Dockleveler with a barrier

Abstract

A dockleveler having a lip that can be both moved between a pendent inoperative position and an operative position and moved from a retracted to an extended position. This feature allows the lip to be partially extended during an end load so that the lip engages a portion of the vehicle bed and does not contact the load. The dockleveler further includes a barrier that is resiliently mounted to provide a cushioning effect when impacted by material handling equipment. This feature reduces the likelihood of damage to the barrier and/or dockleveler, and further reduces the chance of disrupting a load carried by the material handling equipment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dockleveler comprising: 
 a deck movable between a raised position and a lowered position; and    a lip member connected to said deck;    a lip actuator connected to said lip member that moves said lip member relative to said deck between a pendent inoperative position and an operative position; and    an extension actuator connected to said lip member that moves said lip member between a retracted position and an extended position when said lip member is in the operative position, and wherein the retracted position is closer to said deck than the extended position.    
     
     
         2 . A dockleveler as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier member secured to said lip member.  
     
     
         3 . A dockleveler as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lip member is pivotally mounted to said deck.  
     
     
         4 . A dockleveler as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an extension control operatively associated with said extension actuator, whereby extension of said lip member is controllable by an operator of the dockleveler.    
     
     
         5 . A docklever as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a lip support positioned below said lip member and dimensioned to engage and support said lip member in the inoperative position.  
     
     
         6 . A dockleveler as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an extension member movably mounted to said deck and pivotally supporting said lip member.