GB1340868A - Dockboard - Google Patents

Abstract

1340868 Dockboards LOOMIS MACHINE CO 30 Dec 1970 61802/70 Heading B8E A dockboard assembly comprises a ramp 18 pivoted at 26 to a loading dock structure, adjustable torsion spring means 30 urging the ramp upwardly, releasable holding means 42 opposing the springs 30 to prevent raising of the ramp, and lever means controlled by a pivoted lip 80 on the ramp for releasing the holding means 42 to cause raising of the ramp as the lip gravitates downwardly when its supporting loading surface is removed, whereafter, lowering of the ramp ensures the engagement of the lip 80 with a support 84. The holding means 42 comprises a strut 48 pivoted to the dock structure and having a guide 58, 70 for a locking member 46 having ratchet teeth, one end of the member 46 being pivoted at 68 to the ramp 18. A further locking member 44 having ratchet teeth is pivoted at 72 to the guide 58, 70 and is controlled by a lever 76, the engaged locking members 44, 46 permitting the ramp to be lowered but not raised. The member 44 is lifted out of ratchet engagement by the lever 76 being raised either manually through a cable 78 or automatically through a two arm lever 120, 124 centrally pivoted at 68 to the ramp and having its forward end 130 movement controlled by an adjustable head 138 on pivoted linkage controlled by the movement of the lip 80. A crank 140 in the lever 76 ensures that the members 44, 46 are not disengaged by the lip 80 dropping when the ramp is inclined upwardly sufficiently to operate lip extending means. The lip 80 is raised into its extended position when the ramp is raised by manual release of the holding means 42, by a spring-loaded crank at the front of the ramp, the latter then being manually lowered until the lip engages the loading surface,' a further spring-loaded crank maintaining the lip in the extended position as the lip is lowered by the ramp on to the loading surface, whereupon the further crank releases the lip.