Adjustable dockboard with counterbalancing extension lip

Claim 1

IN AN ADJUSTABLE DOCKBOARD OF THE TYPE WHEREIN A RAMP HAVING FRONT AND REAR EDGES HAS ITS REAR EDGE HINGEEDLY SUPPORTED SO THAT THE RAMP MAY SWING UP AND DOWN ABOUT ITS REAR EDGE, AND HAS AN EXTENSION LIP HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO ITS FRONT EDGE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A PENDENT POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE RAMP AND AN ELEVATED POSITION FORMING SUBSTANTIALLY AN EXTENSION OF THE RAMP THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES: (A) ENERGY STORING MEANS TO COUNTERBALANCE A PORTION OF THE GRAVITY-PRODUCED MOMENT OF THE EXTENSION LIP ABOUT ITS HINGE CONNECTION WITH THE RAMP (B) MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE ENERGY STORING MEANS WITH THE RAMP; AND (C) MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE ENERGY STORING MEANS WITH THE EXTENSION LIP, WHEREBY THE ENERGY STORING MEANS REACTS BETWEEN THE RAMP AND THE EXTION LIPTO IMPART LIFTING TORQUE TO THE EXTENSION LIP, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS INCLUDING STRUCTRUE HAVING A MOMENT ARM THROUTH WHICH THE ENERGY STORING MEANS EXERTS ITS COUNTERBALANCING FORCE UPON THE EXTENSIO LIP, MOVEMENT OF THEEXTENSION LIP TO ITS PENDENT POSITON MOVING SAID MOMENT ARM INTO SUBSTANTIALLY ITS DEAD CENTER POSITON TO THEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY NULIFY THE EFFECT OF THE ENERGY STORING MEANS UPON THE EXTENSION TO RENDER THE COUNTERBALANCING EFFECT OPERATIVE TO RENDER THE COUNTERBALANCING EFFECT OF THE ENERGY STORING MEANS UPON THE EXTENSION LIP INCREASINGLY EFFECTIVE AS THE EXTENSION LIP MOVES FROM SAID PENDENT POSITION TOWARDS ITS ELEVATED POSITION.