Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
052173200 | With a loading dock seal | 28 |
20080289270 | LOADING DOCK DOOR SEAL - A seal system is utilized with flat, rough, and/or ribbed wall surfaces and includes a top dock pad and two substantially parallel side dock pads, which substantially frame a doorway at a loading dock. The dock pads are secured to the wall by a plurality of mounting brackets. The dock pads include a first foam layer coupled to a rear portion of a backing structure. The first foam layer operates to accommodate, or substantially “fill-in”, any surface irregularities of the building wall surface, such as a rough wall texture and rib surfaces, to provide an airtight or substantially airtight seal between the building and the seal structure. The dock pads also include a second foam layer coupled to a front portion of the backing structure. The second foam layer is employed to create an effective seal between the building and a rear portion of a vehicle. | 11-27-2008 |
20080302029 | Sealing Structure - The present invention provides a sealing structure for a loading dock opening, consisting of two flexible side seals on opposite sides with a sealing form and mounted in a vertical orientation to a frame, and a curtain-like head seal also affixed to the frame, which is affixed to the loading dock walls. Taken together, the sealing structure sealingly engages the cargo body such that weather elements do not enter the warehouse or truck body but goods can be moved between the cargo body and the warehouse. The seal is deformable but resilient, forming a seal when in contact with the truck cargo body, which has shape memory and stiffness to revert to its original form when it no longer contacts the truck cargo body. | 12-11-2008 |
20090064605 | DOCK SEAL WITH PARTIALLY SLICED FOAM CORE - A dock seal, such as a header, side seal or draft pad mounted alongside a doorway of a loading dock, comprises a compressible foam core that includes a plurality of slits of insignificant thickness, wherein the slits can be strategically arranged and sized to adjust the seal's compression characteristics at different areas of the seal. In some cases, the slits extend only partially into the foam core so that the core remains intact as a unitary piece. | 03-12-2009 |
20090077906 | LOADING DOCK TRUCK SHELTERS - Trailer shelters having foam head and side members are described herein. An over road trailer shelter configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a flexible head curtain configured to extend horizontally along a top portion of an opening in a warehouse or other building. The flexible head curtain can include at least one fabric flap hingeably attached to an exterior surface of a base fabric layer. The fabric flap is configured to protect the head member from damage resulting from repeated trailer contact. A trailer enclosure configured in accordance with another embodiment includes a head member that extends horizontally between first and second side members. Each of the side members and the head member includes a compressible foam portion covered by a fabric portion. In addition, each of the side members supports a flexible side curtain that extends inwardly to seal against the sides of the trailer. | 03-26-2009 |
20090293382 | SIDE SEAL MEMBERS FOR A DOCK SEAL - Side seal member for a loading dock seal are disclosed. An example truck loading dock seal comprising a resiliently compressible side pad supported by a relatively rigid backer and encased within a pliable cover includes at least one flexible lip protruding from the cover to seal a gap that might exist between the backer and the wall to which the backer is mounted. In some cases, the lip is part of the cover and is located where a rear vertical edge of the side pad meets the wall. The flexibility of the lip enables the lip to sealingly conform to a wall having an irregular surface. For additional sealing, a back sheet of the pliable cover includes a touch-and-hold fastener and/or overlapping layers of material that can provide a compressible seal between the wall and the backer. | 12-03-2009 |
20100058682 | ROOF DRAINAGE FOR TRUCKS - The invention relates to a roof drainage for trucks (I). In order to prevent damage to the loaded goods by water dripping from the roof edge, an adjustable gutter (II) underneath the roof edge is proposed. | 03-11-2010 |
20100146876 | SEGMENTED DOCK SEALS FOR TRUCK LOADING DOCKS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other. | 06-17-2010 |
20100186318 | LOADING DOCK TRUCK AND TRAILER SEALS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Apparatuses for forming at least a partial seal between an open end of a truck, trailer, or other vehicle and an opening in a building are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for forming at least a partial seal includes a first side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a first side portion of an opening, a second side pad configured to extend vertically adjacent to a second side portion of the opening, and a head pad assembly configured to extend horizontally adjacent to a top portion of the opening between the first and second side pads. The head pad assembly can include replaceable corner pads positioned on either end of a center pad. The corner pads can be independently attached to the wall of the building and separately removed if replacement is needed. | 07-29-2010 |
20100186319 | ENHANCED ENTRANCEWAY - An improved entranceway to an enclosure for people and/or vehicles including a frame having a pair of laterally-spaced side wall portions and a top wall portion which, combined, encompass an inclined pathway. The frame is adapted for contact with an exterior wall of the enclosure and is placed in surrounding relation to a first opening therein, the side wall portions extending outwardly from the exterior wall on opposite sides of the inclined pathway. The inclined pathway and the side and top wall portions cooperate so as to define a second opening distally located to the exterior wall. The first opening has a lower boundary and the second opening has an upper boundary, with the lower boundary being at an elevation higher than that of the upper boundary. In use, the presence of a temperature differential within the entranceway causes warmer air to be sustainably trapped in an upper portion of the entranceway and above the upper boundary. | 07-29-2010 |
20100251639 | FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES FOR USE WITH DOCK SEALS AND SHELTERS - Flexible structures for use with dock seals and shelters are disclosed. An example flexible structure includes an elongate flexible panel assembly having first and second longitudinal edges and at least one flexible thin-walled member having a length along a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible panel assembly. The at least one flexible thin-walled member is configured to have a cross-sectional geometry that provides sufficient rigidity to enable the elongate flexible panel assembly to be cantilevered from a surface via the first longitudinal edge without substantial deformation of the cross-sectional geometry of the at least one flexible thin-walled member along the length of the at least one flexible thin-walled member. | 10-07-2010 |
20100269427 | HEAD CURTAINS FOR DOCK SHELTERS OR DOCK SEALS - Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example head curtain assembly for a vehicle loading dock includes a retractable curtain stiffened by a resiliently compressible foam panel that is more flexible about a horizontal axis than about a vertical axis. The difference in directional flexibility can be created by sewing the foam panel to a pliable cover using a series of parallel horizontal thread lines. The thread lines create in the foam a series of compressed indentations that run horizontally across the curtain so that the curtain tends to bend more easily along those lines. The relative stiffness in the horizontal direction enables the curtain to exert an appreciable sealing force against two lateral dock seal members, and the vertical flexibility makes the curtain easy to retract to accommodate vehicles of various heights. Touch-and-hold fasteners make many of the individual components of the head curtain readily replaceable. | 10-28-2010 |
20110265400 | LOW PROFILE SUPPORT PANEL FOR A DOCK SEAL - Dock seal for use with loading docks are described. An example dock seal includes a compressible body having a front compressible body and a rear compressible body, where the rear compressible body is interposed between the wall and the front compressible body when the dock seal is mounted to the wall. A flexible panel pivotally couples the compressible body to the wall. | 11-03-2011 |
20120000150 | SIDE SEAL MEMBERS FOR A DOCK SEAL - Side seal member for a loading dock seal are disclosed. An example dock seal includes a backer to couple the dock seal to a wall and a resiliently compressible member supported by the backer. A pliable cover encases the compressible member. The pliable cover has a first end overlapping a second end to define a separable joint that is to be disposed between the backer and the wall when the dock seal is coupled to the wall. | 01-05-2012 |
20120102852 | SEGMENTED DOCK SEALS FOR TRUCK LOADING DOCKS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Segmented dock seals for truck loading docks are described herein. An elongate, compressible pad member for use with a loading dock seal is positioned to compliantly conform to an aft end of a trailer positioned proximate to an opening in a building. The pad member includes a body portion having a front side and a back side. The body portion is composed of a compressible foam material. The pad member further includes a plurality of individual fingers projecting away from the front side of the body portion. The individual fingers are integral with the body portion and are spaced apart from each other. | 05-03-2012 |
20120304558 | LOADING BAY - This loading bay comprises a hinged ramp to form a passage between the warehouse and the container of the truck, a lateral and upper shelter, a hinged platform, located at a level below the hinged ramp and associated with actuating means, movable frontal stops, assembled on the front end of the platform and that form contact means for the trailer or container of the truck when it is approaching the loading bay, means for detecting the position of the frontal stops that activate the luminous signal means to issue different luminous messages depending on the movement of the frontal stops and longitudinal movement means of the frontal stops to move them away from the container of the truck once it is stationary in the loading bay. | 12-06-2012 |
