US20170057764A1 - Sealing members for weather barriers - Google Patents
Sealing members for weather barriers Download PDFInfo
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- US20170057764A1 US20170057764A1 US14/833,366 US201514833366A US2017057764A1 US 20170057764 A1 US20170057764 A1 US 20170057764A1 US 201514833366 A US201514833366 A US 201514833366A US 2017057764 A1 US2017057764 A1 US 2017057764A1
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- tip
- sealing member
- seal
- lateral sealing
- lateral
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G69/00—Auxiliary measures taken, or devices used, in connection with loading or unloading
- B65G69/008—Dock- or bumper-seals
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to sealing members and, more specifically, to sealing members for weather barriers.
- Dock weather barriers such as dock seals and dock shelters, prevent the ingress of outdoor environmental conditions or contaminants (e.g., rain, snow, wind, hot/cold temperatures, insects, animals, etc.) into the interior of a building and cargo area of a vehicle during the loading and/or unloading of the vehicle.
- Dock shelters and seals also prevent the egress of conditioned air from within a building and/or a vehicle cargo area to the outdoor environment.
- Some example dock seals use side members having a compressible foam core or body surrounded by a coated fabric or vinyl outer layer.
- the foam core provides sufficient structural rigidity to enable the side members to be extended a short distance from the building wall surrounding the loading dock.
- the coated fabric outer layer protects the foam core from outdoor environmental conditions (e.g., moisture), provides wear resistance to repeated impacts from the rear portions of vehicles, and/or may provide desirable aesthetic qualities.
- a header structure may span between the side members along a top portion of the loading dock opening.
- the header structure may be another compressible member similar in construction to the side members and, in some cases, may include a weighted fabric curtain that hangs downwardly to contact the top of a truck trailer to form an environmental barrier along the top of the trailer.
- FIG. 1 Another type of dock seal may use inflatable side members and a header structure having internal compressible resilient pads, which provide some degree of side member compressibility when the side members are in a deflated condition.
- a vehicle e.g., a truck trailer
- the side and header members are compressed toward the building wall to form a seal along the lateral and top back edges of the vehicle.
- the head curtain sweeps along the top of the trailer to form a seal at the top of the trailer between the side members.
- Dock seals typically consume a relatively small amount of wall space and can provide a relatively high quality seal between the rear edges of a vehicle and the outside building wall surrounding the dock.
- the dock seal side members when the dock seal side members are compressed, they may be displaced into or otherwise encroach on the opening to the rear of the docked vehicle. As a result, the compressed side member may interfere with operation of a fork lift and/or an operator during loading and unloading activities.
- inflatable dock seals may be susceptible to power losses and/or may tear and compromise the ability of the side members to inflate to provide an acceptable seal.
- some example dock shelters use side members that are mounted to the outside building wall surrounding the loading dock.
- the side members are spaced well to the outside of the sides of a docked vehicle.
- the side members are configured to extend (i.e., to be cantilevered) an appreciable distance from the outside building wall, particularly in cases where a dock leveler protrudes from the dock opening.
- the side members may also support flexible seal members or side curtains extending inwardly from the side members across at least a portion of the opening defined by the side members.
- dock shelters When a vehicle such as, for example, a truck trailer, is backed into the opening of the dock shelter, the inwardly facing edges of the seal members or side curtains resiliently deflect and sweep against the lateral sides of the trailer to form an environmental barrier therebetween.
- dock shelters also typically include a header structure, which may include a head curtain, to form an environmental barrier along the top edge of the rear of the vehicle.
- dock shelters In contrast to dock seals, dock shelters typically provide unobstructed access to a vehicle cargo area opening (i.e., there are no foam pads or the like to be compressed and displaced into the opening).
- most known dock shelter side members are constructed using rigid wood, fiberglass or metal frames capable of supporting the significant weight of the seal members or side curtains, which are usually held at an appreciable distance (e.g., several feet) from the building wall.
- Such side members may be permanently deformed if they are impacted by a vehicle.
- bumpers or stops may be mounted to the lower edge of the dock shelter to prevent a vehicle (e.g., a truck trailer) from impacting and damaging the rigid shelter.
- the rigid side members used to implement these dock shelters are also typically mechanically coupled via the header and/or another rigid member to provide increased lateral rigidity to the dock shelter to minimize the ability of the side members to move from side-to-side. Because of this, the side members typically have to be mounted relatively far apart to accommodate a wide range of possible off-center vehicle positions. This relatively large distance between the rigid side members consumes a significant and, thus, expensive amount of building wall space for each loading dock opening.
- Some example dock shelters having impactable side members are similar to those used with dock seals and typically use a foam core or body surrounded by a coated fabric outer layer.
- Seal members or side curtains which may be constructed using a fabric and flexible fiberglass stays combination or a foam core and fabric combination, are typically mounted to the side members to extend at least partially across the shelter opening.
- the inwardly facing edges of the seal members or side curtains deflect and sweep against the sides of the vehicle to form an environmental barrier or seal against the sides of the vehicle.
- the foam core or body of the side member is resiliently compressed.
- the foam core of the side member causes the side member to substantially recover to its original condition or shape.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example weather barrier with example lateral sealing members constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. A vehicle in the illustrated example is shown in a departed position, and the lateral sealing members are shown in a relaxed configuration.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the example weather barrier of FIG. 1 showing the vehicle in a parked position and the lateral sealing members in an activated configuration.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 2
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but with the example lateral sealing member in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of section-7 in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of section-10 in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of section-13 in FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of section-10 in FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the addition of an example channel seal constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 17 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of section-19 in FIG. 17 .
- FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 20 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of section-22 in FIG. 20 .
- FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 23 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of section-25 in FIG. 23 .
- FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 26 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of section-28 in FIG. 26 .
- FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 29 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of section-31 in FIG. 29 .
- FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 32 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of section-34 in FIG. 32 .
- FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 35 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 37 is an enlarged view of section-37 in FIG. 35 .
- FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 38 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration.
- FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of section-40 in FIG. 38 .
- FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein.
- Example lateral sealing members for use at vehicle loading docks are disclosed herein.
