An access ramp system for access between a first and a second object is provided. The second object is elevated with respect to the first object. The system includes: a supporting frame mountable to the first object; a casing box mounted to the supporting frame; a sliding ramp installed to slide inside the casing box; and a deployment mechanism for automatically moving the sliding ramp between a stand-by and a fully deployed position. In the deployed position, a nose of the sliding ramp is raised to a height equal with the second object and is engaged with the second object. In the deployed position, the sliding ramp and casing box extend across a vertical gap and a horizontal gap between the first and second objects. An upper surface of the sliding ramp and casing box defines a support surface for supporting people or objects moving between the first and second objects.

The present invention is a vertically stored dock leveler with a telescoping lip that selectively extends and retracts through a range positions relative to the deck. The lip is held and guided by a deck frame carriage. When the deck is raised and lowered, the lip is extended and retracted by an electro-hydraulic control system. When the deck reaches a preselected incline position, the lip is fully extended. Sensors on the underside of the deck determine the incline position of the deck and when the lip is retracted. The leveler is then lowered until the lip engages and rests on the bed of the trailer. Similarly, when the deck is raised for storage and reaches the preselected incline position, the lip is fully retracted prior to returning to its stored position. The telescoping lip is selectively moveable to a range of partially extended position to facilitate end loading a trailer.

The present invention is a vertically stored dock leveler with a telescoping lip that selectively extends and retracts through a range positions relative to the deck. The lip is held and guided by a deck frame carriage. When the deck is raised and lowered, the lip is extended and retracted by an electro-hydraulic control system. When the deck reaches a preselected incline position, the lip is fully extended. Sensors on the underside of the deck determine the incline position of the deck and when the lip is retracted. The leveler is then lowered until the lip engages and rests on the bed of the trailer. Similarly, when the deck is raised for storage and reaches the preselected incline position, the lip is fully retracted prior to returning to its stored position. The telescoping lip is selectively moveable to a range of partially extended position to facilitate end loading a trailer.

There is an access ramp system for access between a first and a second object. The second object is elevated with respect to the first object. The system includes a supporting frame mountable to the first object; a casing box mounted to the supporting frame; a sliding ramp installed to slide inside the casing box; and a deployment mechanism for automatically moving the sliding ramp between a stand-by and a fully deployed position. In the deployed position, a nose of the sliding ramp is raised to a height equal with the second object and is engaged with the second object. In the deployed position, the sliding ramp and casing box extend across a vertical gap and a horizontal gap between the first and second objects. An upper surface of the sliding ramp and casing box defines a support surface for supporting people or objects moving between the first and second objects.