T-bolt for dock lip

Abstract

A dock leveler includes a frame configured to support the dock leveler that includes at least one leg. The at least one support leg having a first tube operatively coupled to the frame. A second tube is slidably disposed within the first tube such that the second tube is operable between a first position and a second position. The second tube includes a locking portion. A foot is positioned on an end of the second tube and a shipping pin is configured to engage the locking portion of the second tube such that the second tube is selectively held in one of the first or second positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dock leveler comprising:
 a frame configured to support the dock leveler; and   at least one support leg comprising:
 a first tube operatively coupled to the frame; and 
 a second tube slidably disposed within the first tube such that the second tube is operable between a first position and a second position, the second tube defining a locking portion; 
 a foot positioned on an end of the second tube; and 
 a shipping pin configured to engage the locking portion of the second tube such that the second tube is selectively held in one of the first or second positions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support leg includes a plurality of support legs. 
     
     
         3 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the shipping pin holds the second tube in the first position with respect to the first tube, wherein selective removal of the shipping pin from the locking portion defines a slidable engagement of the second tube within the first tube to define the second position, the second position being different than the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the second position is defined by the foot of the second tube slidably moving by the force of gravity to rest on a substrate positioned below the dock leveler. 
     
     
         5 . The dock leveler of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubes are each rectilinear in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The dock leveler of  claim 4 , wherein the second tube is maintained in the second position through a rigid engagement between the frame and the second tube. 
     
     
         7 . The dock leveler of  claim 6 , wherein the rigid engagement is a welded connection. 
     
     
         8 . The dock leveler of  claim 3 , wherein the second tube is retained in the first position within the first tube by the shipping pin within the locking portion and the foot disposed at a bottom of the second tube. 
     
     
         9 . The dock leveler of  claim 7 , wherein a top of the first tube is positioned below a transport surface of the dock leveler to define an attachment channel within which the welded connection can be positioned. 
     
     
         10 . A method of installing a dock leveler, comprising the steps of:
 providing the dock leveler comprising at least one support leg having a first tube within which a second tube is slidably disposed, the second tube configured to accept a shipping pin which resists movement of the second tube relative to the first tube;   positioning the dock leveler within a pit defined by a loading dock;   adjusting a height of the dock leveler within the pit such that a deck plate of the dock leveler is aligned with the loading dock;   removing the shipping pin from the second tube such that the second tube slides through the first tube and contacts a floor of the pit; and   welding the second tube to the first tube.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 leveling a portion of the second tube proximate the pit.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of leveling is performed only when the second tube in a second position extends above an area of the loading dock immediately surrounding the dock leveler. 
     
     
         13 . The dock leveler of  claim 10 , wherein a top of the first tube is positioned below a transport surface of the loading dock to define an attachment channel within which the welding step can be performed. 
     
     
         14 . The dock leveler of  claim 10 , wherein the second tube includes a foot at a bottom of the second tube, wherein the foot cooperates with the shipping pin to resist movement of the second tube relative to the first tube, and wherein when the shipping pin is removed, the foot of the second tube contacts the floor of the pit.