Sealing apparatus for forming a weather seal between a vehicle and a loading dock or the like

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . 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.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the vertical movement of the support results from a pivoting movement thereof.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support is adapted to remain substantially stationary when the vehicle moves toward the structure.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the vertical movement of the support relieves pressure between the seal and the top surface to facilitate exiting of the vehicle.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the seal remains in contact with the vehicle when the support moves away from the top surface.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support is mounted to the structure via at least one hinge.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support comprises a hood secured above a dock opening.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 7    wherein the hood is pivotably secured to the structure.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock seal.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock shelter.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support comprises a first arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the structure and a second end secured to the seal.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 11    further comprising a hood and wherein the first arm is sized to rotate about the first end without contacting the hood.  
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support comprises: 
 a first arm; and  
 a second arm pivotably coupled to the first arm, wherein the seal is coupled to the second arm.  
 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 13    wherein the first arm is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a hood.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 13    wherein the first arm is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock seal.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 13    wherein the first arm is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock shelter.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the seal comprises a foam pad.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    further comprising a sand tube secured to a lower edge of the seal.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    further comprising a resilient member for biasing the seal towards the first position.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    further comprising a stiffening member disposed between the seal and the structure.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 20    wherein the stiffening member comprises a foam block mounted on spring steel.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 21    wherein the seal comprises a foam pad.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 22    wherein the foam block has a higher density than the foam pad.  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 21    wherein the spring steel biases the seal towards the first position via the foam block.  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 20    wherein the stiffening member comprises an inflatable air bag in communication with a blower.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 1    wherein the support is flexible, and the vertical movement of the support results from a flexing movement of at least a portion of the support.  
     
     
         27 . 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.    
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 27    wherein the support is mounted for vertical movement away from the top surface when the vehicle moves away from the structure.  
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 28    wherein the vertical movement of the support results from a pivoting movement thereof.  
     
     
         30 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 28    wherein the vertical movement of the support relieves pressure between the seal and the top surface to facilitate exiting of the vehicle.  
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 28    wherein the seal remains in contact with the vehicle when the support moves away from the top surface.  
     
     
         32 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 28    wherein the support is adapted to remain substantially stationary when the vehicle moves toward the structure.  
     
     
         33 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 29    wherein the support is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock seal.  
     
     
         34 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 29    wherein the support is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock shelter.  
     
     
         35 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 27    wherein the seal comprises a foam pad.  
     
     
         36 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 27    wherein the stiffening member comprises a foam block mounted on spring steel.  
     
     
         37 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 36    wherein the seal comprises a foam pad.  
     
     
         38 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 37    wherein the foam block has a higher density than the foam pad.  
     
     
         39 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 36    wherein the spring steel biases the seal towards the first position via the foam block.  
     
     
         40 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 27    wherein the stiffening member comprises an inflatable air bag in communication with a blower.  
     
     
         41 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 28    wherein the support is flexible, and the vertical movement of the support results from a flexing movement of at least a portion of the support.  
     
     
         42 . 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.    
     
     
         43 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 42    wherein the vertical movement of the support results from a pivoting movement thereof.  
     
     
         44 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 42    wherein the foam block is biased by spring steel upon which it is mounted.  
     
     
         45 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 43    wherein the support is adapted to pivot away from the top surface when the vehicle moves away from the structure.  
     
     
         46 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 45    wherein the pivoting of the support relieves pressure between the seal and the top surface to facilitate exiting of the vehicle.  
     
     
         47 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 45    wherein the seal remains in contact with the vehicle when the support pivots away from the top surface.  
     
     
         48 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 42    wherein the support is adapted to remain substantially stationary when the vehicle moves toward the structure.  
     
     
         49 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 42    wherein the support comprises a hood secured above a dock opening.  
     
     
         50 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 43    wherein the support is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock seal.  
     
     
         51 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 43    wherein the support is pivotably coupled to the structure indirectly via a portion of a dock shelter.  
     
     
         52 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 42    wherein the seal comprises a foam pad.  
     
     
         53 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 52    wherein the foam block has a higher density than the foam pad.  
     
     
         54 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 42    wherein the support is flexible, and the vertical movement of the support results from a flexing movement of at least a portion of the support.  
     
     
         55 . For use with a structure located adjacent a parking area for vehicles having a top surface with a leading edge, an apparatus comprising: 
 a deflectable seal mounted in a path of a vehicle entering the parking area; and,    a locator secured to the deflectable seal and including a distal recess for engaging the leading edge of a vehicle entering the parking area.    
     
     
         56 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein, if the leading edge of the vehicle is higher than an initial position of the locator, the deflectable seal deflects such that the locator moves upwards to locate the leading edge as the vehicle enters the parking space.  
     
     
         57 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein the deflectable seal is rigid.  
     
     
         58 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein the deflectable seal comprises a foam pad.  
     
     
         59 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein the locator comprises a foam block.  
     
     
         60 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein the locator is pivotably attached to the deflectable seal.  
     
     
         61 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein the deflectable seal is coupled to a hood.  
     
     
         62 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 55    wherein the deflectable seal comprises at least two pivotably attached arms.  
     
     
         63 . 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.    
     
     
         64 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 63    wherein the two phase pressure means comprises a foam block mounted upon spring steel.  
     
     
         65 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 64    wherein the spring steel applies a substantial portion of the first pressure, and the second pressure is developed by a resistance to deformation of the foam block and a force applied by the spring steel.  
     
     
         66 . 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.    
     
     
         67 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 66    wherein the two phase pressure means comprises a foam block mounted upon spring steel.  
     
     
         68 . An apparatus as defined in    claim 67    wherein the spring steel applies a substantial portion of the first pressure, and the second pressure is developed by a resistance to deformation of the foam block and a force applied by the spring steel.