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US4307876A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Energy absorption apparatus

Assignee: MOSKO MICHAEL J
•
Filing: 1979-05-14
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 1999-05-14
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Abstract

Abstract Energy-absorption apparatus for truck docks constructed and arranged to withstand impact of semi-trailers backing into a truck dock without damage to the dock over a long period of time. The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of spring steel leaves disposed in dependent relation from a point above the level of the dock to a point below the dock level so as to accommodate truck trailers of varying heights.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas E. Cleaves

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 01:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/02; F16F1/18; F16F1/26; B; B65; B65G; B65G69/00; B65G69/001

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 164 words
Energy absorption apparatus for a truck dock defining an upper horizontal surface and adjoining downwardly disposed vertical surface, comprising: at least one generally L-shaped base assembly having a first flat plate adapted to overlie the upper surface of the dock, a second flat plate secured to the vertical surface of the dock and to said first flat plate substantially perpendicularly thereto, and a plurality of apertured lugs extending outwardly from one surface of said second plate; and a leaf spring having one end mounted for pivotal movement on said lugs and an opposite free end disposed downwardly from said lugs and adapted to slidably bear against said one surface of said second plate, whereby said free end of said leaf spring extends downwardly along said one surface when an oncoming truck or trailer compressingly engages said leaf spring at a position intermediate its ends, the force of compression holding the truck or trailer at a spaced distance from the vertical surface of the dock.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 164 words
Energy absorption apparatus for a truck dock defining an upper horizontal surface and adjoining downwardly disposed vertical surface, comprising: at least one generally L-shaped base assembly having a first flat plate adapted to overlie the upper surface of the dock, a second flat plate secured to the vertical surface of the dock and to said first flat plate substantially perpendicularly thereto, and a plurality of apertured lugs extending outwardly from one surface of said second plate; and a leaf spring having one end mounted for pivotal movement on said lugs and an opposite free end disposed downwardly from said lugs and adapted to slidably bear against said one surface of said second plate, whereby said free end of said leaf spring extends downwardly along said one surface when an oncoming truck or trailer compressingly engages said leaf spring at a position intermediate its ends, the force of compression holding the truck or trailer at a spaced distance from the vertical surface of the dock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 57 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper end of said second plate extends beyond the upper surface of said first plate and wherein said leaf spring defines an outwardly disposed curved portion intermediate its ends, whereby said leaf spring is engaged before said L-shaped frame when said truck or trailer is driven into said dock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 71 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said lugs are mounted on said second plate above the level of the juncture with said first plate, further including reinforcing means between the upper marginal portion of said second plate and the upper surface of said first plate, whereby the force of engagement of a truck or trailer backing into said dock is distributed along the horizontal and vertical surfaces of said dock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said leaf spring is pivotally mounted on pin received in aligned apertures in said lugs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein a plurality of said assemblies are dispersed in a transverse spaced relation to absorb energy from trucks or trailers backed into the dock at varying angles to the vertical surface of said dock.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1680548A Cited
US2489869A Cited
US2817102A Cited
US2879985A Cited
US2963178A Cited
US3280414A Cited
US3332666A Cited
US3596303A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-12-28 1985-06-29 1985-12-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-12-28 1989-06-29 1989-12-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-12-28 1993-06-29 1993-12-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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