Loading dock shelter with hollow side or head members
AssigneeRite-Hite Holding Corporation
InventorsJason D. Miller, Charles J. Ashelin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In order to provide a durable loading dock shelter with an effective seal, the dock shelter is provided with a face panel that is relatively lightweight and firm, yet moveable for sealing against vehicles of various size and position. The face panel can be used as a side curtain or a head curtain. To provide the face panel with durability while minimizing its weight, the face panel is thermoformed of twin sheets of plastic to provide a durable outer shell with a hollow interior. In some embodiments, the face panel is moveable by virtue of an integral living hinge that connects the face panel to a generally stationary support panel.
Claims36
A dock shelter adapted to provide at least a partial seal between a vehicle and a wall of a building, comprising:
- a face panel adapted to be coupled to the wall and being moveable relative thereto in reaction to the vehicle engaging the face panel, the face panel includes a first casing member adapted to face away from the wall and a second casing member adapted to face toward the wall, wherein the first and second casing members are substantially fixed relative to each other and define a hollow chamber therebetween.
A dock shelter adapted to provide at least a partial seal between a vehicle and a wall of a building, comprising:
- a face panel adapted to be moveable relative to the wall in reaction to the vehicle engaging the face panel, the face panel includes a first casing member adapted to face away from the wall and a second casing member adapted to face toward the wall, wherein the first and second casing members define a first hollow chamber therebetween;
- and
- a support panel adapted to pivotally couple the face panel to the wall, wherein the support panel includes a third casing member and a fourth casing member that define a second hollow chamber therebetween.
A dock shelter adapted to provide at least a partial seal between a vehicle and a wall of a building, comprising:
- a face panel adapted to be coupled to the wall and being moveable relative thereto in reaction to the vehicle engaging the face panel, the face panel includes a first casing member adapted to face away from the wall and a second casing member adapted to face toward the wall, wherein the first and second casing members define a plurality of recessed areas that enhance the rigidity of the face panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.