The loading bridge for ramps has a bridge plate having a forward and a rearward end. It is connected with the rearward end to the ramp so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. An extension connected to the forward end of the bridge plate is provided and is extendable from an initial position into an extended position for supporting the bridge plate on a vehicle to be loaded and unloaded and retractable from the extended position into the initial position. At least one support leg with an upper and a lower end for supporting the bridge plate in a rest position is provided. The support leg is pivotably connected with the upper end to the bridge plate such that the lower end swivels upwardly toward the rearward end of the bridge plate when the extension is extended. The support leg has a positioning lever. The extension has a downwardly projecting beam. Upon extending the extension the positioning lever is loaded by the downwardly projecting beam such that the positioning lever is pivoted together with the support leg into a folded position. In the folded position the positioning lever rests on the downwardly projecting beam. The downwardly projecting beam has such a length that the support leg is secured against returning into the rest position over the entire travel length of the extension from the initial position into the extended position.
A support leg system and method for supporting a dock leveler. The support leg system includes a support leg, cam, engaging surface, and counterbalancing apparatus. The method includes moving a support leg to a non-supporting position when the dock leveler ramp is engaged with a vehicle, and moving the support to a supporting position if the dock leveler ramp descends too quickly.
A support leg system for a dock leveler includes a support leg with a striker surface configured to engage a slider bar. When the striker engages the slider bar at a slow speed, the striker will slide down the slider bar and retract the support legs. However, when the striker engages the slider bar at a high rate of speed, the slider bar will deflect and cause the support legs to remain in a supporting position.
A dock leveler includes a support leg system configured to remain in a support position when the dock leveler descends rapidly and retract when the dock leveler descends slowly. A disengaging system is also included to disengage the support legs from retracting when the dock level lip is in a pendant position. A method of operating a dock leveler includes keeping a support leg in a support position when a dock leveler descends rapidly and retracting a support leg when the dock leveler descends slowly.
In one embodiment, a dock leveler includes a support leg system configured to remain in a support position when the dock leveler descends rapidly and retract when the dock leveler descends slowly. In another embodiment, a dock leveler includes a multi-tiered lip keeper support system for supporting the ramp at more than one position. In another embodiment, a method of supporting a dock leveler ramp includes attaching a first and second lip engaging apparatus under the ramp.
A foldable ramp having an improved hinge construction to increase load capacity. The foldable ramp overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a ramp having a first ramp section and a second ramp section, pivotable relative to each other between a folded storage position and an open working position wherein the ramp sections are prevented from pivoting to a coplanar position relative to each other in the working position so as to increase load capacity.