20130031853 | FLEXIBLE STRUCTURES FOR USE WITH DOCK SEALS AND SHELTERS - Flexible structures for use with dock seals and shelters are disclosed. An example flexible structure includes a rigid backer to couple a flexible panel assembly to a loading dock wall and a flexible, self-supporting sheet-shaped member having sufficient rigidity to enable the flexible sheet-shaped member to be cantilevered from a surface of a building without substantial sagging. The sheet-shaped member has an inner surface and an outer surface defining a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge where the first and second longitudinal edges couple to the rigid backer. The inner surface defines an empty cavity when the sheet-shaped member is coupled to the rigid backer. | 02-07-2013 |
20130047526 | HEAD CURTAINS FOR DOCK SHELTERS OR DOCK SEALS - Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example dock apparatus disclosed herein includes a first weather barrier and a second weather barrier. The first and second weather barriers are positioned laterally of a doorway of a loading dock and compressible by a vehicle. The lateral weather barriers include inner surfaces that are to bulge toward each other in response to the vehicle compressing the lateral weather barriers. A head curtain is at least partially positioned between the lateral weather barriers and being engagable by the vehicle, the head curtain having a lateral stiffness such that in response to the vehicle engaging the head curtain and compressing the lateral weather barriers, the head curtain becomes pinched between the bulging inner surfaces to restrict a vertical movement of the curtain. | 02-28-2013 |
20130239494 | HEAD CURTAINS FOR DOCK SHELTERS OR DOCK SEALS - Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example dock apparatus disclosed herein includes a first weather barrier and a second weather barrier. The first and second weather barriers are positioned laterally of a doorway of a loading dock and compressible by a vehicle. The lateral weather barriers include inner surfaces that are to bulge toward each other in response to the vehicle compressing the lateral weather barriers. A head curtain is at least partially positioned between the lateral weather barriers and being engagable by the vehicle, the head curtain having a lateral stiffness such that in response to the vehicle engaging the head curtain and compressing the lateral weather barriers, the head curtain becomes pinched between the bulging inner surfaces to restrict a vertical movement of the curtain. | 09-19-2013 |
20140318044 | LOADING DOCK SEALING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method and apparatus are provided for sealing a vehicle cargo area to a loading dock. The method includes a step of providing a sealing element. The sealing element includes a mounting surface adapted to sealingly mate against a loading dock, an inner sealing surface at a transverse angle relative to the mounting surface, an outer sealing surface opposing the inner sealing surface and at a transverse angle relative to the mounting surface, and an impact-absorbing surface approximately parallel to the mounting surface. The method further includes the steps of contacting the impact-absorbing surface with a rear face of the vehicle cargo area, deforming the inner sealing surface away from the loading dock, and sealing the inner sealing surface against an inside wall of the vehicle cargo area. | 10-30-2014 |
20150007509 | VEHICLE-ACTUATED WEATHER BARRIER APPARATUS - Example weather barrier apparatus are disclosed herein. An example weather barrier apparatus disclosed herein include rear edge seals to sealingly engage a rearward facing edge of a vehicle parked at a loading dock. In some examples, the rear edge seal is part of a pivotal upper or side seal member that also includes a surface seal. The surface seal is spaced apart from the edge seal and is to sealingly engage a side or upper surface of the vehicle. In some examples, the vehicle's side surface is the outward facing surface of the vehicle's swung-open door. In some examples, the vehicle backing against the edge seal is what deploys the side seal. Some example weather barrier apparatus disclosed herein include an upper seal member and two side seal members, where vehicle-activated movement of the upper seal and side seal members are coordinated to seek and seal against rear corners of a cargo opening of the vehicle. In some examples, one or more seal members lengthen in response to the size and position of the vehicle. | 01-08-2015 |
20150007510 | Loading Dock Weather Barrier Apparatus - Example weather barrier apparatuses disclosed herein include vehicle-actuated mechanisms for forcibly pressing a seal member down against a roof of a vehicle parked at a loading dock. In some examples, rather than relying on gravity alone, rearward movement of the vehicle mechanically expands a seal member to create sufficient reach and sealing pressure to press the expandable seal member firmly against vehicle roofs of various heights and positions. In some examples, an example vehicle-actuated mechanism disclosed herein forces a compressible seal down against the vehicle's roof and maintains a compressive sealing force over a range of roof heights and positions. Some example weather barrier apparatuses disclosed herein include example means for mitigating certain jam conditions. | 01-08-2015 |
