Segmented platform for dock leveler

Abstract

A pit dock leveler having a base frame secured to a loading dock pit and a dock platform pivotally connected at one end to the base frame and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a dock platform lip that pivots between a downward hanging position when the dock leveler is not in use and an extended position substantially co-planar with the dock platform when the dock leveler is in use, whereby the dock platform lip spans and compensates for the space and height differentials between the loading dock and a transport vehicle, wherein the improvement comprises, the dock platform having a plurality of independent segments arranged adjacent one another, each segment being formed from a single metallic sheet having two opposing ends and two opposing side edges, with the opposing side edges first bent downwardly at right angles and then bent inwardly in mirror image relationship, forming two opposing C-channels from the single metallic sheet, with each segment being separately and pivotally connected at one end to the loading dock pit and separately and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the dock platform lip.

1 . A pit dock leveler having a base frame secured to a loading dock pit and a dock platform pivotally connected at one end to the base frame and pivotally connected at its opposite end to a dock platform lip that pivots between a downward hanging position when the dock leveler is not in use and an extended position substantially co-planar with the dock platform when the dock leveler is in use, whereby the dock platform lip spans and compensates for the space and height differentials between the loading dock and a transport vehicle, wherein the improvement comprises, the dock platform having a plurality of independent segments arranged adjacent one another, each segment being formed from a single metallic sheet having two opposing ends and two opposing side edges, with the opposing side edges first bent downwardly at right angles and then bent inwardly in mirror image relationship, forming two opposing C-channels from the single metallic sheet, with each segment being separately and pivotally connected at one end to the loading dock pit and separately and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the dock platform lip.  
   
   
       2 . The pit dock leveler of  claim 1 , and further comprising reinforcing ribs secured directly to the underside of each independent segment between the mirror image C-channels.  
   
   
       3 . The pit dock leveler of  claim 2 , wherein the dock platform is formed from two of said independent segments.  
   
   
       4 . The pit dock leveler of  claim 3  wherein the reinforcing ribs are welded to the underside of each independent segment.