- An example sealing member disclosed herein may be employed to implement a header (e.g., positioned generally horizontally relative to a doorway) and/or a side seal (e.g., positioned generally vertically relative to a doorway).
- the example lateral sealing members disclosed herein include tip seals to enhance sealing between the lateral sealing members and a surface of a vehicle to be engaged by the tip seal and/or the lateral sealing members.
- the lateral sealing members disclosed herein may include a deformable or flexible seal positioned adjacent an end of the lateral sealing member that is to engage a vehicle when the vehicle is parked at a loading dock at which the lateral sealing member is installed.
- the example tip seals of the lateral sealing members disclosed herein increase a contact surface area to enhance sealing capabilities of the lateral sealing members.
- the tip seals disclosed herein may include a hollow chamber, a deformable air chamber, deformable brush bristles, a pivotal seal, a deformable foam, and/or any other seal.
- An example lateral sealing member disclosed herein may include a J-shaped cross-section or profile to provide a vertical channel that extends into a pathway of a vehicle to catch or engage a rear vertical edge of the vehicle as the vehicle engages the lateral sealing member.
- the example channel may cover a hinge gap between a hinged door panel of the vehicle and/or the rear edge of the vehicle.
- the channel may include a tip seal to enhance or increase a sealing contact with the vehicle.
- lateral sealing members disclosed herein include a channel seal at a point of transition between the channel and a flatter section (e.g., an end attached to a side structure (e.g., an attached end) or a portion not forming the channel) of the lateral sealing member.
- FIGS. 1-4 show various views of an example weather barrier 10 installed at a loading dock 12 of a building facility 14 .
- the building 14 has a wall 16 with a doorway 18 that provides a cargo passageway 20 for transferring cargo between a vehicle 22 (e.g., truck, trailer, etc.) and the interior of the building 14 .
- the weather barrier 10 includes a header 24 and two side members 26 adjacent (e.g., that line) a perimeter of doorway 18 .
- the header 24 is schematically illustrated to represent means for sealing against a roof 28 of the vehicle 22 .
- Examples of the header 24 include, but are not limited to, a weighted curtain, a deflectable panel, a compressible pad, etc.
- Each side member 26 includes an example of a lateral sealing member 30 (e.g., lateral sealing members 30 a - m ) attached to a side support member 32 , which in turn is mounted to the wall 16 or to some other structure of the building 14 .
- the side support member 32 is schematically illustrated to represent any structural means for supporting the lateral sealing member 30 .
- Examples of the side support member 4 include, but are not limited to, a resiliently compressible foam block, a rigid panel, a semi-rigid panel, and/or various combinations thereof.
- the lateral sealing members 30 resiliently deflect rearward 34 and outward 36 to seal against rear vertical edges 38 and/or adjacent surfaces (e.g., a side surface) of the vehicle 22 .
- FIGS. 5-41 illustrate various examples of the lateral sealing member 30 (e.g., the lateral sealing members 30 a - m ).
- the vehicle's travel path into dock 12 defines a vehicle pathway 40 leading to the doorway 18 .
- the doorway 18 has a doorway height 42 extending in a generally vertical direction and a doorway width 44 extending in a generally lateral horizontal direction.
- the doorway height 42 and the doorway width 44 lie along and define a plane 46 and a line 48 perpendicular to the plane 46 .
- the wall 16 has an exterior surface 50 facing in a forward direction 52 parallel to the line 48 .
- the wall 16 defines the cargo passageway 20 passing through the doorway 18 , where the passageway's height and width corresponds to the doorway's height 42 and width 44 , respectively.
- the vehicle 22 is movable between a parked position ( FIGS.
- the vehicle 22 in the parked position is to place or position the weather barrier 10 and the lateral sealing member 30 in an activated configuration, as shown for example in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39 .
- the vehicle 22 in the departed position is to place or position the weather barrier 10 and lateral sealing member 30 in a relaxed configuration, as shown for example in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32 , 34 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 40 and 41 .
- the lateral sealing member 30 extends farther into vehicle pathway 40 when lateral sealing member 30 is in the relaxed configuration ( FIG. 3 ) than when the lateral sealing member 30 is in the activated configuration ( FIG. 4 ).
- a lateral sealing member 30 a is vertically elongate and includes an end 54 , a side panel 56 , a channel 58 and a tip 60 , each of which are vertically elongate.
- the tip 60 extends farther into vehicle pathway 40 when lateral sealing member 30 a is in the relaxed configuration ( FIG. 5 ) than when lateral sealing member 30 a is in the activated configuration ( FIG. 6 ).
- the end 54 of the lateral sealing member 30 a (e.g., directly) connects, attaches or couples to the side support member 32 and is situated laterally beyond the cargo passageway 20 (e.g., outside a perimeter defining the cargo passageway 20 ).
- the example lateral sealing member 30 a has a J-shaped end and/or a J-shaped cross-section or profile (e.g., when the cross-section is taken along a plane horizontal relative to ground or perpendicular relative to a vertical length of the lateral sealing member 30 a ).
- the side panel 56 extends between the end 54 and the channel 58 .
- the side panel 56 includes a transition 64 between the channel 58 and the end 54 to adjoin or couple the channel 38 and the side panel 56 .
- channel 58 extends between tip 60 and side panel 56 .
- the channel 58 defines a vertically elongate groove 66 that is sized to receive the rear vertical edge 38 of the vehicle 22 .
- the rear edge 38 is an area where a door hinge 68 of the vehicle 22 pivotally couples a rear door panel 70 of the vehicle 12 to a sidewall 72 of the vehicle 22 .
- the sidewall 72 includes a rear flange 76 or doorframe surrounding a rear door opening 74 of the vehicle 22 .
- the channel 58 bridges a hinge gap 78 between the door panel 70 and the sidewall 72 .
- the lateral sealing member 30 a includes a tip seal 80 proximate the tip 60 .
- the tip seal 80 of the illustrated example is resiliently compliant (e.g., flexible and/or compressible) and extends into the groove 66 .
- the side panel 56 , the channel 58 and the tip 60 include a core 82 made of a flexible material to provide the lateral sealing member 30 a with strength, durability and/or resilience.
