ENERGY ABSORPTION APPARATUS

DISPOSITIF AMORTISSEUR DE CHOCS

English 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.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. 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 perpendicular 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 surface
of said dock.
4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said
leaf spring is pivotally mounted on pins received in aligned
apertures in said lugs.
5. 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.

Description

53~7

SUMMARY
Prior to the present invention, various types of
absorption devices were used on truck docks. These devices
ranged from arcs cut from truck tires to free-~ormed rubber
bumpers that wrapped around the upper edge of the truck dock.
A chief disadvantages of rubber bumpers is that their effective
life is rather iimited because of the forces developed by a
backing semi-trailer. In some cases rubber bumpers become
cracked between the bottom surface of the back trailer ledge and
the top of the dock so that, after the trailer is loaded, the
bumper is compressed further and is pulled off as the trailer
leaves the dock. A principal object of the invention is to
provide an absorption device that will accommodate countless
impacts by truck trailers without damage, and which is
constructed and arranged to accommodate trailers of different
heights. In particular, the invention comprises a pair of
absorption assemblies, each including a pivotally-mounted
spring steel leaf, the pivot point being situated above the
level of the truck dock to accommodate trailers having a
high cargo deck and in which the leaf spring, upon impact,
extends downwardly on a metal plate, thus absorbing the
energy of the impact.
BRIEF DES~RIPTION OF -THE FI~URES OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the energy
absorption apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view
taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure l; and
Figure 3 is a view taken substantially on line 3-3 of
Figure 1.


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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFER~ED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and more particulaxly to
Figure 1, the energy absorption apparatus of the present invention
comprises a plurality of absorption assemblies 10. Each
absorption assembly is identical, and it is understood that
there may be more than two of these assemblies, if required.
Fach assembly 10 includes a hase plate 12 and a plate 14
secured to the plate 12 by any suitable means, such as welding
or the like. A pair of fasteners 60 secure the base plate 12
to the dock 16. The plate 12 extends above the upper level of
the dock 16, as illustrated in Figure 2, and a triangular
support member 18-is secured to the plate 14 and the upper
marginal edge of the plate 12 by any suitable means, such as
welding, or the like.
Each assembly 10 includes a pair of outwardly extending
lugs 20 and 22 apertured at 24 and 26 for reception of a pin 28,
which passes through a curved portion 30 of leaf spring 32. As
the truck trailer 50 backs into the dock, the lea spring 32 is
compressed (shown in phantom in Figure 2) so that the lower end
of the leaf spring is brought into sliding relationship to the
lower end of the base plate 12. By this means the energy of the
impact of the truck trailer 50 is absorbed by the several
energy-absorption assemblies 10.
The energy absorption assembly of the present invention
exhibits important advantages over devices in the prior art.
For instance, applicant has found that an energy-absorption
device made in accordance with the present invention is superior
to those made of rubber in that it has longer life and can absorb
many more impacts of greater magnitude than similar energy
absorption devices heretofore known.


The leaves 32 may be wider than illustratd or there
may be more than one leaf 32 mounted on a single assembly.
In lieu of the triangular brace 18 a flat brace may extend
from the upper edge of the base plate 12 to the outer edge of
the plate 14 throughout the entire length of the plate 14.