US3182343A - Dockboards - Google Patents

Description

May 9 c. E. LARSON 3, ,343

DOCKBOARDS Filed June 24. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ClagionE .Larson ATTORNEYS y 1965 c. E. LARSON 3,182,343

DOCKBOARDS Filed June 24, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Mm 4 Mason;

ATTORNEYS nocxsoama's Filed June 24, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 B; M amm ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,182,343 DOKBQARDS Clayton E. Larson, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to White Metal Rolling & Stamping (Iorporation, Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 24, 1960, Ser. No. 38,560

3 Claims. (Cl. 14-72) This invention relates to portable dockboards or bridges and more particularly, to docleboards of the type used to bridge a gap between two loading areas to facilitate movement of goods from one such area to the other.

In the handling of freight, it is frequently necessary totransfer extremely heavy loads between such stationary loading areas as loading platforms, docks or wharfs, and transporting vehicles such as freight trains, trucks, ships or aircraft. It is commonly the practice when this problem is encountered to use portable dockboards or bridges of the type to which this invention relates so that a temporary but continuous loading surface is provided between the tWo areas, whether such continuity of loading surface be for manually carrying articles of freight or for permitting the use of dollies, lift trucks or other vehicular means. Prior to this invention, such dockboards have been constructed by providing a heavy gage metal plate with a reinforcing su'bstructurein order to achieve the necessary resistance to bending and other stresses developed by the extremely heavy loads often incurred. These structures have been not only exceedingly heavy so as to require, in many instances, the use of a lifting device or specially made vehicle to handle them properly, but also, the sub-structures increase the overall size of the dockboard to the point where difiiculty has been encountered in using them in tight spaces to say nothing of the storage problems encountered when they are not in use. Moreover, after continued use, the unsupported portions of the metal plate decking become bent or deformed so that an uneven or irregular surface develops. Since the plate is a unitary piece of metal, it is especially difiicult, if not impossible to repair. As a result, a new plate and thus practically complete reconstruction of the doclcboard is required to restore it to its original condition.

Other problems have been encountered with dockboards of the type to which this invention relates, particularly by suppliers, because of the lack of a sutficiently versatile design to satisfy all job situations. For example, under certain conditions it may be desirable to use a dockboa-rd equipped with curbs while in other conditions, curbs may not be wanted. Or, some job requirements may call for a dockboard toe or end section having par ticular characteristics while other job situations may require differently shaped toe sections. Still further, flared or tapered dockboards may be desirable in some circumstances while rectangular shapes may be desirable in others. In the past, suppliers have had to stock many different types of dockboards to meet the damands of job situations or be prepared to fabricate special designs from avail-able material. This, of course, required much time and expense and, in many instances, resulted in the use of make-shift dockboards improperly suited for the specific job situation encountered.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to provide a new and unique portable dockboard for bridging the gap between two loading areas by which the problems heretofore encountered are substantially overcome.

Another object of this invention is theprovision of a doclqboard construction which makes possible the use of extruded metal parts, thereby facilitating the use of such light metals as magnesium, aluminum or alloys incorarenas Patented May 11, l$fi5 porating either one of or both of these and other light metals.

A further object of this invention is that of providing a dockboard of the type referred to fabricated from a plurality of independent parts, any one of which may be removed if damaged and a new one inserted in place of the worn or damaged part.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dockboard construction which incorporates structural elements capable of being assembled in many different ways so as to enable the proper design for each job situation with a minimum of additional expense.

A further object of this invention is that of providing a dockboard of the referred type which is not only light in weight but also which is provided with means to greatly facilitate easy handling without the need of special equip ment.

Another object of this invention is that of providing a dockboard of the type aforementioned which may be firmly anchored in the gap between loading areas by extremely strong, safe and easily adjusted means.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a dockboard construction which may be equipped with many diverse types of end sections without extensive modification of basic component parts to economically and effectively satisfy practically all job requirements.-

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a dockboard of the type referred to which is especially suitable for joining a plurality of sections to meet specific job requirements without extensive modifications and re sulting expenses.

