Patent US3728753A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3728753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dockboard
Assignee: ABON Corp A DE CORP
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Filing: 1971-03-03
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A dockboard assembly including a support structure with a ramp having a first end pivotally connected to the support structure for pivotal movement between raised and lowered positions on opposite sides of the dock level position. A lip is pivotally connected at a rear edge to the front of the ramp for pivotal movement between an extended cantilevered position and a pendent position. The support structure includes lip supporting keepers for receiving the front edge of the lip when the lip is in the pendent position for supporting the ramp in the dock level position. Safety legs are pivotally connected to the ramp for engaging one of two vertically spaced abutment surfaces for limiting downward pivotal movement of the ramp. The improvement resides in actuation means for pivoting the lip upwardly from the pendent position as the ramp is pivoted upwardly slightly to allow the front edge of the lip to move downwardly past the lip support keepers and for pivoting the safety legs to a retracted position whereby they will not engage the abutment surfaces so that the ramp may be pivoted to a lowered position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Beckwith
- 👤 R Hecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:49
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/28; B65G69/2805; B65G69/2811; B65G69/2835; B65G69/2841; B65G69/287; B65G69/2876; B65G69/2894
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A dockboard assembly comprising: a support structure, a ramp having first and second ends with the first end thereof being pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement between a raised position above a dock level position and a lowered position below said dock level position, a lip having front and rear edges and being pivotally connected adjacent said rear edge to the second end of said ramp for pivotal movement relative thereto between an extended cantilevered position and a pendent position, said support structure including lip support means for receiving said front edge of said lip when said lip is in said pendent position for supporting said ramp in said dock level position, safety leg means pivotally connected to said ramp for movement between at least one position limiting downward pivotal movement of said ramp and a retracted position allowing said ramp to pivot to said lowered position, linkage actuation means for pivoting said lip upwardly slightly from said pendent position as said ramp pivots upwardly slightly to allow said front edge of said lip to move downwardly past said lip support means while immediately adjacent said pendent position and for pivoting said safety leg means to said retracted position whereby said lip may be disengaged from said support means and said ramp pivoted to said lowered position as said lip is in said pendent position and said safety leg means are in said retracted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A dockboard assembly comprising: a support structure, a ramp having first and second ends with the first end thereof being pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement between a raised position above a dock level position and a lowered position below said dock level position, a lip having front and rear edges and being pivotally connected adjacent said rear edge to the second end of said ramp for pivotal movement relative thereto between an extended cantilevered position and a pendent position, said support structure including lip support means for receiving said front edge of said lip when said lip is in said pendent position for supporting said ramp in said dock level position, safety leg means pivotally connected to said ramp for movement between at least one position limiting downward pivotal movement of said ramp and a retracted position allowing said ramp to pivot to said lowered position, linkage actuation means for pivoting said lip upwardly slightly from said pendent position as said ramp pivots upwardly slightly to allow said front edge of said lip to move downwardly past said lip support means while immediately adjacent said pendent position and for pivoting said safety leg means to said retracted position whereby said lip may be disengaged from said support means and said ramp pivoted to said lowered position as said lip is in said pendent position and said safety leg means are in said retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuation means includes a single manually graspable handle means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including abutment means for engaging said safety leg means for limiting downward movement of said ramp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said abutment means presents vertically spaced surfaces for engaging said safety leg means to limit downward pivotal movement of said ramp at spaced positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuation means includes a rod slidably supported adjacent a first end thereof and adjacent said lip with said first end thereof abutable with said lip when the latter is in said pendent position, a first lever pivotally supported by said ramp, said rod being pivotally connected at the second end thereof to said first lever, a second lever pivotally connected to said ramp coaxially with said first lever for movement therewith, a link pivotally connected to said second lever at one end and pivotally connected to said safety leg means at the other end, said first and second levers being disposed at an angle relative to one another so that upon pivotal movement of said levers in unison said rod moves forwardly and said link moves rearwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said actuation means further includes a third lever pivotally supported by said ramp coaxially with said first and second levers for movement therewith, a single manually graspable handle means accessible from above said ramp and operatively connected to said third lever for pivoting said levers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including biasing means for urging said levers to pivot to a retRacted position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 including abutment means for engaging said safety leg means for limiting downward movement of said ramp.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dockboard assembly comprising: a support structure, a ramp having first and second ends with the first end thereof pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement between a raised position above a dock level position and a lowered position below said dock level position, safety leg means pivotally connected to said ramp for movement between at least one position limiting downward pivotal movement of said ramp and a retracted position allowing said ramp to pivot to said lowered position, and abutment means presenting at least two stationary, vertically and horizontally spaced surfaces independent of said support-structure for engaging said safety leg means to limit downward pivotal movement of said ramp at spaced positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
A dockboard assembly comprising: a support structure, a ramp having first and second ends with the first end thereof pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement between a raised position above a dock level position and a lowered position below said dock level position, safety leg means pivotally connected to said ramp for movement between at least one position limiting downward pivotal movement of said ramp and a retracted position allowing said ramp to pivot to said lowered position, and abutment means presenting at least two stationary, vertically and horizontally spaced surfaces independent of said support-structure for engaging said safety leg means to limit downward pivotal movement of said ramp at spaced positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including manually actuatable means for pivoting said safety leg means to said retracted position to allow said ramp to pivot to said lowered position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |