Dock leveler safety supports

Abstract

Dock leveler safety supports are disclosed herein. An example dock leveler disclosed herein includes a deck movable relative to a platform between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration, where a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of the deck are proximate the platform when the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position and the deck residing at least partially in a pit when the front edge of the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position. A front edge of the deck is above at least one of the lowered cross-traffic position or the raised position and inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration. A first deck obstruction is movable relative to a deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position, where the first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration and the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration. The first deck obstruction extends farther beyond the outer perimeter of the deck when the first deck obstruction is in the secured position than when the first deck obstruction is in the unrestrained position.

1 . A dock leveler installable at a loading dock having a platform, the platform defining a pit having a pit width as measured in a lateral direction, the dock leveler comprising:
 a deck having an outer perimeter defined by a front edge, a rear edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the rear edge being proximate the platform and the front edge being movable relative to the platform between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge being proximate the platform when the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position, the deck residing at least partially in the pit when the front edge of the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position, the front edge being above at least one of the lowered cross-traffic position or the raised position and inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration;   a first deck obstruction being movable relative to the deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position, the first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration, the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration, the first deck obstruction to extend farther beyond the outer perimeter of the deck when the first deck obstruction is in the secured position than when the first deck obstruction is in the unrestrained position; and   an obstruction actuator operatively coupled to the first deck obstruction to move the first deck obstruction between the secured position and the unrestrained position.   
     
     
         2 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the first deck obstruction protrudes above a surface of the platform when the first deck obstruction is in the secured position. 
     
     
         3 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the first deck obstruction includes an elongate bar that extends greater horizontally than vertically. 
     
     
         4 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , further comprising a compliant elongate member coupled to the first deck obstruction. 
     
     
         5 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring coupled to the first deck obstruction. 
     
     
         6 . The dock leveler of  claim 1  further comprising a second deck obstruction, the first deck obstruction and the second deck obstruction protruding away from each other to span an overall deck obstruction distance that varies depending on whether the dock leveler is in the working configuration or in the service configuration, the overall deck obstruction distance being greater than the pit width when the dock leveler is in the service configuration, and the overall deck obstruction distance being less than the pit width when the dock leveler is in the working configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the obstruction actuator is accessible from a cross-traffic surface of the deck. 
     
     
         8 . A dock leveler installable at a loading dock having a platform, the dock leveler comprising:
 a deck having a front edge, a rear edge proximate the platform, a first lateral edge extending between the front edge and the rear edge, and a second lateral edge extending between the front edge and the rear edge, the front edge being movable relative to the platform selectively between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge being proximate the platform when the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position, the front edge being positioned above the lowered cross-traffic position and inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration;   a deck actuator configured to move the front edge of the deck between the raised position and the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in the working configuration;   a lip proximate the front edge of the deck and being movable relative to the deck between an extended position and a retracted position when the dock leveler is in the working configuration;   a first deck obstruction movable relative to deck actuator, the first deck obstruction being further movable relative to the deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position, the first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration, the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration, the first deck obstruction in the secured position to block downward movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position, the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position to permit downward movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position; and   an obstruction actuator operatively coupled to the first deck obstruction to move the first deck obstruction between the secured position and the unrestrained position, the obstruction actuator being accessible from an upper surface of the deck.   
     
     
         9 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , further comprising a lip obstruction selectively movable relative to the first deck obstruction between a support position and a release position, the lip obstruction in the support position to prevent the lip from moving to the retracted position, the lip obstruction in the release position to permit the lip to move to the retracted position, the obstruction actuator being operatively coupled to the lip obstruction to move the lip obstruction between the support position and the release position. 
     
     
         10 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , wherein the obstruction actuator comprises a manually operated handle accessible via the upper surface of the deck. 
     
     
         11 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , wherein the manually operated handle protrudes above the upper surface of the deck when the dock leveler is in the service configuration, the manually operated handle being recessed below the upper surface of the deck when the dock leveler is in the working configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , wherein the obstruction actuator is more illuminated when the dock leveler is in the service configuration than when the dock leveler is in the working configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , wherein the platform defines a pit in which the deck resides when the front edge of the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position when the deck is in the working configuration, the first deck obstruction protrudes horizontally beyond an inner perimeter defined by walls of the pit when the first deck obstruction is in the secured position, and the first deck obstruction is retracted within the inner perimeter defined by the walls of the pit when the first deck obstruction is in the unrestrained position. 
     
     
         14 . The dock leveler of  claim 13 , wherein the first deck obstruction protrudes over the platform when the dock leveler is in the service configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The dock leveler of  claim 13 , wherein the first deck obstruction includes an elongate bar coupled to the obstruction actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The dock leveler of  claim 13 , further comprising a compliant elongate member coupled between the obstruction actuator and the first deck obstruction. 
     
     
         17 . The dock leveler of  claim 13 , wherein the pit has a pit width as measured in a direction generally parallel to the rear edge of the deck, and the dock leveler further comprises a second deck obstruction, the first deck obstruction and the second deck obstruction protruding away from each other to span an overall deck obstruction distance that varies depending on whether the dock leveler is in the working configuration or in the service configuration, the overall deck obstruction distance being greater than the pit width when the dock leveler is in the service configuration, and the overall deck obstruction distance being less than the pit width when the dock leveler is in the working configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , further comprising a spring coupled to the first deck obstruction, the spring to urge the first deck obstruction toward the secured position. 
     
     
         19 . The dock leveler of  claim 8 , wherein the first deck obstruction is urged toward the secured position by gravitational force. 
     
