Vehicle shelter having channels

Details Vehicle shelter having channels Vehicle shelter having channels

1999-07-29

2001-01-09

Purol, David M. (Department: 3634)

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Combined

With a loading dock seal

Reexamination Certificate

active

06170204

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of loading docks, and more specifically to loading dock shelters that are positioned around a loading dock opening to provide a shelter between the loading dock and the open end of a vehicle (e.g., a truck or trailer).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most warehouses, manufacturing facilities and large retail stores include loading docks that provide a location for loading and unloading vehicles. Loading docks typically include a raised platform and a dock opening positioned above the raised platform. The dock opening is formed by a dock wall having two vertical side portions extending upwardly from the platform, and a horizontal upper portion connecting the top of the side portions. A vehicle can back toward the dock opening until the back of the vehicle is abutting the platform. The platform sometimes includes a dockleveler that provides a ramp between the platform and the bed of the vehicle to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle (e.g., by a forklift).
Many loading docks include dock seals and shelters that provide a barrier between the dock wall and the back of the vehicle. For example, dock shelters can include rigid frame shelters that are made from wood or welded square steel tubing. The rigid frame typically includes a head frame positioned above the dock opening and side frames positioned on opposing sides of the dock opening. Fiberglass panels or flexible fabric covers the frames. In addition, a head curtain and side curtains with flexible stays are positioned in front of the frames and are designed to contact the vehicle to provide a barrier between the inside of the loading dock and the exterior environment.
The above-described dock shelters provide good protection against the elements. However, as with most loading dock equipment, it must withstand repeated uses under a variety of weather and loading conditions. Any increase in longevity of the dock shelters would therefore be an improvement. In addition, simplified construction techniques and improved structural stability are desirable design goals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a rigid frame loading dock shelter that utilizes metal (e.g., galvanized steel) channel as a support structure. It has been found that the design of the present invention provides significant advantages over the use of wood in that wood may warp, twist, and split. The present invention is also resistant to rotting and insect damage.
More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle shelter comprising a head frame, a head curtain attached to the head frame, a side frame, and a side curtain attached to the side frame. The head frame includes a head subframe having a first raked channel adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall, a plurality of cross channels attached (e.g., clinched) to and extending outward from the first raked channel, and a second raked channel attached (e.g., clinched) to the cross channels. The head frame further includes a head panel attached to an upper surface of the head subframe to form a barrier to the elements, and a head curtain mounted to the head frame. The side frame includes a side subframe having a first long channel adapted to be mounted to a loading dock wall, a plurality of cross channels attached (e.g., clinched) to and extending outward from the first long channel, and a second long channel attached (e.g., clinched) to the cross channels. The side frame further includes a side panel attached to a side surface of the side subframe to form a barrier to the elements.
In one embodiment, in order to add further stability and strength, the head frame further includes a span bracket coupled to the second raked channel (e.g., to an outer surface of the second raked channel). In this embodiment, the head curtain can be secured to the span bracket. The span bracket is preferably thicker (e.g., about 2 times thicker) than the material used to produce the channels.
The present invention also provides an improved method of making a vehicle shelter head frame and mounting the head frame to a loading dock. The method comprises the steps of forming (e.g., rolling on a roll-forming machine) sheet metal into a plurality of channels, attaching (e.g., clinching) a long channel to a plurality of cross channels to form a subframe, coupling a panel to the subframe to produce a head frame, and mounting the head frame to a loading dock. In one embodiment, the method further includes the step of securing a span bracket to the long channel. In order to facilitate attachment of a head curtain, the method can further include the step of creating holes in the span bracket before the securing step.
In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes the step of bending the long channel into a raked channel. For example, the bending step can include positioning the long channel on a mandrel and applying a force to bend the long channel.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3403489 (1968-10-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 3557508 (1971-01-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 3653173 (1972-04-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 3699733 (1972-10-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 3772839 (1973-11-01), Timbers
patent: 3792559 (1974-02-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 3826049 (1974-07-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 4805362 (1989-02-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 4825607 (1989-05-01), Frommelt et al.
patent: 5394662 (1995-03-01), Giuliani et al.
patent: 5473846 (1995-12-01), Giuliani et al.
Kelley Loading Dock Seals and Shelters(1994).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Vehicle shelter having channels does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Vehicle shelter having channels, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle shelter having channels will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2545209