Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Combined – With a loading dock seal
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-09
2001-03-27
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Combined
With a loading dock seal
C052S002120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205721
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to loading docks and, more particularly, to sealing apparatus for creating a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The need to shelter loading docks and the personnel working thereon from weather related elements has long been known. For example, it has long been known that it is undesirable to permit snow, rain or wind to enter either a warehouse or a truck being unloaded at a dock. Permitting heated or cooled air to escape the warehouse during use of the dock is equally undesirable.
Many proposals have addressed these issues. For example, dock shelters and dock seals which provide employee comfort and protect inventory by keeping weather elements away from the dock area and which improve energy conservation by limiting loss of heated or cooled air have long been commercially available. While many of the above-noted products have been very successful in addressing these environmental issues, there remains room for improvement. For example, when a vehicle such as a semi-trailer truck has been in a rain or snow storm, it often collects water (and sometimes slush, snow or ice) on the top surface of its trailer. When the trailer backs up to a loading dock, there is a potential for this collection of water (or slush, snow or ice) to flow over the leading edge of the top of the trailer into the loading dock area. A similar effect can occur with a truck parked at a dock when a rain or snow storm begins. Although many available shelters and seals will prevent rain and snow from falling directly into the dock area, there is a potential for water, snow, ice or slush to collect on the trailer top and subsequently run over the leading edge of the trailer onto the dock. This potential is particularly acute in loading docks with parking areas pitched towards the dock, as all or nearly all of the rain or melting snow on the top surface of the trailer will run towards the lowest part of the trailer, which, in this example, is the leading edge of the truck adjacent the dock.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface is provided. The apparatus is provided with a support mounted for vertical movement away from the top surface when the vehicle moves away from the structure. It is also provided with a compressible seal secured to the support. The seal is deflectable from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the seal compresses against the top surface of the vehicle parked in the parking area.
In some embodiments, the vertical movement of the support is a result of a pivoting motion thereof. In other embodiments, the vertical movement of the support is a result of a flexing motion thereof.
In some embodiments, the support is adapted to remain substantially stationary when the vehicle moves toward the structure. Preferably, the vertical movement of the support relieves pressure between the seal and the top surface to facilitate exiting of the vehicle. Optionally, the seal may remain in contact with the vehicle when the support moves away from the top surface.
In some embodiments, the support comprises a hood secured above a dock opening, and the top of the hood is pivotably secured to the structure.
In some embodiments, the support comprises a first arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the structure and a second end secured to the seal. In such embodiments, the first arm may optionally be sized to rotate about the first end without contacting the hood.
In some embodiments, the support comprises a first arm; and a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm, wherein the seal is coupled to the second arm.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the seal may comprise a foam pad and/or the apparatus may be provided with a sand tube secured to a lower edge of the seal.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the apparatus may be provided with a stiffening member disposed between the seal and the structure. In some such embodiments, the stiffening member comprises a foam block mounted on spring steel.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface. The apparatus includes a support and a seal secured to the support. The seal is deflectable from a first position wherein a vehicle approaching the structure first contacts the seal, to a second position wherein the seal contacts the top surface of the vehicle parked in the parking area. The apparatus is further provided with a stiffening member located proximal to the seal. The seal contacts the stiffening member as it deflects from the first position. The stiffening member is distally biased to bias the seal towards the first position.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface. The apparatus includes a support mounted for vertical movement relative to the structure. It also includes a compressible seal secured to the support. The seal is deflectable from a first position in the path of a vehicle entering the parking area to a second position wherein the seal compresses against the top surface of the vehicle parked in the parking area. The apparatus further includes a foam block located proximal to the seal. The seal contacts the foam block as the seal deflects from the first position. The foam block is distally biased to bias the seal towards the first position.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface with a leading edge. The apparatus includes a deflectable seal mounted in a path of a vehicle entering the parking area. It also includes a locator secured to the deflectable seal and including a distal recess for engaging the leading edge of a vehicle entering the parking area.
In some embodiments, if the leading edge of the vehicle is higher than an initial position of the locator, the deflectable seal deflects such that the locator moves upwards to locate the leading edge as the vehicle enters the parking space.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the deflectable seal may optionally be rigid or may optionally comprise a foam pad.
In any of the foregoing embodiments, the locator may optionally comprise a foam block and/or the locator may be pivotably attached to the deflectable seal.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface. The apparatus includes a support and a seal secured to the support. The seal is deflectable from a first position wherein a vehicle approaching the structure first contacts the seal, to a second position wherein the seal contacts the top surface of the vehicle parked in the parking area. The apparatus also includes two phase pressure means for applying a first pressure to the seal until the seal has been deflected beyond a first predetermined distance, and to thereafter apply a second pressure greater than the first pressure to the seal.
In the preferred embodiment, the two phase pressure means comprises a foam block mounted upon spring steel. Preferably, the spring steel applies a substantial portion of the first pressure, and the second pressure is developed by a resistance to deformation of the foam block and a force applied by the spring steel.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface. The apparatus includes a support mounted for vertical movement relative to the structure and a compressible seal secured to the support. The seal is deflectable from a first position in the path of a vehicle enter
Ashelin Charles J.
Boffeli Thomas J.
Hoffmann David J.
Kent Christopher T.
Marshall O'Toole Gerstein Murray & Borun
Rite-Hite Holding Corporation
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