Further objects and further scope of applicabiilty of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by Way of illustration only, since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

In general, the aforementioned objects are accomplished by constructing a dockboard of the type referred to in a manner such, that a plurality of transverse, integrally stiffened flooring members are arranged in side by side relationship and suspended between a pair of generally longitudinally extending side rails to form a floor or deck. The side rails are of constant cross-sectional configuration and formed having a pair of spaced flanges on one side for reception of the ends of the flooring members and having at their outer sides upper and lower angular flanges which define an outwardly facing undercut section to facilitate the mounting of slidable spacers or stop members as well as to provide hand-gripping means along the entire length of the dockboard whether it be in an upright or an inverted position. The flooring is provided with a corrugated or grooved traction surface and those sections of flooring in the central portion of' erally it is feathered to provide a transition between the deck and the loading areas between which the dockboard is used. Further, the depending stop members are equipped with spring biased latch pins registrable with spaced holes or apertures in the side rails to provide for positive positioning of the stop members at various points over the length of the dockboard.

A more complete understanding of the new and im- 7 proved portable dockboard of this invention and its use side rails and in side .by side relationship.

-the flooring members 30. The webs 36 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4- is a perspective view of a modified form of the the dockboard; P16. 5 'is a fragmentaryperspective view showing another modification of the invention; 7 FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing still another modification of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view'similar to FIG. 2 but showing the docirboard equipped with a modified toesection; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing still another modified form of toe section.

As shown in the drawings, the dockboard. of this.

invention is provided with a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side rails generally designated by the numeral 10, a floor or deck 12 and a plurality of spacers or stop members 14- depending from the exteriorof the side rails in a manner which will be more fully described hereinafter.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the cross section of the side 'rails ltl includes a web portion 16' on which is formed.

integrally a pair of inwardly extending, upper and lower flange portions 13 and 2% respectively. The outboard side of the side rail cross section includes a lower outwardly extending flange portion 22 generally co-extensive with the portion 20 and terminating at its outer end in. an upwardly extending wall portion 24'. In similar fashion, a flange portion 26 extends outwardly from the upper edge of the 'web 16 and terminatesina downwardly extending wall portion 28. In this manner, the outboard cross section of the side rails is generally undercut or G-shaped. This construction not only provides an extremely strong beam section highly resistant to bending and torsion stresses but also the wail portions 24 and 23 establish hand grips extending over the full length of the dockboard, thereby greatly facilitating the handling of the dockboard whether it be upright or in an inverted condition. In addition, this configuration provides effective ways in which the stop members may be slidably mounted and facilitates joining two side rail sections .as will be more fully understood from the description below.

The deck 12 is formed by'a plurality of individual flooring members 36 having a grooved or generally corrugated tread 31 and extending transversely between the The flooring members 30 at the central portion of the dockboard are of generally rectangular cross section and formed having a centrally depending rib 32, which terminates at its lower end in a flange portion 34. Likewise, a downwardly extending rib Cid having an rected flange portion38 is formed along each. side of are provided with alternating tongues and grooves 40 and 42 respectively to establish any interlock between the individual members 30, thereby enhancing the load carrying oapacity of the, deck when assembled. As can'be seen from FIGS. 2 and .3 of these drawings, the flooring mem-y bers 30 extend within the inwardly extending flanges 18 44. It will be understood, however, that in place of the rivets, 44, other means such as bolts, welds or-pins could be used to secure the flooring; members to the side rails.

