Importance

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Abstract

An automatic return to dock mechanism for a dockboard having a frame, a deck pivotally mounted to the frame and a lip pivotally mounted to an outboard end of said deck. The lip has an arm mounted to a lower surface. A crank mechanism comprises a pivoting arm member mounted to the frame and a pushrod extending under the deck having one end thereof coupled to said pivoting arm member and a slot member attached to the other end of the push rod. The slot member engages a portion of said arm mounted to the lip. A spring biases the slot member to urge engagement with the arm mounted to the lip. Aa hold down mechanism that permits the deck to raise and lower includes a linkage to the pivoting arm member. As the lip moves from an extended position to a pendant position, the pushrod is moved in one direction by action of the arm engaged in the slot member causing the pivoting arm member to disengage the hold down allowing said deck to raise. As the lip continues to fall the arm moves in the slot allowing the push rod to move in a second direction thereby allowing the hold down mechanism to re-engage the deck and return to dock level.

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First Claim