- the core materials include, but are not limited to, 1/16′′-1 ⁇ 8′′ thick UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) or other plastics and/or materials of other thicknesses, a spring steel, and/or various combinations of materials.
- the core 82 can be of any suitable design, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a unitary formed piece, an assembly of pieces, a skeletal framework, etc.
- the core 82 may be encased within a pliable covering 84 (e.g., covering 84 a - g ) to prevent airflow though the core 82 .
- a pliable covering 84 e.g., covering 84 a - g
- Example materials of the covering 84 include, but are not limited to, 22-once or 44-once vinyl coated fabric, nylon fabric, polyester fabric, non-fabric plastic sheeting, etc.
- the relative flexibility of the covering 84 enables it to conform to the shape of core 82 .
- the tip seal 80 includes a bowed strip of material 86 having vertical edges 88 sewn, bonded and/or otherwise attached to the covering 84 a and/or to the core 82 .
- the strip 86 is bowed to provide or create an air chamber 90 between the strip 86 and the covering 84 a .
- the seal 80 is hollow.
- the air chamber 90 provides the tip seal 80 with resilient compressibility to sealing conform (as shown in FIG. 6 ) to an interior surface 92 of the sidewall 72 and/or to other rear portions of the vehicle 22 .
- the strip 86 is made of the same material as the covering 84 .
- some examples of the tip seal 80 are more flexible than the core 82 and the channel 58 .
- a lateral sealing member 30 b is similar to the lateral sealing member 30 a but has an alternate tip seal.
- the lateral sealing member 30 b has a tip seal 94 that is formed by drawing together or folding a section 96 of the covering 84 b such that the section 96 bulges to create an air chamber 98 between the section 96 and the core 82 .
- sides 100 of the section 96 are sewn, bonded and/or otherwise attached to the core 82 to create the tip seal 94 as an integral extension of the covering 84 b.
- a lateral sealing member 30 c is similar to the lateral sealing members 30 a and 30 b but has a tip seal 102 instead of the tip seals 80 or 94 .
- the tip seal 102 is formed by folding back a double layer of the covering 84 c and sewing, bonding and/or otherwise fastening that section, near a base 104 of the fold, to the core 82 and/or to another section of the covering 84 c .
- the tip seal 102 is thus an integral extension of the covering 84 c and is hollow to define an air chamber 106 that runs vertically along the tip 60 .
- the lateral sealing member 30 d is similar to lateral sealing members 30 a - c but has yet another alternate tip seal.
- the lateral sealing member 30 d has a tip seal 108 that is formed by cutting, bending and/or refastening the resulting lips 110 and 112 at a base 114 of where they are folded. The lips 110 and/or 112 then protrude into the groove 66 .
- the lip seal 108 resiliently deflects and sealingly engages the sidewall 72 of the vehicle 22 , as shown in FIG. 15 .
- a lateral sealing member 30 e includes a channel seal 116 to seal against an inner surface 118 of the rear door panel 70 .
- the channel seal 116 can be used along with any other tip seal disclosed herein and/or used on a lateral sealing member 30 without a tip seal.
- the channel seal 116 is similar to the tip seal 80 shown in FIGS. 5-7 .
- the channel seal 116 has a bowed strip of material 120 with vertical edges 122 sewn, bonded and/or otherwise attached to the covering 84 e and/or to the core 82 .
- the strip 120 is bowed to create an air chamber 124 between the strip 120 and the covering 84 e , thus this example of the channel seal 116 is hollow.
- the air chamber 124 provides the channel seal 116 with resilient compressibility to sealingly conform (as shown in FIG. 18 ) to the inner surface 118 and/or to other rear portions or surfaces of the vehicle 22 .
- the strip 120 is made of the same material as the covering 84 .
- some examples of the channel seal 116 are more flexible than the core 82 and/or the channel 58 .
- the channel seal 116 protrudes generally from point of the transition 64 toward the tip seal 108 .
- the tip seal 108 protrudes from the lateral sealing member 30 e toward the doorway 18 when the lateral sealing member 30 e is in the relaxed configuration ( FIG. 17 )
- the channel seal 116 protrudes from the lateral sealing member 30 e away from the doorway 18 when the lateral sealing member 30 e is in the relaxed configuration ( FIG. 17 ).
- the tip seal 108 protrudes from the lateral sealing member 30 e outwardly away from the vehicle pathway 40 when the lateral sealing member 30 e is in the activated configuration ( FIG. 18 )
- the channel seal 116 protrudes from the lateral sealing member 30 e inwardly toward the vehicle pathway 40 when the lateral sealing member 30 e is in the activated configuration ( FIG. 18 ).
- FIGS. 20-22 show a lateral sealing member 30 f with a tip seal 126 that is similar to the tip seal 102 of FIGS. 11-13 , but with foam 128 installed or positioned within the air chamber 106 .
- FIGS. 23-25 show an example lateral sealing member 30 g with a tip seal 130 made of an extruded or injection molded sponge rubber, such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer).
- EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomer
- a lateral sealing member 30 h includes an integral living hinge 132 that seamlessly connects a tip seal 134 to the core 82 .
- the hinge 132 causes the tip seal 134 to pivot or move relative to the core 82 and/or the lateral sealing member 30 h .
- the hinge 132 seamlessly connects the tip seal 134 to the channel 58 of the core 82 .
- the hinge 132 is interposed between an inner sealing edge 136 and an outer sealing edge 138 of the tip seal 134 .
- the vehicle 22 engaging the inner sealing member 136 tilts the tip seal 134 about the hinge 132 to force the outer sealing edge 138 sealingly against the vehicle 22 , as shown in FIG. 27 .
- the covering 84 is omitted.
- a brush seal with bristles 150 can be used as an alternative to any of the tip seals shown in FIGS. 1-28 .
- the brush seal can be attached to a lateral sealing member 30 by any suitable means, examples of which include, but are not limited to, rivets, self-tapping screws, hook-and-loop fasteners, kedar strips, sewing, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, etc.
- a lateral sealing member 30 i includes an attached end 54 , a side panel 56 , a rear panel 152 , a tip panel 154 , and a tip 60 ; all of which are vertically elongate.
- the panels 56 , 152 and 154 create a channel 156 that defines a groove 158 in the lateral sealing member 30 i .
- a plurality of bristles 150 a is attached to the rear panel 152 .
- the bristles 150 a provide a compliant seal that covers hinge gap 78 and readily conforms to the vehicle's rear vertical edges 38 , as shown in FIG. 30 .
- the bristles 150 a are distributed evenly over substantially the entire vertical length of the lateral sealing member 30 i .
- the bristles 150 cover appreciably less than the lateral sealing member's overall vertical length 160 for reasons that will be explained later.
- an example lateral sealing member 30 j includes a plurality of bristles 150 b attached to the tip panel 154 , as shown in FIGS. 32-34 . At this mounting location, the bristles 150 b provide an effective seal along the vehicle's rear sidewall 72 , as shown in FIG. 33 .
- an example lateral sealing member 30 k includes a plurality of bristles 150 c attached to the tip panel 154 and a second plurality of bristles 150 d attached to the side panel 56 , as shown in FIGS. 35-37 .
- the bristles 150 c provide an effective seal along the vehicle's rear sidewall 72
- the bristles 150 d provide an effective seal along the vehicle's rear door panel 70 , as shown in FIG. 36 .
- the bristles 150 c and/or 150 d further seal across hinge gap 78 .
- an example lateral sealing member 30 l includes a plurality of bristles 150 e attached to an interface 162 (e.g., an inside corner) of the rear panel 152 and the tip panel 154 , and/or a plurality of bristles 150 f attached to an interface 164 of the rear panel 152 and the side panel 56 , as shown in FIGS. 38-40 .
- the bristles 150 e and/or 150 f provide an effective seal along the vehicle's rear sidewall 72 and/or along the vehicle's rear door panel 70 , as shown in FIG. 39 .
- the bristles 150 e and/or 150 f further seal across hinge gap 78 .
- an example lateral sealing member 30 m includes an attached end 54 , the side panel 56 , the rear panel 152 , a tip panel 154 ′, and a tip 60 ′; all of which are vertically elongate.
- the tip panel 154 ′ is vertically shorter than the rear panel 152 .
- the relatively short length provides the tip panel 154 ′ with vertical clearance to reach into the vehicle's rear door opening 74 without interference from the rear door opening's upper and lower edges.
- the brush segments 166 and 168 each have a plurality of bristles 150 that are installed or coupled at the upper and lower ends of the lateral sealing member 30 m .
- the distribution of bristles 150 (e.g., bristles 150 a - f ) covering less than the lateral sealing member's overall vertical length 160 , allows use any other desired sealing means between the brush segments 166 and 168 .
- arrow 146 of FIG. 3 represents installing a lateral sealing member at the loading dock 12 proximate the doorway 18 .
- Arrows 142 of FIG. 3 represents opening the rear door panel 70 of the vehicle 22 such that the normally inner surface 118 of the rear door panel 70 faces away from the interior surface 92 of the vehicle 22 .
- the arrows 142 also represent creating a hinge gap 38 by opening the rear door panel 70 of the vehicle 22 .
- the arrow 144 of FIG. 3 represents backing the vehicle 22 along the vehicle pathway 40 toward the doorway 18 of the loading dock 12 .
- the arrows 36 of FIG. 3 and the arrow 148 of FIG. 6 represent the vehicle 22 deflecting the lateral sealing member 30 laterally outward in a direction away from the vehicle pathway 40 .
- FIGS. 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39 illustrate a lateral sealing member 30 bridging or covering the hinge gap 38 .
- FIGS. 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 33 and 36 illustrate resiliently distorting a tip seal (e.g., the tip seals 80 , 94 , 102 , 108 , 126 and 134 ) between the lateral sealing member 30 and at least one of the rear portion or the interior surface 92 of the vehicle 22 .
- FIGS. 18 and 36 shows resiliently distorting a channel seal (e.g., the channel seal 116 or the tip seal 154 ) between the lateral sealing member 30 and the normally inner surface 118 of the rear door panel 70 .
- a channel seal e.g., the channel seal 116 or the tip seal 154
- all of the example lateral sealing members 30 disclosed herein can be turned sideways and used as a header for sealing against the vehicle's roof.
- the example header 24 may be implemented with the example lateral sealing members 30 and/or the tip seals disclosed herein.
Abstract
Description
- This disclosure relates generally to sealing members and, more specifically, to sealing members for weather barriers.
- Dock weather barriers, such as dock seals and dock shelters, prevent the ingress of outdoor environmental conditions or contaminants (e.g., rain, snow, wind, hot/cold temperatures, insects, animals, etc.) into the interior of a building and cargo area of a vehicle during the loading and/or unloading of the vehicle. Dock shelters and seals also prevent the egress of conditioned air from within a building and/or a vehicle cargo area to the outdoor environment.
- Some example dock seals use side members having a compressible foam core or body surrounded by a coated fabric or vinyl outer layer. The foam core provides sufficient structural rigidity to enable the side members to be extended a short distance from the building wall surrounding the loading dock. The coated fabric outer layer protects the foam core from outdoor environmental conditions (e.g., moisture), provides wear resistance to repeated impacts from the rear portions of vehicles, and/or may provide desirable aesthetic qualities. Additionally, a header structure may span between the side members along a top portion of the loading dock opening. The header structure may be another compressible member similar in construction to the side members and, in some cases, may include a weighted fabric curtain that hangs downwardly to contact the top of a truck trailer to form an environmental barrier along the top of the trailer.
- Another type of dock seal may use inflatable side members and a header structure having internal compressible resilient pads, which provide some degree of side member compressibility when the side members are in a deflated condition. In either case, when the rear portion of a vehicle (e.g., a truck trailer) is backed into either foam or inflatable dock seal side and header members, the side and header members are compressed toward the building wall to form a seal along the lateral and top back edges of the vehicle. If present, the head curtain sweeps along the top of the trailer to form a seal at the top of the trailer between the side members. Dock seals typically consume a relatively small amount of wall space and can provide a relatively high quality seal between the rear edges of a vehicle and the outside building wall surrounding the dock. However, when the dock seal side members are compressed, they may be displaced into or otherwise encroach on the opening to the rear of the docked vehicle. As a result, the compressed side member may interfere with operation of a fork lift and/or an operator during loading and unloading activities. In addition, inflatable dock seals may be susceptible to power losses and/or may tear and compromise the ability of the side members to inflate to provide an acceptable seal.
- In contrast to dock seals, some example dock shelters use side members that are mounted to the outside building wall surrounding the loading dock. The side members are spaced well to the outside of the sides of a docked vehicle. The side members are configured to extend (i.e., to be cantilevered) an appreciable distance from the outside building wall, particularly in cases where a dock leveler protrudes from the dock opening. The side members may also support flexible seal members or side curtains extending inwardly from the side members across at least a portion of the opening defined by the side members. When a vehicle such as, for example, a truck trailer, is backed into the opening of the dock shelter, the inwardly facing edges of the seal members or side curtains resiliently deflect and sweep against the lateral sides of the trailer to form an environmental barrier therebetween. As with dock seals, dock shelters also typically include a header structure, which may include a head curtain, to form an environmental barrier along the top edge of the rear of the vehicle.
- In contrast to dock seals, dock shelters typically provide unobstructed access to a vehicle cargo area opening (i.e., there are no foam pads or the like to be compressed and displaced into the opening). However, most known dock shelter side members are constructed using rigid wood, fiberglass or metal frames capable of supporting the significant weight of the seal members or side curtains, which are usually held at an appreciable distance (e.g., several feet) from the building wall. Such side members may be permanently deformed if they are impacted by a vehicle. Accordingly, bumpers or stops may be mounted to the lower edge of the dock shelter to prevent a vehicle (e.g., a truck trailer) from impacting and damaging the rigid shelter.
- The rigid side members used to implement these dock shelters are also typically mechanically coupled via the header and/or another rigid member to provide increased lateral rigidity to the dock shelter to minimize the ability of the side members to move from side-to-side. Because of this, the side members typically have to be mounted relatively far apart to accommodate a wide range of possible off-center vehicle positions. This relatively large distance between the rigid side members consumes a significant and, thus, expensive amount of building wall space for each loading dock opening.
- Some example dock shelters having impactable side members. The impactable side members are similar to those used with dock seals and typically use a foam core or body surrounded by a coated fabric outer layer. Seal members or side curtains, which may be constructed using a fabric and flexible fiberglass stays combination or a foam core and fabric combination, are typically mounted to the side members to extend at least partially across the shelter opening. When a vehicle is backed into the shelter, the inwardly facing edges of the seal members or side curtains deflect and sweep against the sides of the vehicle to form an environmental barrier or seal against the sides of the vehicle. In the event the off-center position of a vehicle results in the rear of the vehicle impacting a side member, the foam core or body of the side member is resiliently compressed. When the vehicle is pulled away from an impacted side member, the foam core of the side member causes the side member to substantially recover to its original condition or shape.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example weather barrier with example lateral sealing members constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. A vehicle in the illustrated example is shown in a departed position, and the lateral sealing members are shown in a relaxed configuration. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the example weather barrier ofFIG. 1 showing the vehicle in a parked position and the lateral sealing members in an activated configuration. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 2 -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but with the example lateral sealing member in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of section-7 inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 8 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of section-10 inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 11 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of section-13 inFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 14 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of section-10 inFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 14 but showing the addition of an example channel seal constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 17 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of section-19 inFIG. 17 . -
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 11 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 20 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of section-22 inFIG. 20 . -
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 23 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of section-25 inFIG. 23 . -
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 26 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of section-28 inFIG. 26 . -
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 29 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of section-31 inFIG. 29 . -
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 32 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 34 is an enlarged view of section-34 inFIG. 32 . -
FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 35 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 37 is an enlarged view of section-37 inFIG. 35 . -
FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 5 but showing another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. -
FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 38 but with the example lateral sealing member shown in the activated configuration. -
FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of section-40 inFIG. 38 . -
FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another example lateral sealing member constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. - Example lateral sealing members for use at vehicle loading docks are disclosed herein. An example sealing member disclosed herein may be employed to implement a header (e.g., positioned generally horizontally relative to a doorway) and/or a side seal (e.g., positioned generally vertically relative to a doorway). The example lateral sealing members disclosed herein include tip seals to enhance sealing between the lateral sealing members and a surface of a vehicle to be engaged by the tip seal and/or the lateral sealing members. For example, the lateral sealing members disclosed herein may include a deformable or flexible seal positioned adjacent an end of the lateral sealing member that is to engage a vehicle when the vehicle is parked at a loading dock at which the lateral sealing member is installed. In some examples, the example tip seals of the lateral sealing members disclosed herein increase a contact surface area to enhance sealing capabilities of the lateral sealing members. The tip seals disclosed herein may include a hollow chamber, a deformable air chamber, deformable brush bristles, a pivotal seal, a deformable foam, and/or any other seal. An example lateral sealing member disclosed herein may include a J-shaped cross-section or profile to provide a vertical channel that extends into a pathway of a vehicle to catch or engage a rear vertical edge of the vehicle as the vehicle engages the lateral sealing member. The example channel may cover a hinge gap between a hinged door panel of the vehicle and/or the rear edge of the vehicle. In some examples, the channel may include a tip seal to enhance or increase a sealing contact with the vehicle. In addition or alternatively, some examples lateral sealing members disclosed herein include a channel seal at a point of transition between the channel and a flatter section (e.g., an end attached to a side structure (e.g., an attached end) or a portion not forming the channel) of the lateral sealing member.
-
FIGS. 1-4 show various views of anexample weather barrier 10 installed at aloading dock 12 of abuilding facility 14. Thebuilding 14 has awall 16 with adoorway 18 that provides acargo passageway 20 for transferring cargo between a vehicle 22 (e.g., truck, trailer, etc.) and the interior of thebuilding 14. To help seal or shelter the area between thevehicle 22 and thewall 16, theweather barrier 10 includes aheader 24 and twoside members 26 adjacent (e.g., that line) a perimeter ofdoorway 18. - The
header 24 is schematically illustrated to represent means for sealing against aroof 28 of thevehicle 22. Examples of theheader 24 include, but are not limited to, a weighted curtain, a deflectable panel, a compressible pad, etc. - Each
side member 26 includes an example of a lateral sealing member 30 (e.g.,lateral sealing members 30 a-m) attached to aside support member 32, which in turn is mounted to thewall 16 or to some other structure of thebuilding 14. Theside support member 32 is schematically illustrated to represent any structural means for supporting thelateral sealing member 30. Examples of theside support member 4 include, but are not limited to, a resiliently compressible foam block, a rigid panel, a semi-rigid panel, and/or various combinations thereof. In reaction to thevehicle 22 backing into thedock 12, thelateral sealing members 30 resiliently deflect rearward 34 and outward 36 to seal against rearvertical edges 38 and/or adjacent surfaces (e.g., a side surface) of thevehicle 22.FIGS. 5-41 illustrate various examples of the lateral sealing member 30 (e.g., thelateral sealing members 30 a-m). - For spatial reference, the vehicle's travel path into
dock 12 defines avehicle pathway 40 leading to thedoorway 18. Thedoorway 18 has adoorway height 42 extending in a generally vertical direction and adoorway width 44 extending in a generally lateral horizontal direction. Thedoorway height 42 and thedoorway width 44 lie along and define aplane 46 and aline 48 perpendicular to theplane 46. Thewall 16 has anexterior surface 50 facing in aforward direction 52 parallel to theline 48. Thewall 16 defines thecargo passageway 20 passing through thedoorway 18, where the passageway's height and width corresponds to the doorway'sheight 42 andwidth 44, respectively. Thevehicle 22 is movable between a parked position (FIGS. 2 and 4 ) and a departed position (FIGS. 1 and 3 ). Thevehicle 22 in the parked position is to place or position theweather barrier 10 and thelateral sealing member 30 in an activated configuration, as shown for example inFIGS. 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39 . Thevehicle 22 in the departed position is to place or position theweather barrier 10 andlateral sealing member 30 in a relaxed configuration, as shown for example inFIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32 , 34, 35, 37, 38, 40 and 41. As can be seen in the figures, thelateral sealing member 30 extends farther intovehicle pathway 40 whenlateral sealing member 30 is in the relaxed configuration (FIG. 3 ) than when thelateral sealing member 30 is in the activated configuration (FIG. 4 ). - In the example shown in
FIGS. 5-7 , alateral sealing member 30 a is vertically elongate and includes anend 54, aside panel 56, achannel 58 and atip 60, each of which are vertically elongate. Thetip 60 extends farther intovehicle pathway 40 whenlateral sealing member 30 a is in the relaxed configuration (FIG. 5 ) than when lateral sealingmember 30 a is in the activated configuration (FIG. 6 ). Theend 54 of thelateral sealing member 30 a (e.g., directly) connects, attaches or couples to theside support member 32 and is situated laterally beyond the cargo passageway 20 (e.g., outside a perimeter defining the cargo passageway 20). To form thechannel 38 of the examplelateral sealing member 30 a, the examplelateral sealing member 30 a has a J-shaped end and/or a J-shaped cross-section or profile (e.g., when the cross-section is taken along a plane horizontal relative to ground or perpendicular relative to a vertical length of thelateral sealing member 30 a). With reference to ahorizontal direction 62 and the J-shaped horizontal cross-section (e.g.,FIG. 5 ), theside panel 56 extends between theend 54 and thechannel 58. Theside panel 56 includes atransition 64 between thechannel 58 and theend 54 to adjoin or couple thechannel 38 and theside panel 56. Also with reference tohorizontal direction 62,channel 58 extends betweentip 60 andside panel 56. - The
channel 58 defines a verticallyelongate groove 66 that is sized to receive the rearvertical edge 38 of thevehicle 22. In some examples, therear edge 38 is an area where adoor hinge 68 of thevehicle 22 pivotally couples arear door panel 70 of thevehicle 12 to asidewall 72 of thevehicle 22. In some examples, thesidewall 72 includes arear flange 76 or doorframe surrounding a rear door opening 74 of thevehicle 22. In the illustrated examples, thechannel 58 bridges ahinge gap 78 between thedoor panel 70 and thesidewall 72. To enhance and/or increase a sealing contact or area between thelateral sealing member 30 a and thevehicle 22, thelateral sealing member 30 a includes atip seal 80 proximate thetip 60. Thetip seal 80 of the illustrated example is resiliently compliant (e.g., flexible and/or compressible) and extends into thegroove 66. - In the example shown in
FIGS. 5-7 , theside panel 56, thechannel 58 and thetip 60 include a core 82 made of a flexible material to provide thelateral sealing member 30 a with strength, durability and/or resilience. Examples of the core materials include, but are not limited to, 1/16″-⅛″ thick UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) or other plastics and/or materials of other thicknesses, a spring steel, and/or various combinations of materials. The core 82 can be of any suitable design, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a unitary formed piece, an assembly of pieces, a skeletal framework, etc. In some examples, particularly those where thecore 82 is a skeletal framework, thecore 82 may be encased within a pliable covering 84 (e.g., covering 84 a-g) to prevent airflow though thecore 82. Example materials of the covering 84 include, but are not limited to, 22-once or 44-once vinyl coated fabric, nylon fabric, polyester fabric, non-fabric plastic sheeting, etc. The relative flexibility of the covering 84 enables it to conform to the shape ofcore 82. - In this example, the