.the centrally disposed flooring members 30, nofurther discussion thereof is deemed necessary. The. toe mern-z inwardly di-' and 20 on the side rail and are secured there by rivets.

bers 46, however, differ in that they are feathered out at their leading edge 50. At the mid portion ofthe toe member 46is a downwardly and inwardly extending rib 52, adapted to engage the outer end of each of the lower inwardly projecting flanges. 26 on the side rails 10. To secure the central portion of the toe members 46in like fashion, an auxiliary reinforcing plate 54 is' atlixedYto the lower portion ofthe ramp member 48 aswell as to the outwardmost flange 38 of the first mid-section flooring .member suchas by rivets56. (This plate member abuts against the rib 52 on the toe member and is positiveiy aflixed thereto by rivets 58. Additionally, a tongue and groove joint 60 is established between the inner edge of the toe member and the outer edge of the ramp mem- 1 her 48. Because the upper limits of both=the toe member ddand the ramp member-48 do .not completely fill the space between the side rail inboard 'flanges .18 and 20, a filler member. 62 suitably shaped to theprofileestablished by the upper surface of the end section formed by both these members is inserted under the upper. flange 18. In this manner, a completely feathered end section is positively and rigidly affixed to. the 'e'nd of the deck. Moreover, itwill be noted that the feathered edge of the toe member 46, depends dowuwardlyutoa point which is equal to or slightly lower than the lowermost portion of the dockboard, excepting of course the stop members 14- To effectively anchor the dockboard' between the two loading areas spanned, the spacers or stop members 14 are adjustably secured on the side rails '16 and extend downwardly past the lowermost or load sustaining ex: tremities of the dockboard deck. Each of the stop members 14 is preferably formed having. a channel section 64 i and 'a mounting member 66 weldedybolted, riveted or otherwise suitably affixed to the interior surface of the channel'member. The mounting member 55, as may be best seen in FIG. 3 is of a cross section including a web portion 68 and an upper and lower fiange'portions 743 which are shaped to complement the interior or undercut configuration of the outboard section of the side rails its inward end in adownwardly extending flange 74. To

secure the stop members 14 longitudinally ofwthe side rails and thus the dockborardQheaded latch-pins 76 ex-' tend through holes 77, 7S and 79 in the stop member channel, mounting member and mounting member flange 74 respectively.- The pins 76. are' formed having an enlarged annular shoulder 80 forming an abutment for a spring 82 engaging at its other end, the interior surface of the mounting memberweb 68. Thus, the pin 76 is urged inwardly under the bias of the spring 82. To effectv the factual latching of the stop members 14 to the side rails 10, the side railweb 16 is provided with a plurality of holes 84 registrable with the holes 77, 78 and 79 so that the stop members may be positioned atany point along the dockboardr V To strengthen theends of the side rails andas well provide a positive stop againstaccidentally removing the stop members14 'com'pletelyifrom theside nails Ilka solid bar 86 is secured to the; web 16 0f the side rails by inforces the'G-shaped outboard section of the side rails substantially as ,shownIin FIG."1. Since-the bolts 86 serve to secure the bar in place, they maybe easily re After the ends of the dockboard are satisfactorily supported on each of the loading areas, the headed pin 76 in the stop members 14 are displaced outwardly so as to permit sliding of these members along the side rails 10. When the stop members engage the edges of the respective loading areas, the pins are released to engage ho1es84 in the side rail webs 16, thereby firmly and positively anchoring the stop members. Since the loading areas are immovable, the abutment of the stop members 14 against the edges of these loading areas prevents displacement of the dockboard in the direction of either loading area so that it cannot he accidentally slid ofl.

A modified form of the dockboard of this invention is shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In this modification, the construction of the side rails 10, the stop members 14 as well as the cross section of the members which make up the flooring 12 are substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The principal difference of the modification lies in the flaring of the side rails in a manner such that the dockboard is wider at one end than at the other. Flared dockboards of this type are particularly desirable for use in spanning the gap between railroad cars or other vehicles and loading platforms, or in other situations where a limited amount of breadth is permitted on one of the loading areas while an unlimited amount of breadth is permitted on the other. Furthermore, since the basic component parts of this dockboard remain unchanged from those used in the dockboard illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, except for the length of the flooring members and the angle at which they are cut, it is simple matter for a supplier to provide such a flared dockboard to a user.

