Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A vertically storing dock leveler comprises a deck, a pivot coupling the leveler to the mounting pit to allow the deck the rotate from a stored vertical position to an operative horizontal position and a source of power to rotate the deck. A sensor is mounted to the underside of the deck for delivering an output that ceases downward movement of said deck when a foreign object such as a human is sensed under said deck. The sensor comprises a wire mounted to span said deck at a position below it and a switch responsive to movement of said wire. The switch may be a mechanical, proximity or photoelectric type. The wire is fixed at one side of said deck and coupled to a pivoting member at the other side with the pivoting member normally positioned in proximity to said switch. A spring is employed to bias the pivoting member to a centered position relative to the switch in opposition to tension of the wire.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim