Dock leveler lip providing multi-position barrier

Abstract

A dock leveler includes a lip that not only pivots between an extended operative position and a pendant position relative to a deck but also translates in its pendant position between blocking and non-blocking positions and does so at multiple deck elevations. In the blocking positions, the lip provides a safety barrier that helps prevent material and material handling equipment from accidentally falling off the front edge of the deck when a truck is not present at the dock. The lip can serve as the safety barrier when the deck is at its stored, cross-traffic position or when the deck is at a below-dock position for end loading operations. If required, the lip can be lowered below the top surface of the deck so as not to provide an obstacle during some below-dock end loading operations.

1 . A dock leveler, comprising: 
 a deck being movable to vertically move a front edge of the deck, wherein the deck is selectively movable to a cross-traffic position, a first below-dock position, and a second below-dock position, wherein the first below-dock position is between the cross-traffic position and the second below-dock position; and    a lip coupled to the front edge of the deck, wherein the lip includes a back edge that protrudes farther above the front edge when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position than when the deck is resting at the second below-dock position.    
   
   
       2 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the back edge of the lip protrudes above the front edge of the deck when the deck is resting at the cross-traffic position.  
   
   
       3 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the lip supports more of the deck's weight when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position than when the deck is resting at the second below-dock position.  
   
   
       4 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the lip can translate linearly relative to the deck.  
   
   
       5 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the lip can pivot relative to the deck.  
   
   
       6 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the lip can both pivot and linearly translate relative to the deck.  
   
   
       7 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the deck is further selectively movable to an intermediate below-dock position that is between the cross-traffic position and the first below-dock position, and the back edge of the lip protrudes above the front edge of the deck when the deck is at the intermediate below-dock position.  
   
   
       8 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip keeper that includes a plurality of rest points upon which the lip can rest, wherein the plurality of rest points are at a corresponding plurality of elevations that help determine the elevation of the front edge of the deck when the deck is resting at the cross-traffic position and the first below-dock position.  
   
   
       9 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip keeper that includes a plurality of rest points upon which the lip can rest, wherein the plurality of rest points includes a storage rest point and a first rest point, wherein the storage rest point helps support the deck at the cross-traffic position when the lip is resting on the storage rest point, and the first rest point helps support the deck at the first below-dock position when the lip is resting on the first rest point.  
   
   
       10 . The dock leveler of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of rest points includes an intermediate rest point that helps support the deck at an intermediate position when the lip is resting on the intermediate rest point, wherein the intermediate position is between the cross-traffic position and the first below-dock position, and the intermediate rest point is between the storage rest point and the first rest point.  
   
   
       11 . A dock leveler, comprising: 
 a deck being pivotal to linearly move a front edge of the deck, wherein the deck is selectively movable to a cross-traffic position, a first below-dock position, and a second below-dock position, wherein the first below-dock position is between the cross-traffic position and the second below-dock position; and    a lip coupled to the front edge of the deck such that the lip can both pivot and linearly translate relative thereto, wherein the lip includes a back edge that:    i. protrudes above the front edge when the deck is resting at the cross-traffic position,    ii. protrudes above the front edge when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position, and    iii. protrudes farther above the front edge when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position than when the deck is resting at the second below-dock position.    
   
   
       12 . The dock leveler of  claim 11 , wherein the lip supports more of the deck's weight when the deck is resting at the first below-dock position than when the deck is resting at the second below-dock position.  
   
   
       13 . The dock leveler of  claim 11 , wherein the deck is further selectively movable to an intermediate below-dock position that is between the cross-traffic position and the first below-dock position, and the back edge of the lip protrudes above the front edge of the deck when the deck is at the intermediate below-dock position.  
   
   
       14 . The dock leveler of  claim 11 , further comprising a lip keeper that includes a plurality of rest points upon which the lip can rest, wherein the plurality of rest points are at a corresponding plurality of elevations that help determine the elevation of the front edge of the deck when the deck is resting at the cross-traffic position and the first below-dock position.  
   
   
       15 . The dock leveler of  claim 11 , further comprising a lip keeper that includes a plurality of rest points upon which the lip can rest, wherein the plurality of rest points includes a storage rest point and a first rest point, wherein the storage rest point helps support the deck at the cross-traffic position when the lip is resting on the storage rest point, and the first rest point helps support the deck at the first below-dock position when the lip is resting on the first rest point.  
   
   
       16 . The dock leveler of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of rest points includes an intermediate rest point that helps support the deck at an intermediate position when the lip is resting on the intermediate rest point, wherein the intermediate position is between the cross-traffic position and the first below-dock position, and the intermediate rest point is between the storage rest point and the first rest point.  
   
   
       17 . A method of moving a dock leveler that includes a lip coupled to a deck, wherein the deck is movable above and below a cross-traffic position, the method comprising: 
 lowering the deck below the cross-traffic position; and    lowering the deck relative to the lip so that the lip protrudes above the deck when the deck is at a first below-dock position that is below the cross-traffic position.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 from the first below-dock position, raising the deck relative to the lip;    raising the deck and lip together;    partially extending the lip;    lowering the deck and the lip so that the deck descends to a second below-dock position that is lower than the first below-dock position; and    allowing the lip to retract.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising pivoting and vertically sliding the lip relative to the deck.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising pivoting the deck.