Locking dock with adjustable bumpers

Abstract

An adjustable bumper system for use at a loading dock which has a dock leveler having a deck pivotally mounted to a portion of the dock. The dock leveler has a lip pivotally attached to one end of said deck. The bumper system has a pair of bumpers each mounted to the end of the deck. The bumpers move with the deck to engage the rear of a vehicle that has backed into position for dock operations. Alternatively, the dock bumpers are mounted to a support member and are positionable between two different vertical positions. The dock bumpers project outward from the dock beyond the pendent lip and are adjustable to engage the rear of vehicles having different heights.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for use at a loading dock comprising: 
 a dock leveler having a deck pivotally mounted to a portion of said dock, said dock leveler having a lip pivotally attached to one end of said deck,    a dock bumper mounted to said deck, facing outward and beyond said lip when said lip is in a pendent position.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a frame mounted to said deck to support bumper and allow said bumper to be moved relative to said deck.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said support is a track attached to said deck and said bumper slides on said track.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a stop to engage the bottom of said bumper.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second bumper, wherein said bumpers are mounted at corners of said deck and said lip is mounted for pivotable movement between said bumpers.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a track mounted to the end of said deck, said track extending below said deck to allow said bumper to be positioned within a range of movement extending from above said deck to below said deck.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a second track mounted to the end of said deck and, 
 a second dock bumper mounted to said second track member and positionable between two different vertical positions, whereby each of said bumpers is independently adjustable relative to said deck.  
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said first and second tracks comprise beams mounted in parallel and said bumpers project outward from said dock at substantially the same distance.  
     
     
         9 . The bumper system of  claim 1  wherein said bumper is mounted on the end of said deck flush with said deck surface.  
     
     
         10 . The bumper system of  claim 9  further comprising a second bumper mounted on said deck, each of said bumpers projecting outward beyond said lip when said lip is in a pendant position.