20150007511 | WEATHER BARRIER APPARATUSES FOR SEALING OR SHELTERING VEHICLES AT LOADING DOCKS - Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side seal member to be vertically elongate and having a front surface facing away from a doorway when the apparatus is in a relaxed configuration, the side seal member extending laterally farther into a cargo passageway when the apparatus is in the relaxed configuration than when in an activated configuration, the front surface engages a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position. The apparatus also includes an upper seal member to hang in front of the side seal member when the apparatus is in the relaxed configuration, the upper seal member being horizontally elongate and having a lower corner point proximate the side seal member, the front surface facing away from the lower corner point when the apparatus is in the activated configuration. | 01-08-2015 |
20150007512 | WEATHER BARRIER APPARATUSES FOR SEALING OR SHELTERING VEHICLES AT LOADING DOCKS - Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side support member attachable to a wall proximate a doorway. A side seal member extends from the side support member and a rear edge seal is supported by the side seal member. The rear edge seal engages a first rear edge of a vehicle. The rear edge seal has a seal core and a seal cover, where the core has a gap defined by a first portion and a second portion. | 01-08-2015 |
20150007513 | WEATHER BARRIER APPARATUSES FOR SEALING OR SHELTERING VEHICLES AT LOADING DOCKS - Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first seal to be engaged by a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position relative to the first seal. The first seal has a penetration portion movable between a relaxed condition when the vehicle releases the first seal and an activated condition when the vehicle engages the first seal. A second seal is coupled adjacent the first seal. The second seal has an opening to be positioned adjacent the penetration portion of the first seal such that at least a portion of the penetration portion extends across at least a portion of the opening when the first seal is in the relaxed condition, and the opening of the second seal receives at least the penetration portion of the first seal when the first seal is in the activated condition. | 01-08-2015 |
20150052833 | FACE PANELS FOR LOADING DOCK SEALS AND SHELTERS - Example flexible face panels for dock shelters and dock seals at a loading dock are disclosed. An example seal assembly includes a projection panel mountable to extend outward from the wall in proximity with a doorway. A first face panel extends from the projection panel in front of the doorway when the projection panel is mounted to the wall, where the first face panel has a first distal edge spaced apart from the projection panel. A second face panel extends from the projection panel in front of the doorway when the projection panel is mounted to the wall, where the second face panel having a second distal edge spaced apart from the projection panel. | 02-26-2015 |
20150368053 | VEHICLE-ACTUATED WEATHER BARRIER APPARATUS - Example weather barrier apparatus are disclosed herein. An example weather barrier apparatus includes a support structure having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end, where the first end is to couple to a wall and the second end is movable relative to the first end. A seal is pivotally coupled to the second end of the support structure to define a pivot axis. The seal has a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion spaced from the first sealing portion. The first sealing portion is to engage a rear edge of a vehicle and the second sealing portion is to engage a surface of the vehicle spaced from the rear edge of the vehicle when the vehicle is in engagement with the seal. | 12-24-2015 |
20160083203 | LIGHTWEIGHT MULTI-LAYER FOAM DOCK SEAL SYSTEM - A loading dock seal system includes a closed-cell foam buffer adapted to be positioned proximate a loading dock surface and a foam padding disposed adjacent the closed-cell foam buffer and affixed thereto. A fabric cover, being free of overlapping members proximate the loading dock surface, defines an interior volume. The closed-cell foam buffer and the foam padding are disposed within the interior volume. A fabric fastener being free of overlapping portions defines an aperture through the fabric cover that is sized to receive and to release the affixed closed-cell foam buffer and the foam padding from the interior volume. Fabric tabs are connected to the fabric cover and extend away from and are substantially parallel to the rear side of the fabric cover. The attachment of the fabric tabs to the loading dock surface is adapted to be free of mounting brackets. | 03-24-2016 |
20190144218 | CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR OPERATION OF LOADING DOCK EQUIPMENT, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE | 05-16-2019 |