US Patent 7533431 Illuminating dock leveler

A dock leveler for a truck loading dock includes a lighting system mounted to the deck of the leveler. The lighting system can be used for illuminating the interior of a trailer, illuminating the deck of the dock leveler, and/or providing a warning signal that alerts nearby pedestrians and others in the area that work is being done at the loading dock. In some cases, the light is protected by a raised curb of the dock leveler's deck. In other cases, the lighting system is pivotally coupled to the deck so that the light can continue pointing toward the trailer regardless of whether the deck is in a horizontal operative position or a vertical stored position.