tip seal 80 includes a bowed strip ofmaterial 86 havingvertical edges 88 sewn, bonded and/or otherwise attached to the covering 84 a and/or to thecore 82. Thestrip 86 is bowed to provide or create anair chamber 90 between thestrip 86 and the covering 84 a. In the illustrated example, theseal 80 is hollow. Theair chamber 90 provides thetip seal 80 with resilient compressibility to sealing conform (as shown inFIG. 6 ) to aninterior surface 92 of thesidewall 72 and/or to other rear portions of thevehicle 22. In some examples, thestrip 86 is made of the same material as the covering 84. For enhanced sealing, some examples of thetip seal 80 are more flexible than the core 82 and thechannel 58. - In another example, shown in
FIGS. 8-10 , alateral sealing member 30 b is similar to thelateral sealing member 30 a but has an alternate tip seal. Thelateral sealing member 30 b has atip seal 94 that is formed by drawing together or folding asection 96 of the covering 84 b such that thesection 96 bulges to create anair chamber 98 between thesection 96 and thecore 82. To form theair chamber 98,sides 100 of thesection 96 are sewn, bonded and/or otherwise attached to the core 82 to create thetip seal 94 as an integral extension of the covering 84 b. - In the example shown in
FIGS. 11-13 , alateral sealing member 30 c is similar to thelateral sealing members tip seal 102 instead of the tip seals 80 or 94. Thetip seal 102 is formed by folding back a double layer of the covering 84 c and sewing, bonding and/or otherwise fastening that section, near abase 104 of the fold, to thecore 82 and/or to another section of the covering 84 c. Thetip seal 102 is thus an integral extension of the covering 84 c and is hollow to define anair chamber 106 that runs vertically along thetip 60. - In the example shown in
FIGS. 14-16 , thelateral sealing member 30 d is similar tolateral sealing members 30 a-c but has yet another alternate tip seal. Thelateral sealing member 30 d has atip seal 108 that is formed by cutting, bending and/or refastening the resultinglips base 114 of where they are folded. Thelips 110 and/or 112 then protrude into thegroove 66. In reaction to thevehicle 22 backing into thedock 12, thelip seal 108 resiliently deflects and sealingly engages thesidewall 72 of thevehicle 22, as shown inFIG. 15 . - In addition or alternatively to the
tip seal 108, alateral sealing member 30 e includes achannel seal 116 to seal against aninner surface 118 of therear door panel 70. Thechannel seal 116 can be used along with any other tip seal disclosed herein and/or used on alateral sealing member 30 without a tip seal. In the example illustrated inFIGS. 17-19 , thechannel seal 116 is similar to thetip seal 80 shown inFIGS. 5-7 . Thechannel seal 116 has a bowed strip ofmaterial 120 withvertical edges 122 sewn, bonded and/or otherwise attached to the covering 84 e and/or to thecore 82. Thestrip 120 is bowed to create anair chamber 124 between thestrip 120 and the covering 84 e, thus this example of thechannel seal 116 is hollow. Theair chamber 124 provides thechannel seal 116 with resilient compressibility to sealingly conform (as shown inFIG. 18 ) to theinner surface 118 and/or to other rear portions or surfaces of thevehicle 22. In some examples, thestrip 120 is made of the same material as the covering 84. For enhanced sealing, some examples of thechannel seal 116 are more flexible than the core 82 and/or thechannel 58. - To provide bidirectional sealing, in the example shown in
FIGS. 17-19 , thechannel seal 116 protrudes generally from point of thetransition 64 toward thetip seal 108. Also, thetip seal 108 protrudes from thelateral sealing member 30 e toward thedoorway 18 when thelateral sealing member 30 e is in the relaxed configuration (FIG. 17 ), and thechannel seal 116 protrudes from thelateral sealing member 30 e away from thedoorway 18 when thelateral sealing member 30 e is in the relaxed configuration (FIG. 17 ). In addition, thetip seal 108 protrudes from thelateral sealing member 30 e outwardly away from thevehicle pathway 40 when thelateral sealing member 30 e is in the activated configuration (FIG. 18 ), and thechannel seal 116 protrudes from thelateral sealing member 30 e inwardly toward thevehicle pathway 40 when thelateral sealing member 30 e is in the activated configuration (FIG. 18 ). - Any of the hollow seals (e.g., 90, 98, 106, 124) disclosed herein can be filled with resiliently compressible foam to increase a sealing force against the
vehicle 22.FIGS. 20-22 , for example, show alateral sealing member 30 f with atip seal 126 that is similar to thetip seal 102 ofFIGS. 11-13 , but withfoam 128 installed or positioned within theair chamber 106. -
FIGS. 23-25 show an examplelateral sealing member 30 g with atip seal 130 made of an extruded or injection molded sponge rubber, such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). - In the example shown in
FIGS. 26-28 , alateral sealing member 30 h includes anintegral living hinge 132 that seamlessly connects atip seal 134 to thecore 82. Thehinge 132 causes thetip seal 134 to pivot or move relative to thecore 82 and/or thelateral sealing member 30 h. In some examples, thehinge 132 seamlessly connects thetip seal 134 to thechannel 58 of thecore 82. In the illustrated example, thehinge 132 is interposed between aninner sealing edge 136 and anouter sealing edge 138 of thetip seal 134. In reaction tovehicle 22 backing into thelateral sealing member 30 h, thevehicle 22 engaging theinner sealing member 136 tilts thetip seal 134 about thehinge 132 to force theouter sealing edge 138 sealingly against thevehicle 22, as shown inFIG. 27 . In some examples of thelateral sealing member 30 h, the covering 84 is omitted. - A brush seal with bristles 150 (e.g., bristles 150 a-f) can be used as an alternative to any of the tip seals shown in
FIGS. 1-28 . The brush seal can be attached to alateral sealing member 30 by any suitable means, examples of which include, but are not limited to, rivets, self-tapping screws, hook-and-loop fasteners, kedar strips, sewing, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, etc. In the example shown inFIGS. 29-31 , alateral sealing member 30 i includes an attachedend 54, aside panel 56, arear panel 152, atip panel 154, and atip 60; all of which are vertically elongate. Thepanels channel 156 that defines agroove 158 in thelateral sealing member 30 i. In this example, a plurality ofbristles 150 a is attached to therear panel 152. Thebristles 150 a provide a compliant seal that covershinge gap 78 and readily conforms to the vehicle's rearvertical edges 38, as shown inFIG. 30 . In some examples, thebristles 150 a are distributed evenly over substantially the entire vertical length of thelateral sealing member 30 i. In other examples, as shown inFIG. 41 , thebristles 150 cover appreciably less than the lateral sealing member's overallvertical length 160 for reasons that will be explained later. - In addition or alternatively, an example
