Patent ID: 8046857

Claim:
A dock leveler for use with a loading dock, the dock leveler comprising: a support structure configured to be fixedly positioned in a dock leveler pit at least proximate to a rear wall thereof, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of first support members extending therefrom; a deck having a front edge portion opposite an aft edge portion, and a first side edge portion opposite a second side edge portion, wherein the aft edge portion includes a plurality of second support members pivotally coupled to the first support members along an axis, and wherein the deck is pivotable about the axis between a lower position in which the front edge portion is positioned proximate the dock leveler pit and an upper position in which the front edge portion is positioned above the dock leveler pit; and a resilient seal positioned between the support structure and the aft edge portion of the deck, wherein the seal includes: a first end portion positioned at least proximate to the first side edge portion of the deck and a second end portion positioned at least proximate to the second side edge portion of the deck; a medial portion extending longitudinally between the first and second end portions; a first edge portion extending outwardly from the medial portion in a first direction, wherein the first edge portion includes a plurality of recesses formed therein, wherein each of the first support members extends at least partially into a corresponding one of the recesses, and wherein the seal is supported by the plurality of first support members; and a second edge portion extending outwardly from the medial portion in a second direction, wherein the medial portion urges the first edge portion against the support structure and the second edge portion against the aft edge portion of the deck when the deck is in the lower position and when the deck is in the upper position.