Self-adjusting lower loading dock seal
AssigneesUnited Parcel Service of America, Inc., M&J Shelton Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Shelton, Robert Michael Esperto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-adjusting loading dock seal engages a vehicle and facilitates at least one of loading and unloading thereof relative to a loading dock. The loading dock seal includes at least one dock attachment member, a dock seal member, and at least one spring-loaded adjustment member. The dock attachment member is configured for attachment to a loading dock. The dock seal member is positioned above the dock attachment member and is configured for sealingly engaging a vehicle positioned thereagainst. Each spring-loaded adjustment member operatively connects a dock attachment member to the dock seal member, and is configured for facilitating limited vertical movement of the dock seal member relative to the dock attachment member.
Claims17
A self-adjusting loading dock seal for engaging a vehicle and facilitating at least one of loading and unloading thereof relative to a loading dock, said loading dock seal comprising:
- at least one dock attachment member configured for attachment to the loading dock and including a receiving tube therein;
- a dock seal member positioned above said dock attachment member, said dock seal member configured for sealingly engaging a vehicle positioned thereagainst;
- and
- at least one spring-loaded adjustment member operatively connecting one said dock attachment member to said dock seal member, each said spring-loaded adjustment member being configured for facilitating limited vertical movement of said dock seal member relative to said dock attachment member.
A self-adjusting loading dock seal for engaging a vehicle and facilitating at least one of loading and unloading thereof relative to a loading dock, said loading dock seal comprising:
- at least one dock attachment member configured for attachment to the loading dock;
- a dock seal member positioned above said dock attachment member, said dock seal member configured for sealingly engaging a vehicle positioned thereagainst and including a right seal portion, a left seal portion, and a central seal portion, said central seal portion defining a void space, said void space being configured for accommodating at least one of a backdoor handle and a door lock member of the vehicle parked adjacent thereto;
- and
- at least one spring-loaded adjustment member operatively connecting one said dock attachment member to said dock seal member, each said spring-loaded adjustment member being configured for facilitating limited vertical movement of said dock seal member relative to said dock attachment member.
A self-adjusting loading dock seal for engaging a vehicle and facilitating at least one of loading and unloading thereof relative to a loading dock, said loading dock seal comprising:
- two separate and spaced-apart dock attachment members, each configured for attachment to the loading dock a predetermined distance apart, and each including a receiving tube therein;
- an elongate dock seal member positioned above both of said dock attachment members and being of a sufficient length so as to span said predetermined distance between said spaced-apart dock attachment members, said dock seal member defining an elongate surface configured for sealingly engaging a portion of a vehicle positioned thereagainst;
- and
- at least one spring-loaded adjustment member operatively connecting each dock attachment member to said dock seal member, each said spring-loaded adjustment member being configured for facilitating limited vertical movement of said dock seal member relative to said dock attachment member,
- such that when a vehicle is positioned thereagainst said elongate surface of said dock seal member with a sufficient force, and the portion of said vehicle contacting said dock seal member moves vertically up or down relative to the loading dock, said dock seal member is likewise moved vertically up or down relative to said loading dock due to friction between said vehicle and said dock seal member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.