Sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock or the like
AssigneeRite-Hite Holding Corporation
InventorsCharles J. Ashelin, Thomas J. Boffeli, David J. Hoffmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock is provided. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a compressible seal and a support mounted for pivoting away from the top of an adjacent vehicle to facilitate exiting. In some embodiments, a stiffening member is located proximally to the seal to provide a compression force between the seal and the top of the vehicle. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a deflectable seal and a locator including a distal recess for engaging the leading edge of a vehicle entering the parking area.
Claims61
For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a support mounted for vertical movement away from the top surface when the vehicle moves away from the structure;
- a compressible seal secured to the support, the seal being 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;
- and
- a stiffening member for location between the seal and the structure.
For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a support;
- a seal secured to the support, the seal being 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;
- and,
- a stiffening member located proximal to the seal, the seal contacting the stiffening member as it deflects from the first position, the stiffening member being distally biased to bias the seal towards the first position.
For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a support mounted for vertical movement relative to the structure;
- a compressible seal secured to the support, the seal being 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;
- and,
- a foam block located proximal to the seal, the seal contacting the foam block as the seal deflects from the first position, the foam block being distally biased to bias the seal towards the first position.
For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a support;
- a seal secured to the support, the seal being 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;
- and,
- 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.
For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a support mounted for vertical movement relative to the structure;
- a compressible seal secured to the support, the seal being 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;
- and,
- 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.
For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a support mounted for vertical movement away from the top surface when the vehicle moves away from the structure;
- and,
- a compressible seal secured to the support, the seal being 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, wherein the support is adapted to remain substantially stationary when the vehicle moves toward the structure to engage the seal.
For use with a vehicle having a top surface, an apparatus comprising:
- a rigid hood adapted to be secured to a structure above a dock opening located adjacent a parking area for the vehicle, the hood adapted to be pivotably mounted to the structure via a hinge for movement away from the top surface when the vehicle moves away from the structure;
- and,
- a compressible seal secured to the hood, the seal being 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.