lateral sealing member 30 j includes a plurality ofbristles 150 b attached to thetip panel 154, as shown inFIGS. 32-34 . At this mounting location, thebristles 150 b provide an effective seal along the vehicle'srear sidewall 72, as shown inFIG. 33 . - In addition or alternatively, an example lateral sealing member 30 k includes a plurality of
bristles 150 c attached to thetip panel 154 and a second plurality ofbristles 150 d attached to theside panel 56, as shown inFIGS. 35-37 . In this example, thebristles 150 c provide an effective seal along the vehicle'srear sidewall 72, and thebristles 150 d provide an effective seal along the vehicle'srear door panel 70, as shown inFIG. 36 . In some examples, thebristles 150 c and/or 150 d further seal acrosshinge gap 78. - In addition or alternatively, an example lateral sealing member 30 l includes a plurality of
bristles 150 e attached to an interface 162 (e.g., an inside corner) of therear panel 152 and thetip panel 154, and/or a plurality ofbristles 150 f attached to aninterface 164 of therear panel 152 and theside panel 56, as shown inFIGS. 38-40 . In this example, thebristles 150 e and/or 150 f provide an effective seal along the vehicle'srear sidewall 72 and/or along the vehicle'srear door panel 70, as shown inFIG. 39 . In some examples, thebristles 150 e and/or 150 f further seal acrosshinge gap 78. - Referring again to
FIG. 41 , an examplelateral sealing member 30 m includes an attachedend 54, theside panel 56, therear panel 152, atip panel 154′, and atip 60′; all of which are vertically elongate. In this example, thetip panel 154′ is vertically shorter than therear panel 152. The relatively short length provides thetip panel 154′ with vertical clearance to reach into the vehicle's rear door opening 74 without interference from the rear door opening's upper and lower edges. To provide sealing at the door opening's upper and lower edges, thebrush segments bristles 150 that are installed or coupled at the upper and lower ends of thelateral sealing member 30 m. The distribution of bristles 150 (e.g., bristles 150 a-f) covering less than the lateral sealing member's overallvertical length 160, allows use any other desired sealing means between thebrush segments - For further clarification,
arrow 146 ofFIG. 3 represents installing a lateral sealing member at theloading dock 12 proximate thedoorway 18.Arrows 142 ofFIG. 3 represents opening therear door panel 70 of thevehicle 22 such that the normallyinner surface 118 of therear door panel 70 faces away from theinterior surface 92 of thevehicle 22. Thearrows 142 also represent creating ahinge gap 38 by opening therear door panel 70 of thevehicle 22. Thearrow 144 ofFIG. 3 represents backing thevehicle 22 along thevehicle pathway 40 toward thedoorway 18 of theloading dock 12. Thearrows 36 ofFIG. 3 and thearrow 148 ofFIG. 6 represent thevehicle 22 deflecting thelateral sealing member 30 laterally outward in a direction away from thevehicle pathway 40.FIGS. 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 and 39 illustrate alateral sealing member 30 bridging or covering thehinge gap 38.FIGS. 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 33 and 36 illustrate resiliently distorting a tip seal (e.g., the tip seals 80, 94, 102, 108, 126 and 134) between thelateral sealing member 30 and at least one of the rear portion or theinterior surface 92 of thevehicle 22.FIGS. 18 and 36 shows resiliently distorting a channel seal (e.g., thechannel seal 116 or the tip seal 154) between thelateral sealing member 30 and the normallyinner surface 118 of therear door panel 70. In addition or alternatively, all of the examplelateral sealing members 30 disclosed herein can be turned sideways and used as a header for sealing against the vehicle's roof. In other words, theexample header 24 may be implemented with the examplelateral sealing members 30 and/or the tip seals disclosed herein. - At least some of the aforementioned examples include one or more features and/or benefits including, but not limited to, the following:
- In some examples,
- Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of the coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
Claims (50)
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/833,366 US9592972B1 (en) | 2015-08-24 | 2015-08-24 | Sealing members for weather barriers |
EP16758356.6A EP3341312A1 (en) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-08-23 | Sealing members for weather barriers |
PCT/US2016/048186 WO2017035135A1 (en) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-08-23 | Sealing members for weather barriers |
CA2996521A CA2996521C (en) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-08-23 | Sealing members for weather barriers |
CN201680052178.8A CN108025877B (en) | 2015-08-24 | 2016-08-23 | Sealing member for a weather barrier |
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US14/833,366 US9592972B1 (en) | 2015-08-24 | 2015-08-24 | Sealing members for weather barriers |
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US9592972B1 US9592972B1 (en) | 2017-03-14 |
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WO2013036634A1 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2013-03-14 | Dl Manufacturing | Apparatus and method for sealing a dock leveler assembly |
US8915029B2 (en) | 2012-02-24 | 2014-12-23 | Rite-Hite Holding Corporation | Face panels for loading dock seals and shelters |
US9162832B2 (en) | 2013-07-02 | 2015-10-20 | Rite-Hite Holding Corporation | Vehicle-actuated weather barrier apparatus |
US9010039B2 (en) | 2013-07-02 | 2015-04-21 | Rite-Hite Holding Corporation | Weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks |
-
2015
- 2015-08-24 US US14/833,366 patent/US9592972B1/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-08-23 CN CN201680052178.8A patent/CN108025877B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2016-08-23 EP EP16758356.6A patent/EP3341312A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-08-23 CA CA2996521A patent/CA2996521C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2016-08-23 WO PCT/US2016/048186 patent/WO2017035135A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140367927A1 (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2014-12-18 | Dl Manufacturing | Apparatus and method for sealing a dock leveler assembly |
US9777837B2 (en) * | 2011-09-06 | 2017-10-03 | Dl Manufacturing | Apparatus and method for sealing a dock leveler assembly |
US11625074B2 (en) | 2019-10-21 | 2023-04-11 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Electronic device including dustproof structure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN108025877A (en) | 2018-05-11 |
CA2996521C (en) | 2020-09-01 |
US9592972B1 (en) | 2017-03-14 |
CN108025877B (en) | 2021-02-19 |
WO2017035135A1 (en) | 2017-03-02 |
EP3341312A1 (en) | 2018-07-04 |
CA2996521A1 (en) | 2017-03-02 |
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