Self releasing holddown for mechanical dock levelers

摘要

An improved holddown mechanism includes: (a) an elongated member having a pivoting end, a distal end and a nominal diameter and length, (b) an attachment arm having a pivoting end and a distal end, and (c) a tubular, adjustable diameter, wire mesh or Kellems grip having an attachment arm end and a release end wherein its adjustable diameter expands when this grip is put into compression and contracts when it is put into tension, and wherein the elongated member and the grip are configured such that the elongated member's diameter is such that it can fit within the tubular grip when its adjustable diameter is in an expanded state, and wherein the grip is further configured to engage the elongated member when a prescribed tensile force is applied to the tubular grip.

主权项

1. A holddown mechanism for a loading dock comprising a frame, a platform pivotally mounted in said frame, and a dock leveler for biasing said platform to pivot within said frame, said holddown mechanism maintaining said platform in a desired position against the bias of said dock leveler, said holddown mechanism being pivotally attached to both said frame and to said platform and further comprising: an elongated member having a pivoting end pivotally attached to said platform and a distal end; an attachment arm having a pivoting end pivotally attached to said frame and a distal end, the pivoting end of said elongated member being telescopically extendable from the distal end of said attachment arm; a tubular wire mesh grip encircling said elongated member and coupled to the distal end of said attachment arm, said tubular wire mesh grip having an adjustable diameter and configured to expand and contract around said elongated member; said elongated member being slidable through said tubular wire mesh grip when said tubular wire mesh grip is expanded, and said elongated member being fixedly gripped within said tubular wire mesh grip when said tubular wire mesh grip is contracted; and a disengagement mechanism comprising a tubular member encircling said elongated member and a lanyard operatively engaged with said tubular member for remotely urging said tubular member into said tubular wire mesh grip to expand said tubular wire mesh grip and thereby release said elongated member for telescopic extension.