Vehicle and docking bay sealing method and apparatus

Abstract

An engaging mechanism is provided for providing a seal between a vehicle, such as a delivery truck, and a fixed structure, such as a loading dock of an office building or warehouse. The engaging mechanism includes a receiving member, a resilient member a belt and a deformable medium. As the vehicle moves toward the fixed structure, the vehicle pushes against the belt, deforms the deformable medium and bends the resilient member to form a seal.

1 . An engaging mechanism, comprising: 
 a receiving member configured to accommodate insertion of a portion of a vehicle therein;    a resilient member connected to the receiving member;    a belt connected to the resilient member; and    a deformable medium connected to the receiving member.    
     
     
         2 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a fastener directly connecting the resilient member to the receiving member.    
     
     
         3 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving member and the resilient member are formed from a common component, and wherein an indentation in the common component facilitates movement of the resilient member relative to the receiving member.  
     
     
         4 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving member is hook shaped and configured to engage a portion of a door and frame of the vehicle.  
     
     
         5 . The engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member comprises at least one of a polymer, an elastomer, a metal or a foam.  
     
     
         6 . The engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is pliable in two opposite directions.  
     
     
         7 . The engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member has at least one of a non-uniform geometry or a non-uniform composition.  
     
     
         8 . The engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the belt is connected at a first end thereof to the resilient member and at an opposite second end thereof to the receiving member.  
     
     
         9 . The engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the belt comprises a webbed portion.  
     
     
         10 . The engaging member of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable medium comprises foam.  
     
     
         11 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a bendable member connected to the belt; and    a first support connected to a bendable member and configured to connect the second support to a structure and to allow the second support to move relative to the structure.    
     
     
         12 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first support connected to the receiving member;    a second support;    a first connector connected to the first support and the second support, wherein the first connector allows for the first support to move relative to the second support; and    a second connector configured to connect the second support to a structure and to allow the second support to move relative to the structure.    
     
     
         13 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the first support comprises a foam.  
     
     
         14 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the first connector comprises a fiberglass hinge.  
     
     
         15 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is configured to create a seal against a first surface of the vehicle when positioned adjacent thereto and wherein the belt is configured to pull the resilient member toward the first surface of the vehicle when the portion of the vehicle is received within the receiving member.  
     
     
         16 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member comprises a fringe region having a plurality of slats that are individually movable relative to each other.  
     
     
         17 . An engaging mechanism, comprising: 
 receiving means for receiving a portion of a vehicle therein;    first sealing means for creating a seal against a first surface of the vehicle;    second sealing means for creating a seal against a second surface of the vehicle; and    pulling means, detached from the second sealing means, for pulling the first sealing means toward the first surface of the vehicle when the portion of the vehicle is received within the receiving means.    
     
     
         18 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 fastening means for fastening the resilient member directly to the receiving member.    
     
     
         19 . The engaging mechanism of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 first supporting means connected to the receiving means;    second supporting means;    first connecting means connected to the first supporting means and the second supporting means, wherein the first connecting means allows for the first supporting means to move relative to the second supporting means; and    a second connecting means configured to connect the second supporting means to a structure and to allow the second supporting means to move relative to the structure.    
     
     
         20 . A method of sealing a vehicle to a structure, the method comprising: 
 pushing a first deformable medium into a distinct second deformable medium with a vehicle, thereby deforming the first deformable medium and the second deformable medium; and    pulling a resilient member connected to the first deformable medium toward a side of the vehicle using the first deformable medium as the first deformable medium is deformed.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 forming a seal between the resilient member and the side of the vehicle.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pushing step comprises moving a first support relative to a fixed structure and wherein the first support is connected to the first deformable medium and the fixed structure.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pushing step further comprises moving a second support relative to the first support, wherein the second support is connected between the first support and the first deformable medium.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 sealing a gap between an open door of the vehicle and a sidewall of the vehicle with at least one of the first deformable medium and the second deformable medium.