Patent Application
20080010758
Loading dock 12 includes an exterior wall 18 defining a plurality of doorways 20, an elevated floor 22 inside the building, a pit floor 24 defining the bottom of a pit 26, and a driveway 28 that vehicles 14 use to approach doorways 20. Pit floor 24 is higher than the adjacent portion of driveway 28, and elevated floor 22 is higher than pit floor 24. Pit floor 24 may be uncluttered to make it easier to periodically clean the pit.
A plurality of dock levelers 30a-d are disposed in side-by-side relation to each other within pit 26. Each dock leveler 30a-d includes a deck 32 that is hinged at a rear edge 34 so that deck 32 can pivot between a generally vertical stored position (e.g., leveler 30c) and a generally horizontal operative position (e.g., levelers 30a, 30b, and 30d). In the operative position, a lip 36 of deck 32 rests upon the bed of the trailer, while rear edge 34 remains generally flush with elevated floor 22. In this position, the dock leveler provides a bridge for dockworkers and material handling equipment to travel between elevated floor 22 and vehicle 14. While this example shows a dock light for use with such vertically—storing levelers, the disclosure in adaptable to other styles of leveler as well.
The pivotal motion of deck 32 can be driven by various mechanisms well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. A control panel 38 can be wired or otherwise operably coupled to dock levelers 30a-d to actuate their deck-pivoting mechanisms.
To create a barrier that helps prevent pedestrians and vehicles from falling into pit 26, a plurality of barriers in the form of stanchions 40 (with or without railings) extend upward from elevated floor 22. Other barriers or means of mounting them adjacent the leveler are also possible.
To illuminate the interior of vehicles 14, a plurality of light fixtures 42 are supported by the plurality of stanchions 40. Light fixtures 42 are adjustable so they can be aimed to project a light 44 above and beyond pit 26 and through the plurality of doorways 20 for illuminating the cargo bay of the plurality of vehicles 14. In some cases, control panels 38 can be supported by stanchions 40, and light fixtures 42 can be attached to control panels 38. This minimizes wiring and allows the lights and dock levelers to be controlled from the same safe location, thus a dockworker does not have to step down into pit 26 to activate the lights. Moreover, pit floor 24 can be kept clear of floor-mounted light fixtures. Placement of the dock lights in a safe position generally behind the leveler 30 also eliminates the possibility of the light being struck or damaged by a forktruck as it enters or exits the trailer, since it no longer projects physically into the trailer opening.
It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to the above disclosed examples may be. For example, the positioning of light 42 relative to the control panel 38 or stanchion 40 may be different than depicted. Indeed, the light 42 may even be mounted independently of control panel 38, although typically wired thereto. Therefore, although certain example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
