Dock bumper having progressive spring rate
AssigneeDL Manufacturing
InventorsGregory J. Duffy, Kyle J. Berean, Kristian P. Garrow, Donald L. Metz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dock bumper for a loading dock includes a rear mounting plate for use in securing the dock bumper to a loading dock wall, a front contact surface configured to engage a vehicle backing into the loading dock, and an elastomer spring block positioned between the rear mounting plate and the front contact surface. The elastomer spring block includes an elastomeric material defining a pattern of geometric cavities. The geometric cavities are configured to provide a progressive spring rate in a longitudinal direction relative to the loading dock.
Claims17
A loading dock structure, comprising:
- a dock seal structure surrounding a door opening, adapted to provide an environmental seal between the interior of a trailer and the loading dock, the dock seal structure comprising vertical side members along either side of the door opening, and a horizontal header extending across the top of the door;
- and
- a dock bumper, comprising:
- a rear mounting plate for use in securing the dock bumper to a loading dock wall;
- a front contact surface configured to engage a vehicle rear frame while backing into the loading dock;
- and
- an elastomer spring block positioned between the rear mounting plate and the front contact surface, the elastomer spring block comprising an elastomeric material defining a pattern of geometric cavities configured to provide a progressive spring rate in a longitudinal direction relative to the loading dock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.