Patent ID: 7062814

Claim:
A dock leveler adapted to engage a vehicle at a loading dock, comprising: a deck having a rear edge and a forward edge, wherein the rear edge is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the loading dock to enable vertical movement of the forward edge relative to the loading dock; a lip extension adjacent the forward edge of the deck and being moveable relative thereto, the lip extension being adapted to engage the vehicle; an inflatable column assembly disposed underneath the deck, wherein the inflatable column assembly includes a pliable tube having an upper perimetric seam defining an upper end adjacent the deck and moveable therewith, a lower perimetric seam defining a lower end disposed below the upper end, and a longitudinal seam running from the upper perimetric seam to the lower perimetric seam, wherein the pliable tube includes a front surface that is closer to the forward edge of the deck than is the longitudinal seam; and a source of pressurized air coupled to the inflatable column assembly such that air discharged from the source of pressurized air expands the inflatable column assembly, thereby forcing the upper end to push the deck upward.