Vehicle and docking bay sealing method and apparatus

Abstract

A panel assembly 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 panel assembly includes one or more panels that include a foam core and a layer positioned adjacent to the foam core. The layer may include laminated polymer sheets or any of a variety of rigid materials, such as steel, fiberglass, wood and aluminum.

1 . A panel assembly, comprising: 
 a first panel that includes 
 a first foam core having a first side, and  
 a first layer adjacent to the first side;  
   a second panel; and    a first connector connected to the first panel and to the second panel and configured to allow for the first panel to move relative to the second panel.    
     
     
         2 . The panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         3 . The panel assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of plastic sheets.  
     
     
         4 . The panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer extends around a perimeter of the first foam core.  
     
     
         5 . The panel assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer comprises at least one of steel, fiberglass, wood or aluminum.  
     
     
         6 . The panel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second panel comprises: 
 a second foam core having a second side; and    a second layer adjacent to the second side.    
     
     
         7 . The panel assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the second layer comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         8 . The panel assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the second layer comprises a plurality of plastic sheets.  
     
     
         9 . The panel assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the second layer comprises at least one of steel, fiberglass, wood or aluminum.  
     
     
         10 . The panel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an engaging mechanism attached to the first panel, the engaging mechanism including;    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 member connected to the receiving member.    
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly, the method comprising: 
 forming a first panel having a first foam core and a first layer adjacent to a first side of the first foam core;    attaching the first layer to the first side of the first foam core; and    attaching a second panel to the first panel using a first connector.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming the first panel step comprises: 
 laminating a first polymer sheet onto the first side of the first panel to form the first layer.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming the first panel step comprises: 
 injecting a foam into a first casing to form the first foam core, wherein the first casing includes the first layer.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 forming the second panel to have a second foam core and a second layer adjacent to a first side of the second foam core; and    attaching the second layer to the first side of the second foam core.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the forming the second panel step comprises: 
 laminating a second polymer sheet onto the first side of the second panel to form the second layer.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the forming the second panel step comprises: 
 injecting a foam into a second casing to form the second foam core, wherein the second casing includes the second layer.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 attaching an engaging mechanism to the first panel.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 forming the engaging mechanism to include 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 member connected to the receiving member.    
     
     
         19 . A panel assembly, comprising: 
 first engaging means for engaging a first portion of a vehicle, the first engaging means including; 
 filling means for filling an interior portion of the first engaging means, wherein the filling means includes a first side, and  
 covering means for covering the filling means, wherein the covering means is positioned adjacent to the first side of the filling means; and  
   second engaging means for engaging the first portion of the vehicle; and    connecting means for connecting the first engaging means and the second engaging means, wherein the connecting means is configured to allow for the first engaging means to move relative to the second engaging means.    
     
     
         20 . The panel assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 third engaging means for engaging a second portion of the vehicle, wherein the third engaging means is connected to the first engaging means, the third engaging model including;    receiving means for receiving the second portion of the 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 aligning 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.