WEATHER SHIELD FOR UNDERNEATH A DOCK LEVELER

摘要

A shield system (12) for shielding the area (16) underneath a dock leveler(18) allows a gap to be created either above or below the shield when the deck (20) rises, whereby a shield of a given height dimension can used on dock levelers of various lift heights. In some embodiments, the shield is a pliable curtain (14) that a tensioner (38) holds taut during some operations of the dock leveler(18) , yet the curtain (14) can collapse for below-dock operation. The shield system can be used on horizontally storing dock levelers or vertically storing ones. In some cases, the system includes a pliable web that extends between a front face of the deck and a lip extending from the deck. The web can help seal the area adjacent to a pair of dock bumpers.