Dockleveler holdown mechanism and method for installing the same

Abstract

A dockleveler comprising a support structure, a ramp connected to the support structure and movable between raised and lowered positions, a upward biasing mechanism connected to the ramp, and a holdown mechanism connected between the ramp and the support structure. The holdown mechanism includes a spring assembly having an extension spring that increases in length as the ramp moves toward the raised position. The holdown mechanism further includes an adapter member interconnecting the holdown mechanism with at least one of the ramp and the support structure. The adapter member is separable from the holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to the holdown mechanism without cutting or welding. The extension spring is housed within a first hollow member and a second hollow member positioned at least partially within the first hollow member and movable relative to the first hollow member.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A dockleveler comprising: 
 a support structure;    a ramp connected to said support structure and movable between a raised position and a lowered position;    an upward biasing mechanism connected to the ramp;    a holdown mechanism connected between said ramp and said support structure, said holdown mechanism including a first holdown member and a second holdown member movably connected to said first holdown member; and    an adapter member interconnecting said holdown mechanism with at least one of said ramp and said support structure, said adapter member being removably coupled to said holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to said holdown mechanism.    
     
     
         2 . A dockleveler as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said first holdown member includes a ratchet bar and said second holdown member includes a pawl mechanism.  
     
     
         3 . A dockleveler as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein said adapter member interconnects said first holdown member with said ramp, and wherein said dockleveler further includes another adapter member that interconnects said second holdown member with said support structure, each of said adapter members being removably coupled to said holdown mechanism to allow the attachment of different adapter members to said holdown mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . A dockleveler as claimed in    claim 3   , wherein said adapter member is pinned to said first holdown member.  
     
     
         5 . A dockleveler as claimed in    claim 3   , wherein said another adapter member is threaded to said second holdown member.  
     
     
         6 . A method of replacing a used hold-down mechanism on a dockleveler, comprising the steps of: 
 removing the used hold-down mechanism from the dockleveler;    determining the type of dockleveler to which the hold-down mechanism will be installed;    selecting an adapter member that will fit onto the dockleveler;    connecting the adapter member to the hold-down mechanism; and    securing the adapter member to the dockleveler.    
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein said connecting step includes threading the adapter member to the hold-down mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in    claim 6   , wherein said connecting step includes pinning the adapter member to the hold-down mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in    claim 6   , further comprising, prior to said connect steps, the steps of: 
 producing a hold-down mechanism; and    sending the hold-down mechanism to an installer.    
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in    claim 9   , wherein said connecting step is performed by the installer.