MODULAR DOCK BUMPER

Abstract

A dock bumper for minimizing damage to a back of a vehicle upon contacting a low-lying object may include a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member to be secured adjacent to a back portion of the vehicle. The shock-absorbing member may include a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the vehicle to contact a surface of a loading dock as the vehicle is operated in reverse, and a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back portion of the vehicle. A modular step may be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.

Description

Claims

1. A dock bumper for minimizing damage to a back of a vehicle upon contacting a low-lying object, the dock bumper comprising: a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member to be secured adjacent to a back portion of the vehicle, the shock-absorbing member comprising: (a) a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the vehicle to contact a surface of a loading dock as the vehicle is operated in a reverse gear; and,(b) a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back portion of the vehicle, wherein the proximate surface is dimensioned to minimize a length of an overhanging portion of the dock bumper extending below a lowermost surface of the structural member at the back portion of the vehicle; and,a modular step to be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.

2. The dock bumper according to claim 1 further comprising: a modular light array to be coupled to the shock-absorbing member.

3. The dock bumper according to claim 2, wherein the modular light array comprises: a step recess providing a tread upon which a person can stand.

4. The dock bumper according to claim 1, wherein the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member is dimensioned to align flush with the lowermost surface of the structural member.

5. The dock bumper according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost surface of the structural member is a lowermost surface of the truck sill.

6. The dock bumper according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost surface of the structural member is a lowermost surface of a trailer frame.

7. The dock bumper according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost surface of the structural member is a lowermost surface of a brace secured to the structural element adjacent to the back portion of the vehicle.

8. The dock bumper according to claim 1, wherein the step is coupled to the shock-absorbing member by a plurality of mechanical fasteners that will release the step before a sufficient force is transmitted to the shock-absorbing member from the step to damage the structural member.

9. The dock bumper according to claim 1, wherein the step is fabricated from a generally-rigid and deformable material.

10. The dock bumper according to claim 1 further comprising: a resiliently-deformable material provided to the distal surface of the shock-absorbing member.

11. A trailer for receiving cargo from a loading dock and transporting the cargo to a destination, the trailer comprising: a frame comprising a plurality of structural members for supporting the cargo;a wheel carriage for suspending a set of wheels from an underside of the frame;a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member secured adjacent to a back of the trailer, the shock-absorbing member comprising: (a) a distal surface extended away from the back of the trailer and oriented to contact a surface of a loading dock as the trailer is backed into the loading dock; and,(b) a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back of the trailer, wherein the proximate surface is dimensioned to minimize a length of an overhanging portion of the shock-absorbing member extending below a lowermost surface of the structural member at the back of the trailer; and,a modular step to be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.

12. The trailer according to claim 11 further comprising: a step bumper for bridging a gap between the trailer and the loading dock over which the cargo is to travel when being received by the trailer from the loading dock.

13. The trailer according to claim 12, wherein the shock-absorbing member is disposed at least partially beneath an overhanging portion of the step bumper.

14. The trailer according to claim 11 further comprising: a modular light array to be coupled to the shock-absorbing member.

15. The trailer according to claim 14, wherein the modular light array comprises: a step recess providing a tread upon which a person can stand.

16. The trailer according to claim 11, wherein the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member is dimensioned to align flush with the lowermost surface of the structural member.

17. The trailer according to claim 11, wherein the lowermost surface of the structural member is a lowermost surface of a trailer frame.

18. The trailer according to claim 11, wherein the lowermost surface of the structural member is a lowermost surface of a brace secured to the structural element adjacent to the back portion of the vehicle.

19. The trailer according to claim 11, wherein the step is coupled to the shock-absorbing member by a plurality of mechanical fasteners that will release the step before a sufficient force is transmitted to the shock-absorbing member from the step to damage the structural member.

20. The trailer according to claim 11 further comprising: a resiliently-deformable material provided to the distal surface of the shock-absorbing member.