Under some circumstances where the loading areas between which the dockboard is situated are at different elevations, thereby requiring the doclqboard to be inclined, it is desirable to provide what is known in the art as a crowned dockboard in order to assure engagement of the doclsboa-rd ends with the floors of their respective loading areas. A modification of this invention to provide such a crowned dockboar-d is illustrated in FIG. 5 0f the drawings. As shown, the same component parts are used except that in this instance the side rails are formed in two sections, 92 and 94 respectively. The sections are joined by a plate 96 positioned in the undercut section established by the flanges 22 and 26. To restrain the sections 92 and 94 from longitudinal movement with respect to one another, the plate 96 is riveted to the Web 16 of the sections 92 and 94 by rivets 98, though other suitable means such as bolts, welds or the like may be used. Thus it will be seen that because of the generally undercut outboard side of the side rail 10, such a crowned dock-board may be prepared without requiring any more than the plate 96 by which the sections 92 and 94 may be joined.

A further example of how the dockboard of this invention may be modified to adapt to a different job situation is illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. The modification shown in FIG. 6 is adapted to be used in loading situations where the gap betwen t-Wo loading areas is unusually long and requires at least two lengths of dockboard. When this is required, the filler bars 86 are removed as aforementioned and a joining plate 1% is inserted within the C-shaped outboard side of each of the side rail sections being joined. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate 100 is formed having upper and lower portions of reduced thickness 102 (only the upper one being shown) to be received within the upper and lower flange portions of the side rail in a manner very similar to the stop members 14 as shown in FIG. 3. When in place, the plate 160 is retained against longitudinal movement with respect to the side rail sections 10 by pins 103 engaging the holes 84 in each of these sections thus also preventing the longitudinal movement thereof. To support the central portion of the span comprising the two dockboards a pier arrangement is effected by a channel member 104 suitably afiixed to the plate such as by a bolt 166, the channel member 104 slidingly receiving a tubular post 108 which in turn may be locked against movement with respect to the channel 104 by a bolt 110. The pier is braced sulficiently by a brace member 11 2 extend-ing from the bottom of the pier back to one of the dockboards as will be understood by those familiar in the art.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, there are shown modified forms of end sect-ions which may be used with the dockboard of this invention. The modifications'hown in FIG. 7 is adapted for use in job situations where there is insufiicient space for effective use of the adjustable stops 14. Thus, the modified toe member 114 is formed having a feathered portion 116 located substantially midway between the fianges 18 and 2t and a depending wall 118 formed having "a horizontal flange 120. The deck side of the toe member 114 is formed having a depending rib 122 formed with a horizontally projecting flange 124 and provided with a tongue and groove cross section for junction with the flooring section 30 as described above. Thus, in this modification the forward face of the wall 118 will serve to prevent movement of the dockboard toward the loading area on which the feathered portion 116 rests. Also, a reinforcing strap 126 may be applied to the lower central edge of the end section and fastened in place such as by rivets 128.

The modified end section illustrated in FIG. 8 is adapted particularly to job situations where the dockboard must be placed at a substantial incline with respect to a horizontal loading area. In this instance, a toe member 130 is formed such that the featherededge thereof is adjacent and affixed to the flange 18 by rivets 132. A transition member 134 also aflixed to the flange 13 such as by rivets 136 is disposed between the dockboard side of the toe section 130 and the central floor sections 30. In this embodiment, the side rail web is cut on a bias along line 138 to establish, as will be understood by those familiar in the art, an increased bearing area is provided at the lower end of an inclined dockbo-ard.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be understood by those familiar in this art that by this invention an extremely light, safe and versatile dockboard is provided. Because of the cross sectional configuration of the side rails 10, a highly effective means is provided for supporting the flooring members as well as the various types of end sections indicated. Further, since the floor retaining flanges 18 and 2t define a symmetrical cross section about a line disposed mid-way therebetween, it is possible to invert the side rails in such a manner that no cunb is provided which under some circumstances is desirable. It will be appreciated, of course, that the full load carrying capacity of the side rails remains available.