     
         20 . The dock leveler of  claim 8  further comprising:
 an actuator mechanism that includes the obstruction actuator, a first driving member, and a second driving member, the obstruction actuator being configured to rotate the first driving member, the first driving member being configured to rotate the second driving member, and the second driving member being configured to move the first deck obstruction between the secured position and the unrestrained position; 
 a first axis about which the obstruction actuator and the first driving member rotate; and 
 a second axis about which the second driving member rotates, the first axis being offset relative to the second axis. 
 
     
     
         21 . A dock leveler installable at a loading dock having a platform, the dock leveler comprising:
 a deck movable relative to a platform between a raised position and a lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a working configuration, the deck being held above at least one of the lowered cross-traffic position or the raised position and inhibited from descending toward the lowered cross-traffic position when the dock leveler is in a service configuration;   a first deck obstruction being movable relative to the deck between a secured position and an unrestrained position, the first deck obstruction in the secured position configures the dock leveler in the service configuration, the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position configures the dock leveler in the working configuration, the first deck obstruction in the secured position to block movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position, the first deck obstruction in the unrestrained position to permit movement of the deck toward the lowered cross-traffic position; and   a handle operatively coupled to the first deck obstruction to move the first deck obstruction between the secured position and the unrestrained position, the handle being recessed relative to a cross-traffic surface of the deck when the dock leveler is in the working configuration, and the handle to protrude above the cross-traffic surface of the deck when the dock leveler is in the service configuration.   
     
     
         22 . The dock leveler of  claim 21  further comprising:
 a lip proximate a front edge of the deck and being movable relative to the deck between an extended position and a retracted position when the dock leveler is in the working configuration; and 
 a lip obstruction being movable relative to the first deck obstruction between a support position and a release position, the lip obstruction in the support position to prevent the lip from moving to the retracted position, the lip obstruction in the release position to permit movement of the lip toward the retracted position, the handle being operatively coupled to the lip obstruction to move the lip obstruction between the support position and the release position. 
 
     
     
         23 . The dock leveler of  claim 21 , wherein the handle is more illuminated when the dock leveler is in the service configuration than when the dock leveler is in the working configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The dock leveler of  claim 21 , wherein the platform defines a pit in which the deck resides when the deck is in the lowered cross-traffic position, the first deck obstruction to protrude horizontally beyond the pit when the first deck obstruction is in the secured position, and the first deck obstruction to be retracted within the pit when the first deck obstruction is in the unrestrained position. 
     
     
         25 . The dock leveler of  claim 21 , wherein the first deck obstruction protrudes out over the platform when the dock leveler is in the service configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The dock leveler of  claim 21 , wherein the platform defines a pit, the pit having a pit width as measured in a direction generally parallel to a rear edge of the deck opposite a front edge of the deck, the dock leveler further comprises a second deck obstruction, the first deck obstruction and the second deck obstruction to protrude away from each other to span an overall deck obstruction distance that varies depending on whether the dock leveler is in the working configuration or in the service configuration, the overall deck obstruction distance being greater than the pit width when the dock leveler is in the service configuration and the overall deck obstruction distance being less than the pit width when the dock leveler is in the working configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The dock leveler of  claim 21  further comprising:
 an actuator mechanism that includes the handle, a first driving member and a second driving member, the handle being configured to rotate the first driving member, the first driving member being configured to rotate the second driving member, and the second driving member being configured to move the first deck obstruction between the secured position and the unrestrained position; 
 a first axis about which the handle and the first driving member rotate; and 
 a second axis about which the second driving member rotates, the first axis being offset to the second axis. 
 
     
     
         28 . A dock leveler method for operating a dock leveler, the dock leveler method involving use of at least one of a deck installed within a pit the pit being defined by a platform that faces upward and a side wall that faces in a lateral direction, the dock leveler method comprising:
 urging, via a spring, a deck obstruction laterally against the side wall of the pit;   raising the deck while the spring urges the deck obstruction laterally against the side wall of the pit;   moving the deck obstruction above the platform via the deck;   in response to the deck obstruction rising above the platform, the moving, via the spring, the deck obstruction laterally outward beyond the side wall of the pit;   after the deck obstruction protrudes laterally outward beyond the side wall of the pit, descending the deck and thereby lowering the deck obstruction onto the platform; and   supporting at least a portion of the deck's weight via engagement between the deck obstruction and the platform.   
     
     
         29 . The dock leveler method of  claim 28  further comprising:
 supporting an obstruction actuator via the deck; and 
 manually manipulating the obstruction actuator, wherein the spring urging the deck obstruction laterally against the side wall of the pit is performed in response to manually manipulating the obstruction actuator. 
 
     
     
         30 . The dock leveler method of  claim 28  further comprising:
 after the deck obstruction is supporting at least a portion of the deck's weight, raising the deck to lift the deck obstruction off the platform; 
 in response to raising the deck to lift the deck obstruction off a surface of the platform, moving, via the spring, the deck obstruction laterally inward such that the deck obstruction no longer extends laterally outward beyond the side wall of the pit; and 
 after the deck obstruction is no longer extending laterally outward beyond the side wall of the pit, descending the deck and thereby lowering the deck obstruction below the surface of the platform. 
 
     
     
         31 . The dock leveler method of  claim 30  further comprising:
 supporting the obstruction actuator via the deck; and 
 manually manipulating the obstruction actuator, wherein the spring moving the deck obstruction laterally inward is performed as a result of both manually manipulating the obstruction actuator and raising the deck to lift the deck obstruction off the surface of the platform.