Dock bumpers are installed at loading docks to prevent damage to the dock and truck during loading and unloading. They are made of plastic or rubber mounted on a metal frame and can vary in design. Boat docks also use rubber bumpers to protect boats as they enter a slipway or dock.
Trucks often load and unload goods at a loading dock, which is an elevated entrance that lines up with the floor of the truck bed. When a truck backs up onto the dock, strong contact is likely to be made between the truck and the dock, potentially causing damage to the dock and the truck. To prevent such contact and subsequent damage, a dock bumper is installed at the bottom edge of the loading dock. This bumper is usually made of plastic or rubber mounted on a metal frame to absorb the shock of contact between the truck and the dock.
The specific design of the dock bumper can vary, although in many cases the individual rubber slats are fitted side by side to create a solid absorbing structure. The rubber slats are compressed together in a metal frame to ensure they don’t loosen or bend, and the metal frame is mounted to the concrete of the loading dock using tether bolts or other heavy-duty fasteners. The dock bumper usually runs the entire length of the loading dock and may also extend partially on the sides of the dock opening, depending on the orientation of the dock with respect to the truck.
Other styles of dock bumper products may feature molded rubber that is cast into specific shapes. L-shaped bumpers are common, as they can be mounted at the corners of the loading dock opening. Square bumpers can also be mounted along the bottom of the loading dock or on the sides. These tend to have a lower profile than bumpers made with rubber slats, although they can be just as effective and durable.
The truck itself may also feature a metal bumper or set of bumpers. These bumpers are designed to protect the truck only and can cause damage to the loading dock when contact is made. Truck-mounted bumpers are designed to align with loading docks of varying heights and to prevent the rear gate or truck bed from being damaged by contact with the dock.
Boat docks also use dock bumpers to protect boat hulls as they enter a slipway or dock. These bumpers are also usually made from rubber, as rubber tends to resist damage from water and in some cases even direct sunlight. The fenders are tied to the dock and make contact with the ship’s hull as it approaches the dock.
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