The generally undercut outboard side of the side rails 10, as has been demonstrated, lends further versatility to the dockboard of this invention by enabling easy connection of two or more side rail sections. Because of these features, a supplier is required to maintain in stock, varying lengths of only a small number of diiferent basic shapes. Moreover, because all of the component parts are extruded or formed from such light metals as magnesium, aluminum, or alloys incorporating either one or both of these and other light metals, the problem of cutting various length pieces from which to enable various modifications of the basic component sections is greatly reduced because metals of this type are easily sawed.

In addition, the provision of such safety features as the high curb provided by the side rails extending above the deck, the non-slip corrugated deck surface, the posit-ive manner in which the spacer stop members are affixed to the side rails makes the dockboard of this invention highly desirable for the use intended. Also, the easily operated latch pin arrangement for locking the stop members with respect to the side rails as well as the full length hand'grips afforded by the outboard cross-sectional configuration of the side rails makes the dockboard construction of this invention extremely easy to handle.

foregoing description is illustrative only and that the true spirit and scope of the present invention is to be established by the appending claims.

I claim: 1. A dockboard of the type described including: (A) a deck, v (B). spaced side rails substantially as long as the length of said deck'suppo'rting said deck, said side rails each including a web andupper and loweroutwardly extending: flange portions terminating in downwardly and upwardly extending portions respectively to define an outwardly directed undercut face, E (C) each of said ti-ons,

side rails comprising at least two sec- (D) means for joining the said sections including a (D) a substantial portion of said web extending above the top surface of said deck providing side barriers ior said deck,

(E) upper and lower flange portions on said side rails extending outwardly from said webs,

(F) said upper flange portion terminating in a downwardly extending flange and said lower flange portion terminating in anupwardly extending flange defining an outwardly directed undercut section,

(G) said side rails each including a pair of inwardly directed upper and lower spaced flanges,"

(H) said deck including a plurality of flooring members extending between said side rails and anchored between said inwardly directed upper and! lower spaced flanges, v

(I) a plurality of depending stop rnernbers adjustably V secured to said side rails comprising n p (l a mounting portion complementary at least in part to said undercut section and slideably carried therein, and I (K) lock means for adjustahly securing said stop members at various positions along said side rails. V 3. A dockboard as claimed in claim 2 in which said flooring members are of increasing length from one end of the dockboard to the other and said side rails are correspondingly flared providing a deck of greater width at one 'end than at the other.

References Jilted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,836 6/15 Green 14-72 1,970,979 8/34 Robb 141 2,302,586 11/42 Thelen 94-30 X 2,329,855 9/43 Rydnerj 14-72 2,436,467 2/48 Winter 14-71 X 2,443,801 6/48 Prince 94-30 2,452,222 10/48 Bryson' 14 -72 2,452,289 10/48 .Bryson 14-72 2,521,349 9/50 Diamond 14-72 2,760,216 8/56 Curt-is 14-72 JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A DOCKBOARD OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED INCLUDING: (A) A DECK, (B) SPACED SIDE RAILS SUBSTANTIALLY AS LONG AS THE LENGTH OF SAID DECK SUPPORTING SAID DECK, SAID SIDE RAILS EACH INCLUDING A WEB AND UPPER AND LOWER OUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE PORTIONS TERMINATING IN DOWNWARDLY AND UPWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY TO DEFINE AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTED UNDERCUT FACE, (C) EACH OF SAID SIDE RAILS COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO SECTIONS, (D) MEANS FOR JOINING THE SAID SECTIONS INCLUDING A PLATE POSITIONED WITHIN SAID UNDERCUT FACE AND FIXED TO SAID SIDE RAIL WEB, AND (E) A SUPPORTING PIER CARRIER BY SAID PLATE.

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