position shown in Figure 2, and eventually return to their waiting position of Figure 1. In order to prevent the flange 22 from tilting rapidly, it can be adding a damper 64 to dampen the movement (e.g., reducing the speed) of at least one of the rim 22, rim flap 52, rim link 44 or main link 40. For example, in one embodiment, the damper 64 is a: piston / cylinder with an integral spring 66 (Figure 7) that helps counteract the weight of the flange 22. The spring 66 could be a mechanical compression spring, or the shock absorber 64 could be a gas spring that provides functions of both cushioning the movement and counteracting the weight of the rim 22. In one embodiment, the shock absorber 64 is a piston / cylinder filled with liquid, so that the compression of the cylinder results in fluid of the liquid to tr through a controlled size hole to reduce the speed of rotation in the direction of the hands of the link 40. Returning to Figure 5, when the ramp 24 is descending with the rebo 22 closed, it is possible that the rim 22 may not have a vehicle 32. For example, vehicle 32 may be parked inadequately or may be parked. not being present on the loading platform 26. In such a case, the vehicle 32 could not release the reb 22; therefore the ramp 24 and the closed flange 22 may descend to a predetermined lower limit 70, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. In order to address this situation, the flange 22 is released by a different mechanism. to the vehicle. For example, in one embodiment, a travel limiting element 68 obstructs the continuous downward movement of the ramp 24 once the ramp 24 reaches its lower limit 70. In this example, the element 68i is located below the ramp 24. to engage the mechanism 56 to automatically release it automatically (for example, without additional intervention of a vehicle 32 of an operator). An obstruction element 68 that fits in the bottom portion of the links 40 or 44 releases the flange 22 forcing the main eyelid 40 to rotate. therefore, the scope d; The present invention will be determined by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims (1)

1. Selective the bonding of the flange a first force to control a speed of inclination of the flange, and a second force to maintain the flange of closed mode The leveler of loading platform in accordance with the rei? indication 1, further comprising a rebo tride link coupled to the rim; and a main link coupled to the flange link, the main link and flange link comprising an adjustment mechanism at the center having a closed configuration and a released configuration that determines at least partially the closed mode and the released mode respectively. vamente. 4. The leveler and loading platform in accordance with the "indication 3", further comprising a release link coupled to move the adjustment mechanism in the center of the closed configuration to the released configuration, in response to the ascending pivot of the flange with respect to the ramp The leveler c.e loading platform according to claim 4, wherein the release link is an elongated folding element. The leveler ge loading platform according to claim 5, wherein the release link is a chain. 7. The loading platform leveler according to claim 5, wherein the release link is a cable. The loading platform leveler according to claim 4, wherein the release link is engaged between the flange and the main link 9. The loading platform leveler according to claim 4, further comprising a rebarde flap extending rigidly from the flange and engaging the flange link aall rreebboorrddee ,, yy eenn ddoonnddee the release link engages the leg of the flange to the main link 10. The loading platform leveler according to claim 3, further comprising an elongated a.rail element acting at the moment in which the main link drives the flange to pivot. in response to the upward pivoting of the ramp 11. The loading platform leveler in accordance with claim 1, which comprises in addition a coupled shock absorber for cushioned movement of the rim in the released mode 12. The load-bearing platform leveler according to claim 11, wherein the shock absorber includes an integral spring that at least partially counteracts the downward movement of the rim in the released mode. 13. The loading platform leveler in accordance with the rei? indication 1, further comprising a path limiting element that at least pardally establishes the predetermined lower limit 13.5 The loading platform leveler in accordance with the indication 3, which further comprises a 1-way travel element disposed under the ramp , wherein the flange is transferred to the released mode at the moment at least one of the link of the flange and the main link descend to engage with the limit element of travel 14. The leveler of the loading platform according to claim 13, wherein the limit travel element is arranged below the ramp. 15. A load-bearing platform leveler adapted to fit a vehicle, comprising an structure; a ramp pivotally coupled to the structure; a flange pivotally coupled to the ramp and having a distal end adapted to fit the vehicle; and a latch mechanism coupled to the rim and ramp and having a closed mode and a released mode, wherein the latch mechanism prevents the ridge from turning down relative to the ramp in the closed mode, and allows the The flange pivots relative to the ramp in the released mode, the bolt mechanism being moved in its released manner by urging force originating at the distal end of the flange at the time of engagement of the vehicle 16. The platform leveler load according to claim 16.5, further comprising a flange link coupled to the link and selectively transmitting a first force which controls the speed of inclination of the flange in the released mode, and transmits a second force which holds the flange in the closed mode 17 The loading platform leveler in accordance with the reiyindication 15, wherein the The latch mechanism operates in a closed mode in a released mode in response to at least one of the flange and the ramp that descends to the predetermined lower limit in the case that the flange does not contact the vehicle. charging according to claim 16, further comprising a main link coupled to the flange link to provide an adjustment mechanism in the center having a closed configuration and a released configuration that at least partially determines the wrong mode and the mode released respectively. 19. The leveler and loading platform according to the indication reiv. 18, further comprising a coupled release link for moving the adjustment mechanism in the center of the closed configuration to the released configuration, in response to the ascending pivot of the flange with respect to the ramp. 20. The loading platform leveler in accordance with the rei? indication 19, wherein the release link is an elongated folding element, 21. The leveler and loading platform in accordance with the rei? indication 19, where the Release link is coupled between the flange and the main link. 22. The loading platform leveler according to claim 19, further comprising a rebar flap extending rigidly from the flange and engaging the flange link to the flange, and wherein the release link engages the flange. fin flange to the main link. 23. The loading platform leveler according to claim 18, further comprising an elongated sail element acting at a time when the main link drives the flange to pivot upward in response to the upward pivoting of the ramp. 24. The leveler and loading platform according to the indication reiv 15, further comprising a damper coupled to the flange to dampen the movement 0 of the rim in the released mode, including 1 buffer an integral spring that counteract at least partially the descending movement of the flange in the released mode. 25. The loading platform leveler according to claim 17, further comprising a travel limit element, which at least partially establishes the predetermined lower limit 26. The loading platform leveler according to claim 25, wherein the travel limit element is disposed below the ramp 27. A method for operating a loading platform leveler that includes a ramp, of which a flange is pivotably coupled and adapted to fit a vehicle, wherein the method comprises placing an element in a closed position wherein the element exerts a clamping force that prevents the flange from rotating. down relative to the ramp; pivot the ramp1 downward so that the flange fits with the Velhicle to create a lacing force; and transmitting the engaging force to the element, thereby moving the element out of the closed position, to allow the flange to rotate down relative to the ramp 28. The method according to claim 27, which further comprises applying a damping force to the element, when the element is out of the closed position, thereby limiting the speed at which the flange rotates downward. A loading platform leveler ramp (24) with a rim (22) that can be closed in an extended position to ensure that the rim (22) rests on the rear end of a vehicle (32 as the ramp (24) descends, which includes a novel release mechanism (56) The mechanism 56) positively releases the flange (22) by direct force created by the flange (22) that fits with the vehicle (32) or created by the ramp (24) that descends in an internal support (68) in the case of the one that is not present a vehicle (32). Also, the inclination of a freed flange (22) is damped to prevent the reb Drde (22) from falling